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.
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
These are 3 of the octagons that’ll I’ll finish for individual gifts. They are a bit out of order because I picked the designs I liked best. And, a couple are repeats but I am using different threads.
Octagon F, Spratshead with Woven Spider & outer spratshead, is one of the repeats. But, I am using Rachel instead of Watercolours which gives it even more of a raised effect.
Octagon H, Eight Pointed Star, I added a bead to embellish the center.
Octagon S, Waffle & Milanese, is also a repeat of Octagon C but I am using Rachel & 2 Kreinik threads (different weights) instead of Fine Velour, Kreinik, & Watercolours (as was seen in Octagon C).
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
More on ‘Pieces of Eight’ by Gayle Bicknell. Still using my own stash.
For Octagon D, Rhodes & Scotch, I added a long straight stitch between each Rhodes unit using 2 threads & added beads in between each Rhodes unit on the outside edges & in the center.
For Octagon E, Satin & Rhodes, I didn’t use any beads because Kreinik metallic threads were enough embellishment in a small piece.
For Octagon F, Spratshead with Woven Spider, I added beads at the end of the spokes of the Woven Spider.
Octagon D Octagon E Octagon F
Filed under: Pieces of Eight
This year’s Chapter project is ‘Pieces of Eight’ by Gayle Bicknell. This was presented originally in Needlepoint Now in 4 installments (Sep/Oct 1999; Jan/Feb 2000; Mar/Apr 2000; May/Jun 2000; Jul/Aug 2000).
I and several others are selecting to complete the project in smaller pieces. For example, I am making napkin ring holders (with 3 octagons each) and the rest are being made into individual pieces to mount, frame, and given as gifts. Mostly, we’re using our own stash. And, we’re doing 3 octagons per monthly meeting & taking turns being the ‘teacher’ (who stitches in advance of the meeting to answer any questions & give any helpful tips). So far, only Octagon B has proven difficult.
For Octagon A, Heart Amadeus, I added an Outer Sprats Head using 1 thread & I added beads in the 8 halves of the tops of the hearts.
For Octagon B, Walneto Variation, I added beads in the middle of the center squares near the borders.
For Octagon C, Waffle & Milanese, I added beads in the center of each Milanese unit.
Octagon A Octagon B Octagon C
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