Asian Journey

March 15, 2014--Recently signed up to take Judy Souliotis' online class through Shining Needle Society called Asian Journey.  Class will run April 15 through July 31, 2014.  It's a beautiful piece on congress cloth and I chose the blue colorway.  Am not sure if I will stitch the sedans throughout the piece or chose the alternate design (both shown below).

Asian Journey Project Photo

Asian Journal Alternate Project Photo

Harvest Time Updated 3/10/14

March 10, 2014--Presented this grape design to our friends at their winery in Delaplane, VA this weekend.  They love it so much they fear it may be stolen if they hang it up in the winery, so may place it in their beautiful home located on the property.    I would like to do another wine related project some day for them--there are so many wonderful projects out there.

Harvest Time Framed

November 9, 2013--Fini!  Now to get it framed and present it to our dear friends at their winery.

Harvest Time Completed

November 3, 2013--Now working on Lesson 4 and am on the homestretch.   The instructions call for padding under the leaves, but I found it difficult to know exactly where to place the padding.  So I outlined the area where the actual leaves are stitched to see their shape, then placed the padding inside the basting.  Now that's done (see both pictures below), I'm ready to finish the leaves and stems (love the varigated large grapes in the center diamond).  Final pictures will be posted soon.

Harvest Time Outline for Leaves

Harvest Time Padding for Leaves

November 1, 2013--Lesson 3 done.  Love how this is beginning to look like a stained glass window.  Pushing ahead now to get this finished.  One more lesson to go!

Harvest Time Through Lesson 3

October 29, 2013--Lesson 2 done.   In this lesson we completed the lattice work and small grape clusters with leaves.  The instructions called for a finer thread for the lattice and grape clusters in the inner square which seems to make them recede.  I like the effect.

Harvest Time Through Lesson 2

October 24, 2013--Whew, finished with Lesson 1.  The borders are gorgeous with enough difference to be very interesting.  Laura explains in her lesson that she liked the design with only the inner border, but when she added the second, outer border, everything popped.  I agree.  Now on to Lesson 2 covering lattice work and small grape clusters.  BTW, to anyone else who may be working on this project--pay attention to the slant of the stitches.  The graph left border has some stitches going in the wrong direction.

Harvest Time Through Lesson 1

October 14, 2013--Have begun stitching Laura Perin's design called Harvest Time.  This is an online LJP Cyber Class which began October 1 and has four lessons.  I'm nearly finished the first lesson--just need to complete the outside borders, then on to Lesson 2.  When this is complete, it will be given to friends who own a winery in Delaplane, VA.  They have a beautiful site with an old farmhouse which they've converted to tasting rooms on the first floor and administrative offices on the second.  There are many acres of vineyards and a lovely new Tuscan style home siting on a hill overlooking the property. It's definitely a piece of heaven on earth--and the wine is good to drink too.

Spirit by Sue Reed Updated 3/5/14

March 5, 2014--Just picked this up from the framer.    It will be lovely hanging in my guest room.

Spirit Framed

September 24, 2013--Spirit is now complete and am very happy with the results.   In the class given by Sue Reed at the ANG Seminar in 2012, she gave wonderful details on how to color match the overdyed Gloriana silk, when to take advantage of a favored color and how to make a lesser desired color recede. The results make the border appear to change as if light were moving accross the threads.  This is somewhat visible in the photo immedately following the text.  The nap of the threads also appear darker, depending on the light's angle.  The second photo is a more subdued version of the project and the thread variations are somewhat flattened.   Now to talk with my framer on how to best highlight the work.

Variations in colors picked up by lighting and thread nap

September 18, 2013--Moving along nicely.  Section F is complete.  Sue Reed's instructions did not call for beads, but I wasn't happy about the blank 2x2 thread square areas, so I embellished them with the prettiest green beads having gold irridescents throughout.

Spirit through Section F

September 16, 2013--Section E is totally done and I can now see how beautiful this project will be.

Spirit Through Section 3

September 6, 2013—All the thread spaghetti has been cleaned up and the center portion completely stitched.  Re-read Sue’s instructions on how to manage color placement of the overdyed Gloriana.  She has some very helpful tips.

I’m excited about completing this project—love the sumptuous silk threads and the stitches which give this piece depth.

September 1, 2013--Pulled out Sue Reed's Spirit project begun at the 2012 Seminar in Philadelphia and found lots of thread spaghetti.  Over the next few days, want to get re-acquainted with the instructions and begin stitching on this beautiful piece.

Gordian Knot Updated 3/2/14

March 2, 2014--Just had this framed.  It looks so beautiful on my wall.

