In Old Town Needlework, the third and final store of the day, I spent most of my time selecting Vineyard Merino threads for Bargello Techniques (which will be the subject of another blog). But, I found this counted cross-stitch design of Monument Valley from Doherty Designs which is on the Arizona-Utah border. It was like the scenes and colors we saw in Sedona.
For $5, I had to get it. They had Aida cloth and DMC threads in the kit for $24 – pays to have stash! There are only 12 colors. The colors were so vibrant in person – I may try to stitch one my photos. There is a magnet sitting in the middle of the booklet in the photo. I was impressed with the Grand Canyon when we saw that a few years ago & this is just as or more impressive of an area.
Filed under: Christmas Cactus, Christmas Ornaments, Other People's Designs
My second stop in Arizona was Quail Run Needlepoint where I picked up a Christmas Cactus ornament. Particularly appropriate because we spent Christmas in Arizona & had sent a picture of Bill standing next to a big cactus saying it was our Christmas Tree this year. We were amazed at how big they grow. Later, we did see a few decorated ones. Eventually, we’ll have a decorated cactus as a memento. Perfect!
I found the most incredible thread for it too – Sea Grass (104) from The Thread Gatherer. It is flat & thin – will really elongate the natural shape of the cactus. Then, the gold Rachelette (A47) will criss-cross on top of the Sea Grass. Not that I needed much for the gift boxes but I picked up Sparkle Rays (PS03) for the yellow gift box and ThreadworX #8 braid (710541) because I doubted I had any bright yellow or blue in my stash. While I knew I had enough reds to choose from, I never tried City Needlework thread (#45), a Chinese silk.
The Quail Run seal matched the brown bag and was a perfectly fine presentation. The edges of the canvas were taped. And, I got a 10% ANG discount. They had the books, charted designs, painted canvases, Watercolours, and Waterlillies. So far, 2 wonderful stores!
I found a note that this piece is called “Western Star” by Katrina at Quail Run. Katrina doesn’t have an internet presence. She lives in the mountains of Colorado & comes into the store periodically and sells her painted canvases.
It will make a wonderful remembrance of Christmas in Arizona!
While in Arizona, I visited 3 needlepoint stores! At BeStitched Needlepoint, I picked up a pretty pineapple design & Belle Soie, a silk floss, that I have not tried before. The design is a Liz Goodrick from Susan Roberts Needlepoint Designs.
I thought it was interesting that the store only had painted canvases. No books or charted instructions. And, no Watercolours and a half-dozen Waterlillies. Plenty of other threads such as Vineyard, Planet Earth, etc.
They sewed the fabric border on the edges before I left the store, gave me suggestions on how to stitch it, and packaged it up so pretty that I have to share that picture too! When I unwrapped it (which just happened today because we shipped some souvenirs home & I have been swamped at work), I notified that the black and white fabric border (which may be called bias tape? Even though not tape material?) matches their bag! Of course, I realize these touches come at a cost (no ANG 10%).
Filed under: Uncategorized
While in Arizona, we visited Montezuma’s Castle and the Heard Museum. It is a little tough to get pictures without flash but …
I like to try fibers but this probably belongs with basket weaving not needlepoint.
and, using a yucca needle doesn’t look like it will slide easy.
The textiles at the Heard Museum were fantastic. The dye was made from dried cochineal beetles harvested on prickly pear cactus plants. It takes 3,750 beetles to dye a pound of wool bright red!
Beautiful examples
And, beaded purses!!
Filed under: Melita's Designs
I started a needlepoint piece for a friend who we are seeing next weekend. I selected a jewelry box from my stash of finishing pieces which I picked it up at a flea market. I love flea markets! With a small heart opening, I knew I could get it done in a week. But, unfortunately, my husband was sick on New Year’s Eve (day & night). Because we stayed in yesterday & today (he is feeling better now), I focused on this piece AND it is done in just 2 days!
