Barbara Elmore Paintings

Barbara Elmore is starting to paint some of her needlepoint designs on board or paper.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=7635436556467803&set=a.626139447397584

She's just started but you can watch her work and buy finished pieces on her Barbara Elmore Designs Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 12, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching Despite Eye Problems

Sundance's Barbara Elmore has been having eye problems and this is impacting her stitching.  She's still stitching, though, and wrote an essay she posted to Facebook about how she's getting around the problem that is both interesting and inspirational.  With her permission, I'm reposting it here along with the photos of her current piece to show what she means by color contrasts.

Now, here's Barbara!

"Learning to stitch with vision difficulties:

1.  Accept that you need to learn new ways to do things, and figure them out by trial and error.

2.  Be patient with yourself, but do not give up on quality or consistency of work.

3.  Have good light.  If nothing else..this is crucial. I  recently had my Dazor on/off switch replaced after a lot of effort to find a new one.  Dazor Company would replace it, but the cost to ship the lamp part to them was exorbitant.  Instead, I took the thing apart, saw a name brand on the switch, and found one like it on eBay for $19.00!  You know I snatched it right up!  And then, a friend's husband kindly put it back together for me.

The next issue I had was that the new bulb I had purchases was too warm. Meaning..visually too warm.  I needed brighter "Daylight" lighting, so this time, Amazon came to my rescue, and with overnight shipping!  Back in business with a daylight bulb!  YAY!

4.  I am struggling because my thread color is very close to the painted color I am stitching over, so my progress is very slow.  I guess this circles back to 'patience.'  

Someone asked me why I didn't fill in all the background on this piece first, before stitching all the embellishment type flowers.  Normally, I would have, but this painted canvas was so detailed, and the designs were not created with colors that contracts very much, except for the white and reds.

I did fill in first along the bottom part of the canvas, and then, it became difficult for me to see the wispy painted leaves and stems.  So, now, after all that fun of creating the flowers with ribbons and beads, I am, once again tackling the basketweave/tent stitched background.  And I guess this is where I circle back to 'having good light,' and 'learning to do things in new ways.'

Were I to start this background from scratch, I would stitch it in all colors the contrasted more with the painted background color.  Perhaps I would even choose a light teal instead of the 'colonial blue.' When one's eyes have trouble distinguishing color values, one has to learn new ways.

This project has inspired me to stitch my next piece with radical color changes from what the painted canvas may dictate.  What is that expression…?  Necessity is the mother of invention!  Why not!"

As Barbara says, why not?  Don't give up your stitching, folks.  Maybe your eyesight is no longer 20-20 but your brain will find ways around that.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 19, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for the Visually Impaired Stitcher

Barbara Elmore is posting tips for stitchers with vision problems on her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/

Barbara's having problems with her eyes right now but she's using her disability to come up with ways for stitchers who also have vision trouble to keep stitching.  Kudos to you, Barbara!

(If you are late to the party, look for postings that start around October 8, 2019.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 9, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Frank's Bride in Cyberspace

If you are a fan of Halloween canvases, this is one you must see!  This is a Barbara Elmore/Sundance canvas called "Frank's Bride."  It was stitched by Barbara herself and she is going to offer a cyber class on Facebook about it starting August 1st.  You will buy the canvas from your favorite store (Ruth's shop has it on sale) and arrange your own supplies.  Barbara will have an optional lace kit available your shop can order if you don't have lace scraps laying around.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/05/barbara-elmore-is-offering-a-cyberclass/

If you are interested in unusual embellishment techniques, even if you aren't wild about Halloween themes, this is going to be a fabulous class by an inspired teacher.  You can read more about it on Barbara's Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/posts/10155688138613262

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 26, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Kreinik Emergency

Barbara Elmore's Fuchsia

My last project was Barbara Elmore's "Fuchsia," published by Sundance.  Isn't it pretty?!

Notice that the border is three gold stitches wide.  I decided to tent stitch it with Kreinik's size 16 braid in Kreinik's classic gold 002.  I had two spools of the size 16 braid and surely that would be enough, right?

[Everyone starts laughing, and with good reason.]

