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 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

Ornament Holight Light Green - 8/29/23

August 29, 2023--Just completed the stitching of Holiday Light Green Ornament designed by Susan Portra.  This is the 16th and last of her ornaments that were published in Needlepoint Now Magazine.  There are eight more to do, but I had to purchase the instructions directly from the designer since the magazine is no longer printing them.  As with all the others, there is lots of shine and bling which doesn't show up very well in the photo.

You can see all of the Holiday Ornaments that I've completed under the "Collections Stitched" page on the right side of this blog.

Ornament Holiday Light Green Completed

Holiday Ornament Gift Pink - 2/22/23

February 22, 2023--In between some of my needlepoint obligations (working on the ANG Master Needlepointer Certificate and putting together a class on stitching ribbon flowers on canvas), I took a break to stitch up one of Susan Portra's Holiday Ornaments--this one being the pink gift.  As with all the other Holiday Ornaments I've stitched, this will get finished into an ornament when the set is all done.   I love how pretty the RG Fyre Werks thread (darker shiny pink) looks--almost jewel-like. 

Ornament Holiday Gift Pink Completed

Ornament Holiday Gift Pink Completed Side View

Holiday Light Yellow Ornament - 7/21/22

July 21, 2022--Here's the 14th of 16 Susan Portra Holiday Ornaments stitched to date (this one is from Needlepoint Now Magazine, 2017 Vol XIX, 1).  This is the brightest of all--the yellow threads (and the beads) really shine.  No electricity needed here.

There are lots of french knots on this ornament, and I'm noticing that with practice, they actually are getting better.  Now I need to start "finishing" them into tree ornaments.  Soon....

Ornament Holiday Light Yellow Completed

Holiday Bell Fuchsia Ornament - 6/24/22

June 24, 2022--I loved stitching this Susan Portra Holiday Bell using fuchsia-colored threads and beads.  It's the 13th of these Holiday Ornaments stitched to date and the instructions for this one were published in the December, 2016 Needlepoint Now Magazine.  I have three more to work up which will bring the total number of ornaments to 16.  There were supposed to be 24 in the series, but I understand from the magazine editor they are no longer available.  Oh well, I'll enjoy the ones I have,

It is difficult to see the fuchsia color since I stitched the bell on red canvas.  I tried removing the red canvas from the background so you could get a better idea of the beautiful colors of the bell.  I succeeded somewhat.  

Ornament Holiday Bell Fuchsia Completed

Ornament Holiday Bell Fuchsia Completed with Background Removed

Holiday Gift White Ornament - 3/20/22

March 20, 2022--Just finished stitching another of Susan Portra's Holiday Ornaments.  This one is called White Gift and was published in the 2015 issue no. 4 of Needlepoint Now Magazine.  This is the 12th ornament I've stitched to date out of 16 published.  There were supposed to have been 24 ornaments published in the magazine, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.  Susan Portra is selling the instructions for these ornaments on her website, but in groups of type--all eight "gifts" together, eight "lights" and eight "bells".   I don't need all of them, just the few I'm missing.  Hopefully I'll be able to purchase individual instructions from someone who no longer needs them.  Click on the Collections page on the right to see which ones have been done so far.

This ornament has a lot of shine, but the RG Neon Rays ribbon looks a bit wonky.  Try as I might (took it out a few times), I just couldn't get it to lay flat and smooth.  Suspect it has something to do with the length of the stitch being done on the diagonal and how close they lie next to one another (the ribbon is pulled against a corner rather than a straight canvas thread when stitched vertically).  I hope this makes sense.  Below is a graph of what I'm trying to say where you can see a flat ribbon is squeezed into the upper and lower corners of the stitch when done on the diagonal, causing the center of the stitch to curve in on itself.  It stays flat on the canvas when stitched vertically (or horizontally).   The longer the stitch and the more closely they are placed together, the more exaggerated the curve becomes.

One other thing to note--I inserted white beads where french knots were called for.  My beading skills far exceed those of french knot making.

Graph of Laying Ribbon Like Thread on the Diagonal vs Vertical Placement

Ornament Holiday Gift White Completed

Ornament Holiday Gift White Completed
Side View

Holiday Ornament Red Light - Updated 11/13/21

November 13, 2021--I've redone the tip of this red light ornament by removing the french knots and putting in straight stitches.  Did not like how the french knots came out--they looked too jammed in and appeared crooked.  I'm much happier with my "redo".  Here it is:

Ornament Holiday Light Red Completed - Revised

August 21, 2021--Here's my 11th stitched Holiday Ornament designed by Susan Portra with instructions published in Needlepoint Now Magazine, 2014 Vol XVI, No. 6.  This one is a red light bulb ornament and, for the most part, I love it.  However, the french knots on the light's bottom stitched with RG Flair make me cringe when I look at them--just too uneven and too many crammed into a small space.  Hopefully it won't look so bad when "finished" with cording and a pretty ribbon bow.   For a list of Holiday Ornaments published in Needlepoint Now Magazine, click here.

