Bracelet Peyote Marrakesh - Updated 9/17/24

September 17, 2024--Won a 1st Place Ribbon in the Beadwork category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 12th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

September 18, 2023--I just finished peyote beading this beautiful bracelet kit designed by June Wiseman of Jill Wiseman Designs.   The written instructions were wonderful, and if you need extra help, Jill has lots of YouTube videos that cover all aspects of beading, from full projects to separate techniques.   

I wish you could see the sparkle of this bracelet.  I added the gold picot edge using size 15 seed beads to hide the thread along the edges that could be seen.  With this kit I learned how to make a beaded toggle along with a peyote beaded loop.   Now I know how to finish my bracelets and necklaces without having to purchase metal toggles, sliding locks, etc.

Bracelet Peyote Marrakesh Flat

Bracelet Beaded Berry Band - 9/5/23

September 5, 2023--I loved beading this bracelet since it's the first time working with Czech tiles and superduo beads.   The bracelet, called Beaded Berry Band, is a free pattern designed by Deborah Roberti on her AroundTheBeadingTable.com website.  I purchased the beads online from Jill Wiseman Designs with the help of Corrie.  We chose Opaque Olive Picasso 2-hole CzechMate Tile Beads to coordinate with Matte Jet Bronze SuperDuo Beads.  Very interesting combination which happens to work well with many of my articles of clothing.    I was short a few beads so the length was a smidge smaller than desired.  The best way to solve this is by adding "jump rings" between the bracelet beads and the magnetic slide lock clasp.  Perfect.  

Bracelet Beaded Berry Band 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

Name Tag for EGA Brandywine Chapter - 8/27/23

August 27, 2023--Completed the stitching of this little project quite some time ago and finally "finished" it into a name tag today.  The design is by Linda Reinhardt and the instructions and kit (included beads, suede backing, padding, etc.) were given to me at last December's Brandywine Chapter Holiday get together.  I used DMC Perle 5 threads for both the stitching and cord around the tag.  The cord was crocheted using the two colors in the tag--love how it came out.  Lastly, I placed the Brandywine Chapter pin in the upper left corner.   Fini.

Name Tag EGA Brandywine Chapter

Bracelet Beaded Treasure - 8/18/23

August 18, 2023--Loved working up this beaded bracelet called Treasure or Mix It Up designed by Jill Wiseman.   It used five different Czech 6mm glass pearls randomly placed on a "bed" of 8 mm seed beads.  Here are some photos.

Rozashi Three Hana - Updated 8/13/23

August 13, 2023--Done.  All I need to do now is "starch" the back with Nori (rice) paste to ensure the silk and metallic threads don't come loose, then make it into a hanging ornament.

The last time I blogged about this project (see below), I mentioned that I was running out of threads and wrote Margaret Kinsey, the designer, to see if she might have more for this 2000 project.  She responded quickly and was able to send me threads for all four colors.  Unfortunately, two of the colors (navy and light green) had die lot changes.  However, I only needed one strand of the light green and it barely shows in the lower right corner.  I did need more of the medium green, but there was no problem with a color difference there.  Whew.

Rozashi Three Hana Completed

July 18, 2023--Section 2, called The Hana, is now stitched.  It consists of three flower patterns with a "brick" type stitch in the background.  I've run out of the darker green thread and have only a few pieces of light green and blue metallic.  I wrote Margare Kinsey, the designer, in the hopes she has more thread for this 2020 project.  Crossing my fingers.

Rozashi Three Hana Section 2 Completed

July 9, 2023--Section 5 (Flax Leaf Pattern) and Section 10 (Kawari Kanoko) are now stitched.  The color combinations of dark navy silk, very light green silk, medium green silk, and lite blue metallic threads give a nice contrast and sheen to the piece.  

Will now take a short break from this project to work on other WIPS.

Rozashi Three Hana Sections 5 and 10 Completed

June 29, 2023--Finished Section 3 which was stitched using the Dan Dan Technique.  The "dimples" in the stitching give an interesting diagonal effect from upper right to lower left, even though it is stitched from upper left to lower right.

