Just String

WIP: Plum Blossoms (by Margaret Kinsey)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:35:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is Plum Blossoms, an EGA Correspondence Course designed by Margaret Kinsey.

Technique/Materials: This is a Japanese technique called Rozashi. This technique involves all vertical stitches on Ro fabric, which is a unique weave consisting of approximately 40 holes to the inch horizontally and 13 holes to the inch vertically. Most of the threads are twisted silks, but one is a silk twisted with a metallic thread, and one is gold metallic. In a very brief search, I found one website with a brief overview of Rozashi. The ANG website has an article with even more information.

Background: I believe I started this three or four years ago as a course with the CyberStitchers chapter of EGA. The kit came with the fabric pasted very tautly (using a traditional rice paste) to the stretcher bars.

Why it's not done: This is going to sound like the dumbest excuse in the book. I've already mentioned the tautness of the fabric. The kit also came with a handmade Japanese needle, which has a round eye designed to work really well with the twisted silks. As with any embroidery technique, the purpose of the needle is to open up the holes in the fabric to minimize abrasion on the thread. Well, when you combine really taut fabric with a needle that's a tiny bit bigger than the holes in that fabric, you end up with a pretty loud squeak every time the needle is passed through the fabric. It drove DH nuts. I ended up working on this when he went to his weekly dart league. When the dart season ended that year, Plum Blossoms faded into obscurity. (See? I told you it was dumb! Feel free to post your dumbest WIP excuse in the comments so we can all have a laugh and I can feel better.)

What's left to do: The only thing left is the background! The first piece of good news is that I've again signed up for this course through CyberStitchers, so I have a second chance to submit the project for evaluation next year. This is good incentive! The second bit of good news is that we're in the middle of another dart season. Hmm... perhaps Wednesday evenings will find another WIP in the mix!

WIP: Nameless hardanger #1 (original)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:47:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is one of my two nameless hardanger pieces. Yes, it's an original, and I refer to this one as the "pastel hardanger."

Technique/Materials: Hardanger on 25ct lugana. Most of the kloster blocks and buttonhole are stitched in Caron's Watercolours. The rest of the stitching is in pearl cotton.

Background: This was started 9 or 10(!) years ago. I only recall when because it was before we purchased our house. I didn't chart this out at all before starting. I started with a piece of fabric and started stitching kloster blocks at one end in a more-or-less random zigzag to the halfway point of the fabric, then mirrored that pattern to the other end, and again down the other side. I think I then charted out the result and played with different possible divisions and fillings. I still haven't figured out what goes into the three small areas at each end and the two tiny areas on each side.

Why it's not done: I really like the way this is coming out, but I can only do the needle weaving in very brief stints due to carpal tunnel and other nerve issues. I can't do any "in hand" work these days. As a result, this piece only sees very brief activity every once in a while.

What's left to do: The rest of the filling stitches, and then figuring out what to put in the little areas. Any ideas?

WIP: Martha Willkins (from The Scarlet Letter)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Another reproduction sampler is today's featured WIP. The Scarlet Letter reproduced the 1699 sampler of Martha Willkins. Actually, I should say that most of the original sampler was charted. If you look at the original, you'll see that SL left off the cutwork portion. Whatever. I still think it's lovely.

Technique/Materials: 17th-century sampler stitches over 2 on a higher-count linen with silk threads, mostly Soie d'Alger from Au ver a Soie. I think the fabric is 34ct Oaten Scone from Legacy Linen.

Background: I'm not really sure when I started this. I think it was around 4 or 5 years ago. I recall that it was a toss-up between starting this piece and Margret Gatis, also from the Scarlet Letter. I decided to start Martha mostly because the entire piece is charted over two threads of linen, whereas Margret has some areas of over-2 and other areas over-3.

Why it's not done: I'm sure it was just a matter that other things caught my eye. I've picked this up a couple of times over the past two years, according to past blog posts, but I haven't really committed to it.

What's left to do: Most of it. I'm a little less than 1/4 finished.

WIP: My Way (by Carolyn Mitchell)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:15:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is no stranger to my blog. It is Carolyn Mitchell's My Way.

Technique/Materials: Counted canvaswork on 18ct mono canvas, using many different threads in three color families (cranberry, teal, and gray-blue).

