Ornaments Bargello Woven - 9/30/26

September 30, 2026—My needlepoint chapter, the Delaware Seashore Chapter of ANG, is again participating in our local hospice’s Christmas tree program. This year’s theme is bargello ornaments, with members free to interpret the theme as they wish. The only guideline was to keep each ornament small—under 4 inches. Below is my adaptation of a pattern published in the latest issue of ANG’s Needle Pointers magazine (2026, Vol. 5, September/October), designed by Deborah Reichert.

I stitched two ornaments, reversing the thread colors between them and reducing the graphed design to a 3-inch square. I used threads from my stash and stitched on 18-count PVC (plastic) canvas. Because the holes are very small, this canvas limits you to a size 24 or 26 needle and strandable floss. I used Pepper Pot Silk in a few bargello rows and needed pliers to pull it through the canvas. For each ornament, I made a plastic-canvas backing and joined the front and back with buttonhole stitch. I may cover the backs with self-stick felt or leave them as they are. If I make these again, I'll needlepoint or cross-stitch a holiday phrase on the back.

PVC (Plastic) 18 Count Canvas by Mill Hill - 9/22/26

September 22, 2026--With Zweigart 18 count mono canvas being so difficult to acquire these days, I thought I'd try Mill Hill's new 18 count PVC (plastic) canvas.   It comes in 9" x 12" sheets in color white only.  A colorfast marker worked well and I'll next try acrylic paints on it.  Mill Hll recommends using size 24 or 26 tapestry needles and they aren't kidding.  This limits the type of threads to strandable floss or smaller metallics (e.g., 2 strands of Kreinik size 8).  Ribbon type threads won't work.  They require needles that are too large.

Note:  After perusing Wichelt's website, it appears that 18 count perforated paper is no longer available (only 14 count can still be purchased).

I did try stitching with a metallic ribbon using a size 24 needle and found I had to pull the needle through the PVC canvas with plyers.  It was nearly impossible to go from a "clean" (empty) hole into a "dirty" (used) hole.  A lot of pulling was involved.  After working up a few bargello rows, I noticed the plastic canvas began to buckle and stretch.  The holes, however, barely budged.   So, I removed the stitches to see how bad the plastic fared, and the pictures are below (front and back) show the distortion.  

Distortion Caused by Too Large Needle and Thread

Closeup Front of Canvas Showing Distortion

Closeback Back of Canvas Showing Distortion

I now wondered if the canvas was ruined or could it be salvaged for a different project.  The answer is YES, it can be salvaged.  I applied some hot air using my hair dryer for a few seconds and the plastic "shrunk" to its original size (for the most part).  You can see in the below photos how smooth the plastic became after applying heat.  Some of the holes look a little wonky, so I'll stitch up another project over the repaired area and see how it looks.

Back of Canvas with Distortion Removed by Heat

Front of Canvas with Distortion Removed by Heat

So now I'm wondering if I had left the heavy metallic stitches in place then applied heat, would the canvas shrink back to it's original form.  Would the threads lie flat or would the tension look uneven?  This will be my next experiment--stay tuned.

Needle Puller Tool - 9/12/26

September 12, 2026—I have a new favorite tool: the needle puller I purchased from Amazon.

About a week ago, Jane at Chilly Hollow wrote about a Bohin Needle Puller used by quilters. I learned that Amazon sells it for about $23, while a generic version of the same tool costs $12—so I snapped one up. There are plenty of YouTube videos that show how to use the device. Because arthritis has caused my fingers to lose strength, I had been using small pliers to pull needles through the back of my work to secure thread. This needle puller fits comfortably in my hand and is so easy to use. It’s perfectly designed to work like a thimble for pushing the needle through fibers, then like a puller to complete the action.

I’ve even developed a side-scoop method: I guide the needle into the puller, press the plunger to secure it, and then pull. Easy.

 

Note:  These are stock photos taken from Amazon's website.

Stocking Fancy That Pearls and Gold - 8/19/26

 August 19, 2026--Just finished stitching my fourth Fancy That stocking designed by Kaitlyn Marie called Pearls and Gold.  These are fun to stitch with beautiful results.  I love how the "nap" of the two different stitching directions gives the impression of two thread colors as evidenced by the two photos below.  The thread, white Iris Floss, is naturally "wrinkly" so doesn't lay absolutely flat, even after using a flat hair iron on it.  The toe area was covered with teeny, tiny size 14 seed beads.  

Stocking Fancy That Pearls & Gold Completed

Stocking Fancy That Pearls & Gold Side View

Stocking Fancy That Pearls & Gold Side View

I have two more of these stockings to work up.  Once done, I'll do a marathon "finishing" session to turn them into hanging stocking ornaments.

Chicken Scratch - 8/16/26

August 16, 1926—Last week, I took a class with my local EGA chapter on a needlework technique called “Chicken Scratch.” I didn’t know anything about it, but I was happy to jump in and find out why the stitching can look so wonderfully lacy on gingham fabric.

