Melitastitches4fun's Blog

Jennifer Riefenberg put together a lovely design in Winter Lights. I am glad I left the candles and flames for last.

Once I got 3 magnets positioned on the canvas properly for Candle 1, I was able to park needles/threads alternating from the laid foundation thread to either one of two cross stitches. It took some concentration. 

I learned how to compensate a Rhodes fan on Candle 2.

Candle 3 (on the right) is my design because I trimmed, burnt, and over trimmed the piece of mesh tubing Jennifer provided (what’s left is shown in the border of the canvas on the left). And, truth be told, I tried using it but I didn’t like the mesh anyway (did I burn it accidentally but subconsciously on purpose). So I improvised and mimicked the crosses of the mesh and love it. I placed 4 strands of Sulky Holoshimmer 6017 vertically in the center and placed 2 long strands of Tiara T117  on each side. Then, I criss-crossed twice with Petite Treasure Braid PB10 and once with 2 strands of Sulky Holoshimmer 6017.

The little dimples make Candle 4 interesting.

I also love the center Candle 5 even though it took 2 tries to get correct. I was off one canvas thread in the 5th of the 10 paths.

Jennifer is correct to suggest laying, couching, laying, etc across Candle 6 so you can see the holes as you stitch. That’s probably true whenever couching.

Offset crosses in Candle 7 were something new to try.

I figured out how to compensate a Waffle Stitch for Candle 8.

And, oblique crosses finished up Candle 9.

The outlining of the candles and flames were stitched as the Phillies went up in flames exiting the playoffs with little offense and a ridiculous blunder. Finishing this lovely design was the highlight the day!

The ANG Central Jersey Chapter (CJC) is hosting a Zoom class (this past Thursday and next Thursday) with Jennifer Riefenberg for Winter Lights.

I picked up the kit in August-wow that was only last month-seems longer. It’s 7.5″ x 6″ design area. I pulled it out to read through the instructions. Seems straightforward although I was curious to hear her suggested order of stitching. She teaches in a different order than they are written. And, I’m not following either way. I’m leaving the candles for last.

There are lots of threads, mostly partial skeins (Bella Lusso, Wildflowers, Gloriana, Kreiniks, Needlepoint Inc Silk, Pepper Pot Silk, Petite Silk Lame Braid, Petite Sparkle Rays, and Sparkle Rays). But, we did get full skeins/spools of DMC Floss, Bijoux, Accentuate, and more Bella Lusso. The new thread for me is Sulky Holoshimmer. And, I have not added mesh tubing to a piece before.

The canvas has a few pencil lines marking various areas. I’m glad there isn’t a lot of pencil because it can show. But, I needed to define these areas better so I basted the candle outlines to be ready for Thursday. Then, I decided to stitch on it and got on a roll.

Basting did help me compensate Area 2. Area 1 should have extended left by 2 canvas threads but it’s easily compensated.

I wanted to get to easy stitching areas where counting won’t be needed because I joined the chapter for stitching at the September meeting in Colonia, NJ on Saturday. The areas each seemed to work up quickly and I left myself 2 areas for the stitch-in which I got done.

Finishing the blue on blue for the sky had to wait for my lamp at home and the Eagles game on Sunday. I only had 21″ left of Wildflowers which was used in the sky. Talk about close! So was that Eagle win. I might just get this done in 2 weeks!

Only someone who knows this design would see the one block where I added an extra thread to get full coverage for that block. One open block was bothering me. And, as everyone knows, once you purchase the piece, it’s up to you to be happy with it.

What I may have to redo is that center flame. Two things are bothering me. It’s not symmetrical which is what Jennifer charted and I didn’t get correct. But, her chart covers up completely the lovely iridescent gold ribbon in the center. I’m not going to do anything unless or until I get more of that particular Petite Silk Lame Braid. It IS possible for me to live with a flickering irregular flame! So, we’ll see how it looks with the rest of the flames.