Needles & Needle Books

Aren't these sweet needlebooks? These were both made for me by my mom: This little green and white one is the one I use everyday. I keep all my #24 chenille needles in it. I love it - especially the front cover with this blue flower and button! This needlebook is one that she just made - she used one of the cupcakes from my cupcake embroidery pattern to make this little felt applique for the front. Notice those french knots!
This is what the books look like inside. They have felt pages for needles.
I really needed another book because I have just ordered some new needles! My 1st Bambina recommended that I try chenille needles in size 26. She suggested ordering them online from Colonial Needle. I did, and I also ordered a packet of size 28:
I love these new needles. The size 28 is so delicate (and sharp!) I took a picture to show the size difference in the needles:
The size 24 is at the bottom of the picture, above that is the 26 and at the top is the size 28. You can see how much finer and shorter the 28 is than the 24! I am thrilled with these needles and my new needle book and can't wait to start using them!

little blue fish

This little blue fish is my blue entry into the Feeling Stitchy Rainbow of Stitches contest. I love the way he turned out! He was very easy and quick to stitch, since I only used the back stitch :)

But look carefully at this close up:
I also used metallic floss! You can see it on the tail and a few selected scales. It is always a challenge to use but this is the first time I have ever stitched with it using my new #24 chenille needles! What a difference - so much easier to thread - I even used all six strands on the floss. Plus I think the sharpness of the needle must cut down on the drag through the fabric making it easier for the floss to pass through. I still had a hard time with it...just not as difficult as usual! Now onto my violet colored entry!

Chenille needles and cupcake embroidery

Here is a picture of my new absolute favorite embroidery needles - these are dmc chenille needles. They are size 24. I love these needles for three reasons - first because of the nice sized eye - long and oval and very easy to thread. Second, because they are extemely sharp. Third, because they are short in length so they seem easier to manipulate. I bought these at Michaels.

I also have some cupcake embroidery wip pictures - this first one is so sweet ;) and I especially want to point out the leaves at the top of the cherry stems. I actually used the fish bone stitch! It is just the thing for leaves - I think they look so beautiful! I am really excited to be using stitches I have learned because of the 100 Stitches project!

This last picture is of a just finished stitching. In this picture you can also see my new plastic embroidery hoop! I love the color and I am really liking the way it firmly holds fabric. I still love my wood hoops but they don't seem to keep the fabric as taut as this new plastic hoop.