FREEBIES, etc.!

Judy is very ill.

2011-02-21T14:41:00.001-06:00

Judy is in Hospital and very ill. More details will be posted here or at her main website.. www.elegantwhimsies.com

My name is Steve Watkins and I am a friend and long time webmaster for Judy. Her family has asked me to help out with the internet aspects of Judy's life. I have limited access to these blogs and may not be able to update this post. We will try to keep this blog updated but due to our limited access that may become a problem.

I do have unlimited access to her main website and will be able to post updates on her condition there, if this blog becomes unavailable to us. Please check both places for information.

For people with outstanding orders please contact me at steve@starnetservices.com and I will do the best I can to help you...

Steve Watkins

Kreinik is Wired!!

2011-02-13T19:38:00.005-06:00

I've been plodding along on this conical topiary for several weeks - just trying to get enough background done to play a bit and see what I could work out for special effects in surface embellishment. The Kreinik metallics have been wonderful, as usual, (I will explain this on the other blog), and just at the best possible moment, I received in the mail a few spools of it to try.

It's very much like the DMC Memory Thread, but is the metallic we all love from this company. This is one of my most favorite colors - and in the #16 braid, which is all that's produced in the Hot Wire series.

played with making shapes, and worked this out on a pair of fat knitting needles. (for smoothness and symmetry)

The method of handling is the same as for the DMC Memory Thread, which I have covered for needlepoint under the label "DMC" on the other blog. I can see a lot of possibilities for this loopy "fret," as it reminds me of the "cloud filling" I did from Sharon B's (Pintangle) stitch challenge last year.

This is also seen under DMC on my labels list on the other blog. It will require some manual manipulation to get it right on that curve, which will appear horizontal when the tree is upright.

A few weeks ago, I saw an ornament with a cording made with DMC Memory Thread, so I decided to see if I could twist the Kreinik. Due to it's nature, it isn't easy unless you have a little device for doing it (I don't) - so you need to cut short lengths, hold it tightly at both ends, and twist. Fun little tiny candy canes!

While looking at these, think also of the posts I did a few weeks ago on the plain and simple triangular trees - they would be great to play with in this manner!! I'll show the conical topiary sometime tomorrow with updates!

More Free Small Motifs for Valentines

2011-02-03T15:18:00.004-06:00

Emma Broidery, on her DMC blog, has some really fine small things for downloading and print out. These, of course, will do equally well for counted X-stitch or for needlepoint. On 18 mesh needlepoint canvas, the largest will only be a little over 1" wide - Some great ideas are already popping into my head, such as repeating one or two of them to make ribbons or borders.

You can go to the side bar on the right side of this blog called "Good Stuff," and click on the "Emma Broidery Blog" button to see all of them.

I'm thinking about asking Emma's permission to stitch a few and show some variations, etc. It's great to get the creative juices flowing!!

Free "Small Patterns" from Liz Morrow!!

2011-02-01T10:35:00.008-06:00

Liz Morrow (Lizart) is celebrating the first year anniversary of her web page, where she has delightful patterns to sell, by offering a new free pattern called "Small Things."

These are delightful tiny patterns that could be inserted into bigger ones, or they might be used as a central motif for building something a bit larger around them. Remember that charts work as well for both needlepoint and counted cross stitch.

You can download this and print it out - just click on the "free design" button to see it. The web page is HERE.

Shells for Ornaments

2011-01-17T21:40:00.007-06:00

I found two more pictures of sea shells - these were for a friend who wanted to decorate a small tree for her studio (a finisher).

They are relatively small, at just 4 3/4" high for the blue shell, and 5" high for the yellow one before adding the outline for finishing. Of course you could enlarge either of them, and even put them on larger mesh canvas for a pillow or purse inset.

I may decide I need to stitch this blue one for myself, as I see Petite Very Velvet for the blue areas - or could even use a different color. Then the Kreinik #12 braid in 002V or the Vintage silver (can't remember the name of it right now, and my color card is in a drawer across the room).

The "nacre" finish of the pink/orange lip needs to be done in DMC Satin Floss, and the pearls are bump stitches with Renaissance Shimmer or Rainbow Gallery Flair.

I didn't add jewels to the yellow one, as I like the markings and the "shine" on it better.

I hope you enjoy these and can use them for yourselves and as gifts. There are lots of tutorials on this blog and on Possibilities, etc. to guide you in canvas prepraration if you haven't seen them. I'm still working on the trees, as I can see them as table settings through all seasons - or on the mantel.

More Patterns for Sea Shells

2011-01-13T21:14:00.010-06:00

I actually found the file folder with my sea shells in it, so will present them here for your use and enjoyment. There are plenty of tutorials and instructions on this blog, here and there, to get you started drawing and painting on canvas. The outlines, of course, could also be used for other things, both needlework and other painting related crafts.

The outlines are the shapes of actual shells, (in the range of 5 1/2" high) but I had a lot of fun painting them in exotic colors instead of the realistic ones. You could always consult a shell dictionary for that if you would rather do the "real thing."

I can see the potential here for some really pretty threads, such as the DMC Satin Floss in the "pearl" interior of the shell.

Please excuse the tilted drawing - it's late, and I was too tired (lazy) to remove the thing from the scanner and straighten it out. I hope you enjoy these, as I have several more I want to show in the next day or two.

Wonderful Color Schemes!

2011-01-11T10:37:00.005-06:00

For any who didn't see my post a few weeks ago on Possibilities, be sure to visit this site of Kristina's and watch her develop color schemes from her beautiful photographs.

I especially like the way she shows these swatches with the colors in proportion to how they show in the pictures.

As this is a "freebies" blog, you are usually in the position of selecting your own colors, so this would be a great aid in doing so when dumping out the stash to pull out what you want to use for a project. Besides, it's interesting to see what she has added each Monday.

Go to Kristina Klarin's blog to see!! Be sure to click on "colour files" on the left side panel to see the swatches without the pictures. (in storage)

Patterns for Sea Shells!

2011-01-04T14:02:00.005-06:00

Digging in boxes again, I have found some small canvases and drawings I had forgotten about - my sea shell collection from several years ago. I will also post the pictures of the painted ones if I can find the files.

I have loved seashells my entire life - from the time I saw the first one when I was about three years old. I used to paint them on needlepoint canvas their true and original colors, but a few years ago, after seeing some jewelry, I decided to use "Caribbean colors" and add pearls, etc.

The first picture is actually a green tree snail, but I took liberties with it. I found a treasure of pictures in a gorgeous encyclopedia of shells, plus a few other books on the subject. Marine biology is of great interest to me, so I've really enjoyed these books. (It's nice to be able to justify expenditures).

The second picture has only been partially painted, and the jewels added - I hope I have a photo of this one in color. It's about 5 1/2" high.

The next two are the drawings on canvas, ready to paint, with the little "pearls" drawn also. The long, skinny one is 5 3/4" high. The shorter one is 5 1/4" high.

These are all that I have on canvas with the pearls, but there are more that are drawings of the actual shapes but without jewels. Also I found lots of just drawings on paper that I'll pass along in thenext post (while I'm still working on trees).

All of these shell shapes are drawn from pictures of the actual shells, so you might paint them realistically (leaving off the jewels) or do them in your choice of colors and do the pearls too.

More Festive Topiaries!!

2010-12-28T12:11:00.011-06:00

At this point, the project is beginning to be exciting, as new "happy accidents" occur. I have the flat paper sketches and the cone appearance of these on the other blog, but wanted to show what I discovered late last night!

By moving the orientation of this tree on canvas, I can use either my diagonal laces and trims or the horizontal laces and jeweled chains, etc. to make the spiral around the topiary.

The first photo shows the paper cone I drew with the lines parallel to the straight lines of the pattern. Incredible, I think, how it looks like spirals - which gave me lots and lots of new ideas!

By putting the top of the tree this way on the canvas, the lines are at 45 degree angles, so will accomodate easily my diagonal laces and "jeweled" chains, etc.

By turning it so that the straight sides are on the threads of the canvas (it also takes less canvas this way), I can do the horizontal/vertical laces and trims - and some of my RIBBONS!! also candy canes. Strings of candy corn, etc. - lots and lots of things for decorating a table top for a special occassion.
(No matter which way the pattern is oriented on the canvas, it will still finish as spirals.)

The second picture shows an old project with my "cotton lace," which is a horizontal lace.

The leaves are on one of my very first pieces in crazy quilt long ago, where I worked out leaves as a seam treatment - they are worked on the horizontal or vertical, and are great with French knot "berries."

At this point, I'm just wishing I could stitch as rapidly as I think. However, there are days that I can't think at all, so am grateful for small, mindless pieces to stitch to keep me going.

The Topiary Tree! (in needlepoint)

2010-12-26T21:04:00.011-06:00

I have myself rather twisted and confused right now about what to put on which blog - but this is where the pattern should be, I think, and the actual stitching on the other one.. Anyway - this is how I went about arriving at it for now.

These drawing implements are very old, but I'm very attached to them - so please excuse their appearance. I used the triangle to make the 90 degree angle necessary for the top of the tree, and drew lines down each side with my black felt tip pen. This one is 7" tall.

I decided to make the foliage/background shaded by needle blending, so needed to mark off the five spaces required to use two shades of a color. I divided 7 by 5, and then made concentric marks with the compass for the pattern.

Next, I marked the exact center of the conical pattern, and made black marks on the side so that I can make sure they are in the same place on both sides on the canvas - things need to meet when the cone is closed to make the tree.
I was playing a bit with the white paper cone while it was on the stiff poster board model, and then opened it out - surprising how these things look! It's difficult to envision those curved lines becoming straight bands on the tree.

I decided to add three to the canvas I'm going to stitch, as I want to make swags or something there. Notice how the straight vertical lines look when the paper is opened out. The rest of the story for today is over on Possibilities, etc. - including a bit of the stitching.

This next scan is the pattern itself - I have sized it to about 7", but you can always print it out and make it smaller or larger. This is the drawing on canvas, and the arrows are pointing to show that the lines end on each side on the same thread - a fingernail may be run across the canvas to make sure they are where they need to be. I marked the needle blending lines in black, and the three horizontal decorative bands in blue. I didn't feel it necessary to stitch count these curved lines on this, but care must be taken to make them neat.

NOTE: The stitching, which I began last night and showed on the other blog, has a serious glitch in it. Therefore, better judgment ruling in the morning light has shown me that I needn't do the five section separation for needle blending, but should simply use the four sections made by the "swag" lines, which are shown in blue on this pattern. I would not do the five separations unless I were going to do basketweave on the background. As it's already drawn onto the canvas, and I have begun stitching, I will simply ignore the black concentric lines, and just use the blue ones as separation.

The bottom is stitch counted so that it will sit nicely and not wobble or be lopsided when finished. There is a little mark showing the center thread at the bottom. I'm showing this sideways because it wouldn't fit in my scanner with the top upright - the bottom is too wide.

This pattern must be drawn with the point at the top. It requires more canvas, but won't stitch well at all if placed as I did the original one with the holly leaves. It's very easy to draw the 90 degree angle by just finding the center thread on the canvas, and making dots 7 inches down on each side from the top point. The concentric curves may just be traced very carefully by putting the canvas over the pattern you made.

A New Project: Topiary Trees in Needlepoint!

2010-12-20T21:15:00.003-06:00

I found an old photo in the bottom of a box, dated 1998! I had painted these things, conical topiary trees, for the cash/carry market in Phoenix in 1997 - and then discontinued them after about two years. (I do this when I'm tired of painting something.)

Anyway, I decided it would be fun to resurrect them and stitch a few for myself - and make a tutorial on how to do your own! I have learned and developed so many skills, stitches, and techniques, and become acquainted with zillions of fine novelty threads over this span of years, so think it would really be fun - and not just for Christmas!

I will show some stitching on Possibilities, where I have just now posted a tutorial on how to make a pattern - but will do the canvas preparation in detail here on this blog - so stay tuned in to both if the project interests you - it might be fun!

A New Month already!! (again)

2010-12-01T10:23:00.004-06:00

I cannot believe another month has gone, and I have produced so little for this blog - another very stressful change of address was in the middle of this one, but as soon as I find my drawing equipment and paint brushes, I'll be back working.

Anyway, this is "December" from my Birthday Crazy Quilt series - and probably my favorite besides April and August. It has lots of symbolism in the mistletoe, holly, narcissus, and the birthstone turquoise. (Tanzanite or blue zircon is the alternative used now, I think). I also like the effect of the blue patch with "rain drops," and the white with glittery snow.

I started these almost three years ago, but still haven't produced January, February, or July. Incidentally, these are now available as e-patterns on my web page, Elegant Whimsies, so you can put your own onto canvas.

Drawing Trees to Enhance and Embellish

2010-11-05T17:31:00.008-05:00

This is a project that I have played with many times over the years I've stitched and designed needlepoint. It's a very very simple thing that anyone could do - skill at art and drawing isn't necessary, and with a knowledge of lots of fun decorative stitches, amazing affects can be achieved.

One of my favorites a few years ago was a little grouping of three to five trees of different sizes, heights, and widths to sit on the mantel at Christmas time. I had little stands made with a base and a dowel to fit into a pocket on the back of the tree so that they would stand upright. I wish I had one to show, but I gave them all away.

Anyway - all you have to do is decide how tall you want your tree, and approximately how wide - so the tree will be tall and skinny or short and fat or whatever.

I first drew a straight line across the bottom, and then, using the triangle, drew a vertical line to designate the center. It's marked at 7 1/2" high.

In the second picture, the arrow points to the left side, which is a sketch to show me the shape my tree will be. Then, the bottom is marked at 2" each side of the center, and a straight line is drawn from top to bottom on the right side, using the triangle as a straight edge. (because it was convenient). I added the little trunk freehand.

The next picture is the 5 1/2" tree I drew, using the same center line and base line, but cutting the center off at 5 1/2" high, - and drawing the line down to the 2" on each side, just as I did for the taller one.

At the bottom, you can see where I played with sketches for changing the shape, and then traced them onto tracing paper to use for my trees if I wish.

Drawing the tree onto the canvas is a simple thing - and you may use whatever mesh size you please for this project. Just place the canvas over the drawing with the center line exactly on a canvas thread so it will be symmetric.

The easiest way, if you aren't a perfectionist, is to use a straight edge and draw the line from top to bottom on each side. I've given several tutorials on this blog about drawing with a pen on canvas - a simple thing.

On this picture, I've begun to stitch draw the side, as I insist on symmetry. You can see where I started to copy on the left side what I've done on the right. I keep a little bottle of white acrylic paint on my table, and a trolley needle to dot out mistakes and re-draw them.

These little trees make a great small, bright project that one can do quickly, and they are a wonderful way to use up stash threads and practice stitches and new techniques and effects. You might just make horizontal bands of decorative stitches (I've actually seen these sold as painted canvas with stitch guides), or fill the whole tree with a multi-colored stitch.

I hope to find time to get a few ready to embellish with surface treatments and embroidered effects I've been wanting to try out! If you wish, just print out these drawings for yourself, and then enlarge or reduce them as you want them - an easy thing. I do recommend a coat of acrylic paint if you intend to use stitches that might allow the white canvas to show through - the "dandruff" effect.

Beads for Sugar Sprinkles! (decorating a cookie)

2010-11-01T22:51:00.004-05:00

Be sure to check Possibilities, Etc. fairly often, as the decorating continues on the Shamrock cookies. At the present time, the sugar sprinkle icing (made with beads worked "solid") is showing!

Also, for right now, the Beads! E-Booklet is offered at half price!!

November in a Few Hours!!

2010-10-31T21:47:00.004-05:00

This year has flown fast, and it will be November in a few hours when I wake up! This is the November Birthday Crazy Quilt heart. Now I need to get busy and finish "January," as I put it down two years ago and never got it back out to do the silk ribbon carnations. Ouch.

Be sure to go see Possibilities, Etc., as I have started another cookie with "icing" - this time solid sugar sprinkles in the form of clear beads!

Stitching the Shamrocks

2010-10-29T21:45:00.003-05:00

I have started the stitching on the Shamrock cookies on Possibilities, etc., so you can take a look and follow along if you wish - and do something creative and original of your own!! Experiment!

