Sunday, December 14, 2014

Moving update

We are moved, but unpacking will take forever!  This is the view from the breakfast nook of our new home.  I will use this photo as my header when I figure out how to change it!
Still no stitching being done, but eventually I will have a nice big studio.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

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

Note:  I am writing this up ahead of time because I know that the week this posts I will be in the midst of box world, having just moved into our new house!  

I made quite a bit of progress on this piece, but it is slow going!  Those little squares are only 5 stitches square and there are soooo many color changes.  I have figured out a bit of a system and now work on 2-3 rows of squares at a time so I can get more of a color done at a time without the counting getting out of hand!  I think it is kind of cool looking!!

Thanks for your patience.  This is the last post I could set up in advance, so it may be a couple weeks before there's another one!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Linda, Progress 6

Linda is finished, except for beads.  I can't do the beads until we get moved & unpacked as my stash is in storage!  The good news is, we are moving this next week!  Yay! Finally!  It will be a few weeks before I find my stash, but at least the end is in sight!

Sunday, November 23, 2014

American Beauty Rose, Progress 2

This doesn't look much different than the last time you saw it.  That's because I haven't worked on it much!  I am waiting for a thread.  Since I changed one of the threads in midstream & combined a new one with an old one, I ran out.  Hopefully the new thread will be in soon.  I really want to work on this! 

AND, Happy Thanksgiving to you all this week.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Diamond Delight III, Progress 1

It's been quite awhile since I started this.  There are a gazillion pulled eyelets and that is very slow going for me.  I can only put in a thread or 2 before my hands start to hurt.  I finally got the outer row of them done, and quickly put in the next row - Waffles.  Then, oh no!  more pulled eyelets.  Well, at least this is a shorter row!  Debbie wanted all the eyelets done first, but that is too much counting for me, so I'm jumping around in the directions to work the rows consecutively.  I have just barely started the next rows after the eyelets, there are 3 rows like this, so I'll be working on them along with the eyelets.  I like the colors and, for once, I haven't changed them!

Sunday, November 9, 2014

5-4-3-2-1 and some 3s, Progress #2

You probably don't even remember this piece!  I started it nearly a year ago and, as you can see, haven't made much progress!

It is tedious to work on.  The little squares are quite small and so you're constantly changing colors.  See all the spaghetti?  Unavoidable.  And the Silk Shimmer that will lay on top is always in the way.  And then it is on black canvas.  Sigh.  How do I get myself into these things!

I hope to start working on this more regularly very soon.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Linda, Progress #5

Back to Linda, by Orna Willis.
I'm making progress, slow but sure!

There's a LOT of Jessicas.  The #8 pearl by Painter's Threads gave me trouble!  What I had in my stash that is the perfect color is waaaay different than the new stuff I got.  The new was not perfect for this piece, but I didn't have enough of the old.  So I tried a couple of different ways of using these threads and, with the help of a friend, decided to alternate the new & the old threads.It works pretty well and I don't think I could have found anything better.

Once I finish the Jessicas, each one will get a stitch in the middle with a metallic.  There will also be a lot of beads on this piece, so it won't get finished until my stash is unpacked!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Big Cats Cross Stitch, Progress #2

It's been quite awhile since you've seen this.  I don't work on it very often (I'm not really a cross stitcher), but when space is limited, like when my husband & I are sharing the love seat, it is something to work on that doesn't take up a lot of room.

I'm nearly finished with the 2nd Panther section.  Then there is just one more section and the border will be done.  Almost.  I'll still need to figure out how to join each cat to the one next to it.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

American Beauty Rose

Yes, I know it doesn't look like anything.  Yet.  
This is DebBee's Designs "American Beauty Rose", but I'm doing a white rose.  Well, it is mostly tan, but it's MY white rose.  
I started this just before all the moving craziness hit.  I had quite a time finding the right threads and I ended up ripping out all of the darkest shade that I had done as it was toooo dark.  I restitched it blending the dark shade I had with the next to the darkest and it is much better.  

