Bargello Techniques

I can finally reveal one of the "secret" projects I've been working on for more than a year!  Bargello Techniques is an ANG Correspondence Course which has been announced at the seminar in Philadelphia.  Registration begins November 1.
It will be in the new Education Directory, but I don't know when that will come out.  The model is on display at seminar.

Bargello Techniques is a Beginner Bargello class.  The project teaches several different patterns and then uses them to create 5 Bargello techniques.  Finished size is about 16-1/4" x12-1/2" on 18-count canvas.
This is a fun project and teaches different techniques that can then be used for future projects.

Honorable Mention

I'm proud to tell you that Diamond in a Square got an Honorable Mention at the ANG Seminar Exhibit!
Here's a picture in case you forgot what it looked like!

I guess we'll have to wait for months to see what all the winners are!


FMTM Block 3

Finally, I worked on FMTM again!  Block 3 is complete so I'm a little less behind.  I arranged my colors different from the examples and I am pleased with the result.
However, my center square makes this Block not quite go with the other two.  So I have decided that when I stitch Blocks 5 & 6 I will reverse the positioning so that #6 will be on the opposite end from #3.  Six looks like it is similar, so I can use this color layout again & it should balance the piece.

Here's what the whole thing is looking like so far:



2012 Mystery Retreat Progress #3

The center section of the Mystery Retreat project is finished.  Well, except for the very center which I will be the last thing I do since I'm not sure what I want to put in there.
This section was designed by all four of the teachers.  Amazing how a collaberation like that can work!

Below is how the whole piece looks now.

Fractal Finished

The fractal is finished!  I've been working on this off & on for a couple of years.  I adapted this design from a cross stitch pattern by Cross Stitch Collectibles.  I think it was a freebie, but I don't remember for sure :-)
I cut the colors from 79 to 46 by eliminating colors that were nearly indistinguishable from one another and by substituting an overdye for a bunch of the rust shades.  I also perked it up with a bunch of metallics.
I chopped this off at the bottom making it 8.5" long instead of 11".  The bottom 3" just looked kind of messy to me and I like it the way it turned out.
Now to get it framed!


Mystery Retreat 2012 - Progress #2

The right side section (designed by Mary Knapp) is complete.  Except that I have changed the red to turquoise, it is exactly like the pattern!  Well almost, I did use the Very Velvet instead of the Memory Thread to connect the little squares running down each side.  The turquoise Memory Thread is just too light in color.  The Very Velvet worked just fine!
The pic below shows what the whole thing looks like now:

Stash Disposal - Final offer

This is a repost from a week or so ago.  Sometime next week, I will be putting these items up on eBay.  I am showing this again, just in case any of you missed it the first time around.  The crossed out items have sold.

 I am helping a friend clean out her stash. I will be offering her items on eBay soon, but thought I would first see if any of you are interested. No auction, first come, first served.
I have:
Rainbow Linen, pretty much a full set
Presencia Finca Sample Packs, #12 and #16, there are six 5gram balls in each pack
Neon Rays on a spool. 230 yds of lavendar & about 50 yds of blue
A Daylight Flexilens mini-clip magnifier
Zweigart Canvas, 18-count, Ecru glitter, white glitter, pale gray
Zweigart Congress Cloth, may be Sandstone, but looks darker to me

If you are interested, email me at lizboatay at hotmail dot com and I will email you a full list of colors, quantities and prices. Prices do NOT include shipping. Shipping and taxes (if Nevada) will be added.

Menagerie Blocks 9 & 10

Menagerie is caught up again.  Or it was for a couple of days!  Instructions have already been posted for the next steps!  This picture is of the whole thing to date.  I'm still liking the soft monochromatic colors.  Now I am thinking I will use an aqua/tan overdye for the background. 



OK, details: The blocks I just finished are #9 & #10. Block #9 is Bargello and #10 is Round & Square stitches.

