I’m very glad I had the opportunity to take this class from Margaret Kinsey. It was an excellent piece for a beginner.
Not only was working with gold new for me but so was working on black & it was not easy. So, blackwork on black background provided the second challenge. However, I did it!! And, I pre-poked the places to stitch the blackwork. In that way I was able to see better & be sure everything lined up. Not sure what the “needlepoint police” would have to say about that but it made my life easier!
And, here is the finished piece – looking good times three!! I am very happy with my first goldwork piece.
With the lure of crabs on a crisp fall day, my husband & I hit the road for a 2-hour drive to see the 20th year of Needle Art 2015 – a needlepoint exhibit at Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD. It is hosted by “Stitching Pretty” (they have a website) who describe themselves as “an eclectic collection of talented needlework designers. To include hardanger, samplers, reproduction samplers, whimsey, bold, fun designs!”
It was interesting to see that the judges (a panel of regionally known needle art professionals) awarded 1st place and honorable mention awards (no 2nd/3rd place). They also awarded 2 Judges Choice, a Special Category Award for Celebrate with Needle & Thread, and Best in Show. The exhibit & venue reminded Bill & I of Woodlawn. The pieces approximately 115 pieces were located throughout the house and lighting was not always great. But, you could get a lot closer. They were mostly counted cross stitch on various grounds (Aida, linen, Congress Cloth, etc), a lot of samplers, 12 categorized as counted canvas, goldwork, embroidery, beading, crochet, Romanian Point Lace, and other miscellaneous (including children stitching felted pieces). Signs were out “Do not touch” & the only reference to photography was not to use a flash in the Mansion booklet. So, I am not sharing all the photos on my blog – I will show them to the people in my chapter’s meeting next month.
In addition, there was a non-judged category – Heirloom – for older pieces as related to subject, history and stitches. They do not have to be made by the exhibitor nor does the stitcher have to still be living. That may be something I contribute to next year with my grandmother’s work. I’ll think about that!
The Judges Choices went to Margaret S (#199) for a 4-panel elaborate case to hold needles/scissors/threads with I think a pin cushion (all beautifully assembled) and to Sherri B for a sampler (the one that most impressed my husband – it was impressive – basically 4 samplers stitched as one). The Special Category Award went to a counted cross stitch design of a woman sitting in front of her ironing board taking a break doing some embroidery with a basket of clothes at her feet and a kitten playing. I thought it was blackwork at first because the outlined areas are filled with a pattern but up close, I could see the crosses. The Best in Show went to a chair categorized as embroidery/thread painting but I have always called it crewel. I can’t imagine ever allowing anyone to sit on it!!
Deborah Merrick-Wilson had 2 first place winners. One was traditional English goldwork of a monogram – I only saw a really fancy M but Deborah pointed out the V (now I see it) that she stitched years ago for her good friend and a past member of my ANG Main Line Chapter, Mae V-D who passed away recently. The other piece is a flower and leaves of goldwork with thread stitched on counted canvas. With Deborah’s permission, I can share these photos. Congrats to Deborah! And, either of her 2 small goldwork flowers would be great for another class next year!!
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Gilded Acorns by Deborah Wilson
Yesterday ANG Main Line Stitchers joined with EGA Brandywine to host Deborah Wilson (a recent Woodlawn winner & author of the goldwork chapter in Amy Bunger’s Cookbook). Linda & I were fortunate to have visited Woodlawn the day Deborah was demonstrating. So, we saw Gilded Acorns on display & thought it would be a great piece for our chapter.
Class got off to a flying start when I learned about my Elan lap stand from Nancy who had one too. She showed me how the base expands (out to 29″). I have had this stand for at least 10 years & never knew about this feature!
It was interesting to learn slightly different techniques from different teachers. Deborah stretched the pearl purl by holding the end with a pair of scissors instead of by her fingers. And, she couched the end about 3 twists in but gently twisted the pearl purl to make the couched stitch on the first twist. Very cool. I learned that the tweezers I bought was really a burling iron. And, I had the opportunity to work with different types of gold including broad plate, whipped broad plate, bright check purl, and wire check purl. A wonderful follow-up class to the one I took at seminar. Deborah will be teaching a wonderful piece at NAN in 2017. Watch for that!!
We got a lot done despite the fact that we had to stitch the leaf first with Waterlilies. I wonder if most beginners of goldwork start with leaves. Both of my goldwork pieces are leaves. Or, maybe, I was drawn to them because they are leaves – fall is my favorite time of year! I am so excited that the 2 goldwork pieces are not so tough or large that I will finish both. They will look nice framed.
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2015, Three Leaves | Tags: ANG Seminar 2015, Three Leaves
I made great progress the last 2 days on Three Leaves, the Margaret Kinsey seminar piece. It (goldwork) actually gets easier the more you do it! Isn’t that true of most things?
