What Type of Scissors Are Best?

Thanks to EGA's Greater Pacific Region, I learned about this article on TextileArtist about various scissor brands and what works best for various types of needlework.

https://www.textileartist.org/embroidery-scissors/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQg_CNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzdkFsamY2cEZsUzN0RTdIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgQSoBmic2T-gCs1kbLZUDcajPFxXr_TF4_-oKXhwIDOuNJh0kaarh3N2YQB_aem_Ip2Q5Fd7L1nyOSQf6vSGoQ#:~:text=straight%20embroidery%20scissors.-,Small%20straight%20embroidery%20scissors,are%20made%20by%20many%20manufacturers

There are plenty of links if something catches your eye.  I'd recommend small 3-4 inch long scissors for needlepoint that fit your fingers well.  If you travel with scissors, go with a cheaper brand you don't mind losing in transit.  Keep the good ones at home in a place where no one will grab them to cut paper, plastic or other non-textile items that dull blades fast.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Porte Bonheur (or Lucky Charm) from Clover

Shirley Chin just returned from a trip to Japan where she visited the Miyuki bead store, a fabric store, and a Japanese needlework supplies store.  She and Toni Gerdes do an unboxing.  She purchased Delica beads and Porte Bonheur tools (made by Clover but only available in Japan), plus DMC Japan only tool lines, special little boxes, hand made needles and more.

https://www.facebook.com/ANGSanDiego/videos/1987452045408049/

Here are the little boxes she bought from Misuyabari in Kyoto.  Most are sewing kits, with lovely little tools inside.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1108244764631402

If you want to see more about the various places Shirley visited, scroll down to May 1, 2025 on the San Diego Chapter ANG website and start exploring.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

More Breaking News: Marion Scoular Is Retiring

More news:  Marion Scoular is retiring!  She's going to divest herself of some of her books with the help of Lynette Maton (details in the link below) and many of her stitched works of art will be sold at a stash sale Feb. 28, 2026 in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.  

https://egausa.org/marionscoular/

If you aren't familiar with Marion's embroidery, you can learn more by reading this EGA interview.

https://egausa.org/interview-marion-scoular-50-years-teaching-embroidery-ega/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 30, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Santa Gnome (Kurdy Biggs)

Brenda went to EGA's Seminar recently, where she took a Kurdy Biggs class called "Santa Gnome."

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/06/santa-gnome-by-kurdy-biggs-62825.html

It is adorable!  Wish I could handle counted canvaswork.  I'd love to do something like this.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/07/santa-gnome-by-kurdy-biggs-updated-7125.html

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/07/santa-gnome-by-kurdy-biggs-updated-7725.html

If you are charmed (and not dyslexic like me), you might want to browse Kurdy's website.  I think "Santa Gnome" is a teaching piece only, but there's plenty more charts to enjoy.

https://threedles.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Color Wash Your Needlepoint Canvas

I heard about this EGA tutorial (by Kate Gaunt) on how to color wash your needlepoint canvas on NP Nation.  

https://egausa.org/app/uploads/2018/02/How-to-Colorwash-Needlepoint-Canvas.pdf

Debbie Rowley of DebBee's Designs says she has used spray paint to color canvas for her counted thread designs.  Don't linger in a spot, though--keep moving.  Debbie says air brushing also works.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 31, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Chottie Andersen Charts for Sale

EGA's Dayton, Ohio chapter has arranged to sell four charts from the legendary Chottie Alderson. Two are name tags, two are samplers.  If you are interested, here are photos of the designs and the purchasing form.  You can pay via check or by using PayPal.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3IDyIA6A-U1kYohMtDHV999WFk37ogeP4ndUJ8Uzp_AUgsw/viewform?pli=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 2, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Southwestern Needlebook: Saguaro Sunrise

The Sun City Stitcher is working on a needle book design on Congress cloth from a class she took from Sandie Cormaci-Boles.  It's shaping up nicely.  I do like the Southwestern theme on the front.

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2024/02/saguaro-sunrise-needlebook.html

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2024/02/saguaro-sunrise-update-1.html

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2024/03/saguaro-sunrise-update-2.html

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2024/03/saguaro-sunrise-update-3.html

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2024/04/saguaro-sunrise-completed.html

The finishing technique from Marian Scoular is new to me.

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2024/05/saguaro-sunrise-finish-finished.html

You can see what it will look like when finished here.

https://egausa.org/app/uploads/2023/04/Cormaci-Boles-Flyer-6-12-23.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 9, 2024 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.

Meeting Merrilyn Heazelwood

EGA is offering a counted canvaswork class with the Tasmanian designer Merrilyn Heazelwood and as part of that, they did an interview. 

https://egausa.org/interview-merrilyn-heazlewood-silk-ribbon-primroses/

Merrilyn is famous for her floral pieces and her use of silk ribbons on needlepoint canvas.  She's from a family of needle artists and does some wonderful designs.  Intrigued?  You can browse her website to see her work, find the link to the interview she did with the Fiber Talk podcast, shop her kits and her downloadable patterns, and just enjoy her lovely designs.

https://merrilynheazlewood.com.au/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 2, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Learning to Draw and Paint on Needlepoint Canvas

Melita is taking an EGA course with Laura Smith on how to draw and paint designs on needlepoint canvas.  I'll update this as Melita posts about her class progress.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/08/09/ega-correspondence-course-draw-and-paint-with-laura-smith-on-canvas/

For the sake of completeness, I'm including Melita's lesson about painting on silk.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/08/13/ega-correspondence-course-draw-and-paint-with-laura-smith-on-silk/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 10, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Canvas Master Craftsman

Melita Glavin has finished all the steps of EGA's Canvas Master Craftsman program!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/05/18/ega-master-craftsman-program-for-canvas/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/10/17/ega-master-craftsmen-rose-presentation/

It's interesting to see all the steps that are required and how Melita fulfilled each step.   She also talks about the challenges she faced and overcome with her turkeywork and applique, which is fascinating.

