Seeded, bugled, done!

I've had this done for a while but have a new computer that includes new software to get used to; Photoshop to be more specific and I have yet to learn how to use it. I think I need a tutor, honestly. I am lucky to get these pictures up at all. The color is a little off. Humph.

Anyway, after making the final decision for the beading on this piece I ended up eliminating the turquoise flower beads. They were good in color, but not really fitting for this design. The objective was to fill in the original non-stitched area which was done using bugle and seed beads; two seed beads then one bugle then two seed beads. Naturally I began the process before ensuring I had enough of each bead type in my stash. And naturally I didn't. But a quick trip to the LNS and I was lucky enough to restock with Sundance Designs #17B seed bead. I had enough of the bugles. YAY! The rows of beading really added to the oveeral texture because (even though it's not as visible in the photo) the dark shades used in the beading accentuated this part of the design but didn't detract from the overall flow. Stitching this piece was thoroughly enjoyable and stress free which, after all, is what stitching is supposed to be all about. I love bargello and there is a lot of it on the web these days. I recommend it for relaxation and a quick sense of accomplishment! Next step...off to the finishers.

Bodice, Bell and Belt

I am thoroughly enjoying this project; it's very compartmentalized (unlike me who is all over the place usually). The center chest area was next and I really liked the lacy effect of this stitch, Four-way Continental. It's easy and quick and adds texture even using floss. The grey outline is perle coton.

The jacket bodice was outlined in gold Neon Rays (regular Continental on the right and reverse Continental on the left side, you need to enlarge the photo to view it). The inside was filled in with Criss Cross Hungarian in white Neon Rays and Continental stitches in floss in between. The sleeves are the same stitch again reversing on the left. Another fun textured look.  The bell is mostly Basketweave but the outside of the bell was padded 3 times! Then diagonally long stitched in Balger braid #8 to cover. The belt buckle to the right is Smyrna Crosses and tent stitches; using doubled over Balger #8. The white part of the belt is outlined with Neon Rays and then padded once with perle coton and covered over with a vertical long stitch in 5 ply floss, stitched over twice.

Santa's mittens were padded once with perle and stitched over in long stitch with 5-ply floss. Cuffs on the sleeves were French Knots in 2 ply Medici in grey, then a row in 1 white and 1 grey strand, then all white. Cute!

I didn't get to stitch today but plan on tackling the fur on the jacket and hat in the next day or two. I still haven't practiced my Bullion either. Santa seems to be coming together pretty quickly. I think I like this as a stand up instead of framed or as a pillow...but I'm always open for suggestions. Many thanks for stopping in today!

White Santa and a little history



Who's watching who?

 I've been house/cat sitting at my daughter's home while she is in India. She lives about 10 minutes from me so it's easy to go back and forth between houses. It's been lonely though and I am so thankful for having the time to pursue all my favorite past times. Excuse me a moment while I brew a fresh pot o-Buckery and toast a bagel. (I could live on bread alone even though there are wise people out there that say otherwise.) Oh, and remove this curious kitty from my lap.

I haven't ventured very far away from either house in a week and have another week of "time to myself" to go. This type of reclusive lifestyle allows me to indulge and I've been stitching up a storm, surfing the net and looking out the window. I also made a turkey pot pie, mmmmmmmm! Just for me!

One day back at my house and feeling industrious I decided I should tidy up my stash room.  While sorting through my queue drawers I came across this canvas and stitch guide all kitted up and ready to go.  It's a nutcracker called White Santa, an awesome project I purchased some time ago. There is a little history with this piece as I first saw it stitched about 15 years or so ago and have coveted it ever since. Imagine the thrill when coming across it at my LNS.

I saw it stitched by a master stitcher and one of my favorite people of all time. Her name was Katherine (Kay) and she didn't begin needlepointing until she retired from the NYC School District at age 65. I met her when she was around 80 years young, highly active in AAUW and living with her 90 year old sister in South Carolina. Neither girl ever married, no doubt a contributing factor to their longevity and freedom to pursue their numerous interests unencumbered. Both of these fabulous women lived into their 100's and have since passed. I was very fortunate to enjoy the company of both brilliant woman for 10 years and am forever grateful our paths crossed. One day Kay gathered a huge bouquet of gardenias from her back yard and presented it to me; I carried it from room to room enjoying the fragrance for days.

White Santa is a canvas by designer Damarj whose painted canvases were often accompanied by thread and stitch guides created by Susan Portra, as is White Santa. My personal experience is that these painted canvases and guides are not that easy to find though you still run across them from time to time.  But if you do happen upon one you'll see they're beautifully painted.

When the stitch guide was created in 1990 there wasn't a vast variety of threads available and much of White Santa was to be stitched in floss. I have made my own substitutions.  Because the majority of this project is stitched in all white threads, Ms. Portra wisely begins with the face and from then on guides us to stitch from top to bottom to keep the stitched thread pristine.

This first photo is of the stitched face minus the mustache. I used Mandarin Floss, 5-ply in basketweave whenever possible. The eyebrows are french knots. The nose is padded with perle coton and then stitched over vertically with more floss and back-stitched.

In the next photo you can see the padding process for  Santa's hair using diagonal rows of perle coton then overstitched in the opposite direction with 2-ply stranded wool (I had a hank of Medici on hand). I am saving the mustache for last because it calls for a large bullion stitch and I need to practice first.

Santa's cap is first outlined in gold Neon Rays and then stitched in the Byzantine stitch using white floss, and then white Neon Rays for the tent stitches. The gold stars are Balger Braid #8.

Next up: the bodice, sleeves and bell.



Tug O' War

stitching is complete. I just love this Jean Hilton design. One of the best things I learned here is that there is so much you can do with color that might not be expected. I always thought that graduating shades of color made the bargello flow, but in this example I didn't have all the shades available in my stash and decided to improvise by choosing colors that worked together and only using maybe 13 thread colors instead of the originally called for 17. I like it, which in the end is all that really counts but realize there's always room for listening to the "opines" of others.

In Jean's booklet she talks about using large areas of unstitched canvas as part of the pattern when "laziness overwhelmed me..." instead of filling in the background.

Now while I loved this concept, I thought my piece might need a little something else in the unstitched areas. Realizing that bargello patterns are already "busy" one should not try to add a lot of distractions that may take away from the overall design. Distractions like beads. I really wanted to put beads on this thing, there are so many options, but when I started hand placing them on the canvas, just to see, there were very few things I could add that turned out to enhance the overall look.

Now I'm not sure if this will be my final choice for embellishment, I am leaning toward using these clear turquoise flower shaped beads, but only where you see them. The colors work, but I'm not accomplishing what I set out to do which was to fill in those unstitched areas. Why bother really? well because it's kinda different....wait, examining the photo I just thought of something more I could do. More later.

Judy Harper

I am so sorry to learn about the passing of Judy Harper. I knew her as a witty, highly intelligent talent with a hilarious sense of humor. There was so much to learn from this accomplished lady and it's really sad that she left us so soon. According to Judy she had so much more work to do as she always gave us her all.

Life's lessons were her specialty and I absorbed everything she told me and was always in awe of her energy. We met visiting each others' blog when she let me into her funny world where we both had fun with our bantering and commentary. Judy was both wise and frank and I will miss her and all she had to offer the stitching world. God bless you Judy and happy landings winging your way into the arms of your beautiful Madeline. 

I found this beautiful tribute here:   http://hosting-tributes-24744.tributes.com/show/Judy-Harper-90878584.