Another leaf

Here is the leaf I stitched last night. All of the leaves will be done with DMC 501,502,503 using a single strand. Read as: takes a long time to do each one, but worth it!

This leaf is done in the closed fly stitch.

More stitching tomorrow.

The first leaf

I stitched the first leaf at the top right of the piece this afternoon. First, I did the single strand split split all around it, and then did the top left half in a single strand satin stitch. The right half was done in a second color of DMC also. Finally, I did an outline stitch down the center of the leaf.
Unfortunately, I am upstairs and the instruction sheet complete with color number and the camera are downstairs!! It is late, and I am not making the stairs trip again today!
Pictures tomorrow, I promise!

Stems

I have finished all the stems in the three different shades of brown in the Appleton wool.

Tomorrow, I will start working the leaves.

Starting up!

I spent some time reading through all my instructions tonight for Lesson one. I then started the outline stitch with one strand of the Appleton wool. Not a lot of progress, but also not a lot of stitching time tonight either! LOL

Yes, I am still working on the camera. I think it is a little better? LOL

Also, the fiber for the Santa Heart beard is Fuzzy Fleece! And, thanks for all the comments! I love them!

Introducing "Summer Dream"

I have signed up for and am taking Summer Dream, A Stumpwork Course by Luan B. Callery. Ms. Callery wrote the group correspondence course for the Embroiderers' Guild of America, and has graciously given her permission for me to blog stitch this piece! I have invited her to make comments along the way, along with all of you, of course.

So, let's begin by showing you the completed piece:

This beautiful project instruction package comes in a two pocket folder. It is organized so that the color picture of the piece and closeups, a line drawing, and stitch diagrams are in the left pocket. The right pocket contains the supply list, source list, contact information for questions, an introduction and the steps to begin, and lastly the step by step instructions. Can you tell I am seriously impressed ? This is very well laid out, and I look forward to working this design!

I chose off white linen twill and the piece is cut 14" x 20", to accomodate my Evertites, versus 14" x 18" per the instructions. This is where I did deviate from the instructions. Ms. Callery does recommend lacing the piece to stretcher bars. As you have read before, I prefer working on Evertites due to the ability to tighten the piece evenly using the T-tool. We will be working with Appleton crewel wool, DMC or Anchor floss, Rainbow Gallery Neon Rays, Caron Watercolours and Mill Hill beads.

After cutting the linen to size, I traced the line drawing using my light box, and attached the piece to the frame.

Here is where you are going to have to be a little patient with me! I have a new camera and am trying to get all the adjustments right, so this is a little darker than I wanted. It is, however, the traced design on the linen twill, ready to start lesson one. And, I promise the picture will be better tomorrow!!

Santa Heart is stitched!

He is all stitched! I even have the four rows all around the outside ready for the finishing. I think he is a bit devilish, don't you?

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Vintage Bag for a wedding

A close girlfriend is soon to be mother-of-the-groom--October, actually. So, for part of her birthday present, I wanted to embellish one of my vintage handbags for her. She found a great dress earlier this year, and just recently found some great shoes as well. The dress is a gold brocade. While she was on vacation, earlier this year, I went by and took pictures. Her husband even volunteered to model it for me! LOL Anyway, when she got back from her cruise, she kept changing her mind about the shoe color. I needed to know that to put in the right color of darker bugle beads! Today, I gave her the bag and she is thrilled! I used a piece of crushed velvet to line the inside, and glued some sheer and ivory roses to the inside as a special accent.
Happy wedding too, Miss Linda!

mirror blog://http//360.yahoo.com/needleart

Mystery #2 is done!

Here is the overall finished piece. Tonight I completed lesson five. First, the border is laid in with the 1/16th ribbon. Next, the Overdyed Perle is stitched created the large diamond pattern.
Last, using the Perlee, the small diamond is filled in, and one stitch is placed over the corners. I gave you a close-up of the border as well.

This design also has a name--Winter Reflections. I think that is looks like winter with all the blues and whites!

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

The fourth is finished

Tonight I completed the fourth corner! This completes lesson number four, and, there is only one more left for this piece to be completed! Stay tuned for the final installment!

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Fourth corner

I am about half way through the fourth and final corner and therefore should finish it tomorrow night. I will post a new photo then.
Jane asked for the size of this piece and I realized I had never put that in for your reference. The overall length, right now is 7 inches, and it is 4 inches wide. There is still lesson five to complete which will add a little to the size. Yup, I peeked at the next set of instructions! LOL

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Mystery #2, Third Corner

I have finished the third corner! I did not post a close-up since all of the corners look alike, but you can see more of the rectangle we are forming. I did try an outdoor shot this weekend, but the picture did not turn out as well as I liked, so I will try again.
mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Peluche by Fabulous Fibers

This is what the Peluche actually looks like on the card and then I pulled a single strand out so you can see how it looks. In order to get the moustache to lay all in the direction I intended, I started at the bottom and laid the thread to the top and then back to the bottom again. It then looks like a real moustache!

