FiberTalk

28/01/2025

Tuesday’s agenda involves working on my tools class for the Fiber Talk Retreat (register for the entire weekend or Saturday only at wetalkfiber.com/weekend), preparing for this week’s Stitch Hour live show (Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on the Fiber Talk YouTube channel), and stitching on my Lady Mary’s Geometric project by Gay Ann Rogers.

26/01/2025

The life of a military wife, living in upstate New York, and the pandemic catalyzed Caroline Gilman’s interest in needlepoint. Our conversation with Caroline is sponsored by Avlea Folk Embroidery and the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend. During those hours in New York, Caroline found her home with painted-canvas needlepoint. It wasn’t long before she was creating and painting her own designs. That naturally led to selling those designs and the forming of Atlantic Blue Canvas. The next-level part occurred when Caroline started providing a channel for other painted-canvas artists to sell their designs. Today she represents 11 artists and provides a wide-ranging catalog of designs. Learn all the details in this week’s conversation.–Beth and Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2025/01/26/fiber-talk-with-caroline-gilman/
Also on FlossTube at https://youtu.be/BoLeGhrfziU

22/01/2025

We’re at the center of the week and Cindy and Gary have fired up the recording gear to talk about a new one-day option for the Fiber Talk retreat (wetalkfiber.com/weekend); request for questions for upcoming shows; Gary keeping up with Beth’s Stitch Every Day challenge; storing slate frames, scroll rods, and stretcher bars; marking stretcher bars; Gary’s reworked studio; Cindy’s Garden Path project, designed by Sue Reed; Cindy’s Tanja Berlin needle book; your stitch path; keeping holes in your canvas or linen clean; and the importance of needle size. Sign up today for the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend so you don’t miss out on a weekend of needlework fun. Sunday’s guest: Caroline Gilman, Atlantic Blue Canvas–Cindy and Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2025/01/22/fiber-talk-midweek-chat-1-22-25/
Also on FlossTube at: https://youtu.be/MiLCc1vY0Ck

19/01/2025

Imagine what your plain Jane sneakers would look like if they had a scene embroidered on the sides. Melissa Galbraith did just that and she wrote a book about it to help you turn your canvas shoes into works of art. Melissa is our guest this week and the show is sponsored by Sassy Jacks Stitchery and the Embroiderer’s Guild of America. Melissa learned embroidery from her mother, advanced her skills while working a monotonous desk job, watched her stash outgrow her small apartment, and converted it all into a business. That business, MCreativeJ, offers embroidery designs (many to embellish clothing), live and online classes, a Domestika class and, so far, two books. In addition to her book, “DIY Embroidered Shoes,” Melissa has written “How to Embroidery Texture and Pattern,” an excellent guide to adding depth and visual movement to your needlework. Enjoy the conversation, then go dig in your closet and find some old, boring shoes to embellish. Beth has found a pair and is making plans. Gary doesn’t own boring shoes. Also, do some shopping at Sassy Jacks and join the EGA.–Beth and Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2025/01/19/fiber-talk-with-melissa-galbraith/
Also on FlossTube at: https://youtu.be/RtrRzVsmo6Y

Imagine what your plain Jane sneakers would look like if they had a scene embroidered on the sides. Melissa Galbraith did just that and she wrote a book about it to help you turn your canvas shoes …

19/01/2025

This should work. Fiberlicious Yummy Fibers on 40-ct Black Swan linen. Design will be the Phoenix Band Sampler by Northern Expressions Needlework. Don’t forget to register for the Fiber Talk retreat at wetalkfiber.com/weekend.

18/01/2025

Make a note to register this weekend for the Fiber Talk retreat, March 21-23. Details at wetalkfiber.com/weekend.

