Orange Grove - Updated 6/8/16

June 8, 2016--Found the perfect frame, and this lovely piece now sits on the night stand in my guest bedroom.

Orange Grove Finished

May 31, 2016--Have just returned from two weeks out West (brief itinerary below), and while traveling around by car, was able to complete the stitching on this delightful little project.

However, please don't look at the stitching too closely.  Some of the roads were quite rough and bumpy. and trying to get an even tension while laying two threads proved to be a challenge.   Also was distracted by the beautiful scenery along the way.

The places we visited:

Badlands National Park, SD
Mt. Rushmore, SD
Devil's Tower, WY
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Grand Tetons, WY
Grand Canyon North Rim, AZ
Snow Canyon, UT
Zion National Park, UT
Death Valley, CA
Las Vegas, NV

Orange Grove Completed

May 14, 2016--Orange Grove, otherwise called Introduction to Paradise, is a pretty little project by Lois Caron and taught to our ANG chapter in March 2014 by one of our members, Pat vd A.

My husband and I are traveling for the next few weeks and I wanted to work on something I could easily hold while riding in a car.  This piece is perfect.  I started working on it to be sure it wasn't too complicated and believe I can complete it while on the road--it's that easy.  So here's a picture of what's been done to date and hopefully the next picture will be of a completed project.

Orange Grove as of 5/13/16

Orange Grove Project Photo

ANG Seminar 2016 in New Orleans, LA - GOING! - Updated 5/8/16

May 8, 2016--Finally received confirmation that my first choice class picks have been approved.  Yay!  I'm on a purse kick these days and have signed up to take 2 two-day classes--the first is "Let The Good Times Roll" by Janet Zickler Casey and the second is "Bronze Purse" by Toni Gerdes.

Let The Good Times Roll by Janet Zickler Casey Project Photo

Bronze Purse by Toni Gerdes Project Photo

Because DH will be with me on this trip, I didn't want to take a full week of classes, so with four days filled, I snuck in one more one-day class called "Theo Faberge's Jeweled Spiral Coil Egg by Michele Roberts.

Theo Faberge's Jeweled Spiral Coil Egg by Michele Roberts Project Photo

I haven't taken any classes from Michele Roberts and Janet Zickler Casey and am looking forward to learning as much as possible from them.  Took a class from Toni Gerdes at seminar in Philadelphia called Let It Snow--loved that project.

January 9, 2016--Just filled out the registration form for the 2016 ANG Seminar in New Orleans, LA.  And....DH is going with me.  Yay!  We plan on driving, taking a different route there and back.  What a delightful vacation this is going to be (a full two weeks for sure).  It's been exactly 20 years since I last visited New Orleans (for business back then) and am looking forward to exploring this delightful city again with DH.   Because I'm taking 4 days of classes, attending banquets, teachers' showcase, etc., he'll have to fend for himself for much of the time, but that's OK with him.  I did convince him to attend the Closing Banquet with me so he can appreciate how involved ANG is in all facets of needlework and feel the excitement of its members.

ANG Seminar New Orleans Marketing Photo

More information about the seminar can be found at:

http://www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-16/index.php

Summer Solstice Sampler - Updated 10/10/16

October 10, 2016--Had this framed at my local Michael's Arts & Crafts and am very pleased with the results.  The frame looks "antique" and the two mats are perfect with the linen.  Looks very colonial.  However, my house is not colonial so the sampler will be relegated to dress up my craft room.

April 30, 2016--My first cross stitch sampler is completed and I thoroughly enjoyed this quick and easy piece.  Using my new MagEyes made the job so much easier on my eyes.

One change I made, however, was deciding not to continuing to stitch "in hand" and to mount the linen on stretcher bars.  What a difference!!!  I was able to stitch more quickly without worrying about warping the fabric or getting it wrinkled and dirty.  Here's the results.....

Summer Solstice Sampler Completed

Summer Solstice Sampler Mounted on Stretcher Bars

March 9, 2016--Our March, 2016 member led project at the ANG Delaware's Seashore Chapter meeting was Summer Solstice Sampler by Sally Ann Designs.  I understand this is second in a series of four seasonal samplers and a companion piece to "Winter's Whisper Sampler", another beautiful sampler done in pale threads.

I've never worked on a cross stitch sampler and this is a beautiful introduction which includes a variety of stitches.

I'm working "in hand" on 32 count linen using 1 strand of Caron Waterlillies over 2 threads in a darker, less variegated color than that used by the designer.  My magnifying glass is going to be an eye saver while working on this piece.  Below is my progress to date.

