NAN Exemplary Winners Online

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) has updated their website to showcase the ribbon winners for their 2014 and 1015 annual Examplary exhibit.
http://needleart.org/2015-exemplary-ribbon-winners/

Not everything is needlepoint, but much is and there is a lot to see and admire.  Choose "Galleries" to explore their Lifetime Achievement award winners and their stitching or look at their Permanent Collection of outstanding needlework.

Thanks, NAN!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 9, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Orna Made Her Do It

Remember how I suggested you use Orna Willis' thread sets for sale in her Etsy store as inspiration when choosing colors?   (If you don't you can click on this link and read my deathless prose!)
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2015/10/ornas-silk-collections.html

Susan's friend  Irene has taken this one step further and used Orna's "Sunflower" as inspiration for her crazy quilting.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/10/halloween-candy.html

Here's Orna's version of "Sunflower."
http://adornbyorna.com/collections/kits/products/sunflower-needlepoint-kit/?variant=3911976193

http://adornbyorna.com/collections/instruction-guides/products/sunflower-instruction-guide/?variant=

Every time I look at the model, Irene's version and her crazy quilting, I see something different. Orna, you are a genius!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 5, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Free Little Autumn Fun UPDATED

To mark the cool fall season, Laura Perin has posted a new free chart on her blog. Thank you Laura!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-little-friday-fun.html

UPDATE:  Laura has added another free chart for an autumn season of stitching. I love the maple leaf look of some of the stitches.  Thanks!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2015/11/fall-is-in-air.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

No Smoking

I love this sign!  It was spotted by Pepita in a doctor's office.  Great job, Ellen!
http://needlepointofview.com/2015/11/03/no-smoking-in-needlepoint/

My doctor's old office also had a framed needlepoint, a large geometric in the style of oriental rugs, on the walls.  It was stitched by one of the nurses but I never managed to find out which one and thank her for the treat before my doctor switched to another practice.

Maybe we should all stitch things for our doctors to display!  Where else are there lots of people sitting and looking at the walls while they wait?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Which Came First? The Balger Braid or the Blending Filament?

Today's history lesson is about Kreinik's braids and blending filament. 
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2015/11/which-came-first-filament-or-braid.html

Do you remember the first time you saw Kreinik's metallic threads?  I do.  It was around 1987-88 when I saw gold braid, probably size 8, in Boston at the WEIU needlepoint shop on Boylston Street.  It was a revelation as the only needlepoint thread I'd seen up to that time was Appleton crewel wool and Paternayan wool.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.