Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Scissors Sheath Band Sampler
This weekend, I made 16 kits. Hopefully, weather will allow folks to come out for our ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter April & May meetings. All members in good standing coming to those meetings will get a kit to make a scissors sheath. I already handed out 12 magazines back in Nov & still have 8 more. I told folks to hold on to them for our spring project. They can use the band design that I made (previously blogged) or use the one that appeared in Sampler & Antique Needlework magazine (Summer 2009).
Come join us at 7:15 pm on the 2nd Mon of each month just 30 minutes from Center City Philadelphia & 10 minutes from King of Prussia. Or contact us at: MainLineStitchersChapter@needlepoint.org for more information.
Whenever I go to see Santa at the mall, I always look at his beard – to me that makes all the difference. It’s got to be white & full just like this one! I wonder if my finishing Santa’s beard this tonight is causing the upcoming snow event?
I took the Metallic Ribbon Floss, stripped 2 thin strands, layed, & couched them between the segments of the beard. Perhaps I pulled too tight but I could see holes and/or some of the sketch & they are covered up now.
I can’t remember where or when I fell in love with Monet’s Poppy Field in a Hollow near Giverny (1885). But, I am convinced some day I’ll capture it in needlepoint. No, it won’t be Monet’s Poppy Field, it’ll be my interpretation of it. But hopefully, it’ll be something I can gaze upon & feel it take me to a patch of that long grass.
My first attempt was all about testing stitches. I really like the Whipped or Laced Running Stitch (Elegant Stitches by Judith Baker Montano) for the light blue on the right. I didn’t care for it as much for the 2 greens to the left of that area. I also liked the stitch Serendipity used in the top blue-green portion for the distant tree line & Rococo for the dark green bushes in the middle (both are from Stitches To Go by Suzanne Howren & Beth Robertson). It’s size is 4&1/2″ x 4&1/2″ & too square.
The quest continued for stitches in my second attempt. I had it in my mind that a large stitch pattern base would work for the poppies & then thought random french & colonial knots would make the flowers on the field appear random but it became too dense. I did like the Knotted Stitch on the upper left & a similar stitch with less slope for the area to the left of the center dark green bushes called Diagonal Roumanian. Then, I created a variation of Kennan for the area left of the center dark green bushes. These stitches came from Stitches To Go by Suzanne Howren & Beth Robertson. It’s size is 4″ x 4&1/2″.
I felt pretty good about stitches & decided in this attempt I better test some colors & threads. To combat the density of the poppy field, I switched to a thinner thread. It was better but it wasn’t right – it seemed flat & lifeless. So, I put it away for a long time deciding further experience was needed before I could improve the piece. It’s size is still 4″ x 4&1/2″.
Always on the look out for new threads, I tried a variety of threads. I also tried some different stitches. I liked this version much better, especially the poppy field because I used various shades. David McCaskill’s suggestion to use a canvas with the blue tint to it improved the piece as well because areas show through, depending on the stitch/thread. While I saw improvement, I wasn’t sure where to go next & decided to put it away – again. It’s size is 4&1/2″ x 4&1/2″.
Then, I saw the class teaching design & stitching techniques for landscapes advertised for the 2010 ANG Seminar taught by Lois Kershner. I wasn’t familiar with her work but could tell by the description of the class it’d be perfect for me to help figure out my poppy field. So, I attended my first seminar. Now, I am armed with knowledge from her class as taught by Pat Rusch. Will my fifth attempt be my last? It is full size (8″ x 9&1/2″) still on blue canvas. As you can see, I didn’t get much stitched during class because I was studying the techniques in the book and reconsidering threads & stitches – again! Wish me luck!!
At the ANG Seminar in October 2010, I took this half-day class taught by Janet Zickler Casey called Santacicle. I love icicles & Santas – so, I gravitated to this project.
There isn’t a lot of stitching that I could get done in 1/2 day. Yet, Janet discussed how to stitch all the sections – so, it moved at quite a rapid pace. Some of the beard was done during class & then worked on when I first returned from class. Since then, I got distracted on other projects. There are some new threads for me to work with such as Metallic Ribbon Floss which is what I’m using now to cover the Perle Cotton on the beard . . .
The trivet is done & joins my coasters & napkin ring to complete the Pieces of Eight Project.
Well, I changed my mind quickly when I started outlining the disappearing octagons in green – it wasn’t right. So, I switched to red. And, I decided that before I got too far because this had to be ripped out.
Better in red:
The trivet is acrylic, apparently can withstand temps up to 350 degrees, & came from AllStitch (http://www.allstitch.net/product/hot-plate-trivet-acrylic-embroidery-blank-3952.cfm). They have quite a selection of acrylic embroidery blanks for tables, bathrooms, & personal items – cheap too. So, here it is, placed in the acrylic shell (bottom snaps into top):
And, the set:
As someone else said, I did get a lot out of this project – I did that by exploring wonderful alternatives for finishing needlepoint pieces. And, I feel a sense of accomplishment.
As a reminder, the directions for ‘Pieces of Eight’ by Gayle Bicknell are available at http://www.needlepointnow.com/pdf/nn_form_reprint_05_14_09.pdf. They are reprinted all in one issue for $18.
Neither I nor Main Line Stitchers have any financial interest in any of the companies mentioned.
Come join us at 7:15 pm on the 2nd Mon of each month just 30 minutes from Center City Philadelphia & 10 minutes from King of Prussia. Or contact us at: MainLineStitchersChapter@needlepoint.org for more information.
The 4 octagons are going into a trivet & is the last of the Pieces of Eight project which we began last year at ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter. This matches the coasters & napkin rings to make a nice set.
I finished the edges in a blanket stitch to match what I’d done with the coasters. But because I used the same color & stitch for the background, even the lighter weight thread is not sufficient to distinguish the main shape of the large octagon. So, I’m going to have to outline the larger octagons in a color – maybe green – ‘cuz I’m not ripping out!
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