Saturday, March 7, 2026

Threadaholic Alert: ColorSpun UPDATED

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The Needlepointer is selling a thread new to me called ColorSpun.  It comes on cards with 10 yards.  It is made in China.  

UPDATE:  The Needlepointer sent out an e-newsletter describing the different types of ColorSpun.  I will quote it here--
ColorSpun Stellar - brilliant metallic shimmer, best for 18 count, light coverage 13 count - 10 yards 100% polyester
ColorSpun Feather - 10 yards of "delicate silk ply" that works on both 13 and 18 count
ColorSpun Caress - 50/50 silk and cashmere blend, great for clothing and animals, works on 13 and 18 count - 10 yards on card
ColorSpun Serene - 100% Tencel, which is reconstituted cellulose fibers from eucalyptus trees - best for 18 count - 10 yards on card 
ColorSpun Etheral - silk/Tencil blend, 40% silk, 60% Tencil - plied thread that works on 13 and 18 count - softer look than Feather

UPDATE #2:  ColorSpun has added Aurora to their line.  It looks like tinsel and is 100% polyester.  There are 10 yards on a card.  The Needlepointer recommends one strand on 18 count and two strands on 13 count.  It is a bit like Rainbow Gallery's Arctic Rays but the tinsel isn't as closely packed.

It looks like the company sells a wide range of thread types in a lot of colors.  Their website sells knitting and crochet yarns and cotton floss.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 7, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
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Friday, March 6, 2026

The Garden Mafia Mystery (Lane Tree Lily)

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Ruth Schmuff is planning her spring mystery class at Bedecked and Beadazzled.   It is a bird canvas, but not one of those sweet birdie things--she's doing a bold, colorful piece in primary colors from Lane Tree Lily called "The Garden Mafia" that shows those flying pigs as they really are--Those Who Must Be Obeyed (fed)!

I'll update this as Ruth posts progress photos of the portrait of this gang.  Stay tuned....

First Ruth worked the border.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 15, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Ai and Needlepoint

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Pop Needle Arts has some advice on using ChatGPT to learn needlepoint-JUST DON'T.

There are much better resources available online.  All you have to do is look around here and you can find more information than you'll ever need, even if you don't know other needlepointers, have a needlepoint shop nearby, or have much to spend on long distance kits and/or classes.

Speaking of Ai, it is telling people that Stitchers Garden in Napierville, Illinois is now closed to in-store shopping.  WRONG!  It is actually a shop in Brentwood, Tennessee with the same name that is closing.  So don't trust Ai.  Or at least be very very specific.  (There's a Stitchers Garden in Arkansas, too.)  Add the shop city and state at the very least if you are asking Ai about a shop's hours.  All Ai does is search the Internet for nouns and verbs.  Once it gets a hit, it stops and spits out an answer.  As you can see, the answer was wrong because the searchers weren't specific enough.  After all, Ai is not that bright.  We have to think for it.  

By the way, here's Stitchers Garden in Illinios in case you want to wave at them (or do a little shopping--we don't judge).

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, March 3, 2026

New Stitch Monday Builds a Castle

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Ridgewood Needlepoint has chosen a new canvas for 2026--Colors of Praise's "Castle MC502." There are three other versions of this castle which are not as detailed, all on 18 count.  Here is MC516, which is 7 inches square.  Love that garland!

MC507 is 6 inches square with some lovely greenery.

MC508 is a tiny piece at 3 1/4 inches by 5 inches, perfect for the miniature lover.   This belongs inside an Easter egg, doesn't it?

Stephanie is working the 18 count version of MC502.  Most shops stock the original 13 count but you can get the 18 count from Bedecked and Beadazzled, which also has a stitch guide.

Now let's watch Stephanie stitch!

The first step is picking threads and stitching the lake.

The next step is to work the grass around the lake and stitch the path.

Now Stephanie is creating mountains with an Airplane Stitch variation.

She continues the mountains with a Chevon stitch variation and gifts us two other chevon-type stitches that will make nice mountains, too.

Now the castle roofs have a stitch, which has many different names.

Stephenie tackles the sky, clouds and the blooming tree.

Next she works the urn and the wall in preparation for the ribbonwork that will go on top of these areas.  Easier to do the background first in those instances.

The castle and all those towers are done.  The greenery and flowers will be done in ribbons next.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
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Monday, March 2, 2026

Breaking News: Kevin Lustik on Display

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During March 2026 Jadite Galleries in NYC will be displaying and selling Kevin Lustik's needlepoint creations.  (And they sell on their website, which is a great way to browse the show from a distance.)


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
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