To Evertite or Not to Evertite, etc.

I'm definitely an Evertite convert, but lately I've been buzzing around the Internet and not stitching. Well except in the evening. My current small project is a new name tag for one of the local chapter's of ANG. Yes, Caela Tyler has been at it again and has designed another terrific piece for the Chapter. I'll post a photo when it's finished. My heart is really telling me to get back to the gossipy kitties. So much for my rotation scheme. Now on to the Evertite's...

There's been some discussion on one of the needlework lists I belong to about the Evertite stretcher bars. I was just curious how everyone feels about using them now that they've been on the market for a while now. I posed that question and have had a good response of positive opinions on the use of Evertite's.

Personally I love using them and feel they are well worth their cost especially for larger projects. Not having to remove my canvas from the stretchers in order to tighten it is not only time saving, but better for the canvas IMHO; less handling is always better. I do have a minor issue using them with certain lap frames, however. Not all, my System 4 frames and stands accommodate the Evertite's just fine.

I've posted some photos in an effort to explain the problem I have using them on my K's creations lap frames and stands. Below and right you can see how the frame slants up as I tighten the clamp. I can get it tight enough to stay, the problem is when I need to reposition the frame.

What happens is the clamp slants enough to put pressure on the long bolts making it a major struggle to move the flat pieces of the clamp up or down. This is demonstrated below left. Even if I hold the frame flush with the inside of the clamp, as I gently tighten down, the flat pieces move.


This photo shows the size differences between the Evertites and other stretcher bars. It also demonstrates how the bolt gets slanted making it nearly impossible to adjust the clamp up and down in order to remove the stretchers.
By writing about this I hope for one of two things, A) I learn that I am not alone in my struggle; and or B) there is a solution or suggestion one or more of you have to help.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by today.

One Kute Kitty Kimono Down

Worked off and on this week on the first Geisha kimono. I was warned by those in the know about the fraying and thread damage that might take place on an interlock canvas. I experimented and found that I needed to take out all the perle coton used in the outline of the Ming stitch. It frayed and fuzzed up more than usual. So out it came and was replaced by a Kreinik Braid overdyed metallic. I like the look much better. The packaging on the overdye identifies this thread as Needle Necessities Kreinik #12 overdyed. I didn't know these companies were affiliated. But that's just me not paying much attention. Anyway I was surprised when I saw that.

The overdyed floss I used for the fill didn't seem to be harmed. There was a lot of tent stitching and I don't plan on using tent again for anything of significant size on this piece....or any for that matter in the near future.

The trim on the collar and sleeve is stitched in the diagonal satin stitch using Vineyard Silk Shimmer. It seemed to handle adequately the roughness of the canvas, using a slightly larger needle than what is called for has helped to ease the threads through the holes. The very edge of the sleeve was couched using Kreinik gold braid. The Pure Palette's Soy Luster solids were used for the cumber bun which was stitched in the Cashmere stitch.

Though I am very tempted to jump up to the hair ornaments, (imagination running wild) alas I know better to wait to do any beading last; the next section to be stitched will be the other kimono. Looking forward to this too actually. Haven't even thought about the background/walls at this point.

I am thinking very strongly about reading up on project rotation as it has occurred to me that I may enjoy jumping around with my projects. I don't want to lose my "mo jo" on any one project but I can at least try to see if it suits my stitching style. I know rotating projects is very popular on many of the blogs I read. I do jump around a bit, but it's not organized rotation. It's more spur of the moment jumping, I think what some stitchers do is most definitely organized.

Thank you for taking time to visit my blog today. I am so grateful for your company.

As promised

I'm including a photo of my progress on my gossiping geisha. I never know if I should put an "s" on the end of geisha to indicate more than one. Sidebar: Think it's a carry over from my days living in the South where most, if not all would typically omit the "s" as in your change is 35 cent! Drove me crazy. Put the "s" on there already.
Anyway I've decided to use various Oriental Diaper Patterns for the kitties kimonos. I felt it was a lost opportunity not to utilize these wonderful stitches on my previous two Asian pieces and hope to make up for it here. Beginning with The Ming Stitch taken from "Father B's Book of Stitches," first I outlined with DMC Perle Coton and then filled with 4 strands of overdyed floss. Deciding against basketweave and instead using continental or tent stitch to fill in each individual "medallion." It seems to work better that way allowing more pattern control of the overydye. Dr. Bob recommends the fill be either one color and texture or if more than one color is desired, to use 4 different colors to fill in a contrasting outline. I chose the overdye with a contrasting outline.