Gordian Knot Framed

November 30, 2013--Cool--just received my Correspondence Course Certificate from Rachel Atkinson for the successful completion of Gordian Knot.  Never got one of these before.

Since I'm on a serious mission to eliminate paper files, I've scanned the certificate and saved it to my Gordian Knot electronic file folder (where I have project photos, instructions, etc.).    Eventually I'll need more storage for all my files than available on my external hard drive of 250 Gs, but cloud storage is looking like an affordable option....soon.

Completion Certificate

August 28, 2013--Gordian Knot is now complete and ready for review by the class instructor as part of ANG's Correspondence Course program.  This piece is beautiful and the picture doesn't convey its texture, color, shine and vibrancy.  Thank you Rachel Atkinson for such a wonderful design.  And thanks again to everyone who helped me with my Neon Rays dye lot problem.

August 25, 2013--Was not able to find Neon Rays in the dye lot received in the kit, but it wasn't for lack of trying.  Thank you to everyone who sent me threads in the hope it matched what I had.

I'm not a purist, but am most definitely a realist when it comes to something like this.  I ripped out the two inside quadrants stitched with the original dye lot of N67, then stitched the inside of all four quadrants with the new, darker dye lot, and think it turned out quite well.  Yes, it is darker, but in my mind, because the area might be considered the underside of a ribbon, it's darker because of shadowing. Anyone unfamiliar with this project probably won't notice a thing.  And as my DH so charmingly commented - "What does it matter?  No one's going to see it anyway."  Yes, that does put things in perspective.  Funny man!

Learned a few valuable lessons.  First, read, then reread what color goes in what section.  None of this would have occured if I hadn't made an error of using NR where Flair was called for.  Second, begin and end threads under the section being worked so that other areas won't be disturbed if you must rip out a section later.

Now on to the corners.  Yay!

August 14, 2013--Have come up with a dye lot problem for Neon Rays 67.  The thread on the left is a bright turquoise color I received in my kit.  The two threads in the middle have been sent to me in response to my request for help on the Gordian Knot Yahoo Group List, and the last is thread recently purchased from a shop online (don't have an LNS).   All are labeled N67.   There is another sample coming to me from AC--hopefully that will have more turquoise in it.  Crossing my fingers.

Below are the two sections missing N67 (inside the top and right quadrants).  If I must use a darker N67, hopefully it won't be too obvious.  Stay tuned.

Top and right quadrants missing portions of N67

July 30, 2013--Have now completed the design through page 8 of the instruction manual.  It's coming along nicely.   The Squared Herringbone pattern was difficult to follow, so I drafted a step-by-step diagram (shown below) to assist me until my mind figured it out (some of you may know what I mean).

Gordian Knot through Page 8

I discovered an error I made on the thread for the stitch on Page 7.   It calls for RG Flair and I used RG Neon Rays.  No wonder the Neon Rays is running low.  I have since ripped out that section and restitched it with the correct thread.  Whew.

I also found an error in the instructions for the stitch on Page 7, the Diagonal Long-Legged Cross.  I made pencil notes on the diagram below noting the stitches at numbers 4 and 6 should start one thread below where they are shown.   It's a small matter, but I was stitching upside down and this caused me to count a few times to be sure I was doing the stitch correctly.

Squared Herringbone Step-by-Step Guide

July 28, 2013--Finally started stitching Gordian Knot, an ANG CyberPointers Correspondence Course by Rachel Atkinson.  This course closes on October 15, 2013, at which time course participants can send Rachel their canvases for review by November 1st.   Lots of stitching to do between now and then.  Below is my progress to date:

Gordian Knot through Page 7

Gordian Knot through Page 5

Gordian Knot through Page 4

Framing--Lacing, Pinning or Glue? Updated 2/23/14

February 23, 2014--I have received many helpful responses from the ANG Yahoo Group List in reply to my question about pinning, lacing or gluing needlepoint unto a mounting board for framing.  Below is a brief summary of those replies and hope you find it as helpful as I did.

Most respondents who have their work pinned to a mounting board have been very pleased with the results and their work continues to lie flat, even after many years.    But the pins must be stainless steel to avoid rust.  Many do not put glass on top of their work.  Instead, they mount their canvases with a layer or two of fleece (not batting) between the canvas and the mounting board.  The number of fleece layers depends on whether or not the piece is matted.   Backing fabric can also be used between the canvas and fleece.  Another wrote to say she first laces canvases to a mounting board herself, and then works closely with her framer who must cut additional board to fit around the laced canvas to support any matting used.  All in all, everyone agrees it is very important to work with your framer, find out how they do things, and let them know specifically what you want. 

