Nuts about Needlepoint » new products

Blackwork Accessories Class

Janet Perry — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:02:37 +0000

Learn how to create shading in Blackwork with this checkbook cover

Blackwork can be done on any countable ground, linen, needlepoint canvas, or evenweave fabric. It’s historic, easy and fresh.

In my new on-line class, beginning, August 1 (that’s in less than 2 weeks), you’ll learn Blackwork, whether on fabric or canvas, while making three charming accessories: a change purse, pictured above, a checkbook cover, and a photo album inset.

The class is done via email and Yahoo group, so you can take it at your own pace. You’ll pick your own fabric and thread, so the finished projects will be unique. In the Yahoo group there will be several bonus patterns created for the class.

In the class you’ll learn:

history of Blackwork
how to select the correct thread for Blackwork
methods for stitching Blackwork on different types of grounds
techniques for using overdyed and hand-dyed threads
three methods to transfer designs
shading
different types of fill patterns
Blackwork borders

The class is only $20. Participants will get all lessons, bonus patterns, and instructions in the Yahoo group and an opportunity to buy discounted ebook versions of my book, Blackwork Beauties, packed with more projects and patterns.

You can sign up for the class today using the button below:

Details on New Threads

Janet Perry — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:33:12 +0000

Last month, during the TNNA Round-up, I talked about many of the new threads that were coming out. I have some more details about colors and I wanted to let you know about them.

Rainbow Gallery brought out new colors of several of their threads. Some of these are just perfect for popular applications.

Sparkle Rays has two new colors, both orange, that will be perfect for Halloween. These are not flourescent oranges, but a lovely bright orange (think Netherlands World Cup uniforms) and a lighter orange. The two together will be perfect for pumpkins.

Soft Sheen Fyrewerks has come out with a vintage silver. It looks absolutely wonderful, a dark, almost matte silver. It would be great for shadows, or areas of tarnish or maybe even an old mirror. I can’t wait to try it.

Wisper is my favorite thread for fur. I like to combine it with a strand of crewel wool and I love it nice furry effect which can be controlled by the amount of brushing. But sometimes I had a hard time finding the right color. Fourteen new colors came out of this popular thread. They include a lovely light taupe, called mink (an excellent name), three very light tans, two new grays (one light one very dark), a good rust (think red fox here) and three very dark browns.

Vineyard Silk has added twelve new colors including great dark and light orange, a lovely family of teal and another family of grayed blues. The new colors of Silk & Ivory are all in their wonderful very pale colors. These colors are almost white with just a hint of color, perfect for backgrounds.

Threadworx has added their new colors to their catalog pages. In the Overdyed Merino Wool, there are some multi-colors, but I was particularly struck by the great brown and a very pale gray. There are many colors here that will add some wonderful effects to your needlepoint.

Sneak Peek – Cyberclasses, Sept 2010 – June 2011

Janet Perry — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:55:55 +0000

I’ve been planning my on-line education offerings for the next few months and I’m really excited about them. My plan is to make each one focused on learning a particular aspect of needlepoint. Each one will use a lovely computer-printed canvas. This means that not only will you be learning the technique or stitch but you will be putting it in context on the kind of canvases you see in shops.

At the end you’ll have a lovely finished piece that you can use as a reference, give as a gift or keep for yourself. The projects and instructions are easy enough that beginning stitchers can take the class.

Each class will be announced here when it is open for registration. You can also sign-up for the email list on Needlepoint Stitch Guides.

Kimono from Patt & Lee Designs

October 2010 – Overdye Kimono – An Introduction to Overydyed Threads. This class will use three different overdyed and hand-dyed threads to help you learn to use them on canvases with both Tent & Decorative Stitches

Eyeglass Case from Sandy Grossman-Morris

December 2010 – Silk Ribbon, Embellishments & Padding – Learn Easy techniques to add sparkle & dimension to your needlepoint

Cellphone or iPod Case from Sandy Grossman-Morris

February 2011 – Textured Stitches & Threads – Learn some easy stitches in this charming stitch and thread sampler

Bat Cat canvas from Patt & Lee Designs

April 2011 – Texture in Tent Stitch – Learn ways to use different threads and Tent Stitch to show texture

Lighthouse Ornament from Sandy Grossman-Morris

June 2011 – New Techniques for Overdyed Threads – More easy techniques for using overdyes on canvas to mimic stucco, stone walls, skies, sand, and water. You’ll love how these techniques will make your needlepoint look

All classes will be distributed as PDFs and sent via email. A Yahoo group is set up for each class for supplemental material and discussion.

I have some other longer projects in the works and will let you know about them soon.

Needlepoint Stitch Guides Site Now Open!

Janet Perry — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:28:53 +0000

Order stitch guides like this from my new site.

