Everyone who exhibits gets the Judge’s Score sheet although the points vary by category (this is for original design). A summary of the critique which follows does cost $25 but is worth it to hear their thoughts about the piece. Always thoughtful, supportive, and offers constructive feedback.
The judge’s main comment on the design was that the curves at the start and the end are too abrupt which I can see. Also, the values of the greens do not have enough contrast. That is also a good point. I did not take the black and white photo of the threads before stitching (the judge did). The other comments on the framer (me) needed to align the top border – it’s off just a tad on one side. Getting 8 out of 10 is actually good – I usually get a 7 (even when I am not the framer)! There were plenty of positives such as:
- “The quiet color and sizes of the mats pull the viewer’s eye into the piece.”
- “The variety of threads and stitches are suitable for this canvas. They are controlled, evenly stitched, and very appropriate.”
- “The bright pink (I call them coral) stylized flowers are fun! Your stitching shows your mastery of those specialty stitches.”
If you submit a piece for judging, I highly recommend getting a critique. And consider sharing it with your chapter members as a learning experience.
For the artist statement and to see the lovely Creative Inspiration Ribbon, go to:
For the 2025 ANG Seminar exhibit, I submitted Flowers Along a Rhode, an original design, Professional. It won a Second Place Ribbon! I was happy to see that.
The first award of the evening at the Welcome Banquet was the Creative Inspiration Award and I won it too. What a surprise and an honor! The special ribbons were designed and most of them stitched by Deb D. They are all lovely!
The design is slightly smaller than the 10″ x 8″ mat opening and is framed (16″ x 13″).
Here is my Artist Statement, a requirement for this category.
Debbie Rowley challenged us to be experimental during her “Explore and Design” class. In her 153-page booklet, she not only provides hundreds of stitch diagrams but explains how to understand the stitch so you can alter it when needed. Debbie had no input on my design.
The first section in Debbie’s booklet had 20 Rhodes stitch diagrams. That is when I envisioned a cobblestone walkway for my design. I ended up with more than 20 Rhodes stitches by searching through other books for more shapes and even making up a few of my own shapes. To line the far side of the cobblestone walkway, I saw stylized flowers made from the Waffle Star, Milanese Pinwheel, Walneto, layered Jessicas, and a combined Arrow Amadeus while the round Amadeus made bushes to line the nearside. The stems came from various sections of her booklet. And a flower garden would not be complete without butterflies buzzing around!
I did modify some motifs to my preferences such as placing the diagonal stitches on top of the straight stitches in the Waffle Star. And I shrunk two of the round Amadeus stitches and made small butterflies to add to the perspective. I added additional stitches to fill in the bushes carefully sliding the threads under the center line of the round Amadeus to maintain the characteristic appearance of the base.
Both the grass and the background combined an overdyed green thread and a matching middle value solid green to tone down the shifting color while conveying a breeze.
I enjoyed creating this contemporary garden stitched on 18-count canvas with a variety of threads.
End of artist statement. Additional information for further reference. Based on one of Debbie’s butterfly diagrams, I created the other four.
The grass and backyard stitches come from ANG Lone Star’s booklet, Grab -n- Go Stitches. The patterns have no names. These came from the section “Stitches That Read Straight”.
I have requested a critique and will post that and my scores once I get them after they are shipped home.
Debbie Rowley was so happy for me! And, another of her students won the Founders Award for the 4 colorways of a design of Debbie’s. That was quite an undertaking and they look great. Well deserved honor.
By the way, this completes Goal #4 for 2025.
Additional information is also available on the Judge’s Score and critique at https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/02/flowers-along-a-rhode-the-judges-score-and-critique/
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2025, Flowers Along a Rhode, Melita's Designs, Walk in the Woods with Deborah Mitek
My first class for the ANG 2025 Seminar in New Orleans, LA is Walk in the Woods with Deborah Mitek.
A lovely photo transfer was already on Congress Cloth (Deborah explained her process). A gorgeous array of threads and ribbons greeted us. What a beautiful start to Seminar.
We started off with an easy square leaf stitch for the border.
Next, using a chenille needle proved tricky! I did this twice while stitching the ferns. It’s a good thing I don’t use the sharp needles often.
As usual, it doesn’t look like much is done but this is partly because the ferns blend into the background alot (left side). The stems are showing (also left side).
We watched ribbon demonstrations and will again tomorrow. Then, I suspect I will practice them in the extra wide border she gave us.
We were able to secure a table for our Main Line Stitchers at the Welcome Banquet. Good food and great company! The first award of the evening was the Creative Inspiration Award and I won it with Flowers Along A Rhode. What a surprise and an honor! I will publish my artist statement which explains the inspiration for this stylized garden.
The special ribbons were designed and most of them stitched by Deb D. Lovely!
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