I went in Stitch Haus for a thread for my Crescent River on my way home from work today and walked out with a pair of sandals!
The sandals and 16 mesh canvas (BF413) are designed by Birds of a Feather and were on sale (more than on sale, on deep discount). Initially, I thought they fit me but now I realize they are too small (size 39 European or an 8 in US). I really didn’t think of them for me anyway. I wanted to stitch something for the auction for next year’s seminar.
So, if you are an 8, just you wait – these will aid your gait!
In case you didn’t see my blog Tuesday, my husband, Bill Glavin, is one of the finalists for this week’s The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest!! Please vote for his caption (golfer walking into operating room, contest #388) at: http://www.newyorker.com/humor/caption
The ‘flowers’ are growing wild on the left side of the river. I say wild because there is a slight deviation from the diamond eyelet pattern that I began using from The Needlepoint Book by Jo Ippolito Christensen. First, I didn’t use the frame stitch but that’s not what I’m talking about. I was trying to blend the light portion of Watercolours Sierra 222 into the Rye 223 but I got confused on the pattern. Can you find the “wild” flowers? And, I just realized that when I first stitched them, I followed the diagram fine. But, after I put it away and went back to it a few days later, I put all stitches into the center hole. Now I know why it was harder to stitch the second batch of flowers! Oh well.
I thought that I was going to be done with this piece but there will be one more thread added. Those of you in ANG Yahoo Group will have an idea of what thread I will be using. More later.
In case you didn’t see my blog Tuesday, my husband, Bill, is one of the finalists for this week’s The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest!! Please vote for his caption (golfer walking into operating room, contest #388) at: http://www.newyorker.com/humor/caption
Filed under: Uncategorized
My husband, Bill, is one of the finalists for this week’s The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest!!
Please vote for his caption (golfer walking into operating room, contest #388) at: http://www.newyorker.com/humor/caption
You do need to register to vote but you won’t get emails from them – I have been registered and not gotten any. When you do register do not select a password with any symbols and use dashes for your phone number. It won’t take long – promise!
Thanks for your support!!
Melita
P.S. Normally, I do not stray far from needlepoint-related blogs but this is just so exciting!!
I am thrilled that I finally finished the Ort Box! At least 2 others from ANG Main Line Stitchers are mailing ours in for the special exhibit at Seminar.
I must admit I had quite a time with the bottom. I used a suede of some sort but it was fraying & had to turn a small edge. The tough part was connecting it to the sides. The holes seemed to shift out of alignment but I did it! After that, I took a short cut & used felt with adhesive for the triangles. But, the binding stitching has gotten easier with each side edge probably because the lining isn’t sewed in like the bottom. I used 2 threads of Wildflowers, Firecracker (154), an overdyed red,white, and blue thread. And, it took all but 24 inches of the 36 yards! That’s a lot of binding!
I stitched Bill a small change purse that he uses to keep his tees in and he likes that. But, I wanted to stitch something more for him. So, I picked up this Stitch-A-Pen by Kreinik for his birthday. He loves pens and is picky about the ink and how it writes! Parker’s are not his favorite but I think he’ll probably use it.
I just went with the design that came with the pen. It’ll be like Christmas in July! And, snow and trees are universally pleasing to men and women. He should like it. It worked up very quickly and was easy to assemble. With only 3 threads, can you believe I accidentally used the pearl for the trees and by the time I figured out what I’d done, I wasn’t going to switch it. And, I actually like it better. The trees are more noticeable and the snow flakes are more shimmery and delicate! Serendipity.
This makes a great gift (not too expensive and not too much time to stitch)-don’t tell Bill. The pen is refillable and useful. Just a satisfied customer sharing my thoughts.
Now, I just hope Bill likes it!
Well, I am finally constructing the Ort Box (subject of previous logs). A couple of others in my chapter finished it too. And, we plan on sending them to Seminar in CA. We need to send them out by Aug 22 in order to get there in time. Did you participate? I’m curious to find out how many get sent. I’m sure someone will get a photo (I’m not going to seminar) – it’ll be cool to see them!
This binding stitch is new for me & it took some getting used to but I finally got the hang of it. It shifts slightly and so it is important to keep the proper holes aligned. It took me hours today to get just the bottom attached!
Filed under: A Berlin Work Cardinal with Susan Hoekstra, ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter
This class will be rescheduled. More information will be provided at a later date.
Please join Main Line Stitchers on Saturday DATE TBD from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm for:
A Berlin Work Cardinal an ANG Seminar Pilot Class with Susan Hoekstra
Susan Hoekstra is a needlepoint designer and teacher (for the picture, please go to http://www.foxview.com/UpcomingEvents.htm). Susan organizes and participates in The New Jersey and New England Needle Festivals, is currently enrolled in the ANG master teacher program at the Senior Master level, and is piloting this for the 2014 ANG Seminar in Chicago.
‘A Berlin Work Cardinal’ offers a chance for the needleworker to work with a variety of Berlin Work specialty stitches in this one day, Intermediate Advanced class. This quintessential Illinois design focuses on the Cardinal and circles around to include the indigenous violets done in Raised work. The focal point of the Cardinal helps your eye flow around the piece to encompass the tree branches, trunk and violets. The fluidity of the branches creates movement within the piece.
There are two types of threads used in this piece in order to maintain historical accuracy – silk and merino wool. ‘A Berlin Work Cardinal’ is stitched on 18-count canvas measuring 12″ x 14″. The finished size of this delightful piece is approximately 11″ x 8 3/4”, including the cross stitch border.
