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:

Stocking Fancy That Crimson & Gold - 6/20/26

June 20, 2026--I have a saved search on eBay for Kaitlyn Marie Design Fancy That Stockings and was recently advised that the Crimson & Gold stocking (full kit with instructions) was for sale.  I immediately scooped it up and just now completed the stitching.  

I thought I would paint the canvas red before starting so that white canvas threads would not show through the stitching.  I saw no reason to carefully paint "inside the lines" since any excess paint outside of the design area would be hidden in the "seam allowance".    The basket weave pattern was done using Iris Rayon Floss which has a little bit of a crinkly nature to it, so no matter how carefully you lay the strands (6 to be exact), it just won't look smooth.  

This is now the third stocking in the Fancy That collection that I've stitched up (the other two are Emerald & Gold and Patches of Snow), and I have 3 more to do--Amethyst Ice, Pearls & Gold and Sapphire Star.  

The three little red heart beads were the last thing placed on the canvas.  After I had stitched two of the hearts down, I lost the third heart somewhere in my living room (where I stitch and watch TV with hubby).  We looked everywhere for it since the kit included only 3 hearts and no more.   Then a few hours later I happened to look down on the rug and there was the missing red heart bead in all of its glory, just waiting for me to find it.  Yay!   Now the stocking sits in the "To Be Finished" pile.  

Stocking Fancy That Crimson & Gold Completed

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

Santa Mardi Gras - Updated 2/6/26

February 6, 2026--Stitching is complete on another one of Janet Zickler Casey's Santas--this one is the Mardi Gras Santa.   The stitch used for the hat brim looked very "tweedy" when first done, but when fluffed up with a Bunka brush, the stitch lost its definition.  However, I like how full it looks now.   I'm thinking about making a Kumihimo cord of red, green, purple and gold 1/8" ribbon.  What do you think?

Santa Mardi Gras Completed

I'm glad to report that my lungs have healed, for the most part, from the pneumonia I caught last month.  The second set of X-rays confirmed this.  Yay!  

January 29, 2026--The hat is done and was a lot of fun to stitch.  The gold thread separating the three segments of the hat was supposed to have been worked up with a Color Twist Dark Gold thread, but I shredded the devil out of it, so gave up and used a Kreinik #32 flat braid couched down with a matching Accentuate thread.  I like it so much more since it really stands out.  Next up--the beard and hair on the side of his face.

Santa Mardi Gra Hat Completed

I'm so glad that along with my husband, I have needlepoint and beading to keep me occupied since I was diagnosed with pneumonia last week and have quarantined myself in order to get well and not infect anyone.  January has been a roller coaster ride health wise.

January 25, 2026--In August of last year I purchased the latest Santa cutie designed by Janet Zickler Casey from the Shining Needle Society.  This one is called Mardi Gras Santa, and I understand the design is based on Polish glass Christmas ornaments which worked perfectly with ANG's 2025 Seminar in New Orleans where this latest Santa was taught as a class. Due to supply chain issues, we didn't get the kits until last week and I've been able to complete Lesson 1.

Now that the "mundane" stitching is done (nose, eyes, face), I'm going to stitch the hat, working from top to bottom.  It has some fun stitches embellished with gold beads. Then I'll do the hat band, beard, and lastly, the moustache.  

Santa Mardi Gras Face Stitched

Nordic Gnome - Updated 1/7/26

January 7, 2026--The stitching of this cute gnome is done and ready to "finish" into -- a standup, wall hanging???  It's too big for a tree ornament.  I'll have to check out examples posted by others.  I have two mini skis to add once they are decorated with stripes, snowflakes, etc.  This is the first project stitched for 2026 and hopefully many more will follow.

Nordic Gnome Completed

Can you see that I replaced the silver Kreinik Jessicas on the sweater bottom (see photo below) with blue Kreinik (see above photo), as should have been done in the first place.   Looks much better.

December 27, 2025--Merry Christmas everyone.  I hope your holiday was filled with everything you love.  I spent the last three days at two casinos (Bally's in Dover, DE and Ocean in Atlantic City, NJ) with my husband (who doesn't gamble--he's just my enabler--🤑😅) and had a ball.  We also did some wine tasting along the way.  Three of my favorites for the holiday--husband (of course), wine and gambling.    

