Thursday, July 28, 2011

Today I'm Sulky

No, I'm not pouting here in CH (although the hot, humid weather has me grouchy).  I'm stitching with Sulky.  Sulky metallic sewing thread, that is.  I'm using a doubled strand of the variegated red/green/gold color #142-7027 on Smilin' Jack's leaves.
http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/store/thread_sulky.html

Sulky is a sewing machine thread that comes on a spool similar to the ones Accentuate is packaged on.  The two threads are similar, but a slightly different weight.  I'm using it to add a glint of metallic to my oak leaves.  You can see the effect better on the gold and green leaves than the gold one.  The red or green or gold falls at random as I stitch and the gold part doesn't show up as well on the gold colored leaf as it does the others.

It is a nice subtle touch, though.  You can see it in the header photo I posted yesterday and better today as I added a background photo on the side.

I found my Sulky at Joann's Fabrics.  Like knitting shops, chains that sell sewing and quilting supplies are good places to rummage for items that can be adapted to needlepoint.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Reviewing Nature's Palette

No, I'm not critiquing Mother Nature.  Nature's Palette is a company that produces special colors of needlepoint canvas.  Janet Perry just reviewed their products on her blog.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/natures-palette-canvas-product-review

Remember Luna from the Ladies of the Night series (from Leigh Designs)?  She's one of my projects listed on the right side of the page.  Luna is painted on one of Nature's Palette's canvases, the one called Storm Cloud (in the Custom section in the link to their website below).  It's a gray canvas with charcoal speckles and flecks.  Perfect for this moody and atmospheric design!
http://www.naturespalettecanvases.com/Home_Page.html

Counted canvaswork folks should check out the Laura Perin section of their website as they sell a kit for some of her geometric charts done on their canvases.  Anyone looking for a special background color needs to consider Nature's Palette.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Gardening with Ribbon and Threads and Buttons

It's astounding what flowers you can "grow" with a little ribbon and thread.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/07/rheas-flowers.html

This is going to be a class at Pocket Full of Stitches.  Be sure to check with them if you want to be part of this needlepoint gardening experience!

By the way, Ruth Schmuff's last mystery class model has returned from the finisher.  This is a Zecca canvas and Ruth convinced the designer to make extra fancy clay buttons for this piece which are attached to the frame.  Clever idea!  Actually, any button you like that coordinates with your stitching could decorate the frame or the trim with just a little thread or glue applied.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/07/our-bird-has-flown-home.html

Kelly Clark's stumpwork sampler is full of garden images--from ponds to flowers and more.  This is going to be a class eventually but for now she's just playing with the techniques.
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2011/07/kellys-stump-work-sampler.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com