Nuts about Needlepoint » cyberclasses

Threads & Shading Class Starts February 15

Janet Perry — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:11:34 +0000

Isn’t this Amaryllis by Piet Mondrian striking?

It’s so simple, so modern, but in such bright colors.

And it’s the canvas for my next class for Art Needlepoint, starting February 15, 2012. Suitable for beginners, it has a taste of many different techniques including:

padding
textured stitches
outlining
pattern darning
shadow stitching

YOu’ll learn these techniques and more and use three different types of thread with your purchase of the complete kit. My classes for Art Needlepoint are free with the purchase of the kit.

Best of all, those purchasing the kit for purposes of this class get a special discount.

Learning one or two techniques in a class is unusual, and here you’ll learn several in an email class so you can stitch in your comfy chair, in your PJs, and at your own pace.

Remember the class starts February 15, 2012, so order your kit today.

Change in Education Needed

Janet Perry — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:14:00 +0000

Originally posted 2010-05-13 07:54:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Needlepoint stitched by Janet Perry

One thing has stayed consistent in to 40 years I’ve been doing needlepoint. And it’s not the canvas. It’s that needlepoint education sucks.

Originally I thought that I was the problem. My mom’s an artist and a tinkerer, and so we always figured out how to do it ourselves. So I took that into needlepoint and bought books and played. I didn’t take a class until I’d been stitching for a decade or more.

But I was always dissatisfied, both with the books and, mostly, with the classes I took. The books never seemed to tell me what I wanted to know and the classes, while the projects might be lovely rarely taught me the techniques I wanted at the price I could afford.

Even with the Internet this hasn’t changed much. If we want needlepoint to grow, be popular, and change the world, we need to embrace the Internet and change what we do and teach. I’ve come up with some guiding principles for needlepoint education.

First, needlepoint education needs to be targeted. It needs to teach you something specific you can go out and use on another project. A project-based class is fine for a treat, but if you learn many things you can use, that’s even better.

Second, needlepoint education needs to be achievable. The most exciting project in the world isn’t worth it if it doesn’t get done. The project should be small enough that I can both learn and see my progress. If I can use it, that’s even better.

Third, needlepoint education needs to be affordable. The materials shouldn’t cost the moon, the canvas should be inexpensive. I know that point differs for everyone, but what is your point? I rarely take classes that are more than $30, unless I adore the piece. And my DH keeps me from going to expensive classes. But what are you willing to pay? If the class fee is $30, how much is too much for materials?

Fourth, needlepoint education needs to explain things. When we aren’t face to face, the teacher has to be willing to explain things different ways. That can be hard to do, but if the student can do it, with the extra explanation, that’s worth it.

Finally, needlepoint education needs to be fun. The project should look like something fun to stitch, you should be able to pick things you like and go for it.

I’m struggling with defining what I see and what seems to be lacking. I’m trying to design a class right now and can’t find the proper balance. So I’d like to know what you think. What do you want? How much are you willing to pay? How do you want it delivered? What’s been good and bad in the classes you’ve taken? Let me know, no names please, and have at it. If you want to express your opinion privately, send me an email.

Introduce a Friend to Needlepoint

Janet Perry — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:14:36 +0000

Originally posted 2010-04-29 07:39:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

stitch sampler project

Needlepoint is one of those things that many people don’t know they would like. They think it requires too much patience, isn’t creative, or is something only stuffy old ladies do.

But we know better.

Needlepoint is exciting, creative, and relaxing. Instead of forcing you to be patient, it puts you into a wonderful relaxing zen state, giving you a mini-vacation. The canvas and the thread are a way for even people who have little artistic talent to be creative (I know, I’m their poster child). And needlepointers, being creative people aren’t either stuffy or old (no matter how old they are).

My free beginning email course for needlepoint is a wonderful way to introduce a friend or family member. It goes over all the basics, including types of needlepoint, tools, threads, and stitches. It has two projects and even will help you pick your first painted canvas.

Hundreds of people have taken this class and have learned needlepoint. It’s easy to sign up here.

Do You Know Someone Who Wants to Learn Needlepoint?

Janet Perry — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:58:02 +0000

Often people think needlepoint is hard to do, not very creative, and very boring. We know the truth — it’s easy, endlessly creative, and a great stress reliever.

Do you know someone who wants to learn needlepoint? Maybe it’s someone in your family. Maybe it’s a co-worker who looks at your work and wishes she could do it herself.

I can help. I have a free beginning needlepoint course that is sent through email. Called “Right from the Beginning,” it teaches you about the different types of needlepoint, ten stitches, the tools, and everything you need to get started.

