Goldwork Butterflies for Charity

Alison Cole has a new book out, A Kaledescope of Goldwork Butterflies.   The book can only be ordered directly from Alison herself in Australia as she is dedicating all the profits to research into the extremely rare disease that killed her daughter. 

https://alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/product/a-kaleidoscope-of-goldwork-butterflies/

Mary Corbet has done a review on her website.  She points out that shipping costs from Australia are expensive but if you go in with friends and order multiple copies, the shipping costs stay the same (within reason, bet it costs more if you and 100 of your buddies order).  

https://www.needlenthread.com/2025/03/goldwork-butterflies-for-a-good-cause.html

I have not seen this book but all of the Alison Cole books I have seen have been gorgeous and inspirational.  I think this one will be the same.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Goldwork Book and Needle Painting Tips

Goldwork and needle painting are wonderful techniques when used entirely on their own but needlepointers also use them as accents on pieces.  So I was interested to learn that Mary Corbet loves the Alison Cole book entitled Goldwork Masterclass so much that's she's stocking it to sell.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2020/07/goldwork-masterclass-book-review-stock-for-you.html

I haven't seen this book but I adore Alison Cole's first book on goldwork.  She's a wildly talented Australian teacher and embroiderer.  Browse her website and see if you agree.
https://alisoncoleembroidery.com.au

Today I've also found a great blog entry from Margaret at The Sharp Needler.  Margaret has plenty of tips for doing needle painting, which is shaded needlepoint.  Her examples are flower petals and she shows how to handle setting up a petal, how to blend colors, and how to do shading correctly—and incorrectly.  It's invaluable information that I've not seen elsewhere.  If you have a needle painted area on your canvas to work, you'll want to read this.  Thanks, Margaret!  (As always, you might want to use a sharp needle like a crewel needle or one for beading if you are needle painting or shading on needlepoint canvas so you aren't limited to just stitching in the holes, but can put the stitch anywhere you need it, even though the needlepoint canvas threads.)
http://www.sharpneedler.com/2020/07/thread-painting-basics-flower-petals.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 22, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Books on Goldwork and Metal Thread Embroidery UPDATED

This is a particularly great time to pick up new books on goldwork and metal thread embroidery.  Kay Stanis, a master of silk and metal embroidery, has released a book! It's called Techniques of Metal Thread Embroidery and for $30, it looks like a real bargain.  You can purchase it from her website and it will be on Amazon shortly if it isn't available already.
https://www.the-gilded-edge.com/book-techniques-of-metal-thread-embroidery/techniques-of-metal-thread-embroidery-by-kay-stanis

If you aren't certain if you are interested, explore Kay's website.  You can see her classes, purchase metal and silk threads, and explore techniques.  She's wildly talented, folks. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
https://www.the-gilded-edge.com/levels

Alison Cole is well known for her goldwork.  She has two books out on it already and a third called The Goldwork Masterclass, is just out.
https://www.inspirationsstudios.com/product/the-goldwork-masterclass/

You can hear more about the newest book on the Fiber Talk podcast.
https://wetalkfiber.com/tag/goldwork-masterclass/

I have her first book and it is gorgeous!  Alison is in Australia but you can still order her books in the USA or work via her website.  There's a link to where to buy in the Fiber Talk link above.
https://alisoncoleembroidery.com.au

UPDATE:  Here is a review of Alison's book.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/book-review-the-goldwork-masterclass

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 14, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Stumpwork Masterclass (Review)

Alison Cole, who is very well known for her gold work, has written an exhaustive book on stumpwork called The Stumpwork Masterclass. Mary Corbet managed to get a copy (Alison is in Australia)  and has a lovely review on her website. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2016/02/stumpwork-masterclass-by-alison-cole-book-review.html

Not everyone who needlepoints is going to be interested in this book but it is an exhaustive treatment of stumpwork in the 17th Century and how it is done today.  If it is anything like Alison's two gold work books, the photos alone are worth the price of the book.  If you haven't seen Alison's work before, you will want to visit her website to drool over her work, check out her kits and of course, think about buying one (or all) of her books.
https://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 29, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

17th Century Techniques for the 21st Century

Mary Corbet clued me in to a video starring Alison Cole demonstrating 17th Century embroidery techniques. You may not be stitching any reproduction embroidery but you can bet some of these techniques will work for your needlepoint! 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/04/17th-century-embroidery-needlepainting-nibbles-more.html

Alison Cole is famous for her goldwork and books, by the way.  If you have time to have your socks blown off, check her website.
https://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 7, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Goldwork Cyber Classes from Australia

My favorite inspirational goldwork book is Alison Cole's All That Glitters, so you can imagine how excited I was to discover she does cyberclasses in her stumpwork and metal embroidery techniques!
http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/cyber-classes/

If you aren't familiar with Alison's stitching, please explore her site.  Her work is amazing.

By coincidence, Janet Granger is working one of Alison's kits.  I had no idea you could order kits from Alison!  Thanks for mentioning this, Janet, and especially for posting a nice photo of the kit contents!
http://janetgranger.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/illuminated-floral-stumpwork-panel-1/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Updated Alison Cole

The most beautiful goldwork book I own is by Alison Cole, so I was thrilled to learn she's updated her website with lots of inspiring photographs of her terrific stitching.   Set aside plenty of time to browse!
http://www.needlenthread.com/2012/08/alison-cole-embroidery.html

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

Mystery of the Missing Jane

You are probably wondering where I am since missing posting for several days in a row isn't like me. I've been sick, courtesy of a tick that latched onto my arm. I have a sore arm, inflammation around the bite site, and both nausea and fever. I haven't really felt like stitching and I have not felt up to posting, either. Putting two words together and then typing them has been beyond me. But I am better, courtesy of the antibiotics, and I'll learn Monday if the blood tests show anything that means I need more antibiotics. It's almost certainly a skin infection, courtesy of the sharp tick teeth, but the blood tests are to make sure.

While I curl up in the comfy chair with a good book, you might have fun reading a two-part interview Mary Corbet did with the fabulous Austrailian goldwork/stumpwork designer Alison Cole.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2008/11/designer-spotlight-alison-cole.html

http://www.needlenthread.com/2008/11/alison-cole-on-publishing-needlework.html

Orna Willis has redone her website. It is easier to navigate but each nook and cranny has lovely things to see and perhaps stitch.
http://www.ornadesign.com/

Laura Perin has continued to post more great border ideas on her blog.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2008/11/border-bits.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2008/10/bored-with-borders-yet.html

I hope to be back stitching this weekend. Sorry for the delay!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow