Nuts about Needlepoint » oriental

Pepper Pot Silk – Thread Review

Janet Perry — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:02:10 +0000

This Lee Needle Arts kimono is a showcase for many threads, including Planet Earth's Pepper Pot Silk.

Planet Earth has come out with a new single strand silk for 18 mesh, Pepper Pot Silk. I’ve used it recently in both this Lee kimono (left flower) and in my painted-stitches Christmas Tree.

It’s just a lovely silk. About the same thickness as Impressions, it is 100% silk, coming in 27 yard skeins.

A lovely, soft thread, I think it covers better than Impressions, giving full, instead of light, coverage. But because it is a thin thread stitched areas are slightly flatter than those stitched with Watercolours (right flower).

This vintage painted stitches canvas uses Pepper Pot Silk for the Scotch & Diagonal Gobelin Stitches

While I would not use it for straight stitches on 18 mesh, straight stitches would work well on Congress Cloth. I found longer diagonal stitches on 18 covered well, something I often find lacking in Impressions. The red areas in the striped patch use Pepper Pot.

The finish is similar to Impressions as well, a slightly fuzzy, matte texture.

I really enjoyed this thread because it was so easy to use. But stitchers who are allergic to wool will also like it because now there is a great all-silk alternative to Impressions and Gumnuts’ Poppies.

I can’t wait to use it for more projects.

New Series from Leigh Designs

Janet Perry — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:40:43 +0000

Leigh Designs’ new series to be introduced at this weekend’s TNNA show is called Shogun. They are 12″ x 16″ on Sandstone 18 mesh mono. There is a picture of one in the newest Needlepoint Now. A stitched model of Yoritomo will be on display at the show. You’ll be able to see them all soon on the Leigh site. Related posts: New Series in Leigh’s Dynasty Ornaments New & Wonderful Needlepoint Ornaments from Leigh Designs Finishing Up at TNNA TNNA Preview – Keri Designs Needlepoint Start on Halloween Related posts:

Clippings – Holiday Weekend Edition

Janet Perry — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:43:24 +0000

Considering we went to friends on Thursday, so I didn’t have to cook, and that we didn’t go shopping, I’ve been pooped since Friday afternoon. I’m figuring it’s been all the household chores and organizing my DH and I did all week.

So today I have a clippings post with an assortment of intriguing and useful blog posts I came across over the weekend.

Threadworx Journal was immensely popular in its on-line version. Happily, Threadworx has decided to make each issue of the magazine available in a printed version. You can buy them each here. Each issue is $11.99. They use PayPal for the sales.

Finding ornament patterns that work for boys can be tough. But the Cross Stitch design Kell Smuthwaite of Kincavel Krosses has an adorable whole stitch Little Samurai chart available free on her site. These would make such cute ornaments.

I saw these bottle top ornaments on Craft Gossip (thanks Denise!) and was thinking they were made on soda bottle tops, so they wouldn’t work well for needlepoint. But when I looked at the tutorial, I found they were made from milk or juice bottle tops.

The instructions talk about fabric. But you can easily adapt them to needlepoint by stitching on Congress Cloth or by doing needlepoint on evenweave fabric. I love the look of these little guys. They would make such great little gifts.

Finding great mats for your needlepoint can be a real challenge. Often it’s easier (and more interesting) to find a fabric that sets off the stitching perfectly. But fabric does not a mat make. Thanks to Denise at Craft Gossip I discovered this great tutorial on how to make fabric-covered mats. While she suggests cotton, any light-weight fabric will work.

If you follow my thrifty needlepoint idea of stitching in standard frame sizes, you should be able to find mats with openings that size that fit standard frame sizes. Buy a fat quarter of a great fabric, the mat, and a frame you like and you have the makings of a completely unique gift.

On the BeStitched blog there is the start of a series on beginning and ending threads. This post covers Basketweave.

Many of my friends have stitched Maggie Lane’s Kimono using the little book published that collected more than 90 stitches in one place. And it is stunning indeed. I have the book, but haven’t gotten to it. John Waddell has updated the piece from its restrained ecru colors to a bright and bold collection. He will be offering the class through the Shining Needle Society next year. You can read about it in this post and sign up on the SNS Home Room. This may be enough to get me working on it at last.

Help Japan, Buy Needlepoint

Janet Perry — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:33:07 +0000

Click on picture for details & to purchase

Ever since the earthquake and Tsunami happened in Japan, I’ve been praying for the victims. Japanese art, culture, and food is a big part of our family’s life, thanks largely to my DH’s love of Japanese film and food.

