Chicken Scratch - 8/16/26

August 16, 1926—Last week, I took a class with my local EGA chapter on a needlework technique called “Chicken Scratch.” I didn’t know anything about it, but I was happy to jump in and find out why the stitching can look so wonderfully lacy on gingham fabric.

That lacy look comes from covering the dark squares of the gingham weave with full stitches in white thread (see above). The technique uses just a small group of stitches: cross stitch, double cross (or Smyrna), woven ovals, squares, and daisies wrapped around running stitches. These are usually worked in white floss or perle thread. What’s fun is that, depending on how you arrange the stitches on the fabric, the finished pieces can look quite different, as you can see in the photo below of work by Yukika Wada.

And where did the name come from? I’m told that, on the back of the project, the threads carried from one square to another look a bit like “chicken scratch”—and that’s how the technique got its name.

 

I’ve come across photos of beautiful pillows, pincushions, aprons, pockets, clutch purses, and all sorts of other pieces worked in Chicken Scratch. Unfortunately, it seems to have fallen out of favor, but who knows? Maybe someday it will make a comeback.

Santa Gnome by Kurdy Biggs - Updated 7/7/25

July 7, 2025--He's done and now I can "finish" him into an ornament.  If you look at the photo in the earlier blog post below, you'll see that I stitched the coat with green threads.  Wrong--it should have been done in red, so lots of frogging occurred.   Once that was taken care of, I added all the bead embellishments and placed them according to instructions.  There appears to be gaps, but that's how it's supposed to look, so it stays.   Has anyone else who is doing this project done something different with the beads?

Santa Gnome by Kurdy Biggs Completed

July 1, 2025--It's fun stitching something Christmassy during the height of Summer--it keeps my mind on cooler temperatures.  Below is a photo of my progress to date.  All that needs to be done now is bead embellishing--a lot of bead embellishing!!

See the blog post below for more information about this project.

June 28, 2025--This project is from a class taken at the EGA Seminar I recently attended that was taught by Kurdy Biggs.  He's absolutely adorable, all done up in Jean Hilton type stitches.  I should be able to get him all stitched up within a week or two.  Here's where I left off at the end of class last week (Kurdy gave us a needle minder with a photo of the project):

2 comments:

1. 
   Tina AumillerJuly 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM

   Hi Brenda! It was a real pleasure meeting you at Seminar! I finished my Santa Gnome soon after we got home. SO much fun to stitch!
   

   ReplyDelete
   Replies

   1. 
      Brenda M. CôtéJuly 1, 2025 at 9:42 AM

      Hi Tina. It was great to meet you and Colleen at seminar. Please send a photo of your completed Santa Gnome. I would love to see it.

      Delete

Pin Poinsettia Beaded - Updated 9/12/25

September 12, 2025--Won a 1st Place Ribbon in the Beading category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 13th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

June 27, 2025--Done!  I was obsessed with working on this pin and got it done in no time.  Loved learning how this design was "built up" and shaped.   

I had some bar pins on hand (cannot remember why I purchased them and am surprised I was able to find them so easily), so stitched one to the back and it's now ready to wear as a pin.

Here's the result:

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Completed

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Side View

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Back View

Bar Pins for Poinsettia Pin

 Please see the post below for more information about this project. 

June 25, 2025--Yesterday I worked on the beaded poinsettia pin class taught by Kay Ackerman at the EGA MAR 2025 Seminar in Gettysburg, PA and got through Page 14.  Whew.  I've done some flat peyote beaded bracelets but never learned how to make 3D items, so this class was perfect.  Below is my progress to date as well as a project photo showing what the poinsettia should look like when I get it done (fingers crossed this will happen).

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Through Page 14

Pin Poinsettia Project Photo Size View

EGA MAR Seminar 2025 - 6/23/25

June 23, 2025--I just returned home from a 6-day Embroiderers Guild of America (EGA) Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) seminar at the Aspire Hotel in Gettysburg, PA.  This is the first time I've attended an EGA event like this and boy, was I impressed with the caliber of teachers, subject matters taught, efficiency of administrative functions, etc.   Even the hotel, as old as it is, was clean with very comfortable beds, large rooms with refrigerators and microwaves, plumbing that worked extremely well, etc.  And...it was only a 3 hour drive from home.  No schlepping suitcases and stitching stuff to and from the airport, satellite parking, long TSA lines, etc.  Also, it was a small event with about 150 attendees--plenty of opportunity to make new friends.

