A New Mystery UPDATED

Thanks to Diversions Needlepoint's June e-newsletter, I've learned about a new mystery set in a needlepoint store near Asheville, NC.  It's called One Sharp Stitch, by Allie Pleiter.  Ms. Pleiter has written mysteries centered on knitters and it looks like this is planned as a series as well.  

https://alliepleiter.com/books/nimble-needle-mysteries/one-sharp-stitch/

I read One Sharp Stitch last June and enjoyed it.  It's a great beach read, with a good cozy mystery obscuring who the killer is plus some interesting people, both important to the plot and peripheral to it.  The family relationships among the various characters are handled realistically and the author knows quite a bit about the social life of a needlepoint shop since she picked up needlepoint with the help of Stitchers Garden in Illinois, Two's Company in South Carolina and Po's Point in North Carolina (plus help from ANG's Queen Charlotte chapter.  If you can get this through your local library, it's worth checking out. I imagine more in the series is planned, and I'll be reading the second book when/if it comes out.

If you are intrigued, Lisa of BeStitched did an interview with Allie Pleiter on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/BeStitchedNeedlepoint/videos/1064489455713672

By the way, the fictional shop is called Nina's Nimble Needle, but it has no relationship to either Nimble Needle in New Jersey or Nimble Needle in Atlanta!

UPDATE:  Melita says there is a second book in the series.  It's called Two Purloined Pillows.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/18/ang-2025-seminar-in-new-orleans-la-welcome-favors-water-bottles-and-tote-bag/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 13, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Melita's Overdyed Spools Variations

Melita Glavin saw her "Overdyed Spools" design worked at Nimble Needle in New Jersey with the shop name in the middle instead of the spools of threads.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/01/13/overdyed-spools-for-nimble-needle-nj/

The design is also perfect for name tags.

https://egausa.org/new-petite-project-overdyed-spools/

The moral is that any counted project can be modified, especially small ones with lovely borders.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 13, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Carolyn Hedge Baird's Newest Book is Out UPDATED

Carolyn Hedge Baird's latest book is out.  It's called Needlepoint Notebook:  Stitches Inspired by Carolyn's Travels.  This book is all new stitches, nothing repeats from Carolyns' earlier books.
https://www.facebook.com/nestndlpt/photos/a.892433770801243/3555216257856301/

Nimble Needle has a mini-review for you to read to get a feel for the book.
https://nimbleneedlenj.com/newest-needlepoint-notebook-by-carolyn-hedge-bard/

UPDATE: Amy Bunger has written a mini review of Carolyn's latest.

https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/1020.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 4, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Picking a Background Color

Karen at Nimble Needle in New Jersey has an interesting article on her blog about picking a background color.  I would have gone with a pastel pink myself or maybe pale orange sherbet.  Or a very dark rust.  What about you?
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/laurel-burch-color-and-contrast/

There really are no right answers to this, as long as you don't pick something too close in value to the main subject matter.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 30, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Nimble Needle NJ is Moving

Nimble Needle in New Jersey is moving house!  The online shop is still open (second link below) while Karen gets the new location (which is about four miles from the old shop) ready.   Have fun getting set up, Karen!
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/in-the-news/

http://nimbleneedlenj.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 21, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thunderstruck UPDATED

Nimble Needle in New Jersey just posted a bunch of happy designs on their blog. I was thunderstruck {!!!} to realize that the Maggie "Chalk Board Bird" was just that--a drawing on a chalkboard!
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/happy-diversion/

UPDATE:  The above article was removed from the Nimble Needle blog but I managed to find a photo elsewhere.  Still am amazed that this is a chalkboard drawing. It is so obvious when you look with new eyes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-painted-Needlepoint-Canvas-Chalk-Bird-Red-Flower-Maggie-co-/282271517231

Isn't it fun when we suddenly see a new canvas a new way?  Thanks, Karen!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 23, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Shades of White

Karen at Nimble Needle shows off Kreinik's whites, listing both the new whites and the olds.  She also has words of wisdom about picking and substituting colors and choosing the right size of Kreinik for your canvas.  (Although take the "right size" with a grain of salt since stitch tensions vary.  We all have our favorite Kreinik size for our preferred canvas size.)
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/7-shade-of-kreinik-whites/

Those who want to see more photos can refer to my posting about them here--
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-newest-kreinik-colors.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 5, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Barbara Russell Remembered UPDATED

The Nimble Needle has written a very retrospective about the designer Barbara Russell and her work. I updated my notice of Barbara's death with the link, but I am doing a separate blog entry here so you can read a bit about Barbara from the perspective of a shop owner and see something of the range of her work.
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/barbara-russell/

Once again, here is Barbara's website in case you want to explore further.  If you haven't, you should. Her designs are gorgeous and varied.  There's something wonderful for every stitching style.
http://barbararusselldesigns.com

