Top of the Hill Updated 11/1/14

November 1, 2014--Made this little project into an ornament and will use it as one of the examples in a class I'm leading at my local ANG chapter on how to finish your own ornaments.   Even though I am very inexperienced at doing this, it didn't come out badly.  A common thread that's repeated in everything I've read about putting your own ornaments together--practice, practice, practice.  After I turn my completed projects into "finished" ornaments (really don't have that many), I may ask fellow chapter members if they would be willing to let me finish their ornaments to get that necessary practice in.  Of course, it would have to be something that's not cherished in case I make a mess of it :-)

PS  Making the tri-colored cording was also a lot of fun.

Top of the Hill Finished as an Ornament (Front)

Top of the Hill Finished as an Ornament (Back)

May, 2013--This is a class I led at our May Seashore Chapter meeting.  This lovely project consisting of mostly Jean Hilton stitches comes from ANG Needlepointers Magazine, March, 2010.  Much of the class was spent demystifying Double Fan Doubled and the Waffle Stitch.   Think it'll make a cute ornament, book cover, or something similarly sized.

Harvest Time Updated 3/10/14

March 10, 2014--Presented this grape design to our friends at their winery in Delaplane, VA this weekend.  They love it so much they fear it may be stolen if they hang it up in the winery, so may place it in their beautiful home located on the property.    I would like to do another wine related project some day for them--there are so many wonderful projects out there.

Harvest Time Framed

November 9, 2013--Fini!  Now to get it framed and present it to our dear friends at their winery.

Harvest Time Completed

November 3, 2013--Now working on Lesson 4 and am on the homestretch.   The instructions call for padding under the leaves, but I found it difficult to know exactly where to place the padding.  So I outlined the area where the actual leaves are stitched to see their shape, then placed the padding inside the basting.  Now that's done (see both pictures below), I'm ready to finish the leaves and stems (love the varigated large grapes in the center diamond).  Final pictures will be posted soon.

Harvest Time Outline for Leaves

Harvest Time Padding for Leaves

November 1, 2013--Lesson 3 done.  Love how this is beginning to look like a stained glass window.  Pushing ahead now to get this finished.  One more lesson to go!

Harvest Time Through Lesson 3

October 29, 2013--Lesson 2 done.   In this lesson we completed the lattice work and small grape clusters with leaves.  The instructions called for a finer thread for the lattice and grape clusters in the inner square which seems to make them recede.  I like the effect.

Harvest Time Through Lesson 2

October 24, 2013--Whew, finished with Lesson 1.  The borders are gorgeous with enough difference to be very interesting.  Laura explains in her lesson that she liked the design with only the inner border, but when she added the second, outer border, everything popped.  I agree.  Now on to Lesson 2 covering lattice work and small grape clusters.  BTW, to anyone else who may be working on this project--pay attention to the slant of the stitches.  The graph left border has some stitches going in the wrong direction.

Harvest Time Through Lesson 1

October 14, 2013--Have begun stitching Laura Perin's design called Harvest Time.  This is an online LJP Cyber Class which began October 1 and has four lessons.  I'm nearly finished the first lesson--just need to complete the outside borders, then on to Lesson 2.  When this is complete, it will be given to friends who own a winery in Delaplane, VA.  They have a beautiful site with an old farmhouse which they've converted to tasting rooms on the first floor and administrative offices on the second.  There are many acres of vineyards and a lovely new Tuscan style home siting on a hill overlooking the property. It's definitely a piece of heaven on earth--and the wine is good to drink too.

Spirit by Sue Reed Updated 3/5/14

March 5, 2014--Just picked this up from the framer.    It will be lovely hanging in my guest room.

Spirit Framed

September 24, 2013--Spirit is now complete and am very happy with the results.   In the class given by Sue Reed at the ANG Seminar in 2012, she gave wonderful details on how to color match the overdyed Gloriana silk, when to take advantage of a favored color and how to make a lesser desired color recede. The results make the border appear to change as if light were moving accross the threads.  This is somewhat visible in the photo immedately following the text.  The nap of the threads also appear darker, depending on the light's angle.  The second photo is a more subdued version of the project and the thread variations are somewhat flattened.   Now to talk with my framer on how to best highlight the work.

Variations in colors picked up by lighting and thread nap

September 18, 2013--Moving along nicely.  Section F is complete.  Sue Reed's instructions did not call for beads, but I wasn't happy about the blank 2x2 thread square areas, so I embellished them with the prettiest green beads having gold irridescents throughout.

Spirit through Section F

September 16, 2013--Section E is totally done and I can now see how beautiful this project will be.

Spirit Through Section 3

September 6, 2013—All the thread spaghetti has been cleaned up and the center portion completely stitched.  Re-read Sue’s instructions on how to manage color placement of the overdyed Gloriana.  She has some very helpful tips.

I’m excited about completing this project—love the sumptuous silk threads and the stitches which give this piece depth.

