needlepoint-books « WordPress.com Tag Feed

Sandy's Finishing Touches - 2010 edition

Michele Herron — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:49:00 +0000

Now that the finishing deadlines are upon us, you might want to consider doing a small finishing project yourself. Here is a new edition of Sandy’s Finishing Touches to get you started.

New needlepoint books from Brenda Hart & June McKnight

Michele Herron — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:00:09 +0000

We have 3 stitching books from Brenda Hart and the new Bling, Glitz & Glamour book by June McKnight in stock now. We have a few Bling books autographed by June.

These are going to be very popular!

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Needlepoint Books...

Satin & Sand — Sun, 22 May 2011 04:10:42 +0000

Fassett has successfully challenged the idea that knitting and needlepointing are dull, restrained, and limited to certain subjects or patterns. – Catherine Reurs

I have a penchant for Elizabeth Bradley’s exquisite needlepoint designs and two of her books top my list of favorite pattern books:

1. Needlework Antique Flowers by Elizabeth Bradley
2. Decorative Victorian Needlework by Elizabeth Bradley
3. Kaffe Fassett’s Glorious Needlepoint
4. Flowers, Birds, and Unicorns: Medieval Needlepoint by Candace Bahouth
5. In Splendid Detail – Needlepoint Art by Catherine Reurs
6. Donna Kooler’s Glorious Needlepoint
7. Glorafilia The Ultimate Needlepoint Collection by Carole Lazarus and Jennifer Berman
8. Erica Wilson’s Needlepoint (The Metropolitan Museum of Art adaptations)
9. Jill Gordon’s Needlepoint – Glorious Tapestry Designs
10. American Country Needlepoint by Jim Williams
11. Designer Needlepoint edited by Hugh Ehrman
12. Floral Needlepoint by Melinda Coss
13. Nantucket Inspirations by Claire Murray
14. Victorian Needlepoint by Beth Russell

New stitch guide from SuZi

Michele Herron — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:01:06 +0000

SuZy Murphy has published another must have book. SuZy’s Portable Stitches II distills SuZy’s Lite Stitches and SuZy’s Mini Stitches into one very portable book, the same size as Portable Stitches.

We have these in stock on our website.

Sharon G Needlepoint Classes

Michele Herron — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:55:46 +0000

Sharon G will be joining us at the Bristly Thistle Florida October 6-9 this year. Sharon will be teaching Moon Shine and other designs from her collection on October 6 & 7. On October 8 & 9, Sharon will be teaching embellishments on a Bristly Thistle canvas you bring in or select from her Trunk Show. You can sign up for 1 to 4 days.

Sharon’s Trunk Show will arrive in the store in mid September, so check back for a great selection. To sign up for the classes, give us a call, send us an email or use the website.

Needlepoint Beards

Michele Herron — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:05:01 +0000

Awhile back I took a class from Diana Bosworth and she mentioned a needlepoint book she had co-authored titled “Beards That I Have Known”. It sounded intriguing, especially since I stitch so many Christmas canvases.

I now have the book in our shop and I am taking one home for my reference library. The book features 49 different beards with a full color photograph of each. Some are elegant, some slightly scary, but there are more than a few I had never thought of and can’t wait to try. If you stitch Santa’s or other men with beards, this is a must have.

Needlepoint Reference

Michele Herron — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:41:28 +0000

I’ve been working (= getting to play) on a couple of stitch guides, one for a La Patisserie hinged box and one for a patchwork Santa. I can almost find a stitch blind-folded in my usual library, so I’ve been playing with a couple of books, one new and one old. Both are new to me and I have to say they are like really fun textbooks—full of new twists on old standbys.

Written by Jane Zimmerman, they are “The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Canvas Embroidery”, volumes one and two. Volume one focuses on Mosaic, Cashmere, Scotch, Gobelin, Eyelet and Plaited stitches. Volume two features variations on Diagonal, Crossed, Woven, Tied and Miscellaneous stitches. Each stitch has a black and white photo of the model and a large clear diagram of the stitch. (The LARGE part is getting more important for some of us.)

I found a wonderful Straight Gobelin variation for a roof that looks a bit like graham crackers and a combination of tent and Cashmere stitches that will look just like pastry wafers with icing in between. For Santa, I’ve found at least 6 stitch variations that are not just the same old thing.

(PSSST: Santa, I want these for my library, please. You can buy them on our website.)

Fancy Flowers Needlepoint DVD by Amy Bunger

Michele Herron — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:01:11 +0000

I spent another enjoyable hour being entertained and wowed by Amy Bunger with her “Fancy Flowers” instructional DVD. Using a wacky vase canvas from Melissa Shirley, she demonstrates all sorts of techniques that can be used for flowers on any canvas.

My favorites included Packed Fly Stitches, Detached Buttonhole over found objects, Stacked Beads and the Turkey Work chapter. I finally got “Jump through the loop” turkey work! Some of us need to be shown how to do things….

So as winter goes on past the holidays, start thinking about and stitching cheerful spring flowers. All of Amy’s DVD’s are available on our website.

Needlepoint "Bible"

Michele Herron — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:16:58 +0000

I’m mostly a self-taught stitcher, although I am indebted to Brenda Hart for teaching me lots of new tricks. A good reference library is invaluable for learning to use new stitches and to learn proper techniques. Not every book, however, is worth having on hand. These are some of my favorites:

Jo Christensen’s “Needlepoint Book” is called the “Bible of Needlepoint” by many. The first 7 chapters are crammed with all the information you need to begin needlepointing, making the correct choices in threads and colors, finishing, blocking and so much more. Chapters 8-17 group decorative stitches by type (straight, diagonal, cross, tied, etc.) and provide a drawing and a black and white close-up photograph of the stitch. Each chapter is preceded by chart that lists each stitch in that chapter and its characteristics—good backing, fast to stitch, yarn hog, snag-proof, distorts canvas and on and on for 21 descriptions. This book is a must have for any serious needlepointer. It will take you from beginner to Intermediate and beyond, or just makes a great reference when a stitch guide calls for a stitch you don’t remember or haven’t tried. We have this book with regular binding or spiral bound.

If this seems overwhelming to a newbie, The National NeedleArts Association publishes a 30 page paperback for $6.50 that takes you from beginner to advanced beginner and is not at all intimidating. It’s a great gift combo with a starter canvas and available on our website.

Needlepoint Stitches by Howren and Robertson

Michele Herron — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:38:34 +0000

I couldn’t have stitched a dozen Christmas stockings without the series of three “Stitches for Effect” by Howren and Robertson. Each book has the same format. The first section is devoted to describing threads (very useful when a thread you aren’t familiar with is called for or if you want to substitute something you have on hand). There is a very handy thread to canvas conversion chart that tells you how many ply of a thread to use on a particular mesh, although I do find they tend to stitch “thinner” than I sometimes like. The next section is what it is all about. Stitches are listed in alphabetical order and are accompanied by a very clear, numbered diagram (have you noticed that some diagrams don’t tell you where to start, stop or continue???). The book recommends threads for effects and what effect you may be able to create. Best of all, one of the 4 indices is the Effect Index. Need ideas for bricks, moldings, clothing, paths, roads, whatever? Look them up and see which will best suit your canvas. When I’m too tired to stitch or I can’t figure out what to do next, I prop my canvas up and open these books for ideas. All 3 are available on our website.