I’m still cleaning up and organizing my needlepoint (fighting a never-ending battle against acquisition, clutter, and letting go). One pile had this experiment with skip tent basketweave and skip tent horizontal that I decided (for a little while) did not have to continue.
Then, I found another 3″ square already stitched. So, I decided to finish this one for a pair of coasters (not that they match). When these get worn, I won’t mind (as much) throwing them away.
I found the repeat of colors on a skein of Watercolours (Painted Desert 093). I made sure colors did not repeat when folded in half. Then, I cut the threads the same length. Each of the 4 areas was stitched differently as follows:
The upper left corner for 19 diagonal rows starting in the upper right corner of that square: Skip tent basketweave, reverse thread to fill in, then skip tent basketweave.
The upper left corner for the next 11 diagonal rows: Basketweave every other stitch up and back down, reverse thread, and repeat. Ok, I admit that I actually made a mistake following my own diagram and wasn’t ripping it out! I can see the middle is different from the two corners.
The upper left corner for the last 15 diagonal rows: Skip tent basketweave, reverse thread to fill in, then skip tent basketweave.
The upper right corner starting in the upper right corner: Skip tent horizontal, reverse thread to fill in, then skip tent horizontal.
The lower left corner starting in the upper right corner of that square: All basketweave.
The lower right corner starting in upper right corner of that square: Skip tent basketweave, reverse thread, then skip tent horizontal.
What did I learn besides what I already knew which was that the stitch path makes a visual impact on the color flow?
The skip tent basketweave may have had the least streaking if I stitched it correctly.
A horizontal effect can be obtained. That was a surprise, probably because I had never stitched skip tent horizontally before.
Basketweave created the most streaks, which are clearly diagonal.
Combining skip tent and skip horizontal resulted in some diagonal streaking and some clumping of colors.
Another overdyed thread probably would have yielded different results. And, where you cut the thread will also change the look.
Filed under: ANG Central Jersey Chapter, General comments, Needles, Sashiko Mini Sampler Kit by Miniature Rhino
Before I started a new project, I decided to put away all the threads that I had been throwing in a grocery store bag for quite some time! I’m very glad that’s done. There is more stuff to clean up (and will probably wind up with more threads to put away), but I am making progress.
One of the items that I came across was this Sashiko Mini Sampler Kit by Miniature Rhino. It was in the welcome gift bag from the Central Jersey Chapter (CJC). It’s a recent addition to my stash, but it looked like it’d work up quickly once I get started and rather than find a place to store it, I decided to stitch it. There were no instructions. So, I watched a couple of YouTube videos on Sashiko. There are books too.
The thread gets used as supplied. I tried to separate it into 3 strands because it looked too thick, but it shred. Then, I checked with Jacqui C, who had taught an EGA online course a couple of years ago. It’s the right thread and is to be used as supplied. Jacqui thought DMC Perle #12 might work better for this fabric. The ANG NJNA and CJC Chapters are lucky to have Jacqui in both chapters.
The needles are sharp with a decent size eye. I am excited to use another type of needle. These are longer with a sharp point because Sashiko is done in hand, and generally speaking, you try and scoop a few stitches at a time. I don’t have a palm pad or thimble making multiple stitches difficult. So, I scooped one stitch at a time, mostly keeping the needle on the top as I stitched. The other option is to go with the poke and stab method. This is not a forgiving fabric. So, be sure of where your needle goes.
I decided to try both threads, the supplied thread, and DMC Perle #12. The #12 Perle was thinner, and I could scoop 3 stitches. But, the poke and stab method is more accurate. It probably takes practice to get accurate with the scoop method.
This will make a good Show and Tell piece for the February 13th meeting of the Needlework and Textile Guild of Media. It is from 7-8:30 pm at the Media Arts Council in Media, PA. I did a little reading on its origin. According to wiki, “Sashiko (刺し子, lit. ‘little stabs’) is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery or stitching used for the decorative and/or functional reinforcement of cloth and clothing.”
