A Handmade Seam Ripper-Awl Combination Tool

Although I'm not a sampler person, I do occasionally watch the videos about the samplers that Hands Across the Sea charts for sale.  This week Nicola showed off a hand made seam ripper that she prefers to the traditional type.  It's easier for her to hold and doesn't stress her neck as much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=412&v=a1DhNEKOEsQ&feature=emb_logo

If you are interested, these can be purchased from Alan's Pen Making in Australia.  Contact Alan through his Facebook page.  You can pick the handle color and also specify whether you want an awl/seam ripper style or the big-small seam ripper style, although Alan was sold out of the big-small seam ripper style the end of July.
https://www.facebook.com/alanspenmaking

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hearts for Hospice UPDATED

My Hearts for Hospice Pieces

I've finished my third heart for the Hearts for Hospice program, which is run by the Greater Kansas City chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild.  You can see them above before I wrapped each in tissue paper and put the packets into a sealable plastic bag before putting them in an envelope and taking them to the post office.
https://www.greaterkcneedlepointguild.com/hearts-for-hospice

I'll be mailing them to Sue who collects the hearts and sends them for finishing next week.  I enjoyed doing these and I hope they bring some solace to those with family and friends who are gravely ill.

You can see more about the project here.  It's a great way to share our love of stitching with others and use up that stash we all have.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2018/08/hearts-for-hospice.html

UPDATE:  The National Academy of Needle Artists (NAN) has added free Hearts for Hospice charts to their website.

https://needleart.org/publications/free-patterns/?fbclid=IwAR318-cVylTtXvZgfA-3yBpzAKdNAkWqVbTvalQmlE3uoSP-_lHoyVltnoA

Needlepoint.com is also supporting this program through their shops in Charleston and Raleigh.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/hearts-for-hospice-needlepoint-com-charleston

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ehrman Has a New Website

Ehrman Tapestry in England has updated their website.  They always have spectacular designs for their kits (printed canvas shipped with the wool needed to complete) which are usually on 10 or 12 count canvas. 
https://www.ehrmantapestry.com

If you have a favorite Ehrman designer, you can see just their work, or you can browse their collections to look at florals, birds, seaside, Asian, etc. themes.  The website is set up to filter canvases by overall size, too, just in case you only want pillows or rugs, etc.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sylvia Sydney, Movie Star and Needlepointer

Sylvia Sydney is profiled in this fun article by My Pretty Baby Cried She was a Bird.
https://shewasabird.blogspot.com/2011/03/sylvia-sidneys-needlepoint-1968.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR2yX5vb1ziOSiHy6uG0Q3ZlzY9IB7j8qaYE7pCgFXUS9y1Osgs36Pg9n5A

Her Sylvia Sydney Needlepoint Book is my absolute favorite needlepoint book of all time because of the personality in it.  She was something, Miss Sydney.  

We all want to be her when we grow up.

Did I mention she stitched pug pillows for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor?  True story.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 8, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

K's Creation Lap Frame and Portable Footstool

The Needlepointer has a neat video available that shows off the K's lap frame and their collapsable portable footstool.
https://vimeo.com/397483713

The lap frame is available in three sizes:  the baby base will hold stretcher bars or scroll frames that are between 9-13 inches in width, the standard base will adjust from 13-22 inches in width. and the large base will adjust from 22-36 inches in width.
http://kscreations.com/lap_original.htm

These can be purchased with what is called a Universal Clamp that will hold stretcher bars (regular and minis), scroll frames and Q-snaps.
http://kscreations.com/configurations.htm

Talk to your favorite shop about options before you order so you get the right lap stand for you.  And if you are "vertically challenged" think about getting the footstool, too.
http://kscreations.com/acc_rest.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 7, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.