Tumbling Stripes, Finished

Tumbling Stripes is finished.  A very quick stitch and fun to do.  It is supposed to have a border, but I'm leaving it off so I have more choices as to what to do with it.  I may put it in a round frame that I have.  Or a box.

Seven Fractal, Progress #8

I'm pretty sure I can finish this next year!  Here is progress to date.  There are 4 more charts, but 2 of them are small.  It is nearly 3/4 done.  I don't think there's much of the blue stuff left so it will go a little faster.  She said hopefully!!

Ornaments 2017 Finished!

All of the ornaments are finally finished. 

The version with tassels is far & away the easiest.  Easy is a relative term!  It's all hard, but the tassels mean you don't have to worry about what to do with the ends of the cording.  For me, that makes a lot of difference!  I used purchased cording and it often has an inner core which can make the ends a problem.  If you make your own, that wouldn't be as big an issue, I think.  With the tassel version, I couldn't use the metallic cording as it didn't ravel out nicely!

Anyway, they're done.  Appreciate your finisher!  It's very tedious work!

Tumbling Stripes, Progress 1

 No will power - I've started another project!  This one is Tumbling Stripes by Marilyn Owens.  It's a charming design and fun to stitch.  My progress is below.  

Surprise, I changed all the colors 😊!!  I'm using, wait for it, turquoise & copper on black canvas.  Oh, you already guessed?!

Anyway, there are 2 more of the mostly turquoise stripes and  then the rest will be mostly copper.  I'm liking it!!

Ornaments 2017, Progress 1

Three down, four to go!  Same design, different colors, different centers.  Very quick stitch, but sloooow to finish!  That's because I'm not good at the finishing part, but too cheap to use a professional.

I've been experimenting with different finishing methods.  Found another one on Pinterest last night, so the next one will have a tassel on the bottom instead of a bow on top.  I'll let you know how that goes.  

Holiday Wreath

Just before Halloween, I started Laura Perin's "Holiday Wreath".
I've only worked on it a couple of times.  It is larger than I thought it would be.  I only manage one or two packages per session.  It may not be ready for Xmas this year, LOL, you think?!!




Here's my progress so far:

Mariposa Progress #3

I worked on Mariposa this last weekend.  I really need to work on this more often!  It takes half my stitching time to figure out where I was.  The first section is finished and I have just a start on the second section.  I quit when I did because I didn't feel like fussing with Neon Rays, which is the next thread to be used! 🌝

Glitz & Glamour Sapphire FINISHED

 Glitz & Glamour Sapphire by Debbie Rowley is complete.  As you can see, I changed ALL the colors.  It looks totally different!  I wanted it to go with Carnelian and used the same colors, threads, canvas.  Below shows them together.  Believe it or not, they are really the same colors!!  The overdye is even from the same skein.  The canvas is Aquamarine on both.  Different camera, different light.  I adjusted them the best I could.

Window Seat Cushion 3

I do work on the window seat cushion once in awhile!  I have to work at the dining room table because it is the only place big enough. Gives me a back ache!!

Anyway, the top is mostly done.  I will have to add a little bit more of the sashing material to get the top edge squared off.  (Somewhere along the line I miscalculated!). 

Next will be to cut the fabric for the back of the cushion. I'd love it to be a box pillow with welting, but I don't have the sewing skills for that and I'm pretty sure it would cost a mint to have it done professionally, given it's size (18"x60"!!)  So it will be a simple knife edge.  I do need to put a zipper in though or it will be impossible to get the pillow in!  I will make an inner muslin pillow so that the stuffing doesn't touch the needlepoint.

Slipped Strips

Slipped Strips is the 3rd in my series of Advanced Bargello Techniques.  The photos are some examples of Slipped Strips projects.  You can create unique designs by manipulating any Bargello pattern, using the pattern, canvas and threads of your choice.  

Instructions are now available on my website, on the Bargello 2 page.  Note that if you are using your phone, you may have to scroll to the bottom and select "Classic" to see the new pattern.  I haven't figured this out yet!!