There’s no doubt about it, stitchers love stitch guides. Our appetite for them is almost insatiable. Talk to any designer and they will tell you shopowners ask about stitch guides all the time.

If a designer has none, they wonder why not. If a designer has some, they want more. And we, as stitchers want them and want them at an affordable price.

Today marks the opening of my new on-line shop, Needlepoint Stitch Guides. Here you will find stitch guides for many popular designers, available both as PDFs (for you to print) or as printed guides). You can order directly from the shop and have your guides as soon as the same day. Talk about immediate stitchy gratification.

It’s the largest on-line shop dedicated to needlepoint stitch guides and related products.

There’s lots more to the site. You’ll find reference information about stitch guides and using them, order forms for my popular custom stitch guides and quick stitch help, and lots more. The site is easy to navigate with guides classified by designer and by subject.

Guides are available for canvases by some of today’s most popular designers including, Melissa Shirley, Kelly Clark, and Raymond Crawford. And for one stop shopping, some designers will allow you to order the canvas at the same time.

There are special products designed to help you make the most of your needlepoint. Background Stitch Guides are stitch and thread suggestions to make your needlepoint shine. Custom versions of them are available at the same low price. Thread Maps help you with a complete listing of threads and areas. Some shops charge up to $50 to pull threads, but with this service you get my expert eye at a low cost. Technique Sheets are specialized sheets (not canvas specific) showing you how to create an effect or do a technique on painted canvas.

I’m committed to sharing my knowledge with you so that your needlepoint can be exciting and beautiful. More products will be added just as fast as I can get them written, so stop back often to see what’s new.

Visit Needlepoint Stitch Guides today and keep stitching!

TNNA Round-up Part 3

Janet Perry — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:35:01 +0000

Finishing Items

I am just crazy about this chic self-finishing clutch from Timeless Totes. This is their first self-finished item. It comes in four colors (red, burgundy, blue and black).

Lee’s Needle Arts has added leather Kindle covers to their self-finishing line. There are also new photo boxes and albums. I’m excited about the albums, because, although sometimes you can find albums that have openings deep enough to hold needlepoint, most of the time the albums you find won’t work

Threads

Crescent Colors has added new shades to both their perle cottons and silks. Valdani has added pure silk perle to their line-up of threads. This is great because silk perle is a wonderful thread to use.

Rainbow Gallery has new colors in Very Velvet, Silk Lamé, Fuzzy Stuff, and Wispers, along with new colors in some other threads. They have the handy blue magnets back and will be carrying Ann Strite-Kurz’ new book on pattern.

The Pure Palette has added a new thread to their popular Soy Luster and Baroque Silk. It’s Empress Elite, a blend of Ultra Fine Merino, silk and Cashmere. It comes in 20 yard skeins. I can’t wait to try it.

New Artists & Distributors

Ruth Schmuff has added a new artist, Paper d’Aq to her line. The popular designs from The Studio in Kansas City are now being distributed by Chapel Hill Needlepoint.

Crooked Tree Needlepoint is now has brought the artwork of Donna Race to needlepoint. One of her specialties is Christmas stockings. All about Stitching is now distributing the Lund Belt Collection.

Stitch-its has also added a new artist, Trail Creek Farms. The popular cross stitch designs of Lizzie Kate are now available in needlepoint, from Patti Mann. Designing Women is now represented by Canvas Connection.

Canvas, Kits & Charts

Sundance Designs has new Gypsy Flowers, pieces with Bazrgello centers, designed to show off their new Boho beads. In new canvases, they have a delightful series of ornaments based on Mexican painted tin ornaments.

Barbara Russell, well known for her dog canvases, has added a line of needlepoint jewelry. Alice Peterson & Co has expanded her Stitch & Zip line with new tallis bags. Tallis Bags are popular needlepoint items, and with these new Stitch & Zips, finishing is easy too.

Sew Much Fun has introduced a line of 3-D animals that includes five baby animals. GailVail has many new designs, including a “Date Night” series of wristlet bags for something quick to stitch and easy to finish.

Gone Stitching has introduced a line of Judaic canvases. All the canvases in this line include detailed, easy to use, stitch guides in full color. DeElda has added lots of new beginners kits to her line.

There is so much stuff, I’m doing one more round-up, this one focused on canvases on Friday.

TNNA Round-Up, Part 2

Janet Perry — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:48:29 +0000

Once again, today I will focus mostly on new hand-painted canvas needlepoint, kits, and charts. Since canvases and projects often inform our choices in threads and such, the thought of a lovely new project will inspire you to try new threads (it does for me).

Amanda Lawford has a bunch of new canvases based on nursery rhymes. There are square canvases as well as nightlights. More grown-up night lights are available as well. I particularly liked another series of three canvases showing cats enjoying a camping trip. My favorite was probably the marshmallow roast, pictured above.