12/01/2025

Our sponsors are CyberPointers and Sassy Jacks Stitchery and our guest is needlepoint artist Kevin Lustik. “Velvetpark” magazine said it best, “Lustik’s imaginative work evokes a folksy Americana, yet upon closer inspection, you are confronted by piercing social commentary. Few artists can pull off hot button issues of the day such as climate change and the disregard for human virtue, as quirkily, and dare I say, as delightfully, as Kevin Lustik.” Kevin’s needle art also operates at a level of originality that few achieve. His current exhibit, “Needling,” at The Garment District Alliance Space for Public Arts in New York City runs through Jan. 27, 2025. When it ends, keep an eye on Lustik’s social media because the likelihood of a future exhibit of his art is very high. It’s needle art that makes you think, smile, or both and he should be on your follow list.–Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2025/01/11/fiber-talk-with-kevin-lustik/
Also on FlossTube at: https://youtu.be/Gj-LHa3T8Vk

Our sponsors are CyberPointers and Sassy Jacks Stitchery and our guest is needlepoint artist Kevin Lustik. “Velvetpark” magazine said it best, “Lustik’s imaginative work evo…

08/01/2025

We return from our holiday hiatus to talk about the upcoming Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend, March 21 to 23. Register today at wetalkfiber.com/weekend. We also talked about Beth’s Stitch Everyday challenge (Can you do it?), our 2025 plans to stitch the Phoenix Band Sampler by Northern Expressions Needlework and the Floral Runner wool applique project by The Woolen Needle, do live Tour de France shows this summer, and offer some special videos throughout the year. We also discussed what we plan to do individually. The general theme is to eat into the mountain of projects we already own. Join us for the Phoenix Band Sampler effort in a few weeks. Note that there is a version with specialty stitches and one that is just cross stitch, so everyone can participate. It’s going to be a fun year of stitching and learning. Sunday’s guest: Kevin Lustik–Beth and Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2025/01/08/fiber-talk-midweek-chat-1-8-25/
Also on FlossTube at: https://youtu.be/HqmEGeNqiM0

We return from our holiday hiatus to talk about the upcoming Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend, March 21 to 23. Register today at wetalkfiber.com/weekend. We also talked about Beth’s Stitch Ever…

07/01/2025

We have an exciting weekend of needlework planned in March. Register today so you can be part of the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend retreat. Deadline to take advantage of the event hotel room rate is Feb. 18. All of the details are at wetalkfiber.com/weekend.

06/01/2025

Beth, , issued a challenge: Can you do at least a few stitches every day for a year? Accepting that challenge. Day 1 in the books. Taking some time to correct a large error but making progress. Lady Mary’s Geometric by Gay Ann Rogers.

05/01/2025

New Class Added!
Fiber Talk Invites You to Stitch With Us

Join us in St. Louis for the inaugural Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend, March 21 to 23, 2025. In addition to three days of stitching with new friends, old friends, and the Fiber Talk hosts, you’ll be able to choose from any of eight free classes that will help you learn to use more than threads to enhance your projects, finish projects yourself, combine colors, select threads for projects, work with overdyed threads, stitch specialty threads, expand your stitching toolbox, and make a needle book. Sassy Jacks Stitchery will have a boutique shop so you can enhance your stash and/or purchase the latest designs. You’ll also have an opportunity to try some Temari ball stitching and experience slow stitching. For all of the registration details, go to wetalkfiber.com/weekend. Also, join our private Facebook group to find a travel partner, connect with a roommate, and/or ask questions at facebook.com/groups/fibertalkneedleartsweekend. Register today. Deadline is Feb. 18 if you want to receive the event room rate. We look forward to meeting you in St. Louis.

24/12/2024

Two things to do Christmas Eve and Christmas day:
1. Register for the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend Retreat, March 21 to 23. Details at wetalkfiber.com/weekend. We’ll be adding another exciting class taught by Jeannette Tombaugh in the next few days.
2. Mark your calendar and join us for some Christmas Day stitching. We’re gathering live at 2:00 p.m. Eastern on the Fiber Talk YouTube channel, wetalkfiber.com/youtube. If you’re home alone or tired of socializing, join us for an hour or so of needling and threading.

15/12/2024

TwoMe, 12 crafts in 12 months, journaling, and macrame are the foundations of “Mindful Macrame,” a new book from this week’s guest, Isabella Strambio. The show is sponsored by Sassy Jacks Stitchery and the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. Isabella is one of many who left the corporate world because it was stifling her creativity. That creative side blossomed when, at the urging of friends, she started offering macrame classes. The result, to date, is four books, and a design business that energizes her. Integrated into that business is a strong thread of mental health, which is the focus of her latest book and much of our conversation. If you are looking for some moments of peace/sanity, your chosen craft and the techniques Isabella uses can help you. The book will be released Jan. 10 and can be pre-ordered now.–Beth and Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2024/12/15/fiber-talk-with-isabella-strambio/
Also on FlossTube: https://youtu.be/f6ac9jUKSb4

