Kristen, one of my fellow cruisers who knew we’d purchased 4 bottles of Blanton’s, discovered that Rittenhouse Needlepoint sold the Blanton’s Bottle canvas and reminded me while we were on a shopping trip for threads in November 2019. I ordered it, it arrived in December as a Christmas gift to myself last year and it is appropriate that I finish it at Christmas time this year! Recently, we found a bottle of Blanton’s allowing us to save the last bottle from our May 2019 cruise.
I love the mesh bag that comes on the bottle and that influenced my decision on the background to select Chicken Wire from More Backgrounds for Needlepoint by June McNight. Her other book, Decorative Backgrounds for Needlepoint listed the 10 Commandments and the second one surprised me. A dark background brings the main design forward while a light background may melt into it. I held up a dark brown Floche and a light brown Floche next to the bottle and could see immediately that the darker one was better.
Initially, I tried 11/0 Mill Hill seed beads for the rider, horse, and rim but they were too big for basketweave and backstitching (stringing beads in a straight line) on 18 count canvas. So, I reached out to my chapter member Linda and found out that her resources and experience indicated that smaller 15/0 seed beads were better for basketweave.
As it happened, Michael’s only had Miyuki 11/0 in Delica black beads which are more tubular than the round seed beads. So, I bought them because I still wanted the black beads to be bigger than the rider and horse to mimic the actual bottle. And, I thought they would backstitch really well on the black rim which are completely straight rows.
You can see the difference in size and shape between 11/0 seed beads and 11/0 Delica beads in this photo. Four seed beads cover 1/4 inch and five Delica beads cover the same length.
The 11/0 Delica seed beads allowed me to contrast in size and basketweave with the smaller Miyuki 15/0 seed beads in a light bronze for the horse and rider.
Here’s the sizes of 3 different round seed beads 15/0 Miyuki (6 left), 14/0 Sundance (6 center), and 14/15 Sundance (6 right).
It’s not until you use more beads will you start to see a slight difference between the 15/0 (12 left) and 14/0 (12 right). So, when you have a larger area of basketweave, you’ll probably find 15/0 preferable.
No doubt that we will be ringing in the New Year with a wee bit of Blanton’s and toasting to my last finished piece of the year. Happy New Year everyone!
Filed under: General comments
Thanks to the 6,700 visitors from all over the world who took time to visit my blog this year. It’s always nice to see your comments. It’s been a great year of needlepoint and little else due to coronavirus. Thankfully, most everyone I know has avoided this virus.
My blog is 10 years old now. WOW! WordPress gives 3 GB free storage space. It took me 10 years, about 780 posts, and over a 1,000 photos (because each post has one photo & some more) to run out of free space. So, I upgraded to the Premium version with 13 GB. It has lots more features that I don’t understand but I can work on that over the next 10 years!
My first project begun in 2020 was Carolyn Mitchell’s Making Stitches Work For You and it was finished in 2020. I ended up with a 12″ x 9″ design of 21 beautiful bands. The instructions are being proofread by two people in my chapter. Thanks so much Linda & Lori! I just love this design (all stitches and threads were my choice).
Other finished pieces included Blanton’s Bottle, Barbara’s Patchwork (ANG Stitch of the Month 1999), Welcome Fiona (great niece baby piece), Build Your Own Geometric with Kurdy Biggs (ANG Cyber Workshop), and Vases with Curly Bamboo (Sharon G canvas stitch guide and class begun in 2012 with several members of my ANG Main Line chapter and restarted in 2019 as we compared with 2 other stitch guides).
I also completed Steps 2 and 3 (with distinction) of the EGA Master Craftsman Canvas Certification program. Steps 1, 2, and 3 will be on display in the Education area of the Chicago EGA National Exhibit.
Two pieces finished in 2019 were published in articles in ANG’s Needle Pointers magazine including Lotus Kimono (Jan/Feb 2020, A Tale of Two Stitchers) and Flying Cranes Wedding Kimono (Mar/Apr 2020, Constructive Criticism and How’d She Do That?).
As always, a few pieces got started and not finished: Klimt Kimono with Toni Gerdes (ANG Cyberpointer’s Cyberworkshop), ANG 2020 Stitch of the Month called Star of Stitches by Kathy Rees), and Rainbow Ribbons by Kam Wenzloff using wonderful threads from Lorraine at Color Complements. I didn’t have time to start Hearts of Gold from Michele Roberts (ANG Correspondence Course) but it looks like a lot of fun and they are wonderful instructions.
The ANG National Seminar moved to an online venue (as most things did due to coronvirus). I learned a lot from Susan Hoekstra from her Teaching Needlework 101 class (which I would not have been able to take in person because it conflicted with my other classes). I proposed Overdyed Spools to EGA THaP (Take Home a Project) intended to let a person get used to teaching (a 2-hour class). It is taught to as many as 30 people to take back to their chapters for teaching as group class similar to the ANG Chapter Project Book. It was accepted and now I can use tools learned in Susan’s class to prepare for the Regional EGA meeting in the Fall of 2022. The design is in the 2017 ANG Chapter Project Book.
