Filed under: Needlework and Textile Guild of Media, Other People's Designs, Susan Portra, The Cabochons, Faith, Susan Portra, The Cabochons, Love, Susan Portra, The Cabochons, Peace, Susan Portra, The Cabochons, Rapture, Tiny Weaving
One of my Christmas presents this year was a Susan Portra design, one of The Cabochons, called Peace.
It joins 3 more in the series that are in my stash, including Rapture, Love, and Faith.
And, the Tiny Weaving kit comes complete to create 2 different types of woven tapestries. But, more on that another time.
I didn’t quite finish stitching Bill’s card case. Hopefully, tomorrow.
Filed under: Quilt Magic Poinsettia
Working up any piece in small chunks seems to make it go easier and faster. It was that way with this Quilt Magic Poinsettia piece (#486), too. The 10 leaves were enough for one sitting.
Since the shapes are similar, I decided to cut all the papers first, but then cut the fabric for one leaf and tuck it into the area so I wouldn’t get confused about what went where.
I thought the smaller pieces would be easier. They weren’t. I cut the papers about 1/8″ smaller in order to reduce the amount of fabric to tuck.
Filed under: Quilt Magic Poinsettia
While organizing recently, I found Quilt Magic Poinsettia (#486), a Christmas gift from 2023 and see it hasn’t been touched all year long. So, I dedicated time over the past couple of weeks to complete it prior to Christmas this year.
There are 56 pieces in total. I had done the 8 outer borders and 4 of the beige with gold print pieces (https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/12/26/mary-maxim-quilt-magic-poinsettia/).
It’s a bit time-consuming cutting the papers first and then outlining it on the fabric (using a purple pen) before cutting each piece. But, no more so than needlepoint. I had used the word tedious, but I can’t say it is tiresome or dull, but it is slow progress. I made it through all of the beige with gold print before taking a break. I thought there was a mistake when I tried to place the 6 piece in the 9 area. I had the numbers upside down.
At this year’s ANG Seminar in Kansas City, MO, they had an auction where you could bid on items and some stuff for immediate purchase in a Grab ‘n Grab area. I was thrilled to see this Lee Credit Card Case (BAG05, Black) because my husband dabbles in magic and has several card tricks. This will hold a few of the ones that don’t require a full deck. Buff and Kristen, I know what you’re thinking!
Unbeknownst to him, he picked out the red he wanted for the hearts and diamonds when we stopped at Nimble Needle in NJ yesterday. I already had Pepper Pot Silk (PPS) Pepper 001 and PPS Salt 02. OMG – that’s salt and pepper! There were a few other reds – all different numbers but so close in color that I could not see any difference. The one he selected was PPS Mercury 250.
Because it was snowing yesterday, he’s not feeling 100% because he’s got a head cold, and he said it felt like Christmas, I suggested he open the one gift early. Bill loves it. Then, he had his choice of 3 designs, and he liked the simpler one because it looks most like the suits on cards.
The cross stitch design (found online) translates well to basketweave. I measured and figured out placement using my computer. I had the proper sizes of Evertites bars available and the canvas in my stash.
We have lots of football on TV before Christmas, but will it be enough time to finish the 5″ x 3.25″ (90 x 58 canvas threads) design by Christmas?
Many thanks to Kristen for reminding me that I’d bought this!
Filed under: Quilt Magic Poinsettia
Next up were the 20 outer red bracts (not petals) on my Quilt Magic Poinsettia. More cutting the papers (again slightly smaller), cutting the fabric, and tucking them into place.
I took a break after 10 leaves and again after 10 more before finishing the final 8 areas.
It’s so light, I used a prong hanger on the back.
Both Santas are checking out their new neighbor. I enjoyed doing this and am very happy to have completed it before Christmas, but I don’t need to do another one!
The fabric (supplied in the kit) comes from choicefabrics.com. I have nice size pieces of fabric left over for finishing backs of future ornaments.
Happy Holidays to all!!
It’s been two months since I last worked on Byzantium by Lorene Salt. Time flies by!
There are 6 purple wavy crescents and one Ray on each side. I love how the crescents nestle up next to each other in the center of the 3 crescents to create a denser area and tapers off on either side. The movement and weight variation are visually interesting.
I completed the 4 corner and 4 center side Ray variation stitches before tackling the alternating blue and purple ones.
Next up are quite a few Jessicas.
I picked up this Sewing Stitch & Zip (SZ 126 by Alice Petersen) in July 2019 from at Sandy’s X-Stitch On The Go in Hendersonville, NC. I finally got around to it when I decided to create dual sided business cards for Linda this year. I stitched the ultrasuede lining into place with invisible Sulky thread.
She can leave some at quilt stores to advertise her Valley Forge Quilt Guild and our ANG Main Line Stitches. The quilt is one of her award winners at this year’s exhibit. And, the needlepoint piece is her colorway for my design and the ANG 2024 Stitch of the Month, Crescent Journey. I think the neutral colorways look great together.