Now that we're back, needlepoint is again on the agenda with a new project--Nordic Gnome by Kurdy Biggs.  This was offered last summer through ANG's CyberPointers Chapter and after stitching up Santa Gnome (from EGA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Seminar), I knew this one had to be stitched up too.  Here's my progress to date (face, beard and sweater):

Nordic Gnome - Bottom Half Completed (Face, Beard, Sweater)

Janet Zickler Casey Santas Stitched to Date - 1/2/26

January 2, 2026--I love the start of a new calendar year, just as I did with the start of a new school year--a time of renewal, hope, anticipation, fresh starts, etc.  

Continuing in the tradition of blogging about Janet Zickler Casey Santas stitched in the prior year--here are the ones done in 2025, and, in the postings below, the ones that were completed in earlier years.  These two Santas pictured below bring the total to 22 stitched to date.  I'm also keeping up with the goal of stitching two Santas a year--one old and one new.  I now have 7 Santas yet to stitch.  Check out my Collections Page on the right for a complete list of the Santas stitched so far.

Happy, Happy New Year!!

Holly Berry Santa

Balloon Santa

January 3, 2025--Happy New Year.  Here are four more Santas stitched over 2023 and 2024.  If you scroll down, you'll see the ones stitched in prior years.  Now there are 20 stitched Santas in the collection.

 Click on the photo caption to view more information about each Santa.

Santa Gnome

Sea Shell Santa

Snowball Santa

Sugarplum Santa

January 3, 2023--I had the opportunity to stitch a few more Janet Zickler Casey's Santas in 2022.  Here are the new ones and if you scroll down, you'll see the ones stitched in prior years.  Now there are 16 stitched santas in the collection.

To see the Santas yet to be stitched, please click on the 2 Pages on the right side of this blog called Planned Projects-Santas by Janet Zickler Casey and In Process Projects.

Santa Snow Cone

Santa Holly Jolly

January 1, 2022--In keeping with my goal of stitching one new and one old Janet Zickler Casey's Santas each year, I stitched the below Cashmere and North Wind Santas.  This makes 14 Santas stitched to date.

Cashmere Santa Completed

North Wind Santa Completed

May 18, 2020--Here's the 12th santa ornament stitched so far--North Wind Santa

North Star Santa Completed

May 12, 2020--the 11th Janet Zickler Casey Santa stitched to date called Santa in the Moon.

Santa in the Moon Completed

January 5, 2020--The 10th JZC Santa, Heart Santa, is stitched.

Santa Heart

February 11, 2019--The 9th JZC santa is stitched.

Star Spangled Santa

January 9, 2019--Here's the eighth stitched so far to add to the list below.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Santa

November 16, 2018—Recently I counted up the number of santa ornaments designed by Janet Zickler Casey that I’ve stitched over the years.  Below are 7 out of 23 total to date.  As new ones are completed, I’ll add them to the list.  My goal is to stitch two a year (one new, one old) until all are done.  Click on the caption for more information about each santa pictured.

Candy Swirl Santa

Pine Cone Santa

Nutcracker Santa

Christmas Tree Santa

Silver Bell Santa

Christmas Light Santa

Candy Cane Santa

Hoops for Hospice - Updated 10/28/25

October 28, 2025--All three hoop ornaments are "finished" with a felt backing and ready to hang on a tree using the attached ribbon loops.  They really are cute, and I enjoyed working them up.  

Please see blog posts below for more information about this project.

August 31, 2025--This is the third project I'm doing for the Hoops for Hospice program.  This time it's a very small cross-stitched Santa Hat which will fit into a 3" hoop beautiful.  As I did with the prior project, I first mounted the 26-count linen on stretcher bars, starched the finished stitches with Nori paste, then placed it in the 3" hoop.  I was compelled to starch the stitches since the thread, DMC Perle #5 and stitched over 2 linen threads, seemed so heavy.  

Santa Hat Mini Cross Stitch Completed

Santa Hat Mini Cross Stitch on Stretcher Bars

I found this as a free pattern online distributed by:

So all three of my pieces are ready to "finish" at my ANG chapter October meeting.  Then I'll post a photo of all three together.

Today is my 75th birthday and it's wonderful to have gotten this far in life.  About ten years ago my doctor told me I should live to 115.  Wow, that's 40 more years!!!  I need to buy a lot more needlepoint.  Yay!

August 16, 2015--Here's the second hoop ornament stitched to date.  It's called Tower of Presents by DebBee Designs, 2024.  This time, instead of stitching it in a hoop, I placed the 26-count linen on stretcher bars.  Worked perfectly since I was able to get it tight as a drum.  When the stitching was done, I "starched" the piece using Nori paste, let it dry overnight, removed the linen from the stretcher bars, then placed it in a hoop.   No wonkiness or warping.