Progress at 3-9-16

MagEyes Magnifier - 4/23/16

April 23, 2016--Bought a pair of MagEyes after trying on a friend's pair.  Love their versatility.  Am able to wear them with my regular glasses (and prescription sunglasses too) to see what I'm stitching more clearly.  I also like the fact that I can look down to stitch, then look up to see the television.  Other types of magnifying glasses have a plastic "hood" to block out light, and you must lift it up to see guests, TV, etc.

MagEyes Magnifier

The picture below shows how well the magnifier works.   The actual contrast is much greater than shown in this iPhone photo.

Example of Magnification

Package Front

Downton Abbey Lady Edith Geometric - Updated 4/19/16

April 19, 2016--The Lady Edith geometric, second of the Downton Abbey designs by Gay Ann Rogers, is now complete.  I've also attached a photo of a card designed by Annette Navarro and sold through Gay Ann Rogers on her website.   A photo below shows the rich dimension of the stitches.

Now on to the last of the series--the Lady Mary geometric.

Downton Abbey Lady Edith Geometric Completed

Lady Edith Card

Lady Edith Side View

April 12, 2016--Have begun stitching the second of three Downton Abbey geometric designs by Gay Ann Rogers (click here for more information).  This one is called Lady Edith and I love the colors.  So far the outlining is done and now to do the filling stitches--lots and lots of filling stitches.  The first design called Countess of Grantham is complete (see it here).

Lady Edith Geometric through 04/12/16

NJ Needle Festival 6th Annual - 4/17/16

April 17, 2016--On Saturday, April 16th, I attended the 6th Annual New Jersey Needle Festival put together by Susan Hoekstra, and had a blast.  This is a one day retreat type of event with lots of vendors and every type of stitching you can imagine.  This is the second time I've attended and it was wonderful to catch up with friends from last year and make new ones this year.   Of course, I didn't just drive up for the day (it's a long 3.5 hours away).  Instead, I stayed over Friday night, enjoying a delicious dinner at the Red Oak Grill in Bedminster, NJ with many who were also attending the festival.

There were lots of us stitching the beautiful ANG Stitch-of-the Month (SOTM) project designed by Susan Hoekstra and it was fun to see all the different colorways as shown in one of the photos below (courtesy of Rosi).

Table 1 from L to R:
(back row) Ginny, Buff, Margaret
(front row) Sylvia, Rona, Melita, me, Lori

ANG SOTM Different Colorways

Downton Abbey Countess of Grantham Geometric - 4/2/16

April 2, 2016--Completed stitching this pretty design.  I've also attached a photo of a card designed by Annette Navarro and sold through Gay Ann Rogers on her website.  Now on to the next two designs celebrating Downton Abbey's Lady Edith and Lady Mary as written about here.

Downton Abbey Countess of Grantham Completed

Card Designed by Annette Navarro

March 24, 2016--Thought that I was ready to begin the fill-in stitches--nope, had more cross stitch outlining to do in tan (looks like shadowing) and 8 little "florets" to place.  Now I think I'm ready.

Downton Abbey Countess of Grantham as of 3-24-2016

March 14, 2016--Have begun stitching this beautifully designed project by Gan Ann Rogers.  This is one of three geometrics she designed to celebrate the Downton Abbey series (click here for more information),  The most difficult portion is done (all that counting...whew).  Now all that's needed are the fill-in stitches.

Downton Abbey Countess of Grantham as of 3-14-2016

Paging for a Judge - 3/16/16

March 16, 2016--Yesterday I was a teller or page (love the word page--makes me think of kingdoms and brave knights) to the judge of Rehoboth Beach Museum's 6th Annual Needlework Exhibit.  Have been doing this every year and love learning what makes a stitched piece a ribbon winner and seeing all the beautiful exhibits up close and personal.  Would not miss this opportunity for anything.

Hope everyone, near and far, will visit the museum to view this exhibit here at the beach in Delaware during Spring.  There's no entrance fee (donation can be given) and will bring some joy to your life.  See you there.

Downton Abbey Geometrics - 2/24/16

February 24, 2016--Gay Ann Rogers has designed some beautiful geometrics to celebrate the Downton Abbey television series running on PBS.  She has made them available through to the series finale on March 6th (click here).  I've ordered all three projects (photos below) and even ordered the thread kits from Kate Gaunt.  I love how they so beautifully complement the costumes (pictured with the needlepoint designs).  I'll post about each design individually as they are stitched.

