Lone Star Heart Updated 12/1/14

December 1, 2014--Finally got around to making something of this wonderful Nancy Cucci project and decided to make it into a simple ornament (no tassel--didn't have enough thread) :-(

This is a continuation of learning how to finish my own needlepoint.  I learn something new each time I do this.  For example, this time I learned to be sure to center the back correctly, to cut a narrower allowance for folding over (don't need more than 1/2 inch), clip into that allowance, but not to close to the edge, etc.

I'm developing a keen appreciation of the work done by professional finishers.

Lone Star Heart Finished Front

Lone Star Heart Finished Back

December, 2011--Finished stitching a project begun at ANG's 2011 Seminar in San Antonio, TX class taught by Nancy Cucci.   Still not sure how to finish it--maybe as a door knob hanger or draw pull.  It's too big to think of as an ornament, but definitely needs a special tassel.

Mt. Vernon, VA Seat Cushion

June 17, 2010--I was so pleased to be chosen to participate in a volunteer project for Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, VA (George Washington's home).  About 10 of us were invited to cross-stitch dining room chair covers (after submitting test samples of our work), copying a pattern used by Martha Washington in the 18th century.  There are records of when, how much and the color of the yarns she purchased for these covers.  Because they had deteriorated over the years, they were being redone to restore the room they'll reside in to its original beauty.  It was a pleasure to be a small part of history in the remaking of these beautiful covers.  Below is the pattern from which we worked (designed by the wonderful ladies at Mt. Vernon Estates and Gardens).

August 2, 2010--Completed the first row of the Martha Washington seat cushion cover. Very brilliant colors. This portion is the back of the cushion cover as it sits against a curved back Windsor chair (very colonial, of course).  I outlined the design on the canvas before stitching so I didn't have to continuously count each step.

August 18, 2010--Completed the second of five rows on the Martha Washington Mt. Vernon chair cushion needlepoint project. The third row was about one-fourth done. I calculated there were another 100 hours required to complete it.

September 30, 2010--Completed the third and longest row of the Mt. Vernon seat cushion. At this point I was over one-half done with only two more rows to finish.

January 8, 2011--Next to the last row completed.  Just had the 5th and final row to do consisting of 3 shells. Almost done!

January 26, 2011--It's done! After 7 months and nearly 200 hours later, I finished the Martha Washington seat cushion. I was proud to be one of 10 to stitch these seat cushions for placement in the newly renovated parlor at Mt. Vernon, VA. I was looking forward to seeing the chairs with the new cushions in place.

Below is a picture of the full seat cover.  I made two very small errors which I now consider to be my "fingerprint".  I can very easily identify the cover I stitched.  

I placed my name and date of completion in the seam allowance for posterity.

This is the original seat cushion as done by Martha Washington.  We understand she stitched a total of 12 cushions, but only 11 of them can be accounted for....Mt. Vernon has 10 and the family of L'Enfant was given one as a gift by Martha's niece.  The 12th is lost to history.

Here is a picture of the completed seat cover made into a cushion.

Forever In My Heart Ornament

December, 2011--This was a chapter led project designed by Sally London for Rainbow Gallery.  This is entitled Forever In My Heart and is one of twelve designs.  A fast project to work up and gave me a little more practice on finishing ornaments myself.

Stitches in Sterling

December, 2011--The Seashore Chapter brought in Nancy Cucci to teach this piece at a two-day class.   Learned a lot more about beading doing this project than on anything before.  Loved the technique she gave us for stitching our initials and date.  Will try to incorporate this in many more projects.

March, 2012--Framed

May, 2012--Won Third Place Ribbon for Mixed Techniques at the Rehoboth Beach Museum's Annual Needlework Exhibit.

Journey - David McCaskill

December, 2011--This was an online Cyberworkshop Class through ANG taught by David McCaskill.  Jumped at the opportunity to take this class and learned lots about composite stitches, correctly using a laying tool, etc.

May, 2012--Won Second Place Ribbon for Mixed Techniques at the Rehoboth Beach Museum's Annual Needlework Exhibit

March, 2012--Framed

Folding Ort Box Number 3, Pink, Black and White

October, 2011--Volunteered to lead this class at two ANG Seashore Chapter meetings, so had to work up another box to use as an example.  My sister Catherine was visiting at the time from Dallas, TX, and I asked if she would like one, and if so, in what colors.  Of course, she said yes and we had fun going through the stash my mother had given me, making this a more personal item.  She chose pinks and I suggested black for the "blackwork" (softened with 1 strand of pink thread).   Love the raspberry colors on this one.

St. Margaret's Star

September, 2011--This was a class offered online through the Shining Needle Society by Michael Boren and Carole Lake to benefit one of three charities.  I choose the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance.

October, 2011--Framed

Springtime

June, 2011--A lovely chapter class using a variety of techniques...beading, couching and "free form" design.  The latter is not my favorite.  But it didn't come out bad.  Love the beaded ribbons.

October, 2011--Framed.

Anasazi Dream

May, 2011.  This is the first of three Anasazi projects from Carole Lake taken as an online class through the Shining Needle Society.  Lots of new stitches for me, especially the Double Fan Doubled. Managed them niceley--her very detailed instructions gave me the confidence needed to move ahead.

Stash Star Ornaments - Multi and Green & Red

June, 2011.  These two colorful stars were done as a chapter project.  Some people call these types of projects "stash busters", but for me, not having much in the way of stash at the time, had to purchase lots of DMC threads.  No problem there.  Love adding to my thread collection.   These were the first ornaments finished by me personally.  Even bought a glue gun.   The back fabric has my name and that of DH (blanked out in the pictures) stitched using wash away canvas, along with the year we moved to Delaware.  The ornaments now hang on our community club house Christmas Tree along with personalized ornaments done by our neighbors.

Candy Cane Santa Ornament

March, 2011.  My first Janet Zickler Casey project.  Can now understand why people get hooked on these things.  In fact, there's a wonderful series of her santa ornaments out there to collect (up to 13 or so now).  This was offered by the ANG NoVa Chapter in February, 2011 and I was fortunate enough to ghost the class.  Isn't that beard cute?  Trying to decide to "finish" it myself or send it out to be done professionally.   Hmmm....don't have enough experience yet on finishing ornaments to tackle this one.

Frame Weight Bargello

February, 2011.  One of the members of the ANG Delaware's Seashore Chapter led this project and we had lots of discussion on what to use as a filling.  Since I wanted mine to be very heavy, I filled it with almost 5 pounds of BBs purchased at Walmart.  Perfect.  However, at that weight, I feared the BBs would stretch the canvas and backing fabric (a fake dark brown leather), so I lined both with a very strong muslim.  Worked.  All it needs now is a pretty tassel on the end (coming soon).  Also thinking of making another Ort Box to match the colors and design of this weight.

SOTM 2010

January, 2010.  Began my first ANG Stitch of the Month (SOTM) project.  This mystery class for 2010 was designed and instructions given by Sue Reed, a teacher from whom I had the pleasure of taking a class in November, 2009 (see Journey).    Completed this beautiful piece in January, 2011 and love the framing.  Today it hangs in my home office.