This is a fun design to stitch!  Each color (6 I think, or maybe 8) has it's own stitch.  The picture color isn't quite right, the lightest shade is an old Needle Necessities overdyed floss that is white to light tan.  So the lightest squares are really white.  The canvas is eggshell, so it is lighter than it appears in the pic.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Octagon in a Square, Finished

Hi!  Here I am!  We are still in moving mode, but it'll be several weeks before we can move into our new house so I have a little bit of stitching time!  I can't start anything new because all of my stash is in storage, worry, worry.... 
Anyway, my stitching is all on WIPs and I have actually finished something!

Octagon in a Square is the latest of my Mad Miters craziness.
The last time you saw this, I think I had just started the center. The Octagon is done in Mad Miters and the surrounding areas are straight Bargello.  
This is not my most successful experiment!  But it's OK, we learn by doing, so they say!  The cable pattern I chose was difficult to work with in the Mad Miters part, and these are not MY colors.  It is supposed to be liberating (or something) to work outside your comfort zone, but this may have been TOO far out of mine!

I will try to post somewhat regularly now, but only once a week till we get settled.  Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Phase 2 of our move is complete.  Vegas is history, that house is sold and the new folks are moving in!  We are living in our old house in Reno now while we fix up the new one.  We are hoping to be all moved by the end of October. These things are always a LOT more work than you think they are going to be!


I haven't done any stitching for at least a week and not much since I last posted blog.  Sigh.


When I find the camera, I'll try to photograph the little bit of progress I have made on some of my WIPs.


Thanks for being patient!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Update & stitching

We are still embroiled in moving.  The move has 3 stages and we are now in Stage 2 of 3.  Sigh.  It feels like it will never end.  But it will and it'll be great!  In the meantime, we have lots more packing & moving to do.

I haven't had time for much stitching, but I have knocked out three ornaments, which will go to the finisher tomorrow.

Two are from Pat Mazu's "Pinwheels", which was the program for Cyberpointers during one meeting.  I did the Square and the Round.  Maybe I'll get to the little stocking one day.
I've used Watercolours #025, Neon Rays Plus #NP43, and 3 Kreiniks:  003HL, 008HL, 221.
All on ecru glitter canvas.
 


Also completed is an ornament made from 2 designs we got at a local retreat, an acorn and a pine cone.  This will be finished by folding it so they are back to back.  I hope that works out!  This is on 13 or 14-mesh, so it stitched up really fast!



Saturday, August 2, 2014

What's happening?

In case you are wondering why I haven't been posting:
We are in the process of buying a house and moving!  We are moving back to Reno for good.  I don't even know exactly when yet, but it will be within the next month or two, I think.  In the meantime, we are going back & forth and dealing with banks and trying to begin packing and de-stashing.  


I am stitching a bit, but certainly not as much as usual. I will try to get some pix the next time the sun comes out (it is monsoon season here in Las Vegas & that means it is cloudy/overcast a lot of the time), if there's a few moments available.


Please check back occasionally.  Eventually I'll get back to it.  So don't worry about these long stretches of apparent inactivity!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

FMTM is finished!

 From Molehill to Mountain is finally finished.  I started this in March of 2012.  It has been a long time in the doing.  The border seemed to take forever!
I don't know when I'll get it framed, but I'll show it to you when that happens.  Could be a long time though!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Kangaroo Completely Finished

Mr Kangaroo has been finished as a stand up, easel back.  My finisher couldn't resist giving him an Australian flag!  Isn't he cute?

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

FMTM, Border Progress #2

I have been working on the border of FMTM forever.  I haven't posted because it is just border & more border & doesn't change much.  But look, I'm on the last side.  Maybe I can get that done this week.  Or next.  Then there is a LOT of backstitching to be done around the dark teal in the border.  Sigh....

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Walking the Water's Edge, Progress

Walking the Water's Edge is coming along nicely.  I am almost to the top edge, just about 2 more full rows, then filling in and compensating.
The progress isn't that noticeable now, but next time it will be!

