The Face

Please make sure to follow the diagram for Stirha's face.  This is one of those times when Amy would say, "ignore the painted canvas".  I stitched by color till I realized some things were not coming out right.   So be  sure to use Diagram #8.  With that being said, it is really fun to see her face come to life.

Hi Guys

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days.  I plan to start stitching Stirha's face tonight, and hope to put in a lot of time on it tomorrow.  I can't believe it is closing in on the middle of the month.  I want to say hello to Barbara in Scarsdale NY.  I spoke with her on the phone in the shop today.  Barbara, I wish you lived down here so you could attend my Tuesday "Needlepoint Study Hall" at the shop.  We work on what ever you bring in and need help with.  If ever you are in town, please come visit the shop.

We had two out-of-towners in the shop today, both here for the same convention, yet they didn't know each other.  We had another out-of-towner in at the same time and they bonded like old friends.  We stitchers think alike. They were talking about attending the ANG seminar and/or the Callaway Garden stitching event.  The class schedule for both events are up on the net.  I have attended neither but it sounds like fun.

Off to stitch!

Great Hat

Well I have gotten a little more done on Stirha.  I stitched the brim of her hat and the orange band on the hat with the little gold things. I love the overdyed thread we are using here.  Take your time with the gold attachments.  I did it twice as I wasn't pleased with it the first time.  Make sure to use a chenille needle.  Keep Stitching!

Helen's Lace

Helen's Lace has become my favorite stitch. If you were to ask me why, I would say, "I don't know". It just makes me feel good. I first saw the stitch in "Categories For Needlepoint Stitches" by Julia Key H. Snyder. I was happy to see that Amy has included it in Halloweenies character #1, Stirha Cal-Dron. You can see that it is the lining for her cape. We will reverse the direction on the other side of her cape. That is another good thing about the stitch, you can reverse the slant for a different look.

You can also see my rocks in this picture. I pretty much let the colors fall where they may as I did them. I took Jill's advice and planned out my slants before I started. Although I did change a few as I went along. And refer to the picture that came with the guide to see where it is good to do basketweave. That will be around the cauldron and the bird, and is explained in the guide. These areas will get some interesting layers later.

I hope you are doing well. We would love to hear from you.

Peggy

Rocks and Cape

I have finished the rocks and started on the cape.  I love the stitch used on the cape, but it is hard to see using black thread on black canvas.  I know that Kathy and Melinda have completed that section.  Any tips Kathy or Melinda?  I put a white paper in my lap to help see the canvas better.  Some people put a light on the floor to help.  I am going to try going outside and using that wonderful natural light to go back and put in the Kreinik.

Golden Lights

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I have really enjoyed stitching my Floating Cat. My bountiful Stash has been helpful right from the start.

The first thing I tackled was the Cityscape. Different shiny yellows & golds were selected to convey the windows' perspective to the viewer. Crystal Braid, Neon Rays, Hi-Lights and RibbonFloss were used. Why so many different threads you might ask?

Remember Jane/Chilly Hollow's blog entry, Candy Cane Dog Stocking: Emphasizing What's Important and her quote from Melissa Shirley?

• "Threads that come forward are shiny, lighter and warmer colors, and heavier in weight. Threads that recede are matte, cooler colors and thinner in weight."

I used the thinner Hi-Lights for a distant building; I used Neon Rays for a forward building. I also stitched in the (\) direction with the duller RibbonFloss for the building on the far right. Thanks, Jane & Melissa.

Then I looked at my Gray Ring o' Stash and found some wonderful Impressions for the Building Outlines and Antenna. The Red Light shining beacon was Neon Rays. The final result was just what I hoped for: a Cityscape all lit up.

I found a great Thread & Stitch for the Background... I'll share those with you next time.

Cats like Robin's

I didn't have time to stitch yesterday.  I will work on the rocks tonight.  I just love Robin's floating cat.  It reminds me of two canvases in the shop by Shelly Tribbey.  I had to share them with you.  There is a white one. It reminds me of a white cat in our neighborhood named Cotton.  And of course with two black cats at home, how could I not like the black one.  They would make great ornaments wouldn't they?

They are not on our website, but you can call or email the store if you would like to add them to your collection!  I will update you tomorrow on my progress on the rocks behind Stirha.  And I hope to get started on the cape and hat.  Keep Stitching!