Ready to Take Your Needlepoint to the Next Level?

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) now offers needlework evaluations by their certified judges.  You have to take photos of your work, fill out a form, and email it all to NAN.  It costs $40 on a credit card paid through PayPal.  You will get a response that they've received your request within 7 days and the evaluation should arrive in 2-3 weeks.  

https://needleart.org/evaluation/

If you don't have a shop or stitching friends to critique your work, this is a fabulous way to get feedback so you improve your stitching.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 29, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

YIKES!

The news from Chaparral isn't great right now.  During a move to Tennessee, Heidi lost everything in a moving truck fire.  Combined with some health issues, she's having a hard time. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLGKCUXxjhV/?img_index=1

Here's hoping things start to look up soon, Heidi.  To quote Dolly Parton, "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain."

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 19, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Talk Emma Homent

Ever heard of Emma Homent? Or The Makers Marks?

I'd sort of seen the name here and there, first when this British designer started her website, The Makers Marks.  It's full of simple and cheerful designs, the sort of thing you can pick up when you are starting to needlepoint and fool around with.  

https://www.themakersmarks.co.uk/

Then in 2022, Emma branched out by creating a column on Mr. X. Stitch called "Needle Points of View" and publishing her first book, Needlepoint:  A Modern Stitch Directory.

https://www.mrxstitch.com/hand-embroidery/needlepoints-of-view/

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/copy-of-needlepoint-a-modern-stitch-directory?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=de289b802&pr_rec_pid=8082723537070&pr_ref_pid=8703179751598&pr_seq=uniform

You can read two brief reviews of her first book here and here:

https://nuts-about-needlepoint.com/needlepoint-a-modern-stitch-dictionary/

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/a-fantastic-new-needlepoint-book

Emma didn't stop there.  Soon Needlepoint:  A Modern Stitch Directory in 50 Cards came out.  Now you can take a card or two with you as reference material.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/needlepoint-a-modern-stitch-directory-in-50-cards?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=7ce1825d3&pr_rec_pid=8082714624174&pr_ref_pid=8082723537070&pr_seq=uniform

Next Level Needlepoint Book continues Emma's diagrammed stitches with 100 more stitches.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/next-level-needlepoint-book-1?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=de289b802&pr_rec_pid=8636021244078&pr_ref_pid=8703179751598&pr_seq=uniform

Her latest venture is Needlepoint Journal, a way of organizing your projects.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/needlepoint-journal-book?_pos=3&_psq=Emma+hom&_ss=e&_v=1.0&omnisendContactID=65edaf5fa958c70f5bc79ac7&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Emma%27s+Journal+%2867ee7c318cc9f4533a941262%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

I have to admit I've never seen any of Emma's books or the card pack, which may be because she's English and her works aren't as available in the US, or maybe it's because I already own hundreds of needlepoint books and don't need more to dust.  So I can't comment on any of the books.  It does look like she has both diagrams and stitched examples in color, which is something folks love in stitch dictionaries.

https://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/products/needlepoint-a-modern-stitch-directory-by-emma

Emma's popular and prolific and the books aren't that expensive, so if you want to add to your library, see if your favorite shop carries any of the above.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Bezel a Chaton: The Movie

If the phrase "how to bezel a chaton" sounds Greek to you, not to worry--Ruth Schmuff has a little video that shows how to use beads to attach a flat backed smooth crystal to your canvas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI2oGRcPLnk/

This is the short version.  You can find longer versions on YouTube, such as this--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXYJoTYB1Qc

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 26, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Upcoming Event: Canvas Crawl 2025

June 18-June 22 is the 2025 Canvas Crawl.  This is a shop-focused event in the Northeastern US.  All the shops participating (the link below lists them) will have special guests, trunk shows, sales, and more.  

https://www.canvascrawl.com/

It's a nice way to promote needlepoint and support the shops that support us, so gather up your current (or potential) stitching buddies and head out to visit the shops.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 2, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.