Needleartnut

A few more rows

2012-01-26T17:22:00.000-05:00

I got a few more rows in on Spring today. Not much difference to show but a little.....the original threads are shown below

The canvas is a Sage green and the Needle Necessities is 135, The Anchor is 185 and the Kreinik is 829.
I am using white 18 count, Needle Necessitiers 110, DMC 800 and Kreinik 014.

This one is called Spring

2012-01-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

Today I started on Spring which is another one of the Loretta Spears Designs that will be an ornament. This one is worked on 18 count canvas. I t calls for Anch and overdyed floss and #8 Kreinik. I changed the colors to work with what was in my stash, but they are not much different. I have completed two of the diagonal rows of interlocking squares using the Kreinik and then worked Byzantine step stitches using three strands of Overdyed Needle Necessities.

Brilliance

2012-01-24T17:46:00.000-05:00

Brilliance is another one of the Loretta Spears Design ornaments. This one is 2 inches across. I worked it with the fibers the pattern called for but,of course, changed the colors. I used Kreinik #12 in 003 instead of 012, and gold cord to attach the red beads. Below is the photo on the original pattern.

The Snowflake

2012-01-21T21:19:00.000-05:00

The Snowflake is by Loretta Spears. This piece is
about 2.5 inches across. I worked it on 18 count as directed and the pattern called for Flair in 557 and 558. I used Flair but used 561, the darker, and 566 the lighter. The Kreinik I used is was 014 when it called for 032. The one on the top is the one I stitched. The one on the right is the pattern picture.

And something else

2012-01-18T19:05:00.000-05:00

And something else means I started other new things.....Above is a picture of the Watercolours thread in Fiesta along with the Apricot canvas that came with my October 1991 Christmas Heirloom Club ornament by Lorettta Spears. The lady I got it from says it is called Fiesta Cube.....Now those are definately not my colors but I want to start working some of the ornaments....so of course I changed the colors. I worked my on 18count white canvas and used Watercolours in Holiday and used gold Mill Hill beads. The quarter gives you size perspective of how little this cube will be when I stitch it together....that will be another day

Publish Post

Pattern 8, Aurora

2012-01-17T22:25:00.000-05:00

Pattern 8 started out with Soie d Alger over three in blue and then seafoam over four in the vertical rows. I then laid in the Trebizond and couched it down with two strands of Madiera....lastly, cross stitches over the center vertical bars. And then for perspective, here is the overall shot of what is complete.

Aurora Borealis, Pattern 7

2012-01-16T21:31:00.000-05:00

Today, I got out some of the rotation pieces....this is Aurora Borealis by Marnie Ritter. It was presented in the May June 2001 issue of Needlepoint Now. I cropped the photo so you can better see column two. When I last worked on this, I did the bottom turquoise pattern and today I did the pattern above it, #7. First I laid in the Kreinik Braid and then worked vertical rows of stitches in Waterliles. Last one strand of Soie d Alger distorts the vertically laid metallic so it looks wavy. This pattern is actually Revisited.....I got it from Ms. Ritter at Callaway Gardens in order to get all the different fibers already kitted.

Layers

2012-01-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

Building in the center, I added Star Jessicas in the copper Kreinik between the Crescents I did yesterday. then using Gloriana silk, so yummy!, I stitched Plaited Rays between the Crescents. Look between the Plaited Rays to see the blue Kreinik in the center of each of the Rays. Last,I did loop Crescents inside the large Crescents with Mandarin floss and filled in the center straight lines with Sparkle Braid.

Smyrnas, Crescents and Snow

2012-01-14T22:01:00.001-05:00

So, I finished both borders of Smyrnas in the Nutmeg Waterlilies....love it! Next, using more Nutmeg I worked all the Crescents, again using 3 ply of the Waterlies.....I forgot to mention, this is 18 count canvas and it seems huge after working on the 24 count and that this design area is 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 so the canvas is on 20 x 20 stretcher bars. I have it on the huge oak floor frame and it is working very well. For those of you who have pulled up a chair with your drinks and popcorn.....looking only....no touching!
And, we are up to ten inches of snow since Thursday....big fluffy flakes of the stuff...great to look at from the window!

Snow Day

2012-01-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

So it started snowing last night and then most of today....just about six inches so far....this is the view out the back door....with me inside....warm...dry...so I picked up the chart and the needles. I am working on Cat's Eyes. This design won a 1st place ribbon at the Woodlawn Needlework show last year . It is just one of the beautiful designs by Ms. Biggs and if you have not had the opportunity to see her others, go to www.threedles.com and check them out. She has graciously given me permission to stitch this on the blog, and ask if I have any questions. I had ordered the pattern and all the fibers a bit ago. The pattern pack consists of 43 pages of instructions, charts, graphs and a lot of color in those. She has provided three different colorways to choose from and I am going to stitch the Cleopatra colorway shown in the photo yesterday....with one exception. I am working it on blue canvas not tan.....Areas of the canvas will remain open and I preferred the blue...you know me. So today, this is what I did:

First, a Smyrna cross circle is worked with Waterlilies in Nutmeg....how pretty is that? Then, Petite Frosty Rays formed the star pattern and is overlaid with Kreinik cord to create the star on the star. Last, I moved out and started a border of two rows of Smyrnas using the Waterliles again.