Dizzy Daisy focuses on ornaments. They have three different monogram ornaments, and two initials. These are as great way to make a delightful gift. Winnetaka Stitchery has a sports Christmas stocking, perfect for the player or fan. You could even personalize it by doing the backgrounds in team colors.

If you are looking for needlepoint canvas with the rich colors and patterning or oriental rugs, look no further than CanvasWorks. Their designs come in a variety of shapes, including brick covers and round pillows. Cooper Oaks has some charming new designs as well, including this delightful bride and groom heart

Elizabeth Bradley has come out with three single flowers in a modern, almost hyper-realist style. They are striking and a new direction for her. I just love all four. Jane Nichols has a new line of kits and beginners canvases, lots of new belts, and a fun, different birdhouse of the month series. She also has some witty aprons to needlepoint.

DC Designs, an artist new to me, has delightful round ornaments and other charming designs, including a great heart of hearts (perfect for trying out stitches and threads) and these retro doves.

Another new artist, Designs by Heidi, has a line of quirky canvases in a soft color palette that is quite unusual. She has lots of designs for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween. If you buy on eBay, you may have seen many of her designs there.

I just loved this “living on the water” brick cover from Needle Crossings. Wouldn’t it make a great present for someone with a beach house?

Julie Mar has lots of new designs featuring the peace symbol, in 60′s colors, but lightened for today. Patty Paints is now doing needlepoint adaptations of Sue Spargo Art Quilts. She also has lots of folk art inspired designs.

Julie Pischke has announced Pischke Pockets a series of pocket-sized needlepoints you stitch and apply to the front of colorful tote bags. The bags are striped and come with leather handles and bases. Best of all they come with the fibers, so this is a complete kit.

Kathy Schenkel has come out with a nativity set of ornaments with each figure in a star. They are lovely. I am also crazy about the nativity version of her popular mini-socks with animals, this one with a little donkey. Kirk & Hamilton, a British company, has new double-sided key fobs in three designs. You stitch each side, and fold them over to finish.

Unique New Zealand has a bunch of tongue-in-cheek pieces with a retro feel, including the design above. They join their wonderful and ecclectic collection.

The Point of It All has some great holiday votives, you wrap around a clear glass candle holder. There are designs for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Hanukkah, birthdays, and Halloween. A great series from The Princess & Me has five related small designs hanging from a string all one one ornament. There are 12 in all, so you are sure to find one you’ll like. Silver Needle has cardigan and polo shirt ornaments in a variety of colors.

Check back on Wednesday for the final TNNA round-up (and think of me I’m getting a crown replaced and a veneer put on my front teeth.

TNNA Round-Up, Part 1

Janet Perry — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:47:22 +0000

There’s lots of new items premiering at TNNA, beginning today. In posts today and tomorrow, you’ll hear about what’s new at the show. Whenever possible, I have included links to pages with the new designs. Many designers don’t have these pages up yet, so keep checking back for the new items.

Barbara Bergsten’s delightful designs are a real thrill to stitch. She has a ton of new designs including lots of sayings, two delightful curly-toed Christmas socks, and lots of coordinated inserts for wallets, totes, and bags. You can see them all on her site’s What’s New? page.

Kelly Clark has some great new things, including several new topiaries (my favorite is the wisteria),some wonderful baskets and containers (one of them the pot of gold), and an absolutely delightful sarcophagus opened to reveal the mummy. I know that hardly sounds like something delightful, but it is. Check them out on her site.

My friend Patt, of Patt and Lee Designs has many new cats (some with stitch guides available), a cool dog, and, my favorite, an autumn landscape. Alice Peterson is now carrying hand-painted canvases by Gayla Elliott.

Renaissance Designs is showing Madame Fate, a patchwork witch, and accompanying her are several “posters” for types of fortune-telling. There are also several other Halloween designs, including their Halloweenies (which have stitch guides) and lots of cool Christmas pieces. Another series, aimed at beginners is “Kit & Kaboodle.” These small square designs include a fabric-covered frame and finishing instructions.

Leigh’s new designs include the Floozies, which premiered in Dallas. They are “slightly trashy ladies” enjoying adult beverages. Joining them will be Water Babies, a series of cute designs, that is, if I remember correctly, supposed to coordinate with the Sirens. They will also have two new colors of Ashland Sky bags, turquoise and orange.

Melissa Prince Designs is a new designer with a lovely, soft take on traditional designs. Mindy has some great new designs including four whimsicaL cupcakes, a stunning Asian circles piece (I want this one) and lots more whimsical and ethnic pieces.

Sharon G has a new line of scarecrows and several more Ponza, Italy scenes. She is also exploring her triptych idea with a Tuscan scene and a wonderful, colorful set of oriental fish and black cats. She has also re-released the doors series and has several new eye canvases.