Also, I'm offering for the duration of the cookies, my E-booklet (at half price) with lots of different cookie cutter shapes that I have used for many years for playing with new threads, stitches, and techniques - and have also added a mini-stocking. Lots of stitches diagrammed, and color pictures as guidance and inspiration.

Cookie Cutter Needlepoint

2010-10-27T20:14:00.005-05:00

That title could have double meaning - and I had to remind myself of just that when I was fooling around with the drawing. I had to remember that these are to be "cookies" shaped like Shamrocks, and that I probably would only have one cutter in the drawer. Decorating them is the fun and imaginative part that will make each one different.

Anyway - I started this odyssey on the other blog (Possibilities, Etc.), so you can go there to see what's happening. This pattern is about 4 1/4" across at the widest part, but you could always play around with the size and suit yourself. I used 18 mesh canvas, but 13 would work as well.

The idea is to replicate icing and do such things as you would do with a pastry tube/cake decorator type thing, using lots of fun things and great stitches. It's really a good way to try out new stitches too, and new fibers in your stash. I'm showing the drawing on canvas to illustrate the orientation of the tracing. Use the orange line as a reference.

Please refer to other posts about canvas preparation and drawing for instructions for doing this. I've pointed to places where one must be sure to draw on the THREAD and not slip down between them into the groove - makes it much easier to stitch.

October Again Already!!

2010-10-08T15:31:00.006-05:00

The "Birthday Crazy Quilt Heart" for October was finished in 2008, with its opals and calendulas and glorious Fall colors. You can see the other months (some not done yet, though) on the other blog under the label Birthday Crazy Quilts.

There are lots of freebies on this site from last year for Halloween, so don't miss the napkin rings and other small, fun things.

I've never designed a lot of needlepoint for Halloween, as there seems to already be more than enough "out there," and it's also not really my interest for designing painted canvas or for stitching - I leave that to others who excel.

However, I have recently found a web site while cruising on ebay, that has just about sent me over the edge to be stitching on Halloween things!. These pieces are so much fun and so full of originality and personality, they are quite different from any I've seen. I've shown these on the other blog, but to be sure you don't miss it, I'll give you a link here for her Halloween page: Nenah's Needlepoint.

I won't show any canvases here, as that would spoil the surprise. Also, these aren't Freebies, of course, but the prices are so much less than they would be if offered in a retail store!! I love finding these wonderful things that I didn't know were available.

More for a Halloween Table!

2010-09-05T13:48:00.005-05:00

Last year I drew several Halloween napkin rings, but didn't stitch any of them myself - these you can find under the label "napkin rings." There were two I didn't finish drawing, but now have at least put enough on canvas to be able to do a complete one of each, and also pass them along for you to do your own.

The first is a simple one - a bat! I picture a black one stitched in basketweave with Petite Very Velvet, and glittering metallic eyes (Kreinik braid). Usually I make these 1 1/2" wide, which is the same width used for bracelets and belts - but this one, to accomodate the "moon," is 1 3/4" wide.

I have left the images for these a bit large so that when you print them out, you can clearly see where to put the dots onto your canvas when you draw them. Where I put the arrow, just ignore the long, curved line - I drew these things late one night when I was too tired to count, and kept making a mess of it - so gave up and called this a "scrap" and just left the line there. Again - IGNORE it.

As for stitching the bat, I visualize a moon against a navy sky - maybe with metallic stars on it - either silver or Kreinik 032 white, which is very sparkly.

The next is a witch on her broomstick - again, against a moon! My son said this is a self portrait I painted. I put a red scarf on it simply to separate the dotted elements of the drawing.

You could put color on this lady, or just make her a black silhouette - whatever suits you!! Just have fun, and enjoy these for table settings - very festive!

As for drawing them onto canvas, there are a number of blot posts here to instruct you - mostly under "canvas preparation."

'Tis the Season! (thinking about stitching)

2010-09-01T11:27:00.005-05:00

Lest you think I've lost my mind (I probably have, and don't know it yet) - I decided I'm tired of looking at crazy quilts, so "retired" the September heart as a header, as I've used it two years in a row. (See these at my other blog, Possibilities, etc., under "Birthday Crazy Quilts")

I finished this piece last night as a napkin ring, as one of my "tartan adaptability and uses" experiments, and thought it might be suitable to point out that even tho' it's still horrendously hot (at least here in Austin), it's time to think about starting gifts, ornaments, table decorations, etc. for the upcoming gaiety of the seasons of fall into Christmas! (and don't forget Hanukkah!)

My next blog post here will be a new napkin ring motif or two, as these were fun last year, fast to stitch, and great for decorating a table. I'll probably change the header too, and show candy corn or something more appropriate! Meanwhile, there are lots of napkin ring patterns right here on this blog - just click on the label for them.

The illustrated napkin ring is adapted from the Alpine Meadlows tartan, and I have a more complete description on the other blog.

Planning Ahead! (It's August already)

2010-08-06T10:02:00.003-05:00

It only occurred to me last night that it's August, and time to change the header here, and also to get busy (or busier). It's time to be thinking of things to start stitching for "the seasons." My year is kind of turned around, as I was doing coral reefs and seashells and fish in the middle of the coldest winter I can remember having in Austin.

Right now, I'm working on my article for the November/December issue of Needlepoint Now, as the deadline is in three weeks - and it's beastly horrible hot in Austin. Oh well, it's a good time to stay indoors and think and stitch. Anyway, I've neglected Freebies this last year or so, and not offering new things often enough - I'll try to do better starting soon - and definitely by September.

Drawing and Designing Crosses: another tutorial

2010-07-22T18:34:00.011-05:00

I had intended to post the drawing of the flowers for the cross in the previous post, but found these - and thought it might be fine to encourage you to draw your own sizes and shapes - and then put the flowers on them if you wish.

I have put pictures on the other blog of two I made long ago when I was practicing silk ribbon embroidery - and started making crosses for gifts for Godparents and ornaments and Christenings - all kinds of fine uses! When trying out new techniques and learning new things, I decided to put them to good use while I practiced!

Anyway, to draw your own, this is how it begins: These are sketched onto tracing paper - kind of squiggly and rough, but O.K. to determine size, etc. Just ideas that pop into the head from time to time. These are very simple Latin crosses, so easy to draw onto canvas when you get the size right. Actually, any piece of white paper is fine for doodling. I have saved copy paper I was going to discard just for this purpose.
When you have done this, and have a size that suits you, simple make a good tracing with tracing paper and a black felt tip pen (I use the Paper Mate for this, but NEVER use it to draw on canvas). I also use a plastic drawing triangle, utilizing the 90 degree side. Then, fold the tracing in half and mark the center fold with a pencil - this gives you guidance for placing the pattern elements - as the jewels, etc.

I found this scan of a drawing I had made on canvas - to use as a model. I had marked the lines and diagonal intersections where I intended to put a bead. These things must be worked out first, as it's a mathematical thing of being centered and symmetric - very very simple.

Just mark the center of the canvas - on the thread unless you have something in mind that is even numbered (as the cross in previous posts), and work from there. It's always good to make a scan of the drawn canvas for future reference. This one is 6" high on 18 mesh canvas.

The next one is very small - made as an ornament. It's 5 1/4" high on 18 mesh canvas. It's on an even count, as the little "gold beadwork" border is Smyrna crosses with Kreinik gold braid (#12). Very easy to draw!! Also, it has many many possibilities for jewels and color schemes.

On this one, if designing your own, it's good to start with the jewels first - and then work outward to make a nice arrangement of the borders. I worked these in simple slanted gobelin.
The next scan shows how the canvas looked when drawn. I had to do some juggling at the corners, as the Smyrna cross bumps wouldn't fit there. This is O.K. I had to do this, as to make them fit would have messed up the shape so that the jewels wouldn't fit like I wanted them to.

The second of these is on an odd count, and the arrows are pointing to the corners, where the 2 x 3 stitch "jewel" wouldn't fit, so I simply placed a "Smyrna cross" size there.

This one, again, could be worked in many different colors, etc. I started with exactly the same tracing as I worked with when doing the little one with the round jewels.

I have posted two pictures on Possibilities, etc. of crosses I made years ago when first working with silk ribbon embroidery and beads. I got tired of wasting little pieces of canvas - and my time and threads, so started doing small crosses. At least these were useful at gift giving occassions when such things were appropriate and appreciated!

The last one is a piece a drew for a friend who requested it. It's small- and I had to do some juggling to get the lettering and placement of the words to fall into the shape I needed to use - it worked well, and she was pleased.

Notice at the corners (where the arrows point) that the count didn't quite work out the way it should have, so I simply "rounded" them. The one stitch inside the gold "chain" was for insertion of a bead or a cross stitch with a sparkly thread (to make a bump) to resemble a jewel

This is such a very simple process - I hope you will be encouraged to try it for yourself - and be very imaginative!! I'll do the flower tracing in a few days, with also thread and stitch suggestions.

Drawing the Cross onto Canvas

2010-07-15T17:57:00.010-05:00

I'm having to plagiarize my own canvas, as all I had for reproducing it was an old photograph, which I enlarged on my color copy machine.

The first thing to be done was to figure out the size of the thing. I managed that by counting the little "jewel" things across the top (11 of them) and then down the side. I drew it out on scrap canvas and measured it - the cross is 6 1/4" high on 18 mesh canvas without the little 3 thread border.

Of course you could do it proportionately larger by putting it onto 13 mesh instead of 18. Having determined the height and width, I could cut canvas the right size. I like to leave at least 1 1/2" all around - 2" if I'm doing it commercially so that people will have the option of putting a background for use as a Bible cover or framing.

You can see that this is on an EVEN count, as the jewel is four stitches square - perfect for a little Smyrna cross "pearl." So - one must mark the center of the canvas at the top for guidance by drawing a line in the GROOVE between the threads. If the count had been odd - one would make the mark ON THE THREAD.

Incidentally, you might play with this format, and make a larger, very interesting cross by making the jewels 3 x 3 stitches in stead of the 2 x 2 I used here. There are all kinds of possibiilties for stitching and decorating!! Next, just go around the cross from the first little jewel.

I find it very very easy just to "eyeball" draw without having to count stitches by only making two marks - you can see where the arrows point. Then when finished, you can go back and fill in the missing spaces. This way you can concentrate on counting the jewels and not the stitches.

I marked the corners just to show where the border will be. Be sure from time to time to check yourself - run your thumbnail down a thread and make sure everything lines up. This one is so simple, but one can get "off count" if not paying at least a little attention.

The third picture shows the outside drawing complete.

At this point, you might figure out something of your own to do with the shape instead of doing it like mine. I have charted for people things like "With Faith all Things are Possible" - simple things. OR a wonderful interesting background with lots of silk ribbon flowers on it.
I only sketched in the stripes with two different blue drawing pens (sharpies). I left them incomplete, as I'm not sure what I'll do with the center - probably go ahead and show you how to trace the flowers onto it for stitching - but you could also just leave the center with no painted flowers and do the silk ribbon variety instead. I'll give you the tracing next time for the flowers.

Setting up these stripes originally was easy, - as, again, it's on an even count, so making the three dark blue stripes 2 threads wide, and two wider light blue stripes (4 threads wide) was logical. Try also making a much smaller cross by using maybe only 5 or 7 "jewels" across the top - and proportionate on the rest of the shape.

Be imaginative, and enjoy the process!! The color picture of the painted cross is on a post just previous to this one in case you missed it!

More "Paint Your Own Canvas": A Floral Cross

2010-07-14T11:44:00.007-05:00

I found this photograph, as I have found so many long forgotten, while cleaning out boxes after a major move of residence. This one is a scan of a photograph, as I painted it long before I had a digital camera and computer - a VERY long time ago.

As I remember, I drew and painted this for a class I was teaching in trying out different techniques and canvas preparation. I think this is the one which led to my deciding to start using silk ribbon embroidery for flowers on crosses and then, later, crazy quilt adaptations.

Anyway, over the next week or so, I intend to give you here the instructions, starting with cutting the canvas, in detail for drawing it onto canvas yourself - and then suggestions for stitching.

There are plenty of tutorials on canvas preparation now here and on my other blog, Possibilities, etc., to help you know which pens and which paint to use, and how to use the paint brushes, etc. etc.

This is a more advanced Freebie, and I hope you put it to good use and enjoy it!! Just please remember that it's for your own entertainment and for giving as gifts either as a painted canvas for stitching friends or as a stitched and finished piece - but NOT for sale as a painted canvas.

For more detailed instructions for Painting Your Own Canvas, I have the book in two chapters now as an E-booklet on my web page, Elegant Whimsies. Under "our designs" just click on E-Books.

I think this has confused some people who have only seen the coil bound version. This is the downloadable, much less expensive version, as you receive it almost immediately upon purchase, and may download and print it out yourself. I revised it and added a lot more color, newer materials and techniques.

Stitching Gingham/Plaid/Tartan on a Circle (How to)

2010-06-25T15:09:00.012-05:00

I used all three names applied to this textile - stripes intersecting at right angles to form a delightful pattern (I explained the origin of the terms in a previous post back a while.)

This one is what we in this country call "Gingham," a woven fabric (replicated in needlepoint here) with even stripes on both warp and weft - and just one color plus white, creating a lighter shade of the color where it crosses.

The arrow is pointing to a place where one has to be careful when stitching on a rounded outline. It's necessary to pay attention!!

Feeling rather lazy the day I needed to start this, instead of cutting a new square of canvas, I Ipicked up a small piece of canvas that already had a 3 3/4" circle drawn on it, and decided it would be a great exercise anyway in stitching needlepoint plaid.
The circle is drawn on an odd count, which meant I couldn't make stripes of 4 threads. Three were too small for the scale of this piece, and 7 were too wide.

There is a lot more to using plaid for needlepoint than just "setting it up." One has to consider the intended use for a particular project, and make sure the scale is also attractive. The 5 threads I settled on look right for the circle.

The next consideration was where to start. On a rectangle, I would have started stitching the warp on the right side - however, on this circle, I began in the center, as I am a perfectionist about symmetry. (The circle is stich drawn for this reason) From the center, I simply worked out toward the right side.

The arrow pointing to the center shows where one could draw a well centered letter or monogram if desired (before stitching). Next, I started stitching the weft - again centering it. The arrows point to the center thread.

After this, it had to be marked for guidance, so I used the Sharpie extra fine Permanent MARKER - never the paint pen, as it's not really safe for needlepoint canvas. I counted backward from the center to reach the top where I began the stitching. The marks on this circle didn't go into the circle itself as I do on squares - it would have made the outline difficult to discern.

The arrows point to a place that looks rather strange - but it's just the white stitches making the "gap." This won't show when it's finished.
The last picture shows the progress toward looking like gingham!! Again, the arrows point to places where it appears that a little bite has been take out of the circle. The tendency would be to want to complete the blue square - but then it wouldn't be correct according to the circle drawing. A round piece this small could be a box top insert - but I think I would have started with a monogram before beginning the stitching!

ADDENDUM: I have several tutorials on the subject of stitching plaid in needlepoint, but for anyone who has missed it; the WARP (vertical) stripes are stitched first, and in basketweave, on every other row. Use the warp threads of the canvas - the thread is on top, forming a slight "bump." Then the weft is worked horizontally on the weft threads of the canvas - where the spaces are left. This is extremely simple, and there is minimal distortion of the canvas.

Using the Tartans

2010-06-07T10:52:00.006-05:00

As I have been doing a number of posts about Plaid and Tartans (one and the same in the U.K.) on both blogs, I feel I need to do a disclaimer and explanation of my use of the Registered Tartans. (I've shown the Texas Bluebonnet first on January 3 on Possibilities, etc. and again recently, and the Alpine Meadows, as well as the Millenium Ribbon.)
I have contacted the Scottish Registry, and am told that it is definitely a copyright infringement, and therefore illegal, to make charts of these to sell.

It is O.K., however, to use them as I have on these blog posts to demonstrate how to interpret and set up a tartan/plaid for one's own use. The same method applies to other plaids one sees and wants to convert to needlepoint. I used the Tartans simply because I have loved them for many years.

The Bluebonnet plaid has gorgeous colors - and is also the state flower of my home state, Texas. Green is my favorite color - hence the Alpine Meadows, shown in the picture for progress!