Background: Long-time readers may recall that I started this project when my LNS brought Carolyn Mitchell in to teach last November (2008). The class was specifically structured such that each stitcher could truly call the finished piece MY Way. Each of us chose our own colors. Specific threads were called out in each section, but in some cases, those threads were not available in the color family specified, so the student's creativity was needed, either to change the order of colors or to substitute other threads. Additionally, we could choose from seven blocks, and could position them as desired. One stitcher even chose to make this a nine-patch design, rather than just six, and will be reusing two squares with different colors and threads.

I just discovered that Carolyn has pictures of finished My Way projects from 19 different stitchers (including herself) on her website. Scroll down on this page to the listing for My Way. (While on that page, you can also see Mystique, the class I'll be taking next September.)

Why it's not done: This piece was put by the wayside as my pregnancy advanced last winter, since I couldn't manage such large stretcher bars on my lap stand as my lap disappeared! I've since picked it up and have made some progress, completing the centers of each of the six squares, but it was again set aside last month when my fellow ANG members voted on another piece to be my "challenge UFO".

What's left to do: I have a few more decisions to make on two of the squares (the bottom center and right squares in the picture), and then I can replicate the corners and sides throughout. After that, it's just a matter of adding a little bit of emphasis on each of the border intersections.

WIP: Rose's Pyramid (by Marsha Papay-Gomola)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:13:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is Rose's Pyramid, designed by Marsha Papay-Gomola.

Technique/Materials: Stumpwork on silk dupioni, using a variety of threads, including DMC and Anchor flosses, Silk 'N Colors from the Thread Gatherer, and Gentle Art Sampler Threads.

Background: I started Rose's Pyramid in November 2004 (or was it 2003?) during a class with Marsha hosted by my local EGA chapter. This class was my first attempt at stumpwork, and, to be honest, I was a bit intimidated, being a counted-thread girl at heart. Then I reminded myself: It's just string! Once I relaxed a bit, I found my stitching coming much easier.

Marsha was a great teacher. The majority of the two-day class was spent learning the stumpwork techniques, with an hour or so reserved for the finishing instructions. I don't remember exactly how to put it together, but the written instructions seem to be fairly complete, especially with the addition of my notes.

Why it's not done: I'm not really sure. It may have been my master's degree program, or a bit of frustration with the amount of stitching needed to do long-and-short stitch with one strand of floss, or a flare-up of a pinched nerve. Or a combination of all of these!

What's left to do: I think the sides of the pyramid with the wisteria and the fuchsia are done, but I still have to finish the sides with the grapes and the lilacs. For the center block, I still need to stitch tendrils and the ladybug and attach beads. I have 5 detached petals and 2 detached leaves to stitch, and then need to attach all of the detached elements to the center block, also.

Of course, then I need to assemble the pyramid!

WIP: Hannah Thornbush (by The Essamplaire)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:54:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is the Hannah Thornbush sampler, reproduced by Margriet Hogue of The Essamplaire.

Technique/Materials: Various sampler stitches (double running, marking cross, satin stitch, detached buttonhole, and many more I haven't gotten to yet!) on 45ct linen (over 3) using Soie d'Alger and Soie d'Paris silks.

Background: I started Hannah in June 2009 as part of an online class from The Essamplaire, after seeing a picture of the original sampler. What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment.

Why it's not done: I managed to stitch the first monthly lesson (the first two bands) in just over a month. After that, lack of sleep (from Erin's adjusting to the cast) proved to be non-conducive to concentrating on stitching over-3 on 45ct!

What's left to do: Um... did you see the picture of the original?

WIP: Celebration Santa (by Joan Thomasson)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:53:00 +0000

Today, I'm featuring a hand-painted canvas WIP, Joan Thomasson's Celebration Santa.

Technique/Materials: Various canvaswork stitches on hand-painted 18ct mono canvas using some charms and a variety of threads: DMC floss and Medici wool, Kreinik braids, Needle Necessities and ThreadworX overdyed floss, Thread Gatherer's Shepherd's Silk, Silk 'n Ribbon, and Poodle Cuts, and strips of ultrasuede. I'm primarily following the stitch guide that came with the kitted project, though I am making a few minor changes in both stitches and threads.

