Filed under: 2025, Flowering Maple with Celeste Chalasani, National Academy of Needlearts (NAN)
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.
Filed under: 2025, Knotted Needle, National Academy of Needlearts (NAN), Needlepoint Shops, The Wool and the Floss
Yesterday, we really enjoyed the tour of the Motown Museum, and I really enjoyed the two needlepoint stores we visited afterward.
We stopped at the Knotted Needle first and then a half mile down the road to The Wool and the Floss. We’ll be going to The Needleworks (5 min from the Somerset Inn) as part of Dawn Donnelly’s class to buy our threads. And, Homestead Needle Arts is too far northwest.
Becky, the owner of Knotted Needle showed me around her store. The rooms are huge and filled with all sorts of goodies! She’s getting ready to display the new Radiance Metallics, adding to her 135 lines of threads. These photos don’t show the yarns for knitting, tables up front for casual stitchers to sit around, or the back room with more goodies and 2 more tables for classes! There is a finisher, the Finishing Fairy, Amanda Metes teaching there this weekend, and Julia Snyder in July.
I couldn’t resist the 2 books (more details another time), and I will definitely use The Thread Gatherer, Sea Grass, Tuxedo for my class piece. The thread stock listed online is accurate to the quantity available when you order it. A nice feature.
The women at The Wool and the Floss were all busy getting busy for their grand opening Saturday. They moved recently to this cute store. I hope to fit those embellishments onto my design too. And, I had to have a tiny laying tool!
The area is lucky to have both stores!
This thread will make great cording for finishing. I have it in red for my heart. Fireside Stitchery carries the thread as well.
We enjoyed a few hours in The Rock and Roll of Fame before arriving a day and a half early to get acclimated to the area (Troy, MI) where the annual National Academy of Needlearts Assembly for Embroiderers occurs.
We checked in, and I got my registration package. I bought the special 40th Ruby Anniversary needleminder/magnet (love Accoutrements Designs, Mag Friends). I am new to NAN and one of 21 “First-Timers.” There are around 100 attendees.
My husband and I went to PF Changs (love their chicken lettuce wraps) and then strolled around the “rich” side of the Somerset Collection Mall! Wow. One store was serving drinks to their shoppers.
I happened to see a window display and knew it’s the one for my class with Dawn Donnelly, Project Runway! I probably should not blog about this design since Dawn is encouraging us to submit it to the exhibit next year. But, it is more “whimsy” than what you would normally see me do. But, that’s what I like about class, it’s about trying new things.
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