Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Laurel Burch Rainbow Butterfly by Danji
It probably would have made sense to work the center red areas before the outer center areas on my Rainbow Butterfly (by Danji, Laurel Burch Artwork). But, it worked out ok.
I stitched over the red painted area with 3 strands of Planet Earth Silk, Fury 1005 using a Climbing Stitch located in Painted Canvas Embellishment: An Idea Book by Carole Lake and Michael Boren (in the section appropriated labeled Wings 2).
I ignored the painted placement of the Sundance Sequins (SQ216) and placed a few extra in the area which are held in place by Miyuki Delica Beads 11/0 (DB-0310, Matte Black). Again, the sides are uneven (the left side is larger than the right side).
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Laurel Burch Rainbow Butterfly by Danji
These 3 areas in the outer center area will be the only areas where I will let your eyes “rest” (a little) anywhere on my Rainbow Butterfly (by Danji, Laurel Burch Artwork). Did you know? Butterflies “roost” at night and avoid the rain. The raindrops can be devastating for a butterfly, and so they seek shelter.
The combination blue and green area used a couple of stitch ideas from Painted Canvas Embellishment: An Idea Book by Carole Lake and Michael Boren. The blue crosses are my variation to fit my space of theirs from page 68 on Wings 2 (Planet Earth Silk Ply, Azure 1233). The green is alternating rows of tent stitch going in different directions to change the reflection of light (Planet Earth Silk Ply, Fiddlehead 1056 – love that thread name). The canvas does have shading with it getting dark towards the center. So, I used one strand of the Planet Earth Silk in order to see some of the coloration of the canvas show through.
I did basketweave in the other areas with 2 strands Planet Earth Silk. I didn’t want it heavier than the blue and green area. One strand of the black worked fine for the lines.
Working this out on my computer before stitching it was very helpful. The sides are not perfectly identical. Did you know? Asymmetrically-winged butterflies are called chimera [ky-mee-ra] butterflies.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Laurel Burch Rainbow Butterfly by Danji
Next up was the fuchsia-purple area. This is another area with a lovely color shift from fuchsia to purple. I found Waterlilies 084 African Sunset in my stash and got Waterlilies 286 Aubergine (means eggplant).
Top left.
Top right.
I started with 4 strands of fuchia, then thread blended with purple in 3 steps (3+1, 2+2, 1+3), and finished with 4 strands of purple using a knitting stitch variation from Desert Island Stitches, Volume 1, pg 46.
Again, relying on my photos, I couched black Velour Yarn Fine Mesh by Fleur de Paris with one strand of DMC Floss 310 black. Instead of the 8 swirls, I only made 7 of them because of the odd number rule. Although, looking at the painted canvas, I see them grouped as 5 and 3, which looks fine too.
I couldn’t pass up the butterfly magnet by Accoutrements. They are pretty and strong.
Kristen used a fuchsia-purple overdyed and let the colors fall as they came. It was an excellent and less complicated option.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Laurel Burch Rainbow Butterfly by Danji
Back in August, I posted about the padded raised stem stitch that I used for the body (https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/08/16/raised-stem-stitch-for-rainbiw-butterfly/).
I’ve been working on it while Kristen from my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter has been working on hers. We each selected our own stitches and threads without sharing ideas. We both got done for this month’s chapter meeting. So, we revealed the progress photos and discussed choices as the program topic. I’ll post by area over the next few days.
For the top part of the wing on my Rainbow Butterfly by Danji, I found Waterlilies 280 Casabasa that has a color change from yellow to orange that very closely matches the colors on the canvas.
Left wing.
Right wing.
I decided to basketweave, which meant I would cover the red lines. I’ve never tried covering an area so completely to stitch on top of before, so I took close-up photos.
There was about 24″ left of the Waterlilies left because I had to cut lengths that moved from yellow to orange.
Kristen did basketweave, too, with an overdyed that created repeats of the yellow to orange color changes for a more banded effect. I’m sure hers was easier and looked great, especially since the red lines covered some of the area.
By carefully following the photos, I was able to place lines of Sparkle Rays (SR29) where they were meant to go. It’s probably not going to be something I do too often, but these were straight lines in a small enough area to give it a try. I just love that sparkle in Sparkle Rays. Kristen used a Kreinik Braid very effectively.
I decided to match the right side to that of the left partly because Sparkle Rays is a flat ribbon slightly wider than the painted lines. The inter wrapping triangle on the right wing had bothered me anyway. So, I followed the left side mostly. It’s not painted as widely as the left side, and so it does differ slightly.