Background: At our EGA chapter's holiday dinner in early December 2008, I won the "opportunity basket." This kit was one of the items in the basket. When I ended up on bedrest for my pregnancy later that same week, I decided I needed to start something new. Since I wasn't able to get into the Christmas spirit by decorating my home, I chose this project as my new start. I made good progress in the following three weeks, until I ended up on bedrest in the hospital. Late in January (still in the hospital), my DH brought this project to me, but advancing pregnancy and almost 5 weeks of solid stitching were causing my carpal tunnel to flare up, and I wasn't able to stitch on it much.

Why it's not done: Within a week of DH bringing this project into the hospital, we found another full-time diversion: a 4lb, 2oz, five-weeks-premature baby. Enough said!

What's left to do: Finishing the background, stitching a second layer on the tree for a "real" look, couching Poodle Cuts for Santa's beard, adding turkey work for the fur (can you believe I've never done turkey work?), putting finishing touches on his coat, robe, and boots, and stitching his staff. Regarding the staff: the stitch guide says to find a twig and attach it, or to stitch the staff in long-and-short stitches. I don't want to use a twig, but I want the dimension, so I'm going to use Casalguidi stitch (also known as padded stem stitch) in a brown overdyed floss.

I somehow doubt this project will be finished by this Christmas. Maybe next year!

WIP: Wheels of Color (by Genny Morrow)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is Wheels of Color, designed by the late Genny Morrow.

Technique/Materials: Counted canvas, with lots of canvaswork stitches (each wheel is a different stitch) on 18ct mono canvas using a mix of DMC and Anchor cotton floss.

Background: I started Wheels one week prior to beginning a master's degree program in December 2004, thinking that if I could stitch one wheel per week, I'd finish within a year. (Uh-huh. Apparently, the prospect of starting a master's degree program rendered me temporarily stupid.)

Anyway, I really do like this piece, and I decided to stitch the gray background such that it is lightest near the darkest rings, and darkest near the lightest rings (rather than a solid light gray as shown on this website). The instruction book has a version of this, but has the octagon areas of background moving from dark to light opposite the little squares of background, which change values with the surrounding circles. My version will have the octagon and square background areas changing in the same direction. (Wow, that's hard to describe! I know what I'm talking about, and I'm still confused. Let me know if I need to rewrite that.)

Why it's not done: Did I mention a master's degree program? Yeah, right! Keeping up with this piece went out the window very quickly. After the degree, I started having flare-ups with nerve problems, exacerbated by using a laying tool. This is still a slight problem, which is why I'm working on it only a little bit each day now.

What's left to do: It's only about half-done now. It will eventually be a rectangle, and then there's a border to add.

WIP: How Great the Blessing (by Catherine Theron)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:32:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is How Great the Blessing, designed by Catherine Theron.

Technique/Materials: Various sampler stitches (cross, queen, smyrna cross, four-sided stitch, long-arm cross, etc.) on 36ct linen using silks from Vikki Clayton.

Background: Blessing was started in April 2009 in a class with Catherine sponsored by my local EGA chapter (Rochester, NY). It has seen fairly active progress since.

I'm always amazed during classes when stitchers can bring their own materials. For this class, Catherine only supplied the ground fabric (a choice of 32ct and 36ct) and a list of the threads needed. Some stitchers purchased DMC floss, some used the original Soie d'Alger from Au ver a Soie, some brought Needlepoint Inc silk floss, and I picked up silk from Vikki. Even though we were all using "the same colors", the resultant pieces are varying widely, especially as a few of us are getting more stitched.

Why it's not done: Not enough hours in the day. Since this piece hasn't been set aside like so many others, there's no interesting reason!

What's left to do: Finish the leaves, flowers, and berries on the borders. Complete the alphabet and the line of personalization below it. Add a verse flanked by vases (above the house). When that's all done, I might go back and fill in the flowers on the central vine and put in little plants in the empty areas on the left and right of the central vase, but right now I think I like the bottom of the sampler as it is.

WIP: Cinders (by Marion Scoular)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:03:00 +0000

Today's featured WIP is Cinders, designed by Marion Scoular.

Technique/Materials: Blackwork and surface stitching on 22ct hardanger fabric with DMC floss, DMC floche, and overdyed floss from the now-defunct Needle Necessities (for the cat).

Background: I started Cinders in April 2008 during a class with Marion with the Corning EGA chapter. The class kit included the floche, the overdyed thread, and the fabric with the line-drawn design. The instructions included basic information on blackwork and ways to shade using blackwork stitches, along with 13 pages of blackwork and darning filling stitches.

