Oriental Butterfly Class - 1/27/16

January 27, 2016--Signed up to take an ANG CyberPointers Chapter workshop called Oriental Butterfly taught and designed by Ann Strite-Kurz.  The class begins April 1st and runs through June 1st of this year.  I'm now ready--just purchased some beautiful teal/aqua threads to use in this project.

Oriental Butterfly by Ann Strite-Kurz Project Photo

Oriental Butterfly Threads 

Rehoboth Beach Museum 6th Annual Needlework Exhibition

January 11, 2016--The Rehoboth Beach, DE Museum, has just announced its 6th Annual Needlework Exhibition from March 19 through May 22, 2016.  Below are the Exhibition Details and Entry Form.

Come early for your beach vacation and visit the museum at the same time.

Please note if you plan on exhibiting (and I hope you do), your pieces must be submitted between February 26th and March 13th.    If you have any questions, please comment below.   I have worked as a volunteer at the exhibit for the last 5 years as well as having entered pieces of needlepoint as an exhibitor.

Rehoboth Beach Museum

6th Annual Needlework Exhibition

March 19, 2016 through May 22, 2016

(The museum is CLOSED TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, and THURSDAYS)

On behalf the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society

Entries accepted February 26 through March 13, 2016

(The Museum is CLOSED TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS)

Exhibition details

EXHIBIT DATES:

March 19 through May 22, 2016

LOCATION:

511 Rehoboth Avenue, at the entrance to the City of Rehoboth Beach, near the lighthouse traffic circle and the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.

EXHIBITION HOURS:

Monday and Friday, 10-4, and Saturday and Sunday, 11-3.

DAILY ADMISSION FEES: Exhibitors only may visit the museum for free. Admission is by donation for all others.

RECEPTION:

There will be a closing reception for exhibitors May 22 from Noon to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served. You may pick up your work then.

ELIGIBILITY:

Each entry must be the work of a living person and appropriately finished. We reserve the right to display items in the manner we deem most appropriate and to refuse items deemed inappropriate for display. Entries requiring hanging must be wired. No saw tooth hanging devices will be accepted. Entries must be labeled with the stitcher’s name and phone number.

DIVISIONS:

Adult: For stitchers 18 years old or older.

Junior: For stitchers 17 years of age or younger at the time the work was completed.

CATEGORIES:

Original

A unique design and composition, which is entirely the product of the stitcher’s own mind and hands. This includes interpretations of nature and art through stitching.

Commercial

Works using any element of a designer’s pattern for needlework. Includes: charted or painted canvas, printed graphs, kits, class projects, and minor alterations thereto.

TECHNIQUES:

·      Beadwork

·      Canvaswork/Needlepoint: Traditional, multi-stitch (4+) or painted canvas

·      Counted Thread: Including Blackwork, Cross Stitch          (even weave), Drawn thread, Hardanger

·      Sampler: Traditional or Multi-stitch (4+)

·      Embroidery: Including but not limited to Crewel,          Goldwork, Silk Ribbon, Stumpwork, Surface, White          Work.

·      Heirloom Sewing: Smocking, Fine hand sewing, Needle Lace, Quilting (please note, only those quilts awarded prizes will be displayed in full due to space constraints).

·      Lace: Bobbin Lace, Battenburg, Filet Guipure, etc.

·      Miniature: 32-count or higher, over one thread

JUDGING:

A nationally certified judge will award ribbons. Major award winners will be announced just prior to the opening reception.  Entrants should fill out forms carefully to ensure that each piece is properly classified. The Historical Society reserves the right to re-classify entries.

AWARDS:

Best in Show – across all techniques

First Place, Second Place, Third Place – for each technique

Honorable Mention  - the judge reserves the right to choose the number of honorable mention winners

People’s Choice – by popular vote

All entries must remain at the Rehoboth Beach Museum for the duration of the exhibition.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ENTRIES: Five.  Entries must not have been in previous RBHS exhibits, but may have been in  other shows.

ENTRY FEES:

Members of RBHS: $5 per entry, $5 per additional entry

Non-members:  $10 per adult entry, $5 per additional entry

Juniors:  $5 junior entry, $1 each additional entry. 