Sorry, Diane, no diamonds under his hat! ( This is my sister who wants my wedding ring! LOL)

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Santa's back.

Yes, here he is. I added his moustache using the Peluche in a Slanted Gobelin stitch in towards his face. This is a strongly napped fiber and care must be taken to thread up so that the stitch creates the fluff you are looking for. Then if you look closely, you will see I also Satin stitched in his lips.

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Second corner done!

So, the second corner is finished. I also decided to show you the overall piece so you can see how this is shaping into the rectangle.

I am planning on taking this outside this weekend to try and get it to show the light play that is present with the pale blues and the stark whites.

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Second corner

I started the second corner tonight, and did the scan thing to see if I could get a better picture for you. However, the scan won't load! Yikes, now what?
Please tune in again tomorrow as I will try again!
mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

First finished corner

I finished the first corner tonight by completing the Horizontal Milanese stitch. I am alternating two strands of the Needle Necessities overdyed floss, and 1 strand of the Needle Necessities overdyed perle. As you can see, this is going to turn the design into a rectangular shape. Only three more corners to go!

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Mystery #2, Lesson 4.

First, I reposted last night's photo. It is a better close-up that will enlarge so that you can scroll over and see the center stitches better.

Tonight, I started lesson 4, which is filling in the corners with the Horizontal Milanese stitch. It is worked alternately with two strands of the Needle Necessities overdyed, and then a single strand of the Needle Necessities Overdyed Perle. The picture is what I finished tonight.

Jane is wondering how many mystery projects I have in the stash, and I am guessing 8 to 10. They are all geometric designs and different colors. I cannot disclose any more information about them at this time, but will tell you that you will eventually see more of them! I really enjoy Loretta's patterns and counted charts are a passion of mine!

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Mystery #2, Lesson 3 is finished.

I have resumed working on the Mystery Project! Tonight, I finished lesson 3 by filling in the center of the piece. This is worked in the Squared Herribone stitch. Each one is started by using the Perlee, then switching to two strands of the Overdyed, back to the Perlee, and ending with the Overdyed. The center square adds more light play accents to the overall piece. This piece is called Winter Reflections as Loretta was reminded of snow with the sun shining on it and the mountain peaks.
mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Santa Heart progress

Step six in the Santa Heart is to use Petite Very Velvet and stitch it in a Double Stitch variation. Then, red glass seed beads are added into the empty spaces. Janet recommended that the beads be double stitched, and I concur. I did a cross stitch x thru the beads which enabled me to ensure that the beads were sitting properly in the empty space.

Then, the hat and the pompom are stitched in Artic Rays. The area is padded horizontal using the trame' method and then covered vertically for the padded effect.

As always, Janet gives very clear instructions with detailed diagrams, which are very easy to follow.

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Finishing Betsy

Tonight I started on the finishing for Betsy. I have cut the craft foam centers, cut out the canvas, found the blue material and gimp. The base is sanded, stained, and varnished--as is the dowel. I will put this all together tomorrow and you will see her perched, ready to take on the boys in tomorrow's post. LOL

mirror blog: http: 360.yahoo. com/needleartnut

Moving right along

I went back to using the Mandarin again for the grays. The lightest is 826, the medium is 857, and the darkest is the 858. You will remember I am plying this and using four strands for the tent stitches. I always use a laying tool and this enable the fibers to lay very smooth. After I filled in all the grays, I went back to the Splendor 877 for the yellow and finished that. All that is left is the white......there is always tomorrow nite!
mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Betsy's back!-Photo added!

Tonite I filled in the area around the eyes using black Snow. The I used four strands of Mandarin in the medium gray #857, and the light 826. Terry wanted to know how I liked the Mandarin. This is a great fiber. It is easy to ply, flows over the laying tool, and is actually soft to the touch! If you get a chance, do try it.
Next I moved onto the dark around his beak using four strands of Splendor 1094. Using that same fiber I did all the darkest part of the feathers. The next color I filled in for feathers is also in Splendor, color number 1097.
I cannot get the picture to post tonite, so I will try again in the morning.

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Mystery #2 mirror image

I filled in the mirror image so we now have a six sided figure in this mystery! It is also done in the Horizontal Milanese stitch using the two strands of Marlitt. Jane noticed that this is very white. In person, you see more sheen and play of light than the white you see in the photo.
I will set this aside again for a few days, as my threads for Betsy came in, and I will resume stitching on her again on Monday.
mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut

Mystery #2, Lesson 3

Step one of Lesson 3 is to fill in the right side of the piece with two strands of white Marlitt, working the Horizontal Milanese stitch. This is a great deal of light play in a pretty quick stitched area.
Yes, there is still lots more to come!

mirror blog: http://360.yahoo.com/needleartnut