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Linda, Progress #4

I'm making good progress on Linda.  
Last time I posted, I though I was finished with the squares, but there were still stitches to do between the squares.
Now I'm working on the border.  I've been jumping around some because I wasn't sure what threads & colors I wanted to use.
When I looked at the big Jessicas, that go all the way around & form a circle, I first thought I would use Watercolours.  No, Watercolours is much too heavy.  OK, I'll use Wildflowers in the same color.  Well, Wildflowers would work, but the color was wrong (not the same as the Watercolours I'd picked).  Back to my stash!  I had nothing in DMC#8 pearl that was the right color.  But, oh look, maybe this Painters Thread #8 pearl.  OH YES, I like it, but I'm going to have to order more.  I think one skein will do more than half of the Jessicas, but I have ordered 2 more skeins in case the color has changed dramatically.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Trellis of Dreams, FINISHED

Trellis of Dreams is officially done.  I popped it into a Sudberry House key rack.  (The holes along the bottom are where the hooks go.)  It looks quite nice and will make a lovely gift this holiday season!

Friday, June 27, 2014

Octagon in a Square, Progress #4

Octagon in a Square is coming along, slowly.  I have a good start on the right side.  I will probably start the Mad Miters part of the right side the next time I work on it.  
This is not the fastest Bargello pattern I've ever stitched!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Big Cats Cross Stitch


Oh no!  Not another cross stitch?!  Yes, I found another one in the UFO pile.  I started this nearly 20 years ago.  It was to be a top for a jewelry box.  Well, I have since made something else for the box!  
Anyway, I decided to try to finish this.  It is on 18 Aida, which seems a LOT smaller than 18 canvas!  I am using a single strand of floss.  These cat patterns are all separate and I will have to go back & fill in the "in between" spaces later.  As I stitch now, I'm thinking about how I want to do that.
The center is to be a large black Panther.  We'll see if I get that far!  I can't work on it very long at a time but I'm trying to stitch on it a little bit several times a week.


Sunday, June 15, 2014

Walking the Water's Edge

Walking the Water's Edge by Diane Herrman.  

This design is a workshop on the Cyberpointers chapter of ANG.  I have wanted to do this design ever since I first saw a picture, over a year ago!  So, I am enjoying it immensely.

The picture is right side up; however, we are stitching it upside down.  We started with the white.  This pattern continues all the way to the top, with compensation to square it off.  The Bargello is all in floss and is blended shading.  The bottom edge becomes the surf and will have decorative stitches.  It is an easy stitch so far, and will be a stunning picture!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Linda, Progress #3

Linda is coming along nicely.  The Neon Rays, Rhodes stitched squares are complete and I have begun filling them in.  The diamonds in those squares are woven and that was pretty tricky, but now I am just filling in the rest of the squares with Watercolours.  That goes fairly quickly.  Then, on to the outer section.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

NEW PATTERNS




 I have added 5 new patterns to my website!  www.lizartneedlepoint.com
They are all on the "Bargello 2/Needlepoint" page.
The 4 Bargello designs are at the top of that page and the Leaping Stag is at the very bottom of that page.
I hope you like them.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Trellis of Dreams, almost there

Trellis of Dreams is getting close to being finished.  I checked and it looks like it will fit a Sudberry House key rack!  That will make a nice gift.
There will be a solid row top & bottom and then there are some beads to put in and it will be finished!  A very nice, quick stitch. 
Thanks Ruth Schmuff!!  It is an oldie but goodie!


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Octagon in a Square, Progress #3

I'm baaack.  We spent a week at our Reno house where the weather was just lovely!  And it was good to catch up with old friends.

I am nearly half way with Octagon in a Square.  Now I will work the other side of the background because I have decided that I will begin the other side of the Octagon based on the right side background.  Then the middle section of the Octagon will see those two come together.

Well, it makes sense to me!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Quick update

I was off to a good start at posting again.  But now I want to let you know that I won't be posting again for a couple of weeks!  I'm doing OK but will be busy with other things. If I get a chance, I'll let you know!  Thanks for sticking with me.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Linda, Progress

I haven't worked on this much, but I have completed half of the boxes surrounding the center.  In Neon Rays Rhodes stitches.  Very tedious, but pretty.  I hope filling in the boxes will be more fun!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Kangaroo FINISHED

Finally, Mr. Kangaroo is finished.  I started him in 2009, shortly after returning from a trip to Australia.  He will be framed eventually.  Horrible pattern.  Way too many 3/4 stitches and weird back stitches to work on Aida cloth, would have been much easier on linen or evenweave.  I think.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Trellis of Dreams by Ruth Schmuff


Why not start yet another piece!  You can never have too many WIPs!

