Friendship Circles - Updated 9/29/22

September 29, 2022--Won 3rd Place Ribbon for Canvaswork/Needlepoint category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 10th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

November 18, 2021--This delightful project (scroll down for details) is now framed (done by Michael's Arts & Crafts in Rehoboth Beach, DE) and is hanging in my craft room (second photo below) with other needlepoint related items.  BTW the large "N", information about which can be found here, stands for Needlepoint (so say I).

Thanks Checkerspot Stitchers of ANG for choosing such a fun project to celebrate your chapter's anniversary.

Top to Bottom:  Friendship Circles, Needlepoint Studio, Letter "N", Spools

June 10, 2011--Finished the decorative stitches a lot faster than anticipated and this project is now ready for the framer.   The bump in the middle is caused by the golden needle placed in between the heart openings in the center "diamond".  Hopefully it isn't disturbing the canvas enough to cause problems with framing.  I'll place a heavy weight on it to try and flatten it out a bit.  All in all a totally enjoyable piece to work on.  Thanks Debbie L. of ANG Checkerspot Stitchers Chapter for great notes.

 

Friendship Circles Completed

June 9, 2021--The stitches inside the circles (through number 8) are done as well as the background.  The next step is to place the needlepoint related decorative stitches inside the diamond shaped areas. 

Almost there.

Friendship Circles Through Stitch 8

March 18, 2021--Worked two stitches this month--3 and 4.  Wanted to finish two of the circles before putting this away for next month.  This is a very challenging project.  The sections have complex, compound stitches that require lots of compensation.

Friendship Circles Through Stitches 3 and 4

February 20, 2021--This month's installment, Stitch 2, is completed and this project will be put away until next month.  A large project such as this one seems much less daunting when divided into 12 month segments.  

Friendship Circles Through Stitch 2

January 22, 2021--I've just completed Stitch 1 placed in two areas of the interlocking circles and decided to do one stitch each month which will take me through August (there are eight different stitches used).  Then I'll work on the five decorative logos to be placed in the circle centers, then the background.  That should take me through December.  The stitches for the interlocking circles are very complex with lots of compensation along the edges.  But a fun challenge non the less.

Friendship Circles Through Stitch 1

January13, 2021--To celebrate a recent anniversary, the Maryland Checkerspot Chapter of ANG (of which I am a member) is stitching Friendship Circles taken from the ANG 2019 Chapter Project Book (CPB).  It's a lovely project designed by Carol Algie Higginbotham with needlepoint related logos stitched in the areas between the interlocked circles.  When finished, I'll have it framed and hang it in my craft room.  This is my progress to date....

Friendship Circles progress to date

Bargello Rose - Updated 11/16/21

November 16, 2021--Just picked up this project from Michael's Arts & Crafts in Rehoboth Beach, DE and love it.  The mats coordinate perfectly with the rose and stem while the frame picks up a bit of copper in the border stitches.    

Bargello Rose Framed

Bargello Rose - Updated 7/14/21ly 14, 2021--The stitching on this beautiful rose is finished and the project is ready for framing.  Learned a number of new things and am proud to have gotten through some of the more difficult segments.  Love the border stitch and it has a surprise of shiny color along the upper and lower edges which doesn't show in the photo.  We students had the option of using Chinese characters in the "chop" block or our initials and date.  I opted for the latter.  Now for an oriental styled frame and mat.  Stay tuned.

Bargello Rose Completed

July 5, 2021--Happy Independence Day Holiday.

Had some time yesterday to begin working on a new project offered by ANG's CyberPointer Chapter called Bargello Rose designed by Wendy Moore.  The lessons are offered over five days during the chapter's online July meeting and are wonderful supplements to the instruction manual received with the kit (canvas and threads).   It's a huge piece--the canvas measures 18" x 11" and when framed, will be quite large.  

Finally got it through my thick skull on how to work the direction of bargello stitches--if you're going up the canvas, the stitches are done in a downward direction (from top to bottom).  If you're going down the canvas, the stitches are worked in an upward direction (from bottom to top).  Then, of course, I need to remember to make a tacking stitch to change direction.  

Here is the rose worked through most of Lesson 2.

Bargello Rose Lesson 2 Partial - Closeup

Bargello Rose Lesson 2 Partial

2 comments:

1. 
   Frances W.July 5, 2021 at 2:09 PM

   VERY NICE, i NEED TO START MINE.

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   LindaJuly 5, 2021 at 3:02 PM

   I love the canvas your using and the bargello so far is beautiful ! Can't wait to see more !

   ReplyDelete

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

Nothing To Blog About--YET! - 10/1/21

October 1, 2021--I'm doing lots of stitching, but there's nothing I can blog about except to say I enrolled in ANG's Master Needlepointer Program and am busy working on the first stage of four.  Hopefully I can blog about the piece I'm working on once it has been critiqued.  Stay tuned.   

