Happy New Year

First off, Happy New Year! 

A big tradition of the new year is to create a resolution or two.  I'd rather like to think of these resolutions as goals.  Something to work towards, regardless of the ups and downs.  This year, I have more than my share of goals.  The first is to complete half of my WIPs (work in progress).  Here is what I have going at the moment.

Melissa Shirley Christmas Stocking / Stitch Guide by Terry Christopher

My biggest must do is to finish my daughter's stocking.  I've made a little more progress since this photo was taken, and now I need to focus on getting this canvas done.

Kelly Clark's Joseph / Stitch Guide by Amy Bunger

Next on my list of must finishes is Joseph.  Once he is done, I'll have the Holy Family completed and then can start on the wise men (in other words create more WIPs).

Melissa Shirley Bunny / Stitch Guide by Terry Christopher

Remember this canvas?  When I became stuck on the ribbon flowers, I set it aside.  I think it's about time that I finish this, and get it to the finisher before the Easter deadline.

Kelly Clark Mini Sock

This Kelly Clark mini sock has been my waiting room canvas.  It's small enough to tuck into a bag and get a few stitches in while waiting for an appointment.  I think it has all of an hour of stitching left.

Melissa Shirley's Blue Bird Cage / Stitch Guide by Laura Taylor

I love this Melissa Shirley canvas.  It is so pretty and has been a joy to stitch.  I still have tons of work, but it's high on my list for a 2015 finish.

Melissa Shirley's Noel / Stitch Guide by Beverly Churchfield

I debated as to whether or not I should commit to finishing this Noel canvas this year, but I think I can do it.  It's on 13 mesh, so it should stitch up fast.

Anniversary X-Stitch Pattern by Stoney Creek

This is the last of my must finishes for 2015.  I started making this in September of 2013.  Then with the move to Los Angeles and other unforeseen problems, I had to set it aside.  I've already shown it to my parents, and they have set aside a place in their home to hang it.  I should have this completed by the end of January.

The following canvases are other WIPs that I hope to work on, but know that there is a slim to none chance of finishing by this time next year.

Ashley Dillon's Christmas Parade / Stitch Guide by Terry Christopher

Melissa Shirley's Circus Horse / Partial Stitch Guide by Beverly Churchfield

Brenda Stofft Nativity / Stitch Guide by Colleen Church

Genny Morrow's Falling Leaves

Melissa Shirley's Fall Acorn / Stitch guide by Paula Fehleison

Besides completing lots of stitching, my other goal for 2015 is to work on my blogging.  I know I've been a miserable blogger this year.  The reason is quite simple: I haven't been stitching.   Nothing stitched means nothing posted. 

The reason for my lack of stitching has been my back.  Now I know there are millions of people with back pain who function just fine.  They take an Aleve if their back acts up, and they get on with their day. That's how I was for over 20 years.  Then about four years ago, I went from occasional pain to not being able to walk in a week's time.  It took me two years to get back to a functional level.  Although I couldn't work any longer, I still was able to spend time with my family and of course stitch.

Then we had the move to Los Angeles.  Although I was extra careful, my back problems grew worse.  I couldn't sit for more than 30 minutes without being in a considerable amount of pain.  Of course there are medications to help with this, but they have their side effects.  For me, they made me really loopy.  It was difficult to concentrate, read, and I couldn't drive.  So I finally decided to have one last surgery (hopefully) to fuse some of my vertebrae together in the hope that I could return to a somewhat normal life.

I'm now six weeks post surgery and optimistic that my health will improve.  It's still difficult to sit, but I'm making progress.  I've been trying to stitch, even if it means just putting in one thread.  Hopefully my life will return back to normal and I'll have lots of stitching to share with you.  In the mean time, please be patient with me and know that I haven't given up on this blog.

So enough with all this personal sappy stuff.

I wish you all a 2015 filled with joy and hopefully lots of stitching!

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...

Matthew's Stocking

I haven't made a whole lot of progress on my daughter's stocking to justify a post.  So I've decided to show you the stocking I made for my son.  Both June McKnight and Terry Christopher helped me out with fiber and stitch selections.  The canvas was designed by Peter Ashe.  Hope you enjoy the photos...

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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Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial Day Weekend, I decided to have a stay-cation, so that I could focus on stitching (and maybe a little gardening). The main canvas that I want to work on is my daughter's stocking. I started stitching it about five years ago, and have half of it done. It really should have been completed by now, but I've let other canvases take priority. My goal is to turn in this stocking to the finisher by September 1st.

When I first saw this Melissa Shirley stocking, I knew it would be perfect for my daughter. Ever since she was three years old, my husband would dress up as Santa to deliver all the Christmas gifts. At first, my daughter, Alexandra, was frightened by his visits and would run back to her room to hide under the covers. But as the years passed, Alexandra and her brother would look forward to the annual midnight visit. They would leave the typical cookies and milk out (and carrots for the reindeer). Later on, they set up the camera and video camera to capture the moment.

By the third grade, I was fairly sure that they figured out who Santa really was, but the kids continued to play along for a few more years.  Probably out of fear that Santa might not deliver presents if they didn't believe.

Now with the kids in college, Santa has hung up his coat and hat, but only temporarily. He is hoping to resume his visits when grandchildren arrive.

Here are a few more close up photos of the stocking...

I started stitching the holly with random long stitches in three different colors of Splendor. I then used a Kreinik #4 braid for the center vein.

I love how the candles have turned out. Terry Christopher suggested this stitch, as well as, most of the stitches for this canvas.

Santa's suit is being stitched in a combination of Splendor and Soie Cristale. I've used Burmillana for the fur trim. I would be very happy if I could finish Santa this weekend!

My other goal is to finish the chair. All the flowers have been done in Petite Velour. The green will be done in  silk.

What will you be stitching this weekend?