I’ve been hoping that the needlepoint community would come up with something special to help the folks in Japan and now my friend Doreen at Art Needlepoint has.

If you buy any of their Chinese and Japanese canvases, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to disaster relief in Japan.

Click on picture to go to find out more & buy

There’s lots from which to choose. Not only are there needlepoint canvases of traditional Oriental Art, such as the songbird pictured above. You can also find charming

Click on picture to go to find out more & buy

details of kimonos (this is one of my favorites),

Click on picture for details & to purchase

lovely pieces by famous artists like Hiroshige (above),

Click on picture for details & to purchase

works by European artist that are Oriental in theme or composition, as well as (my favorite) canvases of the work of contemporary Japanese artist Aki Sogabe (at the top of the post.

If you love oriental art or have had your eye on one of these canvases, now is a perfect time to buy.

Princely Collection Bookmark – 12 Days of Needlepoint Gifts

Janet Perry — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:09:15 +0000

Originally posted 2008-12-14 06:53:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

These hand painted canvas needlepoint bookmarks are from Princely Collections and make wonderful gifts.

Hand-painted on 18 mesh canvas, they have a fabric border and back. The back is attached only at the top. Stitch the bookmark and then attach the back using glue, fusible interfacing or slip stitch. They come in a sturdy plastic sleeve which you should keep to present the finished needlework.

The one pictured above is the one I bought for myself. The Chinese symbol is the one for strength or vigor. You can see them all pictured here (scroll down below the first section to see them).

I like them as gifts for a couple of reasons. Someone could give one to you as a charming project for you to make. You could buy one and make it quickly as a gift for someone else.

They also make glasses cases, scissors cases, and coin purses which are prefinished as well.

New Canvases at TNNA (Winter 2011)

Janet Perry — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:55:41 +0000

Packaged wish from Patt & Lee's new hand-painted line, available in 13 and 18 mesh

Lots of exciting new canvases had their first showing at TNNA today.

My friend, Patt, of Patt & Lee Designs, has premiered her first hand-painted canvas line. The canvases are all available in either 13 or 18 mesh. Several of here popular glicee printed canvases, such as the two kitty geishas and her Halloween cats, are now available stitch-painted, and there are lots of other great designs as well, over 50 in all. I am particularly fond of the packaged good wishes, such as the one pictured above. You can see them on her website, be sure to see all three pages.

Since learning to use embellishments in my needlepoint is one of my resolutions, I just love Squigee’s new designs. There is a glorious shell canvas that is great by itself, but even more amazing when paired with two more shells to stitch and applique on. She also has winter hats with pompoms and a new Witchy Poo with a sparkly jewel and tulle on her hat. There are also some incredibly silly flamingos, my favorite being Carmen Flaming with her fruit-filled hat. You can see them all as a slideshow on Gail’s site.

The Elizabeth Turner Collection has a full-size Noah’s Ark stocking that is so cute I wish I had a grandkid for whom to make it. The clever animals include a penguin, a pig, a whale, and the dove with an olive branch. The water is swirly in shades of blue with a bit of green. The sky is a star-filled night sky that adds the right amount of sparkle.

JL Canvas Company has added to their selection of canvas with matching ornaments. A box with two chocolate candies and a three-tiered cake are new. DJ Designs has a stunning new realistic daffodil canvas. The plants are shown from the side which makes the design unusual as well as lovely.

Kelly Clark always has the most innovative canvases out there. Her new club, Tassels, was introduced at the show with 15 designs in five families. They are in a variety of sizes, shapes, and color groups. She also has a new series of Candy Canes, another 12 in all. They are on 18 mesh canvas and are almost 7″ tall. There are also 8 new pears to extend her current collection.

Beth Gantz has brought out a series of 12 cupcakes, one for each month. They are available with stitch guides. Lee Needle Arts has a new series of crosses in many colors that are 5″ x 7″. This smaller size makes them suitable for framing or for applique onto church linens or vestments.

Dream House Ventures introduced some new canvases that are adaptations of Cross-Eyed Cricket charts, including Ho Ho Ho for Christmas. They also have a lovely Moorish-inspired panel from Nooxie Noble. There is also a charming Love Letter canvas with the envelopes ties up in a big pink bow.

needlepoint package from Barbara Bergsten Designs

Barbara Bergsten is not able to be at the show, but has a What’s New section on her website. Her new designs include several colorful crabs, some needlepoint sayings, a great Christmas polar bear, stitch painted ribbon designs of many kinds, and a delightful series of packages (one pictured above).

