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Review of “Mystery of Needlepoint – Casebook”

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Aloha All,

First I would like to thank Patricia for commenting and giving me the name for my “swimming bird”, it is an anhinga.

Before I give you my review here is today’s stitch, a Florentine Teardrop Variation with beads added.  I found the original chart in Chapter 19 of Amy’s Cookbook for Stitchers.  I changed it by decreasing the rows and by adding beads.   Actually I am still working on this stitch, it needs to be a wee bit smaller.

Florentine Teardrop Variation with Beads

Florentine Teardrop Variation with Beads

When the new version is complete I will post it for you to compare.  This stitch will be used in a dress, I just need to get the proper proportions for the area.  I am planning to use silks in the same color family to add dimension, at least that is my current thought  🙂

I was on the fence initially regarding purchasing this casebook, I wondered how much more could be done to make the “Mysteries of Needlepoint” Book Club even better.  Well the “Mysteries of Needlepoint Casebook – Elementary” is definitely the answer!  Jill Wilensky is the mastermind behind this Casebook and it is very detailed.  A lot of time and effort has gone into creating what I call a great companion work book.  I know many of you out there have purchased the Book Club and are curious about the Casebook.

The beginning of Amy’s Mysteries Needlepoint Book Club starts with a Glossary of terms.  In the first section of the Casebook there is a vocabulary match whereby you match the word to the correct description of that word.  The match words come directly from the Glossary of terms in the “Mysteries Book” thereby allowing you to re-call what has been learned.  Continuing in the theme of tying the Casebook to the Book you have to identify types of stitches.  The original Stitch Types were diagrammed in detail in the book.  There are smaller matching diagrams in the Casebook which you now have to identify.  Going along there is a section on changing stitches and on compensation.  You are given a stitch and a shape  and can now chart said stitch to fit the shape by using the techniques you have learned from “Changing Stitches”.  There is a similar section on how to compensate stitches.  Used together allows solidification of the knowledge gained through reading.

This Casebook follows along seamlessly with Mysteries of Needlepoint and is a great learning tool.  I definitely think it is worth the cost, which is only $15!

Mysteries of Needlpoint Casebook photo

Mysteries of Needlpoint Casebook By Jill Wilensky

You can purchase the Casebook from “ Needle Little More “, it is available as a PDF or print copy, http://www.needlelittlemore.com/store/c353/Exclusive_Items.html .  Look around the shop while you are there, who knows what other goodies you may find!  The company takes PayPal which I love.

Today is Girls Day which in Japan is called Hinamatsuri.  This is celebrated every year on March 3rd.  It is custom to place dolls on a platform covered with red carpet.  People believed these dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits.  In ancient customs straw dolls were floated down a river to the sea, the bad spirits would go with the dolls.

Girls Day doll display

Girls Day doll display

Since today is the end of the Girls Day celebration I thought it is time to have a give away.  To be entered into the contest all you have to do is comment on this post.  Comments will be accepted until Sunday March 8th.  All names will be entered into a program and one winner will be drawn randomly.  Next week you will find out who the winner is.  I will contact the winner by email to obtain an address.  Good luck!

What your prize could be!

What your prize could be!  Magnets or a Bead/Magnet case.

Have a great stitchy week wherever you are!

Until next time,

Sheena

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Comments

  3. I’m looking forward to see how you are going to change the stitch! Thank you,
    Debbie

  6. Thanks for giving us the inside scoop on the casebook… May have to jump in! Am loving Amy’s book Club…

  8. Aloha Miss Sheena,

    Sorry I didn’t call today. Bit of a flap on here at the office. Warm hugs and Happy Girls’ Day!

  10. I thought your comments and picture were interesting. I did not know that Japan celebrated Girl’s Day. How neat! Also, I was interested in the case book (especially having owned a book store years ago). I am not familiar with this book at all. Is this the first she has written does she have others she has written? What is the Book Club you mentioned? And also where can you get the book(s)? Have I just riddled you with too many questions? I hope not. I enjoy your emails and thank you for sending them. I don’t know where you are located but I hope you are keeping warm. Happy stitching……………Rebecca Simpson, Hickory NC

    • The Book Club is from Amy Bunger called “2015 Book Club Mysteries of Needlepoint” http://www.amybunger.com/needlepoint_books.html?page=2 . The Casebook is written by a woman who works with Amy and managed the store for a long time. Copy and paste the link into your browser and it will take you to the book section of Amy’s Golden Strand, Amy Bunger owns the shop. Click on the link for Needle Little More in the blog post and that will take you to the store for the Casebook. The Chapters for the book club are released every other month the first one began in January. Will email you with more info! Thanks for your comments Rebecca 🙂

  12. I need some straw dolls to get rid of “bad” luck! I just might need to join Amy’s Mystery Book Club–since you recommend it so highly!
    Judy