My Needlepoint Journey, Part 3

In 1974 we moved from Southern California to Boston, Mass.  Talk about culture shock!!  Anyway, the big benefit for me was that I didn’t have to work and could devote most of my time to needlepoint!  A lot happened during those two years to further my needlepoint education and “career”.  This period will take more than one installment!

I guess the first thing was that I discovered Maggie Lane.  Oh my!  I eventually acquired all of her books and still have them.  I started with a fairly simple design and moved right on.  Pictured are the 2^nd & 3^rd projects.  The rocking chair was stitched on a large mesh canvas with rug yarn.

I also discovered a real needlework store and learned about printed vs painted canvas and about Paternayan yarn, among other things.  I stuck with charts though!  Since I was charting everything I saw, my husband suggested I do a book.  Well, I didn’t get up the nerve for that right away, but I did discover Needlepoint News and submitted some designs.  I was published!  Eventually I began working for that magazine.  Many designs were received from readers that were not in publishable condition.  My job was to rechart them for publication.  By hand.  In ink.  Remember, this was pre-computer days!!  I loved it.  Many of my designs were used as well and I worked for NN until its demise in the 80s.

Thanks to Needlepoint News I also discovered (from ads) perforated paper and the American Needlepoint Guild (ANG).  I went kind of nuts with the perf. paper for a while!  Christmas cards & ornaments & framed pictures were gifts that year.  I painted the paper as at that time it was only available in tan. I think most of the stitching was with floss, in Continental stitch, with the occasional bit of metallic thread.  Some of the designs I created for the paper were later published and a few are on my website today.

I joined ANG in ’74 or ’75 as a Member-at-large.  I don’t remember if there was a chapter in the Boston area, but if there was I didn’t join.  I entered a piece in the 1975 exhibit, which was in Monaco!  It was an antelope stitched on perforated paper.  It won a blue ribbon!!!!  I was totally surprised and thrilled!

I also stitched a square for the UN Peace Rug.  The stitching was done in 1974 and the finished rug was presented to the United Nations by Mary Martin in New York, October 23, 1975. 138 squares were hand painted, on 16-mesh canvas, with the coats of arms of the member nations and stitched in Basketweave by members of ANG, I stitched Nepal.  There was also a larger center square with the UN emblem and a dedication in a rectangular piece, all stitched.  A limited edition book was published, which I have, with full page color prints of each square.  I have also saved a lot of the documentation, including an invitation to the presentation (I was unable to attend).  I am very proud to have been part of this project.

The photo of the stitched square is very washed out.  This is a scan of an old snapshot.  The background is actually a soft yellow and all of the colors are quite vivid.

Seasonal Geometrics

This design was an ANG Archives Project--Seasonal Geometrics, Autumn Palette Geometric by Debbie Stiehler. I've had this print-out for a long time and don't remember why or where!  Of course.

Anyway, it is the next to the last of the smalls that I'm doing.
I have changed this quite a bit.  It was supposed to be a 5" square and I only wanted a 4" square, so I left off most of the borders and added just a small Scotch stitch border to get it right at 4".  I also changed the colors completely and added Kreinik.  This uses the same colors as one of my other smalls and I will have them finished as a standup with one on each side.  

Sending smalls off to the finisher next week.  The next small I do will be one of my Bargellos and will be framed.

Norwich Delight

For my next small project, I chose Norwich Delight by Beth Robertson.  This was ANG's Stitch of the Month project for Dec 1998.  It is very small, about 2.75" square.  Used overdyed pearl (called for Impressions), floss (called for silk), and Kreinik.  I only changed it a little bit!  This was super fast, I only worked on it 2 evenings.

Walking the Water's Edge FINISHED

Walking the Water's Edge by Diane Herrmann is finally finished.  I started this June 2014.  It was a class through Cyberpointers.  I managed to get all the Bargello done fairly quickly, but the eyelets - not so much!  I'm not a big fan of eyelets.  Oh, I like the way they look, just don't like stitching them.  Anyway, I pulled this out a month or so ago and decided I would finish it before the end of the year.  Whew, just made it.
A friend found the starfish charm for me, as I didn't plan on doing one in Bullions, since I've never been able to make one successfully.  Thank you!  Sure made the finishing easier!!
Someday I'll have it framed.

Walking the Water's Edge, Progress

Walking the Water's Edge is coming along nicely.  I am almost to the top edge, just about 2 more full rows, then filling in and compensating.
The progress isn't that noticeable now, but next time it will be!

Walking the Water's Edge

Walking the Water's Edge by Diane Herrman.  

This design is a workshop on the Cyberpointers chapter of ANG.  I have wanted to do this design ever since I first saw a picture, over a year ago!  So, I am enjoying it immensely.

The picture is right side up; however, we are stitching it upside down.  We started with the white.  This pattern continues all the way to the top, with compensation to square it off.  The Bargello is all in floss and is blended shading.  The bottom edge becomes the surf and will have decorative stitches.  It is an easy stitch so far, and will be a stunning picture!