Also, I volunteered to work on a couple of pilot projects so won't be able to write about those until the instructor gives the OK.  Maybe I can sneak in a few quick ornaments to write about.

In the meantime, happy October!  This is my favorite time of year--temperatures drop and holidays will soon be upon us.

Cancellation of 10th Annual Rehoboth Beach Museum Needlework Exhibit - 9/9/21

September 9, 2021--I just got word that the Rehoboth Beach Museum is canceling the needlework exhibition for this year.  Ouch!  Here's what the Director of the museum writes:

---------- Forwarded message ---------

We’ve had some roof leaks at the museum, and out of an abundance of caution, we are cancelling the Needlework exhibit. None of the works already dropped off are damaged and the exhibit area has not had any leaks, but we want to make sure nothing happens to your beautiful work.

 

I am so sorry.

 

If you already dropped off work, you will have to come back and pick it up. It is stored safely – please be patient with us when you come to pick up your work.  Of course, your fees will be refunded. We’ve not cashed any checks.

July 15, 2021--The 10th Annual Needlework Exhibition at the Rehoboth Beach, DE Museum is  scheduled from September 18, 2021 through November 7, 2021.  The information summary and application form can be found at the museum's website by clicking here.

Come to the beach in the early Fall and see the exhibition.  Better yet, come around Labor Day to add your entry, then again later to view all the pieces.   Entrants come from all over, not just Delaware, and it's so much fun to see the projects that stitchers have worked on.  Hope to see your piece there.

 

 

 

New Jersey NeedleFest 2021 - 8/31/21

August 31, 2021--Last weekend I attended the New Jersey NeedleFest event put on by Needleworker's Delight of Metchun, NJ where I sat with members of the New Jersey Needle Artists (NJNA) Chapter of ANG.  This year the fest was held at the Hilton in Berkeley Heights, NJ.  

Enjoyed wonderful camaraderie with co-stitchers while viewing projects being worked on by other attendees.  All in all a wonderful day with lots of shopping and very good food.  Even though this is the fourth time I've participated in this event, I'll be sure to sign up for next year, and the year after, and the year after that, etc.

The photo is of a needle minder given to us along with tickets for door prizes (I won a lunch box type of thingie).

Needle Minder

Cashmere Santa - 8/16/21

 August 16, 2021--Another santa cutie designed by Janet Zickler Casey and offered through the Shining Needle Society, called Cashmere Santa, is done.  In keeping with my goal of stitching one old and one new santa each year, I have now met my 2021 quota.  Cashmere Santa was the newest design while North Wind Santa, stitched earlier this year, was a 2003 offering.  

The stitch for the beard on this santa, called Cashmere Cable, was a bit of a challenge, requiring consistent attention to the stitch placement.  I'm now wondering what was Janet's inspiration for this stitch since I'm unable to find it anywhere (at least not in the resources I have).

The second photo below shows the shine and dimension of the threads and beads used.  I love the little mint candy embellishment that came with the kit.

Cashmere Santa Completed

Cashmere Santa Completed Side View

My Vintage Heart - Updated 3/27/21

March 27, 2021--Finished this beautiful heart into an ornament and love how it came out.  Lots of sparkly bling.  Project information can be found below copied from prior blogs.

My Vintage Heart Finished Front

My Vintage Heart Finished Back

My Vintage Heart Kumihimo Cord

My Vintage Heart Kumihimo Cord Setup

December 6, 2020--The bling has been added and wow--it's beautiful.    Purchasing Nancy Cucci's designs and kits with beads is always a lot of fun.  There's a nice surprise at the end when all the beads are attached--shine, texture, dimension, etc.   This project did not disappoint.  

My Vintage Heart Completed

My Vintage Heart Completed Side View 1

My Vintage Heart Completed Side View 2

November 30, 2020--The stitching is done and all sections ready for embellishment with the beautiful (and many vintage) beads Nancy included in the kit.  I love how beads add so much "wow" factor and can't wait to see what this will look like all dressed up.  Stay tuned.

My Vintage Heart Before Beading

November 17, 2020--When ANG's CyberPointers Chapter offered up this heart by Nancy Cucci last June with lessons to begin in November, I signed up immediately.  Her hearts are so beautiful with wonderful bead embellishments, and this heart doesn't disappoint (click on Collections to the right to see other projects designed by Nancy Cucci that I've stitched to date).   I love how she added antique beads to the kit that were accumulated by her over the years.

Here's a photo of the completed outline done in Tent Stitch.  Now the fun begins.

