A Friday Treat

Last weekend, for Super Bowl Sunday, I had planned to have an all-day stitch fest (sort of a stitch blitz, if you get my drift...) Instead, I ended up with my laptop on my lap, designing several little projects, and leapfrogging back and forth between Animal Planet's PUPPY BOWL and Sci Fi's GHOST HUNTERS marathon. Never did get any stitching done.... Go figure.

Anyway, one of the little projects I graphed out was a fun little valentine treat that I'm sharing with you today.....in plenty of time for you stitch up for Valentine's Day next week, if you're interested, and need something else to stitch (ha, ha).

Here's a glimpse at the graph:


You can print out the complete pattern on my website, in the FREE PATTERNS page. The apprx. size is 4.5" x 4.5" on 18 ct canvas.

I haven't had the chance to stitch it up yet, and I don't give you any thread names, only the most basic color options. But I think this will be a fun pattern to play around with. At first, I thought it would be fun to stitch in assorted pinks or reds on a neutral background - like a traditional valentine. But on second thought, I remembered I have a piece of red mono canvas that I've never stitched on, and wouldn't it be fun to reverse the colors, and stitch a winter white valentine on red canvas (or any other dark-colored canvas)?

And of course, there are all sorts of ways to mix & match thread types. You can use pearl cottons for the scalloped border, a variegated thread for the inside diamond pattern, add some metallic sparkle (whichever is your favorite - Neon Rays, Ribbon Floss, Flair, etc.), work the background pattern in fine threads (like #8 pearl cotton, or maybe a fine silk) to give it a delicate lacy look..... any of these possibilities will work in this design. And for the center heart: how about creating a padded heart? Or maybe attaching a heart charm? A ceramic heart button? And if you're a bead person, there are lots of places to add your favorite beads. I'm telling you, once you start playing around with this design, there are all sorts of fun possibilities!

I still haven't decided how I will stitch my valentine, but I'm looking forward to playing around with it this weekend. Hope you enjoy stitching one, too!

THREADMANIA!!

Hey, Stitchers.... I just found a great thread-shopping site you should visit if you want to browse for different thread types from the comfort and privacy of your own computer. It's A to Z Needlepoint, run by my local stitchery store, The Regal Rabbit, in Windsor, California.

The store owner, Diane McGregor, was telling me all about it one day when I was shopping in her store. We were talking about how many different types of threads there are and how hard it is sometimes to find just the right thread for your canvas. She suggested I check out her website and search the thread section; she has spent many hours listing practically every thread in her store, in order to give stitchers the best possible way to select and order threads online. Not only are the threads organized by COMPANY and TYPE, but also - most significantly - by COLOR FAMILY and DMC NUMBER!

For instance, say you're going to start stitching on a valentine canvas and want to use the red color of DMC 814. But what other types of threads (metallics, silks, rayons, wools, etc.) match that particular red? Just go to A-Z Needlepoint's thread section, type in the DMC number, and . . . Voila! up pops a screen with all the possible thread types that match that specific DMC color. And as you browse around all the various individual skeins of thread, each has its corresponding DMC number listed on its main page, so you can get a definite idea of what the color exactly IS.

And, in addition, Diane took the time to add very helpful tips about using each and every type of thread on her website. Want to try a twisted silk thread, but are unsure how to use it? Read Diane's tips and you'll learn how to use the thread and feel confident enough to give a new thread a try.... It's MORE wonderful information right at your fingertips. Here's a sample of Diane's description of Trebizond:

"Trebizond is a twisted filament thread that is extremely shiny and can be used on canvas as well as on linen. The weight, luster and composition are unique and can be used for embroidery as well as canvas work. Stitch with a length no longer than 18 inches to maintain the luster of the thread. Be careful to keep the twist of the thread to maintain its sheen. This thread makes beautiful leaves and flowers."

Isn't that marvelous? You've really got to visit her website and browse through all the thread collections. It's also a great way to see if certain types of threads have just the color you're looking for. Do you need a soft ribbon, such as Neon Rays, in a particular shade of pink? Well, here's the place to see if such a color exists! (And, yes, of course, everything is available for convenient online ordering.) What a great way to spend the day oogling all those yummy threads and planning out your next canvas project!

February

Now that it's February, has everyone started working on their hearts and valentines?

I thought I'd share some of my older valentine designs....Just to get us all in the right mood!

Many years ago,I went through quite a feverish blackwork phase, and one of my first (and very elaborate) attempts was this VICTORIAN VALENTINE:


I was inspired to try and recreate an ornate and frilly Victorian Valentine using red cotton floss (1 ply), a fine red Kreinik blending filament, a fine gold metallic, and simple blackwork patterns. The border areas were rather tedious, with lots of repetitious patterns:


But the valentine itself was fun, stitched in a large flowery blackwork pattern; and couched with a fat braid I twirled myself of pearl cotton thread. And I contrasted it with a rather simple and much smaller background pattern:


And after I finished stitching the valentine, I realized it needed a center focal point, so I attached a big acrylic jewel. I guess I could also have attached a gold or brass charm in the center. An old-fashioned heart locket would look lovely, wouldn't it?