Gay Ann Rogers Designs Downton Abbey Countess of Grantham Geometric

Countess of Grantham Costume

Gay Ann Rogers Designs Downton Abbey Lady Edith Geometric

Lady Edith Costume

Gay Ann Rogers Designs Downton Abbey Lady Mary Geometric

Lady Mary Costume

Kumihimo Braid Making - Updated 2/15/16

February 15, 2016--Have been experimenting with different types of thread and think I've come up with the right combination of thickness and decorative metallics.  I like this one so much that I'm going to use it as the cord around my Imperial Heart project.   It has a few uneven areas, but when wrapped around the heart, don't think they'll show that much, if at all.

Kumihimo Braid for use as Ornament Cording

February 11, 2016--My interest was piqued after reading about this braid making tool on D1D2's January 18th blog.

So taking advantage of some eBucks to spend on eBay, I found this Beginner's Small Kumihimo Kit.  It came with two colors of cord, a Kumiloom or braiding disk, how-to instructions, thread bobbins and bits to make a necklace.  Last night while watching TV I worked up the braid and now I'm hooked.  It was so fast and easy to do.  Next cord will be made with needlepoint stash threads for a similar look, but with a smaller diameter to use for the finishing of ornaments.   Too cool!

Kumihimo Braid Beginner's Kit

Christmas Tree Santa - 2/9/16

February 9, 2016--Completed the stitching of this adorable santa and it, along with some others, will be sent off for professional finishing into ornaments.  Love the beard.

Christmas Tree Santa Completed

January 11, 2016--Signed up to take an online class through Shining Needle Society called Christmas Tree Santa Ornament which is being taught by the designer herself, Janet Zickler Casey.  I love these santa ornaments and plan on working three different ones at the same time (I'll write about each one separately).  The face is stitched and now I'm ready to do the fun stuff--hat, beard and mustache.

Christmas Tree Santa Face Stitched

Let It Snow - Updated 3/21/16

March 21, 2016--Won 2nd Place Ribbon for Canvaswork at the Rehoboth Beach Museum 6th Annual Needlework Exhibit.

February 8, 2016--This project is now framed.  Michael's Arts & Crafts did a wonderful job and I know it costs less than half of what I would have paid at a traditional framing shop.   Very happy.

Let It Snow Framed

February 3, 2016--My first completion for 2016.  This was an "in process" project that has taken four years to stitch and it's nice to have it done and at the framers.

Let It Snow Completed

January 24, 2016--Almost done!!!!  Finished stitching all the little snowflakes (27 of them to be exact) and must now "bury" the back threads.  The picture below shows the mess.  Instead of burying the threads for each individual snowflake as it was completed, I just ran the threads all over the place with the intent of cutting them into manageable lengths to hide them all at the same time.  This is going to be a TV project for sure.

Threads in Back to Bury

December 31, 2015--Finished all the large snowflakes and have begun stitching the small ones.  This is so pretty and wish I had more time to get this done, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen this year.  Not complaining though.  Have had a wonderful year and 2016 looks even brighter.

Wishing all of you a wonderful New Year with lots and lots of stitching.

Large Snowflakes Done

September 19, 2015--The 7th and last border is done.  This was a complex stitch requiring the use of four threads, one after the other.  Lots of work, but the results are beautiful.  Now to finish the silver snow flakes, then I'm done.

July 9, 2015--The 6th border is now stitched, only requiring 4 passes using 4 different threads.  The last border is going to take some time involving 4 threads in a fern stitch variation.

Closeup of Border 6

Through Border 6

May 6, 2015--Completed Border 5.  This one was fast and easy--only one pass was required.

Closeup of Border 5

Through Border 5

April 30, 2015--Border 4 is complete.  This one took quite some time to stitch--9 different colors were used in the layering process.  The next border will stitch up very fast.

Border 4 Closeup

Through Border 4

April 7, 2015--Started stitching on this project and, after working on a few of the large snowflakes, decided to get some of the border done.  Three of the seven borders are now stitched....whew!  This is a large piece and at the rate I'm stitching, will take awhile to complete.

Let it Snow Border 3 Closeup

Let It Snow Borders 1, 2 and 3 Done

December 11, 2014--This project, called Let It Snow, was a class taught by Toni Gerdes at the 2012 ANG Seminar in San Antonio, TX.  I've wanted to complete the stitching, but so many things kept nudging it to the bottom of the pile.  My local ANG chapter, Delaware's Seashore Chapter, has recently challenged its members to complete 3 WIPs or UFOs by December, 2015.  I chose this project as one of my three.

As what happens in all of these classes, there's the usual thread spaghetti to deal with.  Because it's been two years since I've looked at this project, I now have to re-read all the instructions before picking up a needle.   I will post again when all of the beautiful snowflakes have been stitched.

Let It Snow Thread Spaghetti