A few days ago I took three of my needlepoint canvases to a new framer who uses pins—no glue.  Hopefully the canvases will remain tight for many years to come.  But I will take one of the framed pieces and remove the paper dust backing to see what was done.  It’ll be worth paying for a new dust backing just to confirm they are doing what I want.    I also chose museum type glass to protect my work from dust, dirt, sunlight and fingers.    There’s lots of new home construction going on around me and every time my door is opened, fine particles of dirt blow in and sit on everything.  I have a small appreciation of what it must have been like to live in the Dust Bowl during the 1930’s. 

Lacing Example--Source Unknown

February 19, 2014--I moved to a new state 3 years ago and the local framer of needlepoint uses glue to mount my projects.  My work is now buckling and/or warping in the frame.  The framer tells me it's because of extreme temperature and humitity levels in my home.  I'm not happy with this response.  But I must give him credit--he is remounting my projects at no additional cost.   This may involve new matts, so could be expensive for him.

I'm now looking for framers that will lace my needlepoint, but they are hard to find or too far away.  I did find a framer about an hour away from my home who uses stainless steel pins to mount canvases.

I've aked the fine members of ANG's Yahoo Group List if anyone has experience with pinning and/or if they've had good luck with the glue down method?  Also, if I use the pinning method, what should I be aware of?   Will my pieces still warp and buckle with pinning?

Stay tuned.  I'll post what I learn.  

Christmas Light Santa Updated 1/21/14

January 21, 2014--Finished all lessons and Santa looks very jolly with those light bulbs on his hat.  As another stitcher had done, I too purchased smaller "bulbs" than those included in the kit.  Found them at Michaels and was told this is an item they carry all year in their buttons group.  At my store in Rehoboth Beach, DE, they were located near the jewelry making supplies.  First finish for 2014.  Yay!

Christmas Light Santa Completed

Light Bulb Buttons on Right Found at Michael's Arts & Crafts Store

December 30, 2013--Done with Lesson 3.  Santa's looking good.

I used dark red thread to attach the beads.  Since I like stitching beads on canvas over two threads, the white nymo was showing.  The red thread can be seen, but only if looking from the top or bottom.  Looking forward to Lesson 4.

Christmas Light Santa Lesson 3

December 25. 2013--Lesson 2 is done.   Santa's coming alive now that his beard and most of his hat are done.  This is such a delightful project to work on.  But must admit, had a hard time stitching the beard so that the drawn lines on the canvas wouldn't show.  Had to "punch" into adjacent stitching to cover the lines.  Succeeded for the most part.    Since it'll take a another week to get santa finished, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with lots of fun stitching.

PS--back stitched over the top of santa's cheeks to hide the canvas black line which was showing .  Worked nicely.

Christmas Light Santa Lesson 2

December 21, 2013--Lesson 1 done.  Noticed that I didn't properly stitch over the drawn lines of the cheeks, so the line is showing.  Wonder if some backstitching on both cheeks (using the same color thread as in the cheeks) would work?

Christmas Light Santa Lesson 1

 November 6, 2013--I love Janet Zickler Casey's santas and am excited to take the new online class from Shining Needle Society (SNS) beginning December 9th called Christmas Light Santa.  This santa is identified as the 17th in the series.   I understand SNS will be offering some of Janet's older santas and I'll certainly collect them as they are made available.  The only other santa I have so far is Candy Cane Santa.

Blog Update

January 15, 2014--Not doing much stitching these days.  Traveled to Canada for their Ice Wine Festival in the Niagara Falls area (that was a blast) and celebrated a wedding anniversary.  Life is good.

View of Niagara Falls from my hotel room on the 41st floor

Did, however, manage to complete one of the segments of the Stitches for Effect class I started last October and am half way through the second.  Also nearly finished two other projects from online classes.

Then I volunteered to pilot stitch a project due in April about which I cannot blog, so I'll be silent on that front.

Lots of work in progress and will have more to write about soon.

Happy stitching.

Needlework Exhibit 2014 in Rehoboth Beach, DE updated 1/2/14

January 2, 2014--The information packet with application form for the 4th Annual Rehoboth Beach Museum Needlework Exhibit is now on their website.

This is a fun exhibit to participate in as well as visit.  And a great excuse for Rehoboth Beach vacationers to arrive early in 2014 to catch this event.

November 19, 2013--The Rehoboth Beach Museum is announcing its 4th Annual Needlework Exhibit in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware from March 15 to May 11, 2014.  I was so happy to see that Spirit by Sue Reed was chosen for their marketing piece (picture above) and Sue Reed was kind enough to approve the use of this project for their flyer.

