Filed under: ANG CyberPointer's Chapter, ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Beautiful Stitches, Orchid Lady by Mary Knapp, Threads
I’m using threads from Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes in Australia for Orchid Lady by Mary Knapp on black Congress Cloth. The others at ANG Main Line Stitchers are stitching Anne-Marie’s design, Celestial Twist, with her threads.
I had to pull out the magnifying glass with a clip-on light (which I found when organizing after the carpet was cleaned). I need it to work on the black Congress Cloth. It’s a StarMag by Daylight Company. I’m glad I found it when I did!
The overdyed thread, Heather, has yellow, green, and purple, and pink areas. I cut the overdyed skein in the middle of a large stretch of purple expecting to see more green and yellow. But, a good amount of purple is apparent too. Since I have worked with purple so much, I decided to use the solid green and yellow colors instead of two values of purple (not stitched with the solid colors yet). So, I selected a Kreinik #4 Braid 2829 that has green and yellow in it.
I really lucked out and the 36″ resulting length was ideal for completing the inner motif. And, I started the thread half on each side of the center so that the colors are symmetrical as they are worked outwards. And, it results in less wear and tear on the longer length of thread. I had to finish all four directions in order to be sure I stitched it in the same direction for a consistent color flow.
I love that the purple fell in the four center areas and the green and yellow are in the eight side areas. Very happy with the start! Now if I could get a great photo! It looks more yellow in the photo and more green in person – photographing needlepoint is tough.
Filed under: ANG CyberPointer's Chapter, ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Beautiful Stitches, General comments, Orchid Lady by Mary Knapp, Threads
I expected to use the green and yellow threads but once I separated the plies and only used 2 strands, you couldn’t see the difference between the two colors. And, they blended into the eight areas losing the definition of the design. So, it’s a good thing I like purple! I am using two of the three purples from the kit. This is the lighter of the two to be added. It’s such fun watching the piece develop in front of you! This brings the piece out to 5″ x 5″. It will be 5&1/2 x 5&1/2″ when finished. Only dark purple and more of the overdyed to go.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Gay Ann Roger's, Dowager Countess
Last month, I realized that a few sections of Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham by Gay Ann Rogers were going to require extra concentration than can be done at our monthly ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter Stitch-in where chatting can disrupt with counting. We’ll be meeting next weekend which is a week early for our Saturday Stitch-in due to Thanksgiving.
So, I took advantage of this rainy afternoon after the morning Zoom session of ANG New Jersey Needle Artists Stitch-in to do the pulled thread stitch called Faggoting. My husband was grocery shopping and the TV was off. It was easy enough except on my hand. Pulling canvas threads on 18 count monocanvas hurts my hand. Congress Cloth would be easier.
So, rather than overwhelm my hand, I enlarged the holes (rows surrounding the center) as was done for eyelet stitches. I made all the holes larger along the whole row so that I could easily stitch the row without stopping. It worked out well. It gives a lacey effect and looks more and more like the Dowager Countess.
While I had the #8 Pearl cotton Ecru out, I stitched the slanting gobelin area with Smyrnas. With any luck, I will be posting a completed piece next weekend!
Filed under: ANG Chapter Book Projects, ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Orchid Lady by Mary Knapp, Starburst by Patricia Hartman
Part of the fun with ordering threads from Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes in Australia was to see what solid colors she would pick to go with the overdyed thread we selected. Even though I am not stitching Celestial Twist with the others at ANG Main Line Stitchers, these threads will work for 2 projects on my To Do List which are Starburst by Patricia Hartman and Orchid Lady by Mary Knapp which will be done on black Congress Cloth. Hopefully, I have enough for both projects. They will look nice together.
Having had the Color Theory class with Susan Hoekstra recently, I tried to figure out how these threads work together. According to the color wheel, I have 2 split complementary colorways combined and yet not a tetrad. I see the overdyed thread (called Heather shown along the bottom and right side) as red-violet with green and yellow. By adding the red-orange, I see a split complementary formed with red-violet and green which I personally would not have seen as working together. But, if the red-orange is used sparingly, it will add some interest and may just be what I have heard referred to as the “poison” color.