Come back tomorrow for more news from the show.

Announcing Needlepoint Plaids Site

Janet Perry — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:42:17 +0000

Instructions for the birthday plaid are now available

I’m am, to use a cliche, mad for plaid. In particular, I’m mad for needlepoint plaids of all kinds. I have gathered up my information and handy order forms as well as some new plaid products, and put them all together on my new site, Needlepoint Plaids.

There you can find articles about different types of plaids, basic instructions on stitching a plaid, and a shop for buying my needlepoint plaid products. You can also find a free plaid pattern.

Joining the custom tartan and personal plaid orders are a list of inexpensive already charted tartans and, for the first time publicly available, my Birthday Plaid Mini-sock project pack, pictured above.

For guild chapters and other groups, there is also information about doing a personal plaid cyberclass in needlepoint, cross stitch, or both.

Visit us today!

New in Needlepoint – June 2010

Janet Perry — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:07:42 +0000

There will be lots more new product announcements throughout the month, but I wanted to share with you the new stuff I’ve seen so far.

Canvases & Kits

The JL Canvas Company (distributed by LC Kramer) has charming pairings of glass Christmas ornaments (from Oranments to Remember) along with the same ornament rendered as a painted needlepoint canvas. The thing I love about this series is that they aren’t your usual ornaments. I’m just in love with the Japanese kokeshi girl. JL is also introducing “Canvas Candy”, another pairing of ornament and canvas, this time, slices of cheesecake.

Susan Roberts has a charming series of 3-D angels. You stitch the bell sleeves and dress. Wings and the wooden head come with the canvas. CBK has announced a new size of tote canvas (12″x8″x3″) in Starke Art Designs patterns. These have matching wallet inserts.

Voila has a new belt canvas, a pirate man. Another popular design based on the Burberry plaid is available as belt, headband, small case, pet collar, and more.

Threads

Weeks Dye Works is introducing crewel wool this month with 25 colors. Merino wool is used and it comes in 30 yard skeins. They have also added 13 new colors to their pearl #12.

Planet Earth is introducing Opal Silk, a silk with a subtle twinkle,as well as new colors in the single ply silk. Crescent Colors is adding three new colors to Belle Soie: Princess (violet), Amanda’s Apple (red), and Granny Smith (green). YLI has hand-painted Shimmer Blend floss in 25 colors from their Painter’s Collection. Other threads in this collection include perle cotton in 3,5, 8, and 12.

Divine Threads is a new thread company, making hand-dyed silk ribbons and rayon threads. Gloriana has introduced Florimell, hand-dyed AuVer a Soie silk. It comes in 27 colors. I’m testing it now, so watch for a review next week.

Charted Needlepoint

DebBee’s Designs has a new Diamond Delight (the seventh in this series). It has a patriotic color scheme of red, white, and blue. The sixth in the series is also out, lovely in white and gold.

ThreadworX has workbooks for different effects that can be done with their threads.

Finishing & Accessories

Colonial Needle has kimono stands for all three sizes of the Lee’s kimonos, including my favorite, the petite. I’ve always finished then as ornaments, but I have some that would be perfect for this.

The Elizabeth Turner Collection has a new clip-on combo of LED light and magnifier. It has a flexible arm and runs on batteries or DC.

Pinnell Custom Leather has been doing custom finishing for over 35 years. Among other things they have a leather-covered slide buckle which adds a perfect finishing touch to your needlepoint belt. They also finish belts with leather hand-rolled edges and leather ends. They offer many colors and types of leather.

Needlepoint Stitch Guides Now Available

Janet Perry — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:48:34 +0000

Get the stitch guide for this Raymond Crawford canvas

You are probably a stitcher like while I often like the challenge of picking my own stitiches and threads, sometimes I want the relaxing pastime of stitching from a stitch guide.

Innovative and easy techniques for these popular canvases

This propelled me into writing my own stitch guides and continues to keep me designing. On the one hand I do custom stitch guides (click here to get started with one) that are comprehensive and affordable. They are customized to you and even to the shop you use. No one offers a better guide at a lower price.

learn shading with multiple colors in this stitch guide

I have long been thinking about a way to make the guides I’ve written available to a wider audience. I hear from many of you about your frustration with the lack of guides, your desire to have some help, and your love of the canvases you find.

You can use this guide to stitch any canvas in this series and make up to 8 canvases

Today I’m preannouncing my new site, Needlepoint Stitch Guides, where you will be able to buy already created guides, order custom guides, and download free stitch guides. The pictures you see throughout the article are some of the guides available.

Make your own needlepoint nativity with this guide

Until the site is up, email me for the list of guides. And as a special bonus to you you can get 20% off already published guides, either as PDFs or in print, and 10% off any custom guide. This offer is good through June 30, 2010, just tell me you saw it here.