What is everyone working on?

[Nancy White]

I've been doing lots of needlepoint. At the end of January I completed Angulations I, a 3-month Jane Zimmerman silk & metal canvaswork cyberclass offered by Shining Needle Society. It was a time consuming project (done on congress cloth with lots of laying of threads) but I learned a lot and am so happy with my finished piece. Once the class ended I went back to working on Gleneagle (a Jean Hilton design) which I finally finished. It was a big project (took me over 6 months) but oh so interesting and challenging to stitch. I posted photos of both pieces on Flickr. I think you can get to them by going this group's Tapestry Fingers page on Flickr then clicking on my name: nncy_wht. After those two big projects I needed something smaller so I stitched one of the humbug bag kits from Northern Pine Designs. I plan to use the bag to hold some of my needlepoint accessories. The stitching is all done but when I went to finish it I discovered my sewing machine is not working. I was rather disappointed about that. Until I can get the sewing machine repaired my humbug bag is "on hold". My current project which I started just a couple weeks ago is Genny Morrow's Nova. This is another big project but very enjoyable so far. I have 4 rows out of 22 done. So that's what I've been up to. What about each of you? What are you working on these days?

[Jean C]

Nancy, first off your work is outstanding. I have envied all of you who do those pieces with color and different stitches. I actually have gone so far as to join the SNS but I might be to ambitious, I really like the Persian Fantasy but it may be beyond me, but its lovely. Perhaps you could post your new finishes on your SF page so we can see them and be inspired. Good luck on your new piece I'm sure it will be lovely as all NOVA's.

[Nancy White]

Yes. The pattern calls for a 16x20" piece of 18ct mono canvas and over 100 different colors of cotton floss!

[Helen]

Nancy, I finally started working on Nova too, but I'm not as far along as I'd like. I had to list all the floss I needed and Eva Rosenstand and Anchor isn't available for me so I've been working on getting the DMC equivalents. Anyway, I'm glad I started it. I've noticed that I get a lot of buildup on the back from all the floss used for the layered stitches. Are you also finding that?

Cheers, Helen

[Nancy White]

Yes, I am getting a lot of buildup on the back too, in some blocks more than others. I am glad to hear that you are having the same result. I've been worrying that I might be using more floss than I should and might run out of some colors. I substituted DMC for the Eva Rosenstand too. If you haven't already purchased substitutes for the Anchor I would suggest that you order the Anchor from an online needlework shop. That's what I did. I am really enjoying how this project is forcing me to stitch with so many different colors like the yellow-gold-browns which I don't normally choose. I am thinking that my completed Nova along with the pattern will be a good reference when choosing threads for future projects.

[Helen]

I'm glad we can compare notes. At least we know it isn't our stitching style, LOL, although I'm sure we each have one. I'm taking your advice and I'm searching for an online source for Anchor. In the interim, I'm skipping the Anchor threads but you're making far more progress than I. I'm wearing my Mageyes the entire time I stitch.

Helen

[Jean C]

Cheryl, yes where is your blog, so we can see your work? Your lucky to have stitching friends, I have my god daughter who also shares this needle passion, and hopefully we will pass it on to her daughter but she is only 4

[Violette Severin]

I am not currenly working on any needlepoint projects. I began a civil war diary quilt this past January and just took crazy beading classes from Nancy Eha at the IQA Chicago show last week. I have 2 beading projects to finish. Next month I am beginning weaving classes at my local yarn shop. Some day I will return to needlepoint.

[Jean C]

I thought I would post my updates on The Marmalade Cat and another cat canvas. You can see them here in my blog

[Natalie]

About a year ago, I cut up all the Tee shirts my husband had from different marathons, and other runs he'd made. I sewed the design into a wall hanging, framing each piece with tape or ribbon. after a year of seeing it hanging, I decided it needed some stitching to blend. Tried quilting but the stitches sank into the jersey material so now I am filling in all the background with stem stitch. Nearing the end after months of stitching. The original is title "Away he goes" I'll post the final piece calling it "there he goes #2" Hope within the next two weeks.

[Andy Zermanski]

This sounds very interesting and inventive, Natalie. I look forward to seeing it.

Natalie said:

About a year ago, I cut up all the Tee shirts my husband had from different marathons, and other runs he'd made. I sewed the design into a wall hanging, framing each piece with tape or ribbon. after a year of seeing it hanging, I decided it needed some stitching to blend. Tried quilting but the stitches sank into the jersey material so now I am filling in all the background with stem stitch. Nearing the end after months of stitching. The original is title "Away he goes" I'll post the final piece calling it "there he goes #2" Hope within the next two weeks.

[Natalie]

Andy Zermanski said:

This sounds very interesting and inventive, Natalie. I look forward to seeing it.

Natalie said:

About a year ago, I cut up all the Tee shirts my husband had from different marathons, and other runs he'd made. I sewed the design into a wall hanging, framing each piece with tape or ribbon. after a year of seeing it hanging, I decided it needed some stitching to blend. Tried quilting but the stitches sank into the jersey material so now I am filling in all the background with stem stitch. Nearing the end after months of stitching. The original is title "Away he goes" I'll post the final piece calling it "there he goes #2" Hope within the next two weeks.

[Natalie]

Andy Zermanski said:

This sounds very interesting and inventive, Natalie. I look forward to seeing it.

Natalie said:

About a year ago, I cut up all the Tee shirts my husband had from different marathons, and other runs he'd made. I sewed the design into a wall hanging, framing each piece with tape or ribbon. after a year of seeing it hanging, I decided it needed some stitching to blend. Tried quilting but the stitches sank into the jersey material so now I am filling in all the background with stem stitch. Nearing the end after months of stitching. The original is title "Away he goes" I'll post the final piece calling it "there he goes #2" Hope within the next two weeks.