Odds n ends

2012-01-12T21:39:00.001-05:00

I took another picture today of #10 and put it on yesterday's post. It is a better and closer to color picture. Then I sat down and cruised my new book (all of these were from Christmas) by Sandra Arthur....the second one in her series.....I got a little carried away looking through it and did not look at the last DVD from Amy's collection that I did not have....I may have to look at that tomorrow. Then I spent some time looking at the new pattern I got from Threedles....It is called A Different View and this is the cover photo showing the design done in black by Kurdy Biggs. I had to spend some time looking at this one because....

this is the one I put on the frame! I got this quite a while back Cat's Eyes....while I was working on Dorothy Lesher's Snowbird and could not even think about working on it.....then the Noel had to be done, and the Mystic, and the Loretta, but now.......let the needles fly!

#10 Fini-new photo

2012-01-11T21:38:00.001-05:00

I managed to find enough orts to fill in the lower left corner....trust me....six little pieces of thread and we made it! I then went ahead and dis the center design. It is also worked with Needle Necessities, Marlitt, a row of metallic (which was done with a very close substitute, so I could finish the piece today) and then the background stitch with more of the second color of Kreinik.....I had been using 3221 and used 3232 to finish it. Below is a closeup of the center motif.....I will try and get a picture tomorrow with the sun shining so I can try and capture the colors better. I am not putting the perle around the outside of the piece as called for in the pattern.....I like it just fine like this!

Make a note....

2012-01-10T21:03:00.000-05:00

If you are planning on working this design, write this down......I am not done with the design but I used 2 skeins of Marlitt (will have some left), one skein of Threadworx (will have some left), and not using the Perle to go around the outside with the four sided stitch, and now look very closely........I was on the second spool of Kreinik #4 and on the home stretch of finish all the background around all the outside of each motif.....duh?! I ran out again......Write this down......3 spools of Kreinik.....not one, not two, but 3........so I am going through the ort bag....yes, really.....I am going to find enough in there to finish that tiny area on the bottom left or else.....stretching it has come to mind.....standing up and pulling all my hair out has come to mind.....and a lot of new swear words.......back to ort bag diving.....a new art!

More on Lesson Five

2012-01-09T21:00:00.001-05:00

I am working on the pattern around the outside of all the motifs and got a little more than half done. It is all done with a single strand of the Kreinik #4 and does not show up well in the overall picture, but

this is a very closeup and I modified the color so you could see that it is creating little boxes all over!

Back to the Mystery

2012-01-08T21:00:00.001-05:00

Yippee! Stitching again.....I finished the Kreinik metallic in Motif #4, bottom right. I then went and finished the side triangles that are worked with the Needle Necessities and the Marlitt, so those are finished! I am moving right along again!

And the winner is.......

2012-01-05T21:27:00.001-05:00

Random.org has chosen Cyn in Windy Meadows as the winner of the fibers and donut.....Hope you have
fun creating with them Cyn.....send me an email at ndleartnut@aol.com with your address and I will get them in the mail to you!

And to all of you for not only following the blog, but commenting......thanks!

blog Giveaway

2012-01-04T21:20:00.001-05:00

A while ago, I mentioned we are close to 200,000 page views since I started the blog.....first on Yahoo then here. I asked you to leave a comment if you would like to be entered in a drawing and.....drum roll....the
drawing is going to be for 2 skeins of Hyla"s High Cotton, one is Sky 519 and the other is Pacific 524....there is a stone donut with the colors of the fibers and then above that is Crescent Colours in Deep Fennel and Blue Moon......have you left your comment to be entered? Drawing will be done tomorrow....Thursday....check back to see who won!

3 side patterns

2012-01-03T21:40:00.001-05:00

So I worked on the side patterns.....in between the corner patterns....but only the Needle Necessities part! I did get the thread in the mail this afternoon, but decided I had gone this far without it......so I will finish all the NN and then come back and do the Marlitt.....right after I finish filling in the Kreinik #4 in Motif 4......all of a sudden, I feel like I am a long ways behind on this??!!
Pattern availability: I will let you know again that this pattern is no longer available....I am sorry to say....unless you find one on ebay or request one through some of the chat lists and can get it, I don't have any other ideas/options for you.....mine was spoken for a long while ago as is Lara's. This is the unfortunate part of Loretta's patterns...they are very hard to come by......Good luck with the hunt.

Squaring the design

2012-01-02T22:13:00.001-05:00

I got all four corners stitched to start "squaring" the design area. Each corner is worked in alternating rows of Milanese with either two strands of the NN or the Marlitt. I will also run out of the Marlitt, so if you are planning on doing this design, buy more than one skein....I have not done any ripping out so you know, it just takes more than the pattern calls for. I started each corner area in the center of the design and worked out so that they would all be perfectly lined up.
Barbi commented that this is much like Samarkand Tiles by Anna Pearson....
here is the link.....take a look and see what you think...scroll down the page a bit!
http://www.needle-point.co.uk/design_catalogue3.htm

A lot of hither and yon

2012-01-01T22:20:00.001-05:00

Yes, I actually stitched today but not enough progress to show you anything of measure.
Today is my mom's birthday--Happy Birthday again! It finally decided it was going to snow
in Michigan so the party for Mom got cancelled....yes it finally is snowing, quite pretty actually...but
then I am inside! Anyway, so I started taking down the holiday decor, doing laundry, packing and
shipping from the destashing blog, watched it snow, stitched a bit, and here it is ten o'clock and not
much to show for it.....Photos tomorrow!

Oh, and......have you left your comment for the prize yet....maybe I will get that photo taken tomorrow too....
If you have already left a comment, your name is in the pool!