Some stitchers decided to examine the photo of Marion's original piece, find the stitches she used in each area, and replicate the original. Marion encouraged those with some blackwork experience to try selecting their own stitches and colors for each area. I've gone this route, and I'm pleased with the result so far.

Why it's not done: I got stuck on the bucket (Oh, excuse me. Coal scuttle. Sorry, Marion!).

I had a really difficult time choosing a stitch for the inside of the bucket. When I picked this piece up again recently, I was going to use Rhodes stitches to represent lumps of coal. I tried that this week. It didn't look right. I tried an overall darning pattern. That was too heavy, and didn't have shading to indicate where the coal was. I've tried a couple of different filling stitches, and I think I've found one that lets me shade the "coal" appropriately. What do you think?

What's left to do: Filling in the rest of the bucket and the inside curve of the handle, outlining a few areas, adding more color to her hair (though it won't be entirely filled in), and stitching a few bricks in the background wall.

NaBloPoMo 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:15:00 +0000

In an effort to get myself into blogging more regularly, I've taken the plunge. I signed up for National Blog Posting Month, or NaBloPoMo, which challenges bloggers to post every day for the month of November. I did this (successfully!) two years ago, and I hope I can do as well this year.

Of course, two years ago, I was stitching much more, so I had more to blog about. In lieu of writing about what I'm currently stitching, I've instead decided to blog on a theme this month. Don't worry; the theme is still very much about my stitching. Each day, I'll write a post about one of my WIPs.

Yes, I have enough WIPs (Works in Progress), or, perhaps more accurately, WISPs* (Works in Slow Progress) to feature one each day for the month. Who knows? I may continue into December, if more turn up in my digging!

In case you're wondering, today's featured WIP will follow this in a separate post.

* Some people might call these UFOs (UnFinished Objects), but I really prefer WISP. It sounds like I really do intend to finish them. And I do. Someday.

Happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:02:00 +0000

Another project: EGA Master Craftsman

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:31:00 +0000

In addition to the three projects I discussed in my last post, at some point I need to really start my step two piece for the EGA Master Craftsman program in Canvas, since I need to turn it in by the end of March.

Here's the description of this step from the EGA Education Catalog:

STEP 2. Twenty-one different stitches used in a provided design with an analogous color scheme.

It's an accurate description. The provided design is an abstract design with twenty-one different areas, and I need to choose which of the twenty-one listed stitches go in each area, with no repeats. The second part of the description mentions "an analogous color scheme." This type of color scheme consists of neighboring primary and secondary colors on the color wheel. In my case, I'm using red-orange, red, and red-violet. I chose this scheme as a way to stretch myself, since I don't use these colors often. I've already made preliminary decisions for color placement, made easy with photo-editing software.

I'll start by stitching each of the prescribed stitches on a doodle canvas so I can get a side-by-side comparison of the textures of each, which will help with placement in the design. Somehow I'll fit this in with the other pieces in my rotation.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to share pictures of my progress on this piece here in the blog. Since each stitcher in the program must make their own decisions in stitching the pieces up for evaluation, I can't share mine because (a) I may get comments that influence my own decisions and (b) somebody else in the program may be influenced by some of my choices.

Are you working towards your Master Craftsman certification in any of the disciplines? Have you considered it? I'm only through one step, and even though it's not described as an educational experience, but rather a means of "proving" technical expertise, I've already learned quite a bit!

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Erin update: To make up for my lack of stitchy pictures in this post, and since some of you asked, here's a recent shot of Erin.

Ok, you win

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:56:00 +0000

Thanks to those of you who voted on my three projects. Three out of the six commenters chose that I should try to finish Cinders by Marion Scoular.

So, here we go. I'm doing a bit of a rotation, in which I can work on up to three projects each night. I'll start with one length of thread on Cinders. Here's where she stands now. As some of you pointed out, there really isn't that much left to do on this piece.

After that length of thread, I'll stitch one segment---one section of a circle or one area of background---on Genny Morrow's Wheels of Color.

If I still have some stitching time after these, I'll work on How Great the Blessing from Catherine Theron. I really want to finish this piece this year, since I've already stitched the date!

My exception to this rotation will be the Thursday evening "open stitch" nights at my LNS. For these, I'll just bring the sampler, simply for the ease of carrying only one (smaller) project.