The other two classes I took at the ANG Seminar were with Linda Reinmiller: 21st Century Designer (learned publishing tools) and Interchange (learned pull work and designing a stitch sampler on the diagonal). Interchange was fun stitching and I finished it (one of the benefits of a virtual seminar which allowed class to last a month).
The last class of 2020 was Painting Needlepoint Canvases with Nancy at Fancywork Finishing. Another great class. I painted and stitched a geometric design on a 13 count and 18 count canvas. A floral piece was more challenging and has not been stitched yet. I have another project in the works to be painted and stitched too.
My EGA Brandywine chapter invited Ann Strite-Kurz to talk about the history of EGA and Lois Kershner discussed achieving perspective in stitching. Both were excellent.
Instead of vacationing (Branson, MO & Whistler, BC, Canada will have to wait for coronavirus to subside), I spent money on getting many of my finished pieces framed (even splurging on museum glass for most of them). These are now framed: Crazy Quilt, Sisters, Vases, Lotus Kimono, Wedding Cranes Kimono, A Dusting of Snow, Scotch Flower and Hearts, and Crescent Journey Beach colorway. I’ve been keeping Romeo’s & Reppening’s busy this year! I took Fiona to Michael’s (in Feasterville) and Interchange, Build My Geometric with Kurdy Biggs, Blanton’s Bottle, and a small geometric to Michael’s (in Pottstown where our newest chapter member, Meghan, works in the framing department).
Although travel was limited this year, I did manage to visit a new store Needlepoint For Fun in Lititz, PA.
While I have done well using Excel to create diagrams, I believe I need to take diagramming my designs to the next level. Thanks to Marilyn O and Needle Pointers, I have the opportunity to learn Adobe Illustrator by becoming an Assistant Graphics Editor for the magazine. It’s great to learn and give back to the ANG organization that I enjoy so much. And, it’s a perfect time to learn a new tool.
The EGA Seminar is being held in Chicago (drivable and my husband’s favorite city). I signed up for some great classes including learning how to manipulate overdyed threads from Gail Stafford in a notebook class, learning stumpwork from Alison Cole by making one small flower, and learning ribbon embroidery from Deborah Mitak on Congress cloth by making a 9″ x 9″ bouquet of flowers. I won’t be going to ANG’s Seminar this year because I don’t want to fly to Kansas City, MO and because there is a magic convention being held in Pittsburgh (drivable, one our favorite cites, and my college town) in July. Bill enjoys magic (I dabble in it) and he deserves a special event too. As long as we get vaccinated by then, wear masks, and the new strain doesn’t make things much worse, we’ll be traveling in 2021.
As we start 2021, I am starting Step 4 of the EGA Master Craftsman Canvas program. It’s a bargello design and I am working out the design as I practice using Adobe Illustrator. Here’s a sneak peak of my border.
I am hopeful that May 2021 will be a better year for all of us. Stay well everyone!
A very Merry Christmas indeed. My needlepoint gifts included a pair of string art earrings my husband found in the Signals magazine!
The Dowager Countess design from Gay Ann Roger’s is based on a plum and black dress. I started ordering the threads for the other three designs and now can finish my shopping for the rest of the threads! These look like very enjoyable projects for 2021.
Best wishes to you and your families!
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, ANG Stitch of the Month, 2020
My ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter is stitching Rainbow Ribbons by Kam Wenzloff published in Nov/Dec 2019 issue of Needlepoint Now. We’re each using different threads from Colour Complements and they all look great.
The woven plait stitch and tied oblong cross stitch worked up quickly. Several members have gotten further along but I’ve got other projects going and it’s fun to switch from project to project.
With Saturday’s (December 26th) Zoom Stitch-in, I will be working on the next band. Happy Holidays to all!!
Filed under: Swirling Leaves
I always feel I have to recap this project because it started in 2015 when I took Janet Perry’s (NAPA Needlepoint) online/cyber Stitch Guide class (offered annually I think). I actually started the background in May 2017 and finished that in October 2019. The blue bubbles got done quickly enough in October 2019 but then the piece was put away for other projects. In my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter this year, we are encouraging members to bring a painted canvas to the group as we stitch it. We discuss the stitch guide we have for the canvas or discuss options for a painted canvas that doesn’t have a stitch guide. It brings a lively discussion to the meeting. We now have 5 members sharing their canvases at our upcoming Monday Zoom meeting. This is mine and is a wonderful way for me to stay motivated to finally finish my painted canvas!
When Janet discussed perspective, she points out that the green leaves are behind the red ones. Also, cool colors like green recedes while the warm color, red, advances. Since they are related shapes, a similar but a smaller stitch should be behind a larger stitch. So, Janet recommended offset Mosaic for the green and offset Scotch for the red. I started at the top of the green leaves and worked my way down compensating as I went around the swirls. It got a little tricky in the small areas and compensating the red leaves were tougher. I’m so glad that I started at the bottom of the truck and worked up.
Of the threads Janet suggested, I used Pepper Pot Silk 75 Cilantro and 019 Claret.
Believe it or not, I have to put this piece away now because I am waiting for a special order of threads for the swirls that I have never used before to arrive. And, it’s not going to be here until January 2021 at the earliest. But, more on all that in what I hope will be my last post for this piece when I finish stitching.
