Wrestling The Old Crow

Just in case you think professional stitchers don't have any problems stitching a painted canvas, here's Suzie Vallerie working away at Melissa Prince's "Old Crow."  She's had to rip out, use stitches she hates and more!  Just like the rest of us.  I've always liked this design and although I would not stitch it this way, it's going to be lovely.
http://astheneedleturns.com/its-been-too-long/

For other admirers of this canvas, Janeann Sleeman has also written a guide for this canvas.  Suzie's version above will be available as a guide shortly, once she wrestles all those pumpkins to the ground!
https://www.facebook.com/341998565857547/photos/a.483193291738073.108396.341998565857547/1748087868581936/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Lord Libidan Talks Needles

Kreinik noticed this article by the cross stitch site Lord Libidan and drew our attention to it on Facebook.  Lord Libidan does cross stitch so everything he says isn't pertinent to us needlepointers, but I think ditching a needle when you finish a project is a smart move.
https://lordlibidan.com/time-to-ditch-that-old-cross-stitch-needle/

Don't miss the related articles at the bottom of the page:  how to properly store needles and the history of the cross stitch needle.

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

All About The Tent Stitch

Peggy at Needle Paint has written a good tutorial about the tent stitch family, with diagrams and photos of how continental, half cross and basketweave look on the back side, which helps you understand why some of the tent stitch family is good for upholstery, why half cross works best when you are running out of thread, etc.  There's even a little guide to how much thread of various types to use for good coverage in tent stitches.
https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2018/08/28/the-tent-stitch-when-where-and-why/

Thanks, Peggy!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 29, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tiny Decisions

Elizabeth overheard some cross stitchers talking about using the Tiny Decisions app to help them pick their next project and is testing it.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/1898090270268122/

If you rotate projects and have trouble deciding which one to work next, this might be of interest to you.  The Tiny Decisions app is available for Apple devices but not Android, although there appear to be many similar ones available on both systems.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Redoing a Footstool

Rachel has just refurbished a footstool her grandmother stitched on binca with tapestry wool.  
http://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2018/09/04/renovating-grandmamas-footstool/

I had never heard of binca before but managed to find a closeup photo.  It's not needlepoint canvas but the way Rachel washed and restitched her heirloom footstool is similar to what she would have done with needlepoint canvas.  She just would have figured out the thread count on the original needlepoint and put patches of the same size canvas under any holes or rips.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binca-Cross-Stitch-Fabric-25x25cm/dp/B0089CSM3I?tag=duc08-21

It's wonderful to give life to old pieces, particularly when they are family treasures.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.