Filed under: ANG Keystone Garden Chapter, Christmas Ornaments, Melita's Other Completed Pieces, Other People's Designs, Santacicle, Snow Globe Santa, Triangle Santa Ornament by Peg Dunayer
This Snow Globe Santa by Janet Casey Ziegler was stitched by Linda from my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter. I was thrilled when she gave it to me last Christmas but I forgot to place it on my blog. So, here it is for posting this Christmas!
And, I was just as happy to get a Christmas Basket this year from Linda. Yes, she’s also a beautiful sewer.
I did make pillowcases for a charity, Ryan’s Cases for Smiles, earlier this year. Linda helped me with them too because it had been 40 years since I’d used a sewing machine. The two we made are in the upper left corner of the picture. Then, I made 2 more at our Community Day at work using a regular machine and a surger. It was fun. One of the women in my group enjoyed the event so much that she is getting a sewing machine for Christmas. Linda kept her eyes open for sales & found a great deal from Steve’s in King of Prussia, the Anna model, half off for just $200 and a great machine for a beginner. It almost makes me want to take up sewing!!
But, I have tons of needlepoint projects started and ideas of my own that I want to work on and 3 big events with classes coming in 2017. Linda and I are both attending Blue Bonnet for Toni Gerdes’ classes Fire & Ice and Bronze Purse in February and Nashville Needleworks in April with Laura Taylor for Embracing Horses. Then, I will take a 4-day canvas embellishment class at ANG Seminar in Anaheim with Cynthia Thomas after taking her Creating Diagrams and Stitch Guides using Microsoft Office class. I didn’t forget about my husband, Bill. We’re extending each trip to take in local sites. And, we have a non-needlepoint train trip across Canada planned for July-August (actually, I will stitch but no classes). We’ll be married 30 years in Oct 2017 – lots of fun times ahead!
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Canvas Swatches from Fireside, Forest Glen, General comments
While vacationing in Maine this past week, I wanted a small project to travel with and something not too difficult. And, Forest Glen, a design from Kick Back & Stitch by Terry Gifford was perfect.
I used Santa Fe Sage canvas (6) instead of the Victorian Green canvas (11) – samples are from a package with 25 colors that I bought from Fireside Stitchery (3 x 3 swatches). I do prefer to work on a lighter canvas.
And, I used the same white Kreinik (032), DMC #5 (502), and DMC Floss (369, 368, 320) as suggested. But, I couldn’t find Leah’s Overdyed Perle 12 (243). So, I picked up Wildflowers Jade (066) which I figured out looks darker than the lighter green/white Leah’s overdyed thread from the picture. And, I didn’t find the DMC Perle #8 (320).
So, I was in Maine needing threads for a project. Luckily, Mary Jo Cole, owner of Needlepoint America in Kennebunk was open & suggested a yellow Kreinik which she generously gave me from her stash. She has tons of hand-painted canvases including lobster belts and other Maine memorabilia. She also carries a unique line of canvases, mid 1800s floral designs of William Morris that look timeless. I have reached a level of stash that must decrease before I buy more & resisted all urges!
And, these lovely musical crib hanging ornaments. These were tough to pass on but I can always order one online!
I decided to use the yellow Kreinik just in the 4 corners of each eyelet to add some sparkle. And, I used the light yellow portion of Needle Necessities Pearl 8 overdyed (866) that I found at Grace Robinson & Company in Freeport. Good thing I am not a knitter! They have tons of beautiful yarns. Some painted canvases and threads (in drawers behind a counter). I told Meghan what I was looking for and the one she found came the closest but I decided to avoid the rust and green in the overdyed thread and just use the light yellow for 8 prongs of the eyelet. And, I filled in the remaining 12 prongs with the lightest and medium colors of the green DMC Floss. Now, the yellow Kreinik actually looks like it is yellow-green. That left me to use the more interesting overdyed Wildflowers on the outer border in place of the solid medium green DMC Perle #8.
Filed under: Seashells
I just found this picture & realized I never put it up on my blog. It’s a past (2001) housewarming gift for friends. They love the shore and we’ve been on multiple vacations with them – mainly near water (cruise, Wildwood, NJ, Seaside Heights, NJ). With summer here in March, it seemed like a good time to post it!
Unfortunately, I did not save any info from this piece. As I recall, it was a stamped canvas with a diagram to follow (mainly backstitch or cross stitch). Threads were included. If anyone knows, I’d love to find out.
Postscript: Lisa from my ANG Keystone Chapter saw my posting and actually has this in her stash – it a WIP. She brought it to our meeting Wednesday & it’s coming along nicely! It’s from 1986, called “Seashell Wreath Picture”, and was “NEW!” to have portions of the design printed in color on the Aida cloth (14 count, 14″ x 14″ design area). It’s by Candamar Designs, Inc. who are still around but I didn’t find this vintage piece on their website. Thanks again Lisa for sharing that!!
I wonder how that would look in a round frame? It probably could be a nice looking pillow too.
Filed under: Christmas Temari Ball Class ar Rittenhouse Needlepoint
Mindy from Rittenhouse Needlepoint demystified Temari Balls for me during a basic class yesterday. The ball was already prepared with 8 simple divisions. With just 2 hours, I wrapped around the 8 lines with DMC #5 and some Gold Rush around the equator. Then, I placed some green Kreinik between the 8 dividing lines & left a cord to hang it by. The examples of completed Temari balls makes me want to take the advanced class she may do in the fall. But, on the other hand, I don’t need another craft!
