HERE WE GO!

I am so excited that I will be taking you along on my next stitching odyssey which just might become the "pièce de résistance" of the year. When I first saw professional designer Caela Conn Tyler working on the Red Kerchief model, I knew right away I had to take her class. I mention Caela often on my blog and one might say I am a Caela groupie; there are a lot of us out there. Anyway, her concept of Claude Monet's Portrait of Camille Monet, The Red Kerchief, is most amazing in that she has achieved her interpretation by using foreground and background canvases. It's my first framed 3-dimensional needlepoint. There are several threads and techniques used, some familiar...others not so much, making this a unique and exciting project. Currently, Caela is offering The Red Kerchief at The 39th Annual Callaway School of Needle Arts  and the EGA Great Lakes Region Seminar.

Naturally Caela's work and mine vary dramatically, what you'll get here is my attempt to do this fabulous design justice. To begin, I've chosen the background canvas for purposes of this blog, but I actually completed the foreground canvas as assigned during the pilot class. This took place earlier in 2009 and I have been waiting for just the right opportunity to present it here.

Using Evertites, the line-drawn and shaded canvas is ready to go. I was totally unfamiliar with the technique used on the first step which was to apply Angelina. What the.... hmmm, Angelina. If you are as unfamiliar with Angelina fabric as I was, go here for a great tutorial.

Basically Angelina comes in a small sized bag for around $5-6 and sort of looks like spun glass or angel hair. Apparently it's readily found in quilt shops. The left photo depicts Angelina fibers after they've first been spread apart and then pressed with an iron. On the right photo, it's basted in place serving as background for the snow stitches. Clever! Notice the iridescence? Depending upon how much you spread out the original fibers, it will determine how opaque the pressed pieces appear.

Using regular sewing thread for basting (which will be removed once all the permanent stitches are in place) and a sharp needle to go through the Angelina, I'm ready to move on to stitching the snow.  The snow is stitched in Long Tall Sallies combining white floss and Accentuate (with a little light grey thrown in for good measure). Remember that this side of the snow will be covered by the curtain hanging on the foreground canvas and is stitched rather randomly suggesting the effect of glimmering, drifting snow. I'm hoping I've done this well otherwise we'll be viewing this with the curtains drawn! LOL! Prep time (iron fabric, cut and baste onto canvas) about an hour.  Stitching hours: 2-right side only

My week in review or what I did instead of housework.

I usually don't write much about my life outside of stitchville, but I like to hear about yours and thought I'd take a chance you might be interested here. It's been a busy week and I didn't get much stitching in, regrettably. The third week of every month is always the most hectic. Monday began with my volunteer duties with Hospice. Then that evening I enjoyed attending Colorado Columbine Chapter, ANG. It's a great group and they held a great program entitled Colorado Collage. As beautiful as it is, I couldn't participate as I have enough on my needlework plate as it is. But I enjoyed seeing my friends and catching up a bit. I will be taking over the responsibility of newsletter editor. This should be fun once I get the hang of it.

Tuesday, I went to Little London Stitcher Chapter, ANG meeting in Colorado Springs. We had open stitching so I worked on last year's major WIP, the rooster. Wednesday, Hospice again and I attended the Board meeting for Colorado Chapter, EGA where I'm Outreach Chair; a role with fewer responsibilities than most, but still a worthwhile undertaking as we have monthly collections of needed items and distribute them to local shelters.

Thursday I attended Mile High Chapter, ANG and wore my new name tag. I also took Geisha Kitty's and Red Kitty for Show and Share. I received many nice compliments which I am totally grateful for. Thank you! Our program was fabulous, a lecture by Caela Conn Tyler on Canvas Embellishment. I was able to visit with many of my stitchy friends which is always a treat. Also, I gained much inspiration from seeing the finished and in-progress works by everyone.

Today, was busy, but fun. Went to the movies, stopped by Starbucks, then strolled around Tuesday Mornings (never know what treasure you might find, this time I was skunked!) and finished off the day at Cheesecake Factory for a yummy chicken dish. No cheesecake. :( I also goofed around online catching up with email and surfing around all my favorite blogs! Blogs are so much fun to read and write! Thanks for letting me recap my week; it was a good week, but I'm glad it's behind me now. BTW, I'm still waiting for my BBB project. I called to check on it to see if it had come back from the finishers, the conversation went like this. Me: "Hello, I'm calling to check on a piece I left for finishing several weeks ago." Response: "Did we call you to tell you it's ready? Because if we didn't call you it's not ready". Okay, snotty, can you at least check on it? I wanted to say, but didn't get a chance. I'm laughing at this now, but when it happened.....not so much. I'm sure it will be back soon, maybe next week I'm hoping. Can't wait to share it with you then.

