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Sheena's Sweet Stitches

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Band Sampler

17 March, 2015

12 March, 2015 By: Catlady 4 Comments

Aloha All,

Thanks to everyone who commented last week on blog, I loved reading your comments. Everyone was entered into the drawing and I have two winners to announce! First is Jan from Ontario, Canada and second is Tess from Hawaii! Congratulations your goodies will be going out in the mail to you!

We have finally started to thaw! Below is a photo of Cleveland in the fog as the lake melts, it is barely visible. Last post you saw the city in April of 2014.

Cleveland in the fog March 2015. Taken by Sheena James

Today I am going to show you how a stitch can be modified. I have one basic stitch and I then add different elements. I am calling this a Background Diamond stitch. There may be another name for the stitch but I did not hunt through my books. When I looked at it stitched it reminded me of old fashioned Christmas ornaments. Let me know what you see!

Background Diamonds stitched

For my sample I used one strand of Petite Silk Lamé. I do love this thread. It would make a nice background for one of the new rooster canvases. I am actually using a larger version for my Melissa Shirley “Mae West” canvas. The intersections are stitched over three threads instead of two, which enlarges the stitch.

Background Diamond

Now I am going to show the sample with two different patterns in the middle of the Diamonds.

Background Diamonds with octagon and squares

I started by adding squares then I added an octagon. I like the lighter weight of the Mandarin floss shown in orange. The green is again Petite Silk Lamé. Depending on the look you want you can change the diagram very easily. Now these are just two possibilities for the interior of the Diamond. You could add beads, sequins, different stitches. Start with a basic design and add elements to suit your canvas.

Background Diamond with Squares

Wasn’t that easy? Now try this yourself with a stitch of your choice. I am starting to include PDF’s for ease of printing, Background Diamond, Octagon, & Square Stitches . I will also be adding these stitches to the “Stitch Diagrams” tab at the top. I have called this a background stitch but depending on the size of your canvas and the area you are stitching you can use it anywhere.

Lastly I have to show off the fur babies, they are really enjoying the sunshine we have been having.

Stimpy has a birds eye view here for the bird feeder!

Noe thinking, “seriously more photos”! She loves this colorful pillow case.

Tango thinking, “really I am just about to clean myself”!

Tango is a happy camper and has managed to gain a couple of pounds living inside. He and Stimpy love to sit where my stitching is….thanks for the tweezers Jane!

That’s all for now, have a great weekend stitching or doing whatever you love!

Sheena

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6 March, 2015 By: Catlady 2 Comments

Can you believe this a second post in one week! I thought that since I had missed a week I would pop back in and wish you all fun-filled weekend

It is time to Spring Forward, hopefully this will end the long winter that some of us have had. Thinking of spring I have seen a lot of bird and chick canvases this year. Chicks always make me think of spring as do Orioles, not just the baseball team! Since I love orange this bird is just beautiful and here in Cleveland they can be seen around the lake in the spring.

Baltimore Oriole

Looking at all the bird canvases I thought of those little wings. You stitch the body then have the wings left. If you don’t want to stitch long and short, Helen’s Lace Variation would make lovely wings! The photo shows the stitch in two different colors of Gumnut Yarns “Tulips”. “Tulips” is a great thread for fur.

Helen’s Lace Variation

Helen’s Lace Variation – Left

Helen’s Lace Variation – Right

The charts are in color since it is easier to see the pattern. I am also including a PDF with the charts on one page.

Helen’s Lace Variation .

My favorite bird is not actually a bird it is the flower, Bird of Paradise. Again it is orange!

Bird of Paradise

Well folks this is short and sweet, have a wonderful weekend, don’t forget to turn the clocks forward on Sunday! Stitch faster since you are losing one hour

Spring Forward

Cleveland last Spring

3 March, 2015 By: Catlady 26 Comments

First I would like to thank Patricia for commenting and giving me the name for my “swimming bird”, it is an anhinga.

Before I give you my review here is today’s stitch, a Florentine Teardrop Variation with beads added. I found the original chart in Chapter 19 of Amy’s Cookbook for Stitchers. I changed it by decreasing the rows and by adding beads. Actually I am still working on this stitch, it needs to be a wee bit smaller.

Florentine Teardrop Variation with Beads

When the new version is complete I will post it for you to compare. This stitch will be used in a dress, I just need to get the proper proportions for the area. I am planning to use silks in the same color family to add dimension, at least that is my current thought

I was on the fence initially regarding purchasing this casebook, I wondered how much more could be done to make the “Mysteries of Needlepoint” Book Club even better. Well the “Mysteries of Needlepoint Casebook – Elementary” is definitely the answer! Jill Wilensky is the mastermind behind this Casebook and it is very detailed. A lot of time and effort has gone into creating what I call a great companion work book. I know many of you out there have purchased the Book Club and are curious about the Casebook.

The beginning of Amy’s Mysteries Needlepoint Book Club starts with a Glossary of terms. In the first section of the Casebook there is a vocabulary match whereby you match the word to the correct description of that word. The match words come directly from the Glossary of terms in the “Mysteries Book” thereby allowing you to re-call what has been learned. Continuing in the theme of tying the Casebook to the Book you have to identify types of stitches. The original Stitch Types were diagrammed in detail in the book. There are smaller matching diagrams in the Casebook which you now have to identify. Going along there is a section on changing stitches and on compensation. You are given a stitch and a shape and can now chart said stitch to fit the shape by using the techniques you have learned from “Changing Stitches”. There is a similar section on how to compensate stitches. Used together allows solidification of the knowledge gained through reading.