That lacy look comes from covering the dark squares of the gingham weave with full stitches in white thread (see above). The technique uses just a small group of stitches: cross stitch, double cross (or Smyrna), woven ovals, squares, and daisies wrapped around running stitches. These are usually worked in white floss or perle thread. What’s fun is that, depending on how you arrange the stitches on the fabric, the finished pieces can look quite different, as you can see in the photo below of work by Yukika Wada.

And where did the name come from? I’m told that, on the back of the project, the threads carried from one square to another look a bit like “chicken scratch”—and that’s how the technique got its name.

 

I’ve come across photos of beautiful pillows, pincushions, aprons, pockets, clutch purses, and all sorts of other pieces worked in Chicken Scratch. Unfortunately, it seems to have fallen out of favor, but who knows? Maybe someday it will make a comeback.

Heart Tiffany - 7/31/26

July 26, 2026--In 2022, I attended the ANG Seminar held in Tucson, AZ and was signed up to take Janet Zickler Casey's class called Tiffany Heart.  As luck would have it, I contracted COVID halfway through the seminar and went into quarantine for the balance of the event, missing the class.  The kit was later mailed to me, and it languished in my planned projects pile until a few weeks ago when I decided to dive in.

Heart Tiffany Completed

Heart Tiffany Side View

As many of Janet's designs do, this one introduced a new challenge for me:  bead looming, which I've never tried before.  I started by watching a few YouTube videos to get a sense of the process, then jumped in with a little knowledge and a lot of curiosity.   First, I stitched the heart.  Then, following Janet's excellent written instructions, placed 16 warp threads from top to bottom around the stretcher bars, using two wine corks to add tension at the top and bottom.   

Then the fun began. The bead looming itself was fairly straightforward; I just had to make sure I caught all the beads with the needle on each row. The most difficult part of the project was sinking the ten tail threads from each side of the beaded ribbon into the canvas. The ribbons formed a lovely bow shape, thanks to the special stiffening liquid Janet included in the kit.

Bead Loom set up on stretcher bars

Bead Loom set up on Canvas Side View

Now to decide how to finish it.  Do I turn it into a hanging ornament or a box top cover?

Rehoboth Beach Museum's 14th Annual Needlework Exhibit - Updated 7/10/26

July 10, 2026--The information page and registration form are up on the Rehoboth Beach Museum's web site and can be found at:  Registration

It's also below.  Hope to see your projects on display.

May 14, 2026--Heads up!  I just received the following from the Rehoboth Beach Museum announcing the dates for the 14th Annual Needlework Exhibit.  

Start Stitching! The 14th Annual Needlework Exhibit will be held September 11th - November 1st, 2026 at the Rehoboth Beach Museum. Drop off of needlework will be permitted from August 23rd through August 29th, 2026. Stay tuned for more details on paperwork and events.

See you there. 

Heart for Laurie - 6/24/26

June 24, 2026--This is another Nancy Cucci heart designed in honor of Laurie McLellan.   I stitched this in the lavender colorway using most of the threads on the supply list.  I was unable to find a 12 mm center heart, so settled for the exact color in a 16 mm size.  Doesn't look too bad.  I also made a serious error in the top left area--the beads were to be placed in every other row.  Instead, I placed a bead on every blank thread--way too many and looks a little top heavy.  But I'm not inclined to cut the beads off the canvas and do the section all over again, so there it shines in all its overdone splendidness.

Heart for Laurie Completed

Here's what Nancy wrote about Laurie:

Stocking Fancy That Crimson & Gold - 6/20/26

June 20, 2026--I have a saved search on eBay for Kaitlyn Marie Design Fancy That Stockings and was recently advised that the Crimson & Gold stocking (full kit with instructions) was for sale.  I immediately scooped it up and just now completed the stitching.  

I thought I would paint the canvas red before starting so that white canvas threads would not show through the stitching.  I saw no reason to carefully paint "inside the lines" since any excess paint outside of the design area would be hidden in the "seam allowance".    The basket weave pattern was done using Iris Rayon Floss which has a little bit of a crinkly nature to it, so no matter how carefully you lay the strands (6 to be exact), it just won't look smooth.  

This is now the third stocking in the Fancy That collection that I've stitched up (the other two are Emerald & Gold and Patches of Snow), and I have 3 more to do--Amethyst Ice, Pearls & Gold and Sapphire Star.  

The three little red heart beads were the last thing placed on the canvas.  After I had stitched two of the hearts down, I lost the third heart somewhere in my living room (where I stitch and watch TV with hubby).  We looked everywhere for it since the kit included only 3 hearts and no more.   Then a few hours later I happened to look down on the rug and there was the missing red heart bead in all of its glory, just waiting for me to find it.  Yay!   Now the stocking sits in the "To Be Finished" pile.  