I’ve decided to expand my diagramming skills by learning Adobe Illustrator (AI). And, I’ve got an excellent teacher in Marilyn O, the current Graphics Editor for Needle Pointers. I am one of what hopefully will be two Assistant Graphics Editors in training for the magazine. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn AI and give back to the American Needlepoint Guild (ANG).
Learning Excel for diagramming was good but had limitations especially when it got into the more complicated diagrams. Had I know I could have learned AI by volunteering, I would have done this a couple of years ago. Give it some thought. If you want to learn a fantastic diagramming tool, this can be your opportunity too!
In just a couple of days, I have made great progress with the tool.
Filed under: General comments, Painting Needlepoint Canvases with Fancywork Finishing
Here is the second coaster stitched from when I tried painting on 18 count (a little tougher but manageable) during my class for Painting Needlepoint Canvases with Nancy of Fancywork Finishing. I switched from Silk n Ivory to DMC Perle #5. The colors match fairly well to the first coaster.
Filed under: Uncategorized
The Star of Stitches by Kathy Rees is an ANG Stitch of the Month for 2020 and my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter is stitching this as one of our two counted projects for this year. Somehow, I forgot to post about this project until today!
Instead of outlining the areas with pencil, I used basting threads. They get in the way some on the bottom where I double backed. So, I pull them out once I get started enough within the area.
My Color Complements overdyed threads (048 Fall and 191 Golden Yellow) have way more color changes in it than what Kathy Rees probably intended. And, the areas of color seem to change quicker than in Watercolours. So, I can’t select portions to concentrate the color in certain areas. I was afraid that the subtle patterns would not be as obvious. But, the stitches differ enough that I think it’ll be fine.
The women at New Jersey Needle Artists (NJNA) gave some insights from their experience stitching it this past year (they have a wonderful variety of beautiful colorways which you can see on their blog). And, I decided to to go with a skein of #5 and a skein of #8 in each colorway because they thought that Watercolours was a bit too thick in several stitches. I picked up Silk Lame Braid Petite as well as Silk Lame Braid for 18 count in both colors. There are a couple of places where the thinner thread will probably look better (to me). Also, I couldn’t find a Petite Very Velvet I liked in my color & it is kind of thick for a couple of the stitches (in my opinion). So, I went with Silk Serica, a Kreinik & it worked fine in the first area.
I’m very pleased with the outcome of the first area. Love these colors.
For Area 2, I used different weights for the overdyed thread (#5 in the squares and #8 in the triangles) and the Silk Lame (for 18 count in the outer triangles and Petite in the inner triangles) to create some differences in texture within the overall area.
Had to use my ANG magnet for this piece!
Area 3 used a variety of Smyrnas (regular, oblong, and long-armed). Here I made sure that the colors were placed symmetrically. The diagonal line between the last 2 areas will get filled in later.
Filed under: Canvas Master Craftsman Program, Embroidery Guild of America, Step 3
Step 3 of the Canvas Master Craftsman program was diaper patterns and my piece passed with distinction again and will be sent for display at EGA National Seminar in 2021 along with Steps 1 and 2. The instructions were to use at least 4 diaper patterns and a split complementary color combination (I selected orange, blue-green, and blue-violet).
After studying the extremely thorough book, Diaper Patterns, by Ann Strite-Kurz, I decided to make this a diaper sampler by incorporating the eight basic pattern networks (square, diamond, brick, half-drop, triangle, hexagon, scale, and ogee) into a design. I should call this piece Baby Steps because it barely touches the surface of what diaper patterns can create. Diaper patterns create strong visual diagonals in both directions.
There isn’t much open canvas but the judges commented that they did not see any visible threads through the canvas. It has good balance, excellent choices of diaper patterns and color, and the color of the canvas enhances the design where there is exposed canvas. And, I did a “fantastic job of laying threads”.
On the eve of Thanksgiving, I am thankful I passed, appreciate the judges comments, and am looking forward to Step 4 and creating a bargello design! I hope you spend this Thanksgiving being especially safe.
Read all about the program at https://egausa.org/certifications/master-craftsman-program/.
Filed under: General comments, Painting Needlepoint Canvases with Fancywork Finishing
The center V is stitched as basketweave would be normally. For the left V, I laid the Ecru DMC Perle #8 thread first, stitched over it with DMC #5, then stitched the surrounding green with DMC #5. It pinched the #8 thread slightly more than the right V where I stitched the green first, laid the Ecru #8 thread, and then stitched over it with the DMC #5.
The left and right V appear to be essentially identical but the thread is still more visible than I expected.
I had to try reversing the colors. I only needed to lay one strand of green floss after stitching the ecru surrounding area first. You can not see the floss at all and the V is so much more evident.
So, I think that this works only with dark threads and would very useful for defining dark letters in pieces.
Classes for Painting Needlepoint Canvases with Nancy of Fancywork Finishing finished up on Wednesday. The third class went over mixing paints more and a variety of questions we had. No more classes in 2020. Bummer. But, I will be busy finishing up a few of them!
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