In a previous post I mentioned that the canvas was painted on interlock instead of mono. I was warned that interlock can be a little rough on threads. So far the overdye is working beautifully, but the Perle Coton needs to be a shorter length as it seems to easily fray. So shorter strands is the key here. In addition, I did think the interlock was more difficult to put on stretchers as it has no give whatsoever. I am using Evertite's so once the canvas was attached it was easy enough to tighten to satisfactory taughtness. Other than that I haven't come across any other issues using the interlock, but will keep you posted. Thanks for stopping by today.

In early 2007

Woops! Make that early 2008...I agreed to lead a program for a local ANG Chapter. I was honored by the request and as usual immediately began working on the project. The project, Golden Reminiscence, designed by a very talented Carolyn Mitchell, is included in ANG's Chapter Project Book. This manual is a great resource utilized by Chapter Program Chairmen to bring to the membership new and appealing programs not otherwise available.

My renditions of Golden Rem are shown on my blog under 2008 finishes. Designed for needlepoint, this particular piece was created to showcase a piece of jewelry or other ornamental embellishment. I was looking forward to seeing what everyone brought in along with their own matching thread colorway. We had pieces of antique jewelry, a tiny dragonfly embedded in amber like glass, a brooch and many other fine ideas to feature on the finished canvas.

It has been a while since I had lead a program and though I wouldn't exactly say I was insecure, I will admit to stitching two pilot samples and then started a third a few days prior to the class. I made notes along the way of each subtle or not so subtle snafu I came upon; which by the way were few. But everyone has their own strength's and weakness' and I made note of those that were mine relative to Golden Rem. I always appreciate knowing what to look out for or any tip that helps improve my stitching.

So last evening was the first session of the 2-part class. There were 17 or so participants that had signed up though we had just shy of that number in attendance. I was acquainted with only about half of the class which surprised me, but happily so. This was a spirited group and I must say that I was inadequate to compete with the ancillary chatter taking place throughout the evening. It's funny how different the perspective when your leading a class vs. taking a class. As a student, you focus on the teacher (ideally) and your stitching; as the teacher you focus on everything, teaching, questions, individual needs, standing, and even the lively gab of students reuniting with old friends and making new.

The class was asked in advanced to have their needlepoint canvas mounted on stretchers and center marked so we could get to our stitching. Our charge for the night was to complete six stitches making up one quadrant of the center design. We got through four and, thankfully, the instruction booklet was totally adequate for this group to follow and complete the homework for next month. Though I do wish that we had more time, isn't that always the way? Thinking back I should have taken more control, like a school teacher, cutting down on the socializing of several. But that's part of the fun of sharing our hobby, we catch up and enjoy each other's company. It's just one of the inherent hazards of the adult classroom...or perhaps any classroom.

Most of the class stuck to the task at hand, for which I was grateful; I was, however, happy and at peace knowing this was not a class in how to achieve world peace or dismantle a nuclear device, thereby keeping the whole thing in perspective. Otherwise, I might have let it bother me when I was scolded for not kitting up the project, lessening the cost for each individual. Hey girl, I'm just the messenger. Never mind that each student was to choose their own colors based on their individual embellishment. Sheeesh.

But I do understand the need to economize these days and usually shop in my own stash. I did just that on my first rendering but followed the designer's selection on the second. I love shopping in my stash, but then again I also love shopping in my LNS stash too!:) Whatever works. We did keep the cost of this 2-part class down to $5.00 to cover the copying of the 20 page instruction booklet complete with page protectors and folder. Oh, for the copyright police, the copying and distribution is totally permissible for the exclusive purpose of using the design in a Chapter sponsored program. In the end I hope most felt it was a bargain.