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! No stitching today but hopefully tomorrow! Best wishes for a safe, healthy, prosperous, and needleworking 2012!

Progress on Fascination

2011-12-30T22:31:00.000-05:00

I did the center of Motif #4 which is identical to the one in number 1 and then I started the diagonal over one background. Here is where I ran out of the Kreinik #4....which is on order

Here is a picture of all four motifs.....now an 8 x 8 design on the Congress cloth

So I moved on to Lesson 5 and started in the top left corner. We are doing a Milanese stitch using two strands of Needle Necessities and two strands of the Marlitt in alternating rows. This will be worked on all four corners to "square the design"". Again to make sure that I get the sheen and can control both fibers, I am using my laying tool. As I finish each stitch of the Marlitt, I hold it down with the tip of the BLT-best laying tool-while I bring the needle up in the next stitch. Some people dampen the Marlitt to control it....sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

Nancy asked about the project name and identification.....if you look below my notes you will see that I label each post with the designer name,Loretta Spears, and the name of the project in this case, both Fascination and Mystery #10. Hope that helps

Motif 4 patterns

2011-12-29T21:22:00.000-05:00

Pattern 5 is worked with both the NN and Marlitt....you can really see the sheen in this one

Pattern six is worked in all NN and is a satin stitch pattern that goes from a diamond to a square and seven
is more horizontal satin stitches working the NN first and coming back in with the Marlitt over two threads to create the top pattern

Pattern 8 is all NN and I even changed it a bit to add center stitches in the boxes that were created so as to more fill it in. I will work on the center motif for this motif tomorrow!

Motif #4

2011-12-28T21:15:00.000-05:00

The first pattern is a tied stitch in NN and then surrounded by Marlitt

The second stitch was all worked in two strands of NN. The 3rd large square is worked with half NN and half Marlitt satin stitches

The fourth square is worked in Scotch stitches in NN and half a Scotch on top to create the shapes.
If you are going to work this design, please note both Lara and I think you will need two spools of the Kreinik #4 braid and two skeins of Marlitt. We are not sure yet about the NN and will keep you posted.

And.....don't forget somewhere around the 1st or so,the combination of this blog and the old one should total about 200,000 reads.....if you leave a comment, I will be doing a give away and will use the comment closest to the 200 mark......more details on this later and I will keep you posted as to when we might hit that mark!

Motif 3

2011-12-27T22:02:00.000-05:00

I finished the center pattern and background of Motif 3. The center star is worked the same as Motif 2 and of course the background is the same as the other two. Below is the overall appearance so far. For the contrast in colors be sure and check out Lara's blog: diet pepsi and xanax on my sidebar. Remember she is working this same design in pinks!

Tomorrow, I will start Motif # 4!

Gaining on normal

2011-12-26T20:48:00.001-05:00

Our big festivities are winding down.....whew! It was a lot of fun....we had good company with the family and friends....waay tooo much food! LOL, and of course, lots of laughing and having fun! Today we put away the fancy dishes and tidied up around the house.....we put our gifts where they all belonged and I did manage to stitch a bit but not for long.....I will get back to my normal stitching on Tuesday but tonight i am going to sit and peruse my new stitching books and relax....see you back tomorrow with Motif #3 finished....I hope!

Oh, and somewhere around the 1st or so,the combination of this blog and the old one should total about 200,000 reads.....if you leave a comment, I will be doing a give away and will use the comment closest to the 200 mark......more details on this later and I will keep you posted as to when we might hit that mark!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

2011-12-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Today I wish you all a very Merry Christmas while I am not stitching at all but enjoying family from near and far. I hope you all have a wonderful day and stitching will resume tomorrow

All the patterns

2011-12-24T22:08:00.000-05:00

I finished all the patterns in Motif #3 which is directly below Motif #1. The largest one on the left is done like the one on the right except the center stitch is larger. The other two above and below it are worked in NN again. The little ones were here and opened their presents.....so excited! I am sure they are now snuggled in their beds as they know Santa is on the way......in fact....that may be sleigh bells I hear outside now! I guess I had better head their myself!

Starting Motif 3

2011-12-23T22:22:00.000-05:00

I started at the top of Motif 3 by doing satin stich NN and then a patterned satin in Marlitt. Pattern two is all worked in NN. Three is first an upright cross and then is backstriched in Marlitt. Pattern 4 is all worked in NN and is a slanted gobelin pattern.

Lesson 2 complete UPDATE

2011-12-22T21:44:00.002-05:00


Jane asked for a side by side photo of one and two and here it is. When the sun is out, I will do another.

I finished the center motif. This one started and ended with the Marlitt instead of the NN. The #4 Kreinik is used again to create the rest of the background stitches. The piece now measures 4 high by 8 wide.
Lara is also this far in the pinks....check out her blog in the side bar....diet pepsi and xanax

Lesson 2, blocks 5 to 8

2011-12-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

This is the rest of the blocks for Motif two. All are done in alternating Needle Necessities and the Marlitt. Each variation of stitches is worked to increase the light and texture variations....Next up will be the center motif and background on this motif

Lesson 2, step 2,3,4,

2011-12-19T21:16:00.000-05:00

Step 2 is a pattern all in the NN overdyed and is an alternating pattern of two short and one long stitch.

Step 3 is a horiztontal satin stitch and is worked in alternating rows of the NN and the Marlitt...This is the top one in this motifi.

Pattern 4 is all done in NN and is worked in two steps. All the top left to center stitches are worked and then
the basketweave stitches are put in as step two.

