Three Decorative Stitches to Use

Needlepoint for Fun's latest newsletter talks about their three favorite decorative stitches.  You'll need some space to do these stitches but they will add a nice flavor to a background or any large area on your canvas.  By large I mean a big large enough for at least three repeats of the stitch element.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-use-one-decorative-stitch-to-enhance-your-needlepoint-project.htm

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

Anna at Christmas

Like all the rest of us, the English needlepoint designer Anna Person is way too busy at Christmas! But she is staying sane by stitching.  I hope now that the Big Day is in the rear view mirror we all can take a little time for our needles.
https://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.com/2018/11/christmas-is-coming.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 28, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Skin Tones in DMC

Folks are always asking what threads are good for creating different skin tones. Traditionally needlepointers have used the late Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum's list of DMC colors to choose the right thread for their Aboriginal/Asian/African/European skin tones.
http://www.tiag.com/background/altcolor.html

Here's a new source, passed on from the ANG email list to me from Deborah. Thanks, Deb!
http://www.carouselcharts.com/SkinTones.pdf

Carousel Charts is a cross stitch company. They've also published a guide to changing colors in general that I found very interesting.
http://www.carouselcharts.com/LightnDark.pdf

Colleen of Needle Works in Austin just posted a list of skin tone shades from her Mom's old copy of The Needlepoint Book. There are two colors for eyes and lips as a bonus. I think these are DMC colors, by the way.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/02/share-a-stitch-sunday-february-24.html

Carole Lake suggests these DMC floss colors:
Lips: 309, 938
Pinks/corals: 818, 761, 819
Porcelains/peaches: 948, 712, 754
Tans: 712, 437, 738, 3774, 739
Peaches/tans: 948, 754, 3778, 758
Asian: 739, 3774, 950
African-American: 632, 3772, 3773

A chart from Lord Libidan
https://lordlibidan.com/find-the-perfect-skin-tone-dmc-threads/

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

Santas on Parade

Brenda has stitched quite a few of the Janet Zigler Casey Santas and shows the finished ones off on her blog.  It's a fun way to celebrate Christmas!
https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2018/11/janet-zickler-casey-santas-stitched-to.html

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2024/11/santa-sea-shell-updated-112224.html

These Santas were originally line drawn canvases, taught at various Seminars.  Danji is starting to produce them as painted canvases that each come with Janet's stitch guide.
http://www.danjidesigns.com/JanetCasey/index.htm

The originals are probably still available through Janet Casey's website.
http://www.jzcdesigns.com/christmas.htm

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

Ruth Shows Off Christmas

Ruth Schmuff's latest blog posting is all about the Christmas stitching of one of her students.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/12/what-to-my-wondering-eyes-should-appear/

Many of the designs are from folks Ruth's company, Bedecked and Beadazzled, distributes.  Many were done in Ruth's classes, too.  Angie is a very prolific stitcher with an eye for fun Christmas pieces.  Enjoy!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.