Sadly one of the spools wasn't totally full and I ran out of Kreinik size 16 braid when there was only about 6 inches of border to go.  What to do?!  I had a lot of Kreinik's size 8 braid in 002 gold so I decided I would use a doubled length of that to finish the border's basketweave.  The color is exactly the same and the size is exactly half of size 16 braid so I thought it might work.  After all, I cannot get Kreinik metallics locally and mail order was going to take nearly a week because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Size 8 Doubled on Top, Size 16 Below

Sadly, the light reflection on the metallic thread is different.  If you look at the closeup of the gold border you will see the size 8 braid above the empty line of basketweave (pretty level with the top of the magnet) and the size 16 braid below the empty line.  In person the color change is not quite as obvious as in the photo but anyone looking closely will know that the gold isn't quite the same.

Gold Hiding under Lots of Beads

Fortunately for me, I had always planned to scatter beads at random on top of the gold border, thus hiding the slight difference in how the size 8 and size 16 reflect the light.  So I managed, but if you cannot distract the eye in your canvas, take the time to mail order more of the size of Kreinik you need.  You'll be glad you didn't fake it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 19, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Stretcher Bar Dilemna

Recently I started a painted canvas project (this is "Fuchsia" from Barbara Elmore, distributed by Sundance Needlepoint) that presented a problem when I was ready to put it on stretcher bars.  The outside dimensions of the canvas are 16 1/4 inches tall by 13 5/8 inches wide.  Needless to say, this isn't going to fit on stretcher bars which are sold in one inch increments!

The 16 1/4 inch dimension can be easily fixed by cutting off that extra quarter inch, or mounting it on 16 inch stretcher bars and letting the extra canvas stick out at the top where it won't be in the way (unless you count catching your threads on that protruding excess as "in the way").  I could also trim the width to 13 inches but the excess canvas margins are not that large and I might need that extra 5/8 inches in width in finishing.  I am not certain at this point if this will be framed or made into a pillow.

There is another way to handle the issue besides taking scissors to the excess and cutting the canvas down to a 16x13 stretcher bar size.  I can lace the canvas.  To understand what I mean, check Susan Roberts' first photo in her "Mounting on Stretcher Bars" article from her NeedlepointTeacher.com website.
http://needlepointteacher.com/mounting-on-stretcher-bars/

Yes, she has laced the canvas to the right side of her too large stretcher bars.  Here is how you lace a canvas.

Two Sets of Stretcher Bars

I rummaged around in my supplies and pulled out a set of 16 inch stretcher bars and a set of 15 inch stretcher bars and slotted them together.  Then I attached my canvas at the top, bottom and left side as usual with staples.  (I personally don't like thumbtacks as they constantly fall out, presenting a danger to feet and paws.)  Then I cut a long length of perle cotton (I think I used about 7 feet) and secured it in the margin outside the design at the top right corner of my canvas.  I began to lace the unsecured right edge by wrapping the perle cotton around the stretcher bars, coming up through the canvas perhaps 7 threads from the raw edge, going over the stretcher bar and taking the needle down again in the same channel, then coming up again through the canvas.  Repeat until you get to the bottom of the canvas.  To tighten the wraps, start at the top right corner again near your knot and pull on the perle cotton until the hole is only slightly distorted, working a wrap at a time, all the way down the side until you get to the bottom.

Right Side Laced

See the little thumbtack in the lower right corner?  I wrapped my perle cotton around that 6-7 times to secure the thread.  I can always unwrap the thread end and retighten the canvas if it starts to loosen a bit as I stitch.  This technique is used with slate frames and scroll bars more often than with stretcher bars since buying a set of cheap stretcher bars is much less work, but if you don't have easy access to a shop that carries stretcher bars and don't want to trim the canvas to fit the bars you have, lacing is the way to go.

If my explanation is totally confusing, Sarah Homfrey has a lovely video about attaching fabric to roller bars (that's what we Americans call scroll bars) that illustrates the lacing technique on the sides.    You won't need to add herringbone tape to the top or sides since needlepoint canvas is stronger.  Plus you probably are not seeking to have your canvas drum tight and you won't need a bracing needle to lace, but the technique is the same, even if the materials are not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We36DVdCDCg

Hope my explanation helps you cope when you have an odd-sized canvas to put on stretcher bars.  Please note you can lace either (or both) sides or the top/bottom, but lacing on the side (or sides) is the traditional way to go.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Witches and Monsters from Winter 2017 TNNA SHOW