Center and more

2011-12-18T19:05:00.000-05:00

Still in Lesson One, I did the center motif star pattern alternating between the Needle Necessities and the Marlitt with two strands of each over four threads.

Then, the instructions say to use the #4 Kreinik, mine is 3221, and work diagonal rows of Continental inside the blocks....I think this may be very hard to see, but is is very pretty!

Lara and I had a conversation about starting motif #2. I had started where I thought it should go, but was in the wrong place. After we chatted for a bit, we realized the instruction was a tad difficult, but figured out where to start this one. See the single thread between the #3 block of Motif 1 and the first design of block 1 in #2......that is now correct....after I did a bit of rip it! This pattern is first worked with the Needle Necessities and the cross stitch is put in and then the upright cross. The Marlitt is worked then with the upright cross first and the cross stitch second......does that make sense to you? It does make a difference in the stitches......
And....finally.....Motif #1 is 4 x 4 inches on the square.

Seven & Eight

2011-12-16T21:28:00.000-05:00

Pattern 7 is done with both the over dyed and Marlitt in two strands. All of the Needle Necessities is laid in first and then the Marlitt is placed over the little divot created.

Pattern 8 is all done in the Needle Necessities and the pattern is alternated every 4 x 4 to create the effect

This then is all 8 of the patterns in this motif.....See the star shape formed by the box patterns? Now, you should also be able to see the color variations in the fibers caused by the Needle Necessities overdyed as well as the combination of the overdyed to the Marlitt. There is still a bit more to do to finish the motif and I will get busy....

Four, five and six

2011-12-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

Pattern 4 is worked with two strands of overdyed floss and the stitches alternate in each of the little blocks and you will notice her little "dimple" in the center of each.....

Pattern 5 is a larger diamond and is first worked with the over dyed floss and the upright crosses and the cross stitches on top of those are worked. Then 1 strand of Marlitt is used to place the smaller cross stitches in each row.

Pattern 6 was all supposed to be worked in overdyed floss......notice I said supposed to....I did the 4 x 4 cross stitches in the overdyed and then filled in the upright crosses with 2 strands of Marlitt and I like the shine. Since I am doing intense closeup shots for Lara and Becky, you are not seeing actual color variations in the shots at this point in the photos....I am in person, and when I am all the way around this pattern group, I will shoot a distance shot so you can see the variations.

Lesson One

2011-12-14T21:03:00.001-05:00

I have taken close ups of each of the areas I am working on in Lesson one. The first diamond is worked with two strands of the Needle Necessities overdyed and then two strands of the Marlitt for this pattern.

The next square is worked with two strands of the Needle Necessities. First a simple cross stitch is worked and each of the four legs are tied down as I worked across the row. You can see the very subtle color difference in the fiber by doing so.

The next diamond is also worked with two strands of each fiber in alternating rows laid so the sheen is reflective. Loretta always gives great instructions and a sample stitch pattern to ensure understanding.
This area is in the top left section of the canvas and you can see the very beginning of the star shaped inner pattern that is forming.
Lara and Becca are both going to be working this pattern as well.....Lara will be posting on her new blog....diet pepsi and xanax and there is a link to it on the side.....Welcome back to stitching Lara! And, by the way, Lara is a fabulous photographer so check out the links on the bottom of her blog to see some awesome photography......One of these days, I am going to stitch one of her photos!

Mystery # 10

2011-12-13T22:01:00.000-05:00

I am starting Mystery #10, Fascination by Loretta Spears as the next project. The fibers above are the ones called for in the design. From the top is Perle 926, Needle Necessities overdyed 120, #4 Kreinik in color 191, and Marlitt in 1212. While the monitor does not show it as well, there is a lot of yellow in these. I am not a yellow person so I am, of course, switching my fibers to colors that I like.

These are the colors that I will be using. I am keeping the Perl in 925. I will use Threadworx 1030. The Kreinik is #4 in 3221 and the Marlitt is 1034. I will be working on a 12 x 12 piece of Congress in Eggshell.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments on the Cardinal....he is whistling his way to the framer in NC to hang out with his friends and as soon as I can, will post a photo.

A full belly

2011-12-12T22:22:00.002-05:00

I finished the third cardinal! All the stitches on his belly are done and he will join his pals at the framer's!

A surprise to me

2011-12-11T22:01:00.000-05:00

I worked on the bird's body using five strands of Splendor in the knotted stitch. What surprised me was how long it took to get this far! I will finish him tomorrow as I did get the wings and his legs done too. All that is left is the small tummy area!

All the background

2011-12-10T21:50:00.000-05:00

I made it! Who would have thought that such a small canvas would take so long to do the background on? I maybe should have done a different stitch, but wanted the Brick stitch for unity on all three of them....Now, for the fun stuff. tomorrow I do the bird!

Probably at least one more

2011-12-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

I managed to get all along the right side stitched but figure at least one more session and then the background will be done!! Yippee!

Made it!

2011-12-07T21:39:00.000-05:00

Yup, finished the left side down to the bottom. I am so pleased to get that far.....tomorrow it is back over to the right side. Even though I am not sure if this will be framed as a square or oval, stitching all this much background gives my framer the option to do which ever looks best with the other two cardinals.

Back in business!

2011-12-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

The Panache came in the mail and I got to stitch too! Woohoo! I got clear down to the foot on the left. Panache is a bit slippery and twists easily in the needle, so do a few, drop the needle, repeat! I hope to get clear to the bottom tomorrow!