This Casebook follows along seamlessly with Mysteries of Needlepoint and is a great learning tool. I definitely think it is worth the cost, which is only $15!

Mysteries of Needlpoint Casebook By Jill Wilensky

You can purchase the Casebook from “ Needle Little More “, it is available as a PDF or print copy, http://www.needlelittlemore.com/store/c353/Exclusive_Items.html . Look around the shop while you are there, who knows what other goodies you may find! The company takes PayPal which I love.

Today is Girls Day which in Japan is called Hinamatsuri. This is celebrated every year on March 3rd. It is custom to place dolls on a platform covered with red carpet. People believed these dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits. In ancient customs straw dolls were floated down a river to the sea, the bad spirits would go with the dolls.

Girls Day doll display

Since today is the end of the Girls Day celebration I thought it is time to have a give away. To be entered into the contest all you have to do is comment on this post. Comments will be accepted until Sunday March 8th. All names will be entered into a program and one winner will be drawn randomly. Next week you will find out who the winner is. I will contact the winner by email to obtain an address. Good luck!

What your prize could be! Magnets or a Bead/Magnet case.

Have a great stitchy week wherever you are!

Until next time,

23 February, 2015 By: Catlady

Aloha All!

Last week I took a little trip to Miami Beach which is why there was no blog post. It was a much-needed break from the cold that is West Cleveland this year. Honestly I have not experienced this bitter cold in years. Many moons ago I did live in Canada but in 1993 I left and headed south, initially Florida then on to Hawaii with a few pit stops along the way I have been in Cleveland now for 4 years, this is the coldest winter yet!

Since I have been on the road I don’t have much stitching to show. Unlike many of you I cannot stitch in the car, I get motion sickness. I do have some lovely photos of blue ocean sand and wildlife. First I will give you the stitch of the week, a Raised Knot.

Raised Knot

This stitch gives lovely texture. You can stitch the base cross in one thread then change the thread to wrap the spokes. It would make great bushes, bark, curly hair or fur. As always you need to play with the thread since this is what changes the texture of the stitch. It is bumpy but it can be a smooth bumpy or a nubby bumpy. Think if you used boucle for the cross stitch and burmilana to wrap with that would look like curly hair. Just some food for thought.

I have been meaning to tell everyone about Amy’s new Book Club “Mysteries of Needlpoint” . This book is really quite exceptional. The first chapter is broken into five sections. She starts by explaining five basic stitch types. The discovery section discusses how to change stitches by changing colors, direction, etc. Ideas are given on where to use stitches. Diagrams are in color with lots of hints and tips associated with stitches. There is a seven page section on compensation which is very detailed. Really this is a study in needlepoint, a type of text-book. I am looking forward to the next Chapter already. I can honestly say this is a book that I will re-read, since you can’t remember everything that is taught. This chapter is 57 pages in length, well worth the money.

I do not have photos of any needlepoint shops. I briefly went in and out of one shop in Miami but no photos were allowed.

Finally, this story will give you a laugh before the photo show. On the drive home yesterday it was lovely and sunny in the south, clouds appeared in the Appalachians, then about an hour outside of Cleveland the snow flurries started. Well the closer we got to home the heavier the snow became. Windshield wipers going to clean the windows, squirt, squirt, wait windows are still dirty, the washer fluid is empty….. it was impossible to stop since we were still on the Highway. I couldn’t believe it, but enough snow was falling to help keep the windows somewhat clean….. a rather nice welcome home don’t you think!

Miami Beach in front of the hotel

Lovely Palm trees with the boat cruising in the back.

Heron? Coming up from a dive.

Heron watching for fish.

Pelican

This is a light house!

I love the colors of this unusual lighthouse. The beacon is at the very top and lights the way. Truly a piece of art!

Well folks it is rather chilly in my neck of the woods. Stay warm wherever you are, and if you live in the sunshine, enjoy! Till next time keep on stitching.

12 February, 2015 By: Catlady

I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. Everyone should treat themselves on the 14th. Have some chocolate or anything that you love, it is after all a day for treaties

You will be happy to know that I finished charting Band 2 of the sampler. Band 1 can be found under the Band Sampler Tab at the top of the page. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. My motifs will be completed this month before I move on to Band 3! The dividing band has not been charted since I am debating on whether to use the same stitch that was used in Band 1 or a different one.

Band 2 of Sampler Click on link for the file.

For those who not stitching the band here are the last two motifs.

Heart in Heart with Beads

Braided Heart

I love the look of the Braided Heart, it is really quite elegant.

For those of you who like quizzes this is a sample of what to expect. I have not perfected them yet so this one is just for fun!

1. Was Valentine’s Day named after a Catholic Saint?

In the Zoo, Beardie may want to come in the house! I have been trying to coax her to come in since it is so cold and snowy. Today she actually popped just inside the door, looked around, then went back outside. The girls and Tango did not interfere and they were nowhere to be seen. They don’t want to get anywhere near the door at the moment!

Beardie

Tango is trying to take over one of my stitching areas, I keep having to move him over.

Tango relaxing on the couch!

Noe loves the newest perch by the window!

Noe perched to watch the birds.

Well folks have a fabulous day and keep on stitching! Stay out of trouble, until next time……..

Aloha, Needlepoint is my passion! Follow along as I have fun with my craft. You will also have a peak into my life in Cleveland surrounded by my Zoo! Read More…

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