I have shown my little canvas doodles where I worked out the counts, and you are welcome to use those for your own enjoyment - but NOT to make charts and sell. I also have planned tutorials on how to USE these plaids to create actual projects - I've managed to lay out a checkbook cover with this green one, as the pattern elements fit. (These will probably be on Possibilities, etc.)

My daughter says she would like the Burberry tartan for hers. Of course she would. Later. I offered to make also a dog collar for my SIL's big yellow lab, Godzilla, but it was declined, as was a belt for SIL - however, many many people are making plaid belts!! I'll show this process also.

Anyway, the gist of this is that one may replicate a registered tartan for PERSONAL use, but not for commercial. That is to say, not for financial gain by selling charts and patterns.

I do have a book on creating and using Plaid, which also includes quite a number of plaids I've created myself - but these are totally original, and not registered tartans. The book is being revised (in my spare time) and updated, and will be offered as an e-book soon, I hope, on my web page.

A Free "Create Your Own Tartan" Site!!

2010-06-03T11:44:00.003-05:00

This is the Anderson tartan - officially registered (I like to show it, as it's my family tartan - a very old one, and the only one with 7 colors) I haven't tackled "adapting" it for my own use, as it's a bit complicated.

Anyway - If you haven't seen my other blog post about it, there is a really great and fun place to go to create a plaid/tartan of your own. It's as entertaining as the Jig-Zone puzzles I play with when taking a break. (creative avoidance).

You can see it at SCOTWEB. From the home page, just click on "tartans" and scroll down a bit - and you can go to the place to design your own.

"The Rule" once again!!

2010-06-02T11:37:00.002-05:00

I honestly thought enough time had elapsed a while back that I could remove "The Rule" from my side bar. Apparently not so, as professional etiquette and blog etiquette has once again been abused.

My tutorials - how to's and patterns - are absolutely for your use and enjoyment - but they are NOT for using for your own purposes to put together and sell on the internet, represented as your own work. I have too many years of research and experience in developing these things to allow it. Besides- it isn't nice!

The last time this happened, I had to get my attorney involved to stop it, and was advised to take all the posts off so they could no longer be used. In this case, I have too much time involved, and still am wanting to share whatever I can of techniques and patterns with anyone who would enjoy them - but not for their own profit.

Tutorial for Tartan/Plaid

2010-06-01T10:16:00.003-05:00

If you haven't seen it, and like stitching (or want to learn how) plaid, I have a tutorial on the other blog, Possibilities, etc. It's explaining how to adapt a tartan plaid to needlepoint - Fun!! I have a second one ready to post this morning.

Needle Blended Shading: An Ornament Tutorial

2010-05-22T19:33:00.009-05:00

I was looking through old picture files yesterday, hoping to find inspiration - and I did! I won't show the photo, as it's been so long, I don't remember who did the work. It's a block from an art crazy quilt that has four layers of shades of pink, embellished with embroidered seam treatments - which goes right along with what I'm doing these days in needlepoint.

As for the layers of shades of color, I decided it would be fine to do an ornament, but with needle blending, as Anne Stradal (The Cape Stitcher) taught me. She uses this technique for skies behind lighthouses and California missions. Charming!! I used it on my recent "Coral Reef" series to shade the sea water from light at the top to dark at the bottom of the ocean.

The first scan is one of the water droplets, where you can see the gradual shading from top to bottom. This is achieved (on 18 mesh canvas) by dividing the piece into equi-distant sections, using five if you're just using two shades of a color - which is quite enough!

Start on the first section with four plies of the lightest color. Then on the next one, three plies of the light, plus one of the dark. Next - two of each, then three of the dark and one light, and finish with four plies of the dark. Very easy! (using DMC cotton floss)

I worked on the red one first, but decided to make it larger for the pink one and use three shades of the pink. Be sure not to have the shades of color too far apart in value.

By using three shades, I had to use more divisions - and arrived at 8, so the little spaces are narrower. Also, I drew the ornament larger than the red one, which is from my collection of "traditional ornament shapes." (Available as E-Patterns on my web page.)

The ornament that is to be red is 4 1/8" wide. If you print this out, you may either just trace it onto canvas, or - better - go ahead and stitch draw it, following my drawing, as it's very easy - and much better to have it perfectly symmetric. On this one, I'm using Nobuko stitch for background.

The ornament that is to be shades of pink is 5" wide. By no means does it have to be divided into 8 segments for three shades - could also be worked beautifully with just the two shades on five segments. I had originally drawn these to do more of the Coral Reef things - using different shapes and salt water tropical fish. Will do that another time!!

ADDENDUM: It's Monday morning, and my mind seems to be coming back - I remembered where I saw the beautiful crazy quilt block which inspired the "layered" pink ornament! It was on the blog by Jo of New Zealand - No Matter Where I Go, I Always Meet Myself There - this is fun, informative, and very imaginative, as well as showing beautiful needlework.

Using DMC Memory Thread: a Tutorial

2010-05-08T16:21:00.012-05:00

When first working with a new thread that isn't familiar to me, I like to experiment and find something a bit out of the ordinary, unexpected, but within the limitations and character.

Almost immediately, when I saw the DMC Memory Thread, I saw CORAL! It reminded me of a pink sea fan on my screen saver! This prompted a series of "Coral Reef" ornaments, that are featured in the new issue of Needlepoint Now in my article.

That was a lot of fun, and after seeing it "in print and in person," I was prompted to start another one, and realized how much I had learned about handling the Memory Thread and making stitches with it - trial and error.

This is one of the "water droplets" - and I'll be showing it as it progresses on the other otther blog. Anyway, the method is this: With NAIL CLIPPERS (I never use scissors for cutting needlepoint threads, as the clipper is so much easier, more efficient, and produces cleaner ends) clip off a piece about 12" - 14" long. I like to rub it back and forth a few times gently on a rounded table edge to remove any bends or kinks.

To begin, decide where the first stitch will be placed - I make a sketch of a general idea before beginning. Using a #18 tapestry needle, make a hole from front to back, (for placement) - kind of jiggle it around a bit so that the Memory Thread will go right through it. Poke the M.T. through it about an inch, and bend it down on the back. Then complete the Fly Stitch.

You'll be poking the M.T. through from back to front in "step 3" (the tail) of this stitch, so to identify where on the back to come back up, stick the needle through from front to back, and with the needle still in place, turn it over and see where to come back up with the M.T. (the first photo)

At this point, if the end is bent or frayed a little bit, simply clip off the very end to smooth it out and make it easy to push through the hole.

A mistake I made when I first started doing this was to neglect to poke the needle through from back to front, and eliminating this step made it very difficult to make the thread go through from back to front. I finally figured out that going from front to back was easy for a REASON. DUH! It's a good idea to keep a pair of tweezers close by for pulling the M.T. through if necessary - fingernails also work in a pinch.

Anyway, here I'm making fly stitches to create coral. The third photo is showing the "coral" almost finished.

The picture that inspired this one had some coral/peach color on it in this shape - so in addition to the yellow (#6170) I used a bit of #6060 to make the second part of each branch. Simple to do. I just made a stitch coming up from the back, sliding under the tail of the yellow stitch, and back down from front to back.

Last, the little polyps! I found a skein of DMC variegated Pearl Cotton that was the perfect color, weight, and texture for making French Knots here.

I won't pretend that this was easy, or that it didn't get a little tedious, but it's really well worth the effort - many of the threads we love affect us this way, but we use them because they produce the desired look, color and texture of our creations. If everything were easy, there would be no challenge to our creativity!!

A Tartan Tutorial

2010-05-02T09:40:00.005-05:00

First an explanation of the header. Again I have not designed and stitched the Birthday Crazy Quilt heart for May - haven't had time, but maybe next year. If I start now, I can probably at least get "July" worked. For now, the roses are blooming beautifully in the yard, so I opted for June for the header for the next two months at least.

Next, I have begun a tutorial on setting up plaid ribbons (we in this country call tartans "plaid.") This will be on the other blog, from time to time - so tune in there if it's of interest to you. I'll do more traceable DIY type things here on Freebies.

This is showing the "set-up" I devised yesterday for stitching the Millenium Ribbon from Scotland.

Stitching the Scallop Shell and Fish

2010-04-21T21:23:00.003-05:00

Be sure to see the jeweled fish and the scallop shell on the other blog (Possibilities, etc.) with stitching in progress, as they're coming alive now with color!

Another Scallop Shell

2010-04-13T11:14:00.006-05:00

This shell is rather small - perfect for an ornament for a small tree, maybe at one's beach house (or in my case wishful imagining of being back in Tallahassee).

Anyway, I'm planning to stitch some of these and show progress on the other blog after I determine which threads to use. At the moment, I'm looking at one of my favorite combinations: RG Petite Very Velvet, Kreinik metallic braid (#12 for the 18 mesh canvas) and Renaissance Shimmer to make "pearls" and "coral."

Originally, I painted these little ones for a friend here in Austin, who wanted to do a small "nautical theme" tree, so this is only 3 1/4" high as is - but could easily be enlarged by either enlarging the tracing or by using the counted canvas version on larger than 18 mesh canvas.

This, again, is a tracing of an actual scallop shell from one of my books on the subject. It's easy to imagine and place "jewels" on them and change to colors to suit! Of course, many times, the actual colors are gorgeous.
The drawing on canvas is symmetric and counted, as this is a must for a small piece, especially. Also, this could be done in counted cross stitch by simply substituting the dots on canvas with an X on graph paper or fabric. Quite simple. Play with this one and see what color combinations you might devise!

Designing a Jeweled Fish (in Needlepoint or X-Stitch)

2010-04-11T13:44:00.007-05:00

While looking at the painted canvas, I realized that this could also be done in counted cross-stitch on a colored fabric! The model is on 18 mesh canvas, so each little dot/stitch can be reproduced with a X-stitch on the fabric - on graph paper, this would appear as one square, so you might want to chart it that way first.

Anyway - this is a fish I traced from a book on tropical fish (can't remember the name of it right now), and then played with it a bit on doodle canvas to get an idea for embellishment - and voila! "jewels"!!

The jewels are on a 90 degree angle, which follows lines I drew first to get some ideas - and it worked! The jewels are in a setting of Kreinik metallic braid - #12 both in 002 gold and in silver for the little smyrna cross "beads." These are marked in blue on the canvas to easily distinguish from the gold settings.

To do your own, you might just follow what I did - or trace the outline of the fish (or find yourself a new one in a book or on the internet) and figure a wonderful and original pattern.

I'm planning to stitch several of these, as well as some shells I drew a number of years ago, on the other blog soon. On this fish, I'm seeing petite Very Velvet (Rainbow Gallery) with my favorite effect of the 002V metallic braid and lots of sparkle in the jewels. Also some DMC Satin Floss here and there for a great contrast in texture. I'll have some more shell freebies soon - I've been awfully busy lately, so am running behind.

ADDENDUM: For right now, I have the comments cut totally off, as a few nights ago, I had a horrendous spamming episode - and the only way I could stop it was to block and remove the entire comment section. I did this on the other blog also to take no chances. After this, I'll do the comment moderation thing, which I really didn't want to do. Oh well.

Sea Shells for Needlepoint: With or Without Jewels

2010-04-06T18:07:00.011-05:00

I promised a while back that I would provide some patterns for sea shells for putting onto canvas yourself.

I finally dug out two rather fat files labeled "Jeweled Critters" and "Small Sea Shells." I had forgotten about many of them, as that binge of designing for me came and went about 12 years ago. Since then, I have found many many new threads to use to really enhance these things, and make them much better than they were the first time.

The first picture is a simple scallop shell - the first one I did when I departed from painting realistic sea shells on needlepoint canvas. I had pulled out a lot of threads in what I call "Caribbean Colors," and it seemed only right to paint some shells in these colors - but what was lacking, was "pearls."

The second picture is in the actual colors of a scallop shell which is native, as I remember, to somewhere in the south Pacific. Later, I added pearls to it, and painted it in several different color combinations - my favorite, of course, the aquas and green.

Enough of that. My purpose here is to inspire you to create your own, and it's actually quite simple. I have had a love and fascination for sea shells since I saw my first real ones as a small child at Ft. Pierce in Florida, during WWII, just before my father went off to the south Pacific.

When I moved to Tallahassee in my early 40's, my favorite recreation was going to the beach "in season" and picking up shells, and going out onto the sand bars to pick up sand dollars with my toes. Of course I then had to put them onto canvas for stitching.

All of my fantasy "jeweled" shells are from actual shapes, most of which I traced from several wonderful books of shells I own - one of them is a gigantic "coffee table" book. (I'm back in Austin now)

You can do this - or look for shells on the internet. Mine are here for you, and my suggestion is that you print them out, size them as you wish, and draw them onto canvas. Then see what you can do with adding jewels and beautiful, unusual colors.

This shell is a green tree snail - it was in my giant book of shells, so I traced it and added the pearls. I'm already pulling out threads to see what I can use to really make it special. Maybe Petite Very Velvet with the pearly coral colored area in DMC Satin Floss. The gold outlining will, of course, be Kreinik 002V #12 braid, as this is on 18 mesh canvas.

This is not the color of the actual green tree snail, as the real ones are very very bright green - gorgeous things!! I"m giving you both the tracing, and also the scan of the actual canvas, marked for the addition of the "pearls."

As I don't like to paint the canvases I'm going to stitch unless I have to, I'll just mark the areas of color with the Sharpie ultra fine permanent drawing pen, so I'll know where to stitch each color. Thank heaven for colored drawing pens these days!!

To show the transition from sea shell book to painted canvas, I've photographed the two pictures together to give you an idea of what you can do. This is a "banded tulip" - one of my favorites.

It's April Already - my Favorite Month!!

2010-04-01T12:14:00.004-05:00

Diamonds and Sweet Peas - with a bit of rain. What more could one want, except hoping hot weather will delay another month or so.

I didn't finish this "Birthday Crazy Quilt" until June of last year, so it wasn't available for a Freebies header.

Knitting with Fabric Strips (again!)

2010-03-24T11:17:00.004-05:00

I have mentioned this briefly at an earlier date, but as I've noticed that people are now looking for patterns and techniques for fabric strip knitting, it's time to dig out the pattern file I created on my last "binge" of this about five years ago.

It's an extremely creative medium, as is knitting in general, and I'm apalled at the number of people who have never gone beyond scarves - so were bored and gave it up.

I have probably shown this little tote bag on the other blog at some point in the past, but will show it again here - as well as another one I really enjoyed from the "Mosaic" patterns by Barbara G.Walker.

The blue and white bag is made with the pattern "Waves" from the first book on the subject.

I'll go find some simple ones that I can offer here for you to try - probably starting with the placemats I made, using the little washcloth pattern we were doing with cotton thread about ten years ago - starting in the corner. I managed to figure out how to elongate this, and made placemats - with the same fabric hemmed, and used as napkins. Very effective and festive for a table setting!

PAINT YOUR OWN CANVAS 2nd chapter

2010-03-08T09:59:00.004-06:00

I worked very hard over the weekend, and astonished myself by finishing Chapter II and putting it onto the web page. Now I deserve a rest, and another "swim" with the coral reef critters.

This chapter shows, mostly in pictures, detailed instruction in drawing the pattern, putting it onto canvas, and painting - even as to how to hold the paint brush and how to fill it with paint.

This is a downloadable e-booklet that you can print out yourself, so may be purchased by those interested who are from countries outside the U.S.A., as there is no "mailing" involved except by e-mail.

A Mini-Scallop Shell and Paint Your Own Canvas!

2010-03-03T19:23:00.006-06:00

This scallop shell is from my Coral Reef series of ornaments - and it was stitched on waste canvas over the background, to make it stand out a bit instead of blending in - very effective! It can be seen on the other blog. It's a tiny thing, at only a bit over 1" high, but might be useful for something else - so I'm passing it along.

Likewise the fish, which is intended for an ornament now in progress - it will also be stitched on waste canvas. I have these on graph paper to make them show up better, and each little square represents a stitch in needlepoint or an X for counted X-stitch. The color scheme is yours to imagine!

I drew these first, of course, on needlepoint canvas so I could see what they would actually look like. When I drew them later on graph paper, it helped me visualize some stitches I might use - so it helped a lot.

