Filed under: ANG Needle Pointer's Article, Sunflower Heart by Judyann Designs
Here’s the finished Sunflower Heart by Judyann Needle Art Canvas Design (Ginny Stapleton’s stitch guide is in the July/August 2025 issue of Needle Pointers). I used her stitches and my threads.
I used the thicker stabilizer with 1/2″ padding and magazine board covered with a fabric from Walmart but there is no brand name. So, I used Google Lens to search the bar code. Instantly, it’s identified as Fabric Editions Create It Texture Twilight Fabric Creative Cuts Fat Quarter Cotton (18″ x 21″) in blue, with a texture twilight pattern. Amazing what the internet can identify.
The cording is a bronze Metallic Soft Twist Trim Cord 1/8″ by Access Commodites. For attaching it, I found Bijoux, MMT425, Pyrite in my stash. I put a note in the cording package to use that Bijoux again. I used one strand and pulled pretty good without the thread breaking. The bronze color goes well with the beads and contrasts enough from the yellow. The thickness of the cording helped me round out the edge. I was surprised that I got the two ends to mesh as well as I did. Perhaps the thicker stabilizer helped.
I am very happy with the finishing!
Something bright as we experience near record cold temps at night – single digits! Mid 20s for highs. So, the last batch of snow hasn’t melted yet which is atypical for us in Philadelphia. I’m enjoying my time indoors!
It’s snowing here today and across a large part of the US according to the news. Luckily, we can stay indoors – no appointments ot plans this week except for a friend’s birthday dinner on Thursday. Fingers crossed we’ll make it there. In the meantime, football, TV, reading, and needlepoint will keep me happily occupied. In honor of our snow . . .
Here I used a wintery fabric with white, silver, and gold snowflakes for this Christmas Ball. I centered a large white snowflake on the back.
Working on a smaller piece isn’t easier! The ornament wasn’t exactly round to start with. I’d basketweaved aound the outer edge and had already stitched the outer gold ring thinking the cording would cover any irregularities but the cording is thin. One pucker is showing. I do like the loop which was stitched through the basketweave. I like the basketweave showing around the edge. But, the edges are a tad wavy. Overall, this one is ok but not as good as others. From the front, to most people, it’ll look just fine!
Stay safe all and hope you enjoy some time for stitching.
A snowy long weekend allowed me time to do some finishing work.
I’d had no luck finding fabric at any Michael’s recently. Initially, when JoAnn’s closed, it looked like Michael’s were stepping it up on the fabrics. But, they didn’t restock. So, when I found fat quarters (18″ x 21″) at Walmart awhile ago, I grabbed a few solid colors including the purple (solid pansy) on the back of this one. It’s a pink canvas but the one long light thread that was couched in the piece is a light purple.
My preferred finishing process is a stabilizer (tacked into place on the canvas with invisible thread) and one layer of felt glued onto magazine board. Then, I attach a loop to the stabilizer side. And, both sides are.attached to each other with cording sewed in place.
It’s taking awhile to get through the 4 pieces I’d piled up because we’ve watched a great show on BritBox called Riot Women and lots of football games. Since there are 4 pieces, I progressed in stages across each one until I got to attaching the cording. My fingers need to rest between each one.
I finished Peace, 3rd in The Cabochon Series by Susan Portra first.
Here’s my four finished cabochons on the banister.
In the background, currently, two Dawn Donnelly pieces flank my owl which Bill loves! And, the owl has a buddy (gifted to Bill many years ago from the ladies in his Binks office)! I rotate among different pieces on the staircase.
The two small ornaments are my grandmother’s which I realize I have not blogged about – yet.
Just about everyone that I know has been shown how to make cording! This past week was my Needlework and Fiber Guild of Media.
This past Tuesday, I demonstrated the 2 color candy cane, Herringbone, and 4 color candy cane methods described in the instructions. Sally brought enough thread to cord a tree (like a ‘yarn bomb’ – google it if you’re not familiar with the term). I’d love to see a yarn bomb in person. Anyway, . . .
In preparation for the evening, I had to practice the 4 color method. Between Bill, a table, and tape I got it done. It’s too complicated to do routinely and 2 colors are fine. But, we had a nice turn out at the meeting and 4 other people had cord makers. So we broke into groups and practiced.
Prices of the Kreinik Custom Corder vary at different sites online so shop around. Or, you can put a pencil at one end and hand twist the pencil. You can also use a hand drill.
I’ve gathered quite a selection of samples of cording.
According to my sister (6 years older), my grandmother made this quilt when I was born. Does that me vintage too? No, that makes my sister ‘vintage’ but not me! She can date it because she remembers our Dad delivering library books (2nd job) in our station wagon and I would be wrapped in blankets and topped by this quilt riding in one of the library boxes in the back! That continued with my brother when he was born six years later. We loved delivering books with Dad! Car seats weren’t invented then (I’m still not considered ‘vintage’).
