I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
March 15, 2014
Ahhhh… one of you out there who participated in last week’s Chatelaine Scissors give-away will soon be in possession of this gorgeous little accessory from Golden Hinde and Simply Scissors!
March 14, 2014
The larger the leaf, the longer it takes to embroider it. I know that’s just common sense, and I know I should know that.
But when I started the long & short stitch shading on the large leaves at the base of the Secret Garden design, it seemed to take So Much Longer than I had anticipated. And that’s because long & short stitch on a large leaf is not the same as fishbone stitch on a small leaf.
I’m just loaded with all kinds of common sense today, am I not?
In reality, though, the large leaves didn’t take all that long – it’s just a matter of plugging away at them.
So, today, let’s go through the large leaves together, and allay all our fears of long & short stitch shading on these leaves, or anything similar on your own projects.
March 13, 2014
Are you familiar with the Embroiderers’ Guild of America?
If you’re not, and you’ve embroiled yourself in what you believe will be a life-long love affair with hand embroidery, you should get acquainted with the EGA. It’s an organization that spans the continent of the US, and if you live near a major city (and even some minor-major cities), chances are, there’s a chapter close by.
Even if there’s not a chapter close by, you can always be what I am, a Member at Large – I’m not attached to nor do I participate in any particular chapter, but as a Member at Large, I can enjoy the benefits of being a member of the EGA.
One benefit is receiving the magazine NeedleArts. True, it’s not the greatest benefit, but I like this magazine more and more. And the current issue is a whopper!
March 12, 2014
To all who offered sound advice on my stitching dilemma mentioned yesterday, many thanks!
I spent yesterday afternoon and early evening fiddling, and this is what I did. Not 100% sure of part of it, but let’s chat it up, anyway! And then I’ll show you what’s next in this grand adventure.
March 11, 2014
Well, I’ve experienced the first I-Must-Pick-This-Out Moment on the Secret Garden embroidery project.
I’m pretty sure there will be other similar moments, so I’m not fretting over it. There’s no point in fretting over unstitching, because it is bound to happen now and then. If you look at it as part of the process, it’s not as detrimental to your overall stitching morale!
March 10, 2014
After showing you these chatelaine scissors from Simply Scissors last week, I figured this morning would be the Perfect Monday Morning for a give-away.
If, like me, you’re trying to recoup from the Dreadful Time Change this weekend, you need a pick-me-up, anyway!
March 7, 2014
I’m having So Much Fun embroidering the leaves on the Secret Garden project!!
The small and medium-small leaves work up really quickly if you’re using fishbone stitch and fly stitch, which we talked about the other day.
And with hopes of spring springing eternal, the green is a mood lifter right now, too. Winter’s loosening up its hold here in Kansas – the sun is shining, the temperature is creeping upwards, almost all the snow is gone, the birds are singing cheerily of a morning. And stitching green leaves makes me ever-hopeful that spring is just around the corner.
Today, we’ll look at a full shot of all the vines finished and a good amount of the small leaves finished, and we’ll discuss some more tips for working the small and medium sized leaves on the project.
