Brenda's Needlepoint Studio: Search results for game is on

Showing posts sorted by relevance for query game is on. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Game is On Checkerboard - Updated 9/19/23

September 19, 2023--Won an Honorable Mention Ribbon in the Canvaswork/Needlepoint category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 11th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE. So pleased.

February 5, 2023--My local framer, Michael's Arts and Crafts in Rehoboth Beach, DE, had a devil of a time putting together the frame that was part of the "Game is On" checkerboard kit. It's an adorable frame with grooves for holding checkers, but the frame itself wasn't squarely cut or mitered evenly, so it looks a bit wonky and uneven. She showed me some of the problem areas, but personally, I don't think it's that bad, so after two tries, I took it home.

The frame and checkers that came as part of the kit were unfinished. In my earlier blog about this project (see the postings below), I wrote about having to spray paint the frame and paint the checkers with a brush. The frame was very easy to spray paint and any unevenness doesn't show since the color is "clear". Painting the checkers was a bit more of a challenge since I've never done anything like this and had to handle each checker nine times to get the top, side and bottom painted twice, then placed one coat of shiny stuff on all twelve checkers. Whew!

So here's a picture of the results. It's really very cute and sits on the bottom shelf of my living room coffee table.

Game is On Checkerboard Finished

January 24, 2022--Just completed stitching 6 rows of basketweave in black all around the checkerboard so the canvas will be totally covered under the glass inside the frame. I also purchased a can of polyurethane to spray the frame, but this won't get done until the weather warms up (want to do this outdoors in fresh air). I also need to purchase some paint for the checker pieces. Lots of bits to take care of, but when done, this will be quite the conversation piece.

Game is On Checkerboard Completed

January 7, 2022--This project is stitched EXCEPT for additional rows needed so that the checkerboard will fill up the the frame that came as part of the kit. I need about 6-7 rows in black basketweave around the project, so I'll do 6 rows then paint a couple of canvas threads in black in case the canvas does show.

Game is On Completed Except for Black Border

December 22, 2021--The stitching is done through Area 8 of this interesting project. I'm loving the stitches, threads, and even the unusual colors. The next border sections, Areas 9, 10 and 11, should go quickly now that I'm over halfway done.

I met with the manager of the framing department in Michaels Arts & Crafts who is willing to help me learn how to paint the frame for this piece, along with the checkers. Once the project is completely stitched and the frame painted, she will then insert the checkerboard into the frame after she has put it together. Fun.

Read below for more information about the source of this project.

Game is On Stitched Through Area 8

December 2, 2021--The checkerboard portion of this project is now completely stitched and I'm ready to work on the borders. They look very interesting with a bit of a challenge.

Game is On Checkerboard Portion Completed

November 20, 2021--I've begun working on a Pilot Stitch project for Susan Hoekstra of Foxview Needlepoint called Game Is On. It's a beautiful checkerboard with amazing stitches using wonderful threads, some of which don't require a laying tool (yay!). So far, I've stitched 36 of the 64 squares, so am a little over half done with the checkerboard portion.

Susan will be teaching this piece at ANG's 2022 Seminar in Tucson, AZ and a photo of the project can be seen on ANG's website (click here).

The kit not only includes a line drawn canvas with delicious threads and excellent instructions, it also comes with a frame that has grooves to hold the checkers that are not in play. Cool. The hard part, though, is having to paint the frame and checker pieces. Since I've never done anything like this, I'll have to ask someone at Michael's Arts & Crafts how to go about getting it done right (if I can find someone there who can help me). Stay tuned on this bit.

Game is On Checkerboard Half Done

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Stitch of the Month 2020 - Updated 12/5/2020

December 5, 2020--All twelve months of this ANG Stitch of the Month project designed by Kathy Rees are done. This was lots of fun with plenty of challenges. I want to make this into a pillow and am trying to determine what type of border to add to the star so it'll have a larger surface. Stay tuned.

SOTM 2020 through the December Lesson

November 9, 2020--The November instructions called for filling in the upper right and lower left areas. However, as suggested by Tina of NJNA Chapter of ANG, I used the Balloon Stitch instead of the Hungarian Stitch recommended by Kathy Rees, the project designer, It's larger than the called for stitch and reflects more light. The December stitch should counterbalance the larger designs done in this and prior months.

SOTM 2020 through the November Lesson

October 12. 2020--October's stitch covered the second portion of the four different background patterns. Coming to the end soon.

SOTM 2020 through the October Lesson

September 6, 2020--Below is a photo showing September's stitch, the Diamond Pavilion in the upper left and lower right blocks. We are definitely approaching the finishing line with 3 more months of different background stitches to be done.

SOTM 2020 through the September Lesson

SOTM 2020 through the September Lesson Closeup

August 10, 2020--The August lesson is now stitched. This lesson covered the last leg of the 8 legged star and as with all the others, got done very quickly. The next four lessons will cover the background stitches. This should make for easy stitching while watching TV.

SOTM 2020 through the August Lesson

SOTM 2020 through the August Lesson Closeup

July 5, 2020--Here's a photo of the 7th star leg stitched as part of the 2020 ANG Stitch of the Month (SOTM) lesson for July. Half way through this project with one more star leg to do. After that it's background stitches with the possible addition of a border. Have six months to think about what would look best.