Staples makes creating business cards easy and affordable. If your organization is looking to spread the word, they are a great option because they fit easily in a member’s purse or wallet. Be sure to use both sides. I have personal cards and chapter cards.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Once again, Linda has outdone herself with this lovely Night and Day Bag by Annie for my Christmas gift. Why is called that? Stay tuned.
The combination of fabrics in this bag is fantastic. Here are just two of them. More to follow. It’s light weight and ties closed in the center.
Inside is another bag with a magnetic flap closure, 2 zippered pockets, and one unzipped but under the flap! It is completely separate if you need a second bag during your day. You see a third fabric revealed.
And, the first bag is reversible!
There is the fourth fabric, a small zipper pocket, and the adjustable strap can attach to either bag.
So, you can have one look for daytime and another for nights! It’s almost too pretty to use. Almost! I just bought a new black leather wallet that will look great in it.
If you’re near The Wayne Art Center, the current exhibit has some great pieces (and some not particularly appealing). If you’re not nearby, they do post the whole exhibit online at https://craftforms.org/craftforms-2024-online-exhibition/. Since they post online, I will share a closeup of an amazing beaded piece.
Close up of a bird’s eye.
And, closeup of stumpwork of a violin’s bridge.
Very enjoyable day!
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Laurel Burch Rainbow Butterfly by Danji
The final steps (antennae, outlines, and beads) of my Rainbow Butterfly by Danji.
I wanted the antennae to be more substantial than the black outlines, so I used Kreinik Facets and Petite Facets, respectively. These were all couched into place with Kreinik #4 Braid in matching 005 Black. I had to make the starting and ending holes pretty large to sink the Facets. Wrapping the thread with tape and making a pointed end allowed me something to grab and nudge through the enlarged hole, which I then tacked into place.
I planned my path with the Petite Facets to minimize the number of starting and ending holes. One long piece goes from the top left side of the yellow-orange wing down and around the body and across to the top right side. Two shorter pieces follow along the top of the fuchia-purple area. I made the “tape needle” again to start each side but used a large eye needle to finish.
The Kreinik Petite Facets 002 Gold looked more gold than the Kreinik #16 Braid 002 Gold that I had used for the body, and it was too thick, especially considering how much was getting outlined. I couldn’t have gone to #12 Braid because I needed the thicker #16 Braid to cover the width of the outline. I couched with #4 Braid 002 again. I also used #4 Braid to outline the edge of the small green and blue areas.
I often refer to Marilyn Owen’s article in the ANG Needle Pointers May/June 2021 issue for beading techniques. I used 2 different methods to attach the same size bead with 2 strands of black DMC floss. Both methods orient the beads vertically, but one is over 2 canvas threads and the other over 1 canvas thread. This allowed the same size beads to appear larger on the top half compared to the bottom, which is how the canvas was painted. I used Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads 11/0 (03040).
I’ll wait to share the background until it’s fully finished.
Here’s what mine is supposed to look like! Katie Kriner, owner of The Bee and the Bear in Hereford, PA had the models in the classroom for us today.
The kit made a lovely presentation to greet each of the 10 students (class max size).
Everything needed to finish the piece was included.
We’re working on wide weave linen (it feels rougher than the linen that I’m used to using for embroidery). Burlap is what was probably used many years ago, but the fibers break down. The strips are an “8” width (1/4″). They are also called worms.
We hook motifs first (lemon, leaves, stem) then background. As with punch needle, Katie had us work in a circular fashion toward the center.
The hooks don’t have the latch like what I used with precut lengths of yarn to make rugs back in my teens. Herrschners was where we bought our crafts back then, and they are still in business and still have latch rugs.
This is a different hook. It’s bigger than a crochet hook. Katie had a wide variety of quality hooks to try (smart businesswoman). The kit included a straight hook that wasn’t as easy to work with compared to the better ones. The dark wood ones (for $68-88) were pretty, but there wasn’t one with a bent shank. I decided the Hartman Hook with an ergonomic handle medium bent shank (5 mm) was my favorite (for $46). She offers $10 off to swap out the straight hook provided in the kit for any other hook.
I struggled some, but that’s not unusual in a class. I’m not in my comfy chair, lots of chatter, and an unfamiliar tool. You hold the hook above the linen in your right hand and hook the worm with your left hand below the linen. The woman across from me finished the leaves, stem, and most of the lemon before we ran out of time. I get it – you hook the worms! And, you cut the tails and leave them on the top.
Both Kristen and I needed a stand (we settled on a weight from a box). We both tried to put the tool below the surface on multiple occasions. And, we both agreed that the lack of precision (different height of loops at different angles) is not as pleasing to us as what we can get from needlepoint. But, it is our first attempt. Katie says we’ll see improvement as we progress. I believe that there is always a learning curve for any new endeavor.
The night before class, I had seen a friend’s first attempt also in progress, but she had hooked hers so tightly that each motif was folding up on itself. So, I am probably a little bit on the loose side. We’ll see what happens as I do plan on finishing this and the punch needle (eventually). Here’s what the backside should look like.
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