Mystery # 10

2011-12-05T20:54:00.000-05:00

My threads came today! These are the fibers that I will be using when I start Mystery #10 by Loretta Spears called Fascination later this week and I also got the Panache so I can continue on the background for the third cardinal. I will resume stitching on him tomorrow. Since it is a mystery project, I can't show you what it will look like as there is no photo. However, I will tell you that I substituted colors. Her design has a lot of yellow in it and I am not so much a yellow fan, so I switched up to more beiges.

I might have known

2011-12-02T21:00:00.001-05:00

Yes, I thought one and a half cards of Panache would do the background. I was wrong again. You see how far I got down the side. Not to worry...I already ordered it and hope it is here tomorrow or Monday. So...I started on the tail. I am using five strands of Splendor 820 and doing the Knotted stitch.....just like on the other two!

The tree

2011-12-01T21:37:00.000-05:00

Instead of stitching today, I did the holiday decorating....the tree is up, the candles are out, and pictures
are hung. DH says that there is not a square inch that doesn't have holiday stuff.....He lies! LOL

Next up, wrap presents, but I can do that and get to stitch tomorrow too!

Top of the tail

2011-11-30T21:40:00.000-05:00

I "bricked it" down to the top of the tail! I know, background is boring, but, it has to be done....tomorrow I will start down the side of the body and see how far I can get!

Row after row

2011-11-29T21:54:00.000-05:00

I am working on the Brick stitch background and that is all I did today. I did manage to get to the berries though. Correction: I am using Panache not Patina. Jane thinks he looks like he is whistling....I can see that!

Getting started

2011-11-28T21:19:00.000-05:00

I am working the background on this one in the Brick stitch over two threads, just like the other two, except I am using Patina 02. It has some sheen to it and he is a small design. I want him to coordinate with the other two so I did some of the top rows. I then used five strands of Splendor 820 and did the berries at the top. I also used five strands of black Splendor and did the face and the right foot print....more tomorrow.

The third bird

2011-11-27T21:52:00.000-05:00

Here is the final cardinal by Charley Harper that I will stitch to go into the grouping of three. He is a happy little guy with a design area of 5 x 8. I plan on doing him very similar to the other two so the grouping will
"work" together. Let the needles begin!

Noel

2011-11-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

I finished the weaving pattern for the backgrounds on O and E so this piece is stitched. Thanks to Terri Gifford of Kick Back and Stitch for a gret design!

Full length

2011-11-23T21:39:00.000-05:00

I did a full length shot tonight as I finished all the gold lettering and......the background on the N too! All that is left to do is the background around the O and the E and I hope to get some of it done tomorrow while the turkey starts cooking! In case I am not around tomorrow I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and joy and laughter with all your families. BTW, this piece measures 4 x 15.5.

One down

2011-11-22T20:54:00.000-05:00

I finished the rest of the patterns on the final block! I filled in the green with six strands of floss to create the rest of the Beatty stitch. I then used red Gold Rush to complete the little diamonds by the angles. I decided to go ahead and do the letter L while I was here and it is worked in #12 Kreinik. I then used the DMC Perle to create the "woven" background effect. One down, three to go!

More angles

2011-11-21T21:15:00.000-05:00

I did the next set of angles around the diamond. They are also worked using two needles--this time with four strands of floss and a single strand of Kreinik braid. Then I moved to the outside and did the Beatty stitch in #16 Kreinik braid.....closer and closer.....

Inner Diamond

2011-11-20T21:27:00.000-05:00

I finished the patterns around the inner diamond. This is worked using two needles, one with a single strand of perle and the other Kreinik. Alternating needles, the pattern is worked from the top around back to the top and down the right side. Then I added the bugle bead to the center opening. I will do the corner patterns tomorrow.

Finished the E

2011-11-18T21:19:00.000-05:00

Today, I finished the centers of the E next to the Waffle stitches. Long straight stitches of Flair are laid in and the green Kreinik between those rows. A single strand of Pebbly Perle is laid on top of all of those to create the grid like patterns at the four points of the gold square. I started the Diamond pattern for the L as you can see on the far left. In case you forgot, I am working this piece on its' side so I can reach all the areas.

Noel returns

2011-11-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

I got this one back out....it is getting close to Christmas.....so I worked the four waffle stitches in the corners of the Kick Back n Stitch block letter O in the Noel banner. The waffle is worked with Kreinik, Pebbly Perle and two shades of DMC Perle Cotton. Below is the progress on the entire piece at this point.

The beads! UPDATE

2011-11-16T21:10:00.001-05:00

I added the copper bugle beads to the V at the top. The very bottom section has black Magnifica beads in alternating directions to follow the flow of the threads. This finishes the piece and I will get it ready for framing. Thanks again to Ruth Dilts for the wonderful design and her permission to post it to the blog!

The design area is 5 x 7.5.....why it works so quickly!

The lower sections

2011-11-15T21:12:00.000-05:00

I completed the last two sections of stitching. The Burden stitch is laid in with Neon Rays Plus in black and tacked with #4 Kreinik 021. The bottom pattern is stitched with Cresta d Oro and Renaissance Designs again. Next up--Beads!

Back at it!

2011-11-14T20:57:00.000-05:00

Yippee! Time to stitch today! Instead of filling in the next section with the Cashmere stitch in three metallics, I decided to fill it in with Slanted Gobelin in one color of the Cresta d Oro. I then did the black Slanted Gobelin stitches in the next area toward the center. I used Ombre 3200, a variegated thread, for the center "feather" which is worked in the Plaited stitch. It does remind me of a Frank Lloyd Wright design as some of you have commented in previous posts, and, I really like it!