Ornament Holiday Light Red Completed

Ornament Holiday Light Red Completed

 Side View

Holiday Ornament Green Gift - 1/30/2020

January 30, 2020--Number 10 of the 16 Susan Portra Holiday Ornaments collection is now stitched (click here for more information about them).  The star centers are filled with french knots and turned out to be easier than anticipated.  They add some dimension to the front.  The instructions for this ornament were published in Needlepoint Now Magazine 2014, Volume XVI, Issue 6.   I plan on turning all of these Holiday canvases into ornaments when the set is completely stitched.

Ornament Holiday Gift Green Completed

Woven Ribbons and Lace Pillow - Updated 9/14/19

September 14, 2019--Just learned this piece garnered a 2nd place ribbon at the Rehoboth Beach Museum's 9th Annual Needlework Exhibit.   Thank you Jane Nichols for such a beautiful design.

August 25, 2019--After 5 years since the stitching of this project was completed, I finally had this made into a box pillow.  It really came out nice.

Ribbons Woven Finished into a Box Pillow

September 14, 2014--Done!   Just finished stitching the last ribbon, number 9 (vertical ribbon on the far right).  Next--will talk with my upholsterer to see which type of pillow should be made--knife edge or box?

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 9

September 8, 2014--Finished stitching Ribbon 7 and have only one more to go.  The last ribbon, number 9, is a lacy type of pattern using multiple colors, so will probably take some time to complete.   This really is a fun project.

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 7

September 3, 2014--Counting down--two more ribbons to stitch.  Below is a picture of my progress to date.  Ribbon G and all horizontal ribbons are done.

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon G

August 24, 2014--Ribbon F done.  Three more to go!

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon F

August 20, 2014--Only 4 more ribbons to stitch.  Below is a picture of the most recent completion--ribbon 4.  

Most of the background of this project is stitched with Paternayan yarn, color #500.  I ran out of this color and, after making a few calls, was unable to find more.  I began to panic (just a little) and then remembered I still have some Paternayan threads purchased over 30 years ago, lovingly stored for all these years.  After digging through this stash, I found a color very, very close to what I was using and, after stitching 3 small squares, am pleased that the color variance is hardly noticeable.  Can you find the color difference?

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 4

August 7, 2014--Stitched two more ribbons--B and C.   That's going to be it for awhile--lots of life to live over the next few weeks.  Looking forward to completing this project--only 5 more ribbons to go.  

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon C

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon B

August 2, 2014--Ribbon 2 done.  Seems to be stitching up a lot faster now that the lacy ribbons are done.  I also like working on the background where possible--the basketweave stitching is relaxing.

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 2

July 28, 2014--Ribbon 8 is complete.   Have stitched a total of 10 ribbons so far, over half done with 8 left to go.  

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 8

July 21, 2014--Ribbon 1 finished.  This project is coming along nicely.

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon 1

July 15, 2014--Another ribbon done--Ribbon D.  Should have stitched this ribbon before completing Ribbon 6.  May have to fix this later.  Now that all the ribbons with extended sides are stitched, can work on any ribbon that strikes my fancy, or work them in rows, or columns, or.......

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon D

July 13, 2014--The photograph below shows Ribbon 6 is now done.  I also stitched in a few of the background blocks to see how I liked the color.  Looks good to me.  Next up--Ribbon D.  

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon 6

July 4, 2014--Happy Independence Day!!!  

Delaware's Seashore Chapter led this class in May, so I pulled it out of the WIP pile a few days ago and completed Ribbon H.  Next up--Ribbon 6.

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon H

December 8, 2013--I'm putting this project away until the Delaware's Seashore Chapter has its class in April, 2014.  I started it early so that my sister could see what it was all about while visiting her in Dallas, TX before Thanksgiving.   I've completed 5 ribbons and learned the hard way that I should have done the ribbons in the following order:  (vertical ribbons are numbered 1 through 9, horizontal ribbons are lettered A through I) A, E, I, 3 then 5. Instead, I stitched E, 3 and 5 before beginning A and I.  I had to rip out portions of ribbons 3 and 5 to make room for the extended edges of ribbons A and I.

The next ribbons will be D, H then 6.  I should be able to stitch the rest of the ribbons, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, B, C, F and G in any order I please since their edges don't overlap other ribbons (I think).   Below is a picture of my progress to date:

November 21, 2013--Have completed two more ribbons, 3 and 5.  Only 15 more to go.