And now for my commercial about my re-do of "Paint Your Own Canvas." I've been needing to update that book for about two years, and for the last year, have sworn almost daily that I would get busy and put it into E-Book form.

As I was able to add more color pictures, etc. by doing it this way, as well as having new materials, tools, and information that I didn't have five or six years ago, (including a computer and digital camera) it started getting too long, so I have split it into two chapters.

Chapter I is ready and already on my web page (Elegant Whimsies). under "E-patterns: Booklets." It deals in depth with the tools and materials and how to use them - and also with paint and mixing colors, etc. Hopefully, I'll finish Chapter II over the weekend, which will be about actually designing, drawing, and painting a canvas.

Meanwhile, as I'm day dreaming about the Gulf of Mexico, and time spent on the coast of north Florida, I'll get out my "jeweled sea critters" file and put some more here for your use.

It's March Again Already!

2010-03-01T10:33:00.004-06:00

I usually dread the arrival of March, as in Austin it means the advent of hot weather again. However, after having a record number of weeks of winter, (which was rather wonderful, for a change), I'm looking forward to maybe some sunshine and good weather for outdoor activity. (as long as it remains cool).

Anyway - this is the Birthday Crazy Quilt for March, which includes the aquamarines and daffodils significant for the month. The symbolism of these is explained on the other blog (Possibilities, etc.) I think , under "birthday crazy quilts." - be sure to go look.

Also, this piece, along with the other ones, may be purchased as an e-pattern or as a painted canvas with instructions on my web page, Elegant Whimsies.

DMC and Needlework History

2010-02-26T10:53:00.001-06:00

If you don't already go regularly to the new DMC blog, written by "Emma Broidery," be sure and see it now - a post describing the total history of the DMC corporation, and also history of needlepoint, needlework in general, etc. This one also has the usual little "freebie" - a charming counted cross stitch mini-sampler.

An Egg with Memory Thread! (and a new blog)

2010-02-14T10:38:00.003-06:00

"Tis the Season" to do an egg or two, and I'm loving what the ladies at DMC did with my little egg and their new Memory Thread.

"Emma Broidery" is doing a blog for them, where you may find this egg as a Freebie, as well as other interesting things to browse and for finding inspiration for your needlework - do go see it. The link is on the side bar under "Good Stuff."

A Delightful Valentine Freebie from Liz

2010-02-09T10:57:00.006-06:00

For anyone who hasn't found Liz Morrow's beautiful blog, she has now added a web page with downloadable patterns - and a freebie, which changes regularly.

I wanted to share this delightful Valentine with you, and also couldn't resist the purchase, myself, of one of her gorgeous bargello patterns.Her bargello is so imaginative! These patterns may be delivered to your e-mail by PDF - or you can get them "hard copy" as she calls it.

The little picture I'm showing says "click to download" - but this was on Liz's site when I touched it with my mouse - so you have to go to her web page to do that.

Also, don't forget that these charts work equally well for needlepoint or counted X-Stitch. Each little square represents a stitch, which would be an X for cross stitch, and a tent stitch for needlepoint - a simple "translation."

A Cheerful Crazy Quilt!

2010-02-04T13:46:00.003-06:00

I decided that the header needed to be changed from the January Birthday CQ, even though outside here in Austin, it still feels like the gloom of the overcast sky with wet stuff falling down - and it's cold. This is much more cheerful!

It's a cut-out from my "beginner" crazy quilt heart, which is available for sale on my web page as an e-pattern - a downloadable, print out for "do-it-yourself" and spare the expense of a painted canvas (although that is also offered) See those at Elegant Whimsies.

Earrings for the Season: Needlepoint or Counted X-Stitch

2010-02-03T16:27:00.006-06:00

This is one of those almost mindless activities that could keep me happy and busy for the whole day if I don't make myself put it down. I just call it "doodling on canvas," as I never use graph paper for designing. That takes time to color in little squares, and it doesn't give me a true picture of the way it will look on the correct size canvas anyway.

These little pictures will work on size 18 needlepoint canvas (you wouldn't want to use larger mesh for earrings) or 18 count Aida for counted X-stitch. For the X-stitch, just make the little X on the square wherever there is a dot on the needlepoint canvas - it's a very simple transition.

One converts X-stitch charts to needlepoint the same way - where there is a colored square, just make a tent stitch on the canvas.The four earrings in the top photo were drawn onto canvas on the odd number - 11 or 13, so that the heart would work, as it has to have a center stitch. These are small enough that one could add still another row of border.

The next photo shows the earrings a bit larger - by one or two threads, as they must be kept in the 3/4" diameter range to be attractive. They may be left square, or with the corners taken off, as in the kpicture of the Christmas set in the previous post.

Again, these are either odd or even count - the even count is necessary for the little blue flower (the red one in the previous post), as the center is a Smyrna Cross, as are the petals around it.

I have used Sharpie ultra-fine point permanent drawing pens to do this, as they are not for commercial purposes, so the drawing pens are fine - just not very pretty.

You might use beads, sparkling fibers of all kinds - just use your own imagination and make something special. I don't know how to finish needlepoint, but I've seen people on other blogs do this - and the earrings simply involve backings one can purchase at craft stores, I believe. Anyway - have fun with this! They are quick to do, so there is still time to wear them for a Valentine party.

Earrings for February in Needlepoint!

2010-02-02T21:23:00.004-06:00

This is something I've shown before - and is actually for Christmas - but it gave me an idea! I'll see what I can do with some tiny hearts or something especially for "the day." Maybe tonight or in the morning - and then post the pattern.

It is a cuff bracelet and a pair of earrings I did two years ago - with lots of beads, of course, for sparkle. The earrings are tiny, so would be quick to accomplish, and easy to finish with a backing glued in place.

Actually, the flowers could be a different color on this one, and change to forget-me-nots.

More Beautiful Freebies for Needlepoint/Bargello!!

2010-02-01T12:11:00.005-06:00

A beautiful new web site to explore - and freebies to print out also! (both counted work and bargello)

Liz Morrow, whose bargello, in my opinion, is the best on the planet, has now started a web page that is worth spending some time cruising. She has a section that offers free print outs - so do go take a look at Lizart Needlepoint and Bargello!

The illustration is not a "freebie" to my knowledge - it's just a selection of ornaments I especially like. I think they are offered as "beginner" pieces - very simple and very effective. I'd love to do them myself, and I'm not a beginner. I'm sure I would learn a lot that I don't know.

Developing Plaid in Needlepoint - more on the Egg

2010-01-25T20:29:00.008-06:00

The egg is moving along, but slowly, as I've had too many other things going on this week.

For the white on this plaid, I've used the DMC floss #3865, which is not the bright white, the "Blanc" we're more used to, but just barely "off white." Very nice! The Smyrna Cross frame around the oval is the blanc pearl cotton, as I wanted it to stand out and make a statement.

While working on the egg a few days ago, I remembered another piece I was doing several years ago, in which I was bored and tired of the project, so decided to see what would happen if I worked the weft horizontals in the plaid with beads instead of thread - the results were amazing, and put me on a whole new path in my work with beads and needlepoint!

See that post on the other blog, (Possibilities, Etc.) If this hadn't been about creating plaid and using it for something specific, I would have used beads on this egg. I was so enchanted with this "beaded solid" look, that I used it for yet another plaid - this time one I saw as an upholstery fabric in a magazine. It's actually one with stripes of equal width, but separated by very narrow stripes of gold - perfect for an evening bag.

This picture is a photo of a scan of the original sample, (I lost it long ago) so does't really show how striking it is with the beads. - but you can get the idea. Also, this demonstrates another small variation one can do to develop a plaid.

The next picture shows what we would normally think of as "gingham," but with an extra color added. Such an easy thing to do - just one little change creates a new look. The blue and green "tartan" is another one created by simply starting with some favorite colors and playing with widths of stripes. I added the dark blue, as it needed something for accent to keep from being dull.

After you start playing with this yourself, you will certainly begin to notice plaids everywhere - make little sketches even at the supermarket if you can. I always enjoy the challenge of working out a new one - but remember that using these on a specific project takes more planning as to scale, etc. - width of stripes, and their placement. A great creative endeavor, it is.

ADDENDUM: These plaid swatches are from my book on PLAID for NEEDLEPOINT, which is available - and soon to be offered as an E-book also. There are many more, as well as instructions on how to set them up for use on specific projects - and also how to design your own. This is on my web page, Elegant Whimsies.

Garnets (in beads) for January!

2010-01-23T16:26:00.002-06:00

I didn't get this piece finished, yet again. I started it last year, and really enjoyed creating the antique "garnet" lavolier - just had to do a necklace, as garnets seem to require it. This one is made with my "beaded solid but isn't really" technique - just looks that way. (very easy) Anyway, I think my problem with January Birthday Crazy Quilt Heart is that I could not figure out how to do effective carnations - the flower for the month. I have silk ribbon in the appropriate colors, but wanted a flatter effect than I've seen in any instructions - and couldn't work it out myself. Oh well. I didn't want to fail to at least show a bit of January - with ice crystals and snow and "fir tree green."

A Project in Plaid for Needlepoint: An Egg

2010-01-11T18:24:00.009-06:00

Learning to create and then stitch a plaid is one thing - knowing how to set one up for a project is another. I decided to do an egg with an initial on it - but it's been a while, so I made a few mistakes, which I'll show anyway. Errors in judgment. "Haste is the enemy of perfection" etc.

I decided it needed an oval with the initial - but I miscounted when drawing it on, and it is quite lopsided. On this first picture, I had painted it out and re-drawn it.

Anyway, I consulted, again, my favorite little book on letters - the French book I bought at The NeedleWorks here in Austin. (Colleen keeps this one in stock, and will gladly sell you one if you contact her.)

A word here about the charts in these books - they are, of course, graphed, and intended for cross stitch - but I have used them for many years for needlepoint, as all one has to do to translate is to make a tent stitch for every little square instead of a cross stitch as you would on fabric. Quite simple.

I wanted to put the initial into an oval, so the first thing to do, after I drew (stitch counted for symmetry) the egg outline, was to sketch an oval on tracing paper, ink it when it looked right, and then put it under the egg on canvas.

It was centered on an even count, as I wanted to outline it in Smyrna crosses for a different effect with pearl cotton. Then, the letter was centered on the oval - which was done with a DecoColor paint pen in green. The next thing was to "size" the checks I originally wanted to use - scale is very important on a specific piece, and using tiny little narrow stripes wouldn't look right - so I settled on four threads wide. Then - decided just a plain gingham would be boring, so I did the four thread pink stripes, but put six threads of white, split by two threads of light green in the center - thus creating an actual "tartan."

I made the marks with the Sharpie paint pens so they're easy to work on. By doing this, you can see how a plaid develops, as you add and substract the number of threads - and add more colors if you wish. At this point, you'll start noticing plaids everywhere you go!! - and figuring out how you'd work them into a needlepoint project.

In the photo you can see the stripes as they are stitched - beginning, anyway - and the arrows point to where I was one thread off centering the initial. I cannot count correctly late at night. Those marks around the egg are kind of "hairy" looking - but they'll disappear in the finishing. Just looking at this thing, I started to visualize all kinds of things one could do with an egg shape and fun fibers!! Put things we've learned to good use.

One thing I failed to mention - that you can see in this last picture, is that I made a decision to center the pink stripe. I made a sketch to scale on drawing paper first, and placed the canvas over it - adjusted it to see which would be most effective as the center motif. If you count them, you can see that there are seven pink stripes (including the very edges) and six of the white/green/white stripes. As pink is the predominant and stronger color, I wanted to use the format of 7.

Stitching Plaid: A Gingham Variation in Needlepoint

2010-01-08T21:14:00.008-06:00

If you came here from the other blog, you are probably totally confused now about the terminology of this thing - I'm going to revert to what we call things now, which is much easier - I was fascinated with the information as I researched it, so had to pass it along.

Anyway, the first picture is a swatch of needlepoint I stitched from a really pretty fabric I saw on a quilt. This is where I get the plaids I like to adapt to needlepoint. I find them in decorating magazines as upholstery fabric, and in all kinds of other catalogues and magazines, on the internet, of course, - and at the grocery store where people are wearing them.

When you start creating your own, you'll start seeing them everywhere, and be more aware of them. This one is so simple, I thought it would be a good one to illustrate setting it up. I decided on this scale - a small square of 18 mesh canvas - to make each stripe just four threads wide. On a larger project, I would increase the width of each stripe. Correct scale is very important to the look of a piece of needlepoint incorporating a plaid, and it's so easy to create.

I used to use the black Pilot pen to make the markings, but the Sharpie drawing pens in color have made life easier, as it's now less confusing in the stitching. Here, I used blue and yellow, of course, and left the white stripes with no marks at all. Started in the first photo with just the blue to show how it's done. I did use the black pen to draw a corner as a guide.

The second picture shows the yellow stripes marked, and also blue and yellow down the side where the weft will be worked - just as with weaving a fabric. The loom is warped, then the weaving is done with weft. I chose, on this swatch, since the blue/yellow/blue stripe is visually heavier than the b/w/b, to center it for symmetry. (I'm picky about this, even on a little demonstration.)

Stitching is begun on the vertical stripes - always first - and worked on the WARP threads, as that is the strength of any fabric, including needlepoint canvas. Starting with the weft - going across - would distort the canvas. Only basketweave is used here, but "skipped" to use every other stitch, leaving the weft stitches bare for filling in the horizontal stripes.
The last picture indicates beginning the warp - and the arrow points to the weft stitch. This is where the fun begins, as the stripe goes on across, filling in and making little solid squares, etc. - and where it crosses another color, it's a different look.

In doing a multicolor plaid, it never gets boring!! I plan to have an actual project - even if it's only a simple egg shape with an initial or space for silk ribbon flowers - to show how to actually USE a plaid you've created yourself.

If you look at this little plaid a bit, you can see how easy it would be to make a new pattern (your own Tartan, perhaps) by just widening a stripe, adding a line of another color, etc. etc. - it can be very addictive once you get started!

Needle Threading 101

2010-01-07T15:48:00.008-06:00

Threading a tapestry needle for needlepoint has been such an automatic action for me for so many years, I tend to forget that some people haven't experienced anything yet but threading a sewing needle with more manageable threads.

When I was first taught to do needlepoint, I was fortunate to have been shown the very easy way to thread a needle with Persian wool, which is what we used 140 years ago when I was young.

In the last few weeks, I have actually had several people ask me for an easy way to do this - something I just take for granted and don't think about. However, I do remember having ladies in beginners' classes who tried to moisten the end of the thread with their tongues, as we did sewing thread, and complaining about a lot of fuzz in their mouths. Not necessary, I'm happy to say.

The first photo shows needle threaders. On the left is a wire threader which is included in a package of beading needles - it's rather flimsy, and doesn't last long, even with just the cotton floss I use for beads on needlepoint. The center threader is quite sturdy, and even has the big hole for use with large eye tapestry needles and rug yarn. I usually just safety pin this one to my canvas so it doesn't go astray. On the right is another wire threader, but this one, purchased from Colleen at the NeedleWorks here in Austin, lasts quite a while - amazing in its durability!! These are available in packages of two.

The next photo illustrates the usual way to thread a needle for needlpoint: Simply pull the thread around the end of the needle tightly, then remove the needle and pinch the thread loop down between thumb and forefinger until it disappears. Then, when you allow it to pop back up, it will go right through the eye of the needle - quite easy when you've had practice!!

NEVER use a tapestry needle that's bigger than should be used on the size canvas you're working on, as that will also distort the holes in the canvas and ruin the beauty of your stitches. I've seen this suggested, in order to have a larger eye to work with, but it's counter-productive and not necessary.

A word about this - I use the John James tapestry needles, and there is one that's called "Tweens" - a size 21, which is between the size 20 I use for 13 mesh, and the 22 normally used for 18 mesh. I like this size 21 for 18 mesh canvas. (Also available from Colleen)
The next two pictures illustrate the "pinching" the thread to disappear, and then letting it pop right through the needle's eye. Try it - it will make your life easier.
The last desparate measure, when all threaders have been lost in the carpet or on the floor of the car, and the thread is too fuzzy or fat for pinching, is to simply cut a little paper triangle, fold in half and insert the end of the thread. Then push the point of the triangle through the eye of the needle far enough to pull the thread on through - and remove the paper.

