July was clean up month with backstitches to highlight the diamonds. I love the colors.
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It’s got issues but it’s done! A bibliography suggests other beaded needle case patterns by Jennie Might and Amy Loh-Kuyser. But, you won’t see me trying this again.
It took several tries to get the cap started. By the time I was getting the hang of it, I figured out that I had forgotten to follow the pattern. I used too many blue beads and finished with a row of white ones.
Then, I took 2 tries to get the dozen rows to be close enough. Yes, I just wanted to be done with it. So, here’s the area that looks the worst (the cap is pointed towards the bottom right).
But, from another angle, it looks better. And, I am happy that I tried it. I certainly will appreciate and understand the efforts of others when I see theirs.
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Filed under: Beaded Needle Case
My ANG Keystone Garden Chapter offered a “beginner” tubular/circular peyote project, a beaded needle case.
I am having some learning curve! I waited too long after the first meeting to continue on with the rows. So, I got a second lesson at our next meeting. Then, at the next meeting, got a third lesson on just the base. I didn’t get off to a good start (left on the picture below) but put it away and decided that I must have pulled everything too tight to start. So, I gave it another try as I can not give up on this! And, am so happy that it worked (right on the picture below).
And, it’s attached. That part was easy and rewarding to see that part finished. Today, I tackle the cap!
July’s portion of Susan Hoekstra’s Feuilles d’ananas (Pineapple Leaves) are Triangles. Coming along nicely.
Over the past couple of years, I have thought more about the scissors I use – there are good and bad ones. AND, there are the right ones for the job. There are plenty of varieties to choose from.
I love the large Fiskars Amplify Razoredge Fabric Shears (8″) scissors with the protective sheath. They are great for cutting canvases because the grip is comfortable, placing less strain on my hand & they are so sharp. Thanks to Marilyn for mentioning how good these are.
Below are other Fiskars: The larger one is the Amplify Razoredge Fabric Shears (6″) (protective sheath not shown), Folding Scissors (4″), and Thread Snip (4.5″). The Thread Snip is awkward to hold & use. I can’t get it close to the canvas because of the orange piece along the bottom. And, they don’t cut threads. Seriously, they are awful – in fact, I am tossing them away now. Normally, I donate stuff I don’t want but since these don’t cut, what’s the point. The other 2 work well. Thanks to an Amazon for the great deals.
Because the end curves up at the tip of these Gingher scissors, I feel more comfortable cutting threads close to the back of a piece. It too came with a fitted sheath made of a soft leather (not shown). They are sharp and I am reserving them for use with threads – never metallics. Thanks to Fireside Stitchery for keeping these near the checkout for me to find.
However, the tip is still kind of big on the Gingher for when I have to rip threads out. I mentioned that to Linda & the next thing you know this fold-in/retractable blade seam ripper (from Hoechstmass) shows up (bottom of the photo with a rectangular handle). Unfortunately, I have found out 3 times that it works really well. As with anything sharp, you just have to be careful not to nick nearby stitched areas or the canvas. Thanks again Linda!
I didn’t know until researching seams rippers for this blog entry but I already had one – the brown handle item is one that I have must have gotten from someone’s stash. It looks just like the Nifty Notions Surgical Seam Ripper (plastic cover not shown).
The Keepsake Thread Cutter Pendent is beautiful and has multiple openings with blades which actually work well. And, A.C. Moore has the combination flexible threader (great for really small eyes in needles) and single opener blade cutter. I’m not sure but I think I am thanking Patrick or Lori! I am sure Patrick gave me the beaded scissors fob.
These blade cutters work well on a plane especially for floss weight threads. I’ve also pre-cut thicker threads before flying to avoid needing scissors at all. More than likely, my next scissors will be blunt-tip scissors for the New Orleans seminar to see if they pass airport security. Or, I’ll check the bag with the pointed scissors. Seminar is a little over a month away!!
Foldable scissors are good for tucking into my purse (smaller than Fiskars) but aren’t really as comfortable to use or as sharp (maybe I need a new pair – they look a little bit beat up don’t they – I threw an even worse pair away). Thanks again A.C. Moore.
I found 2 Tamsco scissors (on the far left & right) and the one in the middle is Tool Tron. I doubt I used any of these & I don’t recall how I got them! But, they appear to be high-quality. One of them was probably for the scissors sheath that I designed for my ANG Main Line chapter using stitches diagrammed in 17th/18th century samplers (https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/category/ang-main-line-stitchers-chapter/scissors-sheath-band-sampler/).