Seven Fractal, Progress #7

It's been awhile since I posted about this.  I work on it regularly, but not frequently.  Does that make sense?
I can only work on this if no one is around and the TV even has to be OFF.  Any tiny distraction and I make mistakes!  

Anyway, here is progress to date.  I have completed 1/4 of the bottom half.  I had hoped to finish it this year, but that's not going to happen!  Pretty sure I can finish it before the end of next year though (she said hopefully).

Coming Attractions

This is a preview of a new Bargello technique.  I'm aiming for sometime in October for this to be available.  I have one more model to stitch and a pilot stitcher is working on another (and checking my work!).  Lots of fun coming right up!

Diagonals, Diagonals - New Design

Diagonals, Diagonals is another Bargello Technique that I have finally written up.  It is now available for purchase on my website.
Diagonals is a really fun technique.  You will learn how to set up your canvas with parallel diagonal lines and then you create a unique Bargello using the Bargello pattern of your choice, and your preferred colors and threads!

Riverdance

This is a new project, just for me!!  I'm calling it Riverdance.  I sort of painted the canvas, with Copic markers, because  all of the brownish part will be Bargello in tans & brownish threads.  I didn't want a lot of show through.  The "river" is mostly metallic with some solid and overdyed silks & cottons as filler.  Using "square" stitches and basketweave.  I don't work on it often because it requires constant THINKING!!  Hahahaha.

5-4-3-2-1-Framed

5-4-3-2-1 is now framed.  I'm really pleased with it.  I knew what I wanted, but it isn't always easy to explain to the framer!  But we finally got it.  It is unusual and kinda dramatic.  Perfect!  Here's a view off to the side a bit.

Mariposa Progress #2

 A small start.  Mariposa by Threedles.  I'm kind of choosing threads as I go.  I'm not thrilled with the big green Jessica and may take it out.  I think I'd like it to be bluer.  It's interesting the way the threads change each others color!  They look great laying on the table, but when stitched they're greener, or bluer, or......  Gets a little frustrating, but I do enjoy working on this piece.  Too bad the metallics don't show up better! 

Diagonals in a Square

This project is an illustration for an upcoming set of instructions, Diagonals, Diagonals.  It is to show what might be done with the technique.  It is NOT included as a project.   The project for Diagonals, Diagonals is much smaller!  I hope to release this technique by the end of August.
This piece will end up in a tray.

Window Seat Cushion 2

The pic gives you a vague idea of how this windowseat cushion will look.  I notice in the pic that some of the fabric strips look dark, but they're really all the same color.  I have sewed a few pieces together, but I'm having to be SUPER CAREFUL to make sure everything will fit together the way it is planned!  Slow going.

Lazy Days of Summer

Stitching happens, but oh so slowly!  Four projects in the works, but I never seem to make enough progress to bother photographing and posting!  Maybe this weekend!

Besides the WIPs , I'm also working on that needlepoint patchwork cushion I talked about, last year I guess?  I'll try to get a pic this weekend. I have all the sashing pieces cut and the needlepoint pieces trimmed. Today I started sewing a few together.  I learned that I need to check the measurements AGAIN before actually sewing. Grrrrrr.

Also working on a couple of new designs that I hope to get up on my website before summer ends.

I hope you are all more productive than I've been!

Mariposa

Yes, I am stitching!  I just can't show most of it to you.  The fractal is coming along - but slowly.  Then there's a Bargello piece.  And a new design. 

But I have started something new, just for me:  Mariposa by Kurdy Biggs (Threedles).  I started this June 25th and yesterday I finally completed the outlines, so now the fun can begin!  I'm using the turquoise on black colorway, but will change all the lime greens to copper.

TWO FINISHES!!

Stash Cats Two is finished.  I decided to use the same background that others have used on this project.  It is a simple open diamond with just one strand of floss.  It went quickly and by planning ahead, I was able to anchor in the cat.  I'm going to have it made into a pillow.