A New Year Already

2010-01-03T20:07:00.009-06:00

An explanation for this header - I still haven't finished the January Crazy Quilt Heart for this month. I'm working on it, and trying to remember what I was going to do with it besides the required silk ribbon carnations. I'll have it up in a few days, hopefully - at least with the garnets and flowers.

Anyway, the header is from a plaid piece I started several years ago and had to put aside for lack of time and lots of other plaid things I wanted to do. I am a great fan of Emily Dickinson, and have always loved this quote of hers - which is why I named my Needlepoint Now article "Possibilities," and also my other blog - Possibilities, Etc.

She also said, "To live is so startling, it leaves little time for anything else." She might have said "to stitch needlepoint leaves little time for anything else."

I've been planning for over a month to do a detailed tutorial on my plaids - how to set them up for specific projects, etc., and how to stitch them freehand, as I do - very very simple. I already have the book, which I did about five years ago, but now am working on an update to offer as an e-book on my web page.

This close up of the upper left corner of the unfinished pillow shows the vertical stripes stitched already on the warp, which is always done first because of the strength of the weave - and you can see, where the arrow points, the background (pink) being stitched horizontally. this is what makes it so entertaining to do - it's wonderful to see the difference it makes to have it solid.

Also, see the yellow horizontal stripes. This is an unusual plaid, in that it only has the yellow elements, and not repeats of the verticals, as in tartans. (which composes a sett). I don't remember where I saw this plaid, but do remember loving the colors - so I manipulated it to fit around the quote. We'll deal with this another time.

In this shot of the lower right, you can see where the yellow stripes have started across the verticals, and where they cross the green, a new color is formed - this is also one of the delights in working plaid without paint!!

You can also see the marks I made for guidance in stitching. I have since discovered the joy of using paint pens for this step - it's much easier than making the black marks, and less confusing.

I plan to do several projects - in detail how to plan and set them up, and where to find good ones for inspiration. Even belts and dog collars! I don't use numbers for this - I developed my own way about 35 years ago, so that's a new one for me - never heard of it until recently. I'll also deal with Scottish tartans at a later date - wonderful things, they are!

Crazy Quilt for December!! (already)

2009-11-30T19:57:00.005-06:00

Unbelievable that it's already December (in a few hours). I finished this piece last year in October, and, shame on me, I still haven't finished "January."
This is in my "Crazy for Birthdays" series - and the history, etc. of the turquoise and narcissus as symbolism is on my other blog - you can click on Birthday Crazy Quilts to see them all - at least the ones I managed to finish. I'm still short a few, but now am involved with Talavera - and will have to give up sleeping in order to get it all done. It's good to be busy!!

I used some of my favorite special effects on this one - the glitter of the Sundance hexagonal #250 crystal clear beads against the white Petite Very Velvet - looks like ice crystals here. Also, the clear beads - again, #250, but not the hex beads - agains the dark blue PVV looking like rain drops. This is explained on the other blog if you want to go look!

ADDENDUM: The "Crazy for Birthdays" hearts are available as E-patterns on my web page, Elegant Whimsies - downloadable for printing out! Several people have asked.

Stitching Talavera: A Basketweave Mini-Tutorial

2009-11-25T18:44:00.007-06:00

I've shown this cross on the other blog, as an example of what a difference using Kreinik blending filament can make - and now that I'm stitching it, thought it might be a good one to show a bit of basketweave that seems to confuse people who aren't totally familiar with it yet.

This piece is also the subject of my tutorial on "Creative Needling" a design, as I made a much smaller cross from a big one in my file. Getting started, I rarely paint canvases I'm going to stitch for myself - and especially working on this one with the navy background! Hard on the eyes, it is.

Anyway, the vertical arrow is pointing to where I have the needle inserted, ready to take the next stitch traveling "up the stairs" to the end of the row - worked on the WEFT stitches, which are dips.

The upper arrow demonstrates where I stopped at the angle where the arm of the cross starts, as I couldn't continue downward at that point. I had started stitching in the corner of the arm - the upper right corner, so after traveling up and down for a few rows, it will meet the spot where I stopped stitching.

This way, the row going UP will be one smooth, long row. This is another of the reasons one should ALWAYS adhere to stitching up on the weft, and down on the warp - as two rows going the same direction will look really awful on the surface of the work. You can see this more clearly on the close-up - the cross itself is outlined first with navy Kreinik #12 braid in the 018HL. It looks great against the almost matte finish of the cotton floss (DMC)

I also outlined the design elements with the metallic braid, and then stitched the floss around them - it shows up well!! I didn't do that around the green things, though, as it would have been too busy. Perle cotton (DMC) is used on the red flower, and if you look closely, you can see the Kreinik blending filament twinkling on a few stitches on the yellow and green parts.

I've worked a lot more on this one, and tomorrow, if there's a bit of time, I'll show the result on the other blog - and show what a wonderful thing the blending filament is! Great effects.

A "Jeweled" Butterfly in Needlepoint

2009-11-18T18:52:00.006-06:00

I rarely get to see any of my designs with the stitching finished - but today I went to borrow one of my Celtic Crosses from the world's finest finisher (here in Austin) - Vikki Pinson. I actually spotted a design I did about ten years ago or more when I was in my binge of adapting antique jewelry to needlepoint all stitched - and stitched so beautifully. What a surprise!!

Anyway, I dug into my files and found the chart I had made for this thing, so thought it might be of interest as a Freebie. I didn't take a picture of the original painted canvas, so this color scheme is a nice surprise! Very pretty, and probably chosen by the lady who stitched it.

To re-create this for yourself, just follow my instructions in previous posts about drawing on canvas - I'm showing two different shots of it on canvas - one with the green leaves outlined to make it easy (also the gold around the jewels). I have no idea what threads she used on it, but it's really sparkly and glittery. I think the background is maybe Kreinik braid #032,, and it's worked in skipped basketweave. This sparkling butterfly is intended for a tree ornament - and I do hope I'll get to see it finished. Vikki will transform it!!

Paintbrush Tutorial for "Paint Your Own Canvas"

2009-11-03T16:31:00.015-06:00

While painting things I have on order, I decided to go ahead and take pictures as I go, to explain things - pictures are clearer than words in these cases.

I've been amazed to see in several publications the advice to buy cheap paint brushes. This is faulty information, as cheap brushes are difficult to use, time consuming, and downright aggravating for painting on needlepoint canvas.. They wear out so fast one actually spends more in replacing them. I've even seen some that shed bristles!

I use, when I paint on needlepoint canvas with oils (my more serious and traditional designs require it) ONLY fine sable brights, which I purchase through my Dick Blick catalog. (a wonderful book for an artist to go through - I shop in this catalog like my daughters do in J. Crew) In these pictures, I'm using acrylic paint, which my sables don't like - but I'm out of the ones I use normally for painting with acrylics.

I'm illustrating here the fact that when using a good brush in really good condition, one can use a larger brush for several purposes, thereby cutting down on time in cleaning out one brush, putting it down and reaching for another, etc.

This is a #4 size sable bright (NEVER use "shaders" as the bristles are long, so are too soft and flexible to squish the paint well down into the canvas). The picture shows that the brush, well cared for, can actually paint a thin line on just one thread of canvas! Then, turned, it can paint the flat areas as well. - very convenient. As for the flat areas, I do one side in this manner, and then turn the canvas and put the "chisel" edge against the opposite side, as it makes a smooth, clean line against the adjacent area.

The last photo is the finished canvas. I used the Sakura Pen Touch fine line paint pen (gold) for outlining the "pearls." This was a great find for me, as it really cuts down on time spent painting gold outlines with paint and a brush. (and no brush to clean afterward)

This scallop shell is from a series of "Jeweled Sea Treasures" I designed about six years ago. I had discontinued these, but kept the patterns - which is fortunate, as I had an order for several of them from a nice customer whose shop was buying from me then.

The shells in the series were based on actual sea shells, anatomically correct, but I painted them in the bright pastel "Caribbean" colors, and added jewels, which were mostly stitched with Renaissance Shimmer and Sprinkles in smyrna cross and other "bump" stitches.

ADDENDUM: I do have a book on "Paint Your Own Canvas" - which is available in my web store, Elegant Whimsies. It's listed as an "e-book" in two chapters, which you may download and print out yourself at about half the price of the bound book also showing - Just click on "E-Books" under "Our Designs"

Be sure to also click on the "labels" below to see more canvas painting instruction - and also on the other blog, Possibilities, etc.

Crazy Quilt Heart for November!!

2009-11-01T09:26:00.003-06:00

November already! Time does fly, and I need to get the January "Crazy for Birthdays" heart finished, as that will be here soon - I got distracted last year, and stopped in the middle.

Anyway, the colors are so pretty for November - with the gold topaz and the chrysanthemums! The warm "velvet" of the burgundy patch feels fine against the kind of "stormy" blue - and the dark blue with snowflakes or raindrops (Beads)

I looked forward to changing the header and choosing background colors - a great toy!.

This is available as an e-pattern on my Elegant Whimsies site - it's a bit complicated to offer as a Freebie, but the heart outline is here, and this might give you an idea or two.

Halloween Napkin Rings Finished!!

2009-10-30T22:00:00.004-05:00

The napkin rings arrived finished - my good friend and great stitcher Pat Miller worked them for me, as I hadn't a clue how to do it myself - I just draw and paint them. Anyway - here they are, and now they are on their way to Oklahoma City for my grandchildren there to enjoy - and their father, who is a child, himself, on Halloween.

The patterns for these, as well as the witch and the bat that I didn't finish painting, are in earlier posts on this blog - for printing and doing them yourself for next year. Actually, the Jolly Roger would do for any little pirate year 'round.

Pat used a lot of Kreinik braid on these, and there are beads on the spider web to look like dew drops - I love the furry scary spider! Her stitching descriptive may be seen on her blog: Needleartnut

Creative Needling the Painted Canvas

2009-10-21T21:10:00.009-05:00

My dear friend Inge Wooley, with whom I've done business and collaborated for most of the last 37 years, was here visiting her daughter over the weekend - and we had a wonderful visit! Quite refreshing it was, as we did our usual discussions about what we're doing now and going to do in the future, and laughing about the times we had when we first met (accidentally in 1972) and started what became Creative Needle, a line of painted canvases that remains well respected among the timeless and traditional genre of design.

However, I've been trying hard to drag her into the 21st century and see the wisdom in producing some smaller, fun, and less expensive pieces that there aren't enough of out there - mainly because I want to turn over to her my new little Talavera crosses.

She chose three - and we started doing what we call "creative needling" - so I thought it might be interesting to share this process, so you can see what's involved in getting canvases ready to produce and market - and help people understand why the painted canvases are expensive.
She liked the one in the first photo, but the other two are the smaller, six inch crosses, so we had to manage to "creative needle" this one to make it fit. This is a process of making whatever changes need to be made to make the design easier and faster to put onto canvas, thereby keeping the cost down.

Things have to be considered, like the time it takes to draw and then paint them, as hired help has to be paid - and colors and general "feeling" have to be maintained.

The first thing that had to be done was to make this one smaller - down to the 6". (it ended up being 6 1/4", but that's fine). So - first I made a tracing with a black felt pen on tracing paper of the outline of the 6" cross pattern.

Then, I placed this over the big one, and traced the elements of design - and also cut down on the amount of diaper pattern showing, as it takes time to count and paint that. This is a rough tracing, but all that's necessary for this step.

Then, I moved a few things around, and made a better, smoother tracing, and placed the canvas over it and started drawing. I copied the counted symmetric elements from the original - as the lotus looking things on the shaft, and the red flower. I ruined several before I got it like it needed to be. (Hopefully I can stitch this one).

The drawing on canvas looks light, as I don't intend to paint it for myself - I rather like stitching on the white canvas, like a coloring book. Also, I'm too lazy to paint one just for me.

Anyway, basically, "creative needling" simply means taking one of my designs and eliminating what doesn't have to be there, and making it more feasible for mass production. Some things simply aren't worth it, as the resulting price would be too high by the time it got to a retail store..

I have one big Talavera pillow and one big Imari design that I absolutely love, but I cry and threaten to discontinue them every time someone orders one - it takes me three or four days to put each onto canvas and paint it, which means I make very little money doing it - but it's good for my ego, as it makes me look smart.

The Velvet Pumpkin continues

2009-10-19T14:46:00.005-05:00

I'm having a hard time staying indoors working a bit today, as it's one of those very rare days in Austin that we call "Santa Fe" weather - cool, sunny, dry, and beautiful.

Anyway, I've worked a little bit on this pumpkin, but for some reason couldn't get a clear picture of it today.

The first photo is from yesterday, where you can see by the lower arrow where I stopped going up on the weft threads in order to meet the line going down the warp when I get there.

The arrow on the left at the line of stitching shows the basketweave progressing down to that point. When it comes on down to where I stopped - it will make a smooth line without a break to distract the surface. Easy to do if one is always conscious of going DOWN on the warp, and UP on the weft. It becomes second nature, and also won't warp the canvas.

The second picture is blurry - but I tried it twice, and don't want to spend any more time today taking pictures - there is sunshine outside, and I have a lot of work to do inside. However, this one shows more clearly how nice the blending filament looks on his features - looks like flickering candle, I think.

The background has just a hint of shimmer, as I used the YLI ribbon floss shimmer blend in basketweave - only basketweave, as a textured stitch here would overshadow and distract from the central design.

I've just played around with this from time to time, and originally thought to make it a ball to sit on a table or shelf at the "season" - but just left it square, as I'm too lazy to plot the larger circle on the outside - should have done that before doing the smaller inner circle.

I decided a bit of bargello would be in order, as I purchased a card of Rainbow Gallery Petite Frosty Rays in black with a gold filament running through it - so had to find an excuse to use it. I do hope Liz Morrow isn't watching me and having a heart attack, as I made a really bad error in judgment and counting where the arrow is - bad job!! Oh well. I'm not the expert she is.

A Very Velvet Pumpkin with Blending Filament Sparkle!

2009-10-08T21:08:00.007-05:00

I really haven't gotten very far along with this, as it took me a while to decide what to do with it. It's a good one to demonstrate the simple beauty of blending filament - and I always enjoy using petite Very Velvet. This orange is great!!

The orange outline is plain DMC floss in a darker orange. The features are yellow floss with the addition of the blending filament, as supposedly there is a candle inside.

I'll do the background in YLI Ribbon Floss in black - but outside the circle, I'm not sure what, but probably bargello of some sort. Mitered, I'm sure. I had bought a while back, some Petite Frosty Rays in black with a gold thread through it - so will HAVE to use that. Good excuse!!

The close-up shows clearly the beauty of using the blending filament with floss for just a very subtle sparkle, randomly showing. The "how to" and "why" of doing this is posted on the other blog - Possibilities, Etc. I like to outline the shape before using a textured background - and this one is done by changing direction each quarter section so that there will be no "sawtooth" edges. You can see by just looking at the arrows.

I started at center top, and then at center side, just turned the canvas and kept going - thereby eliminating that sawtooth. Very neat and smooth for a small piece - and also, it makes it easier to stitch bargello around it.

The stem is also Petite Very Velvet, and the vines and leaves are DMC cotton floss.

The pattern for this piece is somewhere on the blog - probably under "napkin rings" - but this one is destined for a table ornament, or maybe a "kissing ball."

Stitching for Halloween: Jolly Roger, etc.

2009-10-05T10:16:00.003-05:00

Pat Miller at Needleartnut very graciously offered to stitch my little series of napkin rings intended for fine decoration for the seasonal table, and is moving along with them nicely.

I'm delighted so far, as my imagination is for drawing and painting and not much for stitching - and I couldn't figure out what to do with them.

Anyway, do go take a look, and then perhaps get motivated to do some for yourself - under "napking rings" on this blog.

It's OCTOBER already!!

2009-10-02T16:49:00.003-05:00

I've been too preoccupied with lying around feeling sorry for myself, as I've been too ill and apathetic to pay attention (or to stitch, which worried my children) - and YIKES it's already October!!

This is the October "Crazy for Birthdays" crazy quilt ornament from last year - which means I need to hurry and finish January, as I never got that one done - nor have I worked February, May, or July. It's good to be busy!

