Upcoming Chapter Project

This geometric design, Golden Reminiscence, is from the ANG Project Book. It was designed by Carolyn Mitchell. I will be leading this program at our local ANG chapter meeting in Jan/Feb 2009. The idea of the project is to feature a piece of vintage jewelry or other adornment on a canvas. It was fun going through the back of my old jewelry box and finding that vintage pin. In the case of the pillow, the colorway was suggested by the designer. The piece on the left was stitched using materials from my stash. I chose threads that were of compatible weight and characteristic as those recommended by the designer. The pillow is from a group of self finishing products called, "Plumpers" from Trail Creek Farm http://www.trailcreekfarm.com/. It's one of the finishing pieces I got from my spree at PFOS.

I didn't use jewelry on the framed piece; I used beach glass collected by a dear friend long since passed. In case you cannot tell, the green stuff in the lower right corner is a stylized angel made from the beach glass.

The framed piece was done first just as a "dry run" to get familiar with stitches, etc. before trying to lead others in a teaching program. I took notes and made observations about various stitch and thread nuances. Was quite fun and worked up very quickly at only 5.5" x 6". I had been wanting to get it up on the blog, but needed to wait until it was first displayed at our Chapter meeting.

I didn't have much trouble except when using the Antica, a Caron metallic, that is used to stitch the Van Dyke around the perimeter of and across the design. It easily unravels and you really have to use your fingers when dealing with this particular thread. The pillow was embellished with an old sentimental pin that I've had for many years. In each case I chose to embellish with something that has personal significance for me.

Next up: I have completed the stitching and expect to have the Lite Stitches Elk framed and up by next week. I am also anxious to show you what I've done with my Halloween Fairy canvas, and the kimono is at my sewing machine as I write. Tomorrow I will volunteer in the morning and hope to make some progress in the afternoon. Keep coming back.

CATCHING UP!

Hi all! I have missed my blog. Thank you for not giving up on me. I've been stitching and making progress on my WIP's for the past few weeks and have other things going on preventing me from making a contribution here. I've been reading and enjoying yours, however. Currently I am not in Colorado but have traveled to NM to visit family. I drove so I have Teddy with me plus 6 stitching projects. I'll be here for a few weeks but didn't bring anything new to work on. That took will power. I had nearly self-talked myself into the "you're on vacation, take a new project" mentality, but I overcame that idea. Well actually my daughter reminded me that I would be making a side trip to PFOS. Dilemma resolved. :)

Before beginning this blog entry, I took photos of everything discussed; however, I have been unsuccessful in downloading and, therefore, editing my photos on the laptop I'm using. I will add them later once I figure out the picture software. It may also be an incompatable memory card.

Stitching priorities include my MAGIC projects; I've stitched 2 sides of the border and am working on the third of the Rooster; also finished the chicken wire fencing. I only have until November to complete the stitching; I think I'll do it. I'm using Silk and Ivory for much of the piece which is so nice to stitch with and no separation of plies.

As pointed out previously, I am nearly done with the Halloween fairy piece....if I don't do the background. I'm seriously considering mounting the design into a round box top. It's 7" in diameter so that may not be as easy as it sounds. I also need to think of how I want to address the fairy wings that extend outside the circle. Think I have that covered. This leaves me with 3 fairy canvas's incomplete for my MAGIC commitment. Lastly, I don't like to bead, but think a few additions to my Japanese Kimono would be a nice improvement.

Here is another project I finished but haven't framed; it's a prototype for a program I will lead early in 2009. I pulled the threads from my stash to do a test run of the stitches, etc. The point of this project is to feature a piece of jewelry attached to the geometric design. Instead of jewelry, I decided to attach beach glass in the shape of an angel, collected from the beach off Long Island Sound in the 70's. The glass has great sentimental significance since my close friend that collected it has since passed on.

I have completed 99% of the actual program model in exactly the fibers and colors suggested by the designer. This colorway is much more subdued than my bright stash piece. This will be presented for sign-ups at our meeting in September

I have also been involved with the SNS (Shining Needle Society) Stitch project given by Beth Robertson and Suzanne Howren; It's the first in a series of three notebook classes of stitches. I have enjoyed this type of "cyber" class and highly recommend this method of learning as there is no travel involved, you have benefit of fabulous national teachers and you can proceed at your own pace and in your own time. I don't think I should include a photo.

Lastly, but not least I have brought the remainder of my Cozy Toes to work on if I finish all the other projects. So I have my work cut out for me while I'm on vacation and better get busy.

Thanks again for bearing with me over the past two weeks during my period of dormancy.

Yours always in stitching!
Madonna