SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey - Updated 9/17/24

September 17, 2024--Won a 2nd Place Ribbon in the Canvaswork/Needlepoint category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 12th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

February 27, 2024--Picked up this gorgeous project from Michael's Arts & Crafts frame shop yesterday and I love how it turned out.  The photo doesn't show the beaded "bling" and how much sparkle there is.  

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Finished

December 5, 2023--Fini!  All that needed to be done with this month's lesson was to add black seed beads and gold bugle beads which added some dimension and sparkle to the piece.  

I'll wait until next month to take it to the framer--they have enough to worry about getting things done by Christmas.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 12 December

November 5, 2023--Well, that was easy.  All we had to work on this month was a Greek stitch around the edge and a square eyelet stitch in the corners.  Now for the really fun stuff next month.  Almost done.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 11 November

October 8, 2023--This month's lesson had us stitching a herringbone pattern in two colors of silver around the edges.   Almost done.  Two more months of stitching and bead work and it'll be ready for the framer.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 10 October

September 10, 2023--September's lesson, the 9th this year, is done and it looks like all the "empty" canvas areas are pretty much filled in.  I believe the borders will be next along with some beading.  Yay!

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 9 September

August 15, 2023--The stitching through the August lesson is done and it continues to be an enjoyable challenge.   Four more lessons.... looking forward to finishing this project and getting it framed.  I know exactly where I'm going to put it.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 8 August

July 10, 2023--This project is beginning to look very lacy.  Every month's installment is a challenge, but so enjoyable to see how it looks as it is worked up.  Here's the 7th installment for 2023.  Five more to go.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 7 July

June 10, 2023--The installment for June is done and the areas yet to be stitched are nicely defined.  I love how lacey it looks.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 6 June

May 4, 2023--Here is the addition of the May installment to ANG's Stitch of the Month (SOTM) project.   In future months, more will be added to the squares as well as to the project's edge.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 5 May

April 19, 2023--This beautiful ANG Stitch of the Month (SOTM) project designed by Melita Glavin is now stitched through the April lesson and I'm loving the process.  There's lots more to do, but the lessons are distributed one month at a time, so I have to wait until next month for more.  This process actually makes the project very manageable and not so daunting when you have a year to complete it.

Here's Crescent Journey through the April lesson:

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 4 April

March 8, 2023--The March installment of ANG's Stitch of the Month (SOTM) project called Crescent Journey by Melita Glavin is now stitched and everything put away until the April instructions are published on the ANG website.   This is really a fun and challenging project so far.  Each section worked up adds to its beauty.  Here's a photo of what it looks like so far.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 3 March

February 14, 2023--Happy Valentine's Day!!!  This blog, however, isn't about hearts, but instead about the 2023 ANG Stitch of the Month (SOTM).  So far, I've stitched both the January and February installments and below is a photo of the results to date.  

Whew--the center medallion was certainly a challenge, but a fun one and I can appreciate how much more beautiful it will look with the addition of beads.  Looking forward to the March instructions.

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 2 February Closeup

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 2 February

January 5, 2023--I just completed the first month's lesson to this year's Stitch of the Month (SOTM) project designed by Melita Glavin and available for free to members of the American Needlepoint Guild (one of the wonderful benefits of membership).

This lesson focuses on stitching the outline on 18 count mono canvas, and I love the stitches used by the designer.  Instead of the usual gobelin or smyrna stitches, Melita chose Mosaic and Diagonal Knitting Stitches, and the results are very attractive.  I chose to work this up in the Neutral Colorway which incorporates golds, silvers, beiges and black (with some beads thrown in).

SOTM 2023 Crescent Journey Lesson 1

Stars Beaded Mini 3D Warped 5 Pointed - 12/20/23

December 20, 2023--Recently learned how to bead up this adorable mini five-pointed warped star, so of course, I had to do two of them.  It starts off in the shape of a folded over square, worked up five times, then zippered together.   Fun.

Star Beaded Mini 5 Point Warped Bordeau Mix

Star Beaded Mini 5 Point Warped Neutrals Mix

Star Beaded Mini 5 Point Warped Stars

Red area is one of five "squares" that is folded in half (the warping occurs in the center of the square).  The diagonal lines show where the squares are "zippered" together.

This shows the fifth square getting zippered to the first square, but only after stuffing is inserted. 

Bracelet Flat Herringbone with Two Hole Duo Beads - 12/13/23

December 13, 2023--I continue to learn new things every time I bead up a project.  This time it was how to make a flat herringbone bracelet with two-hole "duo" and seed beads using a free pattern from Jill Wiseman Designs.   It was fun to do.  However, finding just the right colors proved to be a bit more daunting.  I found a shop in Annapolis, MD called the Twisted Bead which had multi-colored packs of Duo beads.  I chose one which contained dark bronze, light blue, very pale blue, silver and clear duo beads.   An interesting selection.  I used dark bronze seed beads to connect the Duo beads.