SOTM 2020 July

June 5, 2020--June's lesson for the 2020 ANG Stitch of the Month (SOTM) is the sixth star leg consisting of waffle stitches. My favorite is worked up in the 2 corners (left and right). Two more legs to go in blue, then the background will be next.

SOTM 2020 June Closeup

SOTM 2020 June

May 9, 2020--Last night I stitched up May's installment (number 5) of the ANG SOTM 2020 project. This month featured the Milanese stitch which I love when using threads that must be laid such as multiple strands of silk floss, Neon Rays types of ribbon, etc. However, using variegated Caron Watercolours for a number of this month's sections didn't show off the stitches as well as some other type of thread could have. But that's why I love doing these ANG SOTM projects--I learn so much and develop confidence to try new things. Now i have to wait until the next lesson is available on June 1st to continue working on this 8 legged star.

SOTM 2020 May Closeup

SOTM 2020 May

April 5, 2020--Here's the fourth installment of the ANG Stitch of the Month project (SOTM) for 2020. The designer, Kathy Rees, skipped a star leg and continued on with the red colors using cashmere stitch variations. Am now thinking about a border to close up the design. Hmmm.

SOTM 2020 April Closeup

SOTM 2020 April

The pink lines on the canvas are basting threads.

March 19, 2020--Just finished stitching March's lesson. This third leg of the star highlights Smyrna stitches with some interesting variations. It's a fun project to stitch...just wish I were doing this under better circumstances (no COVID-19).

SOTM 2020 March Closeup

SOTM 2020 March

February 3, 2020--It didn't take long to stitch up February's lesson. In fact, was able to get this done while watching the Super Bowl game last night (or mostly listening to the game). However, I did look up at the television to watch all the commercials and half-time show. Most of the ads were very entertaining and it was interesting to see the difference in energy levels of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.

SOTM 2020 February Closeup

SOTM 2020 February

January 25, 2020--January's lesson is stitched. Based upon the instructions, I can tell this is going to be a lot of fun to work on.

SOTM 2020 January Closeup

SOTM 2020 January

January 2, 2020--The ANG 2020 Stitch of the Month project looks to be fun while offering stitching challenges. The star designed by Kathy Rees will be great as a "stand up", hanging ornament, etc. I think I'll encase mine in clear plastic and make it into a front door ornament for use on Independence Day.

So far I've downloaded the two files for January (one is an introduction and the other is January's stitching). I really like the blue and red colors used by Kathy, and found some of those threads in my stash. Then ordered what I don't have. I already had a 12" x 12" piece of 18 count mono canvas in white, so will change the background stitches to a very pale, almost white, color rather than the ecru color Kathy used which went with her suggested egg shell colored canvas.

Below is a photo of the basted star. I started to do the outline in #4 pencil, but feared it might look too dirty where the white background stitching met the star. Since the design graph is based upon 6 canvas threads equaling 1 thread in the graph, I basted using a count of over/under 6 threads. Actually faster than counting out each length.

Everything looks a bit messy now because I like having my basting thread knots in front along with their tails to keep an eye on where everything is and easier to remove as each star arm is stitched. You can see I stitch "in the well" and mount my canvas so it sits on the back of the stretcher bars. The tacks on the inside of the stretcher bars are for small magnets which will hold needles.

ANG Stitch of the Month 2020 Basting

Below is a photo of the project as designed and stitched by Kathy Rees.

Monday, March 25, 2024

Parcheesi Anyone - 3/27/24

March 27, 2024--This is a piloted project I stitched for Susan Hoekstra who will be teaching this adorable game board class at the 2024 ANG Seminar in Kansas City, MO. Susan tells me the unusual colors and design were copied from an antique Parcheesi board. The kit includes a line drawn canvas, instructions, threads, frame pieces and parcheesi game "men".

I probably won't use the unfinished frame pieces supplied with the kit, but instead will have my framer set this in a black lacquered frame and add "footies" so it can sit on a table. The parcheesi men supplied are also unfinished and the thought of painting these myself is untenable, especially after I had hand painted all the checkers in a previous pilot stitched project for Susan called "Game Is On". Too fiddly. I'm actually thinking of hitting some second-hand shops for an older parcheesi game just for the game pieces. If I find one with all the playing pieces in colors that I like--that'll be that.

Parcheesi Anyone Completed

Below is a photo of the project taken from the seminar brochure. If you sign up for this project, you're going to love the interesting stitches and scrumptious threads used.

Saturday, December 31, 2022

2022 Year in Review - 12/31/22

December 31, 2022--Happy, happy New Year!

I managed to complete the stitching on 16 needlepoint projects while doing so much else this year (traveled to Europe on a Rhine River Needlepoint cruise, went to ANG's 50th Anniversary Seminar in Tucson, AZ, got COVID twice even while fully vaccinated, had eye surgery in September, did some miscellaneous traveling around the country, finished Stage 1 and in the process of working on Stage 2 of ANG's Master Needlepointer Certification, etc.). Below are pictures from most recent (December) to oldest (January).

Many have not yet been finished into ornaments, framed, etc.--I'm waiting to stitch all the projects in the collections before working them up into ornaments (e.g., Janet Zickler Casey's santa collection and Susan Portra's holiday ornament collection).

Also included in this list are the projects stitched in prior years that have been finished into pillows, ornaments, etc. in 2022.

Hope you enjoy looking at these pictures and walking down memory lane with me. Click on the photo's caption to see more information about each project.