Leigh Designs is always innovative and this show is no exception. She has a new line of eight fantasy pagodas. They are 11″ x 14″ on sage green canvas. Jane Wood has stitched one of the models which is on display at the show. She also has new inserts designed for the lovely Lee Italian Leather Bags, she’s starting with two, but more will be coming.

River Silks has added a stunning iris to their Kits To Go line. The canvas is from Amanda Lawford. The kit includes the painted canvas and the ribbons needed to complete it with instructions. Sekas & Co. has three stocking biscournu ornaments, available on 13, 16, or 18 mesh.

Canvasworks*Traditions has new flamingo whose feathery tail takes up most of the canvas. This would be a piece for great stitching. They also have a lovely canvas with motifs from Oriental Rugs and elaborate borders. And Turkoman Game Board that adds small rug motifs to the border or a chess board in two shades of blue.

Julie Pischke has added some great new floral canvases. MAP Designs has a new series of 14″ square canvases on 13 mesh for easy stitching. Two of the designs are an elegant bird and two fish. Ciao Bella (from CBK Needlepoint) has made their delightful designs available in a 4″ round ornament size.

The Caron Collection has a lovely new charted piece, Mountain Laurel that has a central medallion and several borders. It can be done in several colors or in a single color stitched in a variety of threads for an “interesting study in textures.”

Needlepoint Stitch Guides Site Now Open!

Janet Perry — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:28:53 +0000

Order stitch guides like this from my new site.

There’s no doubt about it, stitchers love stitch guides. Our appetite for them is almost insatiable. Talk to any designer and they will tell you shopowners ask about stitch guides all the time.

If a designer has none, they wonder why not. If a designer has some, they want more. And we, as stitchers want them and want them at an affordable price.

Today marks the opening of my new on-line shop, Needlepoint Stitch Guides. Here you will find stitch guides for many popular designers, available both as PDFs (for you to print) or as printed guides). You can order directly from the shop and have your guides as soon as the same day. Talk about immediate stitchy gratification.

It’s the largest on-line shop dedicated to needlepoint stitch guides and related products.

There’s lots more to the site. You’ll find reference information about stitch guides and using them, order forms for my popular custom stitch guides and quick stitch help, and lots more. The site is easy to navigate with guides classified by designer and by subject.

Guides are available for canvases by some of today’s most popular designers including, Melissa Shirley, Kelly Clark, and Raymond Crawford. And for one stop shopping, some designers will allow you to order the canvas at the same time.

There are special products designed to help you make the most of your needlepoint. Background Stitch Guides are stitch and thread suggestions to make your needlepoint shine. Custom versions of them are available at the same low price. Thread Maps help you with a complete listing of threads and areas. Some shops charge up to $50 to pull threads, but with this service you get my expert eye at a low cost. Technique Sheets are specialized sheets (not canvas specific) showing you how to create an effect or do a technique on painted canvas.

I’m committed to sharing my knowledge with you so that your needlepoint can be exciting and beautiful. More products will be added just as fast as I can get them written, so stop back often to see what’s new.

Visit Needlepoint Stitch Guides today and keep stitching!

TNNA Round-Up, Part 4

Janet Perry — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:48:05 +0000

koi needlepoint purse from Clara Wells

Clara Wells Needlepoint has an interesting approach to designing her canvases, She has seven different “collections”, each using a similar print, available in several different forms to make needlepoint fashion accessories. The Koi Collection bag is pictured above, other piece ins this collection include a belt, mule, clutch band, and cuff. The other collections include similar items. This a such a cool way to get a coordinated look.

Robbyn’s Nest Designs has a neat series of ornament-size Mandalas in lot of colors. These geometric pieces would make great needlepoint. The Artist’s Collection has new witches from Mile High Princess and HeartStrings as well as new trees from SHEAR Creations.

Patti Mann has an adorable baby sampler. It takes the iconic “Hello My Name Is . . .” name tag, put it in pink or blue and adds the baby’s information. Too Cute! The Eilizabeth Turner Collection has banners available for any university.