Congratulations to the new Master Craftsman!

By the way, here's a bit about EGA's various Master Craftsman programs.

https://egausa.org/certifications/master-craftsman-program/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 19, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Overdyed Spools: A Class

Melita Glavin's "Overdyed Spools" is now going to be a class for EGA, as well as ANG.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/09/12/overdyed-spools-an-ega-petite-project/

Congratulations!  It looks like a fun learning project.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 14, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Photographing Needlework

EGA has a lovely article on their website about photographing your needlework.

https://egausa.org/tips-for-taking-photographs-of-your-needlework/

I've learned to photograph framed pieces that have glass slightly from the side to avoid most of the glare.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 23, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Touring Elsa Williams' Home in California

Pamela was able to tour Elsa Williams' home in California at the 2010 EGA Seminar.  She was took photos and shared them recently on her blog.  

https://hokkaidokudasai.blogspot.com/2022/06/elsa-williams-home-in-california-2010.html

Elsa Williams' needlepoint, crewel and embroidery kits are still available on eBay and Etsy.  I've occasionally seen skeins of her tapestry wool, too.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 11, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Woodlawn Exhibit Report

Reports of the 2022 Woodlawn Needlework exhibit are starting to come in.  Here's what Brenda had to say about the pieces she won ribbons for.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2022/03/woodlawn-59th-annual-needlework-exhibit.html

One of the NJNA members won Best in Show!

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2022/03/12/whats-happening-at-njna-3-12-22/

Stitch Middleburg posted photos of customers' entries.

https://www.facebook.com/StitchMiddleburg/posts/3227208027515598

Donna had a fun visit.

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2022/03/at-woodlawn.html

Melita especially enjoyed the Winchester, Virginia chapter of EGA's big exhibit to celebrate their tenth anniversary but she shows all sorts of nice needlework on her blog.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/03/31/woodlawn-needlework-exhibit-2022/

The photos on the Woodlawn Facebook page she mentions are here--Jeff Kulick's piece is an original design on needlepoint canvas.  Go Jeff!

https://www.facebook.com/woodlawnandpopeleigheyhouse/posts/4875052865909341

NJNA reports on their Woodlawn experience.

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2022/03/31/woodlawn-59th-annual-needlework-show-2022/

In Stitches is the local counted thread/knitting/needlepoint shop half a mile from the Woodlawn entrance.

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2022/04/02/a-visit-to-woodlawn-and-in-stitches/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 9, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Neat Fur Idea

Donna shows off a class piece from EGA's Nancy Eha.  The "fur" is beads over felt.  Clever!

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2022/03/fourth-wipgo-finish.html

If you are curious, here's the "Beaded Menagerie" kit she's working on.  Several of the animals are available as standalone kits, too.

https://beadcreative.com/shop/books/kit-beaded-managerie/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 7, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Visiting EGA's Seminar Exhibit

Somehow I missed the fact that Fiber Talk did videos of the needlework exhibited at EGA's 2021 Seminar.  I didn't realize it until Natalia Frank mentioned them on her blog.

https://nataliafrankneedlework.com/2021/10/08/ega-national-seminar-2021-magnificent-stitch/

Pour yourself a beverage and enjoy all the magnificent work in these nine films!  If you don't have a lot of time, watch the top video which is a longer summary of the others.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2021/09/page/3/

Many thanks to Gary and Beth for the filming and to Natalia to drawing my attention to them.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 10, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The French Knot Tutorial

The Embroiderer's Guild of America has a brief tutorial on French knots on their website.  There's even a video!

https://colourcomplements.com/2021/09/new-fall-colours.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 3, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Master Craftsman Designs Ready for Display UPDATED

Melita's Step One and Three designs to get her EGA Master Craftsman in Canvas are ready for display.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2021/03/26/canvas-master-craftsman-steps-1-and-3-display-ready/

UPDATE:  Melita has finished step four and it will also be displayed. It is a very pretty combination of Bargello patterns.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2021/04/22/canvas-master-craftsman-program-step-4/

Here is the finished step five.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/08/31/canvas-master-craftsman-program-step-5/

Step six has Melita taking a piece she designed ages ago and rework it with all she has learned.  It's fun to see the original and the reworked design together.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/05/10/ega-master-craftsman-program-for-canvas-step-6/

And she's finished!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/05/18/ega-master-craftsman-program-for-canvas/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 26, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Melita Knocks It Out of the Park

Melita just passed step three in her EGA Canvas Master Craftsman program!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2020/11/25/canvas-master-craftsman-program-step-3/

Congratulations!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 26, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.