I  agonized over this square.  I thought I needed to be very creative since Bargello is "my thing".  Well, that wasn't working out so I decided to just do a simple Rectangular 4-Way.
The round & square stitches didn't really inspire me, so I kept it simple & small.  Smyra border with Daisy eyelets & ray stitches.

2012 SOTM August

August's section of the 2012 SOTM is finished.  It is a circle of Amadeus hearts.  Quick & easy to stitch with Wildflowers,  The background is a T-stitch with Kreinik #8 braid.  Eventually the hearts will have pearly heart beads, but I'll wait on those.  I still don't like this piece, but I will finish it.

STASH DISPOSAL

Hi all,  I am helping a friend clean out her stash.  I will be offering her items on eBay soon, but thought I would first see if any of you are interested.  No auction, first come, first served. 
I have:
Rainbow Linen, pretty much a full set
Presencia Finca Sample Packs, #12 and #16, there are six 5gram balls in each pack
Neon Rays on a spool.  230 yds of lavendar & about 50 yds of blue
A Daylight Flexilens mini-clip magnifier
Zweigart Canvas, 18-count, Ecru glitter, white glitter, pale gray
Zweigart Congress Cloth, may be Sandstone, but looks darker to me

If you are interested, email me at lizboatay at hotmail dot com and I will email you a full list of colors, quantities and prices.  Prices do NOT include shipping.  Shipping and taxes (if Nevada) will be added.

Mystery Retreat 2012

Mystery Retreat 2012, Portland, OR.  Report #1.  The retreat was a LOT of fun!  I had a great time!  I really like the project.  I selected the gray/red color way, but changed the reds to a bright turquoise.  There's a surprise, huh?  Several people also changed the red, and they were all turning out really pretty.  The red is gorgeous too of course!

The Retreat is 2-1/2 days of classes.  There are 4 teachers and 5 sections to the project.  In this case it was the center section that all 4 collaborated on.  For info about the retreats in general, about the teachers, and to see all 4 colorways, go to their website at http://www.needleartsmysteryretreat.com 

The picture on the left below  is what my project looked like when I got home:  The top section was designed by Linda Reinmiller and is called Phoenix Rising.  Count on Linda to come up with some really unusual and unique stitches!  My Phoenix is finished and I really like it! 

The right side section was designed by Mary Knapp and is called Florentine.  It is really pretty and uses some Bargello.  Yeah!  I have almost finished this section, see photo on the right above. 

The left side section was designed by Partricia Hartman and is called Mountain Pass.  Pat used a variety of stitchs with some weaving included.  I got half of the weaving section finished.

The bottom section was designed by Debbie Rowley and is called Ashes of the Phoenix.  As you might expect, Debbie came up with some very innovative ideas!  There are stitches over stitches, memory thread and some tulle for good measure.

The center section is the collaboration.  I didn't get much done on it cause I kept messing up & ripping out, but it is a beautiful section.  Since coming home I did redo the big center diamond and it turned out quite pretty.

When I finish the side section, I'll get a close up of it (I forgot this time!).

Daphne Reborn Finished

Next up is Daphne Reborn which I finished last weekend.  I really like this piece by Michael Boren & Carole Lake.  This class was offered through Sining Needle.  This is the "Kelp" colorway.  I had the canvas and a lot of the threads already and the only thing I changed was the metallic and the Soie Cristale.  Instead of the green Kreinik that was called for I used 2 different golds and I used Gloriana for one of the Soie Cristales because I already had it!  This is a very pretty piece and was fun to stitch.  Hmmm, wonder how long it'll take me to get it framed?!

Log Cabin Stripe Finished

The first thing I have to show you is Log Cabin Stripe.  The pattern is from Nancy's Needle & I finished it a long time ago, years in fact.  Anyway I finally had it made into a pillow.  I think it turned out very nice and it goes well with another one I have in the living room that used the same fabric.  I made the cord around the outside edge with one of those handy dandy cord maker thingys using the thread left over from the project.