Heart Tiffany - 7/31/26

July 26, 2026--In 2022, I attended the ANG Seminar held in Tucson, AZ and was signed up to take Janet Zickler Casey's class called Tiffany Heart.  As luck would have it, I contracted COVID halfway through the seminar and went into quarantine for the balance of the event, missing the class.  The kit was later mailed to me, and it languished in my planned projects pile until a few weeks ago when I decided to dive in.

Heart Tiffany Completed

Heart Tiffany Side View

As many of Janet's designs do, this one introduced a new challenge for me:  bead looming, which I've never tried before.  I started by watching a few YouTube videos to get a sense of the process, then jumped in with a little knowledge and a lot of curiosity.   First, I stitched the heart.  Then, following Janet's excellent written instructions, placed 16 warp threads from top to bottom around the stretcher bars, using two wine corks to add tension at the top and bottom.   

Then the fun began. The bead looming itself was fairly straightforward; I just had to make sure I caught all the beads with the needle on each row. The most difficult part of the project was sinking the ten tail threads from each side of the beaded ribbon into the canvas. The ribbons formed a lovely bow shape, thanks to the special stiffening liquid Janet included in the kit.

Bead Loom set up on stretcher bars

Bead Loom set up on Canvas Side View

Now to decide how to finish it.  Do I turn it into a hanging ornament or a box top cover?

Heart for Laurie - 6/24/26

June 24, 2026--This is another Nancy Cucci heart designed in honor of Laurie McLellan.   I stitched this in the lavender colorway using most of the threads on the supply list.  I was unable to find a 12 mm center heart, so settled for the exact color in a 16 mm size.  Doesn't look too bad.  I also made a serious error in the top left area--the beads were to be placed in every other row.  Instead, I placed a bead on every blank thread--way too many and looks a little top heavy.  But I'm not inclined to cut the beads off the canvas and do the section all over again, so there it shines in all its overdone splendidness.

Heart for Laurie Completed

Here's what Nancy wrote about Laurie:

Heart Fourth of July - Updated 5/9/26

May 9, 2026--I placed the last stitch on this beautiful, very shiny heart today and look forward to finishing it as an ornament in the near future.   I had fun leading this project to a handful of my ANG chapter members and they are moving along nicely.   There was an initial glitch when we learned the threads recommended by the designer are no longer available, but we found RG's Neon Rays made a very nice substitute.  This will make a nice addition to my Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day decorations.

Fourth of July Heart Completed

March 13, 2026--I have the pleasure of leading a class at the Delaware's Seashore Chapter of ANG May meeting called Fourth of July Heart designed by Margaret Bendig.  The instructions were published in ANG's July 2008 Needle Pointers Magazine.  Since we'll have just a few hours to cover everything in class, I'm going to teach it "seminar" style where a little bit is done in each section so the students will learn the stitches involved, then the heart can be completed at home.  Of course, there will be lots of "thread spaghetti" to contend with.   Below is the "prework" the members will be asked to do before the class begins.  

Heart Fourth of July Prework

This is a delightful project to work on to celebrate the USA's 250th anniversary.  I remember celebrating our country's 200th anniversary on the "Mall" in Washington, DC.  OMG--50 years ago!!!  Yup, I'm that old. 😋

Heart My Beading - 2/24/26

February 24, 2026--Here's another beautiful design by Nancy Cucci called My Beading Heart.  The instructions were printed in the January/February 2010 issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine and were very easy to follow.  I did have some problems sourcing the Mill Hill Treasure flat margarita beads #13005 since that color has been discontinued.  The color I found is a bit "pale", but I used them anyway.   I also had problems with DMC Red #321 thread from my stash--it bled into the white sections.  I've never seen that happen before but have read that it does occur occasionally.  So, I switched to RG Splendor #820 Ruby Red--perfect.   

The beads give lots of dimension and shine.

My Beading Heart Completed

My Beading Heart Side View

I did have fun learning how to color in the red sections using acrylic paint.  I first had to mix up a batch of Flow Aid Solution by diluting it with water, then mix some of that up with Gesso to prepare the canvas, then mix up some of the diluted Flow Aid Solution with the red acrylic paint (almost a 50/50 mix).  I used a thin, flat brush to spread the paint into the red areas and a dry flat brush to open any holes that got blocked.  It turned out to be a very easy project, and I look forward to using this technique whenever I want to use dark thread on white canvas--no more "show through".  