Well take care all, have a safe and fun 3-day weekend. I'll be stitching up a storm. What's new with you? And if you're a Veteran, thank you!

Latte goin on round here!

"Come on over baby, whole lotta stitch'n going on" or at least there will be once I remove myself from the office chair to the easy chair. Wish you could come over, there is so much to talk about such as I'd love to know what you're working on, what you're dreaming of working on and....and whatever you like.

Today is the first day of the second year of my blog. I can't believe that year went so quickly....if only I'd stayed on my treadmill as religiously. I noticed I went over 7000 visits, that's amazing to me and I am so grateful that along with the knack to create stuff we are all so very curious. Thank you for visiting today and everyday you give me a little of your time. I raise my coffee cup full of Starbuck's new limited edition, "Arabian Mocha Sanani". Doesn't this sound tempting, full body, bramble fruit, cocoa, clove spice? Add a little cream and voila you have a treat worth splurging on. Part of my Mother's Day gift from DD. Also got a new stove top popcorn popper, you know the kind that you twirl the kernels around in. Plus teensy tiny popcorn to pop. This is my 4th said popper, I just wear them out. It's a family trait, my sister is the same way. Hi Margie!

I've had visitor's over the past week but now that everyone is back in their respective corners of the world and my husband is in NM for a few weeks, I've cleared the decks and have gotten down to some serious stitching. Have what I call my two major projects to concentrate on. I'm about halfway finished with Marnie Ritter's Renaissance and it is so beautiful. I know there are many Marnie Ritter fans out there and encourage you to get your hands and needle on this project if you like variety, explosions of color and sparkly! I love sparkly. I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching this piece and am anxious to get back to it. Her creation is indeed a masterpiece.

Speaking of masterworks, Caela Tyler's interpretation of Monet's Red Kerchief is well underway and taking front seat right now. It involves two canvases, a foreground which is nearly complete and a background (so to speak) which is waiting at the moment. Techniques galore and so very different from anything I've stitched before and I cannot wait until I have my very own Monet hanging on the wall. When I finish these two, well I will have something won't I.

Perhaps the most exciting thing on my mind is what's next! I get to choose, and you know how we like choosing new projects. Excitement. The only limitation is I must stay within the confines of a) my 2009 stitching queue and b)my stash closet. I can do that, I think. Will keep you posted. :) Love that, "Keep you posted" of course I will, this is a blog.

Even though I could sit and visit here until the cow's come home, I better get a mooove on. Oh, I'm still waiting for the call that BBB and Red Kitty are ready to be picked up. Here kitty, kitty, kitty.

Mile High Fun!

Mile High Chapter of ANG is one of the local Chapter's I belong to. This year, Caela Conn Tyler designed our new nametag. She introduced many of us to using ink pads used for the subtle colors of the sky and included a number of stitches in the skyline design. Thank you Caela! In addition, as a gift to the membership, the Chapter donated the supplies and Caela's design for a Mile High tree ornament. Again, many thanks for these fun designs. Both of these items were beautifully finished by a very nice lady located in Montrose, CO. Hi Marie!

"All in good time, my pretty

all in good time." Cackled the wicked witch of the West. I've been wanting to get back to the gossipy kitties but haven't had the chance. Too much computer? Maybe, but I am also working on a major project designed and taught by Marnie Ritter.