As always, Melissa Shirley Designs has tons of new stuff. Highlights include simply luscious single flowers done as purses or as pillows. There are also a set of the lovely geishas, in a traditional Japanese woodblock style in several versions. Two new sets of pears, this time in gold or pink, and brightly colored candy canes have been added to those popular series. There are also new stitch guides, more of her realistic birds and bugs, and some wonderful butterfly purses. For Halloween there is a candy corn tree skirt, candy canes, and a great series of ribbon candy. There is just too much here to list.

CBK Needlepoint Collection has a series of kid’s designs that a bright, clean, and are so fun you’ll want to stitch them. What’s the Point? in Ohio has some great needlepoint boxes that come with Fimo flowers to attach to the top.

patchwork needlepoint canvas from JP Needlepoint

JP Needlepoint has lots of new designs, including a series of affordable, yet elegant, canvases. Some of their things I liked best included a line of 4″ round state flags (I just adore Arizona), lots of whinsical figures, and these wonderful “patchwork” patterns, available in several different colors.

Custom House now has a chartpack of Karen Hauck’s King of Beasts available. The Caron Collection has a painted canvas version of their lovely charted Starry, Starry Night available, along with several other quilt-inspired pieces.

Frosty needlepoint canvas from Associated Talents

Associated Talents has lots of new stuff, including new bracelets, lots of new ornaments, a charming new set of initials in bright citrusy stripes, I just love these “sayings” pieces. There are five designs in all, available in two sizes. The small is on 18 mesh and the large on 13. The design is exactly the same, so you can choose the mesh size you prefer.

That’s it for this year’s June TNNA. I hope you found lots of new goodies to stitch, I know I did.

Shading in Needlepoint & Why to Do It

Janet Perry — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:57:48 +0000

unstitched canvas

The multi-colored leaves in this mini kimono from Lee Needle Arts are just perfect to show needle-blending and the wonderful effect it has on needlepoint. On the unstitched canvas pictured here, there are four different colorings of leaves. The orange leaves are solid. The green leaves have an obvious line between the two shades. The orange leaf has a less obvious distinction between the shades, and the remaining leaves blend the two colors. In this one little piece you will see two types of shading in contrast with non-shaded leaves.

The solid orange and two-tone green leaves are stitched with no blending. I picked a textured stitch for the orange leaf and it looks great. But notice the green leaves. by stitching in only two colors, a hard line if created. There is no transition. This can look OK if the two colors are close in value, but it always makes the item look less realistic. Adding something like Whipped Backstitch as a vein, visually divides the space and makes it look better.

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The two-shade orange leaf uses a blended needle of two strands of each shade of orange to create a transition zone. Although there isn’t much room for shading, see how much more realistic this leaf appears.

The three-shade leaves are the most challenging. Not only is there shading between the two oranges, there is shading between the dark orange and green. Often on canvases, such as this one, that need this kind of shading, the shading is painted on canvas.

The green-orange shading uses a blended needle with two strands of each color. The shaded area is always irregular on both sides. There should be no more than three stitches in a row. This keep the eye from seeing a pattern. Bumps, with a stitch or two sticking up, or holes, with a stitch or two missing can both be used to make the edge irregular. The line should not be the same on both sides. This is important because it keeps the eye from seeing this as a definite area, so your brain uses it visually to blend the two colors.

This canvas is small and so are the areas to blend. But the size of the blending should always match the size of the adjacent solid areas. Larger areas will need to have larger blended areas

Shading is a great tool to have in your needlepoint bag of tricks. It allows you to make subtle and realistic transitions. With it you can create colors not found in threads. You can also use it to create subtle effects on canvas. As you can see, it’s simple to do and makes your needlepoint look so good.

Kimono Stands

Janet Perry — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:26:43 +0000

Full size kimono, which feature elaborate needlework and fabrics, are often displayed on wooden stands that allow the back of the kimono to be displayed. The back is where the design is most clearly seen. As you can see by the picture above, these stands also display the arms spread as well. This allows the viewer to see and enjoy the full effect of the pattern.

Lee Needle Arts popular kimonos (now owned by Colonial Needle) are also seen in this way, from the back and with arms outstretched. Display stands for the kimonos in four sizes to match the kimono sizes, were also available.

Last week I wrote about a company, RNE, who makes black kimono stands. I just found out that Nimble Needle, a shop in New Jersey owned by my friend Karen, also has kimono stands. They are in natural wood and ready to paint in colors to match your needlepoint.

I’m so glad there are these options for display.