5-4-3-2-1 is also finished.  It took me 2 days to get the ribbons finished.  I wanted a red, but didn't have it in the ribbon floss so I tried Frosty Rays.  Didn't like it at all - too bright and too wide.  So, no red.  I used several different colors of the shimmer ribbon floss.  It could be better, but this is as good as it's going to get.  (You have to enlarge the photo to see the ribbons.) 

This piece looks so much better in person!  I hang it on the wall to photograph and the white wall shows through the black canvas. 

Off to the framers!  I hope they can do what I want, but I may have to do the mounting part myself.

NEW COUNTED DESIGNS

SILHOUETTES 

Copyright 2017 M. Elizabeth Morrow

RAINBOW HORSES

Copyright 2003 M. Elizabeth Morrow

ART NOUVEA FLORAL

Copyright 2017 M. Elizabeth Morrow

Yes, I've been busy!  There are 3 new designs available on my website.
(Remember, if you go there from your phone, you'll need to scroll down and click on Classic".)  Please take a look!

All of these designs are suitable for counted needlepoint or cross stitch.

Silhouettes includes 3 fun little designs.
Rainbow Horses has a striped background.
Art Nouveau Floral is a free design!

5-4-3-2-1... Progress #8

The main stitching is done!  Now I have to lay in the ribbons.  The ribbons called for in the pattern are not what I'm using, I've got Shimmer Floss ribbons in many colors, so I'll be choosing from those.  The pattern wanted the ribbons to be put on first and then you stitch around and through them.  I found that to be a real pain!  They were just in the way and got frayed badly.  So I'm doing them at the end.  Hopefully I can get a similar look!

Stash Cats Two, Progress #5

 Big Cat is finished!  He looks pretty good, except for a couple spots on his tail that aren't smooth.  I'll fix those when I start the background. 
I am still a bit undecided about the background.  I could just leave it with the blank canvas - there's that green on green thing going on that looks ok.  But I'm really not a big fan of open canvas.  Right now I'm thinking of a small darning type diamond stitch.  Saw it on Facebook.  It'd still be pretty open, but maybe have a more "finished" look.  What do you think?

5-4-3-2-1... Progress #7

Made some real progress on this.  Section 4 is complete.  Section 5 is started and will go quickly!  Then I will redo the few ribbons I put in and add more.  I checked and I do have the colors I need (of ribbons).  Then the framing process.  I know how I want it to look, of course we don't yet know if that is possible!

Expanding 4-Way Bargello

Expanding 4-Way Bargello is now available on my website.
This is the first of Advanced Bargello Techniques that I will be offering over the next year or so.

Expanding 4-way includes regular 4-way, Combination 4-way and Four-Way 4-way.  One leads to the next.  36 pages of instruction teaches you to set up each technique and stitch it using the Bargello pattern of your choice.  There is a project for each technique to get you started.  This is lots of fun and challenge.

Please go to my website and check it out!  Bargello, page 2. www.lizartneedlepoint.com

P.S.  There's also a new pattern on the Free page - a little Poppy for Spring.

Stash Cats Two, Progress #4

Stash Cats is moving right along!  Big cat is mostly done, just have to finish his tail.  This is much harder now.  So far I have only repeated one stitch (Mosaic, used twice), but it is getting hard to pick stitches.  Not only have I already used so many, but the spaces in the tail are pretty small.  I have not had to repeat any threads though! 

I have to say that as a stash buster, this is a failure.  Each stripe is not that big and so only uses small amounts of thread.  I don't keep real small amounts, so mostly it just takes a few strands out instead of actually using anything up!  Guess I need to do a LOT more stash buster pieces :-) !!

5-4-3-2-1 Progress #6

It has been a little over a year since I last posted about this WIP!  But now I am working on it again.  There are 5 sections and I am now working on #4. This is somewhat tedious to work on (I say that a lot lately!) but is going faster now that I decided to try to do all of one color, then go on to the next, rather than work one square at a time!  It is ALL little 5x5 squares.  Sigh.  But I still like it and it will be spectacular when finished & framed!

Seven Fractal, Progress #6

Finally, made it all the way across!  Eight pages finished, 8 to go, but the next 8 are smaller; this piece is a little more than half finished now.  (The center shows near the bottom.)  The bottom is similar to the top, so there is more of the yellow parts and they go quicker than the blue ones.  Still, I doubt it will get finished this year.