Filed under: ANG New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter, Christmas Ornaments, Festival of Trees, General comments, Melita's Designs
Sue C from New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter had this frame in her unwanted stash pile, and I knew that I would make a nice ornament for the chapter’s tree at the Festival of Trees held annually.
There will be 2 large rooms on display at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge, NJ (190 Lord Stirling Rd). You can see them Friday, December 6, through Sunday, December 29 (except 24th and 25th).
So, I dubbed this ornament Festive Tree for the Festival of Trees. There is silver Kreinik #8 Braid in a diagonal gobelin stitch to secure the edges the size of the frame (doesn’t show). One length of green Silk Lame Braid for 18 count was used to form the base and criss-crossed upward to create the tree. There is a silver sequin and a bead for the tree top and 3 beads of 5 different colors (blue, green, red, yellow, and orange) making up the lights. The canvas has silver sparkle in it.
I delivered it, and the Christmas Plaid ornament I posted previously to Jacqui at the November of the Central Jersey Chapter (CJC) Saturday meeting/Stitch-in (every 3rd Saturday 10-3).
Filed under: Explore and Design with Debbie Rowley
I realized that I didn’t post my Diamonds, Triangles, and More design probably because I wasn’t sure what I would do with it. I still don’t know but wanted to share it anyway.
The class, Explore and Design, with Debbie Rowley began in February earlier this year and I read through our booklet upon arrival and dove right in! I detailed my progress within the groups.io platform during the 6-session class throughout March and April. I mostly did this piece just to play with the variety of stitches in the booklet Debbie provided. It was a very extensive booklet. So, I have almost no repeated stitches. The motifs in yellow are larger than I usually stitch which is why I choose them. I used a thin thread to see the motif better. I might like this better if I used a colored canvas because canvas does show. I also learned that a continuous Herringbone border does not work our perfectly! Trust me I tried – more than once.
I am very interested in getting to my garden path, Flowers Along a Rhode. I have it diagrammed and just need to find time to start stitching.
During Friday’s reorganization, I gathered all my laying tools.
On the top is an African porcupine quill topped with a bead that was made by Patrick B. The middle row starting on the left has an extra Trolley Needle (went to Ebay; my other one is in my travel tool tote). Next is my fancy Celtic laying tool based on the Trolley Needle design that I use at home (it has a blunt end, and I’ve never come close to poking my eye with it). The “Stitcher’s Best Friend” (SBF) is third and has a nice angled tip, so I brought it upstairs to give it a try. The 4th is the “Best Laying Tool” (BLT), but not for me, although I will keep it in the basement cabinet because it says it’s an American style “Tekobari” with a really sharp tip which is needed doing goldwork.
On the bottom is a double end dental tool that I got as a free gift when daily drawings were held at ANG Seminars. It comes in handy for different things!
Since Saturday was ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter Stitch-in, I grabbed the Adjustable Stretcher Bars by Frank A Edmunds (they didn’t keep the canvas tight and easily got bumped out of shape) and my plastic hoops (I will use Morgan hoops or wooden ones wrapped in twill tape) and dropped them off for sale on Ebay.
I also threw in 1 of 2 Crafter’s Pride “Stitch A Ruler” because I plan to stitch a blackwork piece for 1 of them (I won’t need 2).
It may not be much to get rid of, but it’s some progress in a never-ending goal of getting organized.
After yesterday’s punch needle saga, I used this afternoon’s much needed, rainy, dreary day to tackle a few drawers in the basement.
It didn’t take me long to channel Patrick B from my ANG and EGA chapters to finally repurpose a lovely mother of pearl vintage (1950’s) Marhill cigarette case into a needle case for my beading needles. It has no chips or cracks to the mother of pearl and is in fantastic condition inside too. The case still has the original “Marhill” sticker inside and measures 3 by 4 inches. I even have a Marhill purple pouch to hold it, which is probably why the case is in such good condition.
I’ve had these business card magnets for several years, which were bought for the case. However, I was never able to find both the magnets and the case at the same time. I got lucky today!
I cut 2 magnets to fit side by side. One side is sticky. It now holds the beading needles that I don’t know what size or brand they are.
My EdMar #11 Beading Short Needles and Tulip #10 Beading Long Needles are in a tube that won’t fit in this case. The pack of Bohn #28 Tapestry needles really aren’t beading needles but work for many beads. I’ll keep these with my new case in my beading box.
With that success, I tackled my regular needles and tossed about 2 dozen used needles. I think I can replace my needles more frequently!
That’s enough for today.
Here’s a Tapestry needle size guide.