Apparently, it remained in Dad’s vehicles for years and used while watching the ring of fire and fireworks and/or picnicking at Conesus Lake. I can’t remember the quilt but do remember the book deliveries and stopping for a half moon cookie (half black and white chocolate icing). I remember fireworks and the ring of fire but not picnicking. Oddly enough, I remember our picnic basket but not actually ever picnicking.
The quilt was hand pieced then zig zag stitched for speed. It’s hard to believe it’s been through so much and still looks great hanging on my sister’s wall!
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz
At the January 3rd Saturday Stitch-in with a few members of my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter, Linda M helped several of us select our own colorways for Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz. Linda has already started stitching and that helps to have an understanding of where the threads will be in relation to the others.
I selected an eggshell canvas and fall colors based on Watercolours 123 Spice. I’m waiting on my DMC #8 Pearl before getting the thread photo.
After putting my canvas on 18″ x 18″ Evertite bars, I realized that I didn’t have a project bag large enough to hold it. So, I recalled that I had purchased a large sheet of vinyl (from Joann’s) and knew I had used very little of it and am likely to use very little of it.
I cut it so that one of the creases would be at the very bottom and one ended up at the very top for a slight flap by chance. But there is a crease on each side that I didn’t bother trying to get rid of. I read that you can place parchment paper on top of the vinyl and iron on low heat. But it’ll be fine like this. I am going to work in the well anyway because Linda says 18″ square bars make it a little tight for ending threads around the edge.
It was a perfect width of vinyl leaving me still enough for whatever else I might need it for in the future. The bag doesn’t have a handle but this size project doesn’t need to travel. I will need my comfy chair, light, and quiet because counting will be so important for Razzle Dazzle.
Nothing fancy was used to make the bag, just clear packing tape to close the sides. Here is the ‘Rough and Ready’ Bag.
At ANG’s 2025 Seminar in New Orleans, the local ANG Streetcar chapter had a table with a partially stitched Dorothy Lesher piece and this ornament. Because the canvas is marked CB6, I know the proper orientation but still not the designer. Any ideas?
Since it is a small 2.5″ round, I am following the 1-3-5 rule which I learned from Mary Shipp and have heard Ellen Johnson of Serendipity discuss as well. I selected one stitch (Nobuko), three thread types (polyester blends, metallic, and silk/wool bends), and 5 colors (red, blue, green, gold, and white). Specifically, a red Silk Lame Braid for 18 count SL08, a blue Entice E212, a green Impressions 5081, and a white Impressions 0057 (all in my stash).
I knew I wanted to switch directions on the Nobuko for the left and right sides but couldn’t decide on what to do in the middle. So, I decided to use an Upright Nobuko. I started with over 1, over 3, alternating and realized that was an upright Mosaic. So, I went to my books and found this unnamed straight stitch in Desert Island Stitches Volume 1, page 55. Perfect. I have dubbed it the Upright Nobuko Variation.
The areas are small and having to leave the gold grid open made maintaining the pattern a little tricky but doable.
The gold thread used to outline the shapes is from some kit in a baggie that’s labeled Color Twist Dark Gold. The finisher (me) prefers an outer border of basketweave. I used Kreinik #8 Braid 002J. It’s looser but should make finishing easier. The outer circle of cord is couched into place with one strand of Kreinik Japan Thread 002J.
I see a couple places that could use a stitch along the edge. Then, off to the finisher!
Filed under: Uncategorized
This was one of my Christmas presents and I got the threads at Fireside Stitchery on Saturday. They don’t have Gold Rush 14 but my stash had a purple that should work just as well.
Once I got home with the threads, I pulled out my stash of Watercolours and found 088 Mountain Meadow that should substitute for the Overture V114 which is a retired color consisting of greens, yellows, and peaches. Mountain Meadow also has some pinks which I can cut out or nor depending on where it is going.
The Cabochons are my travel counted pieces. This is my home counted piece to work on when I need a break from my Project Runway adaptation piece. But, I also need to get Florentine Fancywork done before March which is when we start Razzle Dazzle.
Since this is bargello, I am using a brown canvas that will not show as much “dandruff” or canvas showing through if full coverage is not as complete as expected.
The bars Toni suggested were 14,” x 16″. My canvas stash had 14″ x 17″ and I had those bars available. The design size will be 6.5″ x 8.5″. Now, I have too much space on each side to end threads. So, I moved it down an inch. Still plenty of room and easier to reach.
Before I started the fun part of stitching this, I am going to work on Project Runway. It’s already January 5th!
And, there are two pieces that need finishing, one of which is a Cabochon. My rule is each one must be finished before starting the next. And, I broke that rule by starting Hope. So, I’ll get back on track with finishing before starting this piece.
Oops! I was missing Rainbow Tweed RT66 and was going to figure out what to use when I got there but I just found it in a bag of threads I inherited from Mary’s stash (member of Needlework and Fiber Guild of Media)! Thanks Mary.
