"Napa Valley Mustard"

Size 4" x 6"
Boxtop with bead embellishment edges
See the enlargement.
See a close up detail section

"18 mesh canvas stitched using Madras, assorted green and yellow threads and beads, overdyed floss, Anchor floss, and JL Walsh silk/wool.

This piece demonstrates a number of different ways to use Tent Stitch to acheive different effects. Overdyed flosses stitched in straight rows, clumping and randomly stitching with various threads all combine to make realistic effects which look far more complicated than they are!"

"Autumn Leaves Bell Pull"

Size 6 x 10"
Finished as a bell pull
See the enlargement.

"18 mesh canvas stenciled with metallic permanent markers then stitched with overdyed stranded silk and metallic threads.

This piece is inspired by Japanese leaf designs. Various leaf stencils were used to make the design. They were partially covered with open stitches. The background and edges were stitched using an overdyed silk floss which matched the canvas color."

"Hearts Coin Purse"

Size approximately 3" x 4"
See the enlargement.
You can purchase this red purse to place your own stitched piece into,
at Needle Nook of La Jolla:
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/

"18 mesh canvas Stitched with various fibers.

Using scraps of different red and pink threads, this design is an insert for a coin purse of Italian leather. The design is small with interlocking hearts. It is one of 12 designs in my second book on * Scrap Bag Needlepoint, a technique which uses odds and ends of threads to make wonderful projects."

"Chinese Letter"

Size 5" square

"18 mesh painted canvas by Raymond M. Crawford. Stitched in #5 pearl cotton and Silk & Ivory.

This is one of a series of eight letter canvases which have been done to show different needlepoint stitches. Each quadrant uses a different stitch in two coordinating colors of Silk & Ivory. They are printed in books of four guides each. The first guide uses four different stitch families, while the second guide uses stitch variations."

Janet writes:

"All of the above projects are available as kits, books, or chart packs (depending on the project) at your local shop, published by Napa Needlepoint."

"Another big part of my business is the development of stitch guides for individuals, shops and designers. The following project is typical of the kind of project which has a stitch guide:"

"Provencal Lady"

Size approximately 6" x 12"
See the enlargement
See a close up detail

"14 mesh hand-painted canvas from Cooper Oaks Design. Stitched in Silk & Ivory, floss, Spring II, #3 pearl cotton, Rainbow Linen, stranded silk, wool crepe metallic and metallic.

Creating needlepoint which mimics objects in real life has long been a concern of mine. In this lady (as in the other Provencal Ladies I've stitched), I wanted to create a variety of textures which would look like an old watering can, straw hat etc, making it an intriguingly tactile piece. It's one of my favorites!"

Janet M. Perry - 2005