Nuts about Needlepoint » projects

Downloadable Needlepoint Book – Needlepoint A Foundation Course

Janet Perry — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:22:56 +0000

Originally posted 2010-02-04 07:28:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

This book, Needlepoint A Foundation Course, is by Sandra Hardy and was originally published by England’s Guild of Master Craftsman in 1998. The complete book is now available as a download in Hotfiles or Depositfiles format (click on the link to go to the page).

This book is a good overview of needlepoint, with simple, clear explanations of basic stitches and techniques. While not all of her information is correct, there is lots of good stuff in this book. Some of the techniques, like shading, beadwork, and waste canvas are more advanced. Each technique has clear pictures illustrating it and a project to follow.

In general the 18 projects are traditional in design, calling on traditional and folks art for their inspiration. All of the projects have complete materials lists and working instructions. All are charted. This is my biggest problem with the book. The charts are in black and white with symbols and can be very hard to read. if possible, enlarge them before stitching.

For the more adventurous stitcher there is information about dying your own yarn and canvas as well as a chapter on design. The design chapter covers design, color, borders and the technical aspects of getting your design onto canvas.

Raining Violets

Janet Perry — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:40:55 +0000

Originally posted 2006-07-08 08:49:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The violets scissors case from Whimsey & grace (http://www.whimsyandgrace.com/scissorcases.htm) is almost finished, only three patches left to go. I’m hoping to finish today sometime, if my cold doesn’t keep me from working.

I really like the combination of threads and stitches, there is lots of texture but none of the stitches are too hard. The two different sizes of gingham (on the right) are really fun. The smaller one just uses Tent Stitches in three colors (white, lavender and violet). The larger one uses Scotch Stitches in the same colors.

The fun thing about gingham is that the fabric comes in different sizes, so any stitch which is a box could be used to make gingham. I would call these tiny and medium. And remember that if you have three values of a color, or two plus white, you can make a gingham. It also can make a great, unusual background.

Four Needlepoint Gift Tags – Free Pattern

Janet Perry — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:51:07 +0000

Get these free gift tag patterns at My 365 magazine's site.

These four almost Twinchie (34 stitches square) quilt blocks are really quick to stitch and can be finished quickly to make simple ornaments or gift tags.

They are stitched in colors to compliment the overdyed canvas colors, but any scrap of mono canvas will do.

I just love the bright bold look.

The patterns for the quartet are free and can be found in My 365‘s holiday issue, out today. The beautiful magazine is on-line and free.

As a part of the issue, I’m participating in a giveaway of my books. Visit the site to learn how to enter.

BTW to turn any of these into a true Twinchie, just add a one row “binding” in Continental as a border.

UPDATE: I was told the issue was posting today (it isn’t up as of about 9:30 Pacific), but I would check back daily until it’s up. As of late Friday evening (12/2), the holiday issue is up.

Needlepoint Quilt Block Gift Tags – New Free Pattern

Janet Perry — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:33:11 +0000

Get these free gift tag patterns at My 365 magazine's site.

These four almost Twinchie (34 stitches square) quilt blocks are really quick to stitch and can be finished quickly to make simple ornaments or gift tags.

They are stitched in colors to compliment the overdyed canvas colors, but any scrap of mono canvas will do.

I just love the bright bold look.

The patterns for the quartet are free and can be found in My 365‘s holiday issue, out today. The beautiful magazine is on-line and free.

As a part of the issue, I’m participating in a giveaway of my books. Visit the site to learn how to enter.

BTW to turn any of these into a true Twinchie, just add a one row “binding” in Continental as a border.

Finishing the UFO’s

Janet Perry — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:26:24 +0000

Originally posted 2008-01-01 08:58:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

My ANG chapter, Wine Country ANG, has a President’s Challenge every year. Our chapter President challenges us to do a particular task and complete it before the end of the year.

For 2008, our challenge is to finish at least three projects which were begun before January 1. This is a wonderful task and a great New Year’s Resolution for all of us stitchers. If you’re like me, the problem is what to choose.

So I decided to write down many of the things in progress around the house. This is a mixture of projects which will be stitch guides (poinsettia wreath), projects for books (bargello checkbook), original projects (ginko leaves), and projects for me (Amish star pillow).

Here’s my list:

Shepherd with Geese – Needledeeva
King’s Elephnt – Needledeeva
Patchwork mini-sock – holiday colors – original design
Patchwork mini-sock – teal & pink – original design
Poinsettia Wreath – Happy Heart Designs
Bargello Checkbook Cover – original project
Ginko Leaves – original projects
February Hearts – 2006 Needlepoint Calendar project
Flanders Field – original project
Musical mini-sock – The Studio
Amish Star patchwork pillow – Susan Roberts
Double Wedding Ring pillow – Susan Roberts
Needlepoint Ball Ornament – unknown
Back East mini-sock – In Good Company
Halloween CRZY PL8 – Sandy Grossman-Morris
Bargello Tile Mini-sock – original project
Botswana Angel – Painted Pony

In addition, while I was up in my studio before Christmas, I found some stitched mini-socks which had fabric lining and backing cut out, but which hadn’t been sewn. So I am also going to challenge myself to actually finish and get out into the world at least five needlepoint items in mt stash. If I manage to do that, not only will I be able to feed the mini-sock madness which overcomes my house at Christmas, but I will also have some lovely Christmas gifts ready for next year.