The cardinals are framed

2011-11-11T21:53:00.000-05:00

Maggie just emailed me these photos of the cardinals all matted and framed! They are in North Carolina for a while but I thought you would like to see her exquisite work! Thanks, Maggie!

Section I

2011-11-10T21:00:00.000-05:00

Section I is done on both sides with the Kreinik # 8 in 021. I have started the next area in the center three times, and ripped three times. I don't like how the fibers look next to each other as this area is worked with 3 different ones. Maybe I can come up with a better combo by tomorrow.

F & G

2011-11-09T21:34:00.001-05:00

Section F is the Sprats head which I worked with Cresta D Oro color 42--adding another shade of copper. I then did the Diagonal Romanian and Knotted Stitch in Black Cresta D Oro for section G. I started sections I with Kreinik #8 braid in copper 021. The left one is done and I started on the right one. Section H is worked in beads and will be worked last to avoid catching all of the fibers on the beads.

Progress!

2011-11-08T21:23:00.000-05:00


I got to stitch! I finished the Burden stitch area by couching the Neon Rays Plus with the Kreinik #8 copper. I then did the Rhodes stitch in the center square with Neon Rays Plus again in the black. The two side panels are filled with Double Upright Cross stitches using Antica in color 8, copper. Yippee! A previous comment asked about my stitching in the well of the stretcher bars. I prefer this method of attaching the canvas for several reasons. I don't catch threads on the sides of the bars. If I drop my needle or beads, they don't hit the floor. It is much easier to end threads on the back as I am not fighting the bars on the back. I also think it keeps the work clean. Hope that helps!

Zip, zero

2011-11-07T21:36:00.000-05:00

Absolutely no stitching has gotten done the last several days. I have been busy doing house stuff and working and I don't remember what else. That ends today. Tomorrow I will stitch.....thanks for waiting.

More copper

2011-11-05T22:13:00.000-04:00

The middle two boxes are filled with Christopher Mosaic stitches and Continental done in Pizazz by Renaissance Designs. The next two boxes have the base of the Burden stitch done with Neon Rays Plus in black and the vertical bars are worked on top of the one on the left with #8 Kreinik in 021.

Two full boxes

2011-11-03T21:23:00.000-04:00

I finished all of the outlining with the black Cresta d Oro. I filled in the top two outside boxes using Cresta d Oro in 40, a coppery black and Kreinik # 16 in 021 HL for the Diagonal Cashmere stitch. I am using stash and changing the piece to a copper and black one. This is going to be a high shine piece. DH and I have been to Mystic, CT several times over the last several years and just this past September as well. This last visit, they were holding their annual garlic festival! What fun to wander through the crafts, artsists, and food vendors as well as the gardeners that were selling garlic--most of which I had never heard of!

More boxes

2011-11-02T22:09:00.000-04:00

Actually, boxes and triangles today.....I was hoping to finish the rest of the outlining but got most of it done. I should be able to finish the outlining tomorrow and maybe start filling in with stitches. I think you can see the silver flecks in the canvas in this photo.

A smaller project

2011-11-01T21:19:00.000-04:00

The snowbird was a large piece, and I headed into the stash bins looking for a smaller one and found Mystic. Mystic is by Ruth Dilts and the design is worked on an 8 x 10 piece of 18 count.....called for white, but I am using white with silver flecks in it. Oh, and......big surprise.....I am changing the fibers! The design instructions say to work the outline of the entire piece in Panache, black. I am using Creta D'Oro, in black in the continental stitch. I like to work from the stash......I actually thought it was inching towards me the other day.....anyway.... The original design was worked in black with light and dark sandstone and I will be changing those too.....This design has always caught my eye and I picked this up a couple of years ago. It will work up fast, and I hope you like the color changes I am making. I will be following all of the stitches Ruth had designed, just in different colors and fibers. Pop on over to her website and check out all the goodies she has waiting for you there!
http://www.ruthdiltsdesign.com/
Hope you can stay tuned

All the closeups

2011-10-31T20:35:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone!

As promised, I took six closeups for your viewing. This one shows all the outlining detail and the rest of the
hair I added with the Sulky

The twisted cord for the cape tie is overlapped and then couched in place and remember I changed from lace to beads along the sleeve cuffs

The cape ties are blowing in the wind

Snow details and trees on the left

Snow detail and hem of the dress on the right

Right side tree detail. This design area measures 11 x 11.
Thanks for watching this one as I stitched it....It is so pretty even if I can't capture the true shine to it with the camera.

Viola, Fini!

2011-10-30T21:06:00.000-04:00

The Snowbird is finished! I added the twisted two strands of white in the dress and around the neck. I also twisted two strands and couched the cords for the cape ties. She is done.....Lara asked for closeups and so tomorrow, I will take several closeups of various sections and post them so you can better see the detail and maybe even get a better idea of the true color. The background is really pale blue and in order to get some of it to show up I have been enhancing it trying to get the glitz for you.....stay tuned

More outlining

2011-10-29T21:12:00.001-04:00

I did more outlining today! All around the outside of the coat and hood his done, down both sides of the blue lining as well, along the hem of the skirt too! All I have left to do is the lines on the white gown.....

Yes, all the cookies are home made and baked and then wrapped in individual bags with each having a holiday label with the employee name on them....they all loved it!

Pumpkins, Monsters, Ghosts and Bats....oh, my!