My Beading Heart Painted

Heart My Pastel - 8/27/25

August 27, 2025--Another Nancy Cucci designed heart stitched!  This one is called My Pastel Heart, and the instructions were published in the 2012 Needlepoint Now Magazine, Vol. 4.  I chose to work this up in my favorite color--blue-green.  I love the dimension that all the beads give this lovely piece.

Heart My Pastel Completed

Heart My Pastel Completed - Side View

Heart Anniversary - 8/12/25

August 12, 2025--Here's Nancy Cucci's Anniversary Heart taught at the 2022 ANG Seminar in Tuscon, AZ.  It's loaded with sparkle and dimension, taking me days to stitch on all the beads--days and days I say!

Heart Anniversary Completed

Heart Anniversary Completed Side View

I have two more of Nancy's hearts to stitch--Pastel Heart and My Beading Heart. 

Heart Black and White and Jeweled All Over - 7/28/25

July 28, 2025--At the ANG online auction in March of this year, I bid on and won Nancy Cucci's Black and White and Jeweled All Over Heart from 2010.  It came with the full kit--painted canvas, instructions, threads and beads.  I couldn't wait to work on this heart and have now completed the stitching.  I plan to "finish" it into a hanging ornament soon. 

Hope you can see the shine of all the beads in the photos.

Heart Black and White and Jeweled All Over Completed

Heart Black and White and Jeweled All Over Side View

Heart Emerald Isle - 7/16/25

July 16, 2025--A few of my needlepoint guild chapter mates purchased the Emerald Isle Heart kit from Nancy Cucci (the heart's designer), and I for one, had to sit and stitch it up immediately.  It's beautiful with lots of gorgeous green shine and dimension from the stitches and beads.  I'll certainly enjoy displaying this heart on St. Patrick's Day when I become O'Côté for a day. 🍀🍀🍀

Heart Emerald Isle Completed

Heart Emerald Isle Completed Side View

Heart Swirled in Gold and White - Updated 5/20/25

 

May 20, 2025--Stitching is complete on this adorable, swirled heart.  The last area (Area 5) was a breeze to work up.  All I did differently was stitch the gold cross stitches over one BEFORE doing the gold waffle stitch.  

Scroll down to view previous posts about this heart.

Heart Swirled in Gold and White Completed

May 18, 2025--Area 4 has been stitched, and this area too was a challenge.  The designer called for long diagonal trellis stitches which had to be carefully spaced out.  Trying to count this out on curved lines (convex and concave) proved to be nearly impossible for me.  

Then I remembered the class notes for this project written by Gretchen J. and ta da--problem solved.   I have no clue why I forgot to read the class notes first, but once I did, I ripped out my attempt at the trellis stitch and followed Gretchen's suggestion of stitching 6 x 6 cross stitches.  Ta da--problem solved.  Thanks Gretchen!

Heart Swirled in Gold and White Area 4

Area 4 Grid Using 6 x 6 Cross Stitches

May 15, 2025--Area 3 is done, and like the prior area, required some stitch graphing on my iPad and lots of attention to compensation.   This heart is turning out to be a very pleasant challenge.  

Unfortunately, my vision isn't what it used to be so often enough stitches need to be ripped out and redone.  I see simpler projects in my future.

Heart Swirled in Gold and White Area 3

May 12, 2025--I finally tackled Area 2 of this pretty heart.  I've done a little Or Nué before but was never challenged as I was with this area.  I needed 4 working needles, all of which were laid or stitched one "line" at a time.  In order to manage this chaos, I had to mark up a chart (see below) showing which direction the laid threads would go and where to couch them.  The marked-up chart also helped me know when and where to begin the hearts.  Whew.

Heart Swirled in Gold and White Area 2

Graph for Area 2

May 2, 2025--Finished Area 1 of this beautiful heart described below.  Now on to Day 2's lesson.