If I get closer to the end of the year and the sampler is lagging behind, I may put the other two aside for a bit again, but I'll cross that bridge if and when I need to do so!

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Erin update: We had a visit to the orthopedist, one month post-cast. The right hip is still in great shape, and the left is still out. She'll continue with the brace, since she's tolerating it well. We don't go back again for four months. Her next surgery will happen when she's 18-24 months old, which means we have at least 9 more months of squishy baby! Speaking of which, somebody's trying to get my attention through the baby monitor...

UFO fun

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:59:00 +0000

On Wednesday evening, I attended my local ANG meeting. As we did in early 2008, we again had some fun with members' UFOs. Each member who chose to participate in the 2009/2010 UFO challenge brought in three UnFinished Objects, pieces started at least one year ago. The rest of the membership voted on which piece the member would be challenged to finish by December 2010.

I decided to bring My Way, Cinders, and Wheels of Color (the only remaining UFO of the three I brought in last year). I really wanted them to choose My Way, and it received several votes, but Wheels was the winner.

It was an enjoyable evening. The best part, as it was last year, was hearing the excuses regarding why certain pieces were set aside.

Which of my three would you choose if you were in my chapter? Which of your pieces would you put up for voting?

New stash from seminar

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:28:00 +0000

No, I didn't go to this year's EGA seminar, even though it was in Pittsburgh this year (<6 hours away). I did experience a bit of it virtually, on the phone with MIL as she walked through the Merchandise Mart last Wednesday evening. Thanks, Mom! (Of course, she managed to buy part of my Christmas present when I expressed interest in something, so it benefited both of us!)

And she brought me some stash! At some point in the week, she came across an opportunity to pick up (for free!) EGA Designer Series Book 3, a compilation of projects from old editions of NeedleArts, the EGA magazine. This 90 page book contains complete instructions for these 10 projects, all shown on the back cover:

A Crewel Design by Audrey Francini (crewel, surface embroidery)
New Year's Eve Bag by Kay Stanis (goldwork)
Pink Ice Brooch by Carolyn Sherman (beading on a felt ground)
Genny's Name Tag by Genny Morrow (counted canvas)
Butterfly Kiss by Dorothy Lesher (line-drawn canvas)
Tiny Topiary by Gail Sirna (counted canvas)
Schwalm Embroidery Heart by Donna Strader (Schwalm)
Bird on a Branch: A Name Tag by Margaret Kinsey (silk and metal on silk ground)
Princess Lace Heart & Flower by Roberta Chase (princess lace)
L'Atomiseur by Tony Minieri (counted canvas)

I'm particularly fond of the first two projects.

On her way out of Pittsburgh, MIL stopped at Beehive NeedleArts. She called me from the shop, asking if she could pick up any threads for me. I tried to think of threads that I hear about, but can't find locally. (What would you pick?) I ended up mentioning J.L.Walsh Silk & Wool. Well, apparently the shop didn't carry this, but did have the Silk Perle from J.L.Walsh. I am now the proud owner of six skeins of this lovely thread.

This thread is interesting. As it comes out of the skein, it's about the size of pearl cotton #5. Upon closer inspection, though, the thread seems strandable. The full strand breaks down into two bundles, each apparently made up of four strands about the size of floss. I'll try experimenting with this soon.

Thanks Mom!

Floating windows and door

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:24:00 +0000

(Note: I actually started this blog post last Monday, and somehow never actually finished posting it.)

It was great. I was actually starting to post again on a regular basis, multiple times in a week. And that's how long it lasted. One. Week.

I really do plan to get back to posting frequently. Unfortunately, I timed my increase in productivity poorly. It just so happened that my favorite author, Diana Gabaldon, released the seventh main novel (as opposed to shorter sideline novels) in her Outlander series on September 22. My copy of An Echo in the Bone (which I preordered when I was in the hospital in January!) showed up last Monday. Usually, I do most of my "reading" via audiobook, which has the distinct advantage in allowing me to stitch at the same time. Echo is not yet available in audio, so it has definitely made a dent in my stitching time. I'm on page 404 today. Almost halfway through. Give me another week and I'll be back to stitching and blogging more.

