The SWAN Party Gift Exchange 2016 UPDATED

Every year Stephanie's local stitching guild has a gift exchange. Members draw names and exchange presents, usually Christmas ornaments. This year's set is particularly fun! 
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2016/12/best-party-of-year.html

Merry Christmas, everyone!

UPDATE:  Lucky Steph shows off her SWAN exchange presents.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2016/12/swan-ornaments-given-to-me.html

UPDATE #2:  Steph shows off the ornaments she's stitched and given away to her fellow SWANS.  I think it's nice to have everything in one article so you can admire all the talent in Stephanie's local guild.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2016/12/swan-ornaments-i-have-given.html

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

The Newest Amy Newsletter

It's December which means Amy Bunger's newest shop newsletter (which publishes every other month) is out!  It is full of fun new items, classes, stitch guides Amy and Lori Carter have just finished, and much, much more, including a diagram for Tessellated Ts, a wonderful background stitch and a review of Lynda Richardson's second stitch book.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1216.pdf

You'll love this!  And don't miss the customer gallery-the highlight for me is a series of designs featuring black dogs that are beautifully stitched to show great expressions, even though the dogs are black.

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

Angel Queen Hearts (A Winter Mystery)

The latest shop e-newsletter for Bedecked and Beaddazzled has revealed the Winter 2017 mystery class from Ruth Schmuff--Lulu My Pink Turtle's Angel Queen Hearts!  This is a 10 inch square design on 18 count, so there is a lot of room to run wild. And you know Ruth--"Run Wild" is her motto!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2016/12/a-new-lulu-for-new-year.html

As always with Ruth's mystery classes, I'll update this article with links to her class progress photos so you can see all the fun.

UPDATE:  Ruth starts the same way I do, with faces and backgrounds.  The background especially is a charmer, plus she does the wings.  I alway find wings hard.  Lots of great ideas here, even if you are not taking this class.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/01/lovethatface.html

Now the angel queen has hair, a dress and lots and lots of bling.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/02/the-more-bling-better.html

And suddenly, Ruth adds beads everywhere!  (I know you are SO surprised.  LOL)
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/02/did-someone-say-beads.html

Final UPDATE:  The Angel Queen makes a superb pillow.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/02/queen-holding-court/

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

BREAKING NEWS: Callaway Closing

Kay Stanis just posted on Facebook that after the January 2017 session, Callaway Gardens School of NeedleArts will close. It's the end of an era, folks.
http://www.callawaygardens.com/events/education-and-culture/callaway-gardens-school-of-needle-arts/course-descriptions

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

Sandy's Fabulous Family Christmas Stitching

Sandy Arthur tells the story of her Christmas stitching for her granddaughters and how that gift keeps giving.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2016/12/copied-from-my-facebook-page-for-those.html

I want to break out the needle and threads and start stitching for my family!

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