Saturday, April 30, 2011

Charts for Sale

Homestead Needle Arts is having a big sale on their in-stock charts.  Not everything is shown on their website (below) so I am quoting from the sale newsletter below the link.  There are some very good deals on popular charted needlework designers' pieces, but some things are in short supply, so move quickly if there is something you've lusted after on the list.
http://www.homesteadneedlearts.com/category_results.cfm?Category=5

Here is what Teresa says about the sale:


Hello Soggy Stitchers,

I know that the rain keeps falling here in Michigan and I hear murmurings of ark building going on. My whole property is flooded and the sump pump is working overtime. When I let Star outside she stands at the edge of our covered deck and stares at me and then the rain, as if it is my fault! The mud is endless and everything is turning green including the tree bark. But I consider us lucky because the tornadoes haven't hit us! Keep the south in your thoughts and prayers over the next few weeks as they pull themselves back together.

While you wait for the sun to re-appear, I hope your stitching fingers are keeping busy. To keep you on that path, I've extended the Spring Cleaning Sale on all Sudberry and other wooden boxes that are still in stock at 20% off. Appleton and Strand wools are still 40% off and we have lots of colors left for you to choose from. 

IN STOCK NEEDLEPOINT CHARTS ARE NOW 20% OFF excluding only a few including the newest of course! We have LOTS of in stock charts - many more than are listed on our website. For that reason I'm listing them here so that you can see if there are any you want. Please call or place your order online quickly as you'll see that in many cases I only have one copy of some of these. i have too many of some charts so all IN STOCK NEEDLE DELIGHTS ORIGINALS AND DEBBEE'S DESIGNS CHARTS ARE 25% OFF. IF YOU WANT THE CHART KITTED WITH THREADS AND CANVAS, YOU'LL RECEIVE 10% OFF THE THREADS AND CANVAS NEEDED FOR THEM. 

MORE CHARTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM THAT ARE 30-50% OFF.

BUY MORE THAN $100 IN CHARTS AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT.
BUY MORE THAN $200 IN CHARTS AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT AND FREE SHIPPING. 

I realize that I don't have all these online so if you need a picture, let me know. Here's the list of those in stock with the prices and the number of charts in here as of today: 
From Nancy's Needle Two Country Barns 12.50 
2
Amybear Dan'l Webster 22.00 
1

Amybear Amybear the original 22.00 
1

Amybear Spectrum 22 
1
Amybear Serenade 27.50 
1
Amybear Needlepoints Desert Sunset 25.50 
2

Barbara Richardson Heart of Hearts 6.50 
4
Barbara Richardson Holiday Ribbons 6.50 
2
Brenda Kocher Or Nue Lily 12.50 
1
Carole Lake Celtic Fantasy 16.00 
1
Carolyn Mitchel Christmas Ornaments 1, Jan, Feb Mar 13.50 
1
Carolyn Mitchell Let's Go Shopping Book 1 (little ornament bags) 21.50 
2

Carolyn Mitchell Let's Go Shopping Book II 21.50 
2
Carolyn Mitchell Crazy Dreams 43.50 
1
Carolyn Mitchell Autumn Glory 16.50 
1
Carolyn Mitchell Lost in the Garden 17.75 
1
Carolyn Mitchell Sisters and Friends 17.50 
1
Carolyn Mitchell In My Wildest Dreams 43.50 
1
Carolyn Mitchell Designs Golden Reminiscence 16.25 
2
Caron Collection Joseph's Coat Christmas Sock 12.25 
3
Caron Collection Stained Glass Xmas Socks 10.50 
1
Caron Collection My Hearts 19.25 
2
Caron Collection Stained Glass 15.50 
1
Caron Collection Starry Nights 17.50 
3
Caron Collection Venetian Glass Xmas Socks 8.75 
3
Caron Collection Building Blocks How to Needlepoint 14.50 
2
Caron Collection Beginning Basics of Needlepoint 16.50 
3
Caron Collection Patches a Garden Sampler 19.25 
1
Caron Collection Tulips 12 
1
Caron Collection Bargello Primer 19.50 
1
Caron Collection Repeat Performance 25.00 
1
Caron Collection Bargello Brocade 12.00 
1
Cheryl Schaeffer designs Winter Ornaments Series 2 6 
1
Chottie Alderson Stitchin' with Chottie 15.00 1
Chottie Alderson Chottie's Plaid 15.50 
1
Debbee's Designs
Glitz and Glamour Peridot 16.50 
1
DD American Beauty 14.50 
2
DD Glitz and Glamour Garnet 16.50 
2
DD Evening Elegance bag 10 
1
DD The Seasons Autumn 22 
1
DD Almost Basic Canvaswork ABC Ornament 10.25 2
DD Diamonds in the Snow 8.75 
1
DD Tahiti Triangles 30.50 
1
DD Glitz & Glamour Pearls 19.75 with pearls, 17.50 without 1,
3
DD Diamond Delight II 22 
1
DD Glitz and Glamour Emerald 17.50 
1
DD Glitz and Glamour Onyx 16.50 
2
DD Glitz and Glamour Ruby 17.50 
1
DD Glitz and Glamour Sapphire 17.50 
2
DD Glitz and Glamour Diamond 17.50 
1
DD Glitz and Glamour Topaz 17.50 
1 
DD Diagonal Sampler checkbook Cover 13.25 
1
Designer Threads by Sandi Sampler II 16.00 
1
Designs by Lena Rose Piddle Fiddle 8.75 
1
Designs by Lena Rose Windows of Winter 6.50 
1
Diane McGregor Oak Leaf 22.00 
1
Diane McGregor Grape Leaf 22.00 
1
Finger Step Eliot and Emily 7.75 
2 
Finger Step Imperial Fan 11.00 
1
Finger Step Jubilee Ballet Slipper 5 
1
Finger Step Imperial Garden Ming 8.25 
1
Finger Step Creepin' Lizards Eliza 7.50 
2
Finger Step Imperial Garden Han 8.25 
1
Finger Step Maggie the Cat 6.75 
1
Finger Step Thurston 6.75 
3
Finger Step Vermillion Flycatcher 6.75 
1
Finger Step Red-winged Blackbird 6.75 
1
Finger Step Scarlet Tanager 6.75 
1

Finger Step Baltimore Oriole 6.75 
1
Finger Step American Redstart 6.75 
1

Finger Step Fleurs du Jour Eventide 6.75 
1
Finger Step Designs The Neighborhood 13.25 
2
Finger Step Designs Well Dressed Man 
#11 Tweed Jacket, (2)
#8 Seersucker (2)
#5 Windbreaker(3)
#10 Blue Jean Jacket
#4 Trench Coat
#1 Duffel Coat (2)
#9 Corduroy Jacket (2)
#7 Uncle Sam
#6 Tuxedo (2)
#3 Plaid Jacket (2)

