Filed under: 9-step Value Scale
9-step Value Scale Threads:
9 – Black (DMC floss #310): Vineyard Silk S538*, Trio T12, Petite Very Velvet, V601, Fuzzy Stuff FZ02, DMC Floche 310
8 – Gray (DMC floss 3799): Trio T40*, Petite Very Velvet, V616
7 – Gray (DMC floss 413): Trio T207*, Trio T208, Fuzzy Stuff FZ19*, Splendor S1118*
6 – Gray (DMC floss 317): Trio T57*, Trio T103*, Flair 610*, Silk & Ivory 57*, Splendor S889
5 – Gray (DMC floss 414): Vineyard Silk C106*, Planet Earth Dusk*, Fuzzy Stuff FZ01*
4 – Gray (DMC floss 318): Vineyard Silk S536*, Flair 593*, Impressions 1072*, DMC Floche 318*, Splendor S891
3 – Gray (DMC floss 415): Trio T58*, Impressions 1046*, Vineyard Silk S535*, Fuzzy Stuff FZ36*, Snow 09* Silver*, DMC Floche 415*
2 – Gray (DMC floss 762): Trio T113, Vineyard Silk S539*, DMC Floche 762*
1 – White (DMC floss blanc): Trio T02, Fuzzy Stuff FZ15, DMC Floche blanc*, DMC Perle #8 blanc
*Indicates thread was used in some part of the pictured needlework.
Some threads I placed in a particular value could be debated (but I had to place them somewhere).
Filed under: Pooh Doing Nothing
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” Winnie the Pooh
I got the vibrant colors done – just need to do sandy white background & the main man, Pooh! I think the black outline really makes the colors even more vibrant – I guess it is the contrast.
Filed under: 9-step Value Scale
I wanted to utilize the 9-step gray scale that I learned about in Mary Shipp’s design class. And, I wanted to practice with stitches from Stitches For Effect/Stitches To Go by Suzanne Howren & Beth Robertson. But, I did not get the effect of dark (upper left) to light (moving down & to the right). And, the stitch selection didn’t help. I think this is an example of trying to do too much in one piece. I forgot about the One-Three-Five Rule from Mary’s lessons. Next time, I’ll eliminate either many of the stitches I selected or many of the thread types I selected or both!
And, you may have guessed, that’s why I am using shades of gray in ANG SOTM 2010 Mystery project – I have quite a large stash now!
Filed under: Thread Play
You won’t be surprised when I tell you I took Mary Shipp’s ‘Understanding Color’ class – that was in May 2005. When I created this piece, “Thread Play” for one of the lessons, she said I gave her “quite a shock”. Tasked to experiment with various effects that you can get with various threads, I prepared 25 samples. I’ve included close-up pictures of 2 of my favorites.
After Mary Shipp’s Understanding Design class, I created this color wheel despite her comment that available threads are not available for a full 24 hue color wheel. Next time, I’ll do a 12 hue color wheel.
My DMC floss color #s are listed below.
Note: * indicate those of mine which differed from Mary’s suggestions.
Legend: yellow (y), green (g), blue (b), violet (v), red (r), orange (o).
y: 973*
y-g-y: 907
y-g: 906*
g-y-g: 701
g: 700*
g-b-g 991
b-g 3765
b-g-b: 517*
b: 825*
b-v-b: 797*
b-v: 796*
v-b-v: 791*
v: 333*
v-r-v: 550*
r-v: 327*
r-v-r: 3685*
r: 666*
r-o-r: 606*
r-o: 608*
o-r-o: 740*
o: 970*
o-y-o: 740*
o-y: 742*
y-o-y: 972*
Filed under: Overlooking the Valley
Shortly after I finished the fireplace, I started “Understanding Design” taught by Mary Shipp. As with the previous course, I wasn’t disappointed with this one. The class materials were extensive & Mary’s critiques were very instructive. As I look back over the materials, I see that there is much more I can learn from them on my own. Even though I didn’t have to stitch my lesson, I wanted to as I looked forward to taking the “Understanding Color” class!
After the “First Steps” samplers (July 2003), I began designing a piece to use the 31 stitches which I’d just learned & was finished stitching it by Jan 2004!
Because I’d wanted to stay with blocks like the samplers I had just finished, I thought of bricks in a fireplace. The selection & placement of stitches was somewhat complicated by certain stitches which have a raised effect. I wanted a balanced effect. And, the 3 shades of red enhanced the brick effect while the Byzantine stitch helped create depth.
The hardest part may have been deciding what to put on the mantle. I do have notes on this project. And someday, I’d to recreate the fireplace using the same layout with a different background, various objects sitting on the mantle, and with stitch selections in the fireplace appropriate for an intermediate & advanced stitcher.
I named it after Fireside Stitchery in Frazer, PA. And, my “Fireside Sampler” was finished just in time to become a housewarming gift for friends, Jim & Deb.
Filed under: First Steps
I took this basic course in 2003 to create 4 samplers (6”x6”). Nanette taught everything from preparing canvases to color terminology to 31 different stitches. Right from the start I was impressed by the packet of materials, the option to contact her by email, & her responsiveness when I did.
Then, I made my first visit to Fireside Stitchery for canvas & stretcher bars (glad I saved my AC Moore receipt b/c frames are different from bars). There, I was overwhelmed by the variety of threads. So, I stayed with DMC Cotton Perle which I knew I could get at my closer AC Moore. But, I knew I would return!
I read through the lesson, worked up the assignment, & sent it for review. Each set of Nanette’s comments were detailed & thorough! And, by lesson 3’s review, she had worked through improving my technique enough that she talked to me about how to use the stitches in future projects or alter stitches for different effects.
Both “First Steps” & Nanette made for a pleasurable introduction to ANG. I had begun the year-long course in November 2002 & was finished by July 2003. And, I was so enthralled by the course, I immediately began to design a piece using the 31 stitches – which you’ll see posted tomorrow night!
No doubt many of you will recognize this project:
All 4 block of "First Steps""
And, a little closer:
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3 - Block C
Lesson 4 - Block D
Filed under: Pooh Doing Nothing
“Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” Winnie the Pooh
After my husband, Bill, selected this piece (a sunglasses case designed by Barbara Russell) as a Christmas gift, the guys at Rittenhouse Needlepoint helped with thread selection. Because of the wear & tear it will get, they recommended using DMC Cotton Perle with the basketweave stitch. It had been so long since I used that stitch, I had to look it up to be sure how it differed from Continental (The Needlepoint Book by Jo Ippolito Christensen). There is no distortion & it is a durable stitch. It’s a nice change of pace from what I’ve been working on & practical! Good choice Bill – I love it & you were right – my sunglasses needed a nice case!
Filed under: Sun Flower with David McCaskill at Fireside Stitchery
Colorful background
Couching
Pale green in Daisy
Green petal outline
Petals #1 & #6
Petal #2
Petal #3
Petal #4
Petal #5
Petal #7
Petal #8
Petal #9
Petal #10
Petal #11
Petal #12
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