It’s rather appropriate that the first of the Cabochons by Susan Portra to start in 2026 is Hope since I am hopeful that I will complete the series this year. It’s actually the 4th in the series (still missing 11 and 12 if anyone has a lead on how to get them).
Hope is supposed to be on a gray canvas using Rhapsody R04. My canvas is called pewter, a type of gray that looks great with this Rhapsody. Although my card of Rhapsody is not numbered, it goes great with Neon Rays N08 which is in Susan’s original colorway. I am switching out Anchor Floss and Pearl #5 for DMC threads.
The basting of the outline was done last night. I did get the top row of 26 cross stitches in at our ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter Stitch-in today but I was convinced to rip them out because I had not done that many and they had not been done according to the instructions. The top stitches of the cross stitches are supposed to point to the center. I had spent too much time shopping and talking to restitch them there. And, I had forgotten to get my unstitched starting photo.
So, this was my progress during the Saturday night football games.
Filed under: General comments
It’s that time of year to review what I accomplished over the year and reflect on what’s lies ahead in my needlepoint journey. This year I am thanking you for being one of the 11,300 interested visitors of my blog. That’s quite a jump from previous years.
Last year I wrote about my 2025 goals and that is where I will start my review of this year. Happily, I accomplished most of them. I won’t repeat all that here but I did update last year’s post with links to those goals that were completed. Check them out at https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/01/2024-year-in-review-a-look-forward/
The 30th goal was not to get any more goals which was/is/will always be impossible. But, of the 29 doable ones, I only did not do:
- Goal #3 something like Jan Huling’s beaded pieces
- Goal #9 rug hooking with Katie Kriner from The Bee and The Bear
- Goal #12 Scarlett’s Stitch Gothica’s Skull & Succulent piece (stumpwork)
- Goal #18 Project Runway with Dawn Donnelly (adaptation and a surprise)
Only Project Runway is important to me at this point and I have made good progress. That will be my January priority since it must be done by March.
There are a few projects that I will be doing/want to do in 2026 including Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz which our chapter starts in March, Florentine Fancywork by Toni McKelley, Golden Candles by Toni Gerdes, and the rest of the Cabochons.
I’m also planning to go to 3 seminars (NAN, ANG, and EGA). I know I have 2 classes at NAN (National Academy of Needlearts): Exploring Needlelace with Diane Clark and Magical Color with Jennifer Riefenberg in Warm and Cool colorways. At EGA, I hope to get in Laura Smith’s Going Places: Hands-On Design and Color. I’m waiting to see the Jan/Feb issue of ANG Needle Pointer’s to decide on those classes.
The ribbon class at Fireside Stitchery in April with Tamara Abdee should be interesting. She does lovely work and am curious about her and learning her techniques.
Ideally, I would like to finish a few of my oldest unfinished counted projects begun in a class setting:
- Rozashi – Patterns in Blue and Green with Margaret Kinsey (Aug 2016)
- Fire and Ice with Toni Gerdes (Feb 2017)
- A Toast to Tiffany with Kay Stanis (Aug 2019)
There is no way that I’ll say all those are goals! They are options. Paths along my journey. Along with some finishing, it’ll be a busy 2026.
But, I haven’t finished reviewing 2025 yet. I addition to the goals I did accomplish, I also led/spoke about:
- Festive Fireworks (my design in ANG Needle Pointers July 2017) to the ANG Shenandoah Valley chapter via Zoom
- Ort Boxes by Marilyn Owen for ANG Main Line Stitchers
- Making round coasters with cork bottoms for ANG Central Jersey Chapter (CJC)
Other projects that I hadn’t plan on but stitched included:
- Daisy Delight Box with Mary Alice Sinton via Zoom
- Winter Lights by Jennifer Riefenberg with ANG CJC
- Morning Glories by Lani at Sue Parson’s Finishing class
I visited two needlepoint stores new to me:
- Threads Too Needlepoint in NJ
- Stitching Fox in NC
I was busy participating in my EGA chapter projects including a cross stitch needle book, Zokin, porcupine quill, chatelaine, and pin cushion.
The Needlework and Fiber Guild of Media covered a variety of topics but the icicles were the most fun.
I used a few stitched designs to adorn tissue boxes this year. In the September-October 2022 issue of Needle Pointers, I stitched two Bargello Samplers designed by Gail Stafford once in stranded threads and again in sparkly threads. I added a binding stitch border as I attached a black felt backing (with a piece of magazine board for stiffness) and attached it with strips of a double stick archival tape. It went as a 2-sided tissue box for a Christmas gift for my brother John and sister-in-law Sher. Eventually, they may get something in browns and golds for the other two sides so they can rotate it periodically.
I think that about covers the highlights of 2026 and shares most of what’s ahead in 2026.
What’s ahead for you?
Happy New Year and enjoy your stitching time!
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