No complaints whatsoever!  Click here for more information about the seminar.

Below are project photos of the classes I took over a five-day period:

Pin Poinsettia Beaded by Kay Ackerman MAR Seminar 2025 Project Photo

Pulled Thread Few of My Favorite Things by Jane Ellen Balzuweit MAR Seminar 2025 Project Photo

Santa Gnome by Kurdy Biggs MAR Seminar 2025 Project Photo

Almost forgot...I won an "Opportunity Basket" which was overflowing with stitching kits and paraphernalia.  There was also a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle which I'll start working on this week.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler - Updated 2/19/24

February 19, 2024--Picked this up from the pillow fabricator a few days ago and can't wait to display it under the tree at Christmas.  

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Finished

January 5, 2024--Ta da--first finish in 2024.  For the most part, I loved stitching these Christmas ribbons.  Each one was a challenge on to itself with tons of compensation, composite stitches, interesting techniques, designs, etc. 

Ribbon 2 did give me some issues, however.  The designer suggested the wreaths and bows be stitched last after everything else was done.  I now understand why she made that suggestion.  If I had stitched the wreaths immediately after finishing Ribbon 2, I probably would have given up on the project out of absolute frustration.  Trying to place the wreaths on top of the white ribbon worked up in a diagonal stitch made it nearly impossible to figure out where to place the stitches for the wreaths.  It took lots of eyeballing and ripping out.  The red bows done in a daisy stitch weren't much better.   I'm not happy with how those bows look but stay they will (a syntax nod to Yoda).  

My favorite ribbons are 7 and 13.  Both took some serious concentration, and I love how they turned out.   You may notice that ribbon 4 looks crooked on the canvas due to the back and forth of the design elements.  The spaces between the ribbons were stitched with white and pale green thread to make it recede while the background of the poinsettia is done in all white.  An interesting effect.  The edge of the design is stitched with 2 rows of continental red thread to match the pillow fabric.  

Now off to the pillow fabricator

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Completed

November 2, 2023--All but two ribbons are now completed (ribbons three and four) out of 16 (stitched ribbons one, six, seven and eight since my last blog post).  After that there's the background to stitch in basketweave as well as some outlining of ribbons, and adding wreaths to ribbon number two.    Still plenty to keep me busy on this project for a few more months.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler 14 Ribbons Completed

October 12, 2023--All the horizontal ribbons are stitched as well as two vertical ones for a total of ten ribbons.  Six more to go.  I love the depth each ribbon has due to the composite nature of each one.  Some of the ribbons require up to 8 different combinations of threads and stitches to complete.  I plan on making a box pillow with this, so will add 2 extra rows of continental stitching around the edges so no canvas will show at the pillow's edge.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler 10 Ribbons Completed

October 3, 2023--A total of 8 ribbons have now been stitched following the order given in the instructions.  Now I can stitch the next 8 ribbons in any order I choose.  I'm thoroughly enjoying this project due to the complexity and variety of the stitches.   Now, will I get it done by Christmas of 2024?  It certainly won't be this year.  LOL.  

August 3, 2023--Ribbons 2 and 13 are now stitched.  Ribbon 2 will have little wreaths added to it at the end.  The plaid worked up in Ribbon 13 is very different from any other I've done.  Instead of working the design horizontally, it was stitched diagonally using back stitches.   I found it easiest to work up one color at a time in all 5 areas.  It was fun to see the pattern develop.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Ribbons 2 and 13 Completed

July 25, 2023--The next step in this project called for ribbons 12, 14 and 16 to be stitched, so that's what I did.  Mindy English's graphs are wonderful.  She charts out each section of a ribbon which shows all the compensation stitches required.  Easy peasy.   I really like the bottom ribbon consisting of small red flowers.  This ribbon, along with many others, will be outlined when they are all done.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Ribbons 12, 14, 16 Completed

July 12, 2023--Just finished stitching the poinsettia located in the upper right corner of this Christmas ribbon project.  There's lots of dimension in the petals and leaves which surprised me.  I even learned a new stitch--Colonial Knot placed in the poinsettia center.  This stitch used two strands of two different colors of Perle 5 thread.  Bulky but effective.

