Florentine Fancy – Testing Colours

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Heather

I’ve been trying to get a little more adventurous with my stitching lately. Earlier this month I finished up my first goldwork piece, and then there was the canvaswork class piece I finally finished (nearly 4 years after starting it…). Now I’m working on a correspondence classes offered through the Embroiderers’ Association of Canada (EAC). The design is by Carolyn Mitchell and is called Florentine Fancy.

Florentine Fancy, designed by Carolyn Mitchell (WIP)

Florentine Fancy, designed by Carolyn Mitchell (WIP)

The design is taught over six lessons, and is meant to be finished within six months. The first lesson is about about the Florentine stitch, which is also known as bargello. It sounds fancy, but it essentially just satin stitch over 4 threads, with some offset between different bunches of stitches. The major thing to be aware of is counting. If you don’t count right everything will be off. I know this very well because I messed up right at the beginning. :/ But, I’m totally back on track now.

I’m a bit nervous about my colour choices since there wasn’t much direction beyond “pick five graduating colours from two different colour families.” Yikes! I think I made okay choices though. So far I like how it looks, and the rest of the design flows very similarly to what I’ve stitched so far. It is so big though, and I’m worried about getting it done on time.

Florentine Fancy - close-up

Florentine Fancy – close-up

My biggest issue right now is thread. I’ve run out of one colour and I’m about to run out of another. 🙁 So, stitching is on hold until I can get to my LNS and stock up. Part of the issue is that instead of using one strand of #5 perle cotton, I decided I liked the look of two strands much better. So, I’ve gone through twice as much thread as I expected.

So, this lovely design is on hold for now. Please do let me know what you think of the pink and grey together. I can still change out the grey if it isn’t working. 😉

Happy stitching!

19 Comments | Posted in Bargello, Canvaswork | Tagged , , , ,

Smalls SAL – February 2016 Check-In

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Heather

Hello, Smalls Stitchers! It is time for this month’s Smalls SAL check-in!

SmallsSAL2016

Are you wondering what the Smalls SAL is all about? Head over here for all the details. (I hope you decide to join us!)

Byzantium Ornament 4, designed by Teresa Wentzler

Byzantium Ornament 4, designed by Teresa Wentzler

This month I stitched another of Teresa Wentzler’s Byzantium Ornaments (also known as Christmas Ornaments or Stain Glass Ornaments). This one is ornament number 4. I only picked it so I wouldn’t have to refold the chart. 😉 Like last month, it is very rich looking, covered in beads and pretty specialty stitches. So far, this one is my favourite.

What did you stitch this month? I am so excited to see everything! Please leave a link to your post (not the front page of your blog) in the form below. Be sure to select a picture of your finished piece. Remember: for every month that you finish a piece and check-in you get one entry into the end of the year draw. Yay! The list will stay open to new entries until about midnight Eastern time on March 3rd.

While you are here, why not take some time to visit some of the other participants. We all  love to have visitors. 😉

Next Month: The next check-in will take place on Thursday, March 31st. Hopefully that will give you lots of time to stitch up a pretty little small. (I know that February had a short timeline. It is a crazy little month, isn’t it?)

Happy stitching!

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22 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

WIP Wednesday – Bows and Garlands

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Heather

Hello, stitchy friends! It is Wednesday again, and time for more work-in-progress (WIP) sharing. While I did manage to meet my goal this week, I wasn’t as productive as I would have liked.

All Hearts Come Home Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

All Hearts Come Home Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

The bows and garland above the door are now complete (minus backstitching of course). I love how festive they look. I think this may end up being my favourite of all the stockings I’ve stitched so far.

Next week’s goal: complete the stitching above the door, with the exception of the name. (I still need to check in with my dad to see if I should use his full name or the nickname he goes by.)

SmallsSAL2016

Smalls SAL: Tomorrow is the day! Be sure to check back here bright and early (Eastern time) tomorrow morning for the check-in post. I’ll be scheduling it to post automatically since we have been warned that there may be power outages tonight and through tomorrow thanks to snow that become ice that became rain that will become freezing rain that will become snow again. It is a soggy slushy mess outside, and it will all become ice sometime tonight. 🙁  What a good excuse to stay inside and stitch! 😉

8 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Book Review – Crochet Stories: Grimms’ Fairy Tales

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Heather

I am really enjoying the Crochet Stories series from Dover. The latest volume is called Crochet Stories: Grimms’ Fairy Tales by Vanessa Putt. Just like the previous volume, Crochet Stories: E. T. A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker, this book intersperses stories with related crochet patterns. Only this time, the focus is on five classic fairy tales. (You can read my review of The Nutcracker here.)

Crochet Stories: Grimm's Fairy Tales, by Vanessa Putt

Crochet Stories: Grimm’s Fairy Tales, by Vanessa Putt

The style of the toys and other crochet items in this book is significantly different from the previous volume, and this is because Dover has had a complete different designer take over the reins. (The forthcoming third volume, this time about Alice in Wonderland, will feature yet another designer.) I love the little simplified dolls that Vanessa Putt has created. Their bodies are chunky and their faces are very simple. But they are oh so effective. Rapunzel and her long hair, the giant and his bushy beard, Gretel and her braids. Everything is there and just right.

The Witch from Hansel and Gretel, designed by Vanessa Putt

The Witch from Hansel and Gretel, designed by Vanessa Putt

Each story has at least two accompanying dolls, and most have at least one accessory. For example, you can crochet a beanstalk for Jack, a tower for Rapunzel, and a fabulous gingerbread cottage for Hansel and Gretel’s witch.