#12 Cardigan (2)
#2 Smoking Jacket 7.75 
1 each

Finger Step Designs Twelve Days of Christmas
4 Mittens Warming
2 Socks for Filling
1 hat for wearing
7 flowers cheering
9 balls for hanging
6 candles glowing
11 bells jingling
12 tree lights shining
3 presents waiting
5 wreaths greeting
10 stars twinkling
6.00 each 
1 ea
Finger Step Designs Christmas Stripes Stocking 12.00 
2
Finger Step Designs The Royals Queen 13.25 
1
Finger Step Designs The Royals King 13.25 
1
Finger Step Designs The Royals Jack 13.25 
1
From Nancy's Needle Shades of Spring 12.50 
1
From Nancy's Needle Holiday Tree II 12.50 
2

From Nancy's Needle Harvest Moon 12.50 
1

From Nancy's Needle Autumn Maples 12.50 
1
From Nancy's Needle Summer Sunflowers and Apple Trees 12.50 
1

From Nancy's Needle Shades of Autumn 12.50 
1
From Nancy's Needle Two Lighthouses 12.25 
1
From Nancy's Needle Two Cabins 12.25 
4
From Nancy's Needle Two Gingerbread Houses 21.25 
2
From Nancy's Needle Give Thanks 12.50 
1
From Nancy's Needle Stained Glass Quilt 12.50 1
Genny Morrow Genny's Name Tag 13.25 
1
Harbor Light Designs Woven Ribbons Square 5 10.50 
2

Harbor Light Designs Woven Ribbons Square 4 10.50 
1
Harbor Light Designs Woven Ribbons Square 1 10.50 
2
Harbor Light Designs Hearts and Flowers 2 13.25 
2

Harbor Light Designs Pamela's Beaded Bag 9.50 1
Harbor Light Designs Bargello Baskets 10.25 
1
Harbor Light Designs Christmas Memories 10 
1
Harborn Light Designs Woven Ribbons Square 2 10.50 
3
Heartfelt Designs Love 5.75 
1
Heartfelt Designs Happiness, Longevity and Good Luck 6.50 
1
Jean Hilton Nob Hill 16.50 
1
Jean Hilton Jessica 16.50 
2
Jean Hilton Victoria Lindsey for Rainbow Gallery 4.50 
1
Judy Odell Flat fold and Friends Finishing 35.50 
1
Karen Hauck King of the Beasts 5.75 
1
Karen Hauck Emerald Frog line drawing and canvas 36.00 
1
Keslyns Memory Makers 10.50 
1
Kick Back and Stitch Patchwork Hearts 16.50 
2
Kick Back and Stitch Pieces of Africa-Kilmanjaro 19.75 
1
Kick Back and Stitch Pieces of Africa-the Congo 19.75 
1
Kick Back and Stitch Framed: Gauguin 6.00 
1
Kick Back and Stitch Framed: Van Gogh 6.00 1
Kick Back and Stitch Framed: Matisse 6.00 
1
Kimberly Crum Black Bear 16.75 
1
Kimberly Crum Sunburst 18.00 
1
Laura J. Perin Sampler Coll. 
Nordic Snowflakes 16.00 
1

Laura J. Perin Sampler Coll.
Ribbons of Hope 16.50 
1
Laura J. Perin Sampler Coll.
Nordic Valentine 17.50 
1
Laura J. Perin Quilt Coll.
Hide N Seek 12.50
1

Laura J. Perin Imp. Coll
Quadrille 12.25 
2

Laura j. Perin Quilt Coll
Idaho Star 13.50 
1

Laura J. Perin Quilt Coll
Sampler Quilt 13.25 1

Laura J. Perin Designs Quilt Coll.
Mardi Gras 12.50 
1
Laura J. Perin Designs Sampler Coll.
Vineyard Bouquet 16.00 
2

Laura Perin Designs Sampler Collection Daisy Chain 13.50 
1
Laura Perin Designs Quilt Coll. - Indian Autumn 13.50 
1
Laura Perin Designs Quilt Coll - Indian Summer 12.50 
3
Laura Perin Designs Sampler Collection - One Long Panel 16.50 
2
Laura Perin Designs Quilt Collection Starry Nights 14.50 
1
Laura Perin Designs Sampler Collection Daisy Chain 16.50 
1
Light House Designs Canvas Stitch Sampler II Filling Stitches 18 
2
Lois Caron Tiny Treasures 15.50 
1
Marianne Frost Designs Art Deco Floral 1 14.75 
2
Memories by Design Bead Tree 13.50 
1
Morashah Needle Arts Pennsylvania Dutch Pineapple Heart Hex 9.50 
2
Morashah Needle Arts Pennsylvania Dutch Oak Leaf Hex 950 
2
Needle Delights Originals Color Delights Aqua 10.50 
1
NDO Emerald 13.50 
1
NDO Color Delights Purple 10.50 
1
NDO Color Delights Pumpkin 10.50 
1

NDO Color Delights Sunshine 10.50 
1
NDO Sierra 13.25 2
NDO Strawberry Shortcake 13.50 
2
NDO Down the Garden Path 13.50 
1
NDO Rose Quartz 13.50 
1
NDO Christmas Ornament Tree 22.25 
1
NDO Color Delights Turquoise 10.25 
1
NDO Color Delights Indigo 10.50 
1
NDO Blueberry Torte 13.50 
1
NDO Galaxy 40.50 
1
NDO Christmas Ornament Tree 2 24.50 
2
NDO Amazing Color 32.50 
1
NDO Rainforest Revisited 28.50 
1
Needle's Notion Take Time to Stitch 7.00 
1
Neon Flamingo Designs Quilted Snowman 15.50 
1
Northern Pine Stained Glass Window Card #3 11.50 
1
Northern Pine Autumn Splendor 12.00 
2
Northern Pine Winter Dawn 12.00 
2
Northern Pine River's Edge with colorwashed canvas 30.50 
3
Northern Pine Designs Stained Glass Window Card #2 11.50 
1
Ruth Schmuff Orchid Maze 19.75 
2
Shenandoah Stitchery Starry, Starry Night 16.25 
1
Shenandoah Stitchery Oasis 1 16.50 
1
Shenandoah Stitchery Scheherazade Pin and Earring Set 14.25 
1
Shenandoah Stitchery Arabella 16.25 
2
Shenandoah Stitchery Color Tiles III 12.50 
2
Shenandoah Stitchery Color Tiles I 13.25 
2
Shenandoah Stitchery Color Tiles II 13.25 
2
Shenandoah Stitchery Blazing Quilt Star 18.50 3
Southern Cross Needlework Poppies and Rosemary on Lattice 20.50 
1
Sunshine Needlearts Kealeidoscopic 17.25 
1
Susan Portra Winter 11 1
Susan Portra Spring 11 1
Susan Portra Autumn 11 
1
The Needle's Notion Gingerbread Cottage 10.00 1
The Needle's Notion Bargello Trees 8.50 
2
The Needle's Notion Glad Tidings Angel 9.50 
2
Threads Through Time The Land of the Free 6.50 
1

