Sale!

I don't do listings of sales and truck shows any more as I don't like training folks to go for the best price instead of developing a relationship with a shop that can help them with all sorts of things.  Customer service rules, after all!  But today I'm breaking that rule to tell you about the sale at Thistle Threads.  Thistle Threads, in cooperation with British thread manufacturers and Access Commodities, has developed and introduced reproduction threads, trims and other materials that mimic those available to our stitching ancestors in the 17th Century.  You can't find this stuff easily anywhere else and some of these things will soon go out of production as the one person who knows how to make it retires.  Therefore, this is a sale worth browsing if you are looking for something really different to put away in your stash for a special project.  Have fun browsing!
http://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/collections/special-deals

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 15, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Lace Needlepoint Canvas

Kay Stanis of The Gilded Edge shows how to frame up and then lace needlepoint canvas on frames to keep them very taut. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7QR9iPeSKU

There are more videos on Kay's website in case you are curious about laying flat silk or adding fabric backing to your fabric in Japanese embroidery.
http://www.the-gilded-edge.com/techniques/

Many thanks to Helen for alerting me to the video.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching for Beginners: A Mini Review

Hidden among all the wonderful Halloween stitch diagrams on her blog last week, Sheena mentioned a new stitching magazine she found at Books-A-Million--"Stitching for Beginners."
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/happy-halloween-candy-corn-pumpkins/#comment-1079

It appears to cover the basics for beading, smocking, embroidery and needlepoint.  If you have friends who want to learn a bit about any of these hand crafts, this might be a wonderful Christmas gift to get them started.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Boston College Art Club Show Has Needlepoint

The faculty and staff of Boston College have started an annual Art Club Show.  This year's showing includes a needlepoint collaboration between the designer who painted the pattern and the needleworker who stitched it.  It is called "Discernment."
http://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/art-and-culture/fine-arts/art-club-exhibit-fall-2016.html

This article shows a bit of the piece and talks about its inspiration from St. Ignatius' writings.  There is a link at the bottom of the page to see more art from the exhibit including the full view of "Discernment" on Facebook.   If you happen to be in Boston now, the show will be at Carney Hall's First Floor Gallery until December 2 at the BC campus.

Many thanks to Jo C. I. who mentioned this on Facebook.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 12, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitch of the Month--The Wave

Amy's Tennis Ball

I thought it would be fun to post a very clever stitch I've found online here periodically for everyone to see.  The inaugural stitch is the background of this tennis ball, posted on Facebook by Amy who says the idea came from The Needleworks.

I've seen the same stitch used for the water behind this mermaid.  (Sorry, I don't know who stitched this.)  It skips a row occasionally, but otherwise is identical.  A very similar stitch is diagrammed by Ruth Schmuff as "Darning Pattern Large Wave" in her iStitches Volume 3 if you want to use it on your next project.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.