Bookmarks Darning, Blackwork, Etc. - Updated 8/13/24

August 13, 2024--I've completed 15 more bookmarks (photos below).  These are so much fun to stitch and work up easily.  

The first two photos are an example of reversible "blackwork" done in purple thread, the first one is partially stitched, showing how the first "path" looks, then the design is completed with the second "path".   However, I do need to work a bit more on my skill to end threads on the reverse side so they don't show.

Blackwork Pattern Partially Stitched

Photo showing front (left) and back (right) sides of Blackwork

I found an excellent resource for darning patterns:

Here are photos of the other fourteen bookmarks:

July 11, 2024--Last year I attended Needlefest New Jersey and had the pleasure at one point of sitting next to Dee L of the New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG who showed me the bookmarks she was working on.  They were stitched on Aida cloth using various darning patterns, threads, etc., and they were so darned cute.

Soooo, I just had to stitch up some of these myself and learned that our local library in Georgetown, DE, where my needlepoint guild chapter meets, would be happy to have them as give aways to their new card holders, avid readers, etc.  I found some lace edged Aida fabric bookmarks on Amazon which are perfect for this purpose except, in my opinion, they are a bit too wide.   Nevertheless, I have them and am happily working away on them whenever I need a small, easy to carry project (in the car, at stitch-ins, etc.).   Since they are supposed to be reversible, I "finish" off each bookmark by sewing across the top and bottom to catch the threads so they won't pull out.  

I'm now tackling a bookmark with a reversible blackwork pattern.  I went on YouTube to learn how to start and stop threads and was disappointed to see that most of the videos treat blackwork as black thread on white cloth embroidery, but NOT reversible.  Fortunately, I have a decent library collection of blackwork books such as:

    Reversible Blackwork Book 1 by Ilse Altherr, 1978

    Blackwork & Holbein Embroidery Book 2 by Ilse Altherr, 1981

    The Heart of Blackwork by Ann Strite-Kurz, 1992

Below is a collection of twelve bookmarks stitched so far.  I especially like the one with hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds since I'm an avid casino goer.  Each picture shows the bookmark's front (left side of photo) and back (right side of photo).   Most of these have been worked up using a stash of discontinued RG metallic threads given to me by a friend.  Each bookmark takes anywhere between 12 to 20 yards of thread, so I am happy to have this stash.

Angels Clothespin for Hospice - Updated 8/12/24

August 12, 2024--Finished cross stitching three more "skirts" for the clothespin angels that will be put together at my needlepoint chapter's October meeting.  I love the striped cat with a bluebird sitting on it.

Angels Clothespin Second Group of Three Completed

April 23, 2024--The last of the three Clothespin Angels is now stitched and ready for assembly at my ANG chapter's meeting in August.  This one simply states Happy Holidays with lots of embellishments. 

Angels Clothespin Happy Holidays Completed

Angels Clothespin All Three Completed

April 16, 2024--Now the second of the Clothespin Angels has been stitched--this one called Candles.  Now that I have a better idea of what I'm doing, I'm breezing along nicely.  One more to stitch up, then it's assembly time.   

Angel Clothespin Candles Completed

Angels Clothespin Stitched to Date

April 12, 2024--Have completed one of the Clothespin Angels.  This one is called Joy and was a real learning process for me.  First of all, I had to call our chapter's fearless project leader, Shirley H, on how many strands of floss to use on the 18 count Aida cloth.  I started with 2 strands but thought it might be too bulky.  Shirley agreed and recommended using only 1 strand.  Yay!  No laying or railroading the strands together.  Of course, I had to rip out what had been stitched so far, but that was fine since I totally messed up the "half" cross stitches.  

When working up the half stitches in this project, Shirley advised that only 1/4 of a regular cross stitch needed to be done since the backstitching would complete the half stitch.  See the two half stitches circled in the second photo below.  I'm so glad I checked with her about this--the results are much neater and less bulky than what I had initially done. 

I'm now hoping I didn't work up the design too low on the "skirt".  Need room to add lace around the bottom edge.  I also hope that the fabric will iron out nicely when all the stitching is done since I'm not using stretcher bars or a hoop--instead I'm stitching "in hand".

Angel Clothespin Joy Completed

Half Stitch Question

Boy, do I feel like a doofus on this project.  

April 3, 2024--My local ANG chapter, Delaware's Seashore Chapter, is putting together little angels for the Christmas tree at Delaware Hospice.  We received our kits from the member who is organizing this project (thanks Shirley H) which has enough materials to put together three angels (all we had to do was supply our own threads, needles, embroidery hoop, etc.).  

After cross-stitching the design on the "skirt", the fabric will be edged with lace and glued unto a clothespin.  Then each angel will be embellished with curly hair, drawn faces, a bow, etc.   Even though this isn't something I'd normally do (I generally don't like "crafty" things), they are too cute to resist.

Angels Clothespin Materials

Angels Clothespin Skirt and Sleeves drawn on 18 count Aido Cloth

I finally had an opportunity to use my light board to trace the skirt and sleeve patterns unto the Aida cloth.  I've had the light board for ten plus years now and besides loaning it out to a friend, it's been used only two other times.  Of course, I could have taped the master design unto a window, but it's a dark and rainy day, so the light board was used.  I should mention that I had to grab a ladder to pull the light board down from a top shelf in the closet, then put it back when done where it'll probably sit for another ten years.

Bracelet and Necklace Kumihimo Beading Amethyst-Topaz - Updated 8/7/24

August 7, 2024--Now the necklace has a matching bracelet.  Love how the multi-colored beads shine and shimmer.  This time, instead of using wire to secure the end caps, I'm trying the E6000 glue.  So far so good.

Bracelet Kumihimo Beading Amethyst-Topaz

July 21, 2024--I was finally able to gather up all the "hardware" needed to finish this necklace.  Firstly, I had to purchase a caliper in order to know how wide and how deep the end caps needed to be.  Then to find end caps in a dark bronze color I wanted along with matching crimp beads and wire.  Amazon to the rescue--I was able to purchase these bits and pieces (called "findings" by beading stores) in varieties of sizes and colors.  So today I put it all together and here's a photo of the results (BTW, it looks gorgeous with just about all of my tops).

Necklace Kumihimo Beading Finished

Necklace Kumihimo Beading End Caps and Clasp

June 30, 2024--I wanted to learn another method of beading and came across Jill Wiseman's DVD entitled "Kumihimo with Beads" which explained everything I wanted to learn.  She covered how to set up the Kumihimo disc, how to place beads on the cords (and how many to use), how to weave the cords, how to finish the project using various clasps, wires, crimps, end capes, etc.   

Most important for me was how to fix a mistake (missing a bead, for example) by reversing the steps until you get to the spot that needs repair, then how to figure out where to start again.  I found myself using her repair technique more than once and the results were perfect.   

I've finished beading the necklace and am waiting on orders for the finishing items (end caps, wire, clasp, etc.).   Here's the necklace ready for the finishing hardware.  It's 29" long and I can fold a knot in the front to shorten the length if desired.  The Amethyst Topaz size 8 beads using a medium gold cord were purchased from The Twisted Bead in Annapolis, MD.  

I'm now going to look for more ideas of using various sizes and types of beads on my Kumihimo disc.

Necklace Kumihimo Beads Completed

Necklace Kumihimo Beads on Cords with alligator weight for tension control

Necklace Kumihimo Set Up on Disc

DVD Video Screen Shot