Over 1500 people have taken the course so far. Just sign up on the linked page to get started.

And if you are a beginner, several of the classes I have comping up are ones that will expand your knowledge of stitches and threads. Just contact me (using the link in the masthead) for more information.

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.

Want to Learn how to Stitch Faces?

Janet Perry — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:41:32 +0000

I think stitching skin and faces is probably the most challenging thing a stitcher can do. And, like many stitchers, I used to be afraid of it.

But I’ve learned how to do it and create realistic and beautifully shaded faces.

Now I’d like to share this process with you in my upcoming “Shading the Face” cyberclass I’m doing with Art Needlepoint.

In this three-lesson class using the canvas pictured here, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the complex shading of a face work in needlepoint.

Best of all, the class is free with the purchase of the kitted canvas.

Make Needlepoint Beads with Orna in her New Cyberclass

Janet Perry — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:54:44 +0000

Dolci is the name of Orna’s new cyberclass. Dolci also means “sweet” in Italian. As you can see from the picture, the needlepoint beads you make in this 10 week class are as sweet as their name.

Here’s what Orna has to say about it:

Join us for Dolci: a foray into the tiny, the delicate, the delectable! This 10 week class will guide you through the all of the steps needed to create these beautiful bead designs by Orna Willis. Learn how to stitch and assemble the first 8 beads in the new series from Adorn. Beginning with the needle, Orna will walk you through complicated combination stitches on congress cloth and show you tricks and tips for getting your technique perfect. Following the stitching segment she will continue with myriad ways to finish your beads, including wire wrapping techniques, how to use jewelry findings, and ideas on how to use your beads. At the end of class a PDF will be available for purchase with complete step-by-step instructions to create earrings or a necklace out of these tiny charmers.

There are four options for participation:

class only
class + metal kit (jewelry supplies, no thread)
class + thread kit (threads, no jewelry supplies
class + thread + metals (everything)

Registration for the class closes November 15, 2011.

Does Shading with Needleblending Confuse You? Learn with my Upcoming Class!

Janet Perry — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:08:18 +0000

For a very long time, I found shading using stranded threads and needleblending really confusing. I did it once. The result looked good but I thought of it as a desparation move when I couldn’t find the right shade of thread.

I didn’t use it again for years. But then I worked really hard to explore and conquer shading and discovered a few things:

it isn’t as hard as you think it is
the results are glorious needlepoint
it’s tons of fun

Beginning October 15, I’ll have an encore presentation of my Basic Shading Course, held through Art Needlepoint. The class uses this delightful Art Nouveau Iris and is stitched entirely in Needlepoint, Inc. silk.

Even if you are a very new stitcher you can learn shading and take this class. My innovative techniques makes what seems hard easy.

Best of all, like all my Art Needlepoint classes, the class (sent via email) is completely free when you buy the kit. So hurry on over and get started.

Christmas Ornaments Class

Janet Perry — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:16:14 +0000

As you probably know, I love Christmas ornaments and among my favorites are vintage ones made from wood.

Doreen at Art Needlepoint scored some lovely ones last year and has reproduced them on needlepoint canvas. One of the three that feature children, Angel of Love, is pictured here.

These three ornaments are the focus of my upcoming free class with Art Needlepoint, beginning Oct 1. These charming designs really come to life with stitches and threads.

I just love the result.

In the class, not only will you make these three great ornaments, you’ll also learn wonderful stitches and techniques you can apply to other canvases, including:

Three ways to stitch hair
How to Make “knitted” items look realistic
Textured options to Tent Stitch to make even small areas distinctive
How to Make an ornament easy to finish

The class is complementary with the purchase of the class kit. To sign up, visit the kit page at Art Needlepoint.

Learn How to Shade with ANY Thread

Janet Perry — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:36:31 +0000

Most people think the only way to create shaded needlepoint is to use stranded threads and a technique called needleblending.

But this just isn’t true.

You can create beautifully shaded needlepoint with any thread, using this innovative technique of single strand shading.

Ombre, the fiber art piece pictured above has tons of subtle shading between the colors. This piece, on a 14 mesh canvas from Art Needlepoint is the focus of my free class beginning Sept 1.

The piece is stitched using Anchor Tapestry wool. All you need to do to join the class is buy the kit.

Please note: If you are looking for the final Japanese pattern post, it is going to be delayed. Bingley, one of the kittens, fell off a dresser during the night on Sunday, landed wrong and broke his hip. Monday evening and yesterday we’ve been dealing with that, so I’m kind of behind. He’s going to require surgery and is current;y in a puppy crate (so he won’t try to climb) in my studio.