A Finish!

Lately, I've been frustrated by most of my needlepoint projects.  With some canvases, I've been stumped as to which stitch to use.  With others, I just can't get particular stitches to turn out the way I want.  When this happens, I find the best thing to do is to switch to a different project.  Sometimes a little break is all that is needed to get those creative juices flowing again.  That's exactly what I did this last week.  

This canvas is by Ewe & Eye and is called Dee. I'm not sure how it ended up in the closet in my WIP pile because all I had left to stitch was one of the arms and then attach the beads.  Easy!  I had stitched over the spots for the beads, so that they wouldn't get lost between the decorative stitches.  In doing this, I wasn't able to see where the beads were supposed to go.  Most people would just wing it and place the beads where they see fit.  But if you're like me, that is easier said then done.  

Before stitching a canvas, I always make a color copy.  I took that copy and darkened the black dots where the beads were to be placed. Next I carefully lined up the color copy over the canvas.

I pierced the copy and canvas with some large size tapestry needles.  Next, I carefully lifted the copy away leaving the needles in the canvas.

Now, I had the correct placement for the eyes.

I did the same thing for the mouth, too.

Here is the canvas all finished.  Yeaaah!  Finally a finish! The following pictures are closeups of this canvas.  I wish I could take credit for coming up with all these beautiful stitches and thread selection, but the credit goes to Terry Christopher from 2 the Point in Pleasanton, CA.  I love Terry's stitch guides.  She does a great job making sure that a canvas has perspective.  Notice how the snowman looks like he is coming forward, and the background recedes.

Happy Stitching!

Miss Bunny

After visiting John Johannsen's studio, I was itching to stitch one of his canvases.  You should be proud of me.  Instead of starting a new canvas, I went through my WIP pile and found this little bunny.  

Terry Christopher, owner of 2 the Point, created the stitch guide.  I love Terry's guides. Everything is well explained and charted, so you don't have to reference any other books.  I had started stitching this canvas last year, and then stopped because I didn't like how my ribbon flowers were turning out.  This was the first time I had ever used ribbon, and had underestimated how difficult it can be to work with.  So now it's time to practice stitching up some flowers on the margin.

 This is a photo of the stitch guide.  Terry's bunny is adorable!

Terry stitched the flower on the left.  Mine is the one on the right.  See what I mean about needing to practice.

Same thing here.  Terry stitched the rose on the left and I did the rest.  I like one of them, but the two all the way on the right have got to go.

I do love the way the fur and collar turned out.

Now it's time to finish this WIP!

Happy Stitching...

Melissa Shirley Field Trip

Recently, my LNS, 2 the Point, went on a "field trip" to Melissa Shirley's studio.  Well, at least that's what I told my husband.  It was actually a shop till you drop trip.  Terry Christopher, owner of 2 the Point,  organized the trip.  We took a cute little bus there, had a yummy lunch, and then a special chance to meet John Johannsen and tour his studio too!  Melissa and John - all in one day; I was in needlepoint heaven!

I think one of the best things about going to Melissa's studio (besides meeting Melissa - and yes, she really is a delight) was being inspired by all the finished pieces she had on display.  I took tons of photos and wanted to share some of the finishing that I saw.

These are one of Melissa's 12 Days of Christmas series.  I love how these were finished with the side detailing. Instead of being a flat ornament, these were about 1/2 inch thick with ribbon and beading detail.  I think the thickness added to the luxury of these ornaments.  Wouldn't it be nice to have all 12 on your Christmas tree?

Here is the partridge from the same series.  I just love the way he was stitched.  I do believe that there is a stitch guide available for all 12 ornaments.

Also finished in a similar fashion, were these beautiful angels.  These are a little thicker than the 12 Days of Christmas and have an adorable rickrack trim.  Towards the bottom of the picture is a pear which had at least an one inch gusset, so it could stand on it's own, as well as hang from a tree.

Here is a close up of the side.  Isn't it adorable?  I don't think I will finish an ornament flat ever again.

Doesn't everyone need a wreath filled with needlepoint ornaments?  My front door has a large glass insert, so when I hang our Christmas wreath outside, we see it's shadow from the inside.  I think I need a wreath just like this to hang inside the house.  This way my front door looks good from both sides. 

I love the gingham check ribbon.

Here is one more from this series.

Here is the last of the Christmas themed canvases.  When I first saw these canvases, I thought they were nice, but they didn't knock my socks off.  Well, let me tell you, these are beautiful in person!  They have definitely made it onto my must stitch list.  I love the shabby chic bases that the finisher used.  However, I think I will use a darker base for mine, so that it fits in with my home decor.

A big thank you to Melissa and Terry for making this trip possible.  I had such a great time, and did a little stash enhancing too!

I have more photos to share with you  Watch for my next post, when I share Melissa's fall themed canvases.
If you want to see any of the above canvases, visit Melissa's website.

Happy Stitching!
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