I have no functional use for this piece, so I need to find a decorative use. According to the meaning of Japanese patterns at Polina Couture (.com), “Literally, Asanoha (麻の葉) means “hemp leaves”. This star or hexagon motif evokes this hardy plant, which grows straight and fast. And so it symbolizes a good growth, vigor and resistance. And by extension, it augurs prosperity.” I went down a rabbit hole online and learned, “Hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering substance in marijuana.”
None of that helped me decide what to do with this. Hopefully, a use will reveal itself!
Filed under: ANG Central Jersey Chapter, General comments, Name Tag Lee Canvas, Tools
I decided to add a blue “mat” by stitching 3 rows of tent stitch using the same dark blue Impressions 6040 used to frame the name.
I cut 4 tabs on each side, folded them back, steamed the canvas, added a piece of magazine board, placed a piece of double stick fusible web on the canvas (about 1/2″ smaller than the canvas), placed a piece of blue Ultrasuede on top and pressed it into place with my iron. I used my ironing cloth to protect the Ultrasuede since I had and still have no idea if applying an iron with or without steam to Ultrasuede is a good idea or not! It is sufficiently stiff and not too thick. I had left about 1/2″ around the edge so I could glue the edges to the white canvas tabs on the back. Glue could not reach the front because of the magazine board. If it did, it would only be on the blue “mat.”
I should have attached the pinback to the Ultrasuede first but my curved needles allowed me to attach it relatively easily. The pinback measures 1.5″ end to end but the center part is 1″.
Have I mentioned that I don’t like necklaces? Well, I don’t! So, I’ve come up with a way to display these.
I started using my Smasta in 2022 as a travel tool kit. Here is the inside. Note the pointed metal arch at the top.
Here is the outside. Note the clear plastic oval. It has 2 magnets that are paired with the pointed metal arch on the inside (originally purchased at Barnes and Noble to hold glasses, but I never used it for that). It was in my travel tote as an extra needle minder if needed at a class.
By placing it where it is now, I can use it to display my name tags as I stitch! My Brandywine Chapter name tag already had a pinback. So, I knew this would work.
I added one to the back of my Main Line Stitchers Chapter name tag just in time for our Saturday Stitch-in tomorrow.
And, the newest name tag . . .
All 3 look great with the blue Smasta!
I believe I got this name tag holder at an EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional meeting. It holds all 3 name tags! The newest one just fit in the center zipper pocket.
That leaves New Jersey Needle Artists as the odd man out. I do have instructions for theirs. Maybe someday.
Filed under: General comments
Thanks once again for your interest in my needlepoint. It’s always fun to look back at what I stitched and framed or finished myself, what classes I took, and what road trips I took. As I look back over 2023, I surpassed 1,000 posts since I started in 2010.
My main accomplishments this past year included:
- finishing the six steps of the EGA Master Craftsman in Canvas (Step 5, Night Owl, was awarded 2nd Place at Woodlawn; Step 6, Fireside Sampler will go there in March 2024)
- beginning a series of articles dubbed Timeless Treasures from the Archives in Needle Pointers (started with the July/Aug 2023 issue). I am really enjoying going back through old issues of Needle Pointers looking for interesting articles that remain relevant today.
I’ve enjoyed my classes and amazing teachers including:
- Learn to Weave with Daryl Lancaster (sponsored by Jockey Hollow Weavers Guild)
- Finishing with Kelly Starke (sponsored by ANG NJNA)
- Pomegranate Heart with Melissa Sebring (EGA Seminar)
- Draw & Paint with Laura Smith (EGA Correspondence Course)
- Shading with Crewel with Judy Jerow (EGA Mid-Atlantic Region THaP)
The pieces that I finished and framed (either by myself, Frames Plus, or Repenning Fine Arts) were:
- Dawn by Textured Treasures
- Autumn 3-Ways by Toni Gerdes
- Finnegan by Melita
- Lady Sybil by Melita (won a 2nd place at EGA Seminar)
I finished stitching these in 2022 but the finishing was done in 2023:
- Blue Hills by Dawn Donnelly (framed)
- Mesa Triangle by Kath Rees (framed)
- JP canvases, Bird of Paradise with Bamboo and Orchid with Bamboo (pillows)
This year I embraced “finishing” in a big way by doing these (I got my finishing supplies organized, improved efficiency, and no longer dread it):
- 24 bulbs for a Christmas Lights Garland
- 4 Gold n Cross Stitch ornaments (no actual finishing required)
- 3 Or Nue Flag Magnets (I designed it for the Needlework and Fiber Guild of Media but the ANG Central Jersey Chapter also enjoyed doing it.)