Young Man's Fancy

Don't you just love quilt block names?

Anyway, the Cyberpointers meeting has started for January and Jan Fitzpatrick is doing the program for us.  You probably know Jan more for her wonderful rugs, but she also does delightful designs from quilt blocks.

This is my version.  It is supposed to have 2 color families and I originally had chosen all Watercolours, blues and brown/golds. 

I liked the scotch stitches, but as soon as I started the triangles, I knew I didn't like the blue, so I took it out.  I am now going with all browns & golds.  The triangles are now pearl cotton and Kreinik.  I like it now! 

Fun with Fiber

The program for the last CyberPointers meeting was called Fun with Fiber.  Marilyn Owen designed and presented a scissors case and the idea was to experiment with fibers that you hadn't used before. 
 
I don't use scissors cases, but it was an opportunity to try out a new thread I had just received.  It is Dinky Dyes "Jumbuck", a new silk/wool blend that looked like it would work for Bargello on 18-count.  It does!  It is a lovely thread, hand dyed.  So it is like an overdye, but very subtle. As you might expect (smile), I started with 4 shades of aqua/teal.  It is quite nice to work with and I'm sure I will use it again.

I also used Waterlilies#197 Monsoon and an overdyed #12 Kreinik that I had laying around.  I did not make it quite like Marilyn's pattern.  Hers has a different pattern on the 2nd side, but I chose to just mirror image the Bargello.

Now, what will I do with this little project?  I had thought I might fold it in half & make a bookmark, but it is just too thick.  Any ideas?  It is only2-1/4 x 4-3/4.

Tiebele Nights by Terry Dryden

The second class I took at seminar was Tiebele Nights with Terry Dryden.  This was a one day class.
The project is small and a fun stitch.  I chose the alternate colorway which is earthtones.

The best part of this particular class was learning about Copic markers.  Terry let us play with her markers and the yellowish part of the center diamond is colored with those markers and will be stitched over with light coverage.  They are GREAT markers for canvas.  Since I have been home I have purchased a set of 36 of these markers and will be experimenting with them for some of my Bargello designs.

The second best part of this class was Terry telling us a bit about Zentangle.  I know you have heard of this drawing technique from your blog reading and so had I.  But I never explored it before & now I am.  It is very cool.

I have only worked on Tiebele Nights once since returning home, but it goes fast!  Here is a photo of my progress so far.

I have used almost all of the threads/colors included in the kit.
This is going to be really pretty!

Serengeti by Pamela Harding

The first class I took at seminar was Serengeti, a 4-day class with Pamela Harding.  The project for this class is on "Spice" Congress cloth and uses a variety of threads and stitches.  Pamela has very kindly given me permission to post my progress.

I haven't worked on Congress cloth for a very long time and it isn't quite as hard as I remembered LOL!
To the right you can see a scan of the cover of the instructions for Serengeti.

I have changed out 4 of the threads/colors.  There was a pinkish #8 Kreinik, which I changed to a copper in the same value.  There was a Tiara which has been changed to a #12 Kreinik.  I changed the sort of violet Splendor to a dark rust Splendor.  There is also a Silk Lame Braid that I think will be replaced with a Kreinik.

Below is a photo of my progress to date.  I have been working on this piece quite a bit since returning from seminar.  Most of the sections that we started in class have been completed, getting rid of all the "spaghetti", and now I am working the blocks "in order".  The first row across the top is almost finished.

Leaping Stag WINNER

Leaping Stag

Sorry I haven't posted again since I got home from seminar!  I've been waiting for the sun to come out to get decent pictures.  Here in Las Vegas it is the Monsoon Season, which means that we have mostly cloudy days interspersed with thunderstorms.  It is supposed to clear up by the weekend, but I decided to go ahead & just get not-as-good photos!

Lest you forget (tee hee) here is a photo of Leaping Stag with his 3rd place ribbon.  I'm soooo proud of him!

And, yes, eventually I'll get him charted & available on my website, but don't hold your breath, "eventually" is the key word here!

Seminar Report

I am back from ANG Seminar 2013, but it will take me a few days to decompress!  I drove back to Vegas on Friday and got caught in a couple of terrible thunderstorms.  Cleaned up my car though :-) .  I am unpacked, but haven't the energy to stitch yet. 

Today I will pull out my two seminar projects and decide about threads.  There are a couple I want to change even though it will involve some un-stitching.  My classes were Serengeti with Pamela Harding and Tiebele Nights with Terry Dryden.  Both were good.  I learned some things in each class.  I was in class for 5 days in a row and that was too much.  I wouldn't do that again.  I really needed a break in the middle. 