Sets containing several items will be charged $1 for each additional item.

Make checks payable to Rehoboth Beach Historical Society (RBHS), 511 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Society Memberships are available:

Individual: $25

Household: $35

Supporting: $50

Anna Hazzard: $100

Membership is tax-deductable. Please send a separate check for membership.

ENTRIES BY MAIL:

PLEASE NOTE: Entries will be accepted by mail but will not be returned by mail. All entries must be picked up at the museum. Entries MUST BE RECEIVED BY March 13, 2016. Entries by mail must be shipped in a sturdy container and must contain a completed entry form. Mailing address: Rehoboth Beach Museum, 511 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Please call (302) 227-7310 for information.

HAND DELIVERED ENTRIES:

Exhibitors are urged to pre-register by sending completed forms and fees in the mail to The Rehoboth Beach Museum by February 25, 2016. Please make checks payable to the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society. Walk-in entries are accepted February 26  through March 13, 2016, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. NOTE: The Museum is closed Tuesdays through Thursdays. No entries will be accepted after March 13, 2016. Entries must be picked up by May 26 , 2016.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1.   Insurance coverage is the responsibility of the owner/depositor.

2.   The depositor warrants that he or she holds full and clear title to the object(s) identified on the face of the entry form or is the agent of the owner authorized to deposit the objects(s) with the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.

3.   All objects may be examined, photographed, measured, or otherwise reproduced for educational or promotional purposes.

4.   The object(s) will be returned only to the depositor unless RBHS is notified in writing to the contrary.

5.   If objects are not picked up by the last pick-up date, a $5 per day storage fee will be charged. After 30 days, the object will be deemed an unrestricted gift to the museum.

ENTRY FORM – Maximum 5 entries

Please reproduce this form or print from www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org

(please attach a photo of your work if possible and an artist’s statement)

Stitcher Name_________________________________________

Exhibited by___________________________________________

Address______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Phone (home) _______________Phone (cell) _______________

Email (print CLEARLY) _______________________________

Division:     _____Adult        _____Junior      

Category:   _____Original   _____Commercial

Technique:  

_____ Beadwork               _____ Canvaswork/Needlepoint _____ Sampler                          _____ Counted Thread/Cross Stitch

_____ Embroidery            _____ Heirloom Sewing/Quilt

_____ Miniature               _____ Lace  ___Mixed Media

Title __________________________________________

Measurement:  Length____      Width____

Description (framed piece, pillow, etc.) ___________________

Thread Count: ________ Pattern Source/Class _____________

In submission of this entry I hereby agree to abide by the stated rules of the exhibition, and terms and conditions listed on the enclosures. 

Signature   _________________________       

Entries accepted at the museum 511 Rehoboth Avenue * (302) 227-7310

# of entries __ times Entry Fee = $_________       

                           (office use only) AMT Cash $________    Check #________  

Labels: Print clearly and affix one label to each piece or use your own.

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Name of Stitcher: __________________________________________

Title of Piece: _____________________________________________

Technique: ________________________________________________

Shingles Ornament Updated 1/3/16

January 3, 2016--Just now added cording to this piece, making it into a really lovely ornament.

Shingles Ornament Completed

November 3, 2015--Earlier this year Gay Ann Rogers, a well known needlework designer, developed a serious case of shingles which kept her down for many months.  She wrote about her experience, encouraging everyone to get the shingles shot and share stories about shingles which she later published on her web site (link below).   For each story sent to Gay Ann, the sender received free instructions for the Shingles Ornament she designed (my story is number 52).  I have completed the stitching of this beautiful ornament and will have it finished similar to the style shown on her web site.

Note:  Gay Ann reports she has closed this offer and the Shingles Ornament is no longer available.  But no fear, she has many, many other beautiful designs offered for sale in the Spring and Fall.

Shingles Ornament

Ort Collection

January 1, 2016--My first post of the year and it's all about orts.  I did a little needlepointing in the 70's and 80's, but didn't start up again until 2009.  Since then, I've been saving all the leftover bits and pieces from completed projects--six years worth--transferring them from my blue and white ort box to a zip lock baggie.   I plan on using these orts to stuff a medium size pillow, needlepointing the front to say ORTS in grand and colorful letters.  The top will have a zipper so I may keep stuffing the pillow with orts from future projects.

