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. 

Santa Snowball - 5/23/24

May 23, 2024--Finished the stitching on my 18th Santa designed by Janet Zickler Casey in 2005.  This one, called Snowball Santa, was stitched by the designer with eyes that gave him a very mischievous look (see the project photo below).  However, I felt they looked too angry, so I redesigned the eye shape and eyebrows for a kinder, more neutral expression.  I like it.

PS:  The thread for the nose doesn't look very well laid, but in person, it looks just fine.  The window light shows every shadow of the thread strands.

Santa Snowball Completed

Santa Snowball as Designed by Janet Zickler Casey

Santa Sugarplum - Updated 4/25/24

April 25, 2024--Done!  This was a delightful project to stitch and I especially love the "candy" stitched onto the crown's brim.   There's a plastic sugarplum to attach to the crown when this is finished into an ornament.  This santa is definitely a cutie and is the 17th of Janet Zickler Casey's Santas stitched to date.

Santa Sugarplum Completed

January 9, 2024--Wanted to start something new, so what better way to begin the year than with one of Janet Zickler Casey's santas--this time Sugarplum Santa from 2022.  Since I didn't stitch any of her santas in 2023, I hope to get two or three done this year (as of today, I've stitched 16 santas and have 11 more to do).

Here's what's done so far with Sugarplum.  Per instructions, the face is always stitched first (I'll do the moustache, eyebrows, and outline of the eyes last).   Next, I'll work from the top down, stitching the hat, band, and beard.  These sections are the most fun to work up and will get done quickly.  Stay tuned for its completion.

Santa Sugarplum Face Stitched

 

This was a class given by Janet Zickler Casey at the 2022 ANG Seminar in Tucson, AZ.  Even though I had signed up to take the class, I was unable to take it since I was quarantined for half of the seminar with COVID.  Dang.  But I've done enough of her santas that I feel confident I can stitch this with written instructions only.

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

Dragonfly Mandala - Updated 10/6/22

October 6, 2022--Stitching on this challenging project is now complete, and the piece has been ironed as well as possible.  Now off to the framer (she has her work cut out for her in getting this evenly placed on a mounting board).  I'll have it mounted on top of black paper so the holes made by the pulled stitches will show nicely.

I learned a lot of new pulled thread stitches, e.g., Honeycomb Darning, Faggot Stitch, Double Cable and Pulled Upright Cross.  The paths taken for the lovely blackwork sections were very complex, so much so that I had to check off each stitch taken on the charts so as to not lose my way.

Please see the prior blog posts, below, for more information about this piece.

Dragonfly Mandala Completed

July 17, 2022--One of the classes I'm taking at ANG's Seminar in Tucson, AZ in August is a project called Dragonfly Mandala by Terri Bay (project photo can be found below).  Terry describes this as a blackwork, whitework, and pulled thread sampler.  I've taken other classes from Terri (most recently at the Hardanger University in Myrtle Beach, NC in 2019) and find her instructions to be complete and easy to follow.

For the class at seminar, students are asked to prework the outline, and we received our kits with enough time to get this done.  I did laugh though when I read the prework would take between 6 to 10 hours to complete.  Hah!  With all the miscounting I did which required constant ripping, ripping and more ripping, I probably put in three times the amount of time suggested.  It got so bad at times that I seriously considered calling ANG to tell them I wasn't going to take the class since I forgot how to count.  Of course, this is done on 28 count linen which isn't the easiest to see.  Well, I persevered and below are pictures of the results (one with and one without basting).  So, I'm all set to take this class and hopefully will enjoy it much more than the prework.  

Hope to see you in Tucson.

Dragonfly Mandala Prework (Basting Removed)

Dragonfly Mandala Prework (With Basting)

Dragonfly Mandala Designed by Terri Bay Project Photo

Purse "Let The Good Times Roll" - Updated 9/29/22

September 29, 2022--Won Honorable Mention Ribbon for Canvaswork/Needlepoint category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 10th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

March 9, 2022--Won 2^nd Place Ribbon in the Canvaswork-Multi-stitch category at Woodlawn's 59th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Alexandria, VA.  So pleased.