All 3 leaves are outlined now. My bottom left leaf is heavier than the model but that’s ok! I decided to just go full steam ahead and not worry (too much) how good it turns out. I still did enough unstitching. I found the smooth purl and the shape of the 3rd leaf the most difficult. Maybe I should have repositioned the canvas. Now the light dawns! Oh well. I’m happy it felt more comfortable especially since Saturday is my second goldwork class. This will also be a one-day class but with Deborah Wilson (recent Woodlawn winner & author of the goldwork chapter in Amy Bunger’s Cookbook).
The tenth (& last) clue in the Stitching Games 2015 run by stitcherie is “Line Stitch”. Straight stitches are line stitches including those done on the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. So, I am repeating my last diagonal line stitches (cashmere) on the right side of the piece but in the opposite direction. With this post, I am concluding an interesting adventure. I may never stitch with Panache by Rainbow Gallery again – too difficult to control.
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2015, Gentle Waves, Melita's Designs | Tags: ANG Seminar 2015
This is the second rendition of Gentle Waves. While I didn’t win a ribbon this year, I’m happy looking at this piece. And, even better is that 2 of my designs are going to be available to members through 2 different venues. Can’t say more yet.
Initially, the judges were concerned my initials were in the piece (they are supposed to review without knowing who pieces belong to). But, an exhibit assistant pointed out that it meant “Love Myrtle Beach”. Very true. They said it is a very clever and creative addition to the piece. Little did they know, it is also means “Love Melita & Bill”. It happened that seminar was later this year near our 28th anniversary!
The judge’s critique raised excellent points. A few threads in the sandy area began to lose the twist. However, my laid threads are smooth and tension is very even. Maybe I should stay away from threads that twist!! The texture and color of the chenille was a good choice for the breaking waves. But, the gradation of the blues was a bit too abrupt especially because the texture changes of the threads emphasize those sudden transitions. When I switched from a diagonal stitch to the vertical bargello pattern, the thread was too thin & they didn’t miss it! The judge said a diagonal water stitch would have drawn the viewer ‘s eye from the water to the beach (that was more of what I had used in my first rendition).
This was interesting: “Turn your piece upside down so that you’re viewing the heart and letters upside down and do the same with the photo you took from the John Hancock building. First, do see how the water (the larger portion of the design) is sweeping you “up into it” and moving you toward the sand? Do you see how the water now appears to go from the “heavier” weight it to the “lighter”. Since this is an aerial view, this gives the viewer a more “I wish you were there” sensation.” I can see the sweeping motion differing between the two.
As always, I love learning from the comments – the judges do an excellent job offering constructive criticism.
Filed under: ANG Keystone Garden Chapter, Walking the Water's Edge by Diane Herrmann
For a 5-hour class, it may not look like I got much done (Hubby, Is that it?). But, I got half the base row done, only did a little of row 2 to learn the blending technique (you can see just a touch of light blue), started the eyelets, and practiced the bullion for the starfish (in the top extra area).
It should move along once I get the base row completed. The random eyelets are fun too.
And, didn’t Trish make wonderful matching project bags for the project!
Merry Christmas Anita!
For the stitchers viewing this post, I used Watercolours, Lilac (039) for the border. The stitches were selected in order to get the random effect on the top & bottom while the sides were solids. But, the same thread was used. Stitches selected from Suzy’s Portable stitches are Cross 6×6 on bottom left, Stephanie on right side, Shamrock on top right, and Double Trellis on left side.
The threads on the bottom row of spools from left to right are: Grandeur (G808), Wildflowers (6026), Rainbow Tweed (RT38), Splendor (S932); top row left to right are: Pepper Pot Silk (81), Impressions (7072), Soie Cristal (SC15), Rainbow Linen.
My bag & insert:
Anita’s design is Spools:
I had loads of fun going through the 2 grab bags & I found a combination of threads that may just have to be my next project!
The canvases are cute. They are probably 14 count but that’s ok. Why aren’t there more hours in the day?
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2015, Three Leaves by Margaret Kinsey | Tags: ANG Seminar 2015
Today’s class, Three Leaves with Margaret Kinsey, blew by so quickly. But, we got a lot done. The first leaf outline was the easiest (top center) & the third was the hardest (bottom left). Your see one piece of gold is in place & I’m not sure it is correct. Margaret is so nice. I learned how to make a knot at an end!
I am so happy that Linda from my chapter went over the basics before the class. It made today so much easier. I heard a few woman struggle but not me! Plus, I decided not to worry about how it turns out since it is my first. Decent progress for a day. Several people got much more done. A few less than I. Not a race but I can’t help but notice. The bottom left tendril is half finished. Bleary eyed & tired. I should studied this genre in my 30s when seeing was easier. More tired after Expo night.
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