Wishing everyone a happy and joyous 2016 with lots of orts in your future.

Ort Collection 2009 - 2015

PS - I can see a lot of yellow and brown/red wool threads in the bag which came from stitching a Mt. Vernon seat cover.  A true labor of love which I wrote about in my Mt. Vernon, VA Seat Cushion blog.

Star Crossed Ornament Updated 12/7/15

December 7, 2015--Finished these "stars" into two ornaments.  Love how they came out and they are quiet large--5.5" in diameter.  One of these ornaments will be part of my ANG Delaware's Seashore Chapter's Holiday Lunch and Ornament Exchange which is taking place today.  Hope the recipient likes it.   Tried something a little different for my signature on the back's red velvet fabric.  Just initials with the date (done on my Bernina sewing machine).  Like how it came out.

Star Crossed Ornaments Finished

Star Crossed Ornament Back

August 31, 2015--Completed all the stitching on the five arms and outlined the star with red Kreinik thread.  I like how the Kreinik seems to hide irregularities in stitch compensation along the diagonal lines.  The green basting thread will assist me in finishing the star as a round ornament.  Instead of adding stitches to the star's background, I'll back the canvas with a shiny white fabric since the canvas itself has opalescent threads running through it (can't see it in the pictures).  I'm very pleased at how well it came out.

Completed

Fifth Arm Complete

August 26, 2015--Moving along nicely--fourth arm completed.  Stitching two of these ornaments at the same time, so it's taking time to do each section.  The compensation stitches aren't easy to do along the diagonal lines of the star and I'm constantly aware of the chance to "over stitch" a pattern.

The project photo (first picture below) shows this as a round ornament with no background stitching.  I'm thinking of doing a light coverage darning pattern using a very shimmery thin thread in the background.  Hmmm....will have to play with that idea.

Fourth Arm Completed

August 18, 2015--Third arm of the star is completed.  Compensating the stitches along the angle of each arm is a challenge and I may have to outline each arm to cover up discrepancies and other irregularities (LOL).

Third Arm Completed

August 12, 2015--Second arm of this delightful ornament is stitched.  Looking forward to seeing how the colors will look when the third arm is done.

Second Arm Completed

August 7, 2015--The basting and first arm of the star is stitched.  There was lots of basting, but it was necessary to properly line up the inside and outside points of the star.  Also makes a nice guide for compensating.  Susan Jones, however, has written very detailed instructions on where to place the basting stitches and how to compensate the complicated stitches in each star arm, so very little has to be decided upon.  Easy, peasy :-).

Basting

First Arm of the Star Stitched

August 4, 2015--Started stitching Susan Jones Star Crossed ornament.  This project is from the July/August issue of Needlepoint Now magazine and the challenge of variations and compensation stitches is right up my ally.  Below is a project photo.  In process pictures will be posted as each arm of the star is stitched.

Star Crossed Ornament Project Photo

Road Trip to the Needlearts 2015

November 15, 2015--I just returned from a wonderful weekend of stitching and camaraderie at the 20th Annual Road Trip to the Needlearts Retreat sponsored by SSP (Stitching Sisters Presents).

The three "sisters", pictured below from left to right, are

• Cindy Knowles of The Hang Up in Sterling, VA
• Ellen Meyer of In Stitches Needlework in Alexandria, VA
• Michelle D. Arsenault of Michelle Ink Designs in Laurel, MD

I had the good fortune of sitting with these terrific ladies as well as (from left to right), Patty Yergey, Needlework Designer of Samplers Revisited, Patricia Eaton with In Stitches and Wanda Kellum.

We wanted for nothing all weekend.  The hotel was very comfortable and the stitching lounge was airy, spacious and well lit.  We were fetted with a reception on Friday and a catered dinner on Saturday.   The three "sisters" also had a boutique open with all types of needlework goodies to purchase.   And the stitching--so many beautiful projects being worked on by all of the participants.  The weekend also included a trip to see the Needlework Exhibit at Montpelier Mansion.  