The little bit of stitching I have accomplished in the past week has been on my Blessing sampler. Here we have floating windows and a floating door above a brick walkway:

Despite the minimal time I've devoted to stitching this past week, this is actually working up fairly quickly. Yes, it's over one thread of the linen, but fortunately it's just tent stitch, not full crosses.

(Update: I finished my book yesterday. Let the blogging and stitching resume at whatever passes for a "normal" pace now.)

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Erin update: Erin is doing fairly well out of the cast. She's pretty wobbly from the waist down. She has to wear her brace most of the time, so she doesn't have much time each day to rebuild muscle tone. She's just starting to roll over again.

The brace is okay...

But free time is more fun!

Needlework Nibbles: Silk Purl

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:34:00 +0000

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I enjoy trying out new threads and new (to me) needlework techniques. However, I fully admit that I often will buy a new thread and never actually do anything with it. Because of this, I was thrilled when Tricia Wilson-Nguyen of Thistle Threads started designing her "Needlework Nibbles."

In Tricia's words:

Needlework Nibbles are small projects designed to let you try a new material that is hard to find or new technique. The new materials are usually one that I have imported or had made to my specifications to allow us to do a type of needlework not practiced very much anymore. Often, these materials may be in short supply or packaged such that they are expensive. The 'Nibble' allows the stitcher to try the material/technique out before committing to a larger investment.

I purchased both kits for the July Nibbles, which made use of silk-wrapped purl, a thread that originally was used in the 17th century, but has only recently been recreated. If you're familiar with the purl threads used in goldwork, you know that they're coils of wire that are typically couched down or added like beads. (Actually, I featured purls in one of my very first blog posts.) The silk-wrapped purl is exactly what it sounds like: metal purl "threads" wrapped with silk. I'm not going to go into detail about it, since Mary of Needle 'N Thread already has a fantastic post about the thread. (Thanks, Mary!)

I can, however, report a bit about stitching with this thread, and about the Needlework Nibbles kits.

The kits contained everything needed to complete the stitching of the project, including needles, and also contained backing fabric to finish the piece as a scissors fob or ornament. At right is the kit for the Pink Silk Purl Bug, and the kit for the Rainbow Silk Purl Bug is shown below.

Each kit included plenty of the silk purl to complete the design.

I found that the silk purl was slightly tricker to use than regular pearl purl. I used my serrated-edge scissors designed for metallic threads, and while these cut through the metal, the silk sometimes wasn't cut all the way through. I had to keep a close eye on the thread when cutting to ensure both metal and silk were cut before letting the two pieces separate, or the silk would start to unwind from the metal.

Actually, the unwinding of the silk is the biggest downfall of using this thread. In some spots on my finished bugs, the ends of the threads have plain metal showing, and in other cases, the silk is slightly frizzy. In the closeup of the pink bug, you can see both of these: frizzy light pink silk at the point of the right wing, and a tiny bit of exposed metal at the second row in at the bottom of the body.

I'm glad I worked the pink bug, where all of the purl was couched, before trying the rainbow bug. The rainbow bug used couched purl for the head, but all of the rest was cut and threaded like beads.

A very big thank you to Tricia Wilson-Nguyen for making these kits available. I don't know when I'll use silk purl again, but I'm sure I'll find that it's the perfect thread for something. By trying it, I now know its properties. I think it might be interesting to try to use this on canvas, perhaps on a painted canvas, for just the right effect.

Oh - one additional note: I did not use the linen that came in the kits, choosing instead to use linen twill left over from a stumpwork project. I've got some ideas about using several of these Nibbles (if they're of similar sizes) in a project together. Speaking of size, the pictures above are a bit misleading. These bugs are pretty small. I worked both of these on one piece of linen in a 5" hoop. Below is a better picture with a standard US quarter for reference.

Has anybody else tried the silk purl? Can you come up with interesting ways to use this thread? Please share your ideas!

Corner experiments

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:37:00 +0000

Since I don't have a one-for-one match for all of the threads originally used on My Way, I need to play with my threads and colors for each area. (Tough job, but somebody's got to do it.) Before I start stitching either the corner or center of a block, I go through my threads and select replacements for the called-for threads in that area. Rather than just assuming I'll always use thread X in place of original thread Y, I like to see how all the pulled threads work together.

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Case in point - the original threads I pulled for the corners on my block G:

Wow. That outer teal band, while pretty by itself (especially stitched in two strands of Impressions), sticks out like a sore thumb next to the rest of the corner. It's a bit too bright and provides too much contrast. The problem is that the instructions say to pull a dark color of this family, and I really don't have a dark teal.