Seminar was fun & I really enjoyed meeting so many people that I had previously only "met" online.  No one looks like I had them pictured in my mind!  Isn't that crazy?!  Teacher's Showcase was unfortunately in a much too small room and it was hot.  I did get a chance to visit with Linda Reinmiller, but didn't stay much longer.  Expo (Merchandise night) was smaller than expected, but I did pick up a couple of things.  Emphasis was on painted canvases and since I rarely do that, I went through pretty quickly. 

I dropped a few bucks in the store, but the book store was disappointing.  The exhibit was quite good this year.  And, trumpets please:  My Leaping Stag got a third place ribbon!!  Thanks to all of you who encouraged me to enter it.  Most of the ribbons were justly awarded and there were many exceptional pieces.  I'm sorry that we probably won't get to see pictures for several months!

I'm sorry I have no pictures to show you.  I will post pics of my projects as soon as I get permission from the teachers.  Dummy me forgot to ask in class!

All in all, I'm glad I went.  I made new friends, got reacquainted with some old friends, had a good time, learned some new things.  And now I have two more projects in my WIP pile.

ANG Seminar 2013

Today I am heading to Anaheim to attend the ANG Seminar 2013.  I am excited!  I haven't been to a seminar in several years and I am soooo looking forward to meeting folks and attending classes and seeing the exhibit and shopping!

I will not have my computer with me, so I won't be posting again until after August 30.  See you then!

Menagerie, Finished

Menagerie is finished!  It only took me a year & a half to do this year long project...  Of course, there were some pretty long stretches when I didn't work on it at all.  It is finally finished and I'm quite happy with it. 
It is somewhat of a departure for me.  I'm not completely thrilled with the shaded blackwork background, but it does set off the "blocks", which is what I wanted.  I also backstitched around each block with #4 Kreinik.
One of these days I might even have it framed!

Menagerie, Progress #3



I've got a good start on the background and a border for Menagerie.  The background is shaded blackwork, working from light in the corner to dark at the center, the thread is an overdyed silk and I'm using just 1 strand.  (The squiggly lines in the upper right are my shading guidelines & will come out.)  The border is a Crossed Scotch variation in Watercolours and FyreWerks.  I'm lucky that the stitch just fits!

Menagerie Update #2

Menagerie is done except for the large amount of background.  And I may need to add a border.  The photo is dark on purpose so you can see the sections better.  The canvas is actually Eggshell. 

I only worked 16 of the suggested 19 blocks plus background, which will be the 17th "block". 

I chose not to do Whitework, Redwork, Couching or Beading. 

But I added Assisi work (the years 2012 & 2013, lower right), a plaid, and a Darning Pattern. 

The background will be shaded Blackwork.  I think it will go fairly quickly once I figure out what to do!.

 

Walk the Wild River, Progress #4

Since we've been in Reno, I have worked on Walk the Wild River a bit.  This is Sections 12 & 14.  Section 12 is just the three little corners.  I chose to do each one in a different color. 
Section 14 is the medallion. It went pretty easy, just required constant attention to the count!  It is a little brighter than I had planned, but it will do. 
Next up is a section that involves cutting the canvas.  Yikes!
(Sorry for the poor photo, all I have with me is my phone.)

Menagerie update

It has been almost a year since I have posted about Menagerie.  Or worked on it!  Menagerie is last year's year-long project for Cyberpointers. 
I brought it with me to Reno and have actually completed one section.
This is the second Rhodes stitch section and I decided it would be fun to try to do my name in Rhodes stitch variations.  I spent a couple of days with computer and graph paper, and finally came up with a design.  It turned out OK!  I used 2 shades of Splendor and one overdyed Waterlilies.  I don't know if I will fill in the background or not.  I'll decide later.  Most of my sections have a border, but I could just fill it with whatever I do for the overall background.  Here's the whole thing so far.  Again, sorry for the poor photos, I just have my phone with me.

 


Mad Miters for LV, Finished

The Mad Miters for the class is finished.  It is intended to become a glasses case, but I don't know if that will ever happen.  So, imagine a vertical line down the middle.  that is where it would fold to become a glasses case.  Fun that the 2 sides would be different!

Mad Miters for LV

I will be teaching Mad Miters as a workshop for the local ANG Chapter.  Most of the class will be making a glasses case, so I thought I should stitch up a Mad Miters glasses case!
I've got a good start on it as you can see.  I used an Overture Rainbow Tweed overdye that I had in stash & then pulled Silk & Ivory and Neon Rays in some of the colors from the Overture Rainbow Tweed.
I don't recommend the Overture Rainbow Tweed for Bargello.  It is a 4-strand thread but it stitcks together when you try to separate it.  I only need 2 strands for the Bargello.  It is not a very strong thread once it is stranded, so I don't know how well it will wear for a glasses case!  Oh well, we learn by doing!  It is a pretty thread though!
Since this will be a glasses case, I only put the border at the top.  Normally, I put a border all the way around a Mad Miters to stop it.
NOTE:  I have apparently lost my mind.  I am not using Overture, it is Rainbow Tweed!