Class Fee/Details: Class cost is $20 which covers the cost of the room and travel expenses (Susan kindly waived the teaching fee). This portion is non-refundable unless the class is cancelled. Once 25 students enroll, the cost will drop to $10 (cash refund at class). You may find a substitute to take your place in class. Please arrive at 8 am to get set up.
Kit cost is $70 which includes the instructions, threads, and 18-count white mono canvas with design drawn on canvas. If you can’t attend, you will NOT get the kit. Please bring cash or check (made out to Susan Hoekstra) to pay for the kit at class.
A deposit of $20 (non-refundable) is required to reserve your spot.
Register Now: Make your check for the $20 deposit out to Melita Glavin and mail it to: 4331 I Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124. Please include your contact information (email and phone number). You must pay for the kit at class by cash or check.
Location: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. GPS: 203 North Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA; Free parking
Lunch for students is not included. To replicate the ANG Seminar experience for Susan, we will have a 2-hour break for lunch (class runs from 8:30-11:30 and 1:30-4:30). You may bring your own lunch, we can order ahead and get take out from Primo’s Hoagies, or you may go wherever you want for lunch (such as nearby Minella’s). Not everyone will have to do the same thing for lunch!
Proficiency Level: Intermediate Skill Level; Pre-stitching Required: None
Guild Membership: Not required to be a member of ANG or the ANG Main Line Chapter
Please note: Students must supply their own stretcher bars (one set of 12” and one set of 14”), laying tool, regular stitching supplies (scissors), and lighting/magnifier/frame weight/stand if desired. Please arrive at 8 am to get set up. We are expecting as many as 30 people to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to pilot this ANG Seminar course.
Questions: Please contact Melita Glavin at glav257@yahoo.com.
This is on a first-come-first-serve basis. So, register now to learn this technique!
On behalf of ANG MLS Board, we look forward to seeing you in September!
The night before my shopping excursion, I met with the ANG Flower City chapter. It was a wonderful visit. I think I sparked some interest in the Correspondence Courses. And, I got to see Hiogi (Kay Stanis design) stitched along with many other beautiful pieces. There was a really wide variety of techniques, including knitting represented by about 2 dozen folks! Next time maybe I can sit and stitch for a while.
As we headed out from my aunt and uncle’s in Rochester towards my brother in Naples, I managed to find a new threads for my stash at:
Golden Thread Needlearts in East Rochester. They had Rainbow Gallery’s Silk & Cream described as their ‘Backgrounds Line’. It is a single ply (so, no laying) and is a 50/50 silk/wool blend. Andrea was very excited about the newest trunk show for Elizabeth Bradley. Isn’t the rug amazing! It can be hung on a wall (albeit a large one) or placed on the floor as it was going to be displayed. All kits are designed to be worked with a Victorian cross stitch which covers well and produces a thick, hard-wearing piece without distortion. And, it is not necessary to work it on a frame. I was tempted to get a single square to work up as a pillow. But, I just took the catalog (for now). They have a nice variety needlepoint including instructions for the Brenda Kocher design that our chapter is going to stitch in the fall (Tootsiebubbles: Pinwheels & Whirligigs). And, I saw a stitched Angel of Hope signed by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum (I stitched it for my sister and is the subject of an earlier blog). I did get a counted cross stitch of a lilac. There is a very interesting wiki page on the annual Lilac Festival held in Highland Park in May. Growing up south of Rochester in Avon, I have enjoyed the beautiful local flowers.
AND at:
Expressions in NeedleArt in Canandaigua NY. The threads are ThreadworX and it is hand overdyed Kreinik (I got several colors in #8 and #12 braid). I never saw a plastic thimble before – very comfortable. Lori was kind enough to let me photo her in the store which has a great selection of threads and the painted canvases were amazing. I have to get used to using thinner threads or open stitches to allow the canvas to show through because there are soooo many beautiful canvases. There were tons of counted instruction booklets, books, and tools.
Last but not least, 2 doors away is Liberty Cottage, a Folk Art Stitchery store. I got a fantastic tool which will allow me utilize threads for 2 punch needle projects that I bought some time ago and have yet to complete. I was thrilled to get a lesson from Suzanne who also allowed me to photo her standing next to her beautiful hand dyed wool fabric. She covers rug hooking, tatting, rag rug weaving, and many other crafts. I was tempted to stop in to see the Sat class on penny rug making but we had celebrated at my brother’s wedding a tad too much!
All the stores offer quality products with a good variety of stitching techniques to choose from and classes to learn – the area is very fortunate!
So, I completed the Rochester trifecta in one day! I enjoyed chatting with all the ladies and look forward to future visits. I really need to stitch faster or retire and stitch more. Then, I can visit more chapters and more stores!!
I added grass along the river bank using Watercolours (222 Sierra and 165 Granite). The Granite has a gray-green overdyed thread making the transition from rocks to sparse grass. Then, I blended various portions of Sierra which has a nice variety of greens and yellow.
I used stitch pattern 14 from Stitch Landscape from the grass category. But, it ended up having a pattern and I wanted a more random effect. So, I just added half crosses in the open areas. The top half of the stitched grass has the pattern and the bottom includes the random stitches.
You won’t find a neat back because I skipped around a lot with various portions of the color to avoid bunching colors together. And, I pulled out my paints again and painted the canvas green because some (not a lot) canvas shows through.
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