More Drawing and Painting on Canvas (about pens)

2009-09-18T20:58:00.012-05:00

I was painting one of my large and more difficult Talavera crosses last week (this seems to be the Month of Talavera for some reason), and decided to take a few pictures as I go along to illustrate some of the process.

When drawing a design onto canvas for commercial reproduction, one must especially take care that the correct materials are used - beginning with the drawing pen. As I've said, for many many years, all that was available that was safe was the Pilot black pen (this became available in red and blue several years ago, but I didn't have any use for those colors, as they were too bright).

This pilot pen was available at most needlepoint shop, as the preferred pen, and I bought mine for many years from my wholesaler in boxes of 12. Needless to say, I'm delighted with the colored Sharpies now available, as it makes my drawing more efficient.

The example here is the diaper pattern (latticework) on the background of this cross. It's a medium blue when painted, but drawing it with the Sharpie ultra fine point light blue pen makes it much much easier not to confuse with the black lines when I start painting, as the design is totally stitch drawn. The drawing pen is just that - it is for DRAWING, and not for painting. I will custom mix the blue I need in paint, and go over these blue lines later. This really makes it easier, and the lighit blue of the drawing pen won't show through the paint. Also, I used a light orange to mark where the small orange areas will be, as the black ink is hard to cover, and there is no outline in this area to mask it. The yellow is paint. I had already done that when I decided to take pictures.

This is important, as a canvas that is painted for wholesale marketing must look NICE when on the wall in a shop. A good drawing is also the foundation of a painted canvas that separates the good from the bad, in that a well drawn pattern is easier to paint, and therefore easy to stitch.

Also, there is the time factor. It would be counter-productive to be drawing every little area with a different colored pen - it just isn't necessary! Nor is any other time consuming activity, such as heat setting ink that isn't color fast or that won't dry immediately. (also, heat setting would damage the canvas - weaken the sizing and probably turn it yellow)
Next is showing the beginning of the painting process. If there were a green paint pen this exact color, I might use it - but it's much much less expensive anyway and generally faster to just use the good old paint and brush. NEVER use cheap brushes, as needlepoint canvas chews them up fast, and it's totally aggravating to try to do precision edges with a worn out paint brush. I'm showing the correct position of the painting - the flat, chisel edge of the brush is up against the line - with a good brush in good condition, this is extremely easy.

The second "painting in process" picture shows cleaning up the outline and filling in tiny spaces with a round pointed #2 brush - not a "liner," but just a "pointed" paint brush. You can see in this case that the green paint covers the black ink lines well - so no need to go scratch up a green drawing pen, although I do have one. This is more efficient, as I didn't have to stop and start, put one pen down and open another, etc.
Also, there is a dark green outline added that would cover the black ink even if it did show.
Also, NEVER use the "shader," as the bristles are long, so are too soft to smush the paint easily down into the canvas. I use sable brights when painting my better canvases in oil, but for small things for which I don't want to spend a lot of time mixing colors, I just use little bottles of acrylic. My fine sable brushes don't like acrylic paint, so I buy something else at the craft store.

I've just discovered these fine little plastic containers made by Rubbermaid. The acrylic paint will stay wet for a week or more, and as I always mix my colors, even the bottled kind, it's essential that I be able to keep the mixtures I use most.

I've already shown the use of the PAINT pen in a previous post - the one where I painted the white lines on top of the already painted blue area. This saved lots and lots of time in assembly line painting several of the little crosses at once, as it cut down on processes.

So - to make a long story short, drawing pens are for drawing on canvas, and paint pens are for painting. If one is so fortunate as to need the exact color of one of the paint pens, it's fairly easy to just use it - however, it's quicker and more efficient to do it with just plain old paint and a brush. Absolutely no need to have a huge stash of assorted markers and pens etc. These can run into an expense, whereas the little bottles of paint and few paint brushes of different sizes are much less expensive and a lot more efficient in the long run.

Working with Pens (and still learning!)

2009-09-14T19:53:00.014-05:00

For almost 40 years, I've used almost exclusively the Pilot black drawing pen I mentioned here several times, as there were no colored ones that were safe to use, to my knowledge.

In the past year, I've become acquainted with the Sharpie ultra fine point and fine point permanent pens, and am really enjoying them for certain phases of designing - drawing, not coloring in spaces, as they don't look quite right for it, resembling crude crayon drawings. (I tried it) This has solved a lot of problems for me when putting a design onto canvas either for myself or for wholesale distribution.

Black ink tends to show through the paint, giving the area an unattractive outline, so I usually save the almost worn out ones for making lighter outlines. For something like the Talavera pieces, which have navy outlines around the pattern elements, it doesn't matter, as the paint covers well.

This is a new design, one of four small, ornament size crosses I've put onto canvas this week - and the colored pens have solved several of these problems.

The little ceramic cross, from which I adapted this one, has light green lines just inside the dark lines - so I used the Sharpie drawing pen to draw it in so I wouldn't inadvertantly cover this area with paint when filling in the darker color - then I went back and with paint and a brush and painted over the green line so it would be the correct color. Unfortunately, the color range is very limited in these colored pens - only 24 to 26 colors, and custom mixes aren't possible.

The arrow pointing to the little square at the bottom is only to show where I centered the diaper pattern.

There is a light blue outline around some of the pattern - the red flower at the top - but unfortunately, the DecoColor pens I have recently come to really enjoy, don't come in the right color - This is unfortunate about these wonderful paint pens, as it really would save a lot of time in outlining, etc. Sooooo I had to do as always, and use a brush and paint for the outline.

I painted this Zebra skin mini-stocking today, and it was a big relief to just get out a green DecoColor pen to mark the dots as a guide for the "lace trim" I use here. Before paint pens, I had to, again, use a bottle of paint and a brush - This was much faster, and looks fine. I used the DecoColor fine point for this one, rather than ultra fine.

A word about these pens - I usually try out everything myself to make SURE it is totally safe on needlepoint canvas, but a good friend whose work I admire greatly, told me about them. She has marketed nationally for a number of years, so I trust her judgment. She uses them to actually paint some of her very simple (but wonderful and effective) small canvases, as they cover beautifully, whereas the Sharpie pens don't. I can't use them a lot, as most of my colors have to be mixed. Pity. However, they do solve a lot of problems for me.

There are different pens for different phases of putting a design onto canvas or marking - so it isn't just a matter of choosing an array of pens. One must be sure of what they'll be used for, as they perform differently. An example is here - another of my new designs. I decided to stitch this one, but rarely bother to take the time to paint it for myself. Besides, I enjoy watching it come to life on a white canvas with colored threads.

On this one, I intend to use the Kreinik #032 braid, which is a white metallic, and was afraid the black ink might show through - so I used a light blue Sharpie ultra fine point pen to draw this fretwork. Also, it saves the confusion of the line being up against the line of the leaf.

On the painted version, it was just soooo easy to paint the area in solid blue (with brush and paint) and then draw the fretwork on with the WHITE DecoColor pen. (fine point) This works better and faster for this process than paint and brush! Previously, I would have painted the area blue, then drawn the fretwork with the black pen, and painted over it with brush and white paint. An improvement!!!!

Also I was thrilled to find this pen, as it's the only one I've tried that really works well on black canvas for drawing (I use ultra fine for drawing) There is one I tried first that wants to "puddle" now and then - that is, paint dribbles down the point and makes a blob on the canvas. Aggravating!

Incidentally, these pens are also dry-clean proof, which is a consideration especially for larger pieces. Just being waterproof for wet blocking isn't enough. If the ink isn't permanent against dry cleaning fluid, the lines can lift to the top of the work and totally ruin it - I've seen this happen several times, and it's a tragedy.

New Tutorials!

2009-09-07T08:43:00.008-05:00

No picture this morning, as I haven't had enough coffee yet. I have been thinking recently about doing some tutorials in designing your own projects and "how to's" rather than just patterns to copy - it might be of more use.

Several things prompted this move: One is the questions I get via comments, as I have no way to reply to them. These come to my e-mail via "no-reply" mail, so I can't answer them. (My e-mail address is clearly seen on my profile - just go to "About Me" on the side bar and click on "my profile" down at the bottom.) I truly enjoy answering questions and helping any way I can - sharing my 40 years of experience in designing and marketing hand painted needlepoint canvases, along with teaching and writing about it.

Another prompt is an article I have seen in the last few days about drawing pens in a nationally distributed needlepoint publication - (I get an advance copy of this.) The information is misleading, and almost ludicrous, and it frightens me that someone would be put off from an otherwise enjoyable hobby by faulty information leading to a bad experience.

This also holds true in several different books, articles and blogs on drawing and painting needlepoint canvases. Often the people who write these apparently have little or no knowledge in this arena. Nothing works so well as years of trial and error, experience, and plain old common sense!! As Michaelangelo said in his old age: "I am still learning." It needn't be as complicated or mysterious as people are telling., and is actually a simple and inexpensive way to create your own needlepoint projects. (and thereby saving money to buy wonderful threads and beads, etc.)

Anyway, I received a question about belts - but I have no idea what kind of belt, for whom, what style, male or female, child or adult - what? Sooooo I decided the best thing to do is to start with a mini-tutorial on painting your own canvas as a "point of departure." Later, though, as it will take a little while to get it together.

As for the belts - these are lots of fun, and I have taught a number of people to do their own, as it's more creative and fun to do one's own, and also saves the price of a commercial designer. I have one friend who has done plaids, camouflage, Pucci patterns, Nautical flags, monograms and names, - all kinds of things. She even did collars for all the family dogs.

For a beginning tip, there is a tutorial on an edge stitch (long-armed cross stitch) for belts and other small things under "stitching" on the side bar - down at the bottom of the page. Also, the canvas preparation for the napkin rings is basically the same - the belt just needs to be long, in the required measurement. One must consult a finisher for this, as I don't know how much has to be allowed for that. The 1 1/2" wide is pretty standard for belts, as they must fit inside belt loops on the garment.

Crazy for September

2009-08-31T10:29:00.004-05:00

It won't be September until tomorrow, but after a dry, sweltering summer (again) in Austin, we all look forward to, hopefully, the time when at least at night it starts to cool off a bit.

Anyway, the header is constructed from my "A Heart for Birthdays" series of crazy quilt designs. September is about Sapphires and Asters and beautiful cooler colors than last month.

If you haven't seen the CQ for birthdays things, they are on the other blog, and are quite an exercise in silk ribbon embellishing and "beads on the painted canvas."

For Halloween Decor

2009-08-29T20:53:00.011-05:00

Playing with little Halloween motifs again - this time a bat and a witch. My thought, of course, was still for table settings and napkin rings, but Pat Miller, over at Needleartnut blog, suggested putting the little circles of my napkin rings onto larger circles, or even on diamond shapes, for ornaments on dowel sticks to make decorative and festive centerpieces. Pat is stitching my Jolly Roger pieces - so do go there and take a look, as her stitching is imaginative and thread choices are lots of fun!

I had also thought about stitching more circular background around them (even bargello) and making kissing balls to hang or to just sit on the dining table and on side tables for the "season."

Anyway, I have already given you a tutorial on drawing circles onto canvas - you can find these under the label "canvas preparation." This first circle is 3 1/8" diameter, and is good for inserting the smaller one (the moon) to make a small ornament. Actually, 3 1/2" would be better, but I can't find my drawing, and I'm too lazy right now to do another.

The second scan is the small circle, 2 3/8" diameter, that I use for the "moon" on the napkin rings. To insert it into the larger circle, draw the big one FIRST, mark the centers lightly, and then count up 21 threads from the horizontal center and make a mark to begin the top of the smaller circle. These center marks can be easily dotted out with white acrylic paint.

And now the new motifs! I had to give the bat green eyes, and the witch has a silver hat band and an orange scarf. I had intended just a black silhouette against the yellow/orange moon, but couldn't resist a bit of color here.

Enjoy! - and see what you can come up with for further decoration.

Spook Season: The Jolie Rouge

2009-08-27T19:46:00.003-05:00

I finally got this one done - the red version, which is thought to be the oldest form and the origin of the name "Jolly Roger." This was supposed to signify BLOOD and the fearsome things the pirates would do if the ship under attack didn't comply and "surrender the booty." The name means, in French, "pretty red."

Working now on a bat and a witch. These are on 18 mesh canvas for needlepoint - but could also be worked on the same count Aida for counted X-stitch.

Halloween Time! Motifs for Projects in Needlepoint (or X-stitch)

2009-08-09T16:09:00.011-05:00

I've neglected Freebies for a few weeks due to being incredibly busy - but this has been brewing in the back of my mind for quite a while. Today I needed a break, so have played on canvas all day, and think these might be fun.

First, my proudest achievement - the emblem from the Jolly Roger! I used a white Deco Color Paint Pen, fine point, to draw it on black canvas, which is what it needs. I'm thinking the canvas could be stitched with something open with a bit of sparkle in it, and would probably do the skull and crossbones in DMC Satin Floss for the high shine.

I'm showing the drawing on white canvas, as it would be easier to use as a guide for drawing your own, I think.

Next, the cat. This is a black cat against a moon - I didn't have time to paint them, but I think it's actually easier to work from the pictures of just the drawing. I thought to put the fence all the way across, which I'll probably do if I ever have time to stitch the full set.

As napkin rings in previous posts demonstrate, these should be 5 1/2" long, so you can simply mark the top and bottom lines across the canvas from the center - 2 3/4" each way. The band is just under 2" high, which is a little wider than my usual, which is 1 1/2".This cat, of course, should be solid black with a green beads placed for it's eye.

The moon would be a soft yellow, and the background maybe dark blue with a few silver or Kreinik #032 braid stars (dots) sprinkled around.

The spider is hanging from a silk thread, which I'll make with Kreinik silver braid on the warp (bump) stitches, and a bead on each of the weft stitches in between. I think the web might be fine in DMC Satin Floss in light grey or something of that sort. The spider definitely needs green beads for her eyes.

I did run these critters by the grandchildren to make sure they're identifiable, and they met with high approval and shouts of glee.

Last, the pumpkin. I didn't have time today to make it into a napkin ring, but it would fit well in this shape if the leaf on the left is eliminated. My thought with doing it on a small circle is that a larger circle could be worked around it, and maybe filled in with bargello - even 4-way.

As for threads for this, there is a Petite Very Velvet that is absolutely perfect for the pumpkin, with the outline done in a darker orange DMC floss!. I'll do the leaves, if I have time to do this one, with Satin Floss for the shine. The cut-outs on the face will be stitched with YLI black Shimmer Blend ribbon floss. Great effect with different textures!

Another way to use these motifs would be to put them on flatware holders. These look rather like large scissors cases, or what I've seen some designers do as "door tassels." About 5" high by 3" wide at the top. Great seasonal table decoration!

The round ornament could be finished on a styrofoam ball and sit on a festive table (with hat pins in the bottom) for a centerpiece.

If you haven't printed out these as patterns for your own use before, the easiest way I've found is to click on the image to enlarge, then click on "file" and "print preview." It will print out large enough to see easily and then you can draw it onto canvas. Experiment with different threads, etc. and have fun with your own creativity!

Graph Paper

2009-07-15T08:22:00.006-05:00

Just a quick word about Graph Paper! I see a lot of people "Googling" graph paper. I have a wonderful site I've gone to for several years, where I can custom design my own graph paper - to the size squares per inch I need.

Also, there is a feature where one can go to uneven size and print out graph paper for knitting design patterns. For knitting, as some of you know already, it's asymmetric in that the squares have to be wider than tall. It's a simple process.

Anyway, for your custom graph paper needs, go to Incompetech and design and print out your own. For asymmetric graph paper for knitting patterns go to THIS LINK.

An Ornament with Beads

2009-07-12T21:02:00.004-05:00

This is a piece that is offered in a previous post under "Ornaments" on the side bar. I wanted to show how very different the same design can look when stitched with entirely different materials.

The progress in stitching is being presented on the other blog, so do go see it: Possibilities, Etc.

Back to Halloween: Napkin Rings Painted

2009-07-08T15:38:00.006-05:00

I spent most of yesterday painting these napkin rings, and now am ready to stitch one or two. You already have the drawn pattern, so here is what they look like painted. ("jeweled" ones included)

I had called Colleen, owner of the LNS here in Austin, to see if she could find me something wonderful in "pumpkin" color - and she sent me the PVV in a perfect orange - so that decision is made (This arrived, of course, overnight).