September 1, 2013--Pulled out Sue Reed's Spirit project begun at the 2012 Seminar in Philadelphia and found lots of thread spaghetti.  Over the next few days, want to get re-acquainted with the instructions and begin stitching on this beautiful piece.

Gordian Knot Updated 3/2/14

March 2, 2014--Just had this framed.  It looks so beautiful on my wall.

Gordian Knot Framed

November 30, 2013--Cool--just received my Correspondence Course Certificate from Rachel Atkinson for the successful completion of Gordian Knot.  Never got one of these before.

Since I'm on a serious mission to eliminate paper files, I've scanned the certificate and saved it to my Gordian Knot electronic file folder (where I have project photos, instructions, etc.).    Eventually I'll need more storage for all my files than available on my external hard drive of 250 Gs, but cloud storage is looking like an affordable option....soon.

Completion Certificate

August 28, 2013--Gordian Knot is now complete and ready for review by the class instructor as part of ANG's Correspondence Course program.  This piece is beautiful and the picture doesn't convey its texture, color, shine and vibrancy.  Thank you Rachel Atkinson for such a wonderful design.  And thanks again to everyone who helped me with my Neon Rays dye lot problem.

August 25, 2013--Was not able to find Neon Rays in the dye lot received in the kit, but it wasn't for lack of trying.  Thank you to everyone who sent me threads in the hope it matched what I had.

I'm not a purist, but am most definitely a realist when it comes to something like this.  I ripped out the two inside quadrants stitched with the original dye lot of N67, then stitched the inside of all four quadrants with the new, darker dye lot, and think it turned out quite well.  Yes, it is darker, but in my mind, because the area might be considered the underside of a ribbon, it's darker because of shadowing. Anyone unfamiliar with this project probably won't notice a thing.  And as my DH so charmingly commented - "What does it matter?  No one's going to see it anyway."  Yes, that does put things in perspective.  Funny man!

Learned a few valuable lessons.  First, read, then reread what color goes in what section.  None of this would have occured if I hadn't made an error of using NR where Flair was called for.  Second, begin and end threads under the section being worked so that other areas won't be disturbed if you must rip out a section later.

Now on to the corners.  Yay!

August 14, 2013--Have come up with a dye lot problem for Neon Rays 67.  The thread on the left is a bright turquoise color I received in my kit.  The two threads in the middle have been sent to me in response to my request for help on the Gordian Knot Yahoo Group List, and the last is thread recently purchased from a shop online (don't have an LNS).   All are labeled N67.   There is another sample coming to me from AC--hopefully that will have more turquoise in it.  Crossing my fingers.

Below are the two sections missing N67 (inside the top and right quadrants).  If I must use a darker N67, hopefully it won't be too obvious.  Stay tuned.

Top and right quadrants missing portions of N67

July 30, 2013--Have now completed the design through page 8 of the instruction manual.  It's coming along nicely.   The Squared Herringbone pattern was difficult to follow, so I drafted a step-by-step diagram (shown below) to assist me until my mind figured it out (some of you may know what I mean).

Gordian Knot through Page 8

I discovered an error I made on the thread for the stitch on Page 7.   It calls for RG Flair and I used RG Neon Rays.  No wonder the Neon Rays is running low.  I have since ripped out that section and restitched it with the correct thread.  Whew.

I also found an error in the instructions for the stitch on Page 7, the Diagonal Long-Legged Cross.  I made pencil notes on the diagram below noting the stitches at numbers 4 and 6 should start one thread below where they are shown.   It's a small matter, but I was stitching upside down and this caused me to count a few times to be sure I was doing the stitch correctly.

Squared Herringbone Step-by-Step Guide

July 28, 2013--Finally started stitching Gordian Knot, an ANG CyberPointers Correspondence Course by Rachel Atkinson.  This course closes on October 15, 2013, at which time course participants can send Rachel their canvases for review by November 1st.   Lots of stitching to do between now and then.  Below is my progress to date:

Gordian Knot through Page 7

Gordian Knot through Page 5

Gordian Knot through Page 4

Halloween Treat Updated 10/29/14

October 29, 2014--Back from the framer just in time for Halloween.

Halloween Treat Framed

December 17, 2013--Found these non-scary cuties (buttons and witch applique) while at Britex in San Francisco, CA, to place onto Halloween Treat.  Now to decide whether or not to have this project framed or simply backed with fabric and an easel.

Halloween Treat Decorated

August 23, 2013--This little bit of scariness is done.  Love the ghost and bargello sections.  Now to find the most frightening buttons possible to place in three of the areas filled with scotch stitches.  If the best buttons have shanks, I can cut them off with wire cutters and secure them to the canvas with stitches around small parts of the design.  Would love to find a little, dangly skeleton.