- 2 Chottie’s Plaid bookmarks
- 2 Bargello Flag ornaments (published in the July/August 2023 issue of Needle Pointers)
- 1 each of these into ornaments (except the last one):
- Amadeus motif (from 2011 SOTM)
- Chilly Hollow motif (from 2011 SOTM)
- Waffle motif (from 2011 SOTM)
- Bells of Scotch (I designed this – watch for it coming to Needle Pointers in 2024)
- 50th Anniversary Round (from Sundance Beads)
- Dawn motif (from Textured Treasures)
- Crewel Wreath (from EGA Petite Projects)
- Circles (made into a basket lid; from 2008 SOTM)
Next year, new projects I have plans to stitch include:
- Landscape Features with Gail Stafford (ANG Cyberpointers Workshop)
- Byzantium with Lorene Salt and Treasures from the Great Lakes with Dawn Donnelly (at ANG’s Seminar in Kansas City, MO; registration opens March 4 for ANG members, March 18 for non-members, and closes May 17, 2024; Seminar runs from August 30 – September 6, 2024)
- Rainbow Butterfly, a Laurel Burch design by Danji (with Kristen for ANG Main Line Stitchers)
- Fibonaci by Olivia Hartshorn (March/April 2022 issue of Needle Pointers with ANG Main Line Stitchers)
- Ort Box with a Twist by Marilyn Owen (with ANG Main Line Stitchers)
The current projects that I will continue to work on include:
- Imperial Topaz by Sue Reed
- Amanda Lawford’s Christmas Angel
- A Spring Sampler in Cinnamon
- Medusa Sea Jelly
- Mary Maxim Quilt Magic Kit of a Poinsettia
The oldest 2 projects that I have high hopes of finishing include:
- Stitches in Sterling by Nancy Cucci (began in Oct 2011)
- Tar River Trail by Gail Stafford (began in Aug 2012; hoping more years of experience and the Landscape Features Workshop will allow me to finish it)
Last but not least, I look forward to leading A Stash Sampler for the ANG Cyberpointers May 2-6, 2024 meeting program (registration is April 15 – May 6).
Read all about it at: Cyberpointers & A Stash Sampler.
Hope everyone has a healthy and happy New Year!
Filed under: General comments
The Wayne Art Center in Wayne, PA, has a wood show and juried craft exhibit that was quite interesting. Linda and I enjoyed seeing the creativity of people.
My favorite ones are in the Fiber category, which you can see at https://craftforms.org/craftforms-2023-online-exhibition/craftforms-2023-fiber/
How do people come up with some of the pieces? They are divided by category, and all can be seen at https://craftforms.org/craftforms-2023-online-exhibition/
The Bowl Me Over bag that Linda made for me could have been exhibited – it is flawless! It does remind me of a bowling bag and has got a magnetic snap flap, zippered pockets, a mesh pocket inside, and 3 slip pockets inside. Her fabric choices are fantastic.
Since Saturday was such a lovely day, we decided to take a drive to Rehoboth Beach for the annual needlework exhibit at the Rehoboth Beach Museum.
Upon entering the exhibit (no photos allowed), which is now in a larger room on the 2nd floor, I saw a red fox done in cross stitch by Shirley H (of ANG DE Seashore Chapter and my EGA Brandywine Chapter). Congratulations to her for a Judge’s and People’s Choice Award. That was just one of several lovely cross stitch pieces in the exhibit. Bill recognized a baseball cross stitch piece as a Norman Rockwell cover. Seeing Earth Angel by Lavender and Lace made me think of the angel I stitched for my sister called Angel of Hope but that was from Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum.