I wondered what would happen if I changed that band to a dark gray-blue from my neutrals family. Here's the result:

It's a bit tough to see in the photo with the reflection off of the pearl cotton, but this combination seems to be better, though I'm still not completely sold on it. What do you think? Should I change something else?

Walking a tightrope

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:50:00 +0000

When playing with design, you have to keep the balance of the original (and perhaps improve upon it). In the case of My Way, this means positioning similarly shaped motifs opposite each other. It's difficult to describe, but pictures can help tell the story.

In the original design, the layout of the blocks is as follows:

Notice how some similar motifs are positioned relative to each other:

Blocks B and E both have the rounded square inner area, with corner areas that emphasize a diagonal direction away from the center of the block. These are in the two middle positions of the design.
Located in two opposing corners of the design, blocks A and F have a distinct cross in the center with corners that remind me of a log cabin quilt.
Blocks C and D are in the other two corners, and have a diamond-shaped center with corners that have an all-over, non-directional pattern.

When I started stitching my version, I started block A in the middle position, rather than in a corner, just to be different. As a result, block B ended up in a corner, and I moved block E to the opposite corner so these two blocks again balanced each other. Here's my design-in-progress.

Along the way, I decided to not stitch block D since (in my opinion) it draws the eye a bit too much. I'm replacing it with block G. Block G has a distinct cross in the center, so I'm using this block opposite A. However, the original corners for G have an "X" or star shape emphasized. To balance the log cabin look of the A corners, I'm stealing the corners from block F to use on my block G.

In one of the remaining two corners of the design, block C has been started. Block F is planned for the opposite corner. In stitching F, I'll need to select colors carefully to emphasize a diamond shape rather than a cross as in Carolyn's original. Oh, and I need to use the corners from block D here to balance those of block C.

Confused yet? Don't worry. It is confusing, especially when it's not sitting right in front of you. The point is that if you're going to make significant changes to the layout of a geometric design, sometimes you need to walk a tightrope (i.e. keep balancing!) while juggling (areas of the design, that is).

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Erin update: Hooray! The cast is off! Erin did NOT enjoy the process of cutting it off. Can you say terrified? After a rough evening yesterday, she did fairly well today. She does need to wear a brace most of the time, but it can be removed for some play times. She really enjoyed being able to wiggle, and managed to roll from stomach to back (twice!), even though her legs are still pretty stiff and stick out to each side.

The unfortunate news is that Erin's left hip is still quite unstable. She will need to undergo further surgery after her first birthday and then have another cast for six weeks. :-(

For now, I'm enjoying having my squishy baby back. :-)

Back to My Way

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:11:00 +0000

To scratch my itch for canvaswork, I've again picked up My Way, which was started almost a year ago. To recap, the class with Carolyn Mitchell was in November 2008, but the borders were done as prework to the class. Each stitcher picked her own colors to fill in this six-block pattern. I chose mulberry and turquoise, with a "neutral" family of bluish-gray. I was unsuccessful in finding all of the colors I needed in the threads called out in the instructions, so I'm winging it in some cases.

This week, I've been working on Block G. How do we have block G if there are only six blocks? Well, that was part of making the design "my way" for each stitcher. We have seven blocks to choose from.

I'm not at all sold on keeping the center hearts as the lightest turquoise, mostly because it doesn't really pop. This shade is too close to the blue-gray of the border. I may replace this with a medium shade if it doesn't work with the rest of the design, but for now I'll leave it.

Here's the whole thing so far. I'm deliberately leaving each block only partially done so I can make changes if the whole design doesn't balance.

Up next: the corner of this block. Stay tuned!

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Erin update: CAST-OFF COUNTDOWN: 1 day, 3 hours.
Of course, she finally slept well last night. Rather than waking every 3-4 hours like she has ever since being casted, she slept straight through from 11PM to 6:30AM. Figures. And now we're going to disrupt that by taking the cast off!

Flowers and berries and bees, oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Catherine Theron's How Great the Blessing sampler continues to be the focus of my stitchy attention. As you can see, I've added the bees (cross stitch and double-running), a few berries (satin stitch), the outer area of several flowers (queen stitch), and the grout of a brick walk for a house (tent stitch over one). Only in stitching can you add grout before the bricks!