Rozashi Three Hana Section 3 Completed - Dan Dan Technique

June 23, 2023--I am so enjoying the rhythm of stitching this beautiful Rozashi project.  The upper middle portion, Section 4, is now done and I'll probably drop down and begin working on Section 3 next.  Section 4 is labeled Higaki which means a satin stitch pattern.  Very pretty.

Rozashi Three Hana Section 4

June 1, 2023--Since I like to stitch from the upper left to right, working my way down the canvas, I began this project with Section 9, called Combination Stitches.  A very easy and quick start consisting of stitches placed over one dan in one row, then over two dan in a subsequent row, then begin again.  

Here it is:

Rozashi Three Hana Section 9

May 30, 2023--Back in 2020 when ANG's National Seminar classes were held online due to COVID (boy, am I glad that's over with), I signed up to take two of Margaret Kensey's Rozashi classes, one of which I'm now working on called Three Hana.  I really enjoy this type of stitching--all stitches are vertical worked on ro canvas using sumptuous silk threads.   Rozashi is Japanese meaning canvas (ro) and to stitch (zashi).  The ro canvas has horizontal threads (called dan) that are much wider than the vertical ones which make the stitches pop.

Here's my progress so far:

Rozashi Three Hana Outlines Completed

Below is a photo of the project as stitched by the instructor.  Lots of interesting and challenging stitches.

Rozashi Three Hana Project Photo Designed by Margaret Kinsey

Scissors Case Lacy - Updated 8/12/23

August 12, 2023--The stitching is done and this little scissors case has been sewn together with a binding stitch and lined.  It's rather cute, if I say so myself.   Now I need a beautiful pair of scissors to place in it.

Scissors Case Lacy Back Finished

Scissors Case Lacy Front Finished

July 23, 2023--The upper half is stitched except for the middle area where a ribbon will be couched.  That will get done after the bottom half is finished.  I like how the overdyed colors are playing out on the canvas.   I'm putting this away for a while to use as my "take along" project for social stitching days.

Scissors Case Lacy Upper Half Completed

July 21, 2023--At my local EGA meeting with the Brandywine Chapter on Wednesday, we received full kits to stitch Margaret Bendig's 2000 Petite Project offered through EGA to its members.  What a delightful project.  It's worked up using Valdani Pearl 8 which I love--no need to "lay" the thread and the variegated color is beautiful.  I've completed the outline done in Smyrna stitches and look forward to working up the body of the case.  Our instructions also guide us through the "finishing" process.

Here's my progress to date.

Scissors Case Lacy Border

Below is a photo of the project as stitched by the designer.

Scissors Case Lacy Project Photo

Coin Case Stitch and Zip - 7/29/23

July 29, 2023--This little "stitch and zip" coin case by Alice Peterson Co. was donated to Delaware's Seashore Chapter of ANG and I picked it up to stitch as a "travel" project.  The front has a 14 count interlock canvas with the letter "A" painted on it in yellow.  I understand this type of case is considered a beginner's project, but after spending the last week working on it, I don't think so.  It was extremely difficult stitching over the folded edges and corners of the canvas so they wouldn't show from the inside.  It was also difficult to stitch to the very edge of the canvas where it is attached to the zipper.  Then there is the fact that I'm not used to stitching "in hand" and had some issues with maintaining tension while doing something as simple as basketweave.  

Coin Case Stitch and Zip

I'm satisfied with the end results for the most part.  To stitch the initials "BC", I used an unusual gold DMC Pearl 5 thread #5282.  I used only 1 strand but realized 2-3 strands would have looked much better.  I found the perfect color green--Caron's Impressions, a 50% wool and 50% silk thread in my stash, using 2 strands.  The coverage worked well, hiding the yellow "A" which was prepainted on the canvas.    The lettering I used is from Tink Boord-Dill's negative space alphabet which was published in ANG's NeedlePointers Magazine, 2005, Issue 4.  

