Tony Minieri on Pattern Couching and Or Nue'

Tony Minieri has posted a tutorial on pattern couching and Or Nue' on his blog. He points out this is a great way to add texture and dimension to small areas of your canvas.
http://www.tonyminieri.com/tonyblog/2015/4/29/the-highs-and-lows-of-embellishment

It's a Must Read!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kaleidoscope (DebBee's Designs)

If you are a fan of counted canvaswork, you'll want to read the background behind one of DebBee's Designs' newest charts, "Kaleidoscope."  This was introduced in January at the last TNNA market.
http://debbeesdesigns.com/DDWrdPrs/?p=1609

If you haven't done counted pieces before, you should take a look at Debbie's website, just to see the delights you can create on blank canvas.
http://debbeesdesigns.com/DDWrdPrs/?page_id=4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Anna's Lettering Class

Anna Pearson King posted to her blog about a lettering class she's holding in England. There are a lot of fun ideas for alphabets here. Thanks for sharing!
http://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/lettering-class.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Who Knew Stumpwork Was So Intricate?!

Tricia Nguyen explains some of the things that are going to be taught in the repeat of her 17th Century stumpwork course.  I knew that stumpwork animals and people had to be done in stages but not that so much detail was possible. Check out the patterns on the king's pants and jacket.  Look at the intricate needle lace of the deer antlers!  WOW--there were 20 varieties of needlelace used?!
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2015/05/whats-up-stumpwork.html

This is more proof that we should not assume our stitching ancestors had fewer skills and materials available than we do.    The opposite is true.

Here is a description of the stumpwork course.  It starts November 2015.  Costs and more detail are in link two below.  Don't tarry.  The class is limited to 150 participants.
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/p/stumpwork.html

http://thistle-threads.com/teaching/projects/onlineclasses/casket2/info_coc_register2.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Another Sylvia Sydney Fan (and eBay Kits)

Looks like I've uncovered another Sylvia Sydney fan.  Hi, Lisa!
http://shewasabird.blogspot.com/2011/03/sylvia-sidneys-needlepoint-1968.html

You really do need to read this book.  It's my favorite needlepoint book of all time.

By the way, I just discovered a Sylvia Sydney needlepoint kit of a lion. Who knew?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Paragon-Sylvia-Sidney-Lion-Pillow-Top-Needlepoint-Kit-Jungle-Animals-/191002991918

Further searching turned up several needlepoint kits from Paragon with the Sylvia Sydney name.  I found two quilt pattern-like pillows...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PARAGON-SYLVIA-SIDNEY-SMOKY-TOPAZ-PILLOW-TOP-NEEDLEPOINT-KIT-/121605314081?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c503dd621

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SYLVIA-SIDNEY-NEEDLEPOINT-KIT-PILLOW-TOP-STAR-RUBY-3D-14X14-PARAGON-/281662949742?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41946b896e

,,,two headband designs--this is the 1970s, remember?--that can also be made into chokers or belts (or all three)...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-70s-Sylvia-Sidney-Paragon-Needlepoint-Kit-Confetti-Headband-Chokers-/251918258397?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa77f90dd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Sylvia-Sidney-Needlepoint-Bargello-Headband-Chokers-Kit-Paragon-Needlecraft-/321711187385?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae77b25b9

...a Bargello belt...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvia-Sidney-Needlepoint-Bargello-Belt-Kit-34-Paragon-Needlecraft-/281661360281?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4194534899

...and a daisy-butterfly wall hanging.  Fun!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Daisy-Flower-Butterfly-Picture-Needlepoint-Kit-Sylvia-Sidney-Picture-NIP-/261854459705?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf7bdf739

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.