Filed under: General comments, Needlepoint Shops, Punch Needle, The Bee & The Bear - Punch Needle
I have (or had) 3 punch needle projects that I tried without success. They were not where I expected them to be. I was going to take them to my class. Damn, Bill was right – he said I wouldn’t be able to find them! Is it possible that I gave up on them and put them in an Ebay auction at Fireside Stitchery?
Here’s a photo of the one I picked up in 2013 at Liberty Cottage, a Folk Art Stitchery store – close to Expressions in NeedleArt in Canandaigua, NY. I know this thanks to my post https://melitastitches4fun.com/2013/07/17/needlepoint-visit-to-rochester-canandaigua-ny/. I’m happy to say both stores are still operating. I don’t get there too often but they are well worth the visit if you’re in the area (30 minutes southeast of Rochester).
I signed up for this class as soon as I saw “Punch Needle with Embroidery Floss for Beginners” would be at Mainline School Night(.org). The teacher is Katie Kriner, Author, Fibert Artist, Shop Owner of The Bee & The Bear, which I see is in Hereford, PA (about 1 hour 20 minutes north of Philadelphia-kind of between Allentown and Reading). From the photos, I would describe it as a Folk Art Stitchery store, too.
Class description: Learn to punch an intricate floral 4” embroidery hoop; choosing between various different flower colors. Leave with instruction and knowledge to punch and the tools to create your own future pieces. Class materials include an ultra punch punch needle, 7” Morgan interlocking hoop for punching, wooden display hoop, backing fabric, and floss to complete the piece.
The class was in the Creutzburg Center – 260 Gulph Creek Road (in Harford Park) Radnor, PA 19087. They hold a variety of classes there. The parking lot was full. It’s a great venue.
The Morgan hoop as a single hoop is fantastic. You can get the fabric really tight because of a ridge inside the one hoop (interlocking design). You can get a pair of 5″/7″ or 7″/10″ and make a lap stand. I’m surprised that nobody in EGA has ever mentioned these.
The ultra punch needle is the same as the one I can’t find. Perhaps I didn’t thread the needle properly. Or, perhaps I didn’t understand that you punch on the design side and that is actually the back.
This is what I got done during class (left side) and what it should end up looking like (teacher’s sample on the right).
It was a small class of 8 people and 2 hours went quickly. Katie is a mother of 2-year old twins (boy and a girl). Very nice woman. She brought some of everything from her store to entice us! I can always make a road trip to Hereford, especially if we visit our friend near Jim Thorpe.
Katie wrote a book during covid. She sells it at her store, on her website, or Amazon. She has an Etsy store. I’ll probably try her rug hooking class. It uses a different tool and yarn.
As I was finishing this post, I realized that the punch needle that I purchased should be in my infrequently used “tool” drawer in the basement cabinet. I was looking for a project. I wondered why I’d buy a peacock to punch. It was there! Now, I can punch with 2 different colors without switching threads. It’s a process to thread the punch needle. I still don’t know where those 2 little punch needle projects are hiding. Katie’s ultra punch needle came with 2 threaders, 2 springs, and 3 needles (small, medium, and large). So, I am set with equipment.
Filed under: ANG New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter, Ribbon Candy Ornaments
Nancy B from New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter put together lovely kits to make 3 Ribbon Candy Ornaments at this month’s meeting.
We were given 22″ lengths of Grosgrain ribbon with stripes printed on both sides in Christmas red, green, and both. Nancy said locating the ribbon was the hardest part. I did a search just now and can’t find these colors in stripes. She marked the end at 1″, 2″ increments, and 1″ from the end on each of our ribbons. That made it super easy for us!
We got 7 small and 7 large clear beads for each ornament (4 mm, 6 mm, or 8 mm), matching green and red floss, and a needle.
The instructions are from Martha Stewart, but Nancy walked us through it (in person and for Zoom people).
I revised how to make the loop on my second one, so no knot end would show. The knot you see holds the bead in place.
I tied it off inside the first fold.
Then, I tried to end with a knot, but it wasn’t as close to the bead as I wanted. So, I went back through the bead and tied off inside the last fold. The little green loop is a happy accident!
My third one worked up easily.
Place your loop right of both beads.
Make a knot right of the small bead at your preferred loop length.
Run both threads through ribbon and tie a knot with the short end. Pick up a bead with the long length.
Alternate a small and large bead as you progress. I ended with a knot close to the bead and still ran it through the last fold to knot again and cut.
My loops are a little long for this hanger, but all three are ready for our Christmas tree.
Lovely, fun, and quick. Thanks again, Nancy!
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