UPDATE:  Dianne posted photographs of a set of six custom chair seats designed by Barbara and stitched by Dianne and her mother on Facebook.  They are amazing!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208758297373866&set=pcb.1079541848789639&type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 23, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wonderful Finishing

Nimble Needle in New Jersey has just posted photographs of their latest batch of finished items that have returned from the finishers they use.   There are all sorts of special touches--like switching the color of cording on ornaments to outline a snowman's face in white.  You can see how even a few beads add weight to a piece, admire the ruching on eggs, or the tilt of a dreidel maintained by something heavy inside.  Karen shows off the acrylic trays from Kreative Koncepts which allow a small piece of needlepoint to be slid inside.  The stitching is fabulous, too.
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/finished-ornaments-plus-more/

Standard sized acrylic trays are available from Kate Dickerson, Melissa Prince and Cooper Oaks plus your local shop may have a source that can make them to your specs.
http://www.thepicketfenceinc.com/lucite_needlepoint/default.aspx

If you need something really oddly shaped, talk to Kreative Acrylics.
http://www.kreativeacrylics.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 23, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Do You Want Fringe or a Boxed Edge with That?

Nimble Needle in New Jersey shows off the finishing of their customers' work in this lovely posting. There is a lot to see and enjoy but take special notice of the Pippin Halloween witch hat  and shoes pillows at the top and bottom.  The finishing styles are very different and give a different finished look to the same sort of designs.  Finishing options are limitless and they really do make a piece.
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/finished-items/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 26, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making a Sewing Bird, Step by Step

Are you familiar with Melissa Shirley's Stitching Birds series?  It looks like they are discontinued but Melissa still has some in stock.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/index.cgi?index=1231727968_26504&col=

You will want to see how Sue made up her sewing bird.  It's fascinating and makes me understand that professional finishers are worth every penny.
https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2016/07/13/3d-finishing-melissa-shirley-sewing-bird-part-1/

https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/3d-finishing-melissa-shirley-sewing-bird-part-2/

You can see another finished stitching bird on the Nimble Needle blog.  Lovely!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2013/12/finished-work-customers-pride-and-joy.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright  July 20, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Goodbye Prairie Schooler UPDATED

Prairie Schooler has retired which means their needlepoint line is about to vanish forever. To commemorate their wonderful simple designs, Nimble Needle has put together a retrospective sale.
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/prairie-schooler-collections/

I love their Santas personally.  Time to start keeping an eye out for eBay charts I guess....

UPDATE:  My spies (see comments below) say that Hoffman Publishing has picked up the rights to the Prairie Schooler cross stitch charts.  Good news for us needlepointers as many of those can be stitched on needlepoint canvas.  Thanks for the update, folks!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 31, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Range of Lights, Light/Magnifiers and Frames

Nimble Needle shows off the lights, light/magnifiers and frames of various types that the shop has in stock. If you are in the market, this is a good browse to learn more about the options available to needlepointers.
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/favorite-lights-magnifiers-tools-and-more/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 4, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

March Themes

Nimble Needle in New Jersey posted a number of March-themed canvases on their blog. I never think of March as a sports month but of course it is with better weather and baseball's spring training, not to mention the college basketball tournament.   Whether you are into sports, rabbits or St. Paddy's Day, it's a good place to see a variety of canvases and other things to celebrate your favorites.
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/march-things/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 14, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Crooner

Nimble Needle in New Jersey is singing along with the Beatles and this canvas from Birds of a Feather.
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/all-my-loving/

I had no ideas rabbits sang!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 11, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Custom Needlepoint

Nimble Needle shows off the custom painted needlepoint canvases they've arranged recently for customers.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/custom-pieces/

Besides Leigh Designs' church on a swan pond, I think the Peeps box is from Gail Hendrix/Squiggee.  You can see more of their custom work on their respective websites.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/ImgIdx03.html

http://www.squiggeedesigns.com/MORESQUIGGEECUSTOM.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 2,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Leaves Fall and Halloween Approaches New Jersey

The weather is starting to turn here in Chilly Hollow so up north hundreds of miles from us this is certainly happening to Nimble Needle in New Jersey.  The shop is celebrating by putting seasonal canvases on sale and posting the latest in shop news in their e-newsletter (second link below).
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/september-newsletter-and-more/

http://createsend.com/t/y-ED22A95B47ECFF12

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Nimble Needle Offers Trips to Paris

Are you in love with Paris? If you have always wanted to visit or need a souvenir of a recent trip, Nimble Needle is dreaming of Paris and has you covered with a variety of canvases from several designers, all of which will bring Parisian style to your stitching nest.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/dreaming-of-paris/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Adventures in Needlepoint: The Beginning

Mary Agnes reveals how she got into needlepoint.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2015/05/first-adventures-in-needlepoint.html

How about you?  How did you get started?  Email me at chillyhollow at hotmail dot com or leave a Comment below.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing Friday: Variety from Nimble Needle

Wait'll you see all the fun finishing that Nimble Needle just got back for customers!
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/recent-finishing/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.