Filed under: Golf
I finished it while on vacation but wanted to be home before putting it in the leather holder. I was worried about cutting so close to the stitched border. And, the shape doesn’t look right for the opening but it must be!
It was the right size & a little tricky but I managed ok. And, Bill loves it!
It looks like it could fly away!
The wings were Alicia’s Lace (#8 045) outlined with Gold Rush (202C) & couched with Accentuate (024).
The body was padded first with long stitches of Crystal Braid (CR08) & covered by straight (satin) stitches Kreinik (#8 045).
The head is French Knots (#8 045). It has been 2 years since I’ve done one & they were a snap thanks to a Mary Corbett video for a refresher!
Initially, the small squares were going to be Rhodes stitch but Sharon G thought they wouldn’t compensate easily & suggested Double Leviathan but that pattern covers 4 threads & the square was 5 threads. So, I did my best with the Rhodes using Gloriana (#088 Seaweed).
Now, off to the framers & then, where will it land? Hmm
Filed under: ANG CyberPointer's Chapter, Bargello Pine Trees, Christmas Ornaments
This is a free pattern from The Caron Collection (Caron-net.com). They offer quite a few really nice ones. My ANG CyberPointer’s chapter worked on ornaments using various types of stitching. My favorite was the Bargello Pine Trees.
And, I love how it turned out. The top rows of Bargello are Fuzzy Stuff. The finisher that Nimble Needle uses added the braid and tassels to match the darker blue but for the backing used a lighter purple that matches the center top motif. Just wonderful & is in plenty of time to enjoy for the 2014 holiday season.
I got some interesting comments/input from Carole L on Facebook’s Needlepoint Nation that I wanted to share: “Just out of curiosity, since I liked this design so much, I went looking to see who the original designer of this stocking was, only to discover that this is from a 1997 McCall’s magazine! (with permission of course) I really like it, and I would not have guessed that it was an older design. Some things are just classic. They don’t mention the designer’s name, sadly, but I think from the way the intro is phrased it must be Lois Caron herself. She has some lovely designs.”
Filed under: ANG Keystone Garden Chapter, Color Delights by Kathy Rees, Melita's Other Completed Pieces
The ANG Keystone chapter in Buckingham, PA that I joined this year has 2 fantastic Program coordinators, Trish & Candy. They stitched models of each program by the start of the year. There are 7 projects for the monthly meetings, 3 Saturday projects, and a couple of “finishing” classes! I’m tired just thinking about getting all that ready. People sign up in advance. This is a very active group! Although I doubt anyone does all the projects.
This month is the first project I signed up for because it was designed to help you pick threads for a particular overdyed thread with 2 complimentary colors. Kathy Rees has several small projects at $10 that makes them great for a quick small project at 4″x 4″.
I don’t have many overdyed flosses & wanted to use my stash. So, I used the first one I came across. As you can see, I manipulated the ThreadworX overdyed floss 1138 by cutting out the aqua blue. Then, I only had a purple Neon Rays N99 and Kreinik #8 in purple 012HL. They were supposed to be contrasting colors but I think it looks great. I selected DMC #5 in dark green 500 and light green 502 to contrast with DMC #5 in medium dark purple. The solid floss was DMC floss 550 dark purple and beige 613.
Not only is it important to pick contrasting colors but also a variety of values (light, medium, dark) for contrast. Now, what to do with it? Maybe I have a box with a 4″ x 4″ opening.
My ANG Mainline Stitchers chapter had our annual holiday party a week ago. We all brought a dish & had dinner, brought holiday-themed pieces, and had a Secret Santa auction (a not so secret steal). I got this cut little teddy bear that worked up quickly (3 nights) & in time to join us for the holidays! Thanks Buff!!
The painted canvas was signed Rebecca. So, I assume it is Rebecca Woods (based on google search). It is a 1998 design numbered 509A. But, it doesn’t appear to be available on her website any longer.
Hopefully, everyone liked what they got but I know we all enjoyed the evening! A little wine (thanks Marnie & Yvonne), appetizers/food/dessert (everyone), & friends!!
Thanks to all of you for spending a little of your time here today to see Teddy. This is the last of my blogs for 2013. See you again in 2014. Happy Holidays everyone! And, hope you and yours heave a healthy New Year!! Extra special wishes go out to those near and far who are battling with health issues to find the strength to be strong during challenging times.
Filed under: ANG CyberPointer's Chapter, Bargello Pine Trees, Christmas Ornaments
My ANG CyberPointer’s chapter started working on various ornaments using various types of stitching. My favorite was the Bargello Pine Trees.
When I went into my stash, I found a coordinated packet of ThreadworX threads. I switched overdyed floss from my stash which was a light blue to match the other threads better. And, I needed a contrasting dark for a row so I used Petite Very Blue. The wild blue from The Legacy Collection that was polyamide just didn’t fit in this piece. I ended up using (from outer rows inward with ThreadworX unless noted): 2 strands #8 braid white (71124), 4 strands overdyed floss light blue (1018), 1 strand #12 braid light blue (91015), 1 strand Expressions medium blue (224S), 2 strands #8 braid dark blue, 1 strand Vineyard Silk (V118), 1 strand Petite Very Velvet dark blue (V634), and overdyed Italian wool white (W842). And, 1 strand of #8 braid silver (71122) placed on the upper section.
As it ended up, I did run out of one thread & had to substitute but it really matched well enough. Can anyone see?
I forgot to mention that this is a free pattern from The Caron Collection (Caron-net.com). They offer quite a few really nice ones.
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