Threads Through Time Squirrel Sampler 16.50 
1
Threads Through Time Acorns Sampler 16.50 
1
Threads Through Time The President's Home 6.50 
1
Threads Through Time Nelly's Homes 6.50 
1
Threads Through Time Oh What Fun 6.50 
1
Threads Through Time Historic House II 6.50 
1
Threedles Mirror, Mirror 20.50 
2
Threedles Seasonal Rays 18.50 
1 Threedles Christmas Star 8 point 16.50 
1
Tink Boord Needlework Tiny Treasures Group 1 - Trixie O'Treat, Breakfast in Bed, Beatrice Knees 14.00 
1
Tink Boord Needlework Tiny Treasures Group 4 - Carrie A. Torch, Felicia Navidad, Lena Palestrina 14.00 
The following charts are 30-50% off and also qualify for the 10% kitting savings - prices listed are the original price, please email for current price: 
Carole Lake Salado Star 11.00
1
Caron Collection Silence in My Garden 13.75 
1
Cheryl Schaeffer Designs Just Ducky 7.00 
2
Cheryl Schaeffer Designs Tea for Two 7.00 
1
Crabapple Hill #1008 Pocketbook Charmers (embroidery patterns) 8.75 
2
Designer Threads by Sandi Queenie 16 
2
Designs by Brenda Kocher Wedding Dreams Ring Pillow 18.50 
1
Designs by Brenda Kocher Lara's Wedding Ribbons 26 
1
Designs by Brenda Kocher Wildflower Window 18.50 
1
Designs by Brenda Kocher Victorian Ring Pillow 18.50 
1
Designs by Brenda Kocher Pathways 22.00 
2
Harbour Light Designs Spooky Halloween 9.50 
1
Heartfelt Designs Field of Flowers Jewelry Pin 6.00 
1
John Waddell and Michele Roberts Political Animals 4.00 
1
Julie Sackett Moorish Egg 28.50 
1
Julie Sackett The Jewel Christmas Egg 28.50 
2
Julie Sackett Florentine 28.50 
2
Laura J. Perin American Quilt Collection Flower Basket 10.00 
2
Liz Turner Diehl World Book of Bedazzled Beads 13.50 
1
Needlework Designs by CJ Diane 8.00 
1
Northern Pine Designs Northern Lights
Beginner Counted Needlepoint 8 
2
Rainbow Gallery Patchwork Ball 4.25 
1
Rainbow Gallery Sherbert Swirls 4.00 1
Rainbow Gallery Candlelight 4.50 1
Something Different Heather 7.50 
To ask about any of the above, email Teresa at shop@homesteadneedlearts.com
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow  Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Monthly Clubs Update

Lots of shops have either announced new clubs or have new photos of the models for you to see, so I wanted to do an update of all that is available to the mail order stitcher. First up, Fireside has announced their clubs.  Besides the tassels and pears from Kelly Clark that everyone is doing, they also offer a set of patterned hearts, tiny seasonal tree ornaments, and a bringing back their very popular mini Halloween ornaments club with six new designs to joing the originals.  Click on the link below each photo to see the entire set of each club.
http://firesidestitchery.com/fs/clubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=getclubList&CategoryId=3&clubstate=future

Fancy Stitches has updated their monthly club page to show off their Kathy Schenkel Nativity Stars and her Halloween stars sets, the Seasonal Trees from EyeCandy, and the Kelly Clark pears and tassels clubs.
http://www.fancystitches.com/page3.html

Ada of EyeCandy is impressed with what Fancy Stitches has added to her trees, by the way.
http://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/EyeCandy_Needleart/Blog/Entries/2011/4/21_Seasonal_Trees_by_Martha_Johnson.html

Old World Designs has updated their California ornaments club with a whole new series of June McKnight ornaments that echo the Gold Rush State's most famous moments.
http://www.oldworlddesigns.com/california2011.html

Pocket Full of Stitches has posted photos of all the models of their new candy stick Tutti Frutti club.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/04/candy-sticks-are-complete.html

Julie Mar is offering a Landscape Club.  If you are in love with the North Carolina mountains and beaches, then this is the club for you.
http://www.juliemardesigns.com/c/LANDSCAPECLUB/Landscape+Club.html

The Needleworks in Michigan has the Kathy Schenkel Wine Country Santa series.  They offer a stitch guide and thread kit with each canvas.
http://www.eneedleworks.com/

Railroad lovers will enjoy the new Little Shoppe of Stitches train club offered by French Knot.  Don't forget to check out their other clubs, either!  French Knot's Petei Santa club is famous and much loved and they also have Texas-themed clubs and more.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/current-series.htm

Are you in the market for something totally different, a series that none of your Internet stitching friends are doing?  Then Needlepoint Clubhouse's Santa series from Katie is for you.  These canvases can't be bought anywhere else.  (Note: they aren't technically a club since they don't come with a stitch guide and the threads, but this is perfect for the stitcher who wants to use up stash threads and play a little.)
http://www.theneedlepointclubhouse.com/ExclusiveDesigns.aspx

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Friday, April 29, 2011

Road Trip #4

It must be that spring gets us all out in our cars, taking road trips.  Donna hit the road this week, visiting Maryland shops and having a great time.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/04/road-trip.html

Linda shows photographs of her loot from her trip through Virginia and Maryland shops.  It sounds like a lovely road trip.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/04/halloween-apple-2-and-finds-in.html

Cheryl, the About.com Needlepoint Guide, has made a road trip of her own.
http://needlepoint.about.com/b/2011/04/22/shop-visit-in-stitches-of-portland-oregon.htm

I guess we all should schedule a stitching road trip this spring!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

The Dress: A History UPDATED AGAIN

Susan talks about her hopes for Kate's wedding dress and gives us glimpses of other royal wedding gowns so that we can see how today's dress follows (or doesn't) the tradition of other British Royal Wedding gowns.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/04/dear-kate-please-dont-be-too-modern.html

UPDATE:  The Royal Family has posted short videos on YouTube if you missed the first appearance of The Dress.
http://www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel?feature=ticker

By the way, Vicky has done a wonderful summary of how stitchers are celebrating.  Me, I'm going to pull out my fancy scissors with the Diana Blue emery strawberry with a sterling top and the sterling silver frog charm and stitch a little in honor of the Newlyweds.  Good fortune to them.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/28/royal-wedding-eve/

Last UPDATE:  Susan as usual has the last word about The Dress, Veil and Jewelry.  Thanks very much for putting this all in context, Susan.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/04/well-done-kate.html 

Ok, I lied.  One more UPDATE.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2011/05/01/what-excitement/

And another, but this one with a video of a historian talking about prior Royal Wedding dresses, is not to be missed.
http://austenonly.com/2011/05/04/a-final-peek-at-the-wedding-dress/

And the final update, a podcast about the creation of the dress with a slide show of different sections.
http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/royalweddingdress/MicroPodcast.asp?themeid=2485

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Counted Canvaswork Alert

The April 13 and April 28 entries on Scarlet Thread's blog show off the newest counted canvaswork projects from LizArt and from  Carolyn Mitchell Designs.  Counted work is alive and well!
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/

