A panel of experts will be at our January 20, 2020 meeting to assist you with tackling that problematic canvas that never seems to move forward!
Go ahead and bring out those ‘problem kids’ and let us take a fresh look at them. Sometimes a striking color or new stitch can really bring a piece alive! Or, if you’re having trouble just putting the first stitch in, let our experts guide you.
They will have stitched examples and plenty of the new, hot stitch books to consult. Let new eyes take a new view of your weary canvas and get it finished!
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Meets third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
Follow us and see our finished needlepoint on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoColumbineAng
It’s January and time to think about organizing things around the house. In keeping with this theme, we will be giving you some ideas on how to organize your needlework stash. Barb G. will give tips and tricks and would love to have any and all of you share YOUR secrets for organizing threads, canvases, tools, books, WIP, etc.
Also, this month we will begin our year long project–Variations Sampler by Custom House Needle Arts. The stitch books are finally in, and Christine Hause from the Stitching Shop will be at the meeting and have them for sale for $16.00. She will also have the Gumnut threads that are used in the original sampler. These gorgeous silk and wool threads are a little pricey, and we will talk about what you can use in place of the suggested threads should you want to do this. You can download the picture of the sampler, thread list, schematic of the blocks HERE. If you wish Barb to print you a copy of this information, please let her know–the cost will be $1.00.
The sampler finishes at 12″x12″ on 18 count canvas. You should use a piece of canvas either 16″x16″or 18″x18″ depending on whether you want a 2″ or 3″ border around the piece for framing or finishing into a pillow.
If you prefer to work on 14 count canvas, the piece will finish approximately 15 1/2″x 15 1/2″. Again you need to leave either an additional 2 or 3 inches on each side for finishing.
Also, The Stitching Shop has a TRUNK SHOW with 20 percent OFF this month, featuring these artists (& some stitch guides available):
Pat Thode
Catherine Blair
Brenda Palmer
Beth Robertson & Suzanne Howren
Barbara Bond
Call Christine at The Stitching Shop, 303 727-8500 or email her if you have questions: AStitchingShop@gmail.com
Happy stitching, everyone, and we will see you all on January 19. We DO meet on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:50 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.

Our very own resident needlepoint designer and artist has reviewed two wonderful books for our stitching libraries! Jennifer R. is a certified NAN judge and needlepoint creator whose work is shown and taught nationally. Both books were reviewed as part of her NAN Judges’ Certification process.
1.) Three-dimensional Embroidery
Author: Janet Edmonds. Methods of construction for the third dimension. Batsford, London, England, 2009.
Three-dimensional Embroidery book report
Creative Canvas Couching Book Report

By Lea K.
There are several more needlepointing books that everyone should take a look at! All are from the public library.
The “first” book, not to miss, is titled: “Folk Art Needlepoint – 20 Projects Adapted from Objects in the American Folk Art Museum,” and written by Ruth Peltason, c 2008. This book is nicely organized thematically by types of folk art motifs – such as flowers and daily life and offers 20 projects and variations from the American Folk Art Museum that is the country’s leading museum in this field. The author provides delightful notes on the motifs and museum pieces that are inspiring. Also, this book’s talented needlepointer, Karyn Gerhard not only charted all the patterns, but stitched ALL the books projects. “Folk Art Needlepoint” also presented insightful commentary on motifs and original artworks presented from this museum.
Secondly, but no less important, is the book titled, “101 Needlepoint Stitches and How to Use Them,” and the author is Hope Hanley, c 1986. Remarkable stitches, and best yet — the very same book available now as an E-Book – the on-line book electronic resource. Visually, the bold colors offered by the digital computer screen can show these actual stitches incredibly nicely. Additionally, librarians specializing in E-Books are nice resources. Please take a look at these not only interesting but entertaining books, as well.
These books can entertain on any snowy day.
BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE, YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FOR A
“HAPPY THANKSGIVING” AND “SEASONS GREETINGS.”
Be sure to note the 2014 program information in next post…
Reviews by Lea K., President, Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
President LeaJust think of a home library that includes a few books about needlepointing, and some will tell you that having a few if not more needlepoint books on your shelves is necessary and even essential.
And, I agree.
So, my “first” needlepoint book choice is one that I own and is an encyclopedia about stitches. Many, many stitches. This is not only a handy resource book to have, but makes for nice browsing periodically. The title of this book is “The Complete Illustrated Stitch Encyclopedia” copyright 2004, by: Sterling Publishing Company., Inc.
There are a total of 250 stitches and even 30 projects included. For example, there are “Looped Stitches,” i.e., chain stitches, open filling stitches, etc.; “Knotted Stitches,” i.e., outline stitches, etc.; “Composite Stitches,” i.e., blackwork patterns; “Needlepoint Stitch Library” i.e. easy stitches, tent stitches, diagonal stitches, block stitches, filling stitches; “Needlepoint Composite Stitches,” such as radiating filling stitches; “Special Techniques,” as in drawn-thread work, pulled-thread work, ribbon work, beading work and bargello; and “Finishing,” or framing a design.

There are even more stitches mentioned, and with colorful visuals on each page of this 315-page book. Truly a treasure, it is a useful resource that I personally have utilized often even when there’s a snowstorm. Take a look. You’ll be nicely surprised.

My “second” needlepoint book choice is “The Complete Photo Guide to Needlework.” copywrite 2012, by: Creative Publishing International, Inc. and this time, borrowed from the public library.
There is an entire section on needlepoint and with the other chapters comprising The ABCs of Needlework as one chapter, ribbon and thread another, beading yet another and last, but certainly not least, “Needlepoint.” Needlepoint canvas is discussed as is preparing the canvas and also many wonderful “threads” are shown. There is a variety of thread choices: wools, wool blends, silk, silk ribbons, pearl cottons, braids (metallic), linens, synthetic ribbons, tubular threads, specialty threads, polyesters, flat-rayon ribbons.
Of nice interest are the visual samples presented with bright and bold colors. For example, the stitches presented are: brick stitch, double-brick stitch, pavillion stitch, zigzag backstitch, cashmere stitch, basketweave stitch, continental stitch, mosaic stitch, t-square stitch, smyrna stitch, leaf motif stitch, fishbone stitch, Rhodes stitch, and waffle stitch.
Also, project samples are present with both patterns and photographs of the completed projects. Interesting.
All in all, a nice book presentation that all can deliberate on and on and on. Please take a look.