Before I can start though, I need to finish one in progress piece. But, I can start to plan which threads will go where in Starburst. That’s the larger of the two pieces and the one I have wanted to do longer than Orchid Lady.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, ANG Seminar 2021, Interpreting Color Theory for Needlework with Susan Hoekstra, Snail Shell
The shell was discussed at the last ANG Seminar class with Susan Hoekstra for her class, Interpreting Color Theory for Needlework.
To create some depth between the center white/yellow area and purple area, texture contrast is employed. A thinner weight thread is used for the purple areas on the sides so they recede a little but the same stitch as the center area is used to maintain the rounded effect. The thicker Vineyard is slightly more forward than the silk which is 3 strands laid and couched of Pearsall’s Filoselle Silk 282A. BTW, there is some strange text on that skein that reads “FAST TO LIGHT AND BOILING”. Thoughts on what that means?
A couple of nights before NJ Needle Fest, I sent out a request to locate a dark purple in DMC Perle #8 or #12. Two members of my other chapter, the NJ Needle Artists, had 3 possible choices & the one from Rosie hit the mark, a # 8 Finca 2720. I added the 6 purple round areas then using a double layered cross with a small cross on top. It was nice to see everyone after missing the 2019 Fest (because of a cruise I took) and the 2020 Fest was canceled due to coronavirus. I signed up for their 2022 NJ Needle Fest and it’ll be back in May.
For the 3 blue round areas, I used the same stitch but with the lighter weight DMC #12, color 3822 to get the lighter color blue compared with the darker purple to recede slightly as that part of the shell is rounding down and away.
Once I got home from EGA’s Seminar and was sitting in my comfy stitching chair, I made good progress on the shell and finished it.
The horizontal rings is an encroaching gobelin with Tiara T106 and Kreinik #8 Braid 212.
Basketweave is used for most of the bottom (Waterlilies 217 Chili and 223 Rye) except for the light, medium, and dark teal areas which used a vertical couch. I used Gloriana Teal Twilight #108 for the dark teal but the lighter portion of the overdyed thread wasn’t light enough to show a difference and had to switch to DMC floss #597 for the medium color and used DMC floss #598 for the lightest teal.
For comparison, I am also sharing my first attempt that didn’t go well! I ripped that out in 2016 & left the canvas sit.
This was one of the three painted canvases discussed at last night’s meeting with my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter. Good turn out in person and on Zoom. A few technical difficulties but we managed.
Filed under: 2021, ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Gay Ann Roger's, Dowager Countess, New Jersey Needle Festival, Other People's Designs
Seven members of the ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter shared a table at NJ Needle Fest today. I missed it the year they, Needleworkers Delight, took over running the event from Susan Hoekstra and moved out of the church in Bedminster (2019) and we all missed it last year due to coronavirus. So, it’s been awhile for me but the location, the Embassy Suites in Berkley, NJ was nice. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks were included. Door prizes (I didn’t win). And, vendors (I just can’t buy anything else with so much waiting for me to stitch). I finished the light purple Oriental stitch filling today. Only the very first part of Step 2. The day flew by!
All 4 background areas are done! One of the finishing touches was the outline in Kreinik which was an overdyed thread from Color Complements. I did the diagonal lines in the center with a few crouching stitches. The rest was long straight stitches rather than the short backstitching. And, I stitched around the vertical and horizontal lines even though the directions didn’t say it was needed. The very last step was the over 2 gobelin stitches to outline the square and give the framer some space so that the tips of the stars don’t get cut off. That’s all the same color of rust Splendor. So, the difference is the way the light reflects off the stitches.
