Filed under: Melita's Other Completed Pieces
I just love a sunset. And, the way the flowers frame the scene really makes me feel like I am relaxing in a chair watching the sun set through a clearing.
This piece is a “vintage” no doubt (not dated although it may be from 1977) & is called “Days End” from Bucilla Needlepoint & is a 12″ x 15″ finished piece on a 12 mesh painted colored canvas. There is a variety of stitches including: continental, brick, leaf, straight, satin, back, and loose loop (for the cattail) using persian crewel yarn & floss.
Filed under: Sun Flower with David McCaskill at Fireside Stitchery
Well, I stitched & stitched to get this to my favorite framer, Dan, at Framers Workshop in Philadelphia on Friday. He’s always done my pieces – he has a great eye! And, he picked out a wonderful frame. One that I would not have gravitated to but that’s why I like him so much! I’ll post another picture once it’s framed because I can’t wait for you (&me) to see it really finished!
I’m very happy with the whole piece. Thanks again to David McCaskill for his guidance on threads & stitches.
Filed under: Melita's Other Completed Pieces
My husband, Bill (Happy Birthday!), graduated from Penn State & I thought it would be nice to commemorate his college by doing this piece. The seal is a counted cross stitch from Heirloom Needlecraft, Inc. (Missouri) & from the collection of Marjorie N Ross. I stitched this sometime after 1988 (thanks to copyright date & well after he graduated).
The piece was more challenging than I expected for a counted cross stitch piece because of the three quarter cross stitches. And, because I really had to get it right in order to have everything fit where it was supposed to. An error could have thrown off the whole alignment. So, I had to do alot of careful counting & double checking. At least there were not a lot of colors. And, it’s not a large piece, design area is 5&1/2″ x 5&1/2″.
Filed under: Sun Flower with David McCaskill at Fireside Stitchery
I’ve got the background ready using 3 different overdyed thread colors. Occasionally, I even used just portions of threads to compliment the painted canvas which proved challenging. Now, I’m left with more of the green surrounding the petals & laying the dark thread on top & couching it. It is actually quite difficult to see in person where the dark thread should be placed – the pictures may actually help me figure out where to put the dark thread. I’m having a hard time photographing this piece – never seem to get the same amount of light. I’ll try outside daylight & see what happens.
Filed under: Baby pieces
This was one of the baby gifts I did that was different for my niece, Molly. It is still a kit (I do not find I kept any information about the designer) & is done with all tent or continental – not sure. I’m amazed that someone can tell the difference from the front – it looks the same to me.
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
And, I finally finished the napkin rings. I met with Bianca from Rittenhouse Needlepoint who showed me how to sew a backing onto a piece. There had actually been a trunk show for napkin rings right around the time I met with her. They provided several different examples of how to finish a napkin ring. Although they looked pretty, I just wanted something simple (no loop or tassel, etc,).
Then, I connected the ends. 
I’m keeping these for myself!
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
These are the finished octagons in frames which were ready just in time for our ANG Chapter dinner (this past Monday night). We had a lovely dinner at the Painted Teacup in Upper Darby. Several of us brought our finished pieces to show. Two had completed the whole 25 motifs but in different colors. Others had done smaller sets, for example, 2 motifs placed in a purse insert and 5 motifs in a rectangular wall hanging. These are from Pieces by Eight by Gayle Bicknell (available at https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/pieces-of-eight-by-gayle-bicknell/).
And, now I’m at my mom’s house distributing them to the wonderful aides who help her everyday. I put them in a bag all wrapped up & they are picking one. So far, I’ve seen 4 of the aids and each one loves them. I’m so grateful to each of these dear ladies.
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
These are the last 4 I’m doing of the Pieces of Eight. Turned out nice. Not sure who’s getting this one yet.
As a reminder, the directions for ‘Pieces of Eight’ by Gayle Bicknell are available at https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/pieces-of-eight-by-gayle-bicknell/. They are reprinted all in one issue for $18.
Octagon X (upper left) is Rhodes Stitch Variations, Octagon Y (upper right) is Walneto Stitch Variation, Octagon T (bottom left) combines Spratshead with center diamond, & Octagon V (bottom right) combines Byzantine & Rhodes Variation. I added Kreinik around the edges in various patterns.
I did the centermost section in what may be a new stitch – if it is, I’m calling it Sunburst. I do not see it in any books of mine. And, if any of you know of a stitch being done this way, do let me know. I placed #16 braid in a small center square & then did needleweaving from the outer portion under the center & back over & out to the same hole. It gets a raised effect at the very center. And, I placed Frosty Rays in the hole left in the center. I’m playing with making a couple of variations.
Filed under: Sun Flower with David McCaskill at Fireside Stitchery
The canvas is available on Fireside Stitchery’s website. They called it Daisy (PM3605). It is from Dream House Ventures, Inc. It measures 11.75 w x 11.75 h inches. Search by PM3605 & only that one piece will come up in the results.
Filed under: Sun Flower with David McCaskill at Fireside Stitchery
The whites on the sunflower are done. And, I have about half of the green surrounding them done & that stitch isn’t difficult but is more time-consuming. Sometimes is a good idea not to do all the fun stuff first. The abstract area is a tad more difficult because the canvas is dark & the threads are dark. Even with a good light, I prefer working on a lighter canvas. And, I’m working with an overdyed thread that I’m matching to the canvas as much as possible. So, I’m saving the toughest for last.
I just noticed my butterfly magnet in the upper right corner. It is not only pretty but it is a strong magnet. I got it at the Stitching Jubilee a year ago when it was at Valley Forge but not sure which seller.
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