Filed under: ANG Delaware's Seashore Chapter, ANG Seminar 2012, Stitches in Sterling by Nancy Cucci, Tar River Trail by Gail Stafford
Back in April, I got Stitches in Sterling by Nancy Cucci framed by Jim at Repenning Fine Art. And, Tar River River Trail by Gail Stafford was been framed by Jim too. They were my two oldest unfinished pieces (12+ years ago) that I finished this year. I began Stitches in Sterling in October 2011 and Tar River Trail in August 2012. Neither one was as difficult as I thought they’d be this many years later.
Looking at my new oldest projects list of unfinished counted projects begun in a class setting, I see:
- Rozashi – Patterns in Blue and Green with Margaret Kinsey (Aug 2016)
- Fire and Ice with Toni Gerdes (Feb 2017)
- A Toast to Tiffany with Kay Stanis (Aug 2019)
- Byzantium with Lorene Salt (Sept 2024)
- Treasures of the Great Lakes with Dawn Donnelly (Sept 2024)
Finished two and added two to the list but these are all under 10 years old.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Laurel Burch Rainbow Butterfly by Danji
This post is out of order. I wanted to share how I stitched the lower areas. I started with a 3×3 Jessica and placed a couple of stitches in the center to help raise the center sequin and black bead.
There are black daisy stitches couching a short length of the Waterlilies African Sunset (all 12 strands).
I ignored the dark blue painted area and stitched the light blue Planet Earth Silk 8 ply Azure 1233 (3 strands) in a Hesitation Stitch (Painted Canvas Embellishment An Idea Book by Carole Lake and Michael Boren, pg 65) leaving room for a dark blue bead (Seed Beads, 14/0). The beads are from Beads by Blanche in Bergenfield, NJ, which closed after 27 years in May 2024. A few years ago, several of us from the ANG Keystone Garden chapter benefited from Trish Vine’s downsizing. I have a 30 gm tube of these tiny blue beads. I needed to diagram the Hesitation Stitch before stitching it to see if it would work.
A buttonhole stitch with 2 strands of Silk Lame Braid Petite (SP174) surrounds the center sequin and bead.
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!