Heart Swirled in Gold and White Area 1

April 25, 2025--At its May meeting, ANG's CyberPointers Online Chapter will be working on the Swirled Heart in Gold and White designed by Rozell Hirschfelt with instructions published in the January 2022 issue of Needle Pointers Magazine.  Of course, it can be done in any color, but I'm stitching it in the gold and white threads as designed.  It's a very pretty piece and I like the flowing movement of the sections.  Here's my preworked outline in advance of the meeting.

Heart Swirled in Gold and White Prework Outline

Heart of Hearts - 3/31/24

March 31, 2024--For its 2024 community project, my needlepoint chapter, Delaware's Seashore Chapter of ANG, is participating in the Hearts for Hospice program and donating the stitched hearts to Delaware Hospice.  I chose to stitch a heart designed by Barbara Richardson called Heart of Hearts with instructions published in the 2008, Vol X, 1 issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine.  

It proved to be an interesting challenge, especially the "darning" pattern in the center column.  It was so complex that I had to draft the stitches on my iPad using the photo editing tool.   

I self-finished the heart, and as with other projects, learned a lot, especially the need to make the cording much thicker.  However, I didn't have enough floss to make the cord as thick as I wanted, so it's flimsier than desired.  But I finally figured out how to "wrap" the cord at the base of the heart to hide where the cord ends are plunged inside the ornament which results in a much neater finish.  

Here's the result....

Heart of Hearts Finished

Heart My Patriotic - Updated 11/5/22

November 5, 2022--Finished this heart into an ornament using a 3 color, 6 ribbon Kumihimo braid as cording around the edge.   Note to self--be sure to maintain the cord twist when pulling it tightly around the corner of the heart.

See prior blog entries (posted below) for more information about the heart.

Heart My Patriotic Finished Front

Heart My Patriotic Finished Back

I tried something different in the finishing process--instead of using my glue gun to piece the front and back together, I used a new glue pictured below.  It enabled me to take the time needed to move the front and back pieces together in perfect alignment, then hold them with clips.  After less than an hour of drying, it was ready for the cording to be placed around the heart with my glue gun.

This was a game changer for me because my back is usually a smidge larger than the front (done on purpose so the cording sits a little forward on the ornament).  When I used a glue gun to put them together, I didn't have time to make adjustments because the glue would dry so fast, so something wouldn't be right on one side or the other.  This Tacky Glue gave me time to move things around a bit for a perfect balance all around before the front and back dried securely in place.

May 7, 2022--This patriotic heart worked up quickly, especially since the groundwork had already been done by Vicki T (silver outline and horizontal separation line).  The stitches were fun and as always with Nancy Cucci's designs, the beading makes it all pop.  

My Patriotic Heart Completed

April 29, 2022--In 2020, I purchased this project from the estate of an old friend and co-member of the Northern Virginia ANG Chapter.  She and I were seminar roomies for a couple of years, and I miss her dearly.   

This heart, designed by Nancy Cucci, is called My Patriotic Heart and is just the kind of piece I like to work on.  Nancy's instructions are very detailed and easy to follow.  Below is a photo of what my friend had stitched while taking this at an ANG seminar class years ago.  It'll be a pleasure to finish it for her.

My Patriotic Heart Partially Stitched by VT

Heart Jeweled - Updated 3/7/22

March 7, 2022--Well, I guess I'm more of a perfectionist than originally thought.  I really hated how the Kumihimo cord looked (see 2/22/22 entry below), so I took it off, braided up a new one on my Kumihimo disk, and placed it on the heart.  Much happier and I hope you agree that it was worth doing (the new cord has a much tighter twist).  The back, however, is still a mess.  I did try to separate the front from the back to redo the back fabric, pad it a bit, etc., but couldn't get them apart, so the original backing stays.

Heart Jeweled Finished Front Heart Jeweled Finished Back

February 22, 2022--Self-finished this beautiful, beaded heart today using a 12-strand Kumihimo cord.  I like the results for the most part, but realized my cord started to lose its tight twist, so the cord on the right side of the heart is a bit looser than the left side.  I'll need to watch out for this in the future.  If I were a died in the wool perfectionist, I would have redone the cord, but alas, I'm not.  Also, this heart will hang in my dressing closet for me to enjoy, so except for this blog and a brief showing at my local ANG chapter meeting, no one else will ever see it.  The fabric on the back is just OK and I forgot to add a bit of poly padding to it, AND, it came out crooked.  Oh well, like I said, it's for my enjoyment only and I'll never look at the back.  La de da.

