Bookmarks Darning, Blackwork, Etc. - Updated 8/13/24

August 13, 2024--I've completed 15 more bookmarks (photos below).  These are so much fun to stitch and work up easily.  

The first two photos are an example of reversible "blackwork" done in purple thread, the first one is partially stitched, showing how the first "path" looks, then the design is completed with the second "path".   However, I do need to work a bit more on my skill to end threads on the reverse side so they don't show.

Blackwork Pattern Partially Stitched

Photo showing front (left) and back (right) sides of Blackwork

I found an excellent resource for darning patterns:

Here are photos of the other fourteen bookmarks:

July 11, 2024--Last year I attended Needlefest New Jersey and had the pleasure at one point of sitting next to Dee L of the New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG who showed me the bookmarks she was working on.  They were stitched on Aida cloth using various darning patterns, threads, etc., and they were so darned cute.

Soooo, I just had to stitch up some of these myself and learned that our local library in Georgetown, DE, where my needlepoint guild chapter meets, would be happy to have them as give aways to their new card holders, avid readers, etc.  I found some lace edged Aida fabric bookmarks on Amazon which are perfect for this purpose except, in my opinion, they are a bit too wide.   Nevertheless, I have them and am happily working away on them whenever I need a small, easy to carry project (in the car, at stitch-ins, etc.).   Since they are supposed to be reversible, I "finish" off each bookmark by sewing across the top and bottom to catch the threads so they won't pull out.  

I'm now tackling a bookmark with a reversible blackwork pattern.  I went on YouTube to learn how to start and stop threads and was disappointed to see that most of the videos treat blackwork as black thread on white cloth embroidery, but NOT reversible.  Fortunately, I have a decent library collection of blackwork books such as:

    Reversible Blackwork Book 1 by Ilse Altherr, 1978

    Blackwork & Holbein Embroidery Book 2 by Ilse Altherr, 1981

    The Heart of Blackwork by Ann Strite-Kurz, 1992

Below is a collection of twelve bookmarks stitched so far.  I especially like the one with hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds since I'm an avid casino goer.  Each picture shows the bookmark's front (left side of photo) and back (right side of photo).   Most of these have been worked up using a stash of discontinued RG metallic threads given to me by a friend.  Each bookmark takes anywhere between 12 to 20 yards of thread, so I am happy to have this stash.

New Jersey NeedleFest 2021 - 8/31/21

August 31, 2021--Last weekend I attended the New Jersey NeedleFest event put on by Needleworker's Delight of Metchun, NJ where I sat with members of the New Jersey Needle Artists (NJNA) Chapter of ANG.  This year the fest was held at the Hilton in Berkeley Heights, NJ.  

Enjoyed wonderful camaraderie with co-stitchers while viewing projects being worked on by other attendees.  All in all a wonderful day with lots of shopping and very good food.  Even though this is the fourth time I've participated in this event, I'll be sure to sign up for next year, and the year after, and the year after that, etc.

The photo is of a needle minder given to us along with tickets for door prizes (I won a lunch box type of thingie).

Needle Minder

Needlefest 2019 - 5/6/19

May 6, 2019--Last Saturday, May 4th, I attended Needlefest 2019 located in Somerset, NJ.   This event is put on by Needleworker's Delight of Metuchen, NJ.  I had the pleasure of sitting with the ANG NJNA Chapter members.  In fact, the members had two tables at the event.  Kevin and Jim of Needleworker's Delight also brought many items from their store to sell at Needlefest.  There were other vendors as well--lots of shopping opportunities of which I took advantage.

Below is a  picture of the lovely ladies who were my table mates as well as photos of heavily laden tables of door prizes, raffles, etc.  I won the table prize of a $10 gift certificate to Needleworker's Delight which I was able to spend immediately in their shop.  Fun.

Prior to the event, I had a delicious dinner with some of the NJNA members at the Red Oak Grill in Basking Ridge, NJ.

A very full weekend.  Thank you Rosie L. for having me as a guest in your beautiful home.  Can't wait for Needlefest 2020.

Left to Right:  Back Row:  Brenda C, Rosie L, Diane B, Ada D, Janice M, Sue C.

Front Row:  Linda M, Ellen S, Sue R.

Missing from the Picture:  Amy (taking a class)