Thomas S-G, another EGA Brandywine Chapter member, displayed his ribbon winning original Tree of Life embroidery done in crewel.
Also on display from the ANG DE Seashore Chapter, there were lovely designs from Nancy Cucci stitched by Roseanne J including 20 squares with Halloween motifs called Autumn Treasures and another 20 squares with Fall motifs called October Treats. Both ribbon winners!
Brenda (also with the ANG DE Seashore Chapter and my EGA Brandywine Chapter) was not to be left out of the Nancy Cucci design party with Heart Jeweled, a lovely pink piece. Seeing Brenda C’s Bargello Rose by Wendy Moore which is in my stash from a past ANG Cyberpointers’ project really makes me want to do it. Very fun to see in person Brenda’s The Game is On! by Susan Hoekstra which is a checkerboard. But her two beaded bracelets were fantastic. One had lots of tiny beads and the other quite large beads. Both stunning. Congratulations to her for her ribbons!
Speaking of beads, I was quite taken by Sarah H’s Coral Sea by Van Gogh with all the French Knot & beads for the coral. The swirling water was lots of long/short stitches (I think) and there were seashells sprinkled throughout. A well-deserved First Place ribbon winner in canvas work. But, there was no doubt about The Best of Show and First Place ribbon winner for Karen R’s 4-piece framed set of beaded shore/underwater coral scenes. The 3-dimensionality of the each one was incredible.
There was assorted small quilted pieces, miniature needlework, embroidery, samplers, and ribbon work. In fact, the ribbon work was all quite large. None more than Lynn K B’s Butterflies of Remembrance, a large piece of canvas with the butterflies done in ribbon work probably appliqued/attached onto the green needlepointed canvas of various stitches for each long slender leaf covering the canvas. No wonder it was a First Place ribbon winner.
The handmade frame that looks like 2 kitchen windows was perfect for holding 2 different cross stitch samplers of 9 herbs and 12 berries. Another ribbon winner.
Apologies to a couple of entries I mentioned above without the mentioning the stitcher – I thought I got everyone’s name but missed a couple. I might have double checked my notes but the Museum docent came upstairs at 1 pm and announced she’d forgotten we were still here & almost locked us in! I misread the website hours (thought it was open until 3 pm). The exhibit is only open until November 12. So, there is just one more weekend.
I bought my chances for the baskets of goodies donated by the ANG DE Seashore Chapter, Salty Yarns in Berlin MD, or by Sea Needles in Bethany Beach DE.
I wanted to repair a handle on one of our favorite grocery bags. It’s a promotional bag (for Augmentin) from GlaxoSmithKline (the company that I retired from). So not only is it sentimental, but it works great because it’s sturdy, vinyl, and large.
The clerks at Joann Fabrics recommended an upholstery thread as the strongest thread they sell. Maybe the numbers on the spool mean something, but I don’t know what. I’ll probably use this when making cording instead of a 6 lb fishing line recommended by Kelly Starke. The fishing line wasn’t easy to see or tie.
It was also an opportunity to use the needle for leather from this kit of needles. I don’t know how I got this package, but I got to use it for the second time! That’s practically a pointed blade with an eye for the thread. A couple of months ago, the thread broke on a small key holder sewed in place in Bill’s leather wallet. A shoe repair guy said it couldn’t be fixed. I knew I could fix it since I had a needle designed for use with leather. I don’t recall what thread I used, but it was fixed!
If you have Evertite Stretcher Bars, you have a Bondhus Hex T-handle. This looks like a lethal weapon and would never keep it in my carry-on luggage figuring it might get confiscated.
Someone mentioned (probably on Facebook) that any 3/32″ Hex Dogging Key would work. I found a pack of 10 of them on Amazon. So, I got them to have one hanging off my lamp next to me where I stitch and one in my travel tool bag. It’s so much easier to carry. A few of the rest are part of gift bags. It works just as well.
