Coatimundi Walks....

The latest Charley Harper stitch guide from Robin King is amazing!  Read all about it here.  Contact Robin via her blog to order.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2014/07/potluck-by-charley-harper-and-penny-b.html

Philodendron Silk Ribbon Group

Here's something new -- a Facebook Group called Philodendron Silk Ribbon set up by Kay Fite to act as a cyber stitch guide for stitching a canvas from Blue Dogwood Designs.  You may have to have a Facebook account to see the group (second link) but you should be able to see Kay's progress photo in the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/700366910040470/

Kay is posting a video about silk ribbon embroidery, stitch diagrams and progress photos, making this a fun way to stitch along.  Bravo, Kay!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/573984596052684/

Software For Writing Stitch Guides

The question "Which software program do you use to write stitch guides?" comes up all the time.  I thought I'd link to Linda Reinmuller's blog which lists eighteen graphing programs at the bottom of the page.  The links will take you to the program's website which often has demos you can try out. Note that many of the programs will only run on Windows machines.
http://www.lkreinmiller.blogspot.com

Linda doesn't cover all the programs available, just the ones created specifically for stitch diagramming.  I use my Mac word processing software called Pages to create my stitch diagrams, but it has limitations such as not being able to create curves or dimensional shapes easily.  I also find it very hard to number stitch diagrams with it and haven't figured out how to layer a copyright notice on top of the grid yet.  But mostly it works for me.

I know a great many people (John Waddell used to teach a class on doing this) who use Excel to create diagrams.  I haven't tried it myself but I'm pretty sure it will work fine.

Other Mac users (and a lot of stitch guide writers use Macs) use Canvas X which is no longer supported by ACDSee, so modern Macs can't run it unless they are dual Mac/Windows machines which can run the later versions that are Windows only. A new edition called Canvas 14 (I think) is supposed to have come out last spring.  Adobe's Illustrator is also quite popular but these two programs are very powerful graphics programs, with big price tags and a steep learning curve, so only the most determined users go this route.  I believe Illustrator is a subscription only service now which a lot of people don't like.

I hope this is helpful for all stitch guide writers Out There.

Stitch Guides for the Russian Santa Series UPDATED

Northern Light Santa from Chillyhollow

Leigh Designs' eight Russian Santas have been very popular, so there are quite a few guides available.  My Blue Russian (above) is available in normal stitch guide format from Leigh Designs or directly from me.  You can also follow along as I blog-stitch the piece at the Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure.  The second link is the materials list.  So you have a choice--a free and long-winded guide or a more formal one that you pay for.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/p/russian-santa-stitch-long.html

http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/p/russian-santa-materials-list.html

Sandy Arthur's two Russian Santas also have guides available from Leigh Designs.  Sandy stitched the Holly Hills Santa and the Merry Mistletoe Russian Santas. You can see all three finished models (including my Blue Russian) at the Leigh Designs website by clicking on the Russian Santa you are interested in.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp833x.html

Carolyn Taggart has also done guides for several of her stitched Russian Santas--the Forever Green Santa and the Birdland Santa (second link).  Note that she explained how Birdland Santa was stitched on Blog but some folks will want to pay for her nice stitch diagrams and a more step-by-step guide.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2014/04/more-russian-santa-news.html

http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2014/03/more-russian-santas-birdland-santa.html

Both Carolyn and Sandy are planning to stitch more Russian Santas in the series and offer guides.  Stay tuned for a long and happy Russian Winter!

UPDATE:  In the last several months more and more stitch guides for Russian Santas have appeared. There are two shops with Russian Santa clubs as well.  For the latest, check out the bottom of this posting I made on my regular Blog.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/p/russian-santa-stitch-long.html

Ewe and Eye Autumn Colors Bouquet Guide

The Needle Works in Austin just announced their latest stitch guide from Eleonore--Ewe and Eyes's "Funky Flowers" autumn bouquet.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2014/07/share-a-stitch-july-20.html

The canvas and the guide are available from the shop but only the canvas is shown in their website right now.  If you are interested in the guide, give the shop a call.
http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=23&products_id=9640

Four Little Foxes Have Guides UPDATED WITH FASHION INFO

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy just announced four stitch guides for her four brand new seasonal fox canvases.  The guides are by Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beaddazzled, who distributes Eye Candy designs.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/06/new-stitch-guides-available-now.html

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/06/more-fox-stitch-guides.html

UPDATE:  Many of us match needle magnets to our canvases but this is a first!
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/07/winter-fox-finished.html

Americana Sampler (Whimsy and Grace) Guide Available

Following their Americana Sampler class, The Forest Needle in Lake Forest, Illinois has released the stitch guide for this charming patriotic patchwork piece from Whimsy and Grace.  I believe the stitch guide is by Candice Engelhard.  A kit is available if you want to do a little one-stop shopping.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204522899817977&set=gm.695600717183756&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=789592247758720&set=a.689736724410940.1073741828.687158794668733&type=1&theater

The shop doesn't have a website but you can contact them via their Facebook page.  Many thanks to Debra P. for bringing this to my attention.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Forest-Needle-LLC/687158794668733

Stitch Guides for Renaissance Designs' Woodland Christmas

I just happened to notice that the cute Woodland Christmas Collection of small animal pieces that just came out this spring from Renaissance Designs all come with stitch guides.  (Sorry, I don't know who the stitch guide author is.)  There is the moose...

http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=10024&osCsid=63969dc0c6616a639b82261d1eff7314

... the owl...

http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=10021&osCsid=63969dc0c6616a639b82261d1eff7314

... the raccoon...

