Leaf Collage Update

Since my last posting on May 8, 2010, I attended a workshop (almost) completely unrelated to needlework............a Zentangle(R) Teacher Certification seminar and I am now a CZT or Certified Zentangle Teacher.  I added the "almost" above, because I do see many similarities between the patterns (tangles) created in both a Zentangle and a needlework design.  Here is the link to my new blog reserved for Zentangles.......Terry's Tangles.   So,  it's possible in the future you might see a needlework design which incorporates tangles.

But since returning home on two weeks ago I've been continuing to work on Leaf Collage and have made progress on the upper right quadrant. (The above is only a partial scan, being sure to include all the new stitching).

Granted, I have an overall color sketch for this design, but finding the right threads to achieve the effect in threads, as opposed to paint or colored pencil, is the challenge.  I will continue to work around the bottom right quadrant next week, after I return from teaching Safari this weekend in Dallas.  

Wishing everyone a great week!

Buttonhole Stitch

Thanks for visiting!  I know it has been awhile.....again.  I have been posting infrequently at best.  During the last three weeks I've finished the Olivia Ostrich instruction book (shown in my most recent post).  Now I am in the middle of the Funky Rose instructions which will be a pilot class in March.  One of the features of this design is a large buttonhole stitch rose stitched with River Silks 7mm ribbon. 

In the process of writing the instructions I have been creating stitch diagrams and graphs and have been reviewing all that I have previously created using buttonhole stitches.  And there it was.......my very first "In Stitches" column in the May 2007 issue of Needle Pointers magazine. The sample I stitched for it has lots of examples of various used for buttonhole so I thought it might be fun to show them again here.   And here are the basic stitch diagrams for reference.  I hope you get some ideas you're able to use in your projects.  Buttonhole stitches add lots of texture as you can see. 

Have a great week!

Olivia Ostrich

Time really flies by between Thanksgiving and Christmas....or at least it does for me.  About halfway between I always if everything will get done, but it always does.  Our family Christmas was very nice and I hope yours was the same! 

During the last few weeks I have been designing and stitching the column I write for the May 2010 through March 2011 issues of the ANG Needle Pointers Magazine.  I'm happy to say all six of them are just about  completed.  I continued the theme I started last year as stitchers have told me they enjoy seeing the "tile patterns".  So I hope you'll look for them. 

Now on to the next project.  Before I get started stitching on another proposal, I must write the instruction book for Olivia Ostrich.  I designed and stitched this piece back in 2001 but set it aside.  But a few months ago the members were told to bring something we had stitched some time ago.  I thought this would be a good project to bring as my designs have changed somewhat since that time.   Several of the guild members liked it, Olivia is kind of silly and fun, and now we are having it as a one-day workshop in early February.  There's that "time" thing again....so much to do, so little time. 

The project was originally stitched on 24 count Congress, but it should translate easily to 18 count, so I'm offering it in both sizes.   The stitching was done with limited threads:  stranded silk, Kreinik #4 braid, metallic cord, and Arctic Rays and the finished size, including the border is 3-3/4" X 9" on 24 count. Depending on the response, Olivia might be available as a future kit.

I will be back sooner next time, and hopefully with some progress photos of the next new design. 

Happy New Years to everyone!