Again, keeping in line with the previous volume, the instructions are very clear and well written. I had absolutely no trouble crocheting the witch. The book suggests a variety of yarns for the projects, ranging from Vanna’s Choice to Paton’s Classic Wool. A few projects need some slightly fancier yarns, like the eyelash yarn used for the hedgehogs in The Hare and the Hedgehogs, but even they can be easily found online if worse comes to worse. I chose to use Bernat Satin, my go-to yarn for toys.

There is no specific techniques section in this book, but it isn’t really required as the patterns are fairly straightforward. There is a small section on finishing, including some tips on faces and weaving in ends.

As for the stories themselves, they are fairly standard retellings. All the details are there, and they would make great bedtime reading for a child. Especially if you had made the dolls that go along with the story. 😉

Like last time, I highly recommend this book. The patterns are great, the stories are classics, and the price is pretty darn good. Because the dolls are small (approx. 3 1/2″ for the children, up to about 9″ for the giant), you could quickly whip up a whole little colony of fairy tale people for your favourite little person.

 

8 Comments | Posted in Book Reviews, Crochet, Reviews | Tagged , , ,

Instragram Week In Review

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Heather

Hello, Stitchy Friends! I’m sure you know by now that I’ve finally started to make use of my Instagram account. Generally speaking, I post a couple of pictures every day, giving you a peek at all the projects I’m working on. What I share here on my blog is only a very small slice of what I get up to.

Instagram Review - Feb 14-20

These pictures are just a few of what I shared this week. Let’s see: there is my Smalls SAL project; my trusty serger with some mending; magazine shopping; more canvaswork; knitting that has been ripped out; and a bunch more.

Are you on Instagram? I’d love to follow you if you are. Comment below with your username so I can find you.

8 Comments | Posted in Canvaswork, Cross Stitch, My Life | Tagged

Creative Persuasion

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Heather

Thank you so very, very much for all the kind words about my Punto Antico finish the other day. Both pieces are just lovely, and I definitely need to get a nicer pair of scissor to go with the fob. (I am not a scissor collector like some of you are. I’ve only got a couple of pairs, and I have a hard time justifying buying more. Although, there are some very pretty pairs I’d love to have…)

Anyway, I’ve finished another lovely piece.

Creative Persuasion, designed by Carolyn Mitchell

Creative Persuasion, designed by Carolyn Mitchell

This is Creative Persuasion, designed by Carolyn Mitchell. No, not the movie actress! The very talented Canadian designer. She taught this piece at the fall 2012 Creativ Festival, and I let it languish until about two weeks ago. How awful of me, given how pretty it is and how quick it ultimately worked up.

Creative Persuasion, designed by Carolyn Mitchell - closeup

Creative Persuasion, designed by Carolyn Mitchell – closeup

Creative Persuasion is canvaswork, which is a type of needlework done on canvas (a heavier fabric than the evenweave or linen that most other forms of needlework on done on). Canvaswork often makes use of many different counted embroidery stitches and all kinds of beautiful and interesting fibres. This piece uses Neon Rays, Perle Cotton (#5 and #8), Impressions, ThreadWorx floss, Pebbly Perle, Flair, and some Kreinik braid. A little bit of extra sparkle comes from silver beads and Swarovski crystals. Believe me, it is stunning in person.

This isn’t the first design of Carolyn’s that I’ve stitched. A few years ago I stitched up the Gourmandies Gems ornaments that were published in  A Needle Pulling Thread. I’ve also stitched another little holly ornament that was meant as a learning piece of a larger Christmas design also published in ANPT. (I plan to stitch that design shortly.)

Gourmandise Gems Collection, designed by Carolyn Mitchell

Gourmandise Gems Collection, designed by Carolyn Mitchell

My next canvaswork project is also a Carolyn Mitchell design. It is called Florentine Fancy, and is a class offered through the Embroidery Association of Canada. If you follow me on Instagram (@stitchinglotus), you may have seen the threads I picked out and read about my little mishap. I haven’t picked out the offending stitches yet, but I plan to do so this weekend.

So, tell me, do you do canvaswork? Who is your favourite designer, or what is your favourite piece? I’d love to know.

 

14 Comments | Posted in Canvaswork | Tagged , , ,

Punto Antico Scissor Fob

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Heather

I am so pleased to have finished my third piece using a technique called Punto Antico.

Lilies Scissor Fob, designed by Gingerbread Girl Designs

Lilies Scissor Fob, designed by Gingerbread Girl Designs

This is Lilies Scissor Fob, designed by Kathryn Drummond of Gingerbread Girl Designs. It is a companion piece to Lilies Biscornu, a piece which I stitched as part of a class at the fall 2015 Creativ Festival.

Lilies Punto Antico set, designed by Gingerbread Girl Designs

Lilies Punto Antico set, designed by Gingerbread Girl Designs

Punto Antico is an Italian technique, generally done as a form of whitework with signification sections of cutwork. The technique has been traced back to the 15th century, but it as evolved significantly since then. In fact, it seems to be undergoing a bit of a revival right now, partly lead by Kathryn Drummond here in Canada.

While appearing similar to Hardanger, Punto Antico is significantly different. For example, when cutting away sections for cutwork, instead of kolster blocks, an overcast stitch is used to secure the loose fabric threads.

Cutwork close-up (Precious Jewel, designed by Gingerbread Girl Designs)

Cutwork close-up (Precious Jewel, designed by Gingerbread Girl Designs)

I’m not sure where I am going to go next with Punto Antico. Knowing me and how I love to gather techniques and knowledge like it is all going to disappear tomorrow, I will probably move on to something else and possible revisit Punto Antico many years down the road. In fact, this piece of Casalguidi embroidery is calling my name.

24 Comments | Posted in Punto Antico | Tagged ,