This TNNA show is full of witches and other monsters.  For example, Barbara Elmore's "Frank's Bride" is ultra creepy.
https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/pb.102579373261.-2207520000.1484949261./10154354572533262/?type=3&theater

And Barbara's stitching is ultra amazing!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1484182218259965&set=a.626139447397584.1073741829.100000046036480&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1492100767468110&set=a.626139447397584.1073741829.100000046036480&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/a.10152584568623262.1073741828.102579373261/10154337040318262/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/ms.c.eJwzNDA0NTE2MTEwMrIwMDYyM9IzhIgYm1sYGxhZGJkZAQB8xwb5.bps.a.10152584568623262.1073741828.102579373261/10154344022803262/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/pb.102579373261.-2207520000.1484949261./10154344022803262/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/pb.102579373261.-2207520000.1484949261./10154354591418262/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1517950838216436&set=a.108078765870324.15151.100000046036480&type=3&theater

Are you a fan of Brenda Stofft's steampunk series?  If so, you will adore her "Steampunk Witch."
https://www.facebook.com/brenda.stofft/posts/10210238663196891

Sandra Gilmore's "Decisions, Decisions" is hilarious!
https://www.facebook.com/scrimdiscovery924/photos/a.1053431794673096.1073741828.1053431734673102/1550012898348314/?type=3&theater

Alice Peterson has two witches which seem to be Victorian to me.  More steampunk?
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2017/01/san-jose-market-even-more.html

Labors of Love has a new companion to last year's Frankie.  She is called "Frank's Bride."
https://www.facebook.com/laborsofloveneedlepoint/photos/pb.163219983827426.-2207520000.1484613048./793105194172232/?type=3&theater

Labors of Love also has a superb lady for their limited edition series of 2017, by the way.  This is "Morgana."  She was a witch.
https://www.facebook.com/laborsofloveneedlepoint/photos/pb.163219983827426.-2207520000.1484613048./790119001137518/?type=3&theater


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 13, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Bar Hugger Bears Hug My Clamp

The Bar Hugger from Sundance

I just got my paws on the new Bar Hugger bears from Barbara Elmore at Sundance Designs.
These are a set of two teddy bear-shaped pieces that keep your stretcher bars from wiggling around in the clamp of your frame. You can see the front of the package above.  My bears come in a rose-lace pattern and in solid yellow.   The front side is slick while the back side has embossed fabric, sort of like oilcloth.  Barbara posted some of the other colors and patterns available on her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/a.10152584568623262.1073741828.102579373261/10153670652253262/?type=3&theater

Bar Huggers in Use

The back of the package shows how to use them.  You drape a bear over the stretcher bar of your canvas, then put it into your floor or table stand.  The fabric is somewhat thick and so it keeps the stretcher bar from moving once you clamp it to the frame.

My Table Clamp

I also use it for my table clamp.  See this?  It's a quick release clamp from the hardware store.  (Pull the trigger with your index finger and the clamp slides back and forth on the bar, allowing you to widen or narrow it to hold the bars to a desk.)  I often clamp small stretcher bars to my desk when I am stitching while streaming a movie on the computer.    I have been using my bar hugger to make sure the clamp doesn't mark the desktop, even though the clamp heads themselves are slightly rubbery.    Since there are two bar huggers per package, I can put one on the top and one on the bottom clamp to protect the wood if I use this on my oak dining room table.

Bar Hugger in Use

Here is the table clamp in use with a bar hugger.  Table clamps come in pairs at the hardware store. I went for the smallest that opened the widest I could find that had the quick release as the ones that screw down are too slow for Miss Impatient here to use.  (Note:  This clamp set is probably too small to hold my Egyptian Cat canvas too long but this was for illustration purposes.)

Thanks so much for this clever idea, Barbara!  It works on so many things.  Wonder if I can grip and pull a needle through with these when it gets stuck...?

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.

