Kreinik Storage Idea from the Nashville Needlepointer

The Nashville Needlepointer has a great idea for storing Kreinik spools--use Candy Cubes from Sugarfina.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnPWYhWvffs/

https://justpeachyblog.org/2015/10/sugarfina-candy-boutique-atlanta.html

Eat the candy first, guys.  LOL

P.S. Kreinik does sell storage boxes that are much, much larger.

https://www.kreinik.com/shops/9-x-13-Six-Compartment-Plastic-Storage-Box.html

This Kreinik storage tin appears to have been discontinued but you can still find them.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1228840781/kreinik-storage-tin-with-foam-insert-to

You can also buy foam liners for the Container Store's Bisley Drawer cabinets that are sized to hold Kreinik spools.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1228900429/kreinik-foam-insert-x1-for-bisley?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=kreinik+storage+foam&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

Who knew there were so many options?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Self-Finishing Aid: The Cricut Spatula

The finishing reveal on Instagram that Needlepoint Clubhouse in the St. Louis area recommends the Cricut spatula tool (made for scrapbooking) for self-finishing items.  

https://www.craft-e-corner.com/collections/cricut-tool-sets/products/cricut-spatula-scraper

I use a butter knife because I'm cheap, but this is inexpensive and the bend means it's easy to use the tool to lift your leather edge and then push the raw edge of your canvas under that leather lip.  These appear to be sold in sets but if you have a scrapbooking buddy, see if you can borrow theirs to do your finishing. 

You can buy online or in the big box craft stores that sell the Cricut system and accessories.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 11, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: The Last Melissa Shirley In Person Trunk Shows

Family Arts is having a Melissa Shirley trunk show now and in their newsletter this week they state Melissa Shirley Needlepoint is ending in-person trunk shows.  They will be virtual in the future after the ones already scheduled in 2023.

Nothing beats seeing the canvases in person but then I don't have to pack, insure, ship these things, or unpack them at a shop and put them out for display, then pack, insure and return them.  I also don't have to worry about damaged or stolen canvases.  I can see why this is happening. 

But not being able to see great art in person is sad.  If you are a Melissa Shirley fan, hurry over to Family Arts in Phoenix to see her work in person while you still can.

https://familyartsneedlework.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 9, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Winter 2023 Mystery: Helen Heins Peterson's "Dragonflies"

Ruth Schmuf just announced her Winter 2023 Mystery class--Helen Heins Peterson's "Dragonflies," which features dragonflies, flowers, frogs and flying insects and a beetle.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/12/new-year-new-mystery/

As always, I'll add to this posting as Ruth posts class updates.  The first of four classes is February 5, so hurry to sign up if you are interested.

Ruth is like me and almost always does her backgrounds first.  These look really sparkly!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/02/backgrounds-first/

Now we have leaves and stems (and bugs).

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/03/leaves-please/

There are sparkly wings and fuzzy bugs.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/03/sparkly/

The final step is frogs and tulips!  The frogs have big eyes and the tulips are really lovely.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/04/hi/

Here's the whole finished piece.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/01/a-slimey-limey-green-frame/

UPDATE:  This is Maria's version, made into a pillow.  Magnificent!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=795081429438304&set=gm.7724033814340376&idorvanity=108537025890131

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 31, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Color Theory from Colour Complements

Colour Complements has started a series about color theory using their overdyed threads. 

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/using-colour-theory-for-needlework-projects.html

It's a fun way to learn about color, tint and shade.  What do they mean?  How do you apply color theory to your projects?  Lorraine will Tell All, so I'll update this article with her wisdom as she posts more.

This next article mixes cherry red with pinks.  It's really pretty!

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/cherry-red-embroidery-stitch-sample-feature.html

This article explains how to pick other threads to go with an overdye that is shades of just one color.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/playing-with-an-analagous-colour-palette.html

Lorraine talks about peach being a blend of orange, pink and cherry red, which helps pick colors to go with a peach overdye.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/creating-a-cross-stitch-design-using-peach-colour-inspiration.html

This month's essay talks about using value (lightness or darkness of a color) to work with pastels.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/pastel-colour-palette-feature.html

Here is a color combination everyone liked!  The second link is a design using it.  The third link show how you can make this pastel work in a much louder design.  Clever!

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/colour-combinations-using-a-harmonious-thread-palette.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/using-a-pastel-colour-palette-to-create-a-needlepoint-design.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/using-a-bold-colour-palette-like-colour-23.html

This palette is autumn-themed with plenty of ideas how to work with it.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/05/our-autumn-palette-including-colour-48.html

This time the color wheel chooses an unexpected pairing.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/05/using-different-colour-palette-combinations-in-your-project.html

The next color pairing is purple, navy and teal, a classic.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/06/one-of-our-popular-colour-combinations-colour-186.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 6, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.