Halloween Treat Updated 10/29/14

October 29, 2014--Back from the framer just in time for Halloween.

Halloween Treat Framed

December 17, 2013--Found these non-scary cuties (buttons and witch applique) while at Britex in San Francisco, CA, to place onto Halloween Treat.  Now to decide whether or not to have this project framed or simply backed with fabric and an easel.

Halloween Treat Decorated

August 23, 2013--This little bit of scariness is done.  Love the ghost and bargello sections.  Now to find the most frightening buttons possible to place in three of the areas filled with scotch stitches.  If the best buttons have shanks, I can cut them off with wire cutters and secure them to the canvas with stitches around small parts of the design.  Would love to find a little, dangly skeleton.

August 17, 2013--Started working on this delightful Halloween Treat after our ANG chapter met on Monday and went over all of the sections.  Thank you RJ for a wonderful job in highlighting areas which will require some attention.  We started with Area 2 shown below.  It's unfortunate the camera doesn't pick up the shine of the RG Petite Sparkle Rays used for the ghost.  It looks like he's shimmering right up to you out of the background.

Area 2 of 13

July 8, 2013--Delaware's Seashore Chapter of ANG is doing Marilyn Owen's Halloween Treat, taken from the most recent Chapter Project Book.  Before we can have our class at the August meeting, we were assigned prestitching of the outline.  Had to concentrate on my stitching at each intersection--the gobelin stitches are over two except at the intersections where some were over 3 (avoiding a lot of over one compensation).   Looking forward to getting this completed in time for Halloween.

Holiday Wreath by LJP Designs

December 14, 2013--Just purchased the instructions for Laura J Perin Designs Holiday Wreath.  Her blog just announced it's availability and what a beautiful project.  Don't know when I'll be able to begin working on this, but will plan for sometime next year.

Holiday Wreath Project Photo from LJP Designs

Bargello Ribbons Ornament Updated 12/10/13

December 10, 2013--Below are pictures of the finished results.  Made two ornaments--one for me to practice finishing techniques and the second for the ANG Delaware's Seashore Chapter Holiday Lunch and Ornament Exchange on December 9th.  This was the first time "stuffing" an ornament and I found it much easier than glueing canvas and fabric around poster board.  I hand stitched the trim along the edges, but next time will try using my brand new glue gun to attach trim.  A fun project all-in-all.

Front

Back

October 1, 2013--Have begun stitching Liz Morrow's Bargello Ribbons Ornament published in Needlepoint Now magazine, September/October, 2013 issue.  This will be part of Delaware's Seashore Chapter's Holiday Ornament Exchange in December, so pictures of the finished project will not be posted until after the exchange.  But I can show the colors I've chosen below.   The RG Patina, Renaissance Green, was a table favor at the 2012 ANG Seminar Banquet and it is beautiful in this project.  The blue/green Kreinik found in my stash is called Peacock, a perfect match for the green Threadworx Floss.

Bargello Ribbons Ornament Project Photo from Needlepoint Now Magazine

Paper Gift Box Tutorial

Paper  Gift Box Tutorial

(My Holiday Gift to You)

December 7, 2013--The instructions below are for making a paper gift box, top and bottom.  These little boxes are wonderful for holiday ornaments, etc. and can be made out of festive papers (thick type).  

1.  You’ll need 2 equal size pieces of scrabbooking paper, scissors, pencil and a long ruler.  Remove ¼” from 2 sides of the sheet you want to use for the box bottom.  The rest of the instructions are the same for both the box top and bottom.

2.  Draw 2 lines from corner to corner, intersecting at the middle.  Be as accurate as possible.

3.  Fold each corner towards the middle intersection, wrong sides together.

4.  This is what it looks like when all 4 corners are folded towards the middle

5.  Fold each point back on itself towards the box edge, right sides together

6.  This is what it looks like when all 4 points are folded back

7.  Open out all the folds as shown below

8.  Now fold each point to meet the 2^nd fold on the wrong side.  Do 4 times.

9.  Open up all the folds.

10.  Make 4 cuts on 2 sides ONLY.   The 2 cuts on each side should be 3 folds deep (from the points) on each side of the center line.

11.  .Fold the uncut point into the shape of a box side.

12.  Fold other uncut side into a box shape.  It will look like the picture below

13.  Now fold the 2 cut sides into box shape.

That's it.  Wrap some ribbon around it, attach a pretty bow, and you're done.  I hope you enjoy making this little gift box and let me know if you have any questions.