My Favorites from the TNNA SHOW Winter 2016 UPDATED

Nancy Coffelt's "Squirrel"

Once again I have a list of personal favorites that are debuting at the show in San Diego. First is the modern patterned squirrel by Nancy Coffelt of Quail Run. I love the contrast between the squirrel's patterned skin and the traditional William Morris-style background.
https://www.facebook.com/QuailRunNeedlework/photos/np.1448288574607869.1277706333/1030291717020991/?type=3

Otto Agular's "Adriana"

Purple Palm Designs has put more of Otto Agular's pieces on needlepoint canvas. My current favorite is this portrait called "Adriana."
https://www.facebook.com/PurplePalmDesigns/photos/pb.796107397085912.-2207520000.1449540467./1154942887869026/?type=3&theater

Maggie's "Wag the Dog"

This Maggie from her mandala series really charms me!  I wonder if the wagging tail is the spinning center?
https://www.facebook.com/586677101438535/photos/np.1451487674046208.1277706333/755231171249793/?type=3&theater

"Queen of the Night," from Barbara Elmore Designs

I like more animal canvases this year than I expected.  Isn't this Barbara Elmore/Sundance canvas, done from Carolyn Schmitz's artwork, spectacular?  This is "Queen of the Night."  There are several new Schmitz designs in Barbara's line for Sundance but this one is my favorite.
https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/np.1451863247831739.1277706333/10153392026758262/?type=3&theater

Raymond Crawford's "Cardinal"

This cardinal from Raymond Crawford is also a charmer.  There are a whole series of small birds in the same style from Raymond, but this is my favorite.
https://www.facebook.com/190891389362/photos/a.191172709362.156684.190891389362/10153938322529363/?type=3&theater

Kathy Schenkel Mini Socks

Kathy Schenkel has new mini socks with matching felt inserts.  The little fox hunting stocking is my favorite because my county hosts the Blue Ridge Hunt, but the various drinks mini socks are fun.
https://www.facebook.com/239767049406916/photos/a.239775349406086.74577.239767049406916/1057370204313259/?type=3&theater

Tapestry Fair's Menorah, in Various Sizes

Tapestry Fair has some wonderful new things this year.  I was particularly struck by their Menorah design, which comes in several sizes, including a stocking, smaller section canvases, and individual light designs as you can see from the photo taken from their trade show booth.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207758120698605&set=a.10204421121315706.1073741829.1461313530&type=3&theater

Tapestry Fair's Desert Landscape

I'm also taken with Tapestry Fair's desert landscape with woodpecker.
https://www.facebook.com/189965167681135/photos/a.1135388579805451.1073741848.189965167681135/1135616486449327/?type=3&theater

Asian Woman and Phoenix

Everyone knows I'm a sucker for Asian-themed canvases and the new ones (there are at least four I saw) from the Meredith Collection (formerly Elizabeth Turner Collection) are lovely. This is my favorite.

Both Sides of the dede Odgen Wizard

Turning from realistic canvases to fantasy ones, I really like this dede Odgen double-sided wizard.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1128841063800853&set=pcb.979636852113473&type=3&theater

Scott Church's Snow Puffin

I'm also quite fond of this "snow" bird from Scott Church Creative/CBK.  It's a charming mix of realism and whimsy.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2016/01/tnna-winter-market-day-2.html

"Woodland Princess" by Vicki Sawyer/Melissa Shirley

Vicki Sawyer has created several wonderful new pieces for Melissa Shirley Designs but because we have deer in Chilly Hollow, I thought I'd showcase this one.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?index=8154&cat=70

Who Created Me?

My final favorite is a mystery as the one shop that showed off this artist's work didn't identify the designer. There were at least ten designs in the same style.   This. like all the others I saw from the same hand, is a sketch, not a canvas, and it is hard to say what it will look like on the medium of needlepoint canvas, but I like the fact that it conveys the joy of playing on a sunny beach so well.  If anyone knows who created this, please let me know so I can credit them.

UPDATE:  Martin knows all!  The little girl on the beach is from Patti Mann.  Martin found this booth shot that shows all the designs in this series.
https://www.facebook.com/586677101438535/photos/pb.586677101438535.-2207520000.1453206995./768171243289119/?type=3&theater

Hope you enjoyed the show!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Bead Storage Idea UPDATED

Barbara Elmore shares a bead tube storage tip she picked up from Nandra of Sundance Designs--use gun cartridge cases!   Barbara says hers were about $5.
https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns/photos/np.1444182717036934.1277706333/10153242192188262/?type=3

All sorts of storage solutions can be found in gun and sporting goods stores, or even in the fishing and gun section of Walmart.