Heart Jeweled Finished Front

Heart Jeweled Finished Back

12-Strand Kumihimo Braid

October 30, 2019--Stitching is done, and this beautiful heart is ready to be finished into an ornament.  I have a very special Kumihimo braid in mind for this.

Heart Jeweled Finished

October 13, 2019--At last I've got a moment to add a blog post.  This project is called Jeweled Heart and is designed by Nancy Cucci.  I had an opportunity to purchase the kit from Nancy, through a friend (thanks Roseanne J.) while she was at the ANG Seminar in Houston, TX last August.  I'm a big fan of all things Nancy Cucci and jumped at the opportunity to stitch this piece.

Here's my progress to date (and it really sparkles):

Heart Jeweled as of 10/13/19

My Vintage Heart - Updated 3/27/21

March 27, 2021--Finished this beautiful heart into an ornament and love how it came out.  Lots of sparkly bling.  Project information can be found below copied from prior blogs.

My Vintage Heart Finished Front

My Vintage Heart Finished Back

My Vintage Heart Kumihimo Cord

My Vintage Heart Kumihimo Cord Setup

December 6, 2020--The bling has been added and wow--it's beautiful.    Purchasing Nancy Cucci's designs and kits with beads is always a lot of fun.  There's a nice surprise at the end when all the beads are attached--shine, texture, dimension, etc.   This project did not disappoint.  

My Vintage Heart Completed

My Vintage Heart Completed Side View 1

My Vintage Heart Completed Side View 2

November 30, 2020--The stitching is done and all sections ready for embellishment with the beautiful (and many vintage) beads Nancy included in the kit.  I love how beads add so much "wow" factor and can't wait to see what this will look like all dressed up.  Stay tuned.

My Vintage Heart Before Beading

November 17, 2020--When ANG's CyberPointers Chapter offered up this heart by Nancy Cucci last June with lessons to begin in November, I signed up immediately.  Her hearts are so beautiful with wonderful bead embellishments, and this heart doesn't disappoint (click on Collections to the right to see other projects designed by Nancy Cucci that I've stitched to date).   I love how she added antique beads to the kit that were accumulated by her over the years.

Here's a photo of the completed outline done in Tent Stitch.  Now the fun begins.

My Vintage Heart Outlined

Florentine Heart - Updated 7/31/19

July 31, 2019--Finished this interesting heart into an ornament using a 6 ribbon Kumihimo cord.  It came out real cute.

Heart Florentine Canyon Front

Heart Florentine Canyon Back

September 11, 2018--Just finished the stitching on this delightful CyberPointers project.  The colors used came from an overdyed RG Mandarin Floss thread and would not normally have been my first choice--way out of the box for me.  I'm going to call this "Canyon" Heart since the colors make me think of the way canyons look at different times of the day.  It's interesting how the center color played out on the overdye, clumping the yellow in one place.   Do you think of a sunrise or late afternoon sun?  What do you see?

Heart Florentine aka Canyon Completed

September 9, 2018--As a member of ANG's CyberPointers online chapter, I love stitching their meeting offerings whenever possible, and because I love bargello stitches, this month's project is a must do for me.  The project called Florentine Heart is designed by Patricia Tector, and uses an overdyed thread from which 5 different thread colors are drawn, all taken from your own stash.

Years ago I received an RG Mandarin Floss M924 overdyed thread at an ANG NOVA chapter event as a table favor and have always wanted to use it somehow.  This strandable bamboo floss, along with four matching DMC threads and an RG Splendor thread are perfect for the Florentine Heart--at least I think so as of this point in the project.

I have thus far completed the instructions for Day 1 and below is a photo of the heart outline along with my thread choices.

Now onto the instructions for Day 2.

Florentine Heart Outline - Day 1

Florentine Heart Threads

PS  The heart outline was copied from another project that had the stitches already graphed--all I had to do was count out each section.  I found this preferable over tracing a heart design on the canvas and figuring out where to place the tent stitches.   I'm either very lazy or an extreme genius--or both.  LOL.