By the way, the shop has the award-winning Cat's Eyes chart in stock.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-2977/2-Cat%27s-Eyes/Detail.bok

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Why Raymond Crawford Is My Hero

Many of us have probably seen and admired Raymond Crawford's painted canvases, but I had no idea what he gets up to in his spare time.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/2011-04-28/news/raymond-crawford-actual-citizen-fought-the-city-on-fracking-and-won/

Here's Raymond's website.  All you see there is needlepoint canvases but the next time I visit, I know I'll be visiting a hero's website.  After all, someone who works this hard to preserve his little bit of heaven is a hero, don't you think?  And he designs great NP, too!
http://www.raymondcrawford.com/

Many thanks to Tara for telling me about this article.  Where would Blog be without its spies?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Red Geisha Mishaps

Red Geisha Blue Lines Version One
Folks who read Blog sometimes think I Know It All.  I don't always talk about the dead ends, the ripping out, the hours spent playing around with stitches or browsing my stitching books looking for inspiration.  However, these mistakes are what make for better stitchers. If you don't know something is wrong and try to fix it, you never advance your stitching skills.

In the photo of Red Geisha above, look at the pink line down below her nose that is flanked with two blue lines.  There are other blue lines to the left of that pink area, too.  All those are stem stitched using Silk Lame Braid (size 18), which is a silk/metallic thread that is lightly twisted.  It's a pretty thread and added a lot of shine to the canvas.  But I stopped using it because it looked clumsy and awkward stitched up.  The thread (although I liked the color and the bit of metallic sheen) was too heavy for the area.

I switched to the slightly smaller Trebizond, which is a size 8 perle in silk and laid it along the painted blue lines, then couched it down with a #8 fine braid Kreinik in a similar blue so that I had the same sparkle that I liked with the Silk Lame Braid.  Here's what it looked like after--

Red Geisha Blue Lines Version Two
I prefer the couched version myself.  It looks smoother and doesn't stand out too much.  The moral is Don't Settle for something that bugs you. You can probably come up with something better if you take the time to think about what you like (the sparkle) and what you don't (the thickness of the thread and the jagged line of stem stitch) and come up with ways to minimize what you don't care for while preserving what you do.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Class Announcements

The Art Needlepoint Company (they sell giclee art reproduction needlepoint canvases) is having a free class about stitching faces.
http://artneedlepoint.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=1264&PostID=71065

Bedecked and Beaddazzled is sponsoring an Anna-Marie Winter class.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/04/promise.html

Janet Perry is doing a class about creating your own stitch guide.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/diy-stitch-guide-email-course-now-open

Cyberclasses are a great way to stretch your stitching wings and learn something interesting, aren't they?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Red Geisha's Basketweave Challenge

Melissa Shirley's Red Geisha Underway
When I first sat and studied Red Geisha before I started stitching her, I knew that there needed to be a ton of tent stitches on this canvas.  First of all, nothing does faces like basketweave, and secondly, because this will be a purse, it needs the durability of tent stitches.  So how did I introduce interest into a piece that has to be mostly basketweave?

I scattered fancy stitches among the tent stitches, of course!  Look at the right side of the canvas in the photo above.  Naturally the flower petals are stitched in embroidery-type stitches.  The petals are all small and the stitches not very long.  Hopefully they will be hard to snag when the purse is carried.  I then added cashmere stitches over the pink blocks in the background and then added a few more in the same color as the tent stitches to fancy up the area some.  The bulk of the upper left corner of the design is in basketweave but there are fancier elements mixed in so that the design isn't all Boring Basketweave.

Closeup of the first row of flower stitch
You can see how I continued adding fancier elements among the basketweave in the lower left corner of the design.  I did two rows of a fancy floral stitch, then basketweaved inside and around the flowers.  For this effect I used a slightly raspberry shade of red floss for the flowers and a more red shade of a silk/wool mix for the basketweave.  Look again at the larger photograph.  Bet you missed the two rows of flowers between the cheek and apple blossoms when you first looked!  The colors are very close but as the canvas is tilted the flowers become more or less visible.  Since a purse is carried, I am hoping the same "now you see flowers, now you don't" effect will make this an interesting canvas to watch without totally sacrificing durability.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Monday, April 25, 2011

A Bit More Woodlawn 2011

Karen was shocked to find she got ribbons!  Many congratulations on some fine stitching.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/04/woodlawn-needlework-exhibit-march-2011.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Kreink Threads for 2011

Goodies Courtesy of Kreinik
Out of the kindness of their thread-manufacturing hearts, Kreinik has sent me a sample of all their new threads for the spring for review.  In the photo above (top row down, from left to right) you see:

Top Row
The new Easter Grass, a clear 1/8" ribbon thread that does look like that artificial grass you find in Easter baskets, which I've heard stitches up into great window glass;

Two new colors in the holographic thread line--042L Solar Flare which is a very pretty red, blue and gold mix that would make great highlights in a geometric design that was mostly red and blue and;

028L Optic Opal which is a very yellow gold that seems to have green highlights.  If you need Screaming Yellow for the gold coins at the end of the rainbow, this is the thread for you!  By the way, both spools are the #8 fine braid size.

Second Row
This row is the new 4200 line called New Naturals which replace the 4000 series of colors which were discontinued because the Kreinik Company couldn't get the base materials any more.  All of these spools are the #8 fine braid size.

From left to right, the colors are--4006 Rosehip (a very pretty medium pastel pink), 4205 Ironwood (a muted tarnished silver), 4204 Storm Cloud (tarnished dark silver that would shade very well with 4205), 4203 Cattail (an olive-brown-gold mix which would work as darkly tarnished treasure or would make a beautiful accent color), 4202 Dusky Meadow (a medium chocolate brown, which is hard to find in a metallic thread), and 4201 Sugar Cane (a pretty grayish-green).  I think I have most of the original 4000 series which this replaces, so I will compare the two versions later and let you know if they are good matches.

Third Row
These are the new Candy colors from Kreinik. Once again, all these spools are the #8 fine braid size.  The colors are, from left to right:
5700 Cotton Candy (the sort of pink your hard shell phone cover is made from), 5705 Rock Candy Red (a frosty red that does look like sugared candy), 5720 Gum Drop Gold (a gorgeous Harvest Gold-with-a-touch-of-Apricot color), 5725 Lollipop Lemon (bright and pure yellow, perfect for the sun in a children's drawing), 5735 Key Lime Pie (slightly frosted light olive green, perfect for a fancy elf outfit), 5740 Sugar Plum (beautiful bluish-violet with green highlights), 5750 Coffee Toffee (it does look like light brown toffee), 5760 Marshmallow (a pure white with tiny green highlights), and 5765 Orange Sherbet (hot orange--if such a thing is possible--that also looks like the hard candy case for a cell phone).