This is Ruth Schmuff's "Trellis of Dreams", a pattern I've had for quite some time.  I decided to do this because I wanted something smallish for when I go out to stitch somewhere that a large piece isn't comfortable to work on.  
I have changed the colors slightly, but not dramatically.  Mine are perhaps a bit more vivid.  This is a charming little piece, just enough challenge without requiring tooooo much thinking :-) .  Here's my progress to date: 

Monday, May 5, 2014

Octagon in a Square, Progress #2

It still doesn't look like much, but I have worked on this quite a bit.  It is not the quickest pattern!  I have just barely begun one section of the Mad Miters part.  I may change the little diamonds (in the MM part), not sure if I like the pink continued there.  I'm thinking I may use the overdye to outline them, then fill them with a metallic.  Decisions, decisions....

Thursday, May 1, 2014

FMTM Border progress

Yup, I've been working on From Molehill to Mountain.  I WILL finish it!  I will, I will.  Yes, I know the photo is awful, but you can at least see the progress I've made.  All of the diamonds are finished.  I am nearly finished with the first row around of light aqua Scotch stitches.  Next will be the many, many teal Scotches and partial Scotches.  Sigh.....

Monday, April 28, 2014

Kangaroo, Progress #5

Kangaroo?  What kangaroo, you are asking!  Those of you who have been with me a long time, may remember this charming fellow, although I haven't posted about (or worked on) him for a very long time.  Mr. Kangaroo is a cross stitch chart I purchased in Australia at least 5 years ago.  I got him out recently because 1. I'd really like to finish it, 2. I hate working on it because I am using some rayon floss, and 3. It is small and easy to handle.

So, here he is today, well actually last week.  I have worked on it some since I took the photo and the rayon floss parts are finished. Finally!  I do hate that stuff.  Now for lots of French Knot flowers and a ton of backstitching.  Am I the only person in the world who HATES to do cross stitch?

Thursday, April 24, 2014

A month has gone by!

Hello, yes I know, almost a whole month since I last posted.
As some of you know, I have been quite ill beginning the end of March.  I am feeling better now, but still not fully recovered nor able to put in a full day!
I have been stitching, although not my usual number of hours.  I hope to start posting again next week, if I can get some pictures taken :-) .
Just an FYI.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Linda by Orna Willis

I have just started "Linda" by Orna Willis.  I have had this pattern for years and finally decided to stitch it.  I have changed the colors quite dramatically.  Back to my favorite color palette!  
This project will take a long time, I will only work on it once in awhile, it is a good travelling piece.  I know it is a bit large for that (on 16" stretchers), but it is for when I will be doing a lot of stitching in a home environment.
BTW, the lightest shade is really a pale aqua, not white.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Octagon in a Square

Oh boy, here she goes again!  If you remember my Diamond in a Square, this is the same idea: Bargello surrounding Mad Miters.  The inside of the octagon will be Mad Miters; you can just barely make out the basting for it.  It is just about ready for the MM to begin.  

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Check this out for ammunition that what we do is not only fun, but healthy!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Two New Mad Miters

 I am going to be teaching Mad Miters at the ANG chapter in Boise, ID.  The class decided they want to do a small project, a 5" square, with just 3 centers.  So, I made two new models for them to study.  
The blue one uses 5 shades of blue plus a metallic.  The aqua uses 4 shades of aqua plus a Watercolours. 


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Tim's Vermeer

I've never done this on Blog before, but I'm going to recommend a film.  Last night I went to see "Tim's Vermeer".  It is a documentary about one man's attempt to recreate a painting of Vermeer's.  It is a fabulous film!  Did he actually "paint a Vermeer"?  Of course not, only Vermeer could do that.  But the process is absolutely fascinating!  The work he went to over several years and all the things he had to learn, his patience & perseverance & brilliance, is astonishing.


If you are an artist or someone who loves technology and invention, or if you are just interested in those things, it is a must see film!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!

This week marks 5 years of blogging here.  Wow!  I can't believe its been 5 years!!


 Over that whole time, this blog has totaled 85,000 hits!  Isn't that something?!  Yes, I realize a lot of those are the same people who check in regularly, but still....