Alphabet from Tink Boord-Dill PressedOut 18 Negative Space ANG NPs 2005, 4

Rehoboth Beach Museum's 11th Annual Needlework Exhibit - 7/5/23

 July 5, 2023--Save the dates--Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Museum's 11th Annual Needlework Exhibition will take place September 16 through November 12, 2023.  Flyer is in the link below.  

Plan on making three trips to the beach:

1. Drop off your needlework piece(s) (August 26 through September 9, 2023)
2. View the exhibition (September 16 through November 12, 2023)
3. Pick up your needlework (November 12, 2023, AFTER 1:00 pm).  

Not only will the exhibition be judged, but each piece gets a critique--an excellent opportunity to learn about your stitching.

The link to find the application form on the museum's website can be found at:

Rehoboth Beach Museum

Looking forward to seeing everyone's work.

Master Needlepointer Program of ANG - Stage 2 - 6/26/23

June 26, 2023--I just received the results of my Stage 2 project for ANG's Master Needlepointer Program.  This one was a doozy and required lots of planning on my part.   I am pleased to have received 118 points out of the 120 available.   Here is the end result.....

Some of the requirements for this stage were:

• Shapes other than square or rectangular are required.
• Design must have at least 12 stitch areas, half of which are bounded by at least one curved edge.
• eight of the 12 supplied stitches must be used and must include at least one diaper pattern.
• Color scheme must be either complementary or split complementary.

For the shape, I chose to use Friendship Circles designed by Carol Algie Higginbotham which had to be enlarged to fit the required dimensions on Congress Cloth (commercial designs are allowed).   This appealed to me because of its symmetry.

Then I chose the split-complementary aqua blue colors from Joen Wolfrom's Color Tool.  This was after using my iPad to place various color schemes on the chosen design as drafted (again on my iPad).

The stitches used had to be compensated on all edges since there isn't a straight line anywhere on the project.   Again, I used my iPad to draft out some of the more complex stitches, especially for the Jessica and Waffle stitches used in the center.   In the example below, I was able to draw in the full design, then "erase" the areas not to be stitched.

The diaper pattern used in the center of the outer four circles was from Ann Strite-Kurz's Diaper Patterns book.   It may not be obvious, but the centers of the four outer circles all have the same pattern, but the four colors are used differently.  Again, I used my iPad to draw the various colors on my graph to see if I liked the outcome.  

A darning stitch was one of the requirements and I chose to place it along the outside edge.  Again, I graphed the "donut" darning pattern on my iPad to make sure I liked the scale and pattern.  Can you tell that the threads are all stitched in the same horizontal direction?

That's pretty much it.  A serious challenge for me and I may have been a bit over ambitious in my choice of stitches, but it all worked in the end.

English Wildflower Basket - 6/24/23

June 24, 2023--This English Wildflower Basket is a lovely painted canvas project designed by Kirk & Bradley.  The stitch guide by Jinny Barney was published in the Needlepoint Now Magazine, 2019 September/October issue.   When I ordered the canvas from Needlepoint.com, I ordered the full kit which included the same stitch guide but set up just a bit differently.  For example, I just completed the background stitch and noticed the magazine stitch guide graphed it as a "wrap" stitch worked on the diagonal.  The stitch guide that came with the kit called for the background stitch to be done using the darning method.  Both have their benefits--the wrap method saves thread (this is what I chose to use) while the darning method allows for the shine of the thread to show through from the back (the thread used was RG Silk Lame Braid which is very shiny but doesn't show in the photo).   

The painted canvas doesn't have a table upon which the vase would sit, so I didn't bother adding one.  

English Wildflower Basket Background Completed

I hardly ever work on painted canvases, preferring counted projects instead.  However, for a class I was to teach to my ANG chapter on working up silk ribbon flowers on canvas, this design was perfect to use as an example.  It was easy to find YouTube videos of the flowers used and they will fill up the canvas beautifully (see the project photo under the tab "Pages" on the right side in the In Process Projects file). 