So today I am relaxing a bit, blogging, checking emails, all the while secretly thinking of the next stitch to use on my gossiping geishas. Yes, I said next stitch.....I know, I know a picture will soon follow. I do want to thank you for listening to my verbiage this day. Thinking aloud mostly. Hope you're enjoying your stitching each and every day, including this one of historic precedent.

Biscornu #1

So what happened to my "mo"? I was waylaid by a cold or something like that. The whole family was ambushed by this thing just after Christmas. It came, it went, it resurfaced, now it's gone. Shoo! Scat! Amscray!

I've finished stitching the topside of the white on white biscornu. I've made some errors due to my lack of experience on 32ct anything and inadequate "big eyes" as I call them. Hmmmm, wonder why I can see the mistakes but not the chart correctly? Maybe I have a counting issue and am in denial. It could happen. I'll disguise these areas with a strategically placed bead or two. Next I will finish the back of this little pin pillow so I'll be ready for the finishing class this week.

Shhhh, in secret I put my gossiping geisha kitties on the stretchers. I've sort of moved this to the top of the queue. More later.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I was chatting with a friend about how inspiring and motivating it is to view the stitching of others. My friend has been fortunate enough to have visited several national needlework exhibits over the years, and I, about every 6 months or so, go into my collection of back issue's of NeedlepointNow and Needlepointer's for lots of rousing stitching stimulation.

I pull out the annual Exhibit issues and just ogle. Revel. Riveted for hours and then run to my stitching. I derive great joy from doing this. My issues go all the way back to the early days when the publications first started. It is great fun seeing how our craft has evolved in such a relatively short period of time to the fabulous industry it is today. For centuries needlepoint meant tent stitch and brown penelope. And then in the past 30 years, WOW! look at us now! Charmed, blessed, golden, whatever the expression it's marvelous to be a stitcher in the 21st century.

I knew when I first moved to Colorado that I was going to be a very lucky stitcher indeed as our local ANG and EGA Chapter's are filled not only with talented stitchers, but with nationally renowned instructor's and designers; to whom many accolades have been attributed for years. Individuals who's work I have always admired, and those that I have recently met through and only through the mutual love of stitching, right here in my own back yard. Talk about striking it rich, there's gold in them thar hills! Golden nuggets like Tyler, Ritter, Goodman, Kerschner, to name but a few. All generous and giving of their talents and skills to those of us that struggle with what stitch goes where. There's also numerous talented stitchers not standing in the limelight, sitting right next to me (you know who you are), inspiring and giving me hope that I too one day may reach their level of execution. These are my friends, they support me, encourage me and never peer at the back of my work!

Perhaps the most prolific inspirational resource of all, the Internet. If you're reading this, you are familiar with what I'm talking about here. Talk about a domino effect. One site leading to another and another. It's endless, apparently. Below are links to inspiring blogs that were all found from visiting just one new blog in one afternoon. Enjoy!

http://yuks-behappy.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-mums-works-2.html

http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/

http://carolsxsblog.blogspot.com/

http://judiromi.blogspot.com/

http://asamplerofstitches.blogspot.com/

http://caroliensstitches.blogspot.com/2009/01/skeelers-and-skates.html

http://spinsterstitcher.blogspot.com/2009/01/ok-were-rotating.html

White on White Biscornu

Cream on cream actually. I'm finally in a place where I can devote time to my stitching. The Christmas is put away, football is on the tube and we have 6 inches of new snow on the ground. This ANG Chapter project is one of the smallest designs I've ever stitched and am going at it with enthusiasm. First, one of my goals this year is to stitch several of these habit forming charmers. I find them totally fun projects that don't require a lot of dedicated time to complete. Yet you still enjoy a sense of accomplishment as you wrap up these darling little packages. A bowl full of biscornu is my goal!

This is also my first linen project. I've worked on aida for counted work, but never linen. I've been strictly a canvas worker but I'm doing pretty good using my miner's headgear and dazor light. It seems to be working up quickly; it's small and there is a lot of unstitched area compared to needlepoint.

I like starting out the new year with small sized projects, seeing a quick transformation from materials to achievements, and all the while providing inspiration to keep the "mo" going!