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!
Back to The Flower Cuff with Orna Willis. Our second and final class was yesterday on Saturday. When last I posted about this, it was all stitched and beads within the design had been stitched. I neglected to mention that this is now the second teacher who recommends matching the beading thread to the canvas rather than the bead. Luckily, I had a tan in my stash. What do you do?
As Orna instructed, I trimmed the canvas excess, folded the edges leaving 2 canvas threads, mitered the corners (which I didn’t do for the recent EGA piece I finished). Then, I whip stitched the edges using a long enough thread to just need 2 lengths. Orna gave a tip for turning the corner which I have diagrammed.
And, since I will hang it, I attached a loop using Kreinik #16 Braid. I don’t like making cord from threads even though I have the tool. It looks ok to me!
Next was the edge of Delica beads which worked up easily and looks fantastic! I love how they form little triangles. Orna showed us another step to make it more fringle-like.
Orna also demonstrated how to make an edge of bullions using Neon Rays (her favorite thread). I gave it a try and it turned out nicely.
That left attaching the backing which I started during class. I love ultrasuede. It was getting pulled askew as I was stitching. I told Orna what was happening and once she suggested pinning it in place, I got whipping right along (whip stitch again; pun intended). The hardest part was cutting the last long side straight. And, here is the back done.
During the 3-hour class while we stitched, Orna pulled different colorways from her studio. Beautiful combinations. Thanks Orna for a great class and wonderful piece.
Filed under: General comments, Painting Needlepoint Canvases with Fancywork Finishing
I was able to get a better mix of colors when I did as Nancy suggested and selected threads before mixing colors. I didn’t worry about getting the two light pinks the right colors though because I was not going to use much anyway.
It took longer than my other 2 attempts to paint but Bill thinks that it “looks great” and so do I as far as being able to stitch the design not to sell it. But, that’s not my goal anyway. I definitely would buy the paints if I were trying to sell painted canvases. Getting the right colors is tough. And, duplicating the color would be practically impossible. That’s why some areas are not painted as well as other areas. I was running out! Creamacoat has a good range of yellow-orange colors and DMC has more yellow-orange threads that I could use.
If I stitch it with thread blending with the colors I selected to shade areas, it should turn out better than the painted version.
This is just 4″x4″ and making it larger would allow more details. It wouldn’t be the first time I stitched a design more than once!
Filed under: General comments, Painting Needlepoint Canvases with Fancywork Finishing
Well, I don’t see a dog now! Neither does Bill. But, I’m not getting the depth perception within the flower.
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