2011-10-27T21:12:00.000-04:00

I have not done any stitching all week! Yikes, that is really scary isn't it? I have been training a gal for the old
job with the speakerphone and a virtual desk top. It is going great and she is going to be a great asset to the team! Yippee!

In addition to that, I have also been having fun! The Kent District Library has a Team of gals that do "fun" recognition things for all the staff members in the system. I helped with the Halloween Project for this year. Over 300 cookies were baked and then frosted, bagged and tagged with one for each of the employees, with a special decorated tag:

Pumpkins, ghosts, tombstones, Frankenstein, skulls, candy corn, bats and witches were bathed in butter cream frosting and duly decorated with more frosting, sprinkles, sugar and eyes! After labeling each bagged cookie with the employee name, they were boxed up by branch and delivered along with one of these:

Yes, 19 huge glass bowls were filled with over 1800 pieces of candy! The candy was purchased, mixed, and filled four cardboard paper sized boxes before being transferred into the bowls. Each branch will get one of the bowls for the staff along with the cookies! The team finished loading all of this into the cars and set off to deliver them around ten this morning. I am sure they were duly appreciated upon their arrival at the branches!

It has been a busy week for me, but it has been a lot of fun! Thanks, Team KDL, for asking me to help! You are a wondrous group of people!

Twisting and couching

2011-10-23T17:53:00.000-04:00

I have started doing twisted cord with two strands of Soie D Alger and couching it to the design. Down the right side of the coat, the sleeves and a bit of the back of the coat are done.
Doing the hair in Sulky was brilliant on Dorothy's part! So real looking and very detailed.

Details

2011-10-22T22:41:00.001-04:00

First, I used medium brown for her tiny eyebrows in outline stitch. Then a darker brown for her eyelashes in straight stitches. Two tiny stitches of Kreinik made her green eyes sparkle and some bright Soie D Alger and three little stitches filled in her lips. Her face is left unstitched! Surprise!
Then, I twisted two strands of Soie D Alger for the twisted cord that is couched down along the outside edges of her coat. On the sleeves there is a piece of lace in the kit that was to be sewn in place, but you know me......always have to change something....so I added petite beads along the edge instead. Think about it....she is loaded and got this coat in Paris and it would have crystal beads, right?

All the snow

2011-10-21T21:37:00.000-04:00

I finished all the snow! Unfortunately my picture does not show it well, and I will do better tomorrow. I also worked her hair in a single strand of Sulky and it is done using an outline stitch. Next up is her face and then all the outlining work.

Sometimes...

2011-10-20T23:24:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I don't get to stitch at all.....today was one of those days.....Unfortunately....so instead I ask you wait patiently until tomorrow when I plan on doing the stitching first and all the other stuff second!

It is the bird

2011-10-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

You have all been waiting for the cardinal and here he is. He is done with three shades of red for his body, and has a bead for his eye. No wonder she is smiling.

It then started working on the snow beneath her feet. It is all worked with two strands of Accentuate. I got most of it done and will finish it up tomorrow.

Moving on again

2011-10-18T21:30:00.000-04:00

I finished the bushes and tree on the left side using the Soie D Alger for the tree and adding Accentuate to it as well and the blue green bush. The snow on the ground needs to be done as does her hair, face, the outlining and the bird. I also added the rest of the beads on the cape lining today.
I have an email address for Dorothy Lesher on the pattern and if you would like it to contact her regarding this piece, email me at ndleartnut@aol.com and I will send it to you. That is my suggestion for those of you who are looking to acquired the canvas and kit. I don't have access to another one. I would be happy to forward the stitch guide to you but without the canvas you won't be able to stitch it as it is line drawn and painted. It has a 2006 copyright date on it so she may still have some or there are some out there. I bought mine from a gal who was downsizing several years ago.

The trees are done

2011-10-17T21:10:00.000-04:00

I finished the trees on the right side. I added the rest of the silk on the middle tree and came back and added the Accentuate to it. Then, the far right tree is all worked in the blue green Accentuate. Last, I started the bushes on the left and have completed the far left one in Pewter Accentuate.

Back to the Snowbird

2011-10-16T19:18:00.000-04:00

I finished the underlining on the dress bottom in straight stitches with Soie D Alger and then did her shoes in Kreinik. Next I have started the trees on the right side. The green one is two shades of silk in long stitches and the blue gray one is done with Accentuate. All of the trees are worked using a single strand, so my progress is slow. I will work on the trees more tomorrow as the green one will have Accentuate also.

Guess what?

2011-10-14T21:25:00.000-04:00

Look what came in the mail! Threedles Needleart Design's pattern called Cat's Eyes, Cleopatra by Kurdy Biggs. I have been waiting to order this while doing some of the "ready to avalanche" stash. I could resist no longer. This design won a 1st place ribbon at the Woodlawn Needlework show this year! It is awesome! It is just one of the beautiful designs by Ms. Biggs and if you have not had the opportunity to see her others, go to
www.threedles.com
It is totally amazing and I hope you enjoy the awesome designs she has available.

I will continue working on The Snowbird to finish it first, so don't be alarmed! I have been "working" again this week as the replacement is still out ill.

There, the gown is stitched

2011-10-12T21:07:00.000-04:00

I finished the rest of the gown! I also did the Kalem (knitting) stitch and then outlined her gloves. Then, I moved on and did the diagonal and straight stitches that filled in the sleeve linings.....Next up? The dress lining at the bottom, shoes and The trees!

