Threads, Beautiful Threads

Now that we all survived the holidays, you may be thinking you'd like to treat yourself to something special.  My personal favorite treat is a new skein of thread, since I am a threadaholic, but if you are wanting to try some new threads or are looking for a color combo for a new chart and coming up empty, Orna Willis's Adorn by Orna Etsy shop is the place to browse.  Personally I think the little $42 packs that come with a free design are a great buy.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2017/11/more-new-assortments.html

Here are all her thread assortment packs. But don't miss clicking on All on the left side of the page so you can ogle the bead packs, the Ultrasuede collections, the ribbon collections, and of course, THE DESIGNS.  Orna is a master of color so the collections are about as beautiful as any you will find.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ADORNBYORNA/items?ref=search_shop_redirect&section_id=7656411

Thanks, Orna.  Now I have to decide what colors are Must Haves.  Sigh.

WANT THEM ALL

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 19, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Embellish Painted Canvases

Since the article I wrote about how to embellish painted canvases for the ANG website is unavailable while their website is being updated, I have republished it on the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guide Blog.
https://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/p/learn-to-embellish-painted-canvas.html

There is also a followup article in another tab with links to online embellishment help and a few tips from me as you tackle your own painted canvas.
https://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/p/learn-to-embellish-canvases-part-two.html

I hope these articles will help those who are starting to embellish their painted canvases.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 16, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Melita's Florentine Star Trivets

Melita has been making Florentine stars using a Linda Dimianti pattern for gifts.

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2017/12/14/pqc-trivets/

She put them in acrylic trivets, too. I think these are the ones she used.

https://www.allstitch.net/product/hot-plate-trivet-acrylic-embroidery-blank-3952.cfm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 14, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cat and Mouse Game—A Mystery SOLVED

Ruth Schmuff has revealed the Winter Mystery class design for this month and next—Dominic Bourbeau's "Cat and Mouse Game."
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/12/its-game.html

As Ruth posts progress reports, I'll update this article with them so everything is in one place.

UPDATE:  The cat's head and rear are beaded, then his body mimics the pattern in threads.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/02/shapes-and-patterns/

UPDATE #2:  Check out that background and tail!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/02/atomic-power/

UPDATE #3:  It's all finished!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/03/fun-and-games/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 11, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Couched Wool Hair By Melissa Shirley

Melissa Shirley is stitching Hagatha, one of her witch canvases, and has posted a fascinating tutorial on how she created the witch's hair on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaShirley.Needlepoint/photos/pcb.10156084956404252/10156084940904252/?type=3

For those who can't see the above because you don't have a Facebook account, Melissa took four strands of a warm medium gray Silk and Ivory and laid them close together, one bunch of 4 strands at a time, then couching a bundle into position with one strand of the same thread and color with the couching stitches 1/4 inch to 3/8 inches apart.  After couching a bunch, use a large needle or sharp laying tool to pull up on the thread bunch between the couching stitches so it looks curly.  Melissa says she had to use straight stitches around the witch's earrings and at her hairline with a single strand.

I think this would work with any wool or wool-silk blend.  It might not be quite as successful with other thread types but this does depend on the look you are going for.

Thanks, Melissa!  You are as inventive a stitcher as you are a designer!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.