September 19, 2021--Three years after I completed the stitching of this project (see all the details below), I finally had it "finished" into a beautiful clutch purse.  I'm over the moon happy with the results.  I worked with Karen at Rittenhouse Needlepoint (1216 Arch St. 2A, Philadelphia, PA 19107, telephone 215-563-4566 ext. 113) and she helped me decide on lots of little details.   The purse is very sturdy (which is what I wanted) and has lots of interior room for my iPhone, keys, etc.  Love the zippered compartment and six credit card slots.  Imagine how chic I'll look at the casino carrying this.  Right now it's on display in my dressing closet with other goodies.  I smile when getting dressed just looking at these beautiful things (the photo is of my husband and myself taken over 30 years ago).

Purse Let The Good Times Roll Finished Front

Purse Let The Good Times Roll Finished Back

Purse Let The Good Times Roll Finished Interior

Purse Let The Good Times Roll On Display in Dressing Closet

August 20, 2018--As predicted in my July 10th post below, I did get the stitching on this beautiful purse done in August.  Hurray!  I'm seriously thinking about finishing it myself into a clutch purse and have found an old Vogue pattern (#8974) which might work perfectly as a guide.

I originally contacted the shop who finished Janet Zickler Casey's model purse, but they are no longer doing this type of thing.   So I either do it myself or try to find someone else to finish it (understand this type of thing is very expensive).  I'm a DIY kinda gal (does this equate to fearless), so I'll give it a go myself.

Purse Let The Good Times Roll Completed

Vintage Vogue Pattern 8974 Clutch Purse

July 10, 2018--Yay!  All the black diamonds are stitched and just a few white ones to complete.  Maybe by the end of August, at the rate I'm going, they'll all be done.   Then I'll have the fun of finding a purse "finisher".

Purse Let The Good Times Roll as of 7-10-2018

May 27, 2018--Still working on the diamonds--it's a very slow process.  But I am making progress and hope to complete the stitching by the end of the year.  Odds are out to see whether or not this happens, or if it gets done at all.  LOL.

Purse Let The Good Times Roll at 5/26/18

January 7, 2018--I've been working on this purse off and on over the last few months.  Over 25% of the diamonds are now filled in.  Whew.  Each diamond takes nearly two hours to stitch due to the fact there are two different stitches which use different threads that must be "laid".   Also, this is a huge canvas - 14" x 22" and moving your hand around it takes time as well.

In actuality, however, the purse is more than 25% complete since the beaded fleur de lys is in place, the diamonds are outlined in silver Kreinik, the beaded handle put together, and the black diamonds are painted in so that white canvas doesn't show through.

Here's my progress so far:

As of 1/7/18 Close up

As of 1/7/18

November 2, 2017--Began stitching the diamonds.  The lower right 2 rows are done.  Not a difficult stitch, but each diamond does take time.  A good project to stitch while watching TV.

Let the Good Times Roll Purse as of 2017-11-02

April 11,2017--Steadily working away on this project.  Finished stitching the outline of the diamond shapes in silver Kreinik, painted in the black diamonds so that white canvas won't peek though the stitches (no stitches done yet), AND, beaded the Fleur de Lis in "brick stitch" pattern.  I'll wait until the end to add the black "tie down" beads on the Fleur de Lis.

Let the Good Times Roll Purse as of 2017-04-11

Beaded Fleur de Lis Side View

April 5, 2017--I started stitching this purse at the ANG 2016 Seminar in New Orleans, LA in a class taught by Janet Zickler Casey called "Let The Good Times Roll.  This is a very large piece which will be made into an envelope clutch with a beaded handle. I spent much of the class time making the handle since my beading experience for items such as this is practically nil.  It came out well and I hope some day to do more in the way of beading bracelets, necklaces, etc.

