The American Needlepoint Guild's Stitch of the Month project for 2012 is a sampler in a heart shape that you fill in with stitches, one each month.
http://www.needlepoint.org/Stitch.php
You choose your colors and embark on the adventure without knowing what stitches will be used or how the overall project will look beyond the colors. But not everyone likes hearts. What to do? Folks on the ANG email list decided to draw a cat shape and fill that in, but this customization relies on some drawing skill, or the ability to find a cat outline you can trace. If you like Halloween and are wondering how to do the project in a non-romantic way, Sheena's come to the rescue. She is doing this as a witch's hat!
http://sheenassweetstitches.com/stitch-of-the-month-turned-to-a-witchs-hat/2012/01/sample-post/
You can pick up the same threads and canvas Sheena ordered from The Scarlet Thread. They are willing to kit this for you, even though the threads and canvas are not listed on their site yet. UPDATE: Here's the direct link. Apparently they plan to send Sheena's hat outline with each order, which is a nice touch.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-3325/Stitch-of-the-Month%2C/Detail.bok
The witch's hat outline is on Sheena's blog above. It's in the middle column about a third of the way down the page, Look for "Stitchy Files" and then click on the right PDF file to download the pattern which you then trace onto your own canvas. Then you too can join the SOTM project with witchy fun.
Very creative, Sheena!
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
Monday, March 5, 2012
Don't Freak Out When the Instructions Say "Random"
Labels:
cyberclasses,
Mystery,
random,
Ruth Schmuff
I know there is a subset of the stitching population that doesn't "do" random. (No sir, no way! Ain't a'gonna do that!) Those folks must have panicked when they got the next lesson in Ruth Schmuff's current mystery class--the background.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/02/no-rules-no-way.html
So what do you do when you have to create a random pattern on a needlepoint canvas when even the word "random" makes you break out in a sweat? Why you cheat, of course!
Those who have small children around--or who can borrow one from the neighbors--have it made. Simply make a xerox of your canvas, hand the little darling a pencil, and tell them to make random marks all over the area that needs "random." Carefully remove the pencil and paper from their little fists, hand over candy in payment, and there you go--random! Because the marks are in pencil, you can erase any that are too close together or add one in a blank spot that seems to need something in the middle. Using the child's work as a pattern, simply add the stitches, beads or whatever in approximately the same place your helper put them. This also has the advantage of your being able to get several sheets done at once so you can pick the one you find most pleasing to copy. You don't even have to worry about putting a stitch every single place your child assistant put a mark. Missing one or two even adds to the random effect.
But not everyone has a child handy. What then?
You can substitute small objects like beads or sequins or even grains of rice or those little pasta bits called puntaletta. Make a copy of your canvas, then dump a few objects on the sheet. You can shake the sheet a little (carefully!) or blow gently on the beads or sequins to move them some if you don't like the pattern. You can also slide your tiny markers off the sheet and into a bowl, and try again until you have a pattern that you like. Mark their position with a pencil. If the area you have to randomize is larger, work a smaller section at a time. If marking with the pencil is driving you nuts, take a photo with your camera and use that as your pattern for stitching random. Just be careful not to spill the beads or rice or whatever on the floor.
Whether you use children or small objects to fake random, don't over-think the process and get yourself all bothered and worried. Remember, even though Ruth wanted random sequins and flower stitches on her background, the canvas will also look nice with a more regular placement of these items. If random does indeed defeat you, you can always substitute a more regular appearance and 9 times out of 10, no one will ever know you did.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/02/no-rules-no-way.html
So what do you do when you have to create a random pattern on a needlepoint canvas when even the word "random" makes you break out in a sweat? Why you cheat, of course!
Those who have small children around--or who can borrow one from the neighbors--have it made. Simply make a xerox of your canvas, hand the little darling a pencil, and tell them to make random marks all over the area that needs "random." Carefully remove the pencil and paper from their little fists, hand over candy in payment, and there you go--random! Because the marks are in pencil, you can erase any that are too close together or add one in a blank spot that seems to need something in the middle. Using the child's work as a pattern, simply add the stitches, beads or whatever in approximately the same place your helper put them. This also has the advantage of your being able to get several sheets done at once so you can pick the one you find most pleasing to copy. You don't even have to worry about putting a stitch every single place your child assistant put a mark. Missing one or two even adds to the random effect.
But not everyone has a child handy. What then?
You can substitute small objects like beads or sequins or even grains of rice or those little pasta bits called puntaletta. Make a copy of your canvas, then dump a few objects on the sheet. You can shake the sheet a little (carefully!) or blow gently on the beads or sequins to move them some if you don't like the pattern. You can also slide your tiny markers off the sheet and into a bowl, and try again until you have a pattern that you like. Mark their position with a pencil. If the area you have to randomize is larger, work a smaller section at a time. If marking with the pencil is driving you nuts, take a photo with your camera and use that as your pattern for stitching random. Just be careful not to spill the beads or rice or whatever on the floor.
Whether you use children or small objects to fake random, don't over-think the process and get yourself all bothered and worried. Remember, even though Ruth wanted random sequins and flower stitches on her background, the canvas will also look nice with a more regular placement of these items. If random does indeed defeat you, you can always substitute a more regular appearance and 9 times out of 10, no one will ever know you did.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
Life Moves On
Labels:
Happy Heart Designs,
saints,
sales
 |
| Esmeralda |
http://www.happyheartdesigns.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=74
She and her husband have moved and are in the process of building a house, so she has closed her design studio and is selling her designs wholesale to anyone interested. Once things settle down, she may start designing again--or perhaps she won't. Life moves on, you know, and we never know where the flow will take us. If you are in the need of a gypsy cat, or anything else fun, visit the site and tell Tish you would like a little souvenir of her old life.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
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