Bill and I made it to Woodlawn early this year. The main exhibit has a little over 400 pieces. One lady said they will be placing photos of the pieces in an online exhibit (probably in mid-April) but another thought it was too cost prohibitive based on the number who paid to see it last year and how much the professional photographer charged. Hopefully, they do; and so, I am going to limit the photos I show in hopes you support them online. My photos did not turn out great this year anyway – no close ups allowed (enlarging blurred them) and the light was bright in the windows casting shadows. A good number of them are above eye level making photos long distance anyway.
I found out more about the couch that you can see on Woodlawn’s website. It’s all Nancy B’s original design, and took her 20 years to complete (during the 70-90s). She’s in her 80s now. It must be on Penelope canvas because there is Petite point (small stitches for the motifs) and Gros point (large stitches for the background). It got our vote for the People’s Choice award. Her scenes are amazing front and back! Even the pattern incorporated into the background is interesting (but was impossible to photograph).
Three people (Patti Lynn T, Mary L, and Louise W) stitched and entered my design Overdyed Spools which I taught at the EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional Fall meeting in 2021. It uses an overdyed thread of their choice. Patti Lynn replaced the center spools for a nametag and placed it on a bag. Mary added a black inner border for pop and Louise added beads. I’ve see quite a number of the finished pieces from a variety of EGA chapters and am so glad people are enjoying the piece and making it their own. In fact, I’ll be joining a joint meeting of the EGA chapters Susquehanna/Molly Pitcher Stitchers this coming weekend. Sherri G is teaching it and I will discuss several pieces of mine that manipulated overdyed threads.
The original pieces by other people (which I won’t show without permission) were quite amazing. The surface embroidery of snowflakes captured in negative and positive space by Tina T was stunning. Ekaterina S’s Snowy Evening was stitched on artist’s canvas (docents said she was new to this country and didn’t know what “canvas” meant). Hers was originally placed in the “canvaswork multi-stitch” category but later must have been switched to “surface embroidery” because artist’s canvas is not a countable ground. Her piece titled Autumn is on the same artist’s canvas and is stunning with mist appearing to float up into the hills of green, yellow, and red trees.
I recognized quite a few designs and can name the designer (google will find their websites): Royal Kimono by Toni Gerdes, American Beauty by DebBee’s Design, 3 versions of Stratigraphy by Jennifer Riefenberg (ANG Stitch of the Month 2021), 2 versions of Long Time Gone Stitching by Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes of Beautiful Stitches), Fibonacci Swirls by Olivia Hartshorn (Needle Pointers Mar/Apr 2022), Star of Stitches (Stitch of the Month 2020), Winter Logs and Serenity by Kathy Rees, Anasazi Dream/Song/Spirit by Carole Lake, Stacked Rectangles by Susan Hoekstra, Gordian Knot by Rachel Atkinson (past ANG Correspondence Course), Pyramids by Wendy Moore, 2 versions of Circles of Life by Lorraine Salt, Woven Ribbons (May/June 1999 Needlepoint Now magazine), Candles Bright by Mary Knapp, Patchwork Evergreen by Janet Casey. There are even a few more I’ve seen but I’m not sure of the designer.
I hope my Main Line Stitchers select Fibonacci Swirls next year. Sue C did a lovely job selecting her own threads.
Linda M of ANG Main Line Stitchers stitched Rainbow Butterflies (a Laurel Burch canvas) for a chapter program discussion of selecting threads for a painted canvas last year and I was thrilled to see it in the exhibit! Congratulations to Linda on a blue ribbon for the Stratigraphy she stitched with threads selected from her stash.
Cecilia, one of the members of ANG Main Line Stitchers, recently contacted me about potential stitches for The Plague Doctor (a full length robed piece). So, I was surprised to see a different version by Stephanie St.C appear at Woodlawn. Cecilia shared the story behind these pieces (wiki it for the details) but that pointed thing is a mask. A Google search reveals its popularity is widespread.