The Gown, step two

2011-10-11T21:47:00.000-04:00

Step two of the gown is to fill in all around the diamonds with a single strand of Pearl Ombre.......I almost finished it all....just a bit at the very bottom to do tomorrow! I believe Jane is right and this outfit is from one of the couture houses in Paris!

Last panel

2011-10-10T22:03:00.000-04:00

I finished the last dress panel in the Soie d' Alger! I can move on to step two. I thought I might make it today.....oh, well, looking forward to starting it tomorrow!

More dress

2011-10-09T21:25:00.000-04:00

I finished the center panel of the dress and down around the right side. Then I started the last panel, just off by one thread. Even if it is a fold, it should look like it all goes together. Tomorrow I hope to finish this panel in this stitch so I can do step two.

Starting the dress

2011-10-07T21:03:00.000-04:00

I started the dress with blanc Soie D alger and am working this pattern horizontally. The dress is line drawn so that it has folds and the pattern will not line up through the dress so it looks like folds. Pretty neat!
Thanks for all the bead offers! I just have to find mine. I did not have time to look today. It has been a beautiful day here and I worked in the new flower beds and moved a few things around while DH painted handrails on the deck. I got the better job!

Beading

2011-10-06T21:29:00.000-04:00

I worked on the right side cape lining and did all the beading except about the last 30.

I ran out of beads from the kit. I am going to go through my stash and see if I have this bead and if not, I will have to get some quick! I have to keep working on this one! So much pressure.....LOL

Two more photos

2011-10-05T21:17:00.001-04:00

This closeup, not true to color, shows the detail on the left coat lining which I finished today. Then.....I added beads!

The regular overall picture shows both sections of the lining done, but only the left one is beaded. I will work on adding all the beads to the right side tomorrow. DH says, "That's nice, now....Hurry up and do the trees" I said, " It is not time to do them". Then "do the bird next instead", "no, I am not doing that yet either".......so it goes at my house!

P.S. click the images and they should enlarge for you.

Up close and more done

2011-10-04T21:25:00.000-04:00

As promised, this is a very closeup of the patchwork coat lining. Such a pretty stitch!

Then, I finished the one long panel of the lining on the right and have started the small section at the top on the left. This looks like a brocade lined cape to me and I bet it cost a boatload!

More coat lining

2011-10-03T20:45:00.000-04:00

I resumed working on the coat lining with two strands of Soie d Alger. This pattern is worked horizontally in rows with a stitch pattern of /// and then a reverse of it coming back leaving one thread in between. I will do a close up shot next time so you can better see the detail.

Cool Cardinal Finish

2011-10-02T21:39:00.000-04:00

Cool Cardinal is finished! I finished the wing first and then completed all the French Knot snow he is sitting on. I am back from all my travels and happy to be able to stitch again! Woohoo! Tomorrow the Snowbird reappears!

All the patches

2011-09-13T21:26:00.000-04:00

All the patches are completed. I finished the #7 patch with the rose color. I have also started the lining on the right side with a very pale blue Soie D Alger and another patterned diagonal stitch.

I will be traveling for the next while and will post if I get a chance to stitch......enjoy the cooler weather, the sunshine, fall apples and all. Be back as quick as I can. DH said he promises not to stitch while I am away.

Moving right along

2011-09-12T21:19:00.000-04:00

First, I finished the tail in the Knotted stitch, and then started on the wing. I am using six strands of Splendor 1005 and doing a Byzantine stitch so it is diagonal to the body and following the direction drawn on the paint.

More patches

2011-09-11T21:10:00.000-04:00

I completed all of the medium blue gray patches and went back to patch 7 and am working it in the dusty rose. It was supposed to be worked in a bright peach and I did not care for the mix in the coat, so I switched it. Of course I did. I rarely work a piece without changing at least one color. Anyway, this looks way darker in the photo than it does it real time. I took it outside again as I thought that would show the true color but that did not work right either. It is more muted than this makes it look

Bernadette Framed

2011-09-10T22:48:00.000-04:00

Here she is! She is first surrounded by a black glittered mat with the orange on top of that one. Her very dark purple frame highlights all the purple in her "witchly" coutured outfit.

The fun stuff

2011-09-09T21:33:00.000-04:00

I started his body with six strands of Splendor 820 and am doing the Knotted stitch. The tail will also be worked in the 820 as well, but his wing is going to be a different color as it is painted a darker shade.

Out of sequence

2011-09-08T21:47:00.001-04:00

I skipped Patch 7 and moved onto # 8 and finished all four of them. They are the medium blue violet Soie D Alger. They consist of a long vertical stitch and couched back over them at 2 canvas thread intersections creating am S pattern and leaving the blank canvas showing as part of the pattern. I also started Patch #9 which are done in a medium gray blue in a fan type stitch and completed the one area closest to the trees on the right.

More snow

2011-09-07T20:57:00.001-04:00

I added the perch Cool Cardinal is sitting on by laying in 4 strands of Splendor and then coming back over the top of each row of three strands with upright Gobelin stitches. I then started the French knots for the snow on his head--thanks to Jane for this idea! I was trying to decide what stitch I wanted for the snow and she suggested the French knots.....so I used a single strand of Kreinik 100 and double wrapped the needle and he is covered with the stuff!. I moved on and did the beak and black in four more strands of Splendor in the painted colors.

Patches #6

2011-09-06T21:53:00.001-04:00

All five of Patch #6 are done....they look kind of peach colored in the photo but are a mauve to pale lavender. The T stitch is done with two strands of Soie D Alger color 3322. Beth: the bird will be stitched, but not for a while yet! :)