The Curious Cowgirl Goes on a Needlepoint Retreat

Mary the Curious Cowgirl went on a needlepoint retreat.  She and her stitching buddies choose Patricia Sone and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree ornament from DJ Designs was their project.  The retreat itself was at Annie and Company in Manhattan.  They also visited Rita's Needlepoint (which has moved recently and is under new ownership, by the way).
https://thecuriouscowgirl.com/featured-post/needlepoint-canvas/?fbclid=IwAR0B18TXWiXd_xRR2utqM6Vj8fbDmUJ7BSDXYZc7d5Ic6zYImlCs-I-xypQ

Looks like another retreat is in the works for next year….

Here's a profile of Patricia.
https://thecuriouscowgirl.com/personalities/patricia-sone-needlepoint-artist-teacher/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cathedral Birds

The Golden Gate Audubon Society in California just published an article about bird needlepoint cushions in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral.  Bird lovers and those who admire ecclesiastical embroidery will enjoy reading about the flock stitched for the various areas.
https://goldengateaudubon.org/blog-posts/cathedral-birds-in-stitches/?fbclid=IwAR2lcdjpxHbUSktqlSpei_exHoA6zZ9JcsXX5jN2KHfI1H18uX-ZR4vxSAA

If you are in the area, this list tells you what bird species are where.  Tours can be arranged.
https://goldengateaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/BIRDS-IN-GRACE-CATHEDRAL-CHOIR-NEEDLEPOINT-2.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
logging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Woodstock for Christmas Guitar

Now that the bird and his stocking cap are finished, I worked my way down the Woodstock Christmas Logo design to the guitar head and neck.    I wanted a stitch that runs horizontally to echo the guitar shape, and that would be harmonious with the background stitch, also a horizontal stitch.  After a bit of tinkering, I found a stitch I thought would work on Mary Legallet's blog.  She calls it Trifecta Columns.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/340725528056971266/

The back row are all whispering to each other that this is a VERTICAL stitch.  So true, children, but turn the diagram a quarter turn and what do you get?  The perfect stitch!

Mary Legallet's a Genius!

I worked it using Gloriana's Lorikeet wool and Silk Lame Braid in a similar chocolate brown.

Guitar, Wool Only

In the photo above you only see the first step, the long stitches done in wool.  I wanted you to get an idea of the stitch flow which will be harder to see in the photo below after I add the silk/metallic Silk Lame Braid because the colors are similar.

Here it is with step two.

Guitar Head and Neck

You'll notice I snuck in the bird's beak, eyes and leg and claws.  Surprise!

I did the beak and eyes before the guitar but I couldn't work the leg and claws until after the guitar itself was stitched.  The beak is straight stitches in one ply of cotton floss.  The leg is a matching shade of DMC's memory wire, couched down.  (It doesn't look as wonky in person, promise.)  The claws are three bullions in the same yellow floss.  I gave the bird bead eyes, just because.

Next time we'll talk tuning pegs, which nearly drove me to distraction.  Small areas are not necessarily easy, after all.  Stay tuned.

I am adding each week's progress report to a tab on the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog. If you want to catch up on what you missed or just re-read everything, it's all there. Click on the Magic Carpet photo on the right side of this blog and you'll go straight there. Then all you have to do is click on the right tab at the top of the page under the header photo.  Click on the Magic Carpet photo there to return to Blog's home page.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 19, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Mountain Shadow Studio is Closing

Mountain Shadow Studio just posted an announcement on Facebook that the shop is closing. They are going to retire!
https://www.facebook.com/101561739064/photos/a.10150162085449065/10156493411694065/?type=3&theater

The shop did fabulous needlepoint framing, built lovely boxes, and made great wooden stands for our stitching.  We wish them a very happy time in retirement.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 31, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Classic Needlepoint Accessories by Paige

Do you ever wish for a pair of beautiful needlepoint slippers but the cost and hassles of finding a finisher make them seem unattainable? How about buying some needlepoint shoes that are already made up?  Dana at Needlepoint Nation has a pair and says they are comfortable.
https://bypaige.com/?fbclid=IwAR3ZIo_eiFfznZz6xNEYxEQS1Qp4f9OuUupZqf7BlS2lKCfuU1D9SrjaBQs

Paige also does other accessories like dog collars, belts, cosmetic bags, glasses cases, etc.  There are even baby booties in needlepoint!

https://www.instagram.com/bypaigeshoes/?g=5

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 16, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.