Bottom Row
These are the new Hot Wire threads, all #16 medium braid Kreinik with a thin wire threaded through the middle.  There are more colors than I realized.  From left to right they are:
001W Silver, 002W Gold, 003W Red, 005W Black, 009W Emerald, 015W Chartreuse, 5700W Cotton Candy, 5725W Lollipop Lemon, and 052FW Grapefruit (this is the glow in the dark cream color).  In most cases, these seem to be identical to the regular Kreinik colors but with wire inside.  001 and 002 are the normal silver and golds, so look for the W at the end of the number to tell a spool of regular 002 gold from a spool of 002W gold with wire inside.  However, the wired version of 5700 Cotton Candy is slightly lighter in shade than the unwired version.  That may be partly because the spools of each (they are both pictured above) are different diameters.  My 5700 is #8 fine braid while my 5700W is #16 medium braid.  That does make a difference in the visual impact.  So if you are using wired and unwired versions of the same color on a piece, the colors may or may not be an exact match.  I think they will be close, but perhaps not identical.  Keep in mind that the surrounding colors will effect how the two types of Kreinik look, so even if the wired and unwired versions are an exact color match, they may not look the same because one is next to bright blue while the other is next to dark orange.

I'll report further on these threads as I have time to use them.  Many thanks to Dena at Kreinik who offered these to me and to the kind person who prompted Dena to ask if I'd like them.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Sunday, April 24, 2011

A New Trend--Thread Tastings

A new tread has been slowly spreading through the needlepoint shops--they are starting to showcase thread brands at special events.  I don't remember when I first noticed this but it has been in the last year and as a threadaholic, it's a trend that I applaud.  After all, there are so many threads available now, no one shop can carry them all, or even all the colors of the lines they do make room for.

The Needlepointer is having one of their periodic retreats and is offering a River Silks trunk show with all of the colors and sizes available, along with a class on using silk ribbon embroidery on needlepoint canvas.
http://www.theneedlepointer.com/stitching_retreats.php

Rittenhouse is going to have what they call a "thread tasting" in May.  Thread samples of new lines the shop is adding will be handed out and there will be refreshments and NP canvas to use for a bet of thread testing.  A good time is guaranteed for all.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2011/04/thread-tasting.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

The Easter Bunny (and Friends)

With today being Easter (and Passover just past) I thought you'd enjoy seeing some Easter themed pieces.  First, look at the darling Easter houses that Robin has stitched.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/04/where-does-easter-bunny-live-and-shop.html

Vicky has an Easter Egg house she's getting ready to stitch.  Look at those cute chicks! This canvas is by Needle Deeva and there is a matching bunny and basket house (second link).
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/14/easter-parade/

http://store.apneedlearts.com/fahath.html

Lastly, notice who shows up in the comments to give Vicky some really great pointers for stitching her house.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/17/looking-for-inspiration/

By the way, Vicky drops a hint about an article that will appear in Needlepoint Now (Vicky is the projects editor for the magazine) in the next few issues.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/15/almost-finished-with-that-pische-pocket/

Happy Easter, everyone.  Eat a chocolate bunny for me!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Yoga for Needlepointers

Remember that Barbara Bergsten posted a hand exercise on her blog recently?
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/reduce-needlepoint-hand-stress.html 

That was so popular that Barbara has talked her yoga teacher into writing articles to help us keep from hurting ourselves during the long stitching sessions we love to indulge in.  Here's the first article.  I'm printing it out and sticking it next to my stitching chair.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/needlepoint-yoga.html

Thanks, Barbara!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Politicians, Finishing, Charts, and Books to Delight

Pocket Full of Stitches has one more series of photographs for you to see from the Dallas cash and carry trade show--photographs of finished pieces folks brought to show off their goods.   The finishing is unusual and eye-catching and usually the designer is identified, just in case you fall in love with something.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/04/finishing-display.html

Nimble Needle has just  had their ribbon cutting ceremony to christen their new shop location. Want to see them charm the local mayor with needlepoint?  It is a fun film and of course the photos of the shop interior make me want to drive the thousand miles to visit!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/04/see-our-ribbon-cutting-day.html

K. asked me this morning about diaper patterns, which of course sent me looking for Ann Strite-Kurz's books and pamphlets as Ann has written about diaper patterns extensively and also uses them quite often in her designs.  Seeing all her charts and books laid out on the Needle Artworks page reminded me that some counted canvaswork folks might really love seeing everything together.  Ann does intricate layered patterns that remind me of blackwork.  She is primarily a teacher and her books are delightful.  Click on Teachers at the top of the page to read more about Ann and her classes and to see even more of her work currently only available as a class.  She teaches a lot of Charley Harper designs, by the way.  I know fans will want to see her unique take on his work.
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/askimages.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Friday, April 22, 2011

Maggie Trunk Show

In Stitches (Atlanta) is having a Maggie trunk show.  Canvases in the trunk show are 20% off.
http://www.institchesatlanta.com/

Old World Designs (Menlo Park, California) is also having a Maggie trunk show, but this one is something different.  It's a one day trunk show visit to Maggie's studio.  They are renting a bus and heading out to see Maggie's place on June 30.  Lunch and  a visit with Maggie herself is included.  Contact the shop for details, which aren't on their website.
http://www.oldworlddesigns.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Sundance Sequins Up Close

Sundance's New Sequins
If you read the Dallas cash and carry show reports carefully, you saw that a lot of folks mentioned that Sundance Designs has sequins now as well as beads.  I managed to get my paws on some courtesy of friends, and I think they are something folks who like to embellish their canvases will want.  I can buy sequins locally at the crafts emporiums in the nearest large city, but the Sundance ones are better quality and have more variety.  Craft emporium sequins look cheap next to the Sundance ones.

The photo above shows the large variety of sequins Sundance has available.  I am sure there are more colors but these are just what I was given.  There look to be 30+ sequins in each little envelope.  I don't know if you can tell how high quality they are in the photo, but in person they are much nicer than the craft emporium sequins I have available to me locally.

The packets are (left to right, top row)--
Opaque Flower BDS-SQ101 and

embossed disks (no label) which are flat on one side and have circles carved into them on the other side.

(left to right, middle row)--
Raised Flowers BDS-SQ103, which are cupped sequins with a curved flower edge in pastel colors,

Etched Panel Square BDS-SQ110 which are in jewel tones and clear, and

Silver BDS-SQ114 which are flat silver sequins.  They reflect the light well which is why they look two-toned in the photo.

(left to right, bottom row)
Animal Square BDS-SQ106 which have a holographic surface covered with black animal spots and

Black Shimmer BDS-SQ112 which are black with a holographic shimmer of highlights in red, navy, orange, yellow and green.  They feel flat but look faceted.

All the sequins have one center hole.   They are all 4-6 mm across except for the big flower sequins which are roughly 15 mm.  The holes are fairly small.  It looks as if a size 22 tapestry needle will go through most of the holes although some of the smaller sequins might need a 24 or 26 needle.  Any Mill Hill or Sundance 11/0 bead will easily hold these sequins in position.

