Learning about photo transfers was interesting. We got to try it on a small photo. Mine turned out ok on the first try. But, the process either works or it doesn’t & that canvas won’t be able to be used. It’s hit or miss – different transfer papers are not all created equally. Heat from the iron must be very hot. Have extra transfer paper.
Fortunately, Lois did the canvases for our class. And, we are just stitching certain areas. This is as far as I got in the 2-day class.
I stitched this morning waiting for the exhibit to open and again after the CyberPointers meeting in order to do the tricky parts before I forget & before Lois leaves. Except for 3 finishing touches, all I have now are T stitch under the doorway vine and to the right of the door, basketweave in 3 areas, and lazy daisies to stitch. But, there is enough of that left to keep me busy!
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2016
I enjoyed running into Jessica T, whom I had met in Myrtle Beach last year, in the Philly airport on our way to New Orleans! We were on one airplane for 2-3 hours without leaving the terminal. Got off that one for an hour just to sit inside another for an hour before leaving Philly. Once we arrived, we waited over an hour for our luggage. 10 hours! What an ordeal but it was great spending time with Jessica.
And, I also got a lot of stitching done on a small piece for Bill. I’ll have it done before I get home thanks to American Airlines. That will be the subject of another blog!
Arriving so late, I missed setup for Distance Learning Programs but we didn’t have pegs anway! And, I missed check in. But, I did that this morning. So, it all worked out.
I bought the plastic project bags & the rest came from ANG when I checked in.
And, the Teaching Dynamics class with Carlene Harwick was led by a very capable, pleasant, substitute teacher, Valerie McAleenan. I learned some good pointers for leading projects with my chapter. Good way to start seminar! Looking forward to tomorrow’s class with Lois Keschner for Provence Pottery Shop.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, ANG Stitch of the Month, 2016
August’s portion of Susan Hoekstra’s Feuilles d’ananas (Pineapple Leaves) are the Brighton and Thread Couched with Crosses. It’s always interesting to see composite stitches come together.
Filed under: Welcome Baby Norah
Our beautiful grandniece, Norah, was born back in April. So, I designed this sampler piece to commemorate her birth. She’s Irish & so, her name is spelled out in green with touches of the colors of the rainbow & a pot of gold in the letter H. We wish her good health, happiness, & good fortune throughout her life.
The letters came from either the Leisure Arts Leaflet 2285 called 120 Alphabets or Leisure Arts Leaflet 3071 called Alphabets Galore 136 Alphabets.
From top to bottom:
- Blocks (3 rows from A-Z): Diagram 88 on pg 32 (136 Alphabets)
- Welcome baby with balloons: Diagram 113 on pgs 39-40 (136 Alphabets)
- Norah (modified to fit my width): Diagram 73 on pg 26 (120 Alphabets)
- Diaper pins (without the letters): Diagram 49 on pg 14 (120 Alphabets)
- April: Diagram 19 on pg 7 (136 Alphabets)
- lower case pm, lbs, and oz: Diagram 53 on pg 15 (120 Alphabets)
There are mainly DMC flosses used: yellow 444, green 701 and 700 a little darker for Norah, blue 825, violet 552, red 666, red-violet 915 because red 666 looked terrible right next to violet 552, orange 970, and black 310 for the balloon strings. I also used Kreinik #12 braid 010HL for the pot, #8 braid 002J for the gold, and #12 braid 001 for the metal portion of the diaper pins (thanks to Linda – I had #16 which was too thick while my #8, #4, and balger were too thin).
I am amazed that I used graph paper, pencil, & plenty of erasing to lay this out but 100 years ago young girls stitched samplers without such aids!!
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!!
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