My next publicly stitched project will be Colors of Praise's "Women Watching Turtle."   It's a 9 inch square design on 18 count.  I like the unusual point of view and the ambiguity of the title. Is the turtle watching the woman or is she watching it? https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/collections/colors-of-praise/products/woman-watching-turtle I intend to limit the number of stitches I use for this piece, trying to emphasize the design instead of throwing every stitch in my books and thread in my considerable stash at it.   To get an idea of what I am attempting, listen to G ..read more

Lorraine at Colour Complements in Canada has written a lovely little essay about hand dyed cotton floss. https://colourcomplements.com/2024/02/the-benefits-of-using-hand-dyed-embroidery-floss.html# If you are tempted, here is her shop. You can choose between cotton floss or size 5, 8 and 12 perle cottons. https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/hand-dyed-perle-cotton-and-floss-vibrant-colours She also does a "sampler" set of cotton flosses in various colors if you want to play. https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/hand-dyed-embroidery-floss-samplers Written by Jane/Chilly H ..read more

The Nashville Needlepointer demonstrates how to put together a key fob.   https://www.instagram.com/p/C4f7YnSuwgC/ There are supplies you will need but she's listed those.  It doesn't look hard at all. Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com © Copyright March 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved ..read more

Stitch by Stitch in Larchmont has a "Stitcher of the Month" feature where they interview one of their talented customers and show off their work.  April 2024's stitcher is MC McEvoy. https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/pages/stitcher-of-the-month-mc-mcevoy Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com © Copyright April 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved ..read more

The Gingham Stitchery has a new designer--Krissy Johnson Designs.  This video introduces Krissy and some of the new items (some inserts, some dimensional, some ornaments) from her talented brain that debut at the March 2024 Spring Market.  These aren't on the Gingham Stitchery website yet, so pay attention! It's a fun look at a new designer, her life, how she got into needlepoint and of course the designs she has created for our stitching pleasure, including her adjustable four prong fork for making bows of all sizes. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4d-uFxPZD5/ Written by Jane/Chilly ..read more

Melissa at The Wool and The Floss demonstrates chain stitch. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4d-uFxPZD5/ This is perfect for lettering, for outlines, and for items like belts on a design.  I've found that keeping the loops even by counting over the same number of holes for each stitch keeps the chain even, assuming that's the look you want. By the way, chain stitch in a thicker thread makes a great wicker basket. https://www.instagram.com/p/C161ZXhNXT5/ Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com © Copyright March ..read more

Melita's latest blog entry details the travels of a model for an article in Needle Pointers. https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/03/09/ang-needle-pointers-magazine-cover-model/ Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com © Copyright March 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved ..read more

Are you in the market for a stand to hold your needlepoint on a frame?  Or maybe you are just curious?  Needlepoint.com just posted an article and videos about the various System Floor stands available.  This should answer many of your questions about what they sell and how everything works. https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/all-about-needlework-system-4 The one thing that I think is unique about the System Four is how portable their travel stand is.  If you are on the road a lot, this is something you need to take a serious look at. Just remember, the ma ..read more

The Needlepoint Nook shows off a customer's idea for displaying her leaves from Kam Wenzloff's leaf wreath featured in Needlepoint Now magazine in 2023. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=949186606792428&set=a.475818260795934 For those without a Facebook account, the leaves were arranged to make a semicircular tree above a wooden trunk. Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com © Copyright March 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved ..read more

Happy Tax Day!  Let's celebrate by visiting the Woodlawn Needlework exhibit. The major award winners are pictured here.  Note there is a link to a list of all the names of those who sent in their work with any awards they won noted. https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2024specialawardwinners Waste Knot has a short film of the show to enjoy if you have an Instagram account. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4PFrPvN96X/ Melita's not been to Woodlawn for the exhibit yet but she knows she won a third place ribbon for her original design.  She recognized the names of quite a few counte ..read more