UPDATE:  Someone asked what these look like.  I think this box from Caebla's is pretty typical.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1318866&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D1159808%26type%3Dproduct%26WT.tsrc%3DCSE%26productVariantId%3D2914623%26srccode%3Dcii_17588969%26cpncode%3D41-103345064-2%26WT.mc_id%3DGoogleProductAds%26rid%3D20%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D03179899

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

Collaborating with Barbara Elmore

Barbara Elmore and Carolyn Schmitz) have collaborated in turning Ms. Schmitz' artworks into needlepoint canvases for classes taught by Barbara at the EGA Seminar.  Here is how the process went from the artist's perspective and the canvases that Barbara will be teaching over the next year.  Fascinating!
http://www.desertdada.com/spines-and-needles/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

My Personal Favorites from TNNA Winter 2015 Part One

The Phoenix show is over and everyone has headed home happy but exhausted.   Now the shops are waiting until the orders placed at the show start to be filled.  What were your favorites?  Below are mine, listed in the order I saw them.

Dressing as a Skeleton for the Day of the Dead

I absolutely adore Tapestry Fair's newest Day of the Dead canvas.   This is "La Hermosa Sandra."   The design features a calaca, a person dressed as a skeleton for the Mexican celebration in honor of those who have passed on.   I have so many ideas on how to stitch this that I'd give up sleeping if I could pull it off, just to have the time to work this piece!  This is adapted from artwork by Manuel Salas

Tapestry Fair's Other New Manuel Salas Canvas

If this piece has too much going on, how about the other new Manuel Salas piece from Tapestry Fair?  This design is called "Chara."  The calaca is more elegant, particularly with the lace background and her amazing hat.

Barbara Elmore's Mermaid for Sundance Designs

I admire Barbara Elmore's Botticelli-style mermaid, more for the fabulous things Barbara will do with this design than anything else.  She's already started stitching on this and I can't wait to see more.

Ewe and Eye's Daffodils Still Life

I am not usually wild about Ewe and Eye and Friends' primitive style but this charming daffodils still life with birds appeals to me.  I think of spring's pleasures when I look at it, don't you?

Siamese from Labors of Love

I am charmed by the cat portraits introduced by Labors of Love this month.  They are similar to last summer's dog portraits on patterned backgrounds.  This was my favorite of the set.  Here are the dog portraits, so you can compare.
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/see-whats-new.html

Needle Deeva's Christmas House Stitched by Mary Waldsmith

Needle Deeva does wonderful houses, so I think her latest --complete with a stitch guide by Mary Waldsmith of Owl Stitchery-- is going to be a big hit.  There is a stocking with this house and a snowman, by the way.  Mary is doing a guide for it, too.

Associate Talents' Rabbits with Patterns

Speaking of cute, Associated Talent's small patterned rabbits are too cute to be legal in all fifty states!

Pajamas and Choclate's Patchwork Cat Witch

When it comes to Halloween designs, my favorite for January 2015 is the Pajamas and Chocolate Halloween patchwork witch cat in the pumpkin patch.  (This is Patt and Lee's painted canvas line.)

Raymond Crawford's Owl

Speaking of Halloween, owl canvases continue to be popular.  My favorite at Market this time is Raymond Crawford's white owl.  Small and simple, yet elegant!  I think I could have a lot of fun with this design.

Vicki Sawyer's Snowy Owl from Melissa Shirley

Well,  the Vicki Sawyer Snowy Owl from Melissa Shirley Designs is a runner up.  It is elegant in a different style.

Peace on Earth Angel by Juli Poitras

"Elegant" seems to be what I'm looking for this Market.  This JP Needlepoint angel fits the bill, don't you think?  JP has a huge variety of lovely things but the angel caught my attention.

