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There are some new colors out in Congress Cloth.

Powder Spice – a pretty light cinnamon
Country Blue – a nice medium blue, very light-filled and bright, but not too bright
Khaki – an olive green
Vintage – a striking burgundy

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Twinchies for 2010

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

attic window needlepoint twinchy, designed by janet perry

I have just spent some much overdue time looking at the Twinchies I have done and uploading them into a Facebook album.

This year, as much as I can, I will be using the Twinchy format to try out new needlepoint techniques as part of the 2010 President’s Challenge. We will be trying a new technique each month including Hilton Stitches (this month, hardanger on canvas, bargello, and surface embroidery on canvas. It’s free and open to all members of CyberPointers.

But looking at them all got me excited again about these little bits of needlepoint. so I’m going to start doing more of them. In the spirit of trying something new, I’d like the Twichy theme for January to be monochromatic color schemes. To make it even easier, I also want you to use the Attic Windows Twinchy pattern shown above.

That’s it, use any stitches you like, any threads, but in a monochromaticscheme in this pattern.

I’ll make a gallery of pictures people send me and show you my results in early February.

Tomorrow look for a post about this color scheme.

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Twinchies for 2010

Just a Few More New Things

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Melissa Shirley is now painting several of her animals on 13 mesh, which is wonderful for those of us with older eyes.

Colonial Needle has brought back the Lee business case. They have also have come out with a new case to hold your iPod and headphones in lots of colors.

Rebecca Wood has a series of canvases with “Twas the Night before Christmas as the theme. That’s such a clever idea for a series.

Sew Much Fun has a new line of 3-D animals with stitch guides.

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Just a Few More New Things

More Thread News

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

More thread news from TNNA.

The new Caron Colors are available in Watercolours and Wildflowers.

Threadworx has significantly expanded their line with new overdyed silks, using Au Ver a Soie (stranded silk) and Vineyard Silk. They have also added new colors to their floss line and overdyed metallic #8.

And in self-finishing, Stirling has some great new accessories, a portfolio, a checkbook cover, and a wallet. I’ll be getting more details for you soon.

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More New Needlepoint Products in Canvas, Charts & Kits

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

There’s always so much great needlepoint coming out at the TNNA market, it’s like needlepoint heaven. On Saturday I shared thread news. Yesterday you heard about some of the great new canvases, today there is more to hear about.

Amanda Lawford has some lovely new florals, a great series of square sea creature pillows and some stunning new scissors cases with related designs on front and back. A new designer to me, DC Designs, has delightful modern designs in a bright, cheerful style. They look so fun, but are easy enough for a beginning.

Melissa Shirley’s new designs include a wonderful series of Dancing Lobsters, and two designs that could have great backgrounds in Bargello. These are in her seaside collection. There are also lots of new purse fronts, many butterflies and several lovely geishas. She also has a great collection of small pumpkins, looking as if they were made of different fabrics, her Victorian-style children done for Thanksgiving. For Halloween there is also new ribbon candy, candy canes, and candy corn for your needlepoint sweet tooth.

Betsy B Originals has new Sorority Ornaments, new Songs of the Season, a new 12 Days of Christmas & canvases inspired by MacKenzie Childs. Barbara Bergsten has a delightful series of 12 penquins and what I think is a marvelous idea for learning new stitches — painted stitch patterns. Her line of canvases with the stitches painted on has expanded and these are a perfect way to teach yourself new stitches.

In Good Company has some great round ornaments, including some that are in two parts.
There are also some bird-themed minisocks, and a whimsical figure called Ballet Boo. Raymond Crawford has a ton of new designs, including monthly cupcakes, whimsical owls, butterflies, and international dolls.

Leigh Designs has added to their glorious line of Chinese masks with 8 single masks. These are a real treasure. Kathy Schenkel has a line of mini-socks featuring Santa with different animals.

Kelly Clark also has a line of 12 Days of Christmas pears. Sundance has a new series of topiaries by Barabra Elmore as well as some Day of the Dead designs. I’ve long thought the art for this day was perfect for needlepoint, so I’m very excited. Voila has some belt designs for sports teams.

DJ Designs has some amazing boxes and frames inspired by french enamelwork that include some lovely embellishments — they’re amazing jewels of needlepoint and so easy to stitch. I am also delighted by the 3-d needlepoint shop cottage from Associated Talents.

There’s much more new stuff coming out, so keep your eyes out for the posts.

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More New Needlepoint Products in Canvas, Charts & Kits

New Needlepoint Products in Canvas, Charts & Kits

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

kelly clark february santa, stitch guide by janet perry

kelly clark march santa, stitch guide by janet perry

Above are two Santa’s from Kelly Clark’s new monthly Santa series. I’ve done the stitch guides for them both. There are lots of easy, fun effects on them. I’m just crazy about the fiddler for March, I had so much fun stitching him.

Stitch & Zip (from Alice Peterson Co.) has announced a new size of Stitch & Zip cases for Kindles (and possibly other ebook readers). This such a great idea. Not only does it show off your needlepoint, it will protect the screen. If you are crafty, but not just in needlepoint, think about AMH’s DIY Journal Kit. It has a place for a needlepoint initial already in the cover and is blank, so you can create your own design.