I'll stitch the dividing lines - the grooves and cutting mark at the top, in darker orange cotton floss, and the black features probably in DMC Satin Floss, as it shines, and will be a nice contrast to the velvet of the orange thread. The lines around each pumpkin will be Kreinik 002V #12 braid, and the background some kind of upright stitches in sparkly black and whatever else I can find that's suitable.

I can't decide what to do about the backgrounds of the little pumpkin designs, but am thinking dark green silk. I'll wait on that until the rest of it is done. The candy corn will probably be best stitched with DMC Satin Floss to make it shine, with something sparkly on the black backgrounds. The main background I'm not sure yet - but will probably, again, use a long upright stitch resembling bargello and using maybe Petite Frosty Rays in black, orange - whatever I can find in my stash that looks right.

The next project is to add a bat, a witch, a spider, and whatever other motifs I can fit properly into that tiny space. Also, if you want to make bracelets - elongate the piece to the required length for you.

I also painted the jeweled napkin rings, and they really came to life by the time I put the gold on them. I'll use beads for the jewels except for the pearls, as they are prettiest in Renaissance white Shimmer. I think the emeralds with diamonds is my favorite, and so appropriate for my older daughter.

The jewels could, of course, be painted a different color for different jewels, with appropriately colored backgrounds. I thought about each jewel I'm familiar with, and each suggests a typical shape one usually finds in the cuts.

A gift of someone's birthday jewels in a set of napkin rings would be fun! - or even a set of them for a family with the birthday jewel for each member.

The string of pearls is pretty on the soft, Caribbean colors, but would also be lovely on shades of pink/coral! Garnets just had to be on a "lavolier" looking antique necklace effect - and peridots would also work well this way.

I have already posted the patterns for these jeweled pieces, and this is what they look like in color!!

Now to stitch a few for gifts. They are small and quickly done, and one could carry them in a purse on a trip.

Halloween Time for Needlepoint!

2009-07-05T20:02:00.004-05:00

I've neglected both my blogs due to being awfully busy lately, plus Texas heat making me sluggish and lazy. I have drawn some napkin rings (that can also be elongated to bracelets) but didn't get them painted yet.

I thought you could go ahead and look, print them out, whatever, and I'll paint them tomorrow. Also, I'm waiting for some thread I ordered to figure out what I'd use on these. Lots of fun! There will be more motifs soon for fun table settings in October. The first one is candy corn - rather effective when painted in it's usual colors.

The second is jack-0-lanterns, which I'm thinking of putting on a black background. I wanted to do black canvas, but couldn't see to count dots on it.

These are both on 18 mesh canvas, and are 5 1/2" long x 1 1/2" wide, but could easily be elongated to 7" or 8" for cuff or bangle bracelets - counting out from the center, of course.

August in July (with Silk Ribbon)

2009-07-02T20:10:00.004-05:00

My computer has been in ICU - very sick for a while, and I haven't made up any new Freebies until today - and will post them tomorrow, as Halloween approaches for those of us who needlepoint and X-stitch.

The year gets all confused, but after so many years, I'm used to it. I'm showing as a header the August Crazy Quilt birthday heart, as I didn't finish July - and it's summertime anyway where I am - HOT summer, so the colors suit!

For anyone who hasn't followed my birthday CQ pieces on the other blog, this is August with it's peridots and gladiolus. (Sword Lily). The flowers are made with silk ribbon from River Silks.

July is my own birthday month, but I got distracted and didn't finish the design. Also need to go backward and do May.

Drawing on Canvas 202: A Mexican Tile

2009-06-25T15:34:00.013-05:00

I'm a day late posting this, as I had a computer disasater requiring my son and son-in-law's attention, as I am a dummy on this machine. (I had to threaten total meltdown/running away to Florida to get their immediate attention). Anyway, I have this showing, with complete explanation and some other tiles also, on the other blog, Possibilities, Etc.!

I have only stitch drawn the parts of it that I feel necessary, both for symmetry and for matching up where the tiles meet to form the bigger pattern. It is, after all, a totally handpainted ceramic, and making the entire piece stitch painted would make it to nearly "perfect."

The individual tile itself is 4 1/2" square, but I like to add two threads between the tiles to resemble grout. Also, drawing 3 threads around the entire piece looks rather nice, which adds to the dimension for a total of about 5" for one tile. When you cut canvas, be sure to have enough room for margins for whatever format you want to use.

The easiest way to begin is in the lower right corner. Where you see the arrow, I counted up 27 diagonal stitches, marking them in blue so you can see. You can dot these marks out later with white acrylic paint so they won't show through when stitching a white background.

On the 28th stitch make the first dot for the dividing element. Again, the arrows point to significant features. You can pretty well just follow the dots to start the drawing. Blue is used again to show how many spaces to leave between the corners of the element. (6) At the arrow at the top right, you can see where, if you have counted and dotted correctly, the last dot should match up with the side of the tile you started with.

BE SURE to have a little bottle of white acrylic paint handy - one does make mistakes, especially when trying to do this at night and tired. I ruined two canvases before I got it right. If it were just for me, I would just dot out the mistakes in white, but it showed too much to use it here.

The next illustration is showing ending the count correctly at the top, where you can then go ahead and draw the entire square - as I did at the lower left. I thought I could do this count in reverse after stitch counting the first half, but kept going the wrong way and making a mess - so I finally had to just make a mirror image copy to work from. You can work from this one without having to do that.

The flowers are stitch drawn, as is the element you see at the top left because these need to be on the same thread in order to match up when the tiles are side by side on the canvas - no matter what format you use to "set" them. It just looks nicer for needlepoint.

The completed drawing on canvas has orange on it, (The Sharpie ultra-fine Paint Pen) to show me, if I decide to stitch this one, where the orange is. The other parts of the tile are flat color. I rarely paint anything I'm going to stitch myself.

This tracing (on tracing paper) looks a little rough, as I did it directly from the canvas.

You might need to go over it with a black felt tip pen to make it easier to see through your canvas when you're ready to draw it. Just count the design parts that need to be done first, and then trace the leaves and the yellow flower from the picture.

Enjoy! and maybe with a bit of confidence and know-how now you can design your own tiles. There are detailed instructions for drawing on canvas (canvas preparation) on this blog - so do refer to them if you need to.

More "Jeweled Critters": Bees!!

2009-06-12T13:30:00.014-05:00

I don't have the stitched models I did of these - they were on black canvas, and quite "jeweled" and glittery. I don't remember what I did with them or where they are, as it's been a number of years ago that the antique jewelry binge occurred with my needlepoint.

This little bee is 2 1/4" high x 2 7/8" from wing tip to wing tip on 18 mesh canvas. I do remember that I used Renaissance Shimmer and Sprinkles for the colored jewels and the enamel on the body.

The gold and silver were done with Kreinik #12 braid in the HL finish. The wings were stitched with something kind of iridescent, in white, but I don't remember what it was. Of course, any color jewels could be done, according to the stitcher's taste.

The chart for this one is simple - and remember, it's not any more difficult to count the little dots and put them onto canvas than doing counted X-stitch. I drew this in color to make it easier to see (and actually less confusing for me.

The second bee is a bit more complicated - apparently, because I miscounted several times, and had to dot out mistakes with white acrylic paint and the end of a paint brush.

The entire body where the jewels are, was done with "bump" stitches - Smyrna cross and Leviathan on the big red ruby on the abdomen. Incidentally, I am aware of proper insect anatomy, but used the antique pieces as they were - the first bee, I will pretend, has the second set of legs under the wings. The second one is a mutant, with the legs coming out from the lower abdomen. Oh well - for the sake of art........

As I had a bit of trouble marking the canvas for the chart, I am showing it in stages to make it easier.
These two bees could be used in the same ways as I suggested with the spider - and do
try it on black canvas! However, you have to find a white paint pen that will work - not an easy task, so I don't have one to recommend. Anyway - enjoy! Do them on clothing with waste canvas - whatever suits you.

Along Came a Spider! (a "jeweled" one)

2009-06-07T13:06:00.004-05:00

Another little "jeweled" critter hiding in the filing cabinet! As I remember, this is also derived from my binge of reproducing antique jewelry in needlepoint a number of years ago. I didn't finish it , obviously, probably because the gold I used doesn't show up well and/or I got distracted by another project.

It was actually, as I remember, an exercise working out backgrounds in beads. (You can clearly see the dots made for bead placement.) Anyway - The spider itself without background is only 2 3/4" high on 18 mesh canvas, and has all kinds of possiblities for use.

I was looking at it last night, and thinking it would make a fun napkin ring for a Halloween party table, but with less vertical background, and maybe ruching with elastic on the back or something of that nature. I tried it out around a napkin, and the spider shows up well, considering the napkin rings are about 5 1/3" long before finishing.

I also used to use these small pieces as "plant stakes" for either gift plants or to decorate my own houseplants in pots. They can be finished like ornaments to hang, but with also a little pocket on the back for insertion of a skinny dowel. The body is made with just long, horizontal stitches in Black Frosty Rays with a gold thread inside that gives it a bit of sparkle. The green eyes are Kreinik #12 braid, as are the silver " bump" stitches (Smyrna Crosses).

Here is the chart for the spider - use your imagination and have fun with it!!

By the way, this chart will also work on waste canvas, as maybe on clothing or on a quilt block. Just stitch it as it is in needlepoint, then remove the canvas threads - OR you could also do it in counted X-Stitch by making the X's on your fabric where the dots are on this chart. I dealt with the "bump" stitch in a previous post on converting.

Lace and Crazy Quilt: Ornaments!

2009-06-03T15:40:00.009-05:00

This is a shape that has been presented on earlier posts - but it's so versatile, I'm using it again for a crazy quilt ornament with lace. There are two, exactly the same size, but one with only straight seams, and one with curves. 5 1/2" high x 3 1/2" wide on 18 mesh canvas.

The illustrated hexagonal ornament has no lace, but you can see what might be done with it! This is actually a "copy" (or an adaptation) of a quilt block I saw on one of Allie Aller's quilts a while back - and was my inspiration to get the "look" in needlepoint. The flower was made with simple "ribbon stitch" in orange 4mm silk ribbon. The tiny buds are made with pearl cotton #5 in French knots.

There was also the challenge of the "zig-zag" chain stitch for seam treatment - and as I remember, the one at the top of the curve is a "closed herringbone" with beads at the points. The silk ribbon flower is very simple, and the lower patch was stitched with Caron's Watercolours in Nobuko - as it looks like Batik fabric.

And now the lace! I used pastels, as this was to be an egg, and I was still in my "white cotton crocheted lace" phase, but have now begun using metallics, overdyed cottons, whatever looks right - very exciting, it can be! The "lace" is worked with Smyrna crosses where the little squares are 2 x 2 stitches, and what I call a "modified" bump stitch over 3 x 3 stitches.

Here are more images to inspire you - this is why I look at the art quilters' blogs regularly - great images and inspiration! The challenge on these two was the wavy lines of chain stitch and the effect of the ric-rac, which on the quilt block, was a wide one with a narrow piece sewed on top.

Again, I used the Caron Watercolours to resemble Batik - this time in T-stitch. It needs to be horizontal, as trying to do basketweave with overdyed threads results in diagonal stripes. The colors on the hexagonal piece were the original ones, and the heart on the left has my chosen scheme. The seam treatment on the heart in purple has big, loose French Knots worked with Thread Gatherer overdyed silk ribbon.

To draw the hexagons onto canvas, you can either count the dots or just measure. Also, for future use, they may be easily lengthened, widened, narrowed, or whatever else you might want to do for decorating.

For use as they are, after you print them out, ink over the pattern lines, and trace them onto your canvas. I use a straight edge for this (except for the curved seam) so they won't have ugly wobbles. Draw the lace just as you see it - just make the little squares. Very easy - anyone who has worked counted X-stitch can do this! Just a tiny bit of counting - mostly visual.

I had not stitched the two ornaments with lace, as they are from my e-booklet on Diagonal Laces and Trims, (Elegant Whimsies) and intended as an exercise in creating "fabric" backgrounds for crazy quilt and embellishing with diagonal lace as a seam treatment.

Be sure to check the other blog (Possibilities, etc.), as I'm going to do another post this evening on color and silk ribbon embroidery.

X-Stitch to Needlepoint and Back

2009-05-30T18:08:00.007-05:00

I saw counted cross stitch for the first time in the late 70's in San Antonio, where the Yarn Barn had a class to teach it (I was there visiting Bobbi). They were using a needlepoint chart from Maggie Lane's NEEDLEPOINT BY DESIGN, and it was really really pretty!. We all thought it was a lovely idea, as there would be no background to stitch. Also, working the M.L. designs were difficult for most people to try in needlepoint right off the charts - as basketweave is confusing that way.( I always went ahead and drew the patterns onto canvas before stitching, so I could relax.)

Anyway, lately, there seem to be some people confused about "converting" the charts one way or the other - but it's actually the same thing once you understand the presentation of the design.

The first picture is how a X-stitch chart would appear, with the squares filled in. To do this in needlepoint, simply make a stitch where each square is.

Considering using 18 mesh canvas or 18 count Aida - the size will be the same. I think what may be confusing is that the lines on graph paper to most of us needlepointers represent the threads on the open scrim that is needlepoint canvas, whereas the little colored squares represent the solid fabric for counted X-stitch. I have demonstrated this by making "stitches" in colored ink on the lines instead of filling in the squares on the exact same graph paper.

To do this in needlepoint, however, I would first DRAW it onto the canvas with my pen I use for designing - as I am entirely too lazy to try to look back and forth from chart to canvas to stitch.

Equally, to convert this needlepoint chart to X-stitch, just make the X's on your fabric where the little needlepoint stitches are indicated. That's all there is to it. There is nothing difficult or mysterious about it!!

I have thought that counted X-stitch would do well with the wonderful novelty fibers we have, and also some of the decorative stitches. The "bump" stitch, Smyrna Cross would do well - and a lace border could be worked, as well as other effects.

On the left is Smyrna Cross in needlepoint, where it goes over 2 x 2 canvas threads. On the right is the way it would work on Aida cloth - the count is still 2 x 2 stitches, but using the squares instead. In plain words, you could use a needlepoint pattern for lace to easily make the same effect in counted X-stitch!

I saw this confusion once when I was teaching by e-mail a friend who wanted to do work with Waste canvas on a quilt block. She did not know needlepoint, so was confused by my charts, as she kept trying to put X-s over the 2 x 2 threads, as one would do in X-stitch, so that the motif became HUGE. I can't illustrate this without pictures - but you get the idea.

Anyway, later this evening, I have a post to make about a tree pattern that could easily be translated to counted X-stitch and decorated accordingly!!

Tree With Tutorial (or "a tree for all seasons")

2009-05-30T16:55:00.012-05:00

These trees are from about 12 years ago when I was practicing new stitches and trying out new threads, etc. I couldn't stand to waste the effort, so devised this tree - and had little stands made for them so they could either be hanging ornaments or placed on the mantel or a table. On 18 mesh canvas, they are only 4 1/2" high - nice size.

The one on the left is worked with beads on the background and swags of silk ribbon flowers. This, I think, could also be done on counted X-stitch fabric with great effect.

The green tree on the right is made with stitches I found in an old, out of print book from the 70's - I think it was "A New Look at Needlepoint" by Carole Chaney and Georgia Devlin Rome - I had found an ancient used copy and grabbed it. Except for the red upright Hungarian stitches, it is entirely upright stitches, as bargello, over two or three threads in a zig-zag pattern. Simple. I used various threads for interest in texture.
The red and green tree is made with a fascinating stitch, again from an old book. I have no idea what name it had - but that doesn't matter. It is kind of "woven" looking. The star I'm showing simply to illustrate it's effectiveness in other colors. Threads used were Petite Frosty Rays and Kreinik metallic (for the woven element).
By the way - do notice that these are all OUTLINED first in simple tent stitches so that the decorative stitches end cleanly and neatly with no ragged edges.The first chart shows the sequence of the vertical stitches for beginning this stitch.

The entire shape should have the verticals done first, and then turn the canvas and do the horizontals. The last chart shows the horizontals in orange - and also the metallic braid being woven through - first vertically, and then horizontally. For some reason, this was more effective. The braid stays ON TOP of the canvas- only goes to the back at the end of an entire row, and then back up again to start back across.