My friend Kathy loves wine. So, I thought grapes would be perfect. I decided on a circular Rhodes because it was round and would have dimension (raised center like grapes). I made a rough draft on graph paper & would adjust as needed. Not making the stitch complicated helped me get it done quickly. And, I allowed myself to be more random as grapes would be in nature. I am not sure how accurate this diagram is now compared to my finished piece.
Next, I selected 4 threads from my DMC stash because they shared the same shade within the purple color family: 3834, 3835, 3836, & 3837. For the grapes on the left, I did a mathematical thread blending as follows:
A = 3834 x 6 threads
B = 3834 x 4 threads & 3835 x 2 threads
C = 3834 x 3 threads & 3835 x 3 threads
D = 3834 x 2 threads & 3835 x 4 threads
E = 3834 x 6 threads
And, the same with 3836/3837.
Initially, I tried compensating the Rhodes in between the full grapes but it was looking messy & the full size grapes were disappearing when I used 3 threads of 1 of the 2 matching colors. So, I decided that basketweave with a color from the other bunch of grapes would make enough contrast. Then, I added in some branches & leaves (3051/3053). I did attach an extra layer of canvas around the edge so that the needlepoint wouldn’t shift in the insert. But even that wasn’t enough. So, I added a square of white felt which worked perfectly!
It was a shame Bill got sick but I enjoyed stitching!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Thanks again to everyone for visiting me and my adventures in needlepoint. I have gotten a lot accomplished and have a lot yet to do – as do we all! I have visited a lot of needlepoint stores & managed to find some wonderful projects & threads. For 2014, I am going to FOCUS. By concentrating efforts on a single project, I hope to move along quicker. Plus, my living area will be clearer & that will make my husband happier!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 19,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Click here to see the complete report.
I didn’t think I ‘d have time to blog but I found this Framecraft ceramic beige bowl with gilded metal lid (on sale) today! The work is beautiful (not signed unless it is under the lid but I am not going to take it apart to look). And, the dish is in excellent condition. We’ve been out in Scottsdale, Arizona for the holiday & popped into an antique mall today. I really was amazed to find this gem for $5. We are taking a break after a van tour of the area & before dinner.
When I return home, I will share my experiences at 3 needlepoint stores – honestly, when I picked this location for vacation, I had no idea there were 3 stores so close to us! But, I found my color scheme for Bargello Techniques & will be using Vineyard Merino. I also found a couple of small painted canvases & one cross stitch chart. And, we went into the Heard Museum where we saw some lovely Native American pieces that I’ll share too.
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 Correspondence Courses, ANG CyberPointer's Chapter, Bargello Techniques by Liz Morrow
Here are all the sample stitches put together. Only the Silk n’ Ivory, Vineyard Merino (Wiltex Threads), and Planet Earth Silk have sufficient coverage for Bargello. Of those, the Vineyard Merino seems to cover just slightly more at the point of the holes. The other 2 provide just about identical coverage. The remaining 5 threads just don’t cover well enough unless you untwist the thread as Liz suggested but I didn’t try that.
Row 1: ThreadworX Vineyard Silk – ThreadworX Expressions
Row 2: Silk n’ Ivory – Pepper Pot
Row 3: Shepherd’s Silk – Vineyard Merino
Row 4: Vineyard Silk – Planet Earth Silk
TIP: I read in an ANG Yahoo message that if you thread Silk n’ Ivory one way it pills. If you thread it the other way it doesn’t. You take each end and twist it in your hand. Then, thread the end that splays more into the needle’s eye. I’ll have to try this!
Postscript: Liz has since done a comparison of more threads that is fantastic: http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/bargello-threads.html and we both agree Silk n’ Ivory has sufficient coverage but Liz feels Vineyard Merino (Wiltex Threads) is marginal and she didn’t review Planet Earth Silk. And, I didn’t review Jumbuck (Dinky Dyes). Additional information is at https://www.lizartneedlepoint.com/working-with-bargello.html#/
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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