Hello Stitchamazers!
Welcome to Spring 09 Stitchtalk! I’m so excited to share news from my world of Needlepoint!
The last time that we spoke, I was heading to Callaway Gardens School of Needle
