Filed under: Pieces of Eight
As a reminder, the directions for ‘Pieces of Eight’ by Gayle Bicknell are available at http://www.needlepointnow.com/pdf/nn_form_reprint_05_14_09.pdf. They are reprinted all in one issue for $18.
These are 2 of the octagons that’ll I’ll finish for coasters to go with the napkin rings.
Octagon N combines Double Straight Cross (bottom left portion) & Alternating Cashmere (top right portion). I did the centermost row of Double Straight Crosses in Kreinik & filament & added couched filament to accentuate the flow of the Alternating Cashmere.
Octagon R combines Diagonal Mosaic (upper left portion), Diagonal Herringbone (single row with Kreinik & Accentuate), & Slanted Gobelin (bottom right side with added couched filament to accentuate the flow of the columns). When I inserted this photo here, I saw a misplaced stitch but it’s not worth trying to fix it. Can you find it?
Filed under: Orchids
I sketched it.
And, I stitched it.
Filed under: Overlooking the Valley
Not that this is by any way a masterpiece or anything close to it but I was looking through my box searching for something else & found more notes from Mary Shipp’s classes. I had said it was my design but I was wrong – it is an adaptation. So, I thought I share how I made it.
I collected photos (this has a white fingerprint smudge on it-sorry) as Mary suggested to see learn about color & perspective.
Then, I sketched it. Drawing isn’t as difficult as it may seem. I took her advice & practiced techniques in Betty Edwards’ book, Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain.
Then, I mapped out the areas.
Lastly, I selected stitches for the various areas.
And, then I stitched it. Not going to win any prizes but much was learned.
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
These are the bottom 2 of the 4 octagons.
Octagon Q is a Waffle and Scotch Stitch Composite. I added a couched thread around the waffle stitch as a border.
Octagon O is a bargello pattern.
I filled in the center (where the 4 join) with a Rhodes stitch & haven’t decided what to do on the sides yet. I have a frame & need to figure out how much wider an area there is after framing to see if a border stitch around all 4 octagons make sense. Generally, I’m not big on open/unstitched areas on a canvas. Of course, it depends on the piece & stitches selected. I’m going to call the group of 4 “Southwestern Quad” until I come up with anything better – any ideas?
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
These are 2 of 4 being done in a southwest color & are being framed as a set. Again, a little filament thread goes a long way to sparkle up a design without overpowering it. I’m going to get a lot of gifts out of this work.
Octagon M is a Waffle Variation & I added a Byzantine to frame it.
Octagon U is a Tied Oblong Cross (same as Octagon G) & I added something like a Byzantine Stitch that I made up to frame it. I do like symmetry & these 2 are going to be the top 2 of 4 framed octagons.
After finding this Framecraft ceramic mauve bowl with gilded metal lid (on sale), I went into my jewelry stash (from flea markets) & found the rose from a necklace that I could sew onto the lid for a handle. Then, I created a simple design for the lid from my stash. It is a smaller variation of the Pavillion Steps from The Needlepoint Book by Jo Ippolito Christensen. And, the 3 colors I used (mauve, pink, & gold) are placed differently than in the diagram but as Jo wrote, 3 colors are essential to obtain a 3-dimensional effect. The little bit of gold Kreinik (#4 very fine) used in the pattern complimented the rose handle & the metal lid without overpowering the small lid. It now holds some small miscellaneous needlepoint aides & an eraser which gets a lot of use!
Filed under: Early Embroidery
This piece of embroidery was probably done when I was in my early teens. I recall this was a stamped canvas from a kit now discarded & so, I don’t know the designer. I remember painstakingly covering the stamped lines so that none would show. And, I remember wanting the threads to be smooth. But, I must have used my fingers because I’ve only recently learned about & bought a laying tool. Maybe, I really don’t need one! Types of stitches used in this appear to be straight stitch & chain stitch (maybe french knot).
Filed under: Early Needlepoint
These are 2 pieces of needlepoint that I completed as a young girl with guidance from my grandmother. She (Mae), my mother (Rita), and my older sister (Anita) all are stitchers. In fact, my grandmother hooked rugs, knitted, crocheted, & she even did some beautiful leather tooling.
I believe I was a pre-teen at this point but they are not dated so I can only go on memory. They were from a kit long since discarded & so, I don’t know the designer. Types of stitches include straight stitches, basketweave, french knots, & diagonal mosaic. Very easy stitches. Can you spot the missed stitch in Hooter?
Filed under: Pooh Doing Nothing
“Sing Ho! For the life of a Bear!” Winnie the Pooh
I enjoy a smaller project because I like the variety of working on more projects & the sense of accomplishment upon completion. Now, it’s off to the finisher for Pooh. And, for me, back to Sun Flowers & Pieces of Eight because I can’t sit & do nothing!!
Filed under: General comments
I finally figured out how to change the top banner! So, until I decide on a personalized one, I’ll pick this in honor of our record-breaking snowfalls this winter.
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