PS. I changed the header photo here on blog.  This is what I see out the breakfast nook window, the Spring/Summer version!  There is often a water skier on the lake. It's hard to get going in the morning and not just sit there and watch the birds and the skiers all day!

Stash Cats Two, Progress #3

Stash Cats is moving right along.  The big kitty is well on his way!  He is worked in wools and overdyes (Watercolours) which I have chosen in advance.  Stitches I pick as I go along.  I have discovered quite a few stitches that I don't like and will never use again!!  So far, I have not had to use any stitches twice.

Stash Cats Two, Progress #2

Small kitty is done.  She is very sparkly!  Stitched in all Metallics except for 3 Neon Rays.  All from stash.
Got just a small beginning on big kitty.  Big Kitty will be done in Watercolours and wools.
This is a really fun stitch!  Choosing stitches and thread for each stripe as I go.  I have pulled all the colors, but decide the sequence of colors as I go. 

stitching but no pictures

Yes, I am stitching like crazy, but have no pics for you.
I'm working on several new designs, as well as my WIPs.
Hopefully, there will be a new Bargello by June and several new counted Needlepoint designs in July.
Pilot stitchers are working too!
I'll try to get a pic of something next week!

Framed!

Stash Cats Two

Two pieces framed!  The Marta Mask turned out just like I had envisioned. How often does that happen?!  The gray mat is actually silvery.  And I'm very pleased with Stash Cats, gorgeous frame.

Marta Mask

TWO NEW DESIGNS

Spring Break

I have just added 2 new counted needlepoint designs to my website!
Spring Break is a pretty Spring-y design and a quick stitch.  Decorative stitches and overdyed thread make up this flexible design.  Glitter canvas or colored canvas equal no background to stitch! 
Approx. 5" square.  3 colorways.

The Gingham Frog and the Calico Caterpillar are really fun designs.  So cute for a child's room!  The Frog and the background of the Caterpillar are stitched in Mosaic Gingham.  Approx. 5.5" squares.

Gingham Frog & Calico Caterpillar

Stash Cats Two, Progress #1

The body of the little cat, of Stash Cats Two, is done.  Now on to her tail!  This is such fun to work on.  I've also learned several stitches that are a waste of time with dark Kreinik braid - you just can't see any detail.

18th Century Sampler FINISHED

Another finish!  I'm on  a roll!
Well, on this one I really just quit.  I wasn't enjoying this as much as I though I would and on 18-count it is so big it is very awkward to work on.  No fun at all.  So I put a border around it and called it finished.  I will soon have several pieces in this color and will try to figure out something to do that will include them all - I'm kinda thinking Table Runner?

Marta Mask, FINISHED

Those of you that have been visiting this blog for a lonnnng time, may remember the Marta Mask (a Leigh design).  The last time I posted about it was in 2014!!

Well it is finally finished!  I didn't work on it at all for at least a year, then only a few times last year.  It was the beads.  I don't really like to do beads, but this canvas demanded them.  Lots of them.  Sigh.

But it is finally finished and it looks pretty good, for a non-painted canvas person.

It isn't a great picture.  The camera just doesn't do well with beads and metallic threads.  Plus it is on black sparkle canvas.  Hopefully I can get a better picture once it is framed with black behind it!

Stash Cats Two

When Patt & Lee began, their designs were available as counted thread charts.  I think now they only do painted and giclee printed canvases.  Anyway, I have had this chart for many years!  I am finally going to stitch it.

Jan of Stitchlady's Weblog fame, stitched this as a painted canvas several years ago and named it "Stash Cats".  The pattern just has a number.  So I'm calling it Stash Cats Two.

As you might guess, I've changed all the colors!  Like Jan, I will stitch the little cat in front with mostly metallics but I'm using "cat colors", all browns, grays, orange, etc.  The big cat will be the same sort of colors but in wools and overdyes. 

Here is my beginning.  It is a ton of fun!  I basted in the outlines and will stitch over that.