Our Heart

designed by Marnie Ritter. This is the first of a series of hearts Marnie created for our local ANG Chapter, Mile High in Denver, to honor those that have experienced breast cancer. You may purchase the kit directly from Marnie at the above link and $2.00 from every sale will go to the Susan B. Koman Breast Cancer Research Center. Thank you Marnie for your generous heart in designing this beautiful design. I'm am proud to include this as my first project of 2010.

Getting started, all of my Evertite stretchers in this size were "unavailable" so I decided to use mini rollers attaching the canvas with the hook and loop type tape and side lacing. For the lacing you can use carpet thread, but not having any on hand I used button hole twist which is also very strong. I like using this method for smaller projects such as this. By the way the heart measures approximately 5".

The canvas used is light tan with gold flecks. First time I've used this and it really adds sparkle to the project even though it doesn't seem to show up in the photos.  The kit has some very delicious threads including silks and metallics. Using a laying tool really makes the threads lie flat allowing for maximum sheen from the silks. Though some stitchers might object to this practice, I often use my finger to lay threads, but I always have my Tekobari and that other gadget that fits on my thumb close by.

This year I am planning on being more diligent about documenting my projects in a journal. I will include the type of thread used, number of hours stitching and anything else worth noting. So far I have logged 2 hours, 30 minutes.