The coordinators are thinking about holding the next retreat in March, 2017 to coincide with the Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit in Alexandria, VA.  Looking forward to that one!

Silver Bell Santa Updated 10/22/15

October 22, 2015--Finally finished stitching this delightful santa.  There's lots of dimension on this santa as can be seen in the second picture (but the beads aren't showing).  Will eventually have this santa and others made into ornaments.  How adorable they'll look on my tree.

Silver Bell Santa Completed

Silver Bell Santa Completed Side View

July 29, 2015--Along with the hat, all of santa's hair is stitched--beard, mustache, sideburns and eyebrows.  The last thing to do is the fur on the hat.  The beard is very shiny and had to take a side view so the beads would be visible.

He's a cutie.

All Hair Stitched

Side View of Beads in Beard

May 11, 2015--Signed up to take this class from the Shining Needle Society in December, 2014 and am just now able to work on it.   Only the face has been stitched, but it's nice to see santa "come alive".  Love these Janet Zickler Casey santas--they are fast to stitch and Janet's instructions are so easy to follow.

Face Completed

Beachcomber's Booty - Updated 3/16/16

March 16, 2016--Won 3rd Place Ribbon for Canvaswork at the Rehoboth Beach Museum 6th Annual Needlework Exhibit.

March 7, 2016--Placed this project into a 6.5" box top with an antique finish white paint.  Love it.

Beachcomber's Booty Box Top

October 20, 2015--Finished this beautiful project and will now shop for a box with an insert top.   Enjoyed seeing how easy the blackwork stitches were to execute.

Beachcomber's Booty Completed

October 7, 2015--My local ANG chapter, Delaware's Seashore Chapter, was fortunate to have Ann Strite-Kurz teach us a class called Beachcomber's Booty.  It's a beautiful sand dollar design (it's our chapter's logo).

Below is a picture of my project so far.  It's fun to work these beautiful stitches and I hope to have it done this month.

There's a story behind this.  Linda,  another chapter member, and I took a class from Ann at the 2012 Philadelphia ANG Seminar.  While there, Ann told us about her beach house in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  We asked Ann if she would be willing to teach a class when in Delaware and shared contact information.  Well, earlier this year she wrote to say she would be here in October and asked if we were still interested in having her teach a class.  We answered with a resounding yes, yes, yes!

Ann brought some examples of her pieces along with anything we wanted to purchase (saving us lots of shipping costs).  We drooled over her techniques and marveled at the results.

Thank you Ann for a wonderful learning experience and we'll have a beautiful project when done.

Beachcomber's Booty in Process at 10/7/15

Namaste Cases

September 10, 2015--I like needlepointing in the car and found it difficult to have tools at my fingertips.  Attaching them with magnets to a metal board worked well, but then had to insert the whole board into a bag to keep the items from detaching themselves when put away.

Then I found these delightful Namaste magnetic cases.  I purchased two in the eggplant color--one large for traveling, the other to keep the "smalls" in one place while in my happy chair at home.  The large one is perfect.  I'm able to place many tools in the bottom section of the case and keep my needles nicely organized and protected under the flap in the top portion.

Large Case Opened - Bottom (my ort box is on the right)

Large Case Opened - Top

Namaste Magnetic Cases - Large and Small

Small Case Opened - Bottom

PS  The needle guide attached to the insert of the large case is from The Needle Index, 1996 Valley Quail Chapter, EGA Walnut Creek, CA

Montpelier Mansion Needle Art Exhibit Updated 9/4/15

September 4, 2015--Just received information about this year's Needle Art Exhibit at Montpelier Mansion, Laurel, MD in November, 2015.

It's a beautiful venue for displaying needlework and I'm looking forward to this year's exhibit.

Montpelier Mansion, Laurel, MD

November 24, 2014--Recently visited the Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD to see their 19th Annual Needle Art Exhibit which runs from November 1 through November 30, 2014.   I was joined by a co-member of the ANG Delaware's Seashore Chapter and we were amazed at the number of beautiful samplers displayed, but dismayed at the very few needlepoint pieces (less than 5 from what we could tell).   The samplers, however, were so wonderful that I'm seriously considering doing one.  A trip to In Stitches in Alexandria, VA is in order.