I have one more hoop ornament to stitch, so I'm off to "shop my stash".  

Tower of Presents Completed

Tower of Presents on Stretcher Bars

August 11, 2025--For the past few years, Delaware's Seashore Chapter of ANG has been participating in Delaware's Hospice Holiday Tree program.  Last year we did clothespin angels, and they were a huge success.  

This year we are making ornaments that are self-finished using 3" and 4" embroidery hoops.   I volunteered to stitch up three ornaments and below is my first one.  This is a free design from Laura Perin called Christmas Square.  It's supposed to be stitched on 18 count canvas with perle 5 thread.  Since canvas doesn't squeeze well into hoops, I thought I would work this up on 26 count linen (given to me a long time ago) using perle 8 thread.  The idea was good, but I learned that needlepoint stitches can be too heavy for linen--the fabric isn't stiff enough to hold the weight of the thread, so it looks a bit warped.   For the next ornament (using a different design), I'm going to tack the linen onto stretcher bars, then use lighter weight thread (e.g., 2 strands of floss, not perle 8).  That should work better.  Stay tuned on how that will work.

Hoop Ornament Christmas Square Completed

When I was first thinking about using this design on linen, I wasn't sure if perle 8 would work, so I asked Microsoft's AI called CoPilot (this comes with my Microsoft 365 subscription).  Here is what it told me:

My Query:  Can DMC perle 8 be used on 26 count linen?

CoPilot's Response:  Absolutely — DMC Perle 8 can be used on 26-count linen, but it depends on the look and feel you're going for. Here's how it plays out:

🧵 Compatibility & Stitching Style

•  Thread Thickness: Perle 8 is a non-divisible, medium-weight thread. On 26-count linen (typically stitched over two threads), it will produce bold, raised stitches with good texture.

•  Coverage: It offers full coverage on 26-count linen, especially for surface embroidery, Hardanger, or specialty stitches.

•  Needle Choice: A size 26 tapestry needle works well with Perle 8 on this fabric count.

✨ Ideal Uses

•  Surface Embroidery: Great for decorative stitches like stem stitch, chain stitch, or satin stitch.

•  Hardanger Embroidery: Perle 8 is often used for the satin stitch portion, paired with Perle 12 for the delicate cutwork.

•  Bold Cross Stitch: If you're doing cross stitch, expect a chunkier, more dimensional look than with standard floss.

If you're aiming for delicate detail, you might prefer a finer thread like Perle 12 or stranded cotton. But if you want texture and drama, Perle 8 on 26-count linen is a lovely combo. 

Pretty cool.  

Santa Balloon 2023 - Updated 10/27/25

October 27, 2025--Santa is now completed--holding his beaded basket, with himself as the balloon.  The basket turned out to be a lot more difficult to put together than I had expected, and attaching it to the canvas turned out to be another challenge.  But overcome I did, and the result is below.  All in all, I really like this one.

PS - the beaded basket "chains" in the front look lighter than the chains in the back due to shadows.  The beads are actually all the same color.  After turning this into an ornament, I will place a white pom-pom on the end of his hat.

See below for earlier blog posts about this project.

Santa Balloon 2023 Completed

October 6, 2025--The stitching on this roly poly Balloon Santa is done and it's now ready for me to work up the little beaded gift basket (see project photo below).  This shouldn't be difficult since I've done many peyote beaded bracelets and the instructions look easy enough.  Stay tuned.

Santa Balloon Stitched to Date

September 26, 2025--I haven't worked on a Janet Zickler Casey Santa since April and this is one I've been looking forward to stitching because of the peyote beaded "gift basket" attached to the balloon (see project photo below).  I'm halfway done with the hat, and the beard will probably be next.  These Santas are always so much fun to do.

Here's my progress so far:

Santa Balloon 2023 Progress to Date

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Patches of Snow Stocking - 9/19/25

September 19, 2025--I've just completed stitching the second Kaitlyn Marie Designs stocking I had in my stash--this one called Patches of Snow (the first one I stitched is called Emerald and Gold Stocking).  I was fortunate enough to find on eBay a complete kit (instructions, beads, canvas, etc.) which saved tons of time and money trying to locate all the beads and cabochons with rimsets.   And this stocking is nothing but beads.  Only the two small areas where the cabochons sit are stitched with gold kreinik.  Lots and lots of texture.

Patches of Snow Stocking Completed

Patches of Snow Stocking Side View