My Vintage Heart Outlined

Blue Diamond Ornament - Updated 3/20/21

March 20, 2021--Finished this tiny diamond into an ornament.  I must admit I almost didn't bother posting on the blog--this is one of the worst finishing jobs I've ever done.  Well, maybe the second worst.  I'm discovering that the smaller the ornament, the more difficult it is to properly finish.   The proof is in the pictures.  I also believe that one of the reasons professional finishers top off their work with lots of bows and fru-fru may be to cover up errors in forming a loop at the top.  It isn't easy stuffing all of that cording into the top of an ornament--something has to give.

Ornament Diamond Blue Completed Front

Ornament Diamond Blue Completed Back

January 27, 2021--Last night I took a Zoom class on how to stitch the below ornament.  

Blue Diamond Ornament

Melita Glavin of  Melitastitches4fun's Blog and a co-attendee of the class, perfectly describes the event as follows:

My EGA Brandywine Chapter hosted a class earlier tonight with Vicky Witterschein so she can gain experience towards her teaching certification with the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN).

Many thanks to her local needlepoint shop, The Edwardian Needle and Pam, for donating 20 kits to each of EGA’s 5 regions. It consists of 5″ x 5″ piece of 18 count canvas, Santa Fe Sage, 2 mm ribbon, Kreinik, pearls, needles, and beading thread.

Vicky led us through the stitches, had video demonstrations, and several of us finished the project during the 2-hour Zoom class. She is well on her to being an excellent teacher.

It could be done as a diamond like I did (2″ x 3″) or a Christmas Tree. Any ribbon thread will work, if I want to make up another. It’s great that the stitches work up easily into 2 different designs.

I chose to stitch the diamond shaped ornament rather than the tree.   It was a fast stitch and one worth repeating.

2 comments:

1. 
   Frances W.February 3, 2021 at 9:17 PM

   Lovely, I’m also signed up. My zoom class is in March. Can’t wait.

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   MelitaFebruary 20, 2021 at 10:12 AM

   Definitely would do another. I love seeing you in Zoom classes and meetings!!

   ReplyDelete

Graph Gripper - 3/13/21

 March 13, 2021--A new favorite tool of mine is the Yarn Tree Graph Gripper.  The "gripper" is large enough to attach to 3/4" wide stretcher bars (but not Evertites).  Often enough I copy a stitch diagram from my instructions and cut off everything but the graph and hold it in place using the Graph Gripper's clip (see photos below).   The Gripper is very flexible and can be maneuvered into any number of positions while not slipping out of place (hope this makes sense).

Yarn Tree Graph Gripper Bent Sideways

Yarn Tree Graph Gripper Kept Upright

North Wind Santa - 3/12/2021

March 12, 2021--I'm continuing to stitch these cute santas designed by Janet Zickler Casey.  This one is called North Wind Santa from 2003.   You can see others I've done by clicking on Collections under the Pages tab on the right.  So far this is number thirteen that's completed.   I've planned to stitch one old and one new each year until I've caught up with all that's available.  There are twelve older ones to work on and Janet designs a new one each year, so I'll be busy for--twelve more years.  Yikes.   

North Wind Santa Completed

North Wind Santa Side View

There's lots of sparkle in the beard.

Delicate Flowers Stocking by Pat Mazu - Updated 3/8/21

March 8, 2021--This is the third stocking finished using a technique I've recently written about.  It's a process that has many steps and takes time, but is worth the effort to proudly say I've finished it myself and saved quite a bit of money to boot.  Of course, it's not perfect, but it's for my personal use only, so enjoy it I will.

Stocking Delicate Flowers Finished Front

Stocking Delicate Flowers Finished Back (Note year of 2015)

Stocking Delicate Flowers Cording Name

Stocking Delicate Flowers Cording Details

July 13, 2015--Have completed the stitching on this piece and am ready to finish it into a stocking.   The side view picture shows the depth and nap of the threads.

Think I'll make the cording out of the two greens and add white.  Love working on projects that take no time to complete.  It's just what I needed.

Completed Stitching

Side View

July 11, 2015--Finished the cuff on this beautiful stocking.  Changed the color of the Kreinik cross stitches from gold to a pale green.  Hope it'll work.  Here's a photo of my progress so far.

Stocking Delicate Flowers Through Cuff

Stocking Delicate Flowers Through Cuff Closeup

July 6, 2015--My local ANG chapter, Delaware's Seashore Chapter, is stitching Pat Mazu's Delicate Flower Stocking from the 2003-2004 Chapter Project Book.  I've got everything together and ready for the class today.  The threads chosen are from my stash and even though not the traditional holiday colors, I think they'll be lovely (I love all greens with a touch of blue in them).

Delicate Flowers Stocking Project Photo

Thread Selections

This is the first post in over a month--was fishing with DH in Canada and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I love being on the water and DH makes fishing so easy for me--he baits my hook and takes the fish off the hook.  All I have to do is reel it in, and that's where all the fun is.  The lakes were so beautiful.

Fishing at Lost Lake Wilderness Lodge, Ontario, Canada