You’ll be able to follow my progress (I’ll post pictures as I finish) by clicking on the topic “President’s Challenge”

DIY Needlepoint – Adler-inspired Bargello

Janet Perry — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:01:20 +0000

When I saw these charming Jonathon-Adler needlepointed flask in the December Allure, I know I had to use it as the basis of Bargello. Not only do I love the colors and it’s masculine feel, but I can’t afford the $98 price tag.

So bargello it is, and I’ve put the pattern below (click picture for full-size chart).

On to the colors. Depending on how you’ll be finishing it, go for a single type of thread in these colors: grey, brown, navy, light blue, white, aqua, olive, and yellow. If you like the rose one better, get rid of grey, aqua, and olive, and add taupe, light pink, pink, hot pink, and red. Follow the sequence of colors in the original.

I’m planning mine from wool and putting it into my new Lee’s tote. And, of course, I’m using the pink version using threads from my stash including High Cotton, Vineyard Merino, and three kinds of Ty-Di threads. All of these should wear well. I’m stitching it up right now and it will go into my Lee Needle Arts tote that has a removable area for needlepoint.

If you are looking for more Bargello (and Bargello-ish) inspiration, check out this post on Style Beat (the flask picture came from there).

Make your own Stitchy Cell Phone Case

Janet Perry — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:29:40 +0000

Wee Little Stitches shows you how to make your own stitched cell phone case

Did you like the cool stitchable iPhone case, but are without an iPhone?

WeeLittleStitches has this amazing and very easy illustrated tutorial for making your own stitched cell phone case.

I just love it, but for people like me who are challenged by small pieces of fabric and canvas, I would mark the outline of the template lightly on the canvas (use either interlock, perforated paper, or some kind of evenweave fabric). Even better would be to use a large mesh silk gauze (Kreinik has 18 and 20 mesh silk gauze) because it is an interlock weave and very, very thin.

Once the design is stitched you can the cut it out.

You don’t want to use mono canvas because it is a bit thick for this and your phone might not fit nicely into the case.

More Stash-busting projects with Cones

Janet Perry — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:00:32 +0000

Remember those great yarn cone angels I blogged about recently?

Pam has come back with even more creative uses from yarn (i.e. our stashes) and cones. While she uses cardboard yarn cones from Yarnia, you can also use the more widely available styrofoam cones from your local craft shop.

In her post you’ll see step-by-step how to make the snowman and Santa pictured above.

But I really like the trees. I can easily imagine making several in different sizes in different colors of green and then decorating them with goodies you pick up at thrift shops and garage sales.

This would be easy enough to do that you could get your kids inolved.

Superbowl Stitching

Janet Perry — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:09:34 +0000

Originally posted 2007-02-04 07:26:45. Republished by Blog Post PromoterI suppose you could say I’m clearly a child of the 70′s. I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA when the Steelers were great. As a result, I love football. I got married in 1980 in the SF Bay Area and so I got to watch a second great football dynasty (the 49er’s) in the 80′s. These days I don’t follow football all that much, but I do look forward to the SuperBowl and to the opportunity to stitch. It being Sunday, I’m going to start working on these amazing needlepoint pendants from FAS-stitch. They are new and have an elegant, modern brushed aluminum frame. You buy the kit, or the finishing service at your LNS, stitch and send it back. The one I’m doing is based on a Mondrian painting and is 1.5″ square. I’ll post a picture of it tomorrow and there will be a review of the entire process in the next issue of the newsletter. In the mean time, ask at your LNS about it. Related posts: SuperBowl Stitching Finished Superbowl Stitching Sunday Stitching – Project Done Blog Stitching – Making the Initial Decisions Stitching with Raffia Related posts:

Last Day for Early Bird Price on Stash Club

Janet Perry — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:54:17 +0000

Today is the last day to sign up for my stash busting club — the Easiest Needlepoint Club Ever.

The special price of $30 for a whole year of delightful projects designed to help you use your stash of threads ends at midnight Pacific.

The first stash busters project

Each month, beginning tomorrow, you’ll get emailed to you a PDF of a great stash-busting project, usually including finishing instructions, so you can create unique projects such as the two shown here.

Even better, participants will have a chance to order finishing items, threads for backgrounds, and selections of scrap bag threads at special prices.

If you live outside the US, this club is great because all projects are sent to you electronically — no long waits for the mail, no customs hassling, no extra payments for international shipping.

I love using up my stash and I think you will too. Click on the button below to pay with PayPal or a credit card, or contact me (using the link in the masthead above) to arrange for payment via check.

Remember, the price goes up to $45 for the year tomorrow, so don’t delay!