Sunday, March 8, 2026

Breaking News: RIver Silks is Moving to Virginia

Labels: ,
I've just read in the March 2026 newsletter from NJNA that River Silks' founder, Jean Krynicki, is retiring. Her three daughters are taking over the business and as part of that process, moving the company to Virginia.  River Silks stopped taking orders in January and will concentrate on getting everything packed up and moved from Washington State.  Stay tuned, in other words.

I'm a huge fan of River Silks (it's beautiful and durable stuff and available in many widths) so I am thrilled to hear the business will continue even after Jean retires.  Good luck with the move, folks.  We eagerly await your rebirth in Virginia!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
Posted by at No comments:

Daylight's Anita Lamp

Labels: , , , , , , ,
Barbara's Needlepoint shows off the Anita Lamp from Daylight in this Facebook unboxing video.

For those who don't have a Facebook account, I found the Anita table lamp here.  There is a floor lamp version, too.  Both have Daylight bulbs, so that the colors are true.  There appears to be a tray to hold your threads (I don't know if it comes with the lamp or costs extra) and the lamp itself is adjustable.  The magnifier is also somewhat adjustable and you can change the smart phone clamp to view the screen horizontally or vertically.  It doesn't look like the clamp itself adjusts enought to hold anything other than a phone, however.

Many thanks to Barbara's Needlepoint for alerting us to this lamp.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Threadaholic Alert: ColorSpun UPDATED

Labels: , , , ,
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.
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, March 6, 2026

The Garden Mafia Mystery (Lane Tree Lily)

Labels: , , , ,
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.
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Ai and Needlepoint

Labels: , , ,
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.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)