I can’t find what should have been my final post about Vases with Curly Bamboo by Sharon G showing mine framed and letting you know that Linda M, Beth T, and I from ANG Main Line Stitchers submitted our canvases to Needle Pointers for The Tale of Two Stitchers (in this case three) series of articles. The article discusses the roundness and light reflection. During our meeting discussions, we focused more on the degree of coverage based on a stitch guide and threads from Sharon G (my canvas) and Amy Bunger (Linda). Beth used a combination of those stitches or selected her own stitches after he ..read more

I’ve got a lot of small stuff to finish. I decided to get back into the swing of it with new coasters for us. For Bill’s coaster (on the left), I folded over along the edges and tacked them into place with invisible thread. Details on how I stitched the 4 corners differently are at: https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/03/02/manipulating-overdyed-threads/ For mine (on the right), I folded over along the edges and practiced the buttonhole stitch. I used black DMC Perle #8 and could have used #5 because some canvas is showing through. The design is from a class on Color and Luminosity with Pat Go ..read more

In March, Jacqui from New Jersey Needle Artists continued Tumbling Stripes by Marilyn Owen by going over Stripes 5-7 (counting from the center out). Initially, in Stripe 5, I thought I would use Kreinik #4 Braid on the smaller count Congress Cloth, but it was too thin. Luckily, I had the same color light blue 194 in #8 Braid. I did cut back on the number of strands from 3 to 2 for the dark blue floss (820). Working 2 needles, as Marilyn suggested, went well. I stayed with the number of strands recommended for 18 count for Stripe 6. Stripe 7 has Smyrna stitches using Kreinik #4 Braid in the sam ..read more

The EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional Spring Meeting occurred this past weekend in King of Prussia sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter (no, I am not a member!). They did a lovely job. Teacup pincushion favors (one per table) were awarded to half of the class participants (two per table but not me). There were about 24-26 students. There were table favors, one per table of 6 people, at lunch (again not me). They handed out large carry bags and a snap tray to everyone. The Cardinal Ornament class was designed and led by Liz Kisielewski. It is 6.5″ x 4″ and made from wool felt (6 colors), floss ..read more

I never posted the finished Patti Mann’s Nov Mums (9110), which I got at Rita’s Needlepoint. The stitch guide was from Betsy at Fireside Stitchery. It was finished through Fireside Stitchery, too – back in 2017. I gave it as a thank you to a friend and her husband, Ann and Ross, for letting us use their summer house in Texas for a week. I never posted the finished piece because I didn’t want her to see it before I gave it to them. Since spring is in the air as are April showers, I thought I’d post it now ..read more

Bill and I visited the Woodlawn & Pope Leighey House for the 61st Annual Needlework Show. It was a sunny day yesterday. It was great for driving, but it caused glare issues with the photos. Glass on pieces is allowed at Woodlawn. If I knew the designers or if they were mentioned in the docent’s notes, I will provide that information. I already discussed several pieces in my previous post (https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/03/07/fireside-sampler-at-woodlawns-61st-annual-needlework-exhibit-2024/), and they did not disappoint, especially Deborah Merrick-Wilson’s goldwork (original designs ..read more

Last month, Jacqui from New Jersey Needle Artists continued Tumbling Stripes by Marilyn Owen by going over Stripes 1-4 (working from the center out). Stripe 1 in blue floss (DMC 797) worked fine with 3 strands of floss. Two strands looked skimpy with just enough speckles of white showing through to make me go to 3 strands. Apparently, coverage on 24 count isn’t that much different from 18 count. Then, I thought I would use the darker blue floss shown (DMC 820) and the Petite Sparkle Rays in Stripe 2. The dark blue 820 looks a lot darker in the photo but sure didn’t when I stitched with 2 and 3 ..read more

I heard about Adjustable Stretcher Bars by Frank A Edmunds and found a set of 12″ and 16″ online and had to try them – because they exist! They are easier to put together than Evertite bars (no hammer needed) and square up better. But, some of the bars hang off. With the first arrangement, I could attach my lap stand along the upper left extended bar which which would be good but the lower right extended bar would be cumbersome because I am right handed. So, I switched orientation. I can’t make the canvas more taut by shifting the bars because they interlock. Evertites are easy to stretch t ..read more

Bill and I will not make it to Woodlawn until the end of the month. But, photos of the special award winners are posted and a list of the just over 400 entries with award winners named are also posted at https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2024specialawardwinners. I went through the list and only saw 2 entries for Canvaswork Multi-Stitch (4+), Original design, Adult. My Fireside Sampler got a 3rd Place award and the other by Mercedes B for Porch at the Grand Hotel got 2nd place. I never took a photo of my framed piece before sending it for exhibit! So, that will be in the post when I get it ba ..read more

I’m still cleaning up and organizing my needlepoint (fighting a never-ending battle against acquisition, clutter, and letting go). One pile had this experiment with skip tent basketweave and skip tent horizontal that I decided (for a little while) did not have to continue. Then, I found another 3″ square already stitched. So, I decided to finish this one for a pair of coasters (not that they match). When these get worn, I won’t mind (as much) throwing them away. I found the repeat of colors on a skein of Watercolours (Painted Desert 093). I made sure colors did not repeat when folded in half ..read more