I'm hoping Sundance will update their website or their blog with more information about the available colors.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Road Trip #3

Here are even more reports (and photos) of the Amy Bunger and Kelly Clark classes.  Melinda got Amy for Christmas. (Kudos to Melinda's family for choosing the perfect gift.)
http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/dream-come-true.html

Linda and her pal treated themselves to a Kelly Clark class at Ruth Schmuff's shop (Bedecked and Beaddazzled) just north of Baltimore.  The photos you see are Kelly's newest Halloweenies figure, a witch with a real bust!  (and a broom and fabulous hat and hair, plus there's a boot to die for Kelly's just worked that isn't visible in the photos--hey!  I have spies everywhere!)  That's Kelly Clark herself with the shoulder length dark hair.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/04/wonderful-stitching-weekend.html

Oh, before I forget, Needlepoint.com is having a Barbara Russell trunk show with canvases 20% off.  Don't miss a nice long browse of Barbara's lovely designs if you are a dog lover, although there are plenty of other themes in her work.
http://www.needlepoint.com/designers/barbara-russell.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Road Trip #2 (with Kelly Clark)

Let's do another virtual road trip, shall we? This time we're at Ruth Schmuff's shop (Bedecked and Beadazzled in Baltimore), listening in to the Kelly Clark three day weekend of classes.  Day One had Kelly teaching her latest Halloween character, a witch named Elvira.  She's a classy lady and look at all the beads!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/04/face-anyone-could-love.html

Day Two was a class on a hatbox canvas that is full of interesting techniques.  I've seen the woven basket technique on Amy Bunger's DVD #7, "The Ins and Outs of Needleweaving."  It's a fiddly way to make a woven look but it is worth all the patient work in my opinion.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/04/when-it-rains-it-pours-literally.html

Day Three is more on the hat boxes, with another interesting technique for the ribbon of roses....
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/04/what-wonderful-happy-weekend.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Road Trip!

I rarely go anywhere except the grocery store, bank and drug store, but other needlepointers travel with projects in hand.  Since the summer vacation season is rapidly approaching, I thought you'd like to see NP on the road. Melinda's hanging out at the pool and preparing for a trip to study NP with Amy Bunger.
http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/have-needlepoint-will-travel.html

Pat has just moved closer to her family so she is checking out her new LNS.  The second link is to the shop's website so you can browse a little with Pat.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2011/04/adventure.html

http://www.peacockalleyneedlepoint.com/Peacock_Alley_Needlepoint/Home.html

There's no place like home but a little travel is good for the soul (and the stitching).

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Stars Update

No, I haven't abandoned my Stars for the New Millennium project, but I am on a deadline, so Stars has to wait.  Other folks are stitching away, however, so for the Stars fans, here are updates on the progress other folks are making.  Sara Leigh is starting to stitch a little each night on her projects, including Stars.  I just love her colors!
http://remedialstitcher.blogspot.com/2011/04/two-languishing-wips-and-new-bap.html

Donna is working away on her version and has reached the half way point.  What she has to say about Tony's choices is interesting.  She promises more attention so she can get her version done.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/04/stars-im-seeing-stars.html

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/04/cary-grant-or-ive-got-stars-in-my-eyes.html

How Donna picked her colors.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/04/quick-update.html

I will be working on Stars once my current project is done, promise!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Introducing the Red Geisha

Small Red Geisha (Melissa Shirley Designs)
Since I have three purse canvases to stitch this year, I'd better get started, right?  The first purse piece is a Melissa Shirley design called Red Geisha.  This will be a model for Melissa Shirley Designs at the June Columbus trade show and I'll be selling a stitch guide for her.

The canvas itself is on 13 count canvas and it is 8 inches square.  There is a larger wedge-shaped Red Geisha design that is intended to be made up into a leather purse.  You can see both designs in the link to Melissa's website below.  Note the details you can see on the larger piece that you can't on my Red Geisha.  I looked at the larger canvas several times trying to figure out what I was seeing on my smaller version so I could stitch it appropriately.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?cat=27

Melissa also sent me a black Stirling purse to put Red Geisha into.  The Stirling bag she will adorn is their small tote bag.  The first thing I did when the purse and canvas arrived is to make a color copy of the canvas, then I cut it out so I could slip the paper copy into the front of the bag to see if I needed to stitch a row or two outside the painted lines.  They look like a perfect fit to me.  So the paper pattern was put aside to use as a reference as I stitched Red Geisha.  I can feel secure that she will fit nicely without any row additions or subtractions.
http://www.stirlingcases.com/products_sub.php?id=14

I haven't forgotten Luna but since I have a deadline to finish Red Geisha, I only work on Luna's cloak lining on nights when I need mindless stitching.  Once Red Geisha is done, I will finish Luna.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Bermuda Bags UPDATED

Whitney just posed an interesting question in the comments section.  She asked me where to find Bermuda bags.  Here is what I replied, in case you too want one of the bags that were the rage in the late 1960s.

Whitney, you mean the oval canvases that button onto the bag? Like these?
http://thepinkgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/01/bermuda-bags-are-back-in-stock.html

NP in Paradise has examples of finished Bermuda bags on their website, so they might be able to help.
http://www.needlepointinparadise.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&category_id=97&page=shop.browse

I also found kits for sale at Busy Needle in Tuscon.
http://www.busyneedle.com/Themes/Purses/punc3.htm

Sudberry House used to have a kit that included the wooden handles, a template for your canvas (the trend was to monogram your canvas then) and instructions for assembly. I don't see it on their website now, but you might find an old kit on eBay.

There are several sellers who offer already made Bermuda bags on Etsy.com but these are all fabric, not needlepoint. You might be able to get an Etsy seller to furnish a template and then finish a NP version once you get it stitched, though.

What is the saying?  "Everything old is new again"?  Perhaps Whitney is the start of a building wave of interest in the Bermuda bag.

UPDATE:  Robin King certainly thinks Bermuda bags are on the rise again.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/11/needlepoint-bermuda-bags.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Turkey Progress



Nancy's Turkey with Background Finished
Nancy has sent photos and a progress report on her large turkey from Mary Lake Thompson/Melissa Shirley.  She says, "I am nearly done with the breast area, having finished the head, back and upright tail earlier. I have struggled with getting the overstitching done on the yellow parts of the breast. The look of the painted canvas can not be duplicated with thread. (This canvas has made me appreciate stitch-painted canvases more!) Where I am now is doing some top-stitching over the yellow and evaluating that. You will note that for the bulk of the lower breast I have simply stitched it in Continental/basketweave.

Ray Stitches on Top of Careful Shading
I am also working on the lower long feathers, trying several options. I'm currently trying padded vertical satin, though I think of feathers as flat, so I'm not sure that's where I'll end up. I was hoping to do some light stitching there to show the undercolors painted on the canvas, but that didn't seem to work for me.  


After a day or two, Nancy wrote again:
"I'm close to finishing the lower tail feathers after last night's stitching and I like it. 

Beady Eye
I used #5 perle cotton for the padding and some variegated Silk and Colors (Chocolate Caramel) for the satin stitches on top. Though I'm not sure about using Silk and Colors much - have you had any issues with it? I've tended to use Gloriana and never had any problem with it. I found the Silk and Colors a challenge to lay nicely. I dampened it which helped, but I never had to dampen a silk thread before.