August 17, 2013--Started working on this delightful Halloween Treat after our ANG chapter met on Monday and went over all of the sections.  Thank you RJ for a wonderful job in highlighting areas which will require some attention.  We started with Area 2 shown below.  It's unfortunate the camera doesn't pick up the shine of the RG Petite Sparkle Rays used for the ghost.  It looks like he's shimmering right up to you out of the background.

Area 2 of 13

July 8, 2013--Delaware's Seashore Chapter of ANG is doing Marilyn Owen's Halloween Treat, taken from the most recent Chapter Project Book.  Before we can have our class at the August meeting, we were assigned prestitching of the outline.  Had to concentrate on my stitching at each intersection--the gobelin stitches are over two except at the intersections where some were over 3 (avoiding a lot of over one compensation).   Looking forward to getting this completed in time for Halloween.

Bargello Ribbons Ornament Updated 12/10/13

December 10, 2013--Below are pictures of the finished results.  Made two ornaments--one for me to practice finishing techniques and the second for the ANG Delaware's Seashore Chapter Holiday Lunch and Ornament Exchange on December 9th.  This was the first time "stuffing" an ornament and I found it much easier than glueing canvas and fabric around poster board.  I hand stitched the trim along the edges, but next time will try using my brand new glue gun to attach trim.  A fun project all-in-all.

Front

Back

October 1, 2013--Have begun stitching Liz Morrow's Bargello Ribbons Ornament published in Needlepoint Now magazine, September/October, 2013 issue.  This will be part of Delaware's Seashore Chapter's Holiday Ornament Exchange in December, so pictures of the finished project will not be posted until after the exchange.  But I can show the colors I've chosen below.   The RG Patina, Renaissance Green, was a table favor at the 2012 ANG Seminar Banquet and it is beautiful in this project.  The blue/green Kreinik found in my stash is called Peacock, a perfect match for the green Threadworx Floss.

Bargello Ribbons Ornament Project Photo from Needlepoint Now Magazine

SOTM 2013 Updated 10/29/14

October 29, 2014--Love the framing.

Stitch of the Month 2013 Framed

December 1, 2013--There's nothing more to add for December, so I'm done!  Now to see what my framer can do.

November 8, 2013--The November lesson is done.  I like the chain pattern, but am not sure how I like the colors.  The two narrow edges are now lost.  Looking forward to the final lesson in December.

SOTM 2013 November

October 6, 2013--October stitching is now complete and I love how nicely the gold diagonal back stitches fill in the empty space.  Now I'm wondering how the canvas will be stitched between the two outside borders.

September 4, 2013--The lesson for this month is done.  It's looking very pretty.  Looking forward to what the next three months will bring.

August 16, 2013--I have been asked to list the colors used in this project.  Below are my DMC selections:

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Original Thread Type	Amount for Congress Cloth	Thread Selection and Color
Kreinik 1/16" Ribbon	1 spool	Vatican Gold #102
Keinik #4 Braid	2 spools	Vatican Gold #102
Need 3 color families
Main Color - 5 Values		Blues
Dark	3 skeins	DMC 311 Md Blue
Medium Dark	1 skein	DMC 312 V Dk Baby Blue
Medium	1 skein	DMC 322 Baby Blue
Medium Light	1 skein	DMC 334 Md Baby Blue
Light	1 skein	DMC 3755 Lt Baby Blue
Second Color - 4 Values		Pinks
Dark	1 skein	DMC 3721 Dk Shell Pink
Medium Dark	1 skein	DMC 3722 Md Shell Pink
Medium Light	1 skein	DMC 223 Lt Shell Pink
Light	2 skeins	DMC 224 V Lt Shell Pink
Accent Color - 3 Values		Beiges
Dark	2 skeins	DMC 840 Md Beige Brown
Medium Dark	2 skeins	DMC 841 Lt Beige Brown
Medium Dark	1 skein	DMC 842 V Lt Beige Brown

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August 3, 2013--Just finished stitching the August lesson--took very little time to do this month's assignment.  Am unable to figure out what direction the design is taking, but so far it's been interesting.  Looking forward to September.

July 5, 2013--Completed the July stitching.   It's a beautiful trellis pattern which fills in much of the space very quickly.  Nice.

June, 2013--The stitches inside the red area remind me of a fruit pod.  Pretty.

May, 2013--The additional blue section is adding nice dimension.

April, 2013--The four corners are called leaves by Debbie.  If I had known this at the beginning, I would have reversed the colors.  Oh well, I'll play it out through December and hope it won't matter.  

March, 2013--This month's lesson gave us dimension.  Pretty border.

February, 2013--What a great beginning.  Love the pattern.

January, 2013--Love starting a new ANG Stitch of the Month Mystery project.  This is my fourth SOTM and each year has been a real treat to stitch.  This year's project is taught by Debbie Stiehler using Bargello stitches.  January's lesson was to lay down basting stitches from corner to corner on the diagonal.  Onward to the fun.