"Sunday's Fun Day, Charlie Brown!"

Do you remember this old Peanuts comic book? I've had it in my book stash since 1965 (...ahhh, those were the good old days...)


Anyway, I pulled it off my bookshelves because I was feeling just like Lucy and Snoopy last Sunday - ready to do something FUN!

And you know what that means for stitchers, don't you? Yup. I STARTED SOME NEW PROJECTS! (Never mind that I currently have an undisclosed number of projects already started, needing to be finished - that's soooo not relevant.)

I had such a FUN DAY last Sunday, pulling out threads, cutting canvas and attaching it to assorted scroll bars and stretcher bars.

Once that was done, I sat down and figured out the basic composition of the pieces I wanted to stitch next. And that meant browsing through some of the stitchery books on my shelf - for pattern inspiration, of course. [Aside: Have you noticed the current Bargello trend that is popping up in all the stitchery magazines recently? Well, hint, hint...guess what I'm going to start stitching next? Just wait and see where I'm going with THAT....]

I've also got another floral collage started, but I put it aside to get my Barbary Coast projects done, so I need to get back to stitching on that piece. AND I've had an idea for creating a butterfly piece (another trend I keep seeing in stitching and design magazines) so I think it's time to get started stitching a butterfly design, too.

Oh boy, oh boy.... my favorite thing in all the world - starting a new project!!
And I've got several that I can't wait to begin. Well, those new projects are calling to me, so I've gotta go now and get to stitching... Talk to you later!

Pssst....

If you've been wondering what I've been stitching on this month, I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone: I've been busy marathon stitching on two projects I'm planning to submit as proposals for the 2010 EGA Seminar in San Francisco, which has a theme of "stitching on the Barbary Coast."

I've been thinking about this theme for many months now, and finally got down to stitching. I've spent the whole month of January working on two TOP SECRET projects that I hope will be accepted for the big 2010 event.

I finally finished both stitchery projects last week - WOO HOO, HOORAY FOR ME!!!

The only thing I'm going to show you is the color palette I used for both projects:


I decided to settle on this particular palette of reds, greens, golds and browns because it seemed so evocative of that opulent Victorian-era style that must have been so prevalent in circa-1850 Barbary Coast San Francisco....

But that's all you get to see. The finished projects are hidden in my studio, not to be revealed until 2010.... and my lips are sealed.

Introducing: Ribbons of Hope

I thought it would be most appropriate for my first new offering of the year to be RIBBONS OF HOPE. It's the next design in the ribbon series (the first one being the tan & aqua RIBBONS OF HARMONY I showed you a few months ago) and my new design looks like this:


I was soooo "tickled pink" that the Caron Collection came out with a beautiful new variegated pink thread color last year called "Primrose" (248) because it was perfect for this project! I especially liked the colorway of "Primrose" because it contains all types of pinks - from a coral blush to a zingy magenta. I chose to use a basic pink palette for my model, but you could certainly pick out a coral version or even a darker magenta version.

I stitched three of my most favorite "fat ribbon" patterns (i.e.: ones that are wide enough to do allow some really fun loopy-de-loop fancywork stitching with metallic ribbon threads, beads and the usual assortment of pearl cottons)....

I also planned the ribbon design so that it included special pink ribbons sprinkled throughout the design. Can you spot the little pink Very Velvet ribbons in the first big ribbon?


How about the middle ribbon?


And then again in the big ribbon on the right?


In this ribbon design, I've included some big gold beads with the pattern that I've used very sparingly. But there are LOTS of other places that smaller, secondary beads could be added, if you so desire.

This design was a very fun one to stitch and I enjoyed it immensely! In any case, as a breast cancer survivor myself (6+ years), this RIBBON OF HOPE pattern holds a very special place in my designing heart, and I'm very happy to share it with you. Please visit my website if you're interested in ordering it....

Also, in a personal aside: I'd like to highly recommend that you visit www.thebreastcancersite.com and click on the "Free Mammogram for Women" space, so you can give free mammograms to women who need them. I have the website on my Favorites list, and go there every day to add my click to the tally. It's a fast and easy way to make a difference in someone's life.

Just a Peek...

In my previous posting, I showed you my PINK CYCLAMEN design.

It reminded me that I had started a companion piece to it last year, so I went looking through my project box and pulled it out.

Here's how much I have started:



It's done in #8 pearl cotton thread in blues and greens, and again, it's stitched on 24 ct. Congress Cloth.

Can you guess what type of flower will be going in the middle of the design?

Hmmmmmm.... I'll definitely have to pick this up and start stitching on it again, and (hopefully) I'll have it ready for you to see in the Spring.

Till then, let's all pick up an old project and get back to stitching on it.
There's nothing so satisfying as finally finishing up a project that you started long ago, don't you agree?

(Because of course, it means that AFTERWARDS, you can give yourself permission to start something new - which is even MORE satisfying, right??)

Sooooo, happy finishings, everyone!