Saturday, February 18, 2012

Slide Show Preferences

Here's another poll, this one about the two slide shows I posted this morning. As I mentioned, the free software that I used for slide shows has been purchased by Google, which is shutting it down early next month, so I have to find other software to use. It has to be a) free, b) store the photos somewhere else than a Google account since my Google account photo storage for Blog isn't limitless and c) be something all Blog visitors can use.


I came up with two choices:  Smilebox (that's the slide show with the lovely graphics that is embedded in the posting) and Picassa (which is the one with the URL you click to go see the slide show elsewhere).  I just posted a poll asking which you prefer.  Each has its pros and cons but I am interested in which you like best.  So tell me what you think, please!

Note that the Smilebox graphics hide some of the canvases and the ULR slide show doesn't. Does that make a difference to you?


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

End of an Era

Looks like the JCA Crafts company is closing its doors. They are the source for Paternayan wool as well as many needlepoint kits.
http://www.kelsea.ca/2012/02/10/paternayan-jca-kits/

It's a sad end.  Nothing in my opinion is better for upholstery and rugs than Paternayan wool.  However, there is nothing on their website so perhaps the news is wrong.  I hope so!
http://www.jcacrafts.com/contact/index.php


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

The Missing Sheep and Her Kin

Remember me posting about a sheep canvas I was trying to track down? Thanks to my spy network, I have more information about the canvas. It is a discontinued design from S and S which Julia's Needlework used to distribute.  There were quite a few animals in the series which was taken from the Krinkles ornaments that Department 54 sells, and since the copying was done without permission, the series was dropped.

Carole has graciously shared photos of the ones she owns. They are in a photo album at the link below. You can play a slide show of the canvases by pushing the Slideshow button above the canvas of the chicken in a bow tie. (CHICKEN in a bow tie?!!) To end the slideshow, push your Escape key.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102117864343802967606/SSJuliaSAnimals?locked=true&feat=email 

I've also created a second slideshow here. I'm testing new ways to show photos since the old Slide.com site I used is shutting down in March. I'll do a poll shortly asking which type slideshow you like best. (Stay tuned for that excitement. LOL)

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
This photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Carole thinks there are more in the series, but only one is left at her LNS--the cat in the red ermine trimmed robe. If you are interested, give the shop a call. http://www.stitchandframelafayette.com/Needlepoint_by_Designers/Needlepoint_Designers/Julia.htm 

That cat happens to be a canvas we've seen and admired before. It is on the Homestead Needlearts's website where it is called Queenie and is beautifully stitched by Cheryl Robinson. Sadly, Homestead doesn't have any of the series left. http://www.homesteadneedlearts.com/StitchersShowcase.html 

Many thanks to Cheryl, to Theresa, and to Carole for help tracking that illusive sheep. Anyone who has one of the series in their shop or stash and wants to part with it, let me know by email to chillyhollow at hotmail dot com or in a Comment below. I'm still hunting that sheep!

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

Jean Hilton Revisited UPDATED

It's hard to believe that Jean Hilton is dead. Her designs are all around us, reminders of her revolutionary impact on needlepoint when her geometrics burst upon the NP scene in the 1980s. There was nothing like them at the time and even now her impact is still showing up with each and every design that uses "Hilton stitches."  You can check out her work at Stitches From the Heart, which publishes her designs now and which probably will occasionally release new pieces, such as Quidity.
http://stitches-heart.com/jean-hilton-designs/

Note that if you bought a Quidity chart when it first came out, the original cover photo was a variation on the design.  Stitches From the Heart will gladly replace the original cover page with the correct one if you just email them.  Keep in mind, though, you have a wonderful variation that's worth keeping, even if you pick up the correct cover page.
http://stitches-heart.com/new-cover-for-quidity/

By the way, they also have information about Arliss' different colorways for ScottLee and a photo if you want to follow in her footsteps.
http://stitches-heart.com/different-colorway-for-scottlee/

UPDATE:  Arliss tells me that Scarlet Thread can kit up her very popular color scheme of blue, green and rose if you are interested.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-Charts-cln-Jean-Hilton/Categories.bok


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