Several of Fleur de Paris’ designers, have lovely new pieces. There is Epicerie, a charming FRench storefront from Sandra Gilmore of Once in a Blue Moon. Trubey Designs has a Hot Air Balloon Cushion for a child’s rocking chair. Finally, dede’s Needleworks has a delightful Polar Santa stocking.

All about Stitching has some delightful small designs for Halloween and Easter. Finish them on sticks and put them in a pail for a great decoration. They also have a charming Noah’s Ark footstool for a child’s room. Whimsy and grace has several lovely brick covers and a fantastic pansy clutch purse.

Jenny Henry specializes in geometric designs. You’ll love her series of ornament-sized round frame, perfect for a snapshot or school picture. Julie Mar ahs introduced a new line, Transitions, which marries traditional floral designs with some modern elements. Irises is just one of the canvases.

Julie Pishke has a fantastic shell-filled Beach Rug with a lovely striped border. Zecca has a very cool geometric backgammon board in green and violet.

More new stuff in tomorrow’s post.

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Update on Joce’s Progress

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Joce has made wonderful progress on her geometric project and has done two more posts. The Big V adds the large diamond surrounding the center. From a Diamond to Some Squares adds detail to the diamond and begins the corner squares.

Inspired by a comment from Joce, Barbara at Create Needlepoint is starting a project called Needlepoint Stitch Tangle. It’s based on a kind of doodle called a Zentangle. A second post lists all the stitches she will be using and show the painted design.

I really love it and am thinking (hard) about doing one or more of my own. I think I’m going to ask people in my family to make the doodle and then stitch one for each of them as an ornament.

My DD also asked me about doing a set of three ornaments for a friend’s daughter and her new-born twins. This might be perfect.

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Update on Joce’s Progress

Threading the Needle

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

A reader recently asked me: “Are there tips to threading the needle? The thread keeps fraying!”

I’ll start with the obvious — are you threading the needle properly?
You bring the thread to the needle, not the needle to the thread. That’s the most important thing.

Second, are you compressing the end of the thread to make it more pointy? You can do this by squeezing or twisting it slightly. That often helps.

The next best thing to do is use a needle threader, I find this takes care of the problem most of the time. Use one for needlework threads, the ones for sewing threads or beading are too flimsy. Several companies make them.

Some people find using a needle one size bigger makes the needle easier to thread. Since I use bigger needles anyway, I don’t do this.

These tips work for any thread, but some threads fray more than others. Flair should always be cut at an extreme diagonal. This doesn’t end unravelling, but minimizes it.

With other threads I have been told using a drop of FrayChek or clear nail polish works. Always let it dry before threading the needle. Since I never have either of these nearby I haven’t tried them.

Do you have any other threading tips?

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Hurry! Alaska Cruise Selling Fast

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Classes,Nuts About Needlepoint

Glacier Bay (pictured above), Kethican, Juneau, Skagway. Some of the most glorious scenery in North American and you can only see it by boat. Combine that with an opportunity to indulge in five days of needlepoint bliss and you get my idea of a perfect vacation.

Craft Cruises and The Art Needlepoint Co. have teamed up to launch a series of Needlepoint Cruises, combining the fun of cruising with the opportunity to improve your needlepoint skills in a relaxed, stress-free environment without the interruptions of everyday life. I’m going to be teaching throughout the cruise and attendees of the needlepoint cruise will have an opportunity to get a custom stitch guide for one of Art Needlepoint’s Alaska canvases. Classes will be given so you can begin your canvas on board.

I just learned that the cruise is filling up fast and I didn’t want you to miss out on this unforgettable trip.

butterfly bright wings by Barry Herem needlepoint kit from Art Needlepoint

This is just one of the canvases available for a stitch guide during the cruise. The canvases. There are designs for every level of stitcher and for all tastes.

While Stitching Alaska (the stitch guide class) is the heart of the needlepoint cruise, there is also a stitch sampler class and a thread notebook class.

There will be plenty of time for individual instruction, for sharing our love of stitching and for exploring new techniques and ideas. Stitchers will receive goodie bags and designs exclusive to this trip. I also have some special surprises in mind to make this experience even more fabulous.

The Needlepoint Cruise will not only give you time to unwind, meet new people and experience new cultures but also provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere where you can be yourself, express your creativity and learn new skills without having to worry about anything except having a good time. So grab your needles and lets have a blast!

Join us and explore Alaska’s glorious Inside Passage on a Glacier Bay Needlepoint Cruies. For all the details, call 877·97·CRAFT (877·972·7238) or click on Craftcruises.com and find out more. There you can find more detailed information about the classes and itinerary.

I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity to see some of Alaska’s magnificent scenery and to have fun with your fellow stitchers. Now’s the time to join the cruise before it’s all sold out.

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Joce’s Geometric Needlepoint Adventure

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Design,Nuts About Needlepoint

My friend Jocelyn, a marvelous New Zealand stitcher, is embarking of a fantastic needlepoint adventure to design her own needlepoint geometric as she goes along.

I think this is a simply fantastic idea and one I’m far too controlling to do. But I wish I wasn’t like that.

She has several posts so far on the project. In this first one, she describes her idea, picks her colors and prepares the ground.

Then she begins with the center and starts grappling with the design. Like many us, she would like a format for the square and chose a quilt block as the basis. If you’ve struggled with doing your own design, you will also find her thought process about size enlightening. In the third post, you see how she stitched the center block and the result.

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