Whimsical Stitch Dances with Squares

Mary Legallet of Whimsical Stitch is doing something new on her blog--a month's worth of analysis of square stitches.   She starts off this week with variations of 4x4 squares--square stitches that cover four thread intersections high by four wide--and discusses various threads that will enhance each block of 4x4 patterns.  Mary posts on Wednesdays and occasional Sundays, so keep an eye out for more square stitches dancing around Mary's blog.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/1/6/silly-squares

Mary goes back to the basics with this exploration of square stitches that cover an area that is two threads wide and two high. There are a LOT of them and all are perfect for that very small space.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/1/10/it-takes-two

Mary's next exploration area is the much larger 5x5 square.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/1/13/the-true-inspiration

Then she moves to her personal favorite, the 6x6 square.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/1/20/devilish-squares

Then we go back to the small 3x3 squares. which are a lot more elaborate than you would think in a such a tiny space.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/1/24/3x3

The final dancing with squares is 9x9 combined with 3x3s.  It's a lot more interesting than boring plain 9s!
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/1/27/nine-nirvana

Remember to follow the links to her Pinterest and Instagram pages to see the diagrams and stitched examples. Thanks for the fun tutorial on square stitches, Mary!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 6, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitcherie Viewer's Choice for 2015 UPDATED

Ruth Schmuff is once again posting the poll to vote for the Viewer's Choice winner of the 2015 Stitcherie Games. You can see the 21 entries at the link below and vote for your favorite.The poll closes on January 31 and the winner will be announced February 2.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2016/01/stitcherie-games-viewers-choice-2015_21.html

UPDATE:  We have a winner!  Congratulations, Janice.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2016/02/and-we-have-winner.html

But everyone who participated is a winner in my book.  Thank you all!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 21, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Rehoboth Beach Museum Exhibit Details UPDATED

Brenda posted a mention of this fun exhibit on her blog so you can remember to mark March 19-May 22 on your calendar.  That's how long the exhibit will be viewable at the Rehoboth Beach Museum in Delaware.  The deadline for sending an exhibit and all the other details are here--
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2016/01/rehoboth-beach-museum-6th-annual.html

UPDATE:
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2016/03/paging-for-judge-31616.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 14, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Red SOTM 2016 UPDATED

Melita and her local stitching guild are working the American Needlepoint Guild's 2016 Stitch of the Month (SOTM) project.  Melitia decided to do hers in shades of red instead of the original golden yellows.  She posted a list of her chosen red threads on her blog and showed the difference working the Amadeus stitch on alternate sides or one side at a time makes.  It's almost as much fun as being part of Melita's chapter to read her blog.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/ang-2016-stitch-of-the-month/

Brenda also has posted her list of threads for this project. She's going blue!
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/p/sotm-2016-thread-list.html

If you are not familiar with ANG's Stitch of the Month projects and stitch diagrams, here is the entire set since 1998 on their website.  It is a fabulous resource!
http://www.needlepoint.org/Stitch.php

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 29, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Drawer Storage for Needlepoint Supplies

Sheena's New Storage Unit from Ikea

Sheena of Sheena's Sweet Stitches saw a wonderful storage system at Ruth Schmuff's new quarters and immediately picked up a similar set for herself at her local Ikea.   It is called the Alex and comes in black, white and gray (although the online store only seems to have the gray and white.)  It is around 26 inches high and wide and almost 19 inches deep.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50264927/

Sheena says these are made of particle board and are well made.  They have to be assembled but she says the instructions are good.  She sent me a photo of her set assembled but it isn't yet in place in the closet she uses for needlepoint storage.

Ikea has a huge variety of these drawer units.  They are a very good storage option if you have the space for one of the sizes Ikea carries.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/workspaces/10711/

 Thanks very much for sharing, Sheena!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.