Adding to the fun, I had two male turkeys challenging each other for supremacy this morning in the yard. They went at it pushing and shoving for 30 minutes at least. It was fun to watch."

Nancy, I don't have trouble with Silk N Colors but various brands of silk give different people problems. I have two things to suggest--if you use a laying tool, try another one made from something else.  I find that I like metal and bone laying tools best for silk but you might like the wooden ones better depending on the finish and weight of the tool.  Also, dampen the silk.  Silk likes high humidity and behaves better when there is more moisture in the air.  Get a paper towel wet, ring it out and let it dry some, then run your plies of silk through the paper towel.  I've ever used fairly wet silk on a piece (although you run the risk of the color running these days since eco-friendly dyes are not always truly colorfast).  Hope this helps!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Let’s Hear A Big Round of Applause...

Erica's Lee Kimono
...for the five volunteers who happily let me put their problem canvases under the spotlight on Blog since last November.  There was Erica’s small Lee kimono,

The D.C. Metro Map (Ruth Schmuff)
Barbara’s D.C. Subway Map from Ruth Schmuff,
European Dragon (Leigh Designs)
the Leigh dragon that Sandy is stitching,
Large Turkey (Mary Lake Thompson)
Nancy’s Mary Lake Thompson/Melissa Shirley turkey, and
Gold Fish (Lillian Chermor)
Carol’s Gold Fish from Lillian Chermor.

You ladies both stretched my stitching skills and gave me plenty of things to blog about when my life was too hectic for me to blog-stitch my own pieces. I appreciate it very very much and I know that Blog readers are equally appreciative. Thank you!

Remember to send us photos of the finished pieces when you are done, ok? We want to see the final chapter when you stitch it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Monday, April 18, 2011

Alexa Trunk Show

AP Needle Arts is having an Alexa trunk show.  The in stock and trunk show designs they have are 20% off and if you buy all the threads at the same time, they are 20% off, too.  If you have considered stitching a stocking this year, this is a trunk show worth browsing.  (I think the stockings without a sale price are sold out, though, so hurry.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Needlepoint Purse Considerations

Needlepoint of Back Bay's Cape Cod Dogs
Remember the Elizabeth Mumford painting adopted to needlepoint canvas (by Needlepoint of Back Bay) I stitched and put on the front of a purse?  I've been carrying this purse for almost 8 months straight now.  Before I start stitching another canvas meant to decorate a pocketbook, I wanted to take a good look at the wear and tear on Cape Cod Dogs.

The Padded Satin Stitch Outer Border Being created
Overall, the canvas is in good shape.  The little starfish charms at the corners keep cutting through the thread that holds them on so I have to occasionally restitch them into position.  In other words, heavy trim can rub through threads, even thread coated with beeswax.  I used three plies of DMC cotton treated with beeswax to attach the charms.  Beaded trim or attachments with charms are probably not a good idea.  If I want to use a charm or large bead, I might attach it to a zipper to use as a pull next time.  I think beads or charms as trim around a canvas aren't going to hold up well based on my experience with this canvas and purse (although they are perfect for this design).

Long Stitches Under Window Right Side
This canvas was stitched with a variety of threads:  silks, cotton, speciality threads, metallics and wool/synthetic mixes.  I only see wear in two places--the long stitches (over three threads so they aren't terribly long) of the satin stitch border are snagged in one place and the long stitch that defines the wood paneling under the window broke at one end quite early on.

Dog's Ear and Long Metallic Stitches on Bottles
Interestingly enough, the Water N Ice that completely covers the window (brick stitch) and the largest dog's 3-D needle lace ear are untouched by wear.  I don't see any wear on the mermaids or the sailor or the bookcase with bottles behind the bar.  Most of these stitches are fairly small and don't cover more than three thread intersections just like the padded satin stitch border. I am surprised the dog's ear isn't rubbed.  Everything else seems intact, even the metallics on the bottles and the beads on the mermaids' tails.

I have been very careful with this purse.  When I go somewhere in the car, it sits on the passenger seat with the NP facing out.  I often hold it by the handle instead of putting it over my shoulder where an arm might rub the canvas.  I don't put it on the floor anywhere, but put it in my lap or on a chair when I am at a doctor's office or a restaurant.  But you do forget occasionally, and that's when a snag happens.

The Cape Cod Dogs purse has taught me that I don't have to be as careful about the types of threads I use for a purse canvas as much as I need to avoid long stitches, especially near the perimeter of a piece.  Long stitches (like the satin stitch border or the long window paneling stitches) snag more than long stitches that are more towards the center of the piece (the metallic bottle stitches).  Beads scattered in the center of a canvas (the mermaid tails) hold up ok as long as they are secured with doubled and waxed thread.  Heavy trims with sharp edges are not a good idea. Of course I'm not thinking about carrying this purse for years.  If I were, I think I would avoid all beads, stitches that cover more than 2 threads,  and any thread because wool or silk, just because these have held up for centuries in museums.   With these things in mind, I am ready to start my first purse canvas.

Anyone curious about "Cape Cod Dogs" can use the search function in the upper left hand corner box to read about how it was stitched.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Sunday, April 17, 2011

2011: The Year of the Purse

Tote bags, purses, clutch bags, or anything in between--whatever style of bag you like, 2011 is the Year of the Purse.  Folks are stitching purse canvases like nobody's business!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/03/25/its-a-bag-thing/

Want more proof?  Have you noticed all the purse and insert canvases from Melissa Shirley?
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?cat=81

Have you seen the snakeskin textured purses from Stirling?
http://www.stirlingcases.com/products_sub.php?id=23

Check out the new bags and laptop tote from Lee.
http://www.newleesneedlearts.com/files/flyers/2011_Jan_New_LeatherGoods_lo.pdf

These Leigh Designs inserts are made to fit inside the leather, nylon and patent leather totes.
http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6112

http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp760x.html

This year I am stitching three purse inserts.  Before I reveal the first canvas, we should take a look back at the purse canvas I stitched last year and see what it looks like now.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Choosing Gold Fish Fin and Body Stitches - Part Three



This is the final posting about fish fin and body stitches for Carol's Lillian Chermor canvas.

