Melitastitches4fun's Blog

The petals on the silk shantung were done the same way as the leaves – long short in 3 colors.

The 3 Calyx were already stitched (https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/18/flowering-maple-with-celeste-chalasani-at-national-needlearts-academy-nan/) and now they’re attached. I cut away as much fabric as possible but it still bunched up on the bottom raising them to 4 mm. More French Knots filled in the gap.

The sepals have been inserted but are not secured until the rest of the petals are placed.

The stumpwork petals are attached and sepals are secure!

I found a lovely little display frame (6″ x 6″), used piece of felt to pad a foam board, attached it with Nickel Tidy Pins by Loops & Threads, folded back the edges, and pinned it to the cushion backing.

Here’s a great shot too.

Goal #17 is DONE. And, I have 2 sets of 12″ Evertites ready for ANG 2025 Seminar classes.

Flowering Maple with Celeste Chalasani began in March at National Needlearts Academy (NAN). I worked on it some in April but then it took a back seat until now.

It moved up in the queue so that I could get my 12″ bars available for ANG Seminar classes in August. If I can’t get it done, I can thank Linda’s Boutique because she let me know she has them available!

I am reminded why I prefer canvaswork after working on this over the past few days. I’m using one strand of floss in a small embroidery needle, size 10. The repetition of pressing against my middle finger hurts so much I had to pull out a finger pad. I’m stitching through 2 layers. The background fabric is silk shantung and we were instructed to stitch it to a cotton backing as part of our pre-work assignment. It not really thick it’s just that the needle keeps pressing the same spot.

I like previewing the direction of the stitch and placing them along the route and going back to fill them in – good tip from Celeste.

A rainy weekend, the PGA Open Championship, Phillies, and PBS Sunday night TV (Patience and Grandchester) makes for great stitching time! I needed this time because Seminar is less than a month away.

The small needle was starting to bother my index finger too. Petals are next but I’ll give my fingers a few days rest. I did 3 in class and need 6 more. Then, there is cutting (the scary part) and attaching them.

Day 2 of Flowering Maple with Celeste Chalasani at National Needlearts Academy (NAN).

I added the dark area to the petal. It passed muster with Celeste. So, it stays. I’ll cut it out after I stitch the other two on that piece of fabric.

I finished 3 Calyx but won’t attach them until later. I had the tracing too close at first.

I created one padded flower base and outlined more of the left leaf. I wasn’t up to long short shading after lunch. It can wait until I get home.

Embroidery is teaching me about flower anatomy. The sepals are tough. They are so small. The one on the right is too wide. I have plenty of green fabric to keep trying.

My badge indicates first-time member of NAN (heart sticker) and first-time at this event (star). It was a good event, but now it’s time to pack up!

Flowering Maple with Celeste Chalasani is the second of two classes I’m taking at my first National Needlearts Academy (NAN) event.

Our pre-work included transferring the design onto 12″ square cream silk shantung. It was placed onto Evertites with a cotton backing. I never use that many tacks but still have a little puckering. Since it’s outside the running stitch area, it shouldn’t be a problem. The Micron pen didn’t bleed and looked thinner in my test area. But, the top line bled a little on each end and is thicker than was intended. But, it’ll be fine. I’ll want a nice sturdy branch for my flowering Maple.

The top branch is 5 threads wide. So, my line is (or will be) well covered. I only got the left side done on Day 1. I got the veins in on the left leaf and partially outlined the left leaf. I have enough done to continue on Day 2 filling in the leaf. I think that’s part of tomorrow’s assignments.

I will finish the long and short for the center petal before cutting it out. Although I have enough pink cloth to have this one be my practice petal. The example piece has a wider light area, less medium, and the least amount dark. Mine is more like 1/3 of each color. We’ll see tomorrow when it is done and decide then. My buttonhole edge it good, and my threads are angling in nicely. So, I may keep this one.

Debbie Stiehlar’s beaded top won People’s Choice Award. Her husband made the beautiful wooden bowl and lid that the beading sat on. She was very pleased with the award, especially since her family said things like, “That’s nice.” Not even a wow! I guess they are too used to everything she shows them.

I had a nice chat with Sandy at my table during dinner. She was in charge of the ANG Stitch of the Month when I submitted my Crescent Journey. And, I was thrilled to hear that her chapter did Overdyed Spools. I hope she sends a photo of one or more because a male chapter member cut actual wooden spools in half, and they used them in the final piece. So cool!!

Bill came downstairs just in time for Debbie’s talk, and she was fantastic again. She asked 15 questions to see if you need an intervention. One question was, Do you have enough stretcher bars to build a shack?

One lady at my table, Mary Jo, gave Bill her Tiramasu. We got a favor from River Silks. I must have 5 packs of these now! I’ll have to do something with them. They are lovely ribbons.

We wrapped up the evening by heading to the bar where we were invited to join the celebration of Patricia Tector’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She has a lovely family. Bill and her son had a nice chat while her daughters and I chatted. It was a great time. Patricia was one of the judges for the Woodlawn this year and asked me to show her daughters a photo of my piece. I will be sharing more about that piece another time. I have to wait until I present it to the intended recipient.

Got to get to bed, so I’ll be ready for the final day of classes.