Monrovia - Stitched

Sometimes I forget how much I enjoy doing something. In this case counted needlepoint, I have really enjoyed the way the layering of the stitches and threads has developed into a finished piece. In fact this piece is inspiring me to design a stocking it just remains to be seen if it actually makes its way out of my head and onto canvas.

I have also included a picture of a previous Jim Wurth ornament I did several years ago, I believe it is called Corination.

While I decide what to do next I have picked up one of the Countdown to Christmas advent ornaments by Kathy Schenkel.

The Beauty Continues

I think I am beginning to think about designing pieces such as this.

The pleasure in stitching this and seeing each layer just add to the overall effect is breath taking.

Here are my latest steps.

Monrovia - Jim Wurth

I have had the outline of this done for some time and it has been sat in my sunroom waiting it's turn.

Here you can see the long stitches that start to fill in the ornament.

Mistake!!!!!!!

Just when you think you are in the home lap you notice a mistake. Can you spot it?

Over the last few weeks I have been busy with Nellie (also known as my MIL). When this lovely lady visits I tend to stop doing other things except in relation to my daughters. The that includes housework.

That said whilst she has been here this time I have finished doing the Sue Spargo September BOM and laid out this months, knitted a cowl as a Christmas gift for a friend, framed my Charley Harper needlepoint owl, knitted a sweater, hat and cowl for my Fiona (my own design as well) and got to the background on my second Lee kimono. This was all because Nellie is not able to get around as well as in the past so we have been rewatching Downton Abbey and Revenge on Netflix.

I am hoping to finish said kimono this weekend so I can start knitting Amanda an Aran sweater from a pattern I found at my local library in their resale section. I will be altering the ribs and also lengthing it as she is long in the body.

Funeral for my beloved camera

As you may have noticed in my last posting the pictures were not up my standard. My poor 4 year old canon decided it did not want to open it' eye anymore. After trying to repair myself I finally took it to a store on Saturday only to be told that it was going to cost $100 to $150 to repair.

I have always loved the close up this little point and shoot achieved so here's hoping it's replacement will be as good. Hopefully picking one up on Friday.

In the meantime here is a picture of one of my current needlepoint projects.

It is by Lee (KB 15) and is to go with the crane kimono I have done for my Fiona. Fiona picked the stitch for the sky from the landscape stitch book by Elaine Oliverio. I have this for my iPhone and pad.

Yesterday I was working at Peacock Alley in Ada MI. As this was not my regular day I took my two girls with me. Amanda did work on her stitching briefly whilst Fiona helped with reorganizing a thread wall and started a friendship braclet using some threads from the bargain bin.

I've got my eyes on you!

New Project

As my Fiona has been afflicted with the current owl bug I have decided to do one for our sunroom.   This is one that my local guild had done before I rejoined.

I love the colouring in this subdued and modern but still cute.

I the meantime I have also been working on this months Sue Spargo BOM and the first attempt at the finishing project I intend to do for the Cyberpointers.  The main problem I am see will be the graphing of the stitches as I have no software for needlepoint.  I may have to purchase some so any advice would be appreciated.

Attaching needlepoint to a bag

 Before I start I should add that this would also work for a prefinished pillow or even the likes of a demin jacket.

The hardest part for me is the cutting of the canvas, my little one Amanda was saying "mom you shouldn't cut it!".  My nerves must have been showing.

 For a project with shaping like this heart you will also need to clip any curves and inside corners.

 Finger pressing next.  This piece has a sharp point which is pressed first across the horizontal and then the sides and pressed in too.  This may lead to the necessity of trimming more from the excess canvas as was the case here.

Pins hold everything is place.

 This is the bag Amanda and I choose for the heart.  The finished bag will be a birthday present for Fiona with a new swimming towel inside.  I loved the canvas handles and gromits.  It is surprislingly well made with a lining, zip and even welting at the base.  Found it at Meijers (a local grocery store).  I had also considered a straw bag but the gromits sold it for me.

 Here you can see everything pressed and pinned.

 In this case I wanted a casual placement so no headaches about it being centred.

Using the pins that are already in place I then pinned it to the bag.

 I attached this using quilting thread but for a novice I would suggest using invisible thread, particularly if you are not going to add a cording.

The knot is buried under the needlepoint and the piece is then attached using small slip stitches.

I only take a thread or two so as to reduce the amount of stitching that shows on the inside of the bag.

 If you intend to add cording as I did leave a gap for the ends of the cording to be tucked into.  I did this at the inside corner at the top.

 At this stage I did briefly consider not adding a cording, however I always think they look more finished with a bit of trim.

 I made this cording using DMC floss that I'd used to attach the spirals.  There is also a small amount of silver thread for bling.

 The same thread is used to attach the cording with the stitches burrowed into the needlepoint.

 Finished, as there was some cording left I added it to the zipper pull.

Beginning to end for this finishing project was about 90 minutes with a cost of $15 for the bag.  Not bad if I do say so myself.

Oh and then Amanda and I went got the beach towel to round off this gift.

Heart finished

Going shopping today for a bag that this will go on. Totally in love with the colours I choose for this.

Yes I will be doing another finishing demo for this one.

Another one done.

 Love it, big time.  Now it is time to leave it for 48 hours before it takes a trip to be framed.  This will be first time I get a piece of needlepoint framed by a professional.  I think I will however mount it onto foam core myself first.

My thought is a plain black frame but will see what is suggested.

The white parts of the wings are done using Patina.  I let untwist a bit so as to achieve a look of feathers.

To prove a point the first thing Fiona said when she saw the wings was "wow they really look like feathers", fair made my day.

I asked her what I should start next and she said I should finish something I'd already started.  My eldest is a meanie!

Back to Needlepoint

The kimono for Fiona is now knocking on.

 The red back ground is all done and the gold cuffs etc.  Love how padded they look with the simple use of satin stitch.  The same thread is then used for the cloud couching.

 The face of the crane is done in Patina.  This is one of my least favourite threads but I do like the look.

Here the same Patina is working well to give the damp look of the waves.  Decided to follow the advice of a fellow ANG member (Joanne) and use simple stitches for this piece.

Exciting times ahead

I have been asked to teach a cyber class next year for the Cyberpointers. The idea is that it will be class on finishing. I would like to take it one step further and do a Start to Finish project.

It will be an ideal gift for any age when done.

Here is a sneak peek, it very much in the early stages and I am using stash threads until I have it on paper. Then I will use some readily available threads.

Wordless Wednesday