The background of the square is stitched in basketweave.  I'll save this for when I'm at various stitch-ins where I'll want to socialize more than concentrate on the project at hand.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Poinsettia Completed

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Pointsettia Completed Closeup

June 22, 2023--While at my EGA Brandywine Chapter's stitch-in earlier this month, I was able to peruse items from the estate of a past member and take home a delightful, counted project called Christmas Ribbon Sampler designed by Mindy English, copyrighted in 1995.  This is a large piece stitched on 15" x 15" 14 count canvas and a wonderful stash buster using many skeins of DMC reds and greens.    I just completed the first step of outlining the ribbon widths with basting thread.  Whew--that was a large job and required lots of counting.  Now that's done, I plan on getting started with the upper right corner poinsettia.   Stay tuned.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Basting

Spring Sampler - Updated 9/17/24

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

February 18, 2024--Picked this up from the pillow fabricator yesterday and love how it looks sitting on an extra dining room chair.  The colors work perfectly with the furniture, wall paint and draperies. 

Spring Sampler Finished into a Pillow

Spring Sampler Pillow on a Dining Room Chair

January 22, 2024--The stitching is complete on all 21 bands.  Loved working on this project and I especially love the colors.  Next step is to meet with my pillow fabricator to determine what color will look best for the pillow back and whether or not she'll need a few rows of tent stitches around the edge so the canvas won't show. 

Scroll to the very end to see a full list of my threads used for each band as compared to those used by Melita.  Hope you will find this helpful if you decide to stitch this wonderful piece.

Spring Sampler Completed

January 6, 2024--Now thirteen bands are done, and each one complements the other beautifully.  I'm putting this project away so I can continue stitching on it at EGA's CampWannastitch in Ocean City, MD.  Stay tuned.....

It's interesting how different rows 6 and 16 look from each other because of the way my window light hits the canvas at a slant.   When all the stitching is done, I'll find another way to photograph this piece so the light shines evenly on it.

Spring Sampler Bands 5 through 17 Completed

December 29, 2023--Eleven bands are now stitched, and I love the colors.  As we work from the center outwards (in this case, up and down), Bands 6 through 16 are done.  

Spring Sampler Bands 6 through 16 Completed

December 12, 2023--When I took the photo below on November 1 that shows a partially stitched Band 6, I stopped working on it to confirm with Melita, the project's designer, that the thread used was too bright and light.  She agreed, and I finally had an opportunity to purchase a new thread color from Waste Knot Needlepoint in Arlington, VA on November 20th on my way to Thanksgiving in Ohio.

Sampler Spring Border 6 Question

After looking at all the ribbon-like threads, nothing struck my fancy.  Finally, I found the color Mermaid, #5009, by Kreinik.  Size 16 Medium Braid and it works perfectly--and I love the sparkle.  So, I put away the RG Sparkle Rays PS68 Light Sage for use in a future project.  Of course, I had lots of "frogging" to do and tucking away of tail ends, but I got it done in no time. Here's the result.

Spring Sampler Bands 6 through 15 Completed

The next Band, number 16, uses the same colors and similar patterns as in Band 6, That will balance the project nicely.  

October 10, 2023--I've now stitched seven bands (8 through 14) on this delightful sampler (about one-third done).   I want to take this with me to the New Jersey Needlefest event that takes place in a week and a half, so I'll hold off on doing any more until then.

Spring Sampler Bands 8 through 14 Completed

October 5, 2023--I couldn't resist starting this project instead of waiting for the class that begins later this month.  Melita's instructions are wonderful, so I haven't had any problems so far.

We are instructed to start with Row 11, the center row, then work our way north and south.  So that's what I've done, then I added the top and bottom Rows 10 and 12.  The colors are developing into an interesting combination.  Now I'm really looking forward to adding more rows to see how the colors play together.

Spring Sampler, Rows 10, 11, 12

September 9, 2023--I recently signed up to take Melita Glavin's Spring Sampler project (photo below) through my local EGA chapter at Brandywine (near Wilmington, DE).   This is an award-winning piece designed by Melita and I'm very excited to begin working on it.  

But first, choosing the threads.  This could have been a daunting task if it weren't for the fact that Melita, and her friend, chapter mate and stitcher extraordinaire, Linda M., were willing to meet with a few of us at Fireside Stitchery in Malvern, PA, only a 2.5-hour drive for me from southern Delaware.