I tried to be random at how I placed the Duo beads, but found I just had to pick out the five colors to place in each row.   Then I worked very hard NOT to have the colors line up next to, on top of, or below each other.  Whew.   Random--nope!

Bracelet Flat Herringbone with Two Hole Duo Beads

Beaded Bracelet Peyote Silk Flowers - 9/19/23

September 19, 2023--Won 2nd Place Ribbon in the Beadwork category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 11th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

April 20, 2023--Another bracelet worked up.  This one is done in the peyote stitch with lots of color changes.  Learned so much with this one--how to organize lots of different bead colors on my beading tray, how to decrease the bracelet ends, how to make a "ruffled" side edge with beads, how to place a tubular clasp with decorative beading, etc.  Thank you to Beads Gone Wild for another excellent kit with easy to understand instructions.

Bracelet Peyote Silk Flowers Laid Flat

Bracelet Peyote Silk Flowers On Wrist

Bracelet Peyote Silk Flowers On Wrist

Bracelet Beaded Tiffany - 9/19/23

September 19, 2023--Won 2nd Place Ribbon in the Beadwork category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 11th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

June 7, 2023--I just completed this beautiful cuff bracelet kitted by Beads Gone Wild called Tiffany.  It's absolutely gorgeous with light gold and white pearl beads.  The pearls are stitched on a grid base consisting of size 11 seed beads.    When I stitched the grid, I feared it was too wonky and would cause the pearl beads to sit on it in a crooked manner, being too high or too low, etc.  I emailed Beads Gone Wild about this and was assured my grid looked perfectly fine and the pearl beads would sit on them perfectly.  Well, they were right.  

Beaded Bracelet Tiffany Finished Lying Flat

Beaded Bracelet Tiffany Finished and Clasped

Beaded Bracelet Tiffany Finished on Wrist

Bracelet Beaded Tiffany Grid for Pearls

This is a beautiful bracelet with lots of shine and substance (and there are small crystals between the pearl beads).   I will enjoy wearing this with everything!

Bracelet Peyote Marrakesh - Updated 9/17/24

September 17, 2024--Won a 1st Place Ribbon in the Beadwork category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 12th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

September 18, 2023--I just finished peyote beading this beautiful bracelet kit designed by June Wiseman of Jill Wiseman Designs.   The written instructions were wonderful, and if you need extra help, Jill has lots of YouTube videos that cover all aspects of beading, from full projects to separate techniques.   

I wish you could see the sparkle of this bracelet.  I added the gold picot edge using size 15 seed beads to hide the thread along the edges that could be seen.  With this kit I learned how to make a beaded toggle along with a peyote beaded loop.   Now I know how to finish my bracelets and necklaces without having to purchase metal toggles, sliding locks, etc.

Bracelet Peyote Marrakesh Flat

Bracelet Beaded Berry Band - 9/5/23

September 5, 2023--I loved beading this bracelet since it's the first time working with Czech tiles and superduo beads.   The bracelet, called Beaded Berry Band, is a free pattern designed by Deborah Roberti on her AroundTheBeadingTable.com website.  I purchased the beads online from Jill Wiseman Designs with the help of Corrie.  We chose Opaque Olive Picasso 2-hole CzechMate Tile Beads to coordinate with Matte Jet Bronze SuperDuo Beads.  Very interesting combination which happens to work well with many of my articles of clothing.    I was short a few beads so the length was a smidge smaller than desired.  The best way to solve this is by adding "jump rings" between the bracelet beads and the magnetic slide lock clasp.  Perfect.  

Bracelet Beaded Berry Band Finished

Ornament Holight Light Green - 8/29/23

August 29, 2023--Just completed the stitching of Holiday Light Green Ornament designed by Susan Portra.  This is the 16th and last of her ornaments that were published in Needlepoint Now Magazine.  There are eight more to do, but I had to purchase the instructions directly from the designer since the magazine is no longer printing them.  As with all the others, there is lots of shine and bling which doesn't show up very well in the photo.

You can see all of the Holiday Ornaments that I've completed under the "Collections Stitched" page on the right side of this blog.

Ornament Holiday Light Green Completed

Name Tag for EGA Brandywine Chapter - 8/27/23

August 27, 2023--Completed the stitching of this little project quite some time ago and finally "finished" it into a name tag today.  The design is by Linda Reinhardt and the instructions and kit (included beads, suede backing, padding, etc.) were given to me at last December's Brandywine Chapter Holiday get together.  I used DMC Perle 5 threads for both the stitching and cord around the tag.  The cord was crocheted using the two colors in the tag--love how it came out.  Lastly, I placed the Brandywine Chapter pin in the upper left corner.   Fini.

