Filed under: ANG Seminar 2017
ANG Seminar is just about to get underway. People are heading west to Anaheim this year. Weather looks to be sunny and warm. Bill will be golfing with Harvey, whose wife Rita is also attending. And, I’m ready to pack our suitcases. Lots to bring!
I have to take my computer for Monday’s class with Cynthia Thomas. We’re going to learn how to make charts/diagrams using Microsoft Excel. Looking forward to that. I do some designing but have not invested in a program. I have relied on others for getting my hand drawn diagrams into something presentable. Hopefully, this will be sufficient for my needs.
In fact, the whole week I will be with Cynthia! For the following 4 days, I will work on 2 canvases in her Painted Canvas Embellishment Class. I sent her photos of 2 related canvases and she returned a suggested thread list (general enough to allow flexibility based on availability). Linda and I spent a great afternoon at Rittenhouse Needlepoint picking out threads. The canvases (13 count) are ones I bought on previous road trips. One is JP Bird of Paradise & Bamboo and the corresponding JP Orange Orchid & Bamboo; each are pictured with the threads I selected. Can’t wait to see what Cynthia has in mind for these and start stitching. No doubt certain sections will repeat in both canvases which is why she graciously agreed to these as my project. I believe that I’ll be focusing on the flowers during class. I will be finishing these as pillows.
Filed under: Festive Fireworks
How exciting to see Festive Fireworks on the cover of the July 2017 issue of Needle Pointers!! I knew it was getting published but not that it would be on the cover. I worked with Pam G. again to create the final charts and diagrams. I gave her my hand written charts, diagrams, and instructions to transform them and she did a great job!
This piece started with a group who encourage each other to design a piece based on a particular theme & this was to be something that “expressed a celebration”. And, being from Philadelphia, I immediately thought of all the wonderful fireworks especially the ones for the 4th of July. And, I’ve often thought that stitch patterns in Jean Hilton’s books remind me of fireworks and I used Stimulating Stitches and Needlepoint Stitches for most of the stitches. Since we have fireworks several times during the year, I created a main motif of the center star surrounded by a border of Symrna stitches and corner crescents while the smaller side motifs are different in each of the designs resembling a variety of fireworks. When I found the red, white, and blue Silk Lamé Braid, I literally jumped for joy! The 5 points of the center star are intended to serve as a guide for counting throughout the piece. Stitches used are: Crescents, Smyrna stitches, Jessica stitches, Wrapped coils, Double Fans, Plaited Ray, and Wrapped Sheaf. Everything was diagrammed before stitching. Since there is exposed canvas, I took care so that threads do not show through.
I was too shocked to jump for joy when I saw the blue ribbon! First place in non-professional original design at the 2016 ANG Seminar! We were allowed to get photos after the exhibit closed & as long as no other piece could be seen. Another benefit of volunteering – behind the scenes access. The First Place and special award ribbons are beautifully hand stitched and this one was done by Elena L. from the local New Orleans chapter. Thanks to all the volunteers for your efforts – the seminar was fantastic.
I stitched the stars as 3 separate pieces (as seen on the cover) but then framed them as a single vertical set.
It measures approximately 11″ x 23″, is stitched on 18 count monocanvas, and used Fyre Werks, Silk Lamé Braid For 18 count, Kreinik #4 Braid, Crystal Braid, Soie Cristale, and Dinky Dyes.
Here are close ups of each section.
Filed under: Come Design With Me by Orna Willis
This is a remote class mainly to follow how Orna designs a piece. And, it’s been interesting because she explains her thoughts as she goes along by sharing success as well as sections unstitched. As with many of Orna’s designs, there are amazing colors being incorporated. We got a kit of threads in the mail, lessons via email, and follow conversations via Facebook. I’m picking up a variety of wonderful tidbits including her preference for brown canvas because it fades away as you stitch better than white, eggshell, or sandstone. This is most of Lessons 1-3 completed (missing some French knots).
This month’s installment of the ANG Keystone Garden Chapter’s mystery project added 2 rows of Diagonal Gobelin and corner Ray Stitches. Looking Good!
On Section 2, I moved the 1-2 and 3-4 stitch of the Ray Stitch away from the center hole so the thread doesn’t lay on top of the thread used for the Diagonal Gobelin from Section 1. For the rest of the Ray Stitch, I used the center hole as diagrammed.
I’ll be curious to see what goes in the remaining diamond and triangular areas.
I got through my needle stash and found, along with many needles of unknown brands, that I have mostly John James, EdMar, and Bohin. I also know that I can stitch every project with a fresh needle for the next 50 projects!