All of the flowers are "supposed" to be filled in like the one on the left, but I really like them just with the outside areas done. I can't really pull out the central areas of the bottom left flower due to the fabric distortion caused by the queen stitches, though. Right now I'm going to proceed with filling in the flowers off of the vines on each side, but leave the center plant as it is.

There's also supposed to be some small vines in freehand surface embroidery in the empty areas next to the squirrel and the bunny, but I think I like the space there for now. We'll see how this looks as I get more of the sampler done. I can always add them later.

I really do want to finish this sampler this year (after all, I've already added the year), but I've got an itch to do some canvas work. I'm going to pull out Carolyn Mitchell's My Way, which I started last year before my pregnancy eliminated my ability to work on large canvases mounted on stretcher bars!

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Erin update: CAST-OFF COUNTDOWN: 6 days to go!

Decent progress

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:49:00 +0000

Wow! It's been a bit over a week since I last posted, but I've been making good progress on my Blessing sampler. Erin's been cooperating by going to sleep around 8PM each night, so I've had time to stitch!

I finished the grass and the vases, then added the strawberries, the squirrel and bunny, the center plant, and one queen-stitched flower. There are 14 more of these flowers (5 on the center plant, and 5 on each side), and they'll take some time.

A few pieces in my stash are calling to me to start them, but I already have too many started, and really need to finish a few (ok, at least two) before starting anything else, hence the concentration on this piece.

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Erin update: We have a date for cast removal! Cast-off day is Monday, September 21. Two weeks to go. Erin is getting very impatient with the cast. She's now seven months old, and wants to GO! She's constantly getting frustrated that she can't reach something or she'll try to throw herself backward when she's sitting on someone's lap. It's like she knows she should be able to move more, but can't quite figure out why she can't.

Here's a picture from a couple of weeks ago. Somebody had given us this really pretty dress, and it was just hanging in her closet waiting for a special occasion. I finally decided that any day could be a special occasion, or the dress wouldn't be worn at all! When DH first saw this dress, he commented that it looked like she was wearing a tablecloth (though since then he's decided it's really cute on her).

This past week, Erin's started to wrinkle her nose at times. It's pretty funny. Here she is (in a different pink gingham dress) when trying Cheerios for the first time yesterday.

Don't worry. Other pictures showed that maybe Cheerios were ok after all. :-)

Slowly growing grass...

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:34:00 +0000

...on my sampler. (Not the stuff outside - it's been a pretty wet summer and it's growing fast!)

This week I've been filling in the grassy area at the bottom of Blessing. I'm leaving the areas to be filled in as strawberries empty. In the last post, you'll see that I started the strawberries on the right side, but I wasn't happy with how the stitch was covering, so I took them out. I also thought that particular stitch (upright cross) would be more easily worked if I didn't have to count it quite so carefully. By doing the grass around each berry, now I just need to fill in the blank spaces. It seems I'm continually trying to take the easy route these days! Works for me - at least I'm stitching.

Sampler progress

noreply@blogger.com (Jeanne) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:01:00 +0000

No, not that sampler, the other one. Since Hannah Thornbush wasn't cooperating with me, I decided to pick up the How Great the Blessing sampler from my recent class with Catherine Theron. I've made some decent progress on it in the last week or so, getting in a little over an hour each night after Erin falls asleep.

The picture on the right is where my Blessing stood after the weekend class. Here's what I've been able to accomplish since then:

Wow! Looking at the older picture makes me realize just how much I've accomplished: the trees up top, the vines at the bottom and the sides (with lots of leaves on one of them), the blue parts of the vases, and an "A". Oh - and the personalization. Yes, I've dated it. I'm hoping that will keep me motivated to finish it this year! :-)

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Erin update: As of last Thursday, Erin is on cast #3. This was the scheduled cast change to allow for growth, and she did really well, now that we've figured out what medicines work for her in combination with the anesthesia.

I took a couple of pictures of cast #2 for posterity. In case any of you were wondering about it, here's one. Note the heart cut out of the tummy area. It helps with breathing and digestion, not to mention occasional belly pokes!
One week earlier, Erin came home from Grandma's in a great new outfit. Thanks, Aunt Sharon! It may just be due to Erin's cheering that the Yankees swept the Red Sox starting that day!