This was one of my "hopefuls" as listed in my '09 stitching queue. I lucked out and happen to be stitching her Renaissance beauty. Learning a number of different stitches, including beading and the use of specialty threads, make this a fabulously fun project, as is the teacher (vying for teachers pet?...you betcha!). Under her expert tutelage along with her written instructions it's moving along very quickly. A somewhat involved piece, in other words not something I can mindlessly stitch away on while riding in a car, etc., I am always anxious to get back to whenever I have to put it down...like to go to bed or some other stitching interrupting event. Take a look here and see for yourself this awe-inspiring canvas created by an exceptional teacher. http://www.callawaygardens.com/callaway/info/things.needlearts.coursedescriptions.aspx


Another dream come true, I've lucked out and will be stitching a second project listed on my "hopefuls" queue. This time it's Caela Tyler's interpretation of a Monet painting, "Red Kerchief." OMG, this is an extraordinary piece using new (to me) techniques and a variety of stitches. I would describe it as two-dimensional and really quite unique. I am so looking forward to the opportunity to stitch this creative project by a truly remarkable and gifted teacher. Caela will be teaching this at the upcoming ANG National Seminar this Fall, you can see it here http://www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-09/classes/2day/22930.php --quick get a tissue, you'll be drooling! Better yet, sign up for the class!


Talk about getting carried away. I really got ahead of myself, by several months in fact. You must admit for a canvas worker these are very exciting projects.


Back to my beloved furry geisha. Next up I will finish the background areas and the details on their faces. I am currently working on the hair ornaments too and finally their furry heads. What you won't see...I got their ears waaaaaaaaaaay too pink. Lookin' more like bunny ears. Frog frog :) Don't forget, the kitties are the creation of Patt and Lee Designs. These and many more adorable canvases can be found at http://www.pattandleedesigns.com/. Go for it!



Before signing off today, I wanted to let you know that the second half of the Golden Reminiscence program I was leading finished up last night at my local ANG Chapter. It was a fabulous class with everyone making a lot of progress. We tried something new and used a "breakout" room for the class and it made all the difference. No distractions, excellent camaraderie and much progress in a very relaxed setting. I know this was a good experience for me and I am anxiously awaiting to see the final versions. There were about 15 there last night and one had already completed it and it was beautiful! Congratulations Vicki S., how about a picture? Everyone did their own thing as far as colorway and jewel embellishment. Fun.


Thanks again for visiting, see you soon.

Holidaytime surely.....

....separates the men from the boys. I don't know how my fellow blogmeister's do it. Keeping up with their blogs and preparing for all the trappings of the holidays; I didn't have time to read blogs, let alone post on my own. In fact I haven't been stitching either. I miss the blogs I follow and I am really missing stitching. But thanks to a wonderful friend reminding me that I had neglected my blog long enough and that Christmas was over with already, strongly suggesting "that was then, this is now!" and to get to gettin'! I'm finally back in the groove. Thank you Gloria!

See what I won on eBay. I let the first canvas listing get away from me and then the designer, Patt of Patt and Lee Designs, offered it again; this time on Interlock canvas instead of Deluxe Mono at a much reduced price. I hadn't planned on buying any more painted canvases for '09, but Jane of Chilly Hollow fame posted the eBay listing on her blog, which apparently is my hypnotic cue to check it out, I spied it and voila...MINE! Ya know, I've always heard she is the queen mother of enabler's and I do believe it to be true. Don't know what I'd do without all her good tips on what's available and where! Thank you Jane.

I am very anxious to get 2 Geisha Cats kitted up and placed on the queue. Not sure where it will land, but it's in for 2009. I don't think I've stitched on painted Interlock canvas before, it's definitely different from Deluxe Mono and the actual painting on the design seems much lighter. This is because the actual canvas threads are much thinner on Interlock, as explained by the artist. I'll give it a try and keep you posted on how it works up. I'm not sure if there will be any noticeable difference on the finished work, I hope not, or if I will choose my thread palette differently. These things will become apparent as I stitch, I'm sure. If any of you have any suggestions or experience with this I am most anxious to hear from you.

Currently I have 3 small projects I'm working on completing. One is a beautiful white on white biscornu and matching scissor fob created and taught by Janice Wood at my local ANG chapter. It's on linen, let's see where are my 5X magnifiers? The picture is of her finished piece, my in progress piece amounts to a needle on my needle minder ready and waiting. Then as a Holiday surprise, again by our local Chapter, we were presented with an ornament project designed by Caela Conn Tyler (scanned photo of her finished ornie at right). It's so delightful and is working up quickly. There is a hidden message in the design too! Thank you Caela and Mile High Chapter, ANG. Oh, and the third project from the Sept '06 issue of NeedlepointNow magazine. This very charming ornament, created by Pat Mazu, is quick and would already be finished had I not put it down to "do" Christmas!
Dare I say one of my New Year's resolutions is promising not to have a hick-up in my blogging; to plan ahead for such delays and always have something readable to publish. There, I've said it. Thank you to my readers for being patient with me, I will do my best to earn back your valuable time. Happy New Year everyone!