Name Tag EGA Brandywine Chapter

Bracelet Beaded Treasure - 8/18/23

August 18, 2023--Loved working up this beaded bracelet called Treasure or Mix It Up designed by Jill Wiseman.   It used five different Czech 6mm glass pearls randomly placed on a "bed" of 8 mm seed beads.  Here are some photos.

Rozashi Three Hana - Updated 8/13/23

August 13, 2023--Done.  All I need to do now is "starch" the back with Nori (rice) paste to ensure the silk and metallic threads don't come loose, then make it into a hanging ornament.

The last time I blogged about this project (see below), I mentioned that I was running out of threads and wrote Margaret Kinsey, the designer, to see if she might have more for this 2000 project.  She responded quickly and was able to send me threads for all four colors.  Unfortunately, two of the colors (navy and light green) had die lot changes.  However, I only needed one strand of the light green and it barely shows in the lower right corner.  I did need more of the medium green, but there was no problem with a color difference there.  Whew.

Rozashi Three Hana Completed

July 18, 2023--Section 2, called The Hana, is now stitched.  It consists of three flower patterns with a "brick" type stitch in the background.  I've run out of the darker green thread and have only a few pieces of light green and blue metallic.  I wrote Margare Kinsey, the designer, in the hopes she has more thread for this 2020 project.  Crossing my fingers.

Rozashi Three Hana Section 2 Completed

July 9, 2023--Section 5 (Flax Leaf Pattern) and Section 10 (Kawari Kanoko) are now stitched.  The color combinations of dark navy silk, very light green silk, medium green silk, and lite blue metallic threads give a nice contrast and sheen to the piece.  

Will now take a short break from this project to work on other WIPS.

Rozashi Three Hana Sections 5 and 10 Completed

June 29, 2023--Finished Section 3 which was stitched using the Dan Dan Technique.  The "dimples" in the stitching give an interesting diagonal effect from upper right to lower left, even though it is stitched from upper left to lower right.

Rozashi Three Hana Section 3 Completed - Dan Dan Technique

June 23, 2023--I am so enjoying the rhythm of stitching this beautiful Rozashi project.  The upper middle portion, Section 4, is now done and I'll probably drop down and begin working on Section 3 next.  Section 4 is labeled Higaki which means a satin stitch pattern.  Very pretty.

Rozashi Three Hana Section 4

June 1, 2023--Since I like to stitch from the upper left to right, working my way down the canvas, I began this project with Section 9, called Combination Stitches.  A very easy and quick start consisting of stitches placed over one dan in one row, then over two dan in a subsequent row, then begin again.  

Here it is:

Rozashi Three Hana Section 9

May 30, 2023--Back in 2020 when ANG's National Seminar classes were held online due to COVID (boy, am I glad that's over with), I signed up to take two of Margaret Kensey's Rozashi classes, one of which I'm now working on called Three Hana.  I really enjoy this type of stitching--all stitches are vertical worked on ro canvas using sumptuous silk threads.   Rozashi is Japanese meaning canvas (ro) and to stitch (zashi).  The ro canvas has horizontal threads (called dan) that are much wider than the vertical ones which make the stitches pop.

Here's my progress so far:

Rozashi Three Hana Outlines Completed

Below is a photo of the project as stitched by the instructor.  Lots of interesting and challenging stitches.

Rozashi Three Hana Project Photo Designed by Margaret Kinsey

Scissors Case Lacy - Updated 8/12/23

August 12, 2023--The stitching is done and this little scissors case has been sewn together with a binding stitch and lined.  It's rather cute, if I say so myself.   Now I need a beautiful pair of scissors to place in it.

Scissors Case Lacy Back Finished

Scissors Case Lacy Front Finished

July 23, 2023--The upper half is stitched except for the middle area where a ribbon will be couched.  That will get done after the bottom half is finished.  I like how the overdyed colors are playing out on the canvas.   I'm putting this away for a while to use as my "take along" project for social stitching days.

Scissors Case Lacy Upper Half Completed

July 21, 2023--At my local EGA meeting with the Brandywine Chapter on Wednesday, we received full kits to stitch Margaret Bendig's 2000 Petite Project offered through EGA to its members.  What a delightful project.  It's worked up using Valdani Pearl 8 which I love--no need to "lay" the thread and the variegated color is beautiful.  I've completed the outline done in Smyrna stitches and look forward to working up the body of the case.  Our instructions also guide us through the "finishing" process.

Here's my progress to date.

Scissors Case Lacy Border

Below is a photo of the project as stitched by the designer.

Scissors Case Lacy Project Photo