Next up--the wicker basket to be worked up using Straw Silk threads. 

Beaded Starfish Pendants - 6/9/23

June 9, 2023--Currently I'm President of my local American Needlepoint Guild chapter, Delaware's Seashore Chapter, and I like to give the members little table favors when attending the chapter's Anniversary Lunch in June and the Holiday Lunch in December.  This month's table favors were little beaded starfish pendants which I learned how to do from a free YouTube video designed by Kelly Dale from a shop called Off the Beaded Path (the printed pattern is available at a small cost from the shop).  They are fun and quick to work up and are great stash busters using size 11 and 8 seed beads measuring about 1.75" across.   They can be used as necklace pendants, key fobs, purse charms, etc.  Here's a photo of what I put together for my chapter mates....

Rozashi Daiya Variations Kit - Updated 5/27/23

May 27, 2023--I really enjoy Rozashi (which, in Japanese, means Ro - Canvas and Zashi - To Stitch).  You use mostly a vertical stitch on a type of canvas where the horizontal threads are much wider than the vertical ones.  In the United States, this type of canvas is only available through a few instructors from whom I've been fortunate enough to take classes (all online at this point).  

Here's a photo of the finished Daiya Variations using the Lee Ornament holder.  It's a good thing we are taught to seriously "paste" the back of the stitching because I had to cut about 1/4" off the circle as drawn for us on the canvas.  This meant cutting into the stitching--something I hated to do, fearing the threads and canvas would unravel.  Phew, because of the heavy Nori paste/starch, everything remained intact.  Next, the stitched circle had to be pushed, using a butter knife, into the Lee Ornament Holder.  This too caused me some anxiety fearing all that manipulation would hurt the piece.  Nope--everything held up fine and I now have a pretty ornament to hang in my dressing closet, along with all my other "smalls".

Rozashi Daiya Variations Ornament Finished

May 12, 2023--CyberPointers Chapter of ANG recently had a Rozashi class offering taught by Kate Festo called Daiya Variations.  I'm just now beginning to work on this beautiful piece and enjoyed going through everything in the kit which includes a rozashi canvas glued onto a wood frame, written instructions, 2 sumptuous silk thread colors and 1 packet of gold threads, needles, nori paste, AND a gold Lee round ornament to "finish" this project.  

I've read the instructions and watched the Zoom video by Kate, so I'm now ready to stitch.

Rozashi Daiya Variations Kit

BTW, Kate Festo is the daughter of Margaret Kinsey, famed Rozashi instructor and designer.

Russian Spiral Bracelet - 05/15/23

May 15, 2023--I now have a bracelet to match the Russian Spiral necklace (see below).  Matchie, matchie, I say.  And I love how it sparkles and can be dressed up or down.  I now see myself wearing these two pieces with blue jeans quite often.

Russian Spiral Bracelet 2023-05

May 11, 2023--As I fall deeper into the rabbit hole of beaded jewelry making, I have another item to show off, so to speak.  This time its's a Russian Spiral necklace using the pattern given me at a bracelet class taken from Karen Baratta but elongated into necklace length from which I can hang various pendants.  The beads used are silver-lined straw gold, size 11, and silver-lined cobalt blue, size 8.  This is so pretty that I want to now make a matching bracelet and a pendant (stay tuned for this one).

Russian Spiral Beaded Necklace 2023-05-11

Russian Spiral Necklace - 5/11/23

May 11, 2023--As I fall deeper into the rabbit hole of beaded jewelry making, I have another item to show off, so to speak.  This time its's a Russian Spiral necklace using the pattern given me at a bracelet class taken from Karen Baratta but elongated into necklace length from which I can hang various pendants.  The beads used are silver-lined straw gold, size 11, and silver-lined cobalt blue, size 8.  This is so pretty that I want to now make a matching bracelet and a pendant (stay tuned for this one).

Russian Spiral Beaded Necklace 2023-05-11