The heart-shaped scissors (below on the right) from Red Hots Scissors by Kelmscott Designs were a perfect touch for my 2nd scissors sheath design that won 2nd place in origin design in 2012 (https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/ang-40s-philly-scissors-sheath-winner-of-ang-2nd-place-ribbon/) and was placed on the cover of NeedlePointers (https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/category/melitas-designs/ang-40-scissors-sheath/). Many thanks to 123stitch.com where I found the scissors – they are still for sale there!
At the closing dinner, we were all given the bird scissors (on the left) which cut well (using these for my metallics) & the sheath reminds me of the wonderful 40th Anniversary ANG Seminar in Philadelphia in 2012! I’ve seen these called stork, pelican, or crane scissors – not sure which bird is correct. Nothing identifies the manufacturer. Thanks ANG!
Update July 2025: I forgot to include my fabric scissors. Fiskars pinking shears have serrated blades that are designed to create a zigzag pattern to help reduce fraying.
These scissors by Karen Kaye Buckley are also serrated blades but much finer and are designed to help reduce fraying as well.
Filed under: General comments
This past weekend, Linda & I headed to New York City to celebrate Linda’s birthday! We stopped at Annie & Company in their new (moved about 2 years ago) location. They are all on the first floor now with knitting supplies on the right & needlepoint on the left (I forget to ask permission to take a picture). But, I found several things including a couple of things that will be gifts (eventually) that I won’t show here. I got the bookmark for me! Linda found a few things on her shopping list.
And, this is such a great idea. It would look great framed.
It was such a lovely day, we walked to Rita’s Needlepoint where I found Patti Mann’s Nov Mums (9110).
There’s the birthday girl (standing on the right) inside Rita’s! Since we also got an earlier train than we expected, we had time to go to the garment district where Linda got some fabulous fabric to make into shirts. We stopped in 2 stores – amazing variety of fabrics!
Today is her birthday and we are going to Fireside Stitchery! Happy Birthday Linda!!
June’s portion of Susan Hoekstra’s Feuilles d’ananas (Pineapple Leaves) is the Giant Brick Stitch.
I decided to compensate over 5 canvas threads instead of stitching twice over a single canvas thread.
This month we had to do a series of Plaited Upright Cross Variations.
I incorrectly stitched the upper right strip – can you see the difference?
Incorrect.
Correct and with the small star stitches at the top and bottom completed.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Canvas Swatches from Fireside, Forest Glen, General comments
While vacationing in Maine this past week, I wanted a small project to travel with and something not too difficult. And, Forest Glen, a design from Kick Back & Stitch by Terry Gifford was perfect.
I used Santa Fe Sage canvas (6) instead of the Victorian Green canvas (11) – samples are from a package with 25 colors that I bought from Fireside Stitchery (3 x 3 swatches). I do prefer to work on a lighter canvas.
And, I used the same white Kreinik (032), DMC #5 (502), and DMC Floss (369, 368, 320) as suggested. But, I couldn’t find Leah’s Overdyed Perle 12 (243). So, I picked up Wildflowers Jade (066) which I figured out looks darker than the lighter green/white Leah’s overdyed thread from the picture. And, I didn’t find the DMC Perle #8 (320).
So, I was in Maine needing threads for a project. Luckily, Mary Jo Cole, owner of Needlepoint America in Kennebunk was open & suggested a yellow Kreinik which she generously gave me from her stash. She has tons of hand-painted canvases including lobster belts and other Maine memorabilia. She also carries a unique line of canvases, mid 1800s floral designs of William Morris that look timeless. I have reached a level of stash that must decrease before I buy more & resisted all urges!
And, these lovely musical crib hanging ornaments. These were tough to pass on but I can always order one online!
I decided to use the yellow Kreinik just in the 4 corners of each eyelet to add some sparkle. And, I used the light yellow portion of Needle Necessities Pearl 8 overdyed (866) that I found at Grace Robinson & Company in Freeport. Good thing I am not a knitter! They have tons of beautiful yarns. Some painted canvases and threads (in drawers behind a counter). I told Meghan what I was looking for and the one she found came the closest but I decided to avoid the rust and green in the overdyed thread and just use the light yellow for 8 prongs of the eyelet. And, I filled in the remaining 12 prongs with the lightest and medium colors of the green DMC Floss. Now, the yellow Kreinik actually looks like it is yellow-green. That left me to use the more interesting overdyed Wildflowers on the outer border in place of the solid medium green DMC Perle #8.
All caught up through May on Susan Hoekstra’s Feuilles d’ananas (Pineapple Leaves). What fun it was to stitch on 18-count canvas after a month working on 24-count Congress cloth (for a pilot class that I can’t share yet). The holes look huge!
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