I'm going to continue this tomorrow as Blogger is starting to complain about all the photographs!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitchy Girl Temptations

Barbara Elmore, whose stitching is amazing, has opened a Zazzle store called Stitchy Girl where you can put some of her masterpieces on an iPhone case, or mug, or computer mouse pad. 
http://www.zazzle.com/stitchygirl

Take a moment to browse Barbara's designs and maybe you'll find another that you can get her to release to Zazzle so you have something more than a very boring phone cover.
http://www.barbaraelmoredesigns.com/barbaraelmoredesigns.com/Canvases/Canvases.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 5, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Barbara Explains Ribbons

Those of you familiar with Barbara Elmore know she has several new lines of ribbons (distributed by Sundance Design, in case you want your shop to order for you).  In this blog tutorial she talks about how to use her ribbons with tips and tricks you can use on any brand of ribbons.  Thanks, Barbara!
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-tutorial-stitching-with-paint.html

Barbara also did an earlier, less thorough, ribbon tutorial.  Here it is if you want further information and inspiration.
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2014/01/see-whats-new.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 24, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Packaging

BeStitched just announced they are selling boxed sets of Barbara Elmore's new ribbons. 
http://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/store/barbara-elmores-stitchy-ribbons-in-a-beautiful-box-includes-the-full-line-of-stitchy-ribbons-plus-tips-and-techniques-on-using-the-ribbons/dp/21912

If you aren't familiar with the brand new stitchy ribbons from Sundance (Barbara's distributor), here' information on them and how to use them.
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2014/01/see-whats-new.html

Peggi of Tapestry Fair has come up with a magnet-needle threader combo she is test driving in a class this weekend. Hopefully this will keep her threader on the magnet with her needles and she'll be willing to sell them to those of us who can't get our threaders to stick to our magnets and are always losing them.  Fingers crossed, everyone!
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2014/01/for-valentines-day.html?showComment=1391177870320#c2474464774307916183

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All About the New Ribbons at Market

I've been eagerly awaiting reports on the new ribbons that Barbara Elmore and Sundance released at the Winter Market.  And here it is--from Barbara herself!  They are called Stitchy and Glitzy Ribbons.  Barbara even has included a brief tutorial on how to use these on needlepoint canvas.  That bluebird is to die for!
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2014/01/see-whats-new.html

Sundance has also introduced a smaller diameter Sparkles, the tubular mesh that is perfect for special effects. It's called Mini Sparkles.  Here is a video about Sparkles, the regular size, but the smaller size is used the same way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn5ftSl_DxE

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pumpkin Playtime

Barbara Elmore profiled a customer's change to her dimensional pumpkin design today and it is fabulous!  Barbara and her sister did the finishing for both the original design and Fancy Stitches' customer's variant.  The moral of the story is don't be afraid to change things to suit yourself.  A masterpiece may be in the making.
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-pumpkkin-for-all-reasons.html

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.

Today is Scissors Fob Day UPDATED

Well, this isn't an official holiday but I found new scissors fobs for sale everywhere this week, so I am announcing that today is the day to add fobs to your collection. If, like me, you don't like to use scissors fobs*, then pick up your favorite to use as a zipper pull on that fabulous project bag you just couldn't resist last year.   BeStitched has a nice selection of owl fobs from Barbara Elmore to celebrate fall and Halloween.
http://www.bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/store/fob-by-barbara-elmore/dp/17979

Needle Works is having a Fern Ridge Collection trunk show (fifteen percent off).  These are scissor fob kits and look to be very light weight.  Love the mermaid!
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/10/fern-ridge-scissor-fobs-trunk-show.html

Of course the ultimate in Halloween Bling fobs is from Ruth Schmuff, who has some amazing Boo! fobs for sale.  (Don't miss the Hello Kitty one, either.)
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/--b-1.asp?category=53

*Personally I find scissor fobs heavy, always in the way when I'm cutting, and I never go anywhere so I don't need to know which pair of scissors is mine.  Here in CH, they ALL are!  LOL  That doesn't mean I don't want some of these fobs Just Because....

UPDATE:  More scissor fobs!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/10/fobs-canvases.html

http://weoftheneedle.blogspot.com/2013/10/many-new-products-now-in-shop-and.html

http://www.theneedlebug.com/blog2/2013/10/new-scissor-fobs/

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.

I Am Resisting The Lure of These

Barbara Elmore knows CUTE. Then she turns it into scissor fobs.

I don't even LIKE scissors fobs and am thinking I need one of these! I dare you to look and not be charmed. 
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2013/09/well-h-e-l-l-o-k-i-t-t-y.html

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.

Facets Saves the Day

Barbara Elmore shows off her latest teaching project and how Kreinik's new Wired Facets made the final finishing touch to the design. 
http://www.stitchpography.blogspot.com/2013/08/it-couldnt-have-been-more-perfect.html

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.