The opening of “Celebrate the Art of Stitching” went well yesterday! I’d like to thank Lisa and Linda for presenting 2 of the portions. Jared is the Media Arts Council technical expert who also presents the “gallery” in the video. He was a pleasure to work with. And, thanks to Stephanie for inviting our group to exhibit. And, to the members of Main Line Stitchers chapter who contributed to the show.
The complete video (with Q& A portion) is available as well as a static view of the “gallery” pieces. The video shares the gallery pieces, a talk on the various ways needlepoint can be finished, a discussion of stitch selection, and on how color and value impacts stitching. Each gallery piece can be viewed individually as well. A list of the canvases, size, and designer are provided.
Here’s the link to the photos and video: https://mediaartscouncil.org/mac-gallery-guest-artist-mainline-stitchers/
The ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter’s “Celebrate the Art of Stitching” exhibit being hosted by the Media Arts Council is entirely online with a live Zoom opening on June 12 at 4 pm. There will be 3 discussions (finishing options, stitch choices, and influence of color) and a viewing of the “exhibit”. We are excited to have this opportunity to share our passion through about 100 pieces of needlepoint. Save the date & join us!
Exhibit dates: June 12 – July 10, 2021
Reception: Saturday, June 12, 4:00 – 5:15 pm.
Here’s the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81165003366?pwd=clRjYmRnaUZXK01IaFVsY3E2ak92dz09
Meeting ID: 811 6500 3366
Passcode: 432364
A few times a year, they invite “outside” groups to exhibit. Unfortunately, none of the pieces will actually be on display in our host’s gallery in Media, PA due to the shutdown. But, they are slowly beginning to reopen (https://mediaartscouncil.org/).
“Celebrate the Art of Stitching” showcases numerous, diverse pieces of extraordinary needlework that allow you to explore the variety of techniques and threads stitchers can produce. The exhibit includes original designs, adaptations of art and photographs, and commercial designs from nationally known designers.
The Main Line Stitchers chapter meets on the second Monday of each month from 7 to 9 pm. The group also holds a Stitch-in on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 11 am to 3 pm. Contact us at ang.mls.needlepoint.org for more information.
“Celebrate the Art of Stitching” is an exhibition featuring the needlework from members of the Main Line Stitchers, a local chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild, Inc.™.
I stopped into the Starbucks today and was again thrilled to see it hanging in it’s new home.
The ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter’s “Celebrate the Art of Stitching” exhibit being hosted by the Media Arts Council is entirely online with a live Zoom opening on June 12 at 4 pm. There will be 3 discussions (finishing options, stitch choices, and influence of color) and a viewing of the “exhibit”. We are excited to have this opportunity to share our passion through about 100 pieces of needlepoint. Save the date & join us!
Exhibit dates: June 12 – July 10, 2021
Reception: Saturday, June 12, 4:00 – 5:15 pm.
Here’s the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81165003366?pwd=clRjYmRnaUZXK01IaFVsY3E2ak92dz09
Meeting ID: 811 6500 3366
Passcode: 432364
A few times a year, they invite “outside” groups to exhibit. Unfortunately, none of the pieces will actually be on display in our host’s gallery in Media, PA due to the shutdown. But, they are slowly beginning to reopen (https://mediaartscouncil.org/).
“Celebrate the Art of Stitching” showcases numerous, diverse pieces of extraordinary needlework that allow you to explore the variety of techniques and threads stitchers can produce. The exhibit includes original designs, adaptations of art and photographs, and commercial designs from nationally known designers.
The Main Line Stitchers chapter meets on the second Monday of each month from 7 to 9 pm. The group also holds a Stitch-in on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 11 am to 3 pm. Contact us at ang.mls.needlepoint.org for more information.
“Celebrate the Art of Stitching” is an exhibition featuring the needlework from members of the Main Line Stitchers, a local chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild, Inc.™.
This is one of mine from a few years ago. “Daisy” from Dream House Ventures, Inc with a stitch guide from David McCaskill.
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