Now, they are stored in the EdMar tubes of which I had extra when I combined like needles with like. And, crewel (pointed) needles have their own tubes too. Howerver, without enough tubes, I used wool felt or plastic holders. Marilyn O shared with me that wool felt should be used for storing needles, and not the craft felt. The wool wicks any moisture away from the needle, while the craft felt will tend to hold moisture and the needles will rust. The ultrasuede I was going to use would be ok (I tested it by wetting the fabric and leaving a needle in it and no rust formed) but I had enough of the felt and containers.
I had the help of Michele Roberts’ article from NeedlePointers July 2007, “Let’s Get to the Point”, to help tell what size a needle was by length. And, it reviewed the styles of needles and how to pick the right size for the project. I read lots of back issues with timeless articles of Needle Pointers magazines recently. I wish I could keep all the back issues but space is limited. I’m so happy the magazine is available digitally now as well. I can always refer back.
All the needles are organized by style and size in a floss organizer. I’ll use all of these eventually but thanks to Ginny, my favorite needle is from EdMar. They slide so smoothly through the canvas. What’s your favorite?
All caught up with the current mystery project we are doing at my ANG Keystone Garden Chapter this year.
It is a lot of Plaited Upright Cross (Blue ribbons). And, compensating is always tough. So, I was glad the triangles around the center diamond were easy.
But, I recognize that this is a Tony Minieri design. I have seen it in NeedlePointers. But, I won’t spoil the surprise and say what issue, name the design, or stitch ahead of the chapter.
There are 18 drawers from IKEA with solid color thteads and 6 Like-It drawers from The Container Store on top with various overdyed threads for a total of 24. I still had to have a drawer for EdMar threads for Brazilian Embroidery and threads for 13/14 count canvas in the basement. And, more than likely, the white drawer is too full. So, I am contemplating what to do.
I put 2 hanging magazine holders on the left with velcro to hold thread cards.
Let’s hope this works for awhile. I did find a thread I needed for a project!
I had a great day yesterday with Linda. We looked through the threads I had & found a variety of threads that I must have inherited from others stash. The most interesting was some Belding Corticelli twisted silk on old wooden spools. Since Linda sews she had heard about the threads & knew that it is a strong thread used for making buttonholes. Mary Corbet wrote a great article on the history of the thread. What I have was produced in the U.S. between 1925 and 1932. You can still find some on eBay. I will hold on to this for finishing when I bind edges. I received an interesting note based on experience from a reader: “Be very careful if you use them. The wooden spools leach acids into the silk and not only weaken them but change the colors as well.” So, I think I’ll get rid of them – why take a chance.
Linda is also an amazing sewer and she made this wonderful Catch All Caddy for my retirement. It is just what I needed for my stitching tools and fits perfectly in the living room coffee table. I love the colors and pockets. Inside are cute Stitch Happy items and a cute golf piece that I can stitch for Bill. There is also a bag of spool stockings for contolling threads. What a fantastic, practical gift!
We spent a good amount of time walking around The Container Store and found drawes, drawer dividers, and a couple of bins. Great store. We even had time to organize some of the drawers.
Thanks to Linda for her valuable input, suggestions, and especially the caddy.
All cabinets are done! No major glitches. Didn’t use the feet because I gained just enough space for 2 drawers that will fit on top of each cabinet. Heading to The Container Store tomorrow.
I’ve been sorting threads into color families for several hours on a daily basis and may be not even half done. I didn’t expect it to take this long. Within each major color like red or blue, there are so many color families (10 & more).
In about an hour & a half, I put the IKEA Helmer drawer unit together without swearing or bleeding! Not many screws (only for the feet and handles). Mostly, I just bent metal. Seems very sturdy too. Another day, I will put the other two together. That will give me 18 drawers for my threads.
Each drawer maximizes the available inside space compared to other units I looked at. And, there is a handle instead of an opening which could let dust in. Also, there are small gaps on each side where the drawers were bent allowing the threads to breath. I am putting the 3 cabinets side by side under a counter. But, if I need to expand, they could stack. I would just have to find somewhere else to put them. The overall dimensions are width 11″, depth 16&3/4, height 27″ (with 1″ casters); inside, each drawer measures 9″, 15″, and 3&1/4″. I should be able to use inside dividers or maybe a tray to help keep things neat. That will probably depend on what threads I have in my stash now.
I am going to arrange by color and decided to follow the DMC floss color chart. I sent more time rearranging the flosses than putting the cabinet together. But, I can see color families now which will help me with figuring out color combinations. My stitching buddy, Linda, has graciously agreed to help me sort through all my other threads! Isn’t she wonderful!
Before and after . . .
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