I brought some fabric swatches and a paint sample with me upon which I would base my project's color palate.  Linda M. volunteered to work with me and I'm so glad she has the patience of a saint.  I just couldn't imagine how her suggestions would look and kept her constantly finding alternatives.   But in the end, everything came together and I'm very happy with the colors chosen.  Melita was also consulted on some of the color choices and thread substitutions and offered invaluable assistance.  All in all, a very fun day (almost as much fun as going to the casino).

My color palate (fabric and paint swatches from my living and dining rooms are on the right)

Spring Sampler Thread List Revised

And best photo of all--Melita's project photo (hers is done in purple):

Spring Sampler designed and stitched by Melita Glavin--Project Photo

Class will be held towards the end of October, but I may not be able to wait that long to start.

Thread List by Band and Stitch

2 comments:

MelitaJanuary 5, 2024 at 9:48 PM0

It's coming along really nicely. Love the new darker thread in Bands 6 and 16. Perfect! Can't wait to see it in person on the 17th. Don't forget to bring it!

Reply

Brenda M. CôtéJanuary 6, 2024 at 10:25 AM

Thanks Melita. I'll bring it to the meeting on the 17th and also to Camp Wannastitch.

Camp Wannastitch 2024 - 1/17/24

January 17, 2024--Had the pleasure of attending the January 2024 EGA Camp Wannastitch retreat held at the Ashore Hotel in Ocean City, MD.  What a blast! 

Find Waldo (aka me).  Hint--blue plaid shirt on right side, about four rows down.

The retreat normally runs for 5 days, but I could only attend for 2.5--from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning.  Enjoyed sitting with my EGA chapter mates, some of whom are also ANG members.  As I walked around the HUGE ballroom where we were stitching, I met more ANG friends from Northern Virginia and Checkerspot chapters and enjoyed making new friends.  Also had the opportunity to see what everyone was stitching, check out the tables set up with boxes and boxes of "give aways," and peek at the silent auction items.   Relished wonderful dinners out--on Friday went to Spain Wine Bar and on Saturday ate at Liquid Assets.  Both are highly recommended, but get there early--they are packed!

Looking forward to next year.

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

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

Blue Diamond Ornament - Updated 3/20/21

March 20, 2021--Finished this tiny diamond into an ornament.  I must admit I almost didn't bother posting on the blog--this is one of the worst finishing jobs I've ever done.  Well, maybe the second worst.  I'm discovering that the smaller the ornament, the more difficult it is to properly finish.   The proof is in the pictures.  I also believe that one of the reasons professional finishers top off their work with lots of bows and fru-fru may be to cover up errors in forming a loop at the top.  It isn't easy stuffing all of that cording into the top of an ornament--something has to give.

Ornament Diamond Blue Completed Front

Ornament Diamond Blue Completed Back

January 27, 2021--Last night I took a Zoom class on how to stitch the below ornament.  

Blue Diamond Ornament

Melita Glavin of  Melitastitches4fun's Blog and a co-attendee of the class, perfectly describes the event as follows:

My EGA Brandywine Chapter hosted a class earlier tonight with Vicky Witterschein so she can gain experience towards her teaching certification with the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN).

Many thanks to her local needlepoint shop, The Edwardian Needle and Pam, for donating 20 kits to each of EGA’s 5 regions. It consists of 5″ x 5″ piece of 18 count canvas, Santa Fe Sage, 2 mm ribbon, Kreinik, pearls, needles, and beading thread.

Vicky led us through the stitches, had video demonstrations, and several of us finished the project during the 2-hour Zoom class. She is well on her to being an excellent teacher.

It could be done as a diamond like I did (2″ x 3″) or a Christmas Tree. Any ribbon thread will work, if I want to make up another. It’s great that the stitches work up easily into 2 different designs.

I chose to stitch the diamond shaped ornament rather than the tree.   It was a fast stitch and one worth repeating.

2 comments:

1. 
   Frances W.February 3, 2021 at 9:17 PM

   Lovely, I’m also signed up. My zoom class is in March. Can’t wait.

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   MelitaFebruary 20, 2021 at 10:12 AM

   Definitely would do another. I love seeing you in Zoom classes and meetings!!

   ReplyDelete