The tree drawing on canvas is easy to do - plenty of instructions on this blog - probably under "canvas preparation." This outline could easily be done in counted X-stitch on fabric, and decorated any way you wish. Even for other seasons!!

Incidentally, this tree is one shape from my downloadable e-pattern collection on Elegant Whimsies (my web store), as "shapes for all seasons."

It'll Soon Be Summer!!

2009-05-26T09:20:00.004-05:00

I decided to go ahead and put the June header on a few days early, as March has long gone, and I still haven't put the silk ribbon embellishments on "April." These are from my Birthday Crazy Quilt heart series - and I actually finished "June" last October.

Anyway, I run a bit behind from time to time, so the next one will probably be August - which also only lacks the silk ribbon gladioli and other embroidery.

This June piece reminds me of the song from "Oklahoma" - "June is Bustin' Out all Over!!" I wish I had some of the exuberance of that rose bush on the needlepoint version. The colors are taken from what I "see" as bright pastels of early summer.

Napkin Rings for Summer Tables: Watermelon and the 4th of July!

2009-05-23T15:57:00.008-05:00

Since I won't have time to stitch these, I went ahead and painted them to give you an idea of what can be done. The flag thing has been brewing in my head for quite a while, - and also others with flag themes, like 6 Flags over Texas or Florida, etc.

Anyway, on this one, I think I would do the red stripes and the stars with beads - and Kreinik gold or silver metallic for the dividing element. The white stripes would work well in simple T-stitch for a bit of subtle texture.

The watermelons are arranged so that when the seam is made, there will be a whole motif on the back.

As for color, I can see maybe a bright chrome yellow background with white flowers and orange centers. The flowers could be outlined with Kreinik 032 for a bit of sparkle, and the petals in smyrna crosses with something very shiny, like DMC Satin Floss. OR - the background might be a "summer sky blue" (I will have to ask Anne Stradal which DMC floss is that color, as she is able to tag the beauties of nature on Cape Cod with #'s.)

Remember that these are 5 1/2" long, but could be lengthened to 7" for a cuff bracelet (with rounded ends as shown in a previous post) or 8" for a bangle. Even belts would be fun in these designs.
Here are the charts - just print them out and draw them onto canvas with the appropriate drawing pen. I outlined the stars on the flag with a light blue one when drawing - with the thought that white thread would cover it better than it would black. (Sharpie ultra fine point) I rarely paint anything I'm going to stitch myself. I also used the blue on the flowers on the watermelon piece.

4th of July and Summertime Coming!

2009-05-21T21:32:00.006-05:00

Doodling on scraps of paper and canvas on my table is how this begins - so out of the ashes and mess arises the next Freebies, etc. project - hopefully by Saturday.

That's a watermelon in the pencil sketch at the bottom. Note the Hershey's Kisses on the table - the Sprite is off to the left, as I won't have liquids on my work table.

I got lucky on the "flag" napkin ring, as the thing came out even without much effort. I started in the center to make sure it would be alike at both ends.

The big mess is on the right end of the table - it seems to be the only way I can function. I know where everything is in which layer of debris!

The yellow item at the lower right is a ceramic starfish Jake brought his Granny today - makes a wonderful paperweight to go with the one I made a few years ago with seashells. Now I have a "clay" buddy, so need to go to the clay store on Saturday.The little cacti are a treat to myself, but will also be used to demonstrate that beads aren't just for Christmas sparkle on the painted canvas! Later.

Basketweave Around Shapes: A Free Tutorial

2009-05-20T11:57:00.004-05:00

Having seen a number of people having trouble stitching basketweave around shaped ornaments, I have begun a tutorial on the other blog (Possibilities, etc.) to show step by step how really simple it is.

By doing basketweave, the ornament canvas won't warp, and as always, is much smoother and prettier - it becomes second nature when you understand the correct method of stitching.

Knitting with Fabric Strips

2009-05-19T18:16:00.011-05:00

I'm seeing a lot of interest in fabric strip knitting, which has been a favorite occupation of mine off and on since the mid 80's.

I have dug out a few pictures to post, and meanwhile will find more finished pieces, as well as the patterns I wrote at the time of my last "binge" about four years ago, and will present them here.

I learned to knit as soon as I could read the little Coats & Clark green book we all bought at Woolworth long ago - and taught myself. I have alternated knitting and needlepoint all these years, and have especially enjoyed the diversification in designing with the fabric strips - which I call "Raggedy Chic."

The skills required for this are few - and projects work up quickly, due to the large needles and "fat" strips. There is a link to a site for printing out graph paper for designing your own geometrics, as well as other patterns, as it requires an assymetric graph to accomodate knitting. (knitting stitches are wider than they are high).

Anyway - I'll try to get this started by early next week - needlepoint is pending right now!!

Lest I forget to mention it, the rags are splendid also for crochet projects! I did a leaflet for Leisure Arts in the early 90's on Crocheted Rag Rugs - and also have done flower pot covers, and all kinds of fun things with a big, fat hook.

ADDENDUM: I'm seeing so much interest in this, that I'm getting out my file folders of patterns I created back when I did these - and many others. I will offer some here as Freebies, but also will put them for sale as e-patterns on my web page. There are also tote bags in this series (showing on my other blog) - and tutorials on how to cut and knit with the fabric strips and design your own on graph paper..

Crosses for Personal Prayer Cushions

2009-05-15T16:14:00.021-05:00

Several years ago, I had a number of painted canvase (by request) in my wholesale line that had to do with Bible/Prayer book covers. I'm pleased lately to discover that many many people are now looking beyond church kneelers, etc., and wanting to do personal prayer cushions, which may, of course, be any convenient size that fits the space and the need.

I had an irreverant moment remembering a church in Tallahassee that made an effort to do a great tongue-in-cheek type quote each week on a billboard that was hilarious as well as thought prevoking. I remember one that said "When your troubles knock you to your knees, you're in a praying position." (so true) This is how I've been feeling for the past year, only by now, if I knelt on the floor, I probably would require help getting back up.

Anyway, as usual, while digging in old files and boxes I found these small cross drawings that I've used in the past, not only for Bible covers, but in groupings and arrangements for personal kneelers. I remember one that had three of them across the center, and a simple but elegant border - very effective.

This Jerusalem Cross is one of my favorites of the many many types and styles of crosses used over the centuries - and is also adaptable for an ornament. Could be placed on a symmetrical stitch counted circle or a diamond shape easily. Also - lots of possible color combinations.

On 13 mesh canvas, this one is 3 1/2" high. On 18 mesh, it is tiny @ 2 3/4".

The simple Latin Cross has the Alpha and Omega added. It's almost 4" high on 13 mesh, and 2 3/4" on 18 mesh.

The Trefoil Cross shown here is a bit small, but apparently was used in the same project - it would be simple to draw it larger. It's 4" high on 13 mesh, and 3" high on 18 mesh. Incidentally, the study of the styles of crosses and other symbolism is fascinating - one can get many great ideas for kneelers this way!!

It was while designing some pieces for St. David's here in Austin that I became fascinated with the Welsh Celtic things - the encircled cross, as well as the Leeks (flower of Wales) and, of course, the knotwork. This is a very simple outline that has many possibilities for use as an ornament too.

The second scan shows a few "jewels" added maybe for interest.

The last scan shows how to simply add a "seam allowance" background, which would be done quickly and easily in basketweave.

A really competent finisher can work wonders with a shaped ornament - which brings up another subject - "Backgrounds for Shaped Ornaments" - which I'm preparing for a Possibilities, etc. tutorial. If I can't get it done by tonight, it will be for tomorrow - so stay tuned over there.

Meanwhile, here is a picture of an encircled cross I drew from the actual stone carving at the St. David's Cathedral in Wales - the Nevern Cross. It was on a tall base, so I just used the top, stitched it with bright colors - and gave it to my sister's son-in-law, who has Welsh antecedents.

When I took this photo, I had not yet stitched the background, and hadn't stitch drawn the circle around it properly. I don't remember what color I used for it.

ADDENDUM: I had forgotten, but several years ago I painted a series of needlepoint Eggs for Easter - as that is usually the season of Baptisms and Confirmation. I used the traditional bright pastels of the season, and put a cross or "Chrismon" (Christ Monogram) on each - they were pretty, and a variety of different colors, stitches, beads, metallics, etc. could dress them up a bit. I think I either discarded the file or lost it, but will look for it in a few days.

I have also found, now that I have grandchildren, that small cross ornaments or eggs make wonderful Godparent gifts.

Animal Skin Patterns: Update!

2009-05-04T12:38:00.004-05:00

This is a "Freebies" blog, and I intend to keep it that way - including lots of fun tutorials. However, I have had lots of interest in animal skin also on the other blog, so decided to do an "e-pattern booklet" for my web page with lots of patterns to print out and trace, and projects to do with them. I don't usually like to advertise this way, but after all, I do have to spend $$ on canvas and threads and beads and paint brushes to keep me going. Take a look at the web page (Elegant Whimsies)

Meanwhile, isn't this guy gorgeous?!! I have a number of file folders full of animal skin pictures etc. but haven't done the Jaguar from Central and South America yet - his spots are rather large and a bit complex, and wouldn't do for my little pieces I've designed so far - but what an elegant sofa pillow it would make!!

P.S. I would really like to hear what you would like to see on "Freebies, etc." that you can't find anywhere - I need guidance in developing new free projects and patterns! Just leave comments, if you will, and I'll get busy.

Lettering 202: a Mini-alphabet

2009-04-30T13:11:00.011-05:00

One of my sons has asked me not to use any more names of the ladies who pass through his life (he is young yet) for my little creations, as it seems to be a jinx. When stitching models of my mini-stockings, I have to have names, and have run through even the family cats - both deceased and still with us. Anyway, that isn't the subject here.

This little alphabet is one I've used for many years, and at this point, I don't remember if I made it up or saw it somewhere. It's ideal for names on cuffs of mini-stockings, as it's 9 stitches high, and average of 7 stitches wide - depending on the letter.

The last one I did with this font was "Angie," where it occurred to me to use a bead in the little holes that decorate each letter.

The "Amy" stocking is tiny, and I never finished the crazy quilt embellishment. The very small letters were perfect for it - a name with more than five letters wouldn't have worked even in this alphabet.The letters in this one are extremely easy to draw. (Be sure you have read lettering instructions on the other blog)

For vertical placement, as the letters are 9 stitches high, count to see how many threads are in the cuff from bottom to top. It's always best to leave more at the top than the bottom. (Amy has 6 above thename, and 4 below) If you center the name, it kind of floats away and looks awkward - and remember that part of the top is lost in the seam in finishing.

For horizontal placement, follow instructions on the other blog. You can see on this one the two names - one is even count, ("Marie" has 36 threads) and the other is odd count a("Marilyn" has 51 threads) - just to demonstrate the marking of every 10th thread, adding what's leftover at the end, and finding the center.

For writing out a quote, a poem, or whatever - first decide how many words will be on each line. At this point, I make a rough sketch on paper of the words, as I need to know how much space to leave between them and between the rows of words for good proportions.Then, using scrap canvas - or graph paper if you must - you can write out each line of words, and find the center as you did for a name. (Look at the daVinci cat quote) OR if you want them to line up on the left side as with a poem or whatever, just make sure your borders are the same number of threads on each side of the longest row of words.

I have lots and lots of alphabets I use for names on stockings, etc. - so stay tuned!! More later, but not today. I'm having a day off, which usually means wearing myself out doing nothing. (walking, doing laundry, digging in the flower beds, figuring out what to avoid with work, etc.)

ON STITCHING:Stocking cuffs should never be stitched with decorative, textured stitches, as these do not meet the stitches of the lettering evenly, and just look messy as the little fll-in stitches are used where you can't make a complete stitch. They also distract from the letters. Cuffs can be jazzed up with doing the names with beads or any number of different fiber effects. However, just doing them in plain basketweave in a nice color is best. The lettering STYLE should provide enough visual interest.

Also, don't start and stop when you meet the lettering - just continue basketweave, skipping the stitches of the letters. This makes a beautifully even and smooth surface instead of having the little "pin hole" effect around the letters.

Beaded Giraffe for the Table!

2009-04-28T19:36:00.003-05:00

This isn't finished, but I had to try it out anyway - so here it is. My daughter needs monogrammed napkins.

I may get motivated and go ahead and do the whole set for a Safari table, as this was fun and took very little time to accomplish.

I want to do a "seasonal" set next. Maybe flags and watermelons??

A Lettering Preview!

2009-04-27T19:40:00.005-05:00

Having an intensely busy week - but while this is available, I thought I would show it - I intend to do another tutorial to follow the one I did on Possibilities on putting names on stockings. The same applies to putting lettering on quotes - so look at this and get motivated!!

I was preparing my next article (deadline is now) for Needlepoint Now, and it struck me that I use the same method.

As with so many things, I never quite finished this one, but did find some of the threads I used. I'm really bad about klepping threads from one project to start another, and then waiting years to get back to it - dye lot troubles then arise. Oh dear.

I intend to steam press and block this thing and take another picture before I send it. It has been in the Cretaceous layer in the big box in the garage.

More Animal Skin: Giraffe!

2009-04-22T22:22:00.005-05:00

Besides admiring this unusual and magnificent animal, I love his gorgeous patterned skin - and use it often in designing for different projects. It is simple and elegant.

When using the giraffe pattern, one must be careful to have the scale of it right for the project - that is, it would be rather strange looking on this mini-stocking if it were painted with smaller spots - or very large ones. It wouldn't "translate" as giraffe, and would not be attractive.

As with the other animal patterns, I trace the shape and size of the project onto tracing paper, and then move it around until I have it positioned as I want it - then put it onto canvas.

The pattern is very attractive for belts, as well - so of course bracelets and napkin rings. Another for the Safari set!! I'm showing this one in stages, as I decided to jazz it up a bit for the table with beads. You can see where I have prepared for the beading by simply using basketweave every other row (on the warp "bumps"), leaving the dips of the weft for the beads. The background will simply be basketweave, as I couldn't see beading this piece "solid."

The tracing will print out the exact size you need for 18 mesh canvas. It's 5 1/2" long x 1 1/2" high. Just ink the lines if they aren't dark enough, and trace it onto canvas, using previous instructions.

Also - you could make a bracelet, using the pattern and instructions on the previous post on animal skin napkin rings and bracelets. For bracelets, you will have to make a tracing, adding more giraffe patches to the length. Easily done!!

Bugs! ("Jeweled for Needlepoint")

2009-04-13T20:16:00.008-05:00

As promised on the other blog, here are patterns for the "jeweled" bugs. The ladybug, as I remember, is inspired by one of the miniature Faberge' eggs, as I saw it on a charm bracelet in an art museum catalog. I didn't stitch it myself, but it was very popular as part of my wholesale line about ten years ago.

The red, of course, is enamel, and the diamonds could be stitched either with glittering beads (Sundance #250 hexagonal clear) or with something else sparkling from your stash. The yellow beetle with black dots was taken from a piece of jewelry I saw in a magazine several years ago - and would be a fun scissors fob, key ring, or just an ornament. The little bumps on the ends of the legs and antennae are smyrna crosses in metallic gold. This is where the new DMC Satin Floss could be well used, as the shine approximates the enamel of the original piece.

To draw your own onto canvas, use whichever canvas size you prefer - mine were on 18 mesh, and the ladybug was 3 1/4" high x 2 1/2" wide. (including the legs, which I added - they weren't on the original jeweled egg) Remember that instructions for drawing are somewhere else on this blog if you haven't seen them before.

This first drawing has the gold parts outlined with a gold pen to make it easier to see what goes where - but you also need the scan of just plain black ink drawing on canvas.

Next, the yellow beetle, which could be any color you wish - I did the background with beads, as you can see where I drew the dots for placement in the picture at the top. The oval itself is 3 1/2" x 2 1/2". This bug has lots of possibilities!!

I have done lots of bugs and butterflies and even spiders over the years - from antique jewelry, mostly. I hope to dig them out of the filing cabinet and boxes, and maybe even create some new ones, as one can do so many things with threads, etc. Besides, bugs are cute!!