Stocking Fancy That Crimson & Gold Completed

Heart Fourth of July - Updated 5/9/26

May 9, 2026--I placed the last stitch on this beautiful, very shiny heart today and look forward to finishing it as an ornament in the near future.   I had fun leading this project to a handful of my ANG chapter members and they are moving along nicely.   There was an initial glitch when we learned the threads recommended by the designer are no longer available, but we found RG's Neon Rays made a very nice substitute.  This will make a nice addition to my Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day decorations.

Fourth of July Heart Completed

March 13, 2026--I have the pleasure of leading a class at the Delaware's Seashore Chapter of ANG May meeting called Fourth of July Heart designed by Margaret Bendig.  The instructions were published in ANG's July 2008 Needle Pointers Magazine.  Since we'll have just a few hours to cover everything in class, I'm going to teach it "seminar" style where a little bit is done in each section so the students will learn the stitches involved, then the heart can be completed at home.  Of course, there will be lots of "thread spaghetti" to contend with.   Below is the "prework" the members will be asked to do before the class begins.  

Heart Fourth of July Prework

This is a delightful project to work on to celebrate the USA's 250th anniversary.  I remember celebrating our country's 200th anniversary on the "Mall" in Washington, DC.  OMG--50 years ago!!!  Yup, I'm that old. 😋

Necklace Beaded Kumihimo Mixed Metals - 3/18/26

March 18, 2026--I recently finished another Kumihimo beaded necklace kit designed by Rebecca Combs of Design and Adorn.  I love how it came it and look forward to wearing it with my neutrals.

Necklace Beaded Kumihimo Mixed Metals

Necklace and Bracelet Beaded Ombre - 3/12/26

March 26, 2026--I just finished another beaded necklace and bracelet set, Ombre, by Rebeca Ann Combs of Design & Adorn. I love how the colors transition from deep navy blue to speckled gold.

The pieces were created using a Kumihimo disk with eight lengths of beaded cord, and the instructions were clear, well written, and easy to follow. Through this project, I learned how to cover a metal magnetic end cap using peyote‑stitched Delica beads—a small detail that adds a beautiful, professional finish and was surprisingly easy to do.

Necklace and Bracelet Beaded Ombre

Kumihimo Disk Setup

Heart My Beading - 2/24/26

February 24, 2026--Here's another beautiful design by Nancy Cucci called My Beading Heart.  The instructions were printed in the January/February 2010 issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine and were very easy to follow.  I did have some problems sourcing the Mill Hill Treasure flat margarita beads #13005 since that color has been discontinued.  The color I found is a bit "pale", but I used them anyway.   I also had problems with DMC Red #321 thread from my stash--it bled into the white sections.  I've never seen that happen before but have read that it does occur occasionally.  So, I switched to RG Splendor #820 Ruby Red--perfect.   

The beads give lots of dimension and shine.

My Beading Heart Completed

My Beading Heart Side View

I did have fun learning how to color in the red sections using acrylic paint.  I first had to mix up a batch of Flow Aid Solution by diluting it with water, then mix some of that up with Gesso to prepare the canvas, then mix up some of the diluted Flow Aid Solution with the red acrylic paint (almost a 50/50 mix).  I used a thin, flat brush to spread the paint into the red areas and a dry flat brush to open any holes that got blocked.  It turned out to be a very easy project, and I look forward to using this technique whenever I want to use dark thread on white canvas--no more "show through".  

My Beading Heart Painted

Necklace Beaded Casual Friday - 2/18/26

February 18, 2026--Thoroughly enjoyed beading up this necklace called Casual Friday designed by Glenda Paunonen of Beads Gond Wild.  I purchased the full kit which included all the beads, pendant, clasp and thread, along with an easy to read and understand set of instructions.    The pendant is removable, so I can wear something different with the necklace.  Love options.

Necklace Casual Friday Finished

Necklace Casual Friday Being Worn

Necklace Beaded Dreaming of Venice - 2/12/26

 February 12, 2026--Here's another beaded necklace I worked up designed by Design and Adorn called Dreaming of Venice.  I ordered the full kit which included an excellent set of instructions, beads, pendant, string, needle, Tierra Cast toggle clasp and endcaps, jump rings, etc.  This necklace is done using a Kumihimo disk which I love--it makes for a very portable project since the beads are pre-strung, and each string is rolled up on a bobbin (8 of them).   I love the "ombre" color movement from light, silvery blue on the sides to black with gold interspersed in the center.    In fact, the hardest thing about this necklace was the exact count required for stringing up the beads.  Once that's done, it's easy to move forward on the disk.

The last time I worked up one of these Kumihimo necklaces, I learned how to easily fix errors, so was able to do this while working with the light blue, silvery beads.  Once I started placing black beads, I see now that I missed a few.  Fortunately, the spots with the missing beads are not visible, so I'm not going to stress about it.