Carol wrote:
*** I still like the Tressed stitch you mentioned in a previous email; but is that one too different to use in conjunction with these two?****

Jane answered: We are referring to the Diagonal Cashmere without the tent stitched rows, and ...
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2000/00-08.php

...the Sky Stitch which we are thinking about using with the Tressed Stitch (second link).
http://store.littleshoppeofstitches.com/may.html

http://needlepoint.about.com/od/texturedstitches/ss/TressedStitch.htm

As I understand it, you want to use a Ray stitch on the fish's body and then use some or all of the above stitches on the fins and tail.  It's at times like these that I do test stitching so I can really see what all of the above look like stitched in the thread I plan to use.  Since I don't have any canvas here on vacation and since you hate test stitching, we are going to have to squint at all the diagrams and imagine.  This is hard B.C.!  (Before Coffee--LOL)


Diagonal Cashmere looks to be larger in scale than the Sky Stitches while Tressed Stitch looks bigger still.  That alone would tell me to use the biggest stitch (Tressed) on the fish body while using the medium one (Diagonal Cashmere) on the larger area (the tail) and save the smallest stitch (Sky) for the top and bottom fins which look smaller to me.  You'll notice that I tossed Ray Stitch out of the equasion entirely.  That's because the three stitches I mentioned look sort of alike but none of them look much like Ray Stitch to me.  I would not use Ray Stitch; I'd stick to the three stitches mentioned.  Actually, if it were me, I'd use one stitch for the body and one for the fins and tail instead of three stitches, but since you are the one who has to stitch and then live with this, you get to decide.  It is my opinion that Ray Stitch won't play nicely with the other stitches mentioned.


Print out the diagrams and play a bit with them, turning them this way and that, putting them next to the various areas and imagine what they will look like in your threads.  Scale is important.  SharonG harps on that all the time and she really knows her stitching.  Fitting the stitches you like into their various spaces means putting a bigger scale stitch in a bigger area and a smaller stitch---well, you get the idea.  You want the stitches to not be too much for a small space or too tiny for a big space.


For the fish "lips" and "beard" around the face, I think something simple (tent or satin stitch) will work best. These are details and we want them simple and restful.  We'd already talked about using either tent or satin stitches for the tiny yellow bits of bottom fin so whatever you do there, do on the small areas around the fish's mouth.  It is hard to tell just how large these areas are from the photo but I'm assuming they are small.  


I hope all this is clearer now and that you have time to think about the various stitches and how they might work together.  This is where I do sample stitches to audition the various actors (i.e., the threads) to see if they really do fit the role I plan for them and if they work well together with the other actors.

Carol replies:
OK, I'll think about tossing out the Ray stitch. I still like it, but you're right that it might not mesh well with the other stitches.

Yes, those two stitches are the ones I think look well together (diagonal cashmere and sky). I don't agree that the DC is larger in scale than the Sky; the largest stitches both go over two threads. Are we defining scale differently? Part of the reason why I like these stitches is that they both mimic the narrow and wide sections in the swirl stitch I'm using in the background. And that's why I wanted something entirely different for a fourth stitch. I like the idea of using one stitch for the tail, one stitch for the fins and one stitch for the body, with the basic tent stitch for the smaller parts (or maybe satin stitch--I still haven't decided). I also still like the idea of nestling beads in the spaces in the Tressed stitch.

Jane admits: One of my worst problems in stitching a canvas is falling in love with a stitch that looks great but won't work with the other stitches.  Were you reading Blog when I stitched 5-6 rows of a gorgeous background stitch for the Brazilian parrot and fruit piece called Cha-Cha?  They all came out and were replaced by basketweave.  Beautiful stitch but it wasn't right for Cha, which I realized once I started stitching the flowers and fruit. Deciding what stitch to discard can be very painful at times!  I hate ripping out like you hate test stitching so removing that beautiful background was very depressing!

Carol has another question: Yes, those two stitches are the ones I think look well together (diagonal cashmere and sky). I don't agree that the DC is larger in scale than the Sky; the largest stitches both go over two threads. Are we defining scale differently?

Jane answers:  Here is where my not stitching the piece is important.  When I look at the diagrams of the two stitches, the Sky Stitch gives me the sense of being slightly smaller in scale than the Diagonal Cashmere.  If I wasn't on vacation I might have done some test stitching and realized that the two stitches are made up of the same components arranged differently.  I still get the sense of Sky being smaller than DC after looking at the diagrams but that may be because DC's diagram is darker with bigger lines.  It might be an optical illusion, in other words.  Or I might have not been mentally seeing how the stitches worked up correctly.  You may be right that they are the same scale.  Only stitching will tell for sure.

Carol again: Part of the reason why I like these stitches is that they both mimic the narrow and wide sections in the swirl stitch I'm using in the background. And that's why I wanted something entirely different for a fourth stitch. I like the idea of using one stitch for the tail, one stitch for the fins and one stitch for the body, with the basic tent stitch for the smaller parts (or maybe satin stitch--I still haven't decided). I also still like the idea of nestling beads in the spaces in the Tressed stitch.

Jane adds her opinions: I think beads in Tressed Stitch will be lovely!  After all, you have those spots elsewhere on the fish and adding beads will make the different parts of the fish more balanced. 


I personally would tone down the fish by using three stitches instead of four but this is YOUR canvas.  If you think using four stitches on the fish will give you the effect you want, you should do that.  My esthetic sense says three and yours says four, but since this is your canvas that you have to live with, you should go with your gut.  This is what SharonG means when she says "if it looks right, it is."  There is a certain amount of personal choice a stitcher puts into each painted canvas.  That is how you add your personality to it.  If you think that your canvas needs four stitches in the fish, then it needs those four stitches!  If my reasoning doesn't make sense to you, then it is wrong for your canvas.  

Are you pretty well set on what stitches and threads you want to use?  Do you have more questions about things I didn't make clear?  I think we have covered everything to the best of our ability without any actual stitching but you may have more questions as you finish your background and start the other parts of Gold Fish.

Do you have all your supplies now?  I wasn't sure if you'd found double-sided ribbons yet but I did see when I was wrapping presents to take on our vacation that I had double-sided ribbon I picked up at Target when I stocked up on wrapping paper and ribbon.  That's probably a good local source to check. You might get lucky and find exactly what you need there and not have to special order double-sided ribbons.


I am eager to see progress photos when you have time, Carol!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Friday, April 15, 2011

Giving New Meaning to "Searching for Bargains"

Amy Bunger, that great tease, is starting her three day sale for this month today.  The trick is that the sale items are hidden throughout her website, so you have to hunt to find the bargains.  Good luck!  Here's the link to get you started....
http://www.amybunger.com/online_3day_special.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Thursday, April 14, 2011

New Charts, New Ideas for Handling Tedium

Let's face it, there are always tedious parts to each needlepoint project.  It may be the endless background, a ton of basketweave, an area's stitch that just seems hard--but Christa has a great strategy for coping with the boring bits.
http://lilystitch.blogspot.com/2011/04/round-robin-stitching.html

Of course finding a project you absolutely adore works, too.  How about Vicky's Rainbow Birds?  She's following a Brenda Hart stitch guide for this Laurel Burch design.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/13/a-birds-eye-view-3/

How about this wonderful background for Ruth Schmuff's latest mystery class?  Stitching a beautiful stitch in the background always makes it go faster!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/04/its-clear-and-sunny-day.html

Of course if nothing else works, you can always buy yourself a new design and use it as a carrot to get you to finish the old one so you can start the new.  Scarlet Thread just posted new Carolyn Mitchel charts and they are getting the amazing Kurdy Briggs/Threadles Cleopatra's Eye kits ready.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-arrivals-from-carolyn-mitchell.html

However you cope, hope today's stitching is fun.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com