How to Paint a Needlepoint Canvas

Abigail Cecile has posted a video on her website showing how to paint a needlepoint canvas.
https://www.abigailcecile.com/pages/how-to-paint-a-needlepoint-canvas

It is a fabulous tutorial, whether you want to paint something special for yourself, whether you are thinking about starting a design business, or just if you want to know how it is done.  Thanks, Abigail!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 11, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Blanket Versus Buttonhole

Thanks to Anna Scott, I found this article about the different between the buttonhole and blanket stitch on Nordic Needle's website.  

Sorry, but Nordic Needle's website seems to be down.  Perhaps permanently?  Anyway, the article is gone but I did find this.
https://togs-from-bogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/blanket-stitch-vs-buttonhole-stitch.html

And this.
https://stitchfloral.blogspot.com/2017/06/buttonhole-stitch-lesson-1-basics.html

To me it sounds like what I've always called the buttonhole stitch is actually a blanket stitch.  Mary Corbett helps define the two, and now I can keep calling what I do the buttonhole stitch!
https://www.needlenthread.com/2017/10/buttonhole-stitch-vs-blanket-stitch-the-name-debate.html

I mention this here not to confuse you, but to point out that one stitch can have many different names.  What really matters to me is that I understand the stitch's construction to create it properly and use it to the best effect in a thread that will show it off properly.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hand Painting a Canvas: The Video

This time-lapse video shows SBT Stitches hand painting a canvas.  If you consider she's just using two colors and a fairly straight forward design with no shading, you'll start to understand why painted canvases are so expensive.
https://www.facebook.com/SBTstitches/videos/756772111376545/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 9, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Stitching with Metallics

Needlepoint.com has written up a few tips for working with metallic threads.  I'm not sure I agree that metallic threads like Kreinik's dull scissors;  I think that if you use a lot of real metal threads you need scissors just for them, but the synthetics in Kreinik and other metallics probably don't do anything to your scissors that daily use on other types of threads won't do.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/tips-for-stitching-with-metallic-needlepoint-threads?mc_cid=9e7ce9f0ff&mc_eid=3a360cb48b

If you do want special scissors just for metallic threads, look for those with serrated blades.  I think Rainbow Gallery distributes them.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/product/metallic-thread-scissors/

Kreinik distributes Purple Haze scissors with serrated (or you can get regular) blades.  Even if you aren't sure whether metallics dull your scissors, it's nice to have the luxury of a special pair just for them.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/08/3-scissors-you-shouldnt-live-without.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 9, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Combination Seam Ripper and Laying Tool

Pocket Full of Stitches in Texas has found a local source for a combination seam ripper/laying tool with colorful acrylic handles.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2019/01/acrylic-laying-tool-seam-ripper-combo.html

I'm not sure how long these are but if you need more details, contact the shop.
http://www.pfos.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.