Thanks to all of you, the regulars and the occasionals.  It is just wonderful to have this community.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Nature - Sky FINISHED

Finally, Nature-Sky is finished, the feather is attached, the instructions are written.  That means all three of the Nature series are finished!  Earth is being piloted right now and Sky will go to the pilot stitcher on Monday. 

I hope to be able to add these to my website in May or June. Stay tuned for the next adventure!  

All three are shown below.
 


Sunday, March 9, 2014

Mad Landscape FINISHED

It's finished!  The latest Mad Miters experiment, Mad Landscape, is finished.  It was an interesting experiment, I enjoyed stitching it, but it isn't quite as spectacular as I would have wished!!
For those of you who know Mad Miters, this particular nightmare has 24 centers!  It uses the basic zigzag pattern and I'm glad I stuck to that - any other pattern would have been impossible to keep track of.
I haven't decided if I will frame it or just put it in my portfolio.  If I do frame it, I'll certainly post a photo for you.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

FMTM Border Started


I have figured out a border for FMTM.  I started with the diamond border in the pattern, but changed its background to a simple alternating Scotch in 2 shades of aqua.  I have enough done now to tell that I think I like it.  There is backstitching around all the dark stitches and I only have a little of that done.  
Now it is just a matter of perseverance!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Mad Landscape Update #2

The Mad Landscape is coming right along.  The dark green section is finished except for one color that I ran out of.  DH is bringing a skein of it back from our Reno house.  This thread is a discontinued wool tapestry yarn called Orchidee.  I used to use it a lot for Bargello and have a ton of it, but of course it is in our Reno house!  
The brown section is about half finished.  I am really enjoying this piece.  It is fun to work on, just about every stitch is a mystery!.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Marta Mask, Progress #8

The Marta Mask (Leigh Designs) is moving right along now.  I have completed another "set" of areas.
The largest of these are below the "feathers" and have open areas of canvas showing through.  There is also some of this at the top of her head.
I used Smyrna crosses in Kreinik #12 braid and an overdyed silk for the Diagonal Mosaic.

Friday, February 7, 2014

FMTM Sashing Complete

I finished the Sashing and Cornerstones on FMTM this week.  
FMTM will eventually have to play with Stars for a New Millenium; therefore, I used the cornerstones pattern from Stars for FMTM.
Now I have to decide about the Border.  Should I use one of the patterns in FMTM or use the border from Stars or come up with some sort of combination of the two?  
Decisions!!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Mad Landscape update

My Mad Landscape is coming along.  There's just a wee bit of blue left to do, all of the purple is done and the dark green is getting there.  This is quite a demanding project!  I can work on it with the TV on, but I do tend to lose track of the show!  I get so focused on the Bargello that I don't even hear the TV.
I have amended my original plan of making all the "centers" the same.  In the larger areas, there are so many centers that I am letting some of them "just happen", in the Mad Miters way.
This project is relegated to weekends only right now and I hope to get a start on the brown part next time.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Marta Mask, Progress #7

DH was out of town for a week and I made significant progress on the Marta Mask.  
The striped outlines set me back for a long time, but once I figured out how I wanted to do them, it went pretty quick.  So they are all done and the light "feathers" are also done.   I used  "Katie's Cross" from Suzy's Stitches, in 4 shades of gray #8 pearl cotton and 2 shades of light gray Neon Rays Plus.
Next up will be the area below the feathers.  I think I'm going to do that in Smyrna crosses and Mosaic.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Nature-Sky, Mostly Finished

Nature-Sky is finished.  Well, except for the feather.
The feather will cover most of the large light area.
So, the next time I go to Michaels, I'll see if I can find the "right" feather.
Or, DH will be visiting our Reno house for a few days & I'll have him look to see if I have any white feathers in the "feather box" in my craft cupboard up there! 
No hurry though as I need to write up the instructions before attaching the feather!  

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Young Man's Fancy FINISHED


Young Man's Fancy is finished.  Once I got the #8 Kreinik I wanted for the center, it didn't take long.
YMF was intended to be a box top, and I had the Betsy Box on hand.  To fit, it only needed a border of Slanted Gobelin over 2, all the way around.  I used the darkest overdye for the border since it matched the box pretty well.
Below are photos of the finished box.  DH is using it to hold guitar picks & other guitar paraphernalia.
Thanks, Jan, for a great project!