Threadaholic Alert: Mary's Favorite Threads Video

If you love threads, you'll want to watch the latest video by FiberTalk.  Yes, I know FiberTalk normally does podcasts, but this week they interviewed Mary McGuire on camera to learn about her favorite threads.  You will see Mary's projects and hear her explain what thread was used where. Very interesting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUGuTvFVEuE&feature=youtu.be

By the way, I'm guessing that these are the Wubbers flat-nosed pliers Mary mentions at the end of the video.
http://www.wubbers.com/babyflat.php

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 10, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Book, New Guides, New Products and How To Clean UPDATED

The latest newsletter from Amy Bunger is out and it's a honey!  There's a rave review of Carole Lake's newest book, new products, new classes and guides, and finally—some wonderful tips Amy picked up at a retreat for cleaning and repairing your needlework.
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0218.pdf

If you are really intrigued by the cleaning and restoration tips, or need such services, check Nancy Lukoski's website.
http://www.fancyworkfinishing.com

UPDATE:  Fiber Talk interviewed Nancy in 2018.  It's a great interview!
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/18/fiber-talk-with-nancy-lukoski/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 2, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Beaded Turkeywork

Ok, here's something I've not seen before—turkeywork with beads! This is Julia Snyder's idea and Suzanne did a great job with it.  The canvas is from And More, which is Julia's canvas line, and it uses her line of beads, too.  Suzanne's doing a nice job with this, trying lots of techniques to make it something special.  Hope we get to see this finished before too long.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2018/01/hello-2018-getting-back-to-it.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 10, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Smart Cookie Award for February Goes to Martha

Someone asked about the clips that are used on the side of frames to attach fabric to the frame, particularly Q Snaps. I found these on Nordic Needle's website. This brand is called Stitch Clips, but I think there are other brands that are similar.
https://www.nordicneedle.com/6934

http://www.jdr-be.com/embroidery-hoops.htm

Folks posted that they use library clips or banker clips as well but Martha wins the Smart Cookie Award for February because she uses these clips—
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/boca-clips-reg-set-of-2/224592

Martha—smart AND stylish!  LOL

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 9,  2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Ott Light/Magnifer: A Review

My New Ott Light-Magnifier

Before Thanksgiving (where does the time go?!) I bought an Ott light on sale at Joann's Fabrics.  Now that I've used it for a while, it's time to post a short review of how it works so that folks looking for a light-magnifier combination can see if this might work for them.  As you can see in the photograph, this is a clip on light with a bendable arm, LED lights and an acrylic magnifier with an insert for extra magnification.  It also has a removable heavy base if you want it to sit on a table instead of clipping it to a table or your stretcher bars.  Here's more information about the light-magnifier.  Note that the magnifier lens is five inches in diameter and it runs on four button batteries which are included in the box.
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/ottlite-3-5-inch-battery-operated-led-magnifier-clip-and-stand/1046553959?Keyword=ottlite

I've never used the heavy base as I either clip the light-magnifier to my stretcher bars or my desk.  The clamp will open up enough to hold onto my desk that is nearly an inch thick so I think it will work on Evertites.  The light is not particularly bright, however, and of course if the LEDs go bad they cannot be replaced.  I also don't use the little extra magnification area much as it is so small.  I also find the magnifier head quite heavy.  It will tip over when it is clamped to the stretcher bars or make the stretcher bars a little unwieldy to hold, so I normally clamp it to my desk instead.  The flexible neck isn't very flexible, either.  It only bends a little to each side.  I would prefer a longer, more flexible neck myself.  The canvas above (Barbara Elmore's "Fuchsa" from Sundance) is around 16 inches high, to give you a sense of scale.

To sum up, this is a useful tool with some limits.  It's a little too heavy to put on regular stretcher bars and the extra spot of magnification in the lens is small.  The neck isn't very long or flexible.  The light isn't awfully bright, either.  But it is useful when you need a little extra help to see and since it is fairly small and light weight, it would work well as a travel tool, especially in combination with a lap or table stand.  If you need a boost, this might work well, particularly if you can find it on sale like I did.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 8, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.