Things are getting.....

busy around here. Scurrying to finish my year end projects, holiday gatherings, lunch with friends and, my favorite, stitching with my peeps! Not long ago I signed up to participate in an ornament exchange. I planned on giving and completed a darling needlepoint ornie; then it dawned on me that it was through a cross stitch group. Just sign me up for the famed HSS (Head Slap Society). I am not an avid cross stitcher but I did finish these myself and thought they turned out okay. They were fun. Guess I'll just have to keep the needlepoint ornie for myself. :)

Last night, my local ANG chapter held it's annual holiday potluck and gift exchange. I received a great gift, a charming, mini tote. I hadn't seen these before and think it will be ideal for keeping handy the stitching items that I need, but don't want to keep in my regular stitching bag. Thank you Sandy! Isn't it adorable with the leopard lining.....it's so me! LOL!
We were also presented with this absolutely beautiful ornament designed by Caela Conn Tyler, whom in addition to creating the lovely "berry" organized and led this fund raising effort for a local, sister ANG chapter. It came beautifully packaged and mine is going on my Christmas tree, then later will hang on a dresser drawer pull in my stitching room the rest of the year. The photo does not do it justice, but if you look close you can see ANG embossed on the velvet. It was a great evening and a fun time was had by all.
Our program chair has lined up a full year of projects that will be difficult to resist....totally wreaking havoc with my 2009 stitching queue. Remember my "turbo stitcher" friend, she was there and has stitched two of the most fabulous miniature rugs in the Native American style. They are beautiful. I know I have promised to feature "G" on my blog in the past but we haven't been able to get the proper photos of her magnificent work. We are working on it.

Next week I have EGA which is having the "MAGIC" show and tell that I've been working on. I haven't stitched much lately on my final challenge Rooster canvas, but must focus on that and nothing else for the rest of this week. Hope to have photos soon. Thanks for stopping by today. And Margaret, if you're still reading, I hope you are able to post a comment.

STUDIO TIME

with Caela! Okay, I am really excited. Next week at this time I will have the good fortune to be in the company of many fabulous needleartists. I'm attending the EGA Rocky Mountain Regional Seminar held in Denver. The class choices this year are fabulous and it is such a treat to have the Seminar held in my own back yard, so to speak.

As a member of the hosting Chapter I will have certain volunteer duties but the rest of my day will be spent with national needlestar Caela Tyler. I've opted to sign up for her Studio Time and plan on taking full advantage of her expertise and wisdom. Studio time is where you bring any stitching issues you may be having or canvas problems, etc. to an expert to help you work out solutions. I will be seeking her help in how to go about making either of these major canvas/thread investments the best they can be. The rooster is 14"x14" by CanvasWorks. It is a handsome canvas that my husband bought for me several years ago. I have been perplexed as to how to stitch it and have tried a few things here and there, just to give DH the impression that I am actively working on it. He is thrilled that I will soon have help and is imagining a light at the end of the tunnel.

This is the other canvas and I've been saving it for over 20 years! It's by Elsa Williams and originally came with her tapestry wool. Well I am so glad I held off doing this, can you imagine all the different thread and stitches that can be used now? It's fairly large but so light and airy I think it will work up fairly quickly. Don't you? I want an open back ground but will defer to Caela before making a final decision.

For those of you that know Caela's work you understand why I jumped at the chance to sign up for her Studio. Having viewed many of her finished works in person, all superlative adjectives worthy of a fine artist come to mind, but there is one thing that stands out to me. I am talking about what I refer to as her light handed touch.

When I first began stitching I believed that heavier thread and stitch usage would be more dramatic and, quite honestly, I was never really happy with the end results but didn't know why. After seeing Caela's exquisite work, so intricate, light, showing fine detail, I learned right away that this is a far more effective way to enhance the design. Unfortunately this style does not come naturally to me, but I'm learning and hoping for a little osmosis action to take place at Seminar. I'll keep you posted.