http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=10020&osCsid=63969dc0c6616a639b82261d1eff7314

... my favorite, the fox...

http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=10019&osCsid=63969dc0c6616a639b82261d1eff7314

... Santa...

http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=10022&osCsid=63969dc0c6616a639b82261d1eff7314

... and his sleigh overseen by blue birds.

http://theneedleworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=10023&osCsid=63969dc0c6616a639b82261d1eff7314

For those who don't know, Renaissance has a special stitch guide page on their website.  They offer guides from SHEAR Creations, Gail Martin, SuZy Murphy, Carolyn Hedge Baird, Julie Elder, Cathi Rosengren, Tony Minieri, Lynne Segill, Gina Marie, Cynthia Thomas Needlenook of La Jolla, Leann Bemis, Vicki Fish and their own creations.

http://www.renaissanceneedlepoint.com/sg/sg.html

The California Basket Bouquet (Melissa Shirley) Has a Guide

Tbis lovely piece was created by Melissa Shirley for a retreat at Needlenook of La Jolla last spring.  Now that the canvas is widely available, Needlenook has released their David McCaskill stitch guide for purchase with the canvas.  Note that you can get several types of threads kits as well if you wish.
http://store.needlenook.com/Melissa-Shirley-Designs-California-Basket-Bouquet-p36957.html

Companion to Harlequin Rabbit Guide

The Harlequin Rabbit from yesterday has a companion piece, a fancy dandy rabbit with his pet cardinal.  The incredible Sandy Arthur has stitched him, too, and there is a stitch guide to bring him to life as well.  The canvases are from FabFunky and can be purchased through Bedecked and Beadazzled (second link).  Sandy's guide is included for free.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/07/holly-has-beau.html

http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Rabbit-and-Bird/

Harlequin Rabbit Guide (Sandy Arthur)

Ruth Schmuff is raving over what Sandy Arthur did with the FabFunky Designs' "Rabbit in Dress."  This is a bunny like you've never seen a bunny before!  Sandy added a stitch here, then a stitch there, and POW!  She has come to life.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/07/a-few-well-placed-stitches.html

You can buy the canvas complete with stitch guide from Ruth's shop.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Rabbit-in-Dress/

John's Busy with Santa

John Waddell is working on the stitch guide for a new Petei Santa!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/694606170616544/

Well known for his Petei Nativity set and other Petei guides, John will have the new stack of Santas guide ready soon.
http://johnwaddellneedlepoint.com/stitchguide.html

UPDATE:  Here is one of the Wisemen from John's guide for the Petei Nativity set.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=25128711366728445&set=gm.6907385322671900&idorvanity=108537025890131

Free Stitch Guides for Little Bird Designs UPDATED

Little Bird Designs has started posting free stitch guides for some of their canvases on the Needlepoint of No Return website.  I expect more guides to appear here as this new company starts to grow.
http://www.needlepointofnoreturn.com/product-category/stitch-guides/

UPDATE:  Looks like Vicky DeAngelis plans to blog-stitch their little turkey canvas.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/gobble-gobbles/

Kimono with Stitch Guide

I was just thinking yesterday I'd love it if there were more stitch guides available for some of my favorite Asian-themed canvases.  Then I found this!  I think this is a Lee design, but for sure the stitch guide is available from Stitch By Stitch in Larchmont, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=688211114561302&set=a.295409377174813.67440.175899759125776&type=1&theater

Contact info, in case you need a kimono in your life....
http://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com

Dream Fragment and Guide

Kimberly's Dream Fragment now has a stitch guide~
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/07/what-another-stitchguide.html

This is another wonderful winged insect and floral piece from Kimberly Smith, which you can pick up at Bedecked and Beaddazzled as a special summer treat.  The canvas comes with a guide (stitch guide writer unknown) but you can also pick up the thread kit if you prefer one-stop shopping.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Dream-Fragment/

Kim has already started stitch her next painted canvas, "Blossom."  There will be a guide when she finishes up!
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2014/07/next-up.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2014/10/brilliance.html

Royal Frogs

Sharon Quick has finished the stitch guides for Maggie's Frog Prince...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=761027440628544&set=pcb.690235354386959&type=1&theater

and Maggie's Frog Queen.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=761028150628473&set=gm.690235737720254&type=1&theater

If you are interested in the guides, message Sharon Quick via her Facebook page or email her at bg4458@earthlink.net.  Thanks!

To the Beach with Julie and Cynthia

Julie Mar and Friends has announced three new beach landscape canvases, all with stitch guides by Cynthia Thomas.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2014/07/sea-scapes.html

I am not certain but I think the three new pieces are at the bottom of the What's New section on the Julie Mar website.
http://www.juliemardesigns.com/c/NEW/NEW.html

Patriotic (By Sandra Gilmore) UPDATED

Laura Perin is working on the stitch guide for Sandra Gilmore's "Patriotic" these days.  The stitching is finished so now the guide has to be finished.  It should be ready soon.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=754780927896452&set=gm.688816121195549&type=1&theater

UPDATE;  It's done!  The guide is available with the canvas from Fleur de Paris or ou can get the guide alone from Laura's website (second link).
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2014/07/celebrate-july.html

http://www.laurajperindesigns.net/ljp-stitch-guides.html

Charley Harper Canvas (and Guide) Exclusive

3 Kittens, which is going in for exclusive canvases in a big way, has a new exclusive Charley Harper canvas that will be available later this month (July 20, 2014) along with a stitch guide.  It is the Eskimo Curlew, from a Ford Company in-house corporate magazine.   Charley fans, take note!
http://3kittensneedlearts.com/3k-exclusives/