Fortunately we met the organizer for this event and she told us that needlepoint exhibits are most certainly welcomed and was pleased to learn that our Delaware chapter members would be very interested in exhibiting our pieces at Montpelier next year.  The entry fee is $5 per item and there is no limit to how many pieces you can exhibit.   I for one love the venue.

Pumpkin Coasters in Reversible Cross Stitch Updated 8/19/15

August 19, 2015--Stitched the border on the second set of coasters--a gingham pattern in black.  Love how well the technique is working.  The below pictures show front and back of two coasters.  Next step--stitching the cute pumpkins.

Second Pattern Front

Second Pattern Back

August 9, 2015--Signed up to take Catherine Jordan's online class through the Shining Needle Society (SNS) called Reversible Cross Stitch Pumpkin Coasters (project photo below).  There are four coasters to stitch with floss, in two different patterns, on Zweigart Biella 28 count fabric.

Yesterday I began to stitch the outline of one of the designs and discovered early on that I had to increase the magnification of my glasses.  Doing so made a tremendous difference in the quality of my stitches.  The technique learned is a challenge, requiring full attention to each stitch.  Catherine's instructions, however, are wonderful and she even included a password to access a special online, very, very helpful, video to see how the stitches were done.

I also had to zigzag the edges to keep the fabric from unraveling.  Why zigzag using red thread?  It's what was on my sewing machine and I was too lazy (lol) to change the thread.

The whole idea of the technique I'm learning is for the cross stitches to look the same on the front and back.  I've somewhat succeeded with doing this, but hiding beginning and ending threads is still a bit of a challenge for me.  The idea is to NOT have the tails showing under the cross stitches on either side.   Getting there.

First Pattern Front

First Pattern Front Closeup

First Pattern Back

Second Pattern Back Closeup (note:  logo makes the bottom stitches look incomplete)

Catherine Jordan's Reversible Cross Stitch Pumpkin Coasters Project Photo

Paper Clips Embellished 6/2/15

June 2, 2015--I love these dressed up paper clips and want to thank Funk & Weber Designs for their fun tutorial.

I did take the liberty, however, to make a few changes and/or additions as noted in the instructions below:

Supplies:  18 count Interlock canvas
                  Caron Watercolours (1 strand)
                  Paper Clips 2" long


1.  For each clip, cut the canvas - 44 threads wide by 16 threads high.

2.  Stitch 8 smyrna crosses beginning 6 threads up and over from the left (you will have 6 blank threads on the top, bottom, left and right sides of the smyrna crosses.

3.  Fold each canvas edge at the third thread on all sides.  The pictures below show how the fold is made (front and back) and the pin "marks the spot".

The picture below shows all four sides folded to the back leaving 3 threads in the front and 3 threads folded back

Front Side

Back Side

Step 4.  Satin stitch over 2 threads (leaving far edge thread unstitched on all sides) around the smyrna crosses, being sure to cover the long sides of the paper clip.  Pictures below show front and back of the covered paper clip.  Be sure to leave the rounded edge on the short side of the paper clip unattached as shown.

I now want to play with dressing up the edges, possibly add a raised stem stitch, etc.  

Magnifying Glass - A Must Have Tool

May 27, 2015--A month or so ago I purchased a Naturalight magnifying glass that has an LED light and a large enough clip to fit and hold tightly unto evertite stretcher bars.  It also has two swing out "legs" on each side so it can sit on a table top.

At first I thought I would only use it for the smallest of stitches on congress cloth, but now I want to use it all the time.  My current project is on 18 count dark blue canvas, stitching with dark blue threads, and the new magnifying glass is proving invaluable.  The photo below shows how well it magnifies.  You can even see the inset lens enlarging a portion of the snowflake .  I'm hooked!

PS  I've been warned to keep a cover over the glass when not stitching to avoid burns.  Now I'm remembering grade school experiments using magnifying glasses and how quickly something can be set on fire.