Janet offered two colorways for this purse--black and white like the one I'm doing; Mardi Gras colors in green, purple and gold.

Here's my progress to date and a picture of the handle.

Purse Let The Good Times Roll at 2017-04-05

Purse Let The Good Times Roll Beaded Handle

Here's the project photo.  This picture shows the red beaded Fleur de Lis positioned on the back of the purse.  Mine will be on the front.

Purse Let The Good Times Roll Project Photo

Coy Koi Purse - 1/25/19

January 25, 2019--At the 2018 ANG Seminar, I took a class from Janet Zickler Casey called Coy Koi Purse (click here for more information).  Finally picked it up again and completed the stitching of the back panel.  The front panel, also pictured below, has some stitching done, but there's a lot more to do.    I'm glad I took pictures of the finished model while in class to use as guides for the various decorative stitches.  Now to just jump in and work on the front...….

Coy Koi Purse Back Panel Completed

Coy Koi Purse Front Panel Class Work

Click on the In Process Projects Page on the right to see what the finished purse will look like.  It really is pretty.

ANG Seminar Ribbon Buttons - Updated 9/14/18

September 14, 2018--I recently wrote about the ANG Seminar Ribbon Buttons I stitched (see the blog entry below dated September 5, 2018) and mentioned I knew who won the First Place Ribbon that had my name on the back as the stitcher, but didn't want to say who received it unless I had permission to do so.

Well, the award winner recently wrote me to say it was OK to name names and sent along a picture of the exhibit entry.  So I'm happy to report that Jonathan Brown was the recipient of the First Place Ribbon Button I stitched for his exhibit entry called Unicorn Sporran.  He says "I love the hand stitched centre on my ribbon and treasure each one as an individual work of art."  

Thank you Jonathan--your stitching is truly amazing.

Unicorn Sporran by Jonathan Brown (published with permission)

More news--Jonathan also has a new blog and it's very well done.  You can find it at:

https://jonathansembroidery.blogspot.com/  Happy reading.



September 5, 2018--I was fortunate to participate in the stitching of ANG 2018 Seminar ribbon buttons along with other members of Maryland's Checkerspot Stitchers Chapter.

The first button I stitched, red and cream stripes with gold stars, was used as the center of a blue First Place ribbon.  I happen to know who received this one (there was more than one blue ribbon awarded) and since my name is on the back of the ribbon button as the stitcher, the recipient will know it was me.  Cool.  If the recipient tells me it's OK to mention his/her name, I'll post it as a blog update.

Ribbon Button Before

Ribbon Button Finished as a Blue First Class Award

Ribbon Button Closeup Finished as a Blue First Class Award

The second ribbon button I stitched depicted the Washington Monument surrounded by flags.  It was made a part of the Green Delegates Choice Ribbon which was awarded to the beautiful piece stitched by Donna Pence.  Congratulations!

Ribbon Button Before

Ribbon Button Finished as a Green Delegates Choice Award

Ribbon Button Closeup Finished as a Green Delegates Choice Award

ANG 2018 Seminar Scissor Fobs - 9/3/18

September 3, 2018--In May of 2017,  I learned the Northern Virginia (NOVA) Chapter of ANG was stitching some really cute scissor fobs to give as favors to the ANG 2018 Seminar attendees.   After bringing this project to the attention of Delaware's Seashore Chapter members, many wanted to participate in this project to help the NOVA chapter meet the goal of producing 400+ fobs by August, in time for seminar.  So we Delawareans began stitching, using our own stash threads, canvas and beads, producing a total of 96 fobs .  Below are photographs of the 24 fobs I personally stitched and finished.  I hope the recipients like them.

Below is a picture of the lovely red and white fob I found in my seminar registration packet.  Love it.  Thank you to the fantastic stitcher who worked up this one.

Scissor Fob Received with ANG Seminar Registration Packet

I understand the few fobs that are left over will be donated to Nelly's Needlers.  Information about the Needlers can be found by clicking here.