TwoMe, 12 crafts in 12 months, journaling, and macrame are the foundations of “Mindful Macrame,” a new book from this week’s guest, Isabella Strambio. The show is sponsored by Sas…

13/12/2024

We have two exciting additions to the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend retreat:
—Sassy Jacks Stitchery will join us with a boutique shop so you can enhance your needlework stash when you take a stitching break.
—Kim Young of Sassy Jacks will be teaching a finishing class. No extra cost for the class.
The retreat is March 21 to 23, 2025 in St. Louis and registration is open now. We have a full weekend of stitching planned:
—Three days of stitching
—Seven free classes
—Help table
—Chance to try Temari and slow stitching
—Friday night reception
—Included breakfasts
Download the details at wetalkfiber.com/weekend.

13/12/2024

We have two exciting additions to the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend retreat:
—Sassy Jacks Stitchery will join us with a boutique shop so you can enhance your needlework stash when you take a stitching break.
—Kim Young of Sassy Jacks will be teaching a finishing class. No extra cost for the class.
The retreat is March 21 to 23, 2025 in St. Louis and registration is open now. We have a full weekend of stitching planned:
—Three days of stitching
—Seven free classes
—Help table
—Chance to try Temari and slow stitching
—Friday night reception
—Included breakfasts
Download the details at wetalkfiber.com/weekend.

10/12/2024

Join us for our last Stitch Hour of the year. We have an announcement about a big addition to the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend. Otherwise, we’ll be stitching and chatting and enabling, so bring your current project, beverage, and pen and paper. The fun starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on the Fiber Talk YouTube channel. We hope you can be with us. Also, remember to register so you can join us for the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend, March 21 to 23, 2025. All of the info is at wetalkfiber.com/weekend.

08/12/2024

Needlepoint designer Jeannette Tombaugh of Mountain Peaks Studio is our guest this week. The show is sponsored by Cyberpointers and Sassy Jacks Stitchery. Jeanette is a versatile, talented creator of counted-canvas and painted-canvas needlepoint designs, along with stitch guides for painted canvases. She is also the resident canvas expert at A Stitching Shop in Denver. Jeannette teaches extensively and has offered classes through EGA, Cyberpointers, ANG, and NAN. In our conversation, we learn how her self-taught needlework and design skills have evolved, how she uses just about any technique and material that will help tell her design story, and what a day is like for a designer at her level. We also get to hear the story of a sampler collection at a Pennsylvania bed-and-breakfast and how it became a lecture for Jeannette and uncovered a family connection. We also hear the story of her “Beyond the Moon” design, inspired by Clyde Tombaugh, a distant cousin of Jeannette’s husband and discoverer of the planet Pluto. It was great fun talking with Jeannette and we are confident you’ll enjoy the conversation.–Beth and Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2024/12/08/fiber-talk-with-jeannette-tombaugh/
Also on FlossTube at: https://youtu.be/6Ct_jLVOsL4

Needlepoint designer Jeannette Tombaugh of Mountain Peaks Studio is our guest this week. The show is sponsored by Cyberpointers and Sassy Jacks Stitchery. Jeanette is a versatile, talented creator …

04/12/2024

It’s the first Wednesday in December and time for another Midweek Chat. This week’s topics include our year-end schedule (join us Christmas Day at 2:00 p.m. Eastern), the Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend, great deals on sampler and “sampler-adjacent” charts at Sassy Jacks, Cindy’s new trestles from TF Woodcraft, and the cost of kitting projects at local needlework stores. The kitting projects topic originated from Melissa Dru MacLeod, owner of the Wool & The Floss (woolfloss.com) and one of the members of the Pointing It Out podcast team. Sunday’s guest: Jeannette Tombaugh, Mountain Peaks Studio.–Cindy and Gary
https://wetalkfiber.com/2024/12/03/fiber-talk-midweek-chat-12-4-24/
Also on FlossTube at: https://youtu.be/eufQriDK2_A

It’s the first Wednesday in December and time for another Midweek Chat. This week’s topics include our year-end schedule (join us Christmas Day at 2:00 p.m. Eastern), the Fiber Talk Nee…