Ribbon 3

Ribbon 3 Closeup

Ribbon 5

November 17, 2013--The first of 18 ribbons is done. This is Ribbon E. Because its edge extends into other ribbons, it and some others must be done first. 

Ribbon E Closeup

Ribbon E

November 10, 2013--Finished marking the ribbon positions by basting with thread instead of a #4 pencil.   It turned out to be much easier counting with a needle and thread instead of starting and stopping the pencil.  I basted the horizontal lines first, then the vertical.  Once I got the count correct on the first line, the rest was easy to copy.

Lines set up using basting thread

August 30, 2013--Have begun working on the Woven Ribbons and Lace pillow designed by Jane Nichols which the Delaware's Seashore Chapter will have as its April, 2014 class.  This wonderful project can be found in the May/June 1999 Needlepoint Now magazine.  I chose the blue and rust version and all threads have been purchased or pulled from stash and entered into my Threads Database.

Since this is a counted stitch project, the ribbon widths must first be drawn on the 18 count canvas with a #4 pencil.  Have begun laying out the groundwork below.  Will also print out the graphs for each ribbon in such a size that can be easily attached to the canvas with a magnet while stitching.  As you can see, there are 9 vertical ribbons and there will be 9 horizontal ribbons (only 3 are drawn in so far).

Holiday Ornament Green Bell - 6/30/19

June 30. 2019--Number 9 of the 16 Susan Portra Holiday Ornaments collection is now stitched (click here for more information about them).  The RG Neon Rays was difficult to lay absolutely flat, but the beautiful shine compensates for the bit of unevenness.  The side view shows the dimension added by the size 14 beads.  The instructions for this ornament were published in Needlepoint Now Magazine 2014 Issue 6, Vol XVI.  

Ornament Holiday Bell Green Completed

Ornament Holiday Bell Green Side View

Holiday Ornament White Light - 4/2/19

April 2, 2019--Here's number 8 of the 16 Susan Portra Holiday Ornaments collection (click here for more information about them).   This one stitched up almost by itself--very fast and easy.  Only one problem--the opal Ribbon Floss Metallic thread 144 - 10 has a lot of red in it, and it shows up quite a bit in the photo.  In person, though, not so much.

Ornament Holiday White Light

Holiday Ornaments by Susan Portra - Updated 1/23/19

January 23, 2019--After a long wait, another of Susan Portra's Holiday Ornaments has been published and can be found in the January, 2019 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine.  This is the 16th in the series.  Here it is:

Holiday Light Green - NPN 2019 Vol XXI, 1

March 28, 2017--Here's another Holiday Ornament in the collection by Susan Portra called Pink Holiday Gift.  It's found in the March, 2017 issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine and is number 15 in the series.  Here's a photo of the project.

Holiday Gift Pink - NPN 2017 Vol XIX, 2

January 20, 2016--The January, 2017 issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine has another new ornament by Susan Portra, number 14 in the Holiday Ornaments collection.  This one is called Yellow Holiday Light.  Below is the project photo.

Holiday Light Yellow - NPN 2017 Vol XIX, 1

November 9, 2016--The December, 2016 issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine has a new ornament by Susan Portra, number 13 in the Holiday Ornaments collection called Fuchsia Holiday Bell.

Holiday Bell Fuchsia - NPN 2016 Vol XVIII, 6

July 20, 2015--Ever since I first read about Susan Portra's holiday ornaments in the Needlepoint Now magazine beginning with the November, 2013 issue, I decided I would stitch them all.  There will be a total of 24 ornaments altogether and so far 12 have been published in the magazine through July, 2015:  3 bells, 5 gifts, and 4 lights (pictures below *).  Today I sat down to determine what threads need to be purchased and what can be used out of my stash and am planning a shopping trip to my closest LNS, a 3 hour drive from my home.  The trip will include an overnight stay at a dear friend's home and, of course, I'll bring wine.  Life is sooo good!

Holiday Bell Blue - NPN 2015 Vol XVII, 1

Holiday Bell Brass Antique - NPN 2013 Vol XV, 6

Holiday Bell Green - NPN 2014 Vol XVI, 6

Holiday Gift  Copper- NPN 2013 Vol XV, 6

Holiday Gift Blue - NPN 2014 Vol XVI, 3

Holiday Gift Green - NPN 2014 Vol XVI, 6

Holiday Gift Red - NPN 2014 Vol XVI, 4

Holiday Gift White  - NPN 2015 Vol XVII, 4

Holiday Light  Copper- NPN 2014 Vol XVI,  2

Holiday Light Red - NPN 2014 Vol XVI, 6

Holiday Light Turquoise - NPN 2014 Vol XVI, 3

Holiday Light White - NPN 2014 Vol XVI, 4

*  I received permission from the editor of Needlepoint Now magazine to publish these pictures in this blog post.