The number of blackwork pieces were more than I remember from last year and they were all amazing. Abigail’s Sampler by Claudia K is impressive because it is reversible and framed on a stand so you can see both sides. The Flower Basket by Michael Ann B is so crisp and bright with the gold outlines. Save the Stitches by Cheryl W is a sampler of all different (130+) patterns intertwined with hints of a rosy-purple adding more interest throughout the piece. It is designed by Liz Almond. And, German Sampler 1661 by Sally P hangs like a large bellpull consisting of band after band of various blackwork patterns. I really am hard pressed to select my favorite in this category but the complexity of the large number of interlocking patterns seen in Save the Stitches edged out the others.
The Japanese Embroidery is beautiful but my favorite is Weeping Cherry by Mary Louise S because of the gentleness of the colors and falling leaves.
Not as much goldwork on exhibit as in past years but a simple and elegant blue ribbon winner of goldwork by Alison K called Queen Anne’s Lace gets my vote for favorite goldwork piece.
Samplers range in variety as usual from traditional to more modern and my featured sampler is by Linda M from NJ Needle Artists who puts a lot of effort into supporting Woodlawn. Congrats to Linda for a Blue Ribbon with Thanksgiving Sampler.
Cross-stitch was not forgotten this year. The geometrics (both designed by Ink Circles), Circular Lights by Jill B and Tangled Fire by C Tobias are beautiful. You can practically smell the Blue Hydrangeas by Lauren B. Bravery by Sumira O is a huge lion head mounted on a shield with a sword piercing his head on a diamond background. But the shading obtained by Tiffany in A Mother’s Love Sepia Elephants (designed by Carolyn Thornton) is lovely and despite being much smaller than the lion, I am partial to elephants.
I wish I could go through all the categories but there is so much diversity, I’d never get back to stitching!
The EGA Constellation chapter and Oatlands chapter celebrated their 50th and 40th anniversaries while the ANG Shenandoah Valley celebrated their 20th anniversary with quite a prolific and diverse collection of needlework. Congratulations to all 3 chapters! I couldn’t tell which pieces were with each chapter but my 3 selections are Asymmetrical Copper by Jeff Kulick (love this colorway; instructions are in the Nov/December 2020 issue of Needle Pointers magazine), Ruby Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz (so intense looking and instructions are in my stash), and a saying that about sums it all up (designer unkown; perhaps a Victorian motto).
Melitastitches4fun's Blog 
Filed under: General comments, Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition
Bill and I will not make it to Woodlawn until the end of the month. But, photos of the special award winners are posted and a list of the just over 400 entries with award winners named are also posted at https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2024specialawardwinners.
I went through the list and only saw 2 entries for Canvaswork Multi-Stitch (4+), Original design, Adult. My Fireside Sampler got a 3rd Place award and the other by Mercedes B for Porch at the Grand Hotel got 2nd place. I never took a photo of my framed piece before sending it for exhibit! So, that will be in the post when I get it back from the exhibit along with any other comments from having seen the exhibit in person.
There were some Canvaswork Multi-Stitch (4+), Commercial Design pieces that I recognized by name including Pyramids of the Oasis, Swan Song, Razzle Dazzle, Confetti, Medieval City, Raffie, Africana, and Northern Lights which were all from ANG New Jersey Needle Artist Chapter members. There are a couple of pieces called Fibonacci but not sure if they are the Fibonacci Swirls by Olivia Hartshorn (ANG Needle Pointers Mar/Apr 2022), and Anaszi Dream, and Walking on Waters Edge that are name I recognize. There are plenty in the category, close to 100, but I don’t know them by name.
Deborah Merrick-Wilson had 3 original designs in goldwork win awards – always lovely pieces!
And, Norma C won (for the second year in a row) the Director’s Award for her work on The Majesty in the Miniature category which is when the piece is worked on at least 32 count over 1 thread. It does not have anything to do with the size of the piece. She told me her piece is about 15 inches by 7 inches and is worked on 36 count linen over 1 thread. I’m looking forward to seeing her piece in person, too!
Congratulations to all regardless of awards – it is always a great exhibit. It’s running through March except on Tuesdays.