Melitastitches4fun's Blog


Sampler “Show & Tell”
November 9, 2010, 10:35 pm
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, General comments

As I’ve mentioned, for our ANG Chapter Project this year, we are doing samplers. Last night we had a sampler “Show & Tell” at our monthly meeting. Folks brought in a wide variety of samplers such as miniature, wedding, couching, stamped cross stitch, & historical ones. We didn’t stitch at all but had fun looking & talking about the individual histories of the dozen or so samplers people brought to share. Good time!



Bookmark Sampler

For our ANG Chapter Project, we are doing samplers. I found 2 speakers from the Delaware Valley Historical Sampler Guild who gave excellent presentations & “Stitches for All Seasons”, a booklet with 7 different samplers on the Stoney Creek website.

It was a discontinued item & I didn’t find out until after the newsletter was sent. And, because Stoney Creek is not the designer, they could not make more copies. However, they were gracious enough to provide 6 of them at no charge & said, “Hope you enjoy them.” And, I went on eBay & found 7-8 more copies of the book.

I did not realize that the samplers in the book would be based on 28 or 32 ct (our group prefers 18 ct). So, I calculated the sizes if done on 18 ct (Summer Butterflies: 7&3/4 x 10&1/2, Spring Flowers: 7&3/4 x 10&2/3, Winter Wonderland: 7&2/3 x 11, Autumn Leaves: 7&3/4 x 11&1/8, Christmas Love: 7&3/4 x 11, Friendship: 6&2/3 x 13&1/8, Hearts & Waterlilies: 7&1/8 x 12&2/3). I reminded folks that the threads suggested would be thinner than what you’d need for 18 ct. Except for the Butterfly sampler, they should up nicely on 18 ct canvas. I have learned a lot! And, the threads recommended are also not longer available. They are mostly a DMC flower thread – never heard of it!! But, everyone seems willing & able to handle the adjustments. Phew!

I really liked the Hearts & Waterlilies Sampler but didn’t want to stitch the full sampler with so many other open projects. So, I selected the bands I liked best & placed them on 18 count Aida bookmark. I love it!


FYI: Stoney Creek is mainly a cross stitch store but not entirely. For example, there are 3 lovely pieces called Faith, Hope, & Love. And, Love (http://store.stoneycreek.com/love-p8646c20.aspx?Thread=True) was taught at the Stitching Jubilee seminar last year in Lancaster, PA and features several stitch techniques including Queen Stitch, Lazy Daisy, Twisted Straight Stitch, Rhodes Heart, Long Armed Cross Stitch Variation, Smyrna and Four-Way Tied. Faith features Long-Armed Cross Stitch, Smyrna, Rococo Variation, Four-Way Tied, Rhodes Butterfly, Long Tail Daisy Stitch and Star Stitch Variation. And, Hope features Leaf Stitch, Vaulting Fan Stitch, Large Angel Stitch and Star Stitch.” Thanks again Stoney Creek!



ANG SOTM Sept
October 23, 2010, 10:54 am
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2010

I got Sept SOTM done! Coming along nicely. I like that turning the corner technique. Just hope I’ll find the instructions when next I need them. Actually, I’ll note that here!

http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2010/feb.php



ANG SOTM August
September 20, 2010, 10:58 pm
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2010

The August SOTM eyelets are done but I can’t see what’s wrong with the second “incorrect” eyelet example. In the first “incorrect” example, I see it wraps around but the second looks the same as the correct one to me.

I was almost finished with the eyelets & then put it aside for the chapter newsletter, making the Kissing Pillow kits, & another project. I’ve been working on a baby gift but I can’t blog about because I don’t want the mom to see it. As soon as I finish the second one – for her too, then I can reveal them! Where does the time go? We’ll see how much of Sept I can get done – it looks like a lot of stitching.



ANG SOTM July
August 29, 2010, 12:20 pm
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2010

The piece is coming along nicely. I thought I was done & then realized I had all the Smyrna crosses to do. So, I am pleased to have finished July’s stitching although I am still playing catch up! At least I have started the August Eyelets in August. And, I think it’ll work up quickly.

Yesterday, I really enjoyed the weather & a relaxing afternoon outdoors at a riverfront bar, listening to a live band, watching baseball, eating & drinking with a bunch of friends. I have taken on a lot of projects, including project chair & newsletter for our chapter & haven’t been able to find time to stitch. But, I have almost everything in place for our Sept/Oct/Nov ANG Main Line chapter meetings except putting together the packets for the Soldier Kissing Pillows to distribute at those meetings. I’ll have time at my mom’s house over the Labor Day weekend to do that while my brother & husband golf. So, yesterday was a nice reward for my efforts. Today, I will get back to stitching as soon as I am done here!



Sept 2010 ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter
August 27, 2010, 1:32 pm
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter

We are excited about this year’s band sampler’s project & the 2 speakers we welcome from the Delaware Valley Historical Sampler Guild! Choose from one of several samplers or make up your own design. Not enough time? Make a band bookmark! Or, contribute to 2 wonderful community service projects. Located 30 minutes from Center City Philadelphia & just 10 minutes from King of Prussia. We look forward to seeing you in Sept.

Sampler Project: Because the size and background of your sampler is a personal choice, instead of providing the canvas, this year, the chapter will provide a book that includes instruction for seven samplers, which you can use or customize as you wish.  Additionally, November meeting attendees will also receive a copy of the Sampler & Antique Needlework magazine.

Community Service Projects:  Revolutionary Regimental Flags, designed and coordinated by Marnie King, is now over 3 years old with the intent to donate it locally to a visitor center or museum.  Marnie has almost completed the soldier and 9 of the completed flags she has received thus far. There are 8 more waiting completion. More flags could be drawn if anyone wants to contribute to this project.  And, for our next community service project, we’re going to join a national effort to make Soldier Family Kissing Pillows for families of soldiers departing for service.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 203 North Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA, on the second Monday of the month at 7:15 pm.

Posted on behalf of the ANG Main Line Stitchers Board



ANG SOTM June
June 30, 2010, 12:35 pm
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2010

I had quite a time with this month’s stitch. I didn’t get the hang of that stitch until about the 4th corner. Then, I looked back over the previous 3 areas & realized just how many were wrong in just half or even just a quarter of the individual unit. So, I had to unstitch parts here and there. What a pain!  Glad that this month’s is done. But, it looks nice & I think my lesson learned is to turn off the TV & focus on a new stitch.



ANG SOTM May
May 13, 2010, 2:10 pm
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2010

Last month when the heart-shaped stitch was so bulky, I should have really stopped to double & triple check. I just couldn’t see it then but now realize I used Vineyard Silk instead of the DMC floche that I’d planned on using. Oh well. I’m just glad I had enough to do this month’s stitch with the Vineyard Silk. Now, I’m back on track.



April, SOTM
April 30, 2010, 10:55 am
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2010

We’re only 4 months into the project & there is so much done already. This month’s stitch doesn’t come across as much as a heart as the diagram showed it to be – maybe because my thread is black & too thick. But, it still looks nice.



March, SOTM
March 31, 2010, 1:32 pm
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2010

The project is coming along nicely. Glad I got March done before the end of the month!