King's Tulip II - 6/28/18

June 28, 2018--In 2010, I purchased this beautiful project by Margaret Kinsey offered through the Shining Needle Society.  I finished stitching the upper portion of the tulip as well as the side petals, padded the tulip's interior, as pictured below, and decided to go no further.  After re-reading the instructions, I can see why.  I'm at the point where the cutting of purls is in order and this is all new to me.  However, after reading about the beautiful goldwork projects done by D1D2 on her blog, I have learned a lot and feel confident that I can tackle this head on (famous last words).  I plan on doing the cutting and stitching of the gold purl pieces during the day, sitting at the table in my craft/sewing room where I have plenty of light.

Wish me luck.

King's Tulip II to Date

To see the project photo, please click on "In Process Projects" under Pages on the right.

Hardanger University - 6/24/2018

June 24, 2018--I love doing new things relating to stitching, and hardanger is a type of needlework at which I've recently tried my hand (see my simple hardanger bookmark and hardanger doily).

Wanting to learn more, I was pleased to find Hardanger University which takes place in Myrtle Beach, SC from February 21 through February 24, 2019.  

So I'm registered, flights booked and hotel reservations made.

If I'm unable to wait until February to do any hardanger, I may stitch the beautiful ornament published in the EGA Needle Arts March, 2018 magazine.  Project photo is below.

Hardanger Laced Floral Ornamnt Project Photo from EGA Needle Arts Magazine 3/2018

Ornament Sapphires and Sparkles - Updated 6/22/18

June 22, 2018--Done!  Here are the two finished Sapphires and Sparkle ornament--one for me to keep and the other to give away.  Love how they turned out.

PS  Can you see something different about them?

Ornament Sapphires and Sparkles Finished

June 21, 2018--All the beads, except for the bottom tassel, are done.  Boy, does this ornament shine!!!   I took a side view picture of the ornament, but the crystal beads and bicones aren't showing up well.  Will try again after the Kumihimo braid has been added around the edge.

Speaking of braiding--I love how this one is turning out.  It's different than the 8 strand braids which form a spiral.  When using only 6 strands of 1/8" ribbon, as I am here to keep the bulk down, the look is more checkered (or something like that).  However, it looks great against the ornament.

Next step--putting it all together.

Ornament Sapphires and Sparkle Stitching Completed

Ornament Sapphires and Sparkle Stitching Completed Side View

Ornament Sapphires and Sparkle Kumihimo Braiding

June 15, 2018--The stitching for the ornament is now done and I'm ready to start beading.   As I've done in the past, I'm doing two of these ornaments--one for my needlepoint chapter ornament exchange and one to keep.  Both are done up to this point.  Now to find my beading needle.

Ornament Sapphires and Sparkles Before Beading

June 10, 2018--Pat Mazu designed a beautiful ornament called Sapphires and Sparkles to commemorate ANG's 45th anniversary.  The instructions to work up this ornament were printed in the November, 2017 NeedlePointers Magazine and I knew I just had to stitch it for my ANG chapter's holiday ornament exchange in December of this year.  I placed an online order with a bead company for all the types required for this project and am looking forward to placing them onto the ornament.  Having never done this type of beading, especially making a beaded tassle, etc.,  I relish the challenge.

Here's my progress to date.  

Ornament Sapphires and Sparkles at 6/9/18

Beading Thread - 6/18/18

June 18, 2018--I have another favorite "tool" and this time it's beading thread--well, not so much a thread as a fishing line.  I use Berkley FireLine Crystal 6 lb. .15mm line.   It's a pre-waxed, braided cord that doesn't break, fray or knot.

I can easily thread my favorite beading needle (a size 28 which slides easily through most beads) without using a threader.   Once I worked with small pearl beads and didn't have a needle small enough to use, so I just manually pushed the FireLine through each bead and that worked perfectly.

Because it's a clear crystal line, it can be used with most bead colors and won't be visible on the canvas.

This line is readily available online from a number of sources, e.g., Amazon.com, eBay, etc.  and many beading companies offer it with their name on the spool.  However, I found it is less expensive to purchase the line from a fishing retailer rather than a beading store.