Melitastitches4fun's Blog

As I said, I pulled out some 18 count graph paper and transferred the design there. It’s still the same size (4″x4″). But, I was able to get more details on the 18 count tan canvas particularly in the border because there are more canvas threads. It took longer (3 & 1/2 hours) to paint (again, with breaks).

I didn’t get the light blue as light this second time but the color doesn’t really matter for this coaster anyway.

For first attempts, I am happy with them and can easily and accurately stitch these. But, when I compare them to professionally painted canvases, I see room for improvement. There are specs of brown canvas showing on both of mine.

I already have a greater appreciation of the painted canvases and why they cost what they cost. On the other hand, I can easily stitch these from the diagram without spending the time painting first. But, this a simple geometric design.

Since I painted these, I might as well stitch them!

It didn’t take long until I needed to use the Oops paint! A tan jar filled with a tan paint to match the canvas. No wonder she gave us the most of that color.

If you look hard hard enough, you can see where I covered the yellow.

But, once I painted the correct colors, you can’t even tell at all.

That wasn’t as tough as I thought it would be. And, only took 2 and 1/2 hours of painting time (I took breaks). And, while I took breaks from painting, I went back to the graph paper – my 18 count graph paper and transferred the design there. But, more on that later.

I’ve started another class yesterday! Painting Needlepoint Canvases is being held via Zoom by Nancy of Fancywork Finishing (Maryland). We’ll have a class per week for a total of 3 classes.

Zoom is great since we can’t be in person. And, because we are from various parts of the country, we didn’t have travel expenses. She has the proper equipment to project as she demonstrates. It’s good!

We were sent 2 pieces of tan, 13 count canvas. She works mostly on Ecclesiastical projects and uses 13 count canvas and Appleton Crewel wool. I am happy to start on this size canvas. The technique will apply to all sizes of canvas.

I’m also happy to start with a small (4″x4″) piece and basic colors (we can do whatever colors we want but why complicate it when you’re first learning). We traced the design onto transparent paper and then worked it out onto graph paper. It took some tweaking but it was not too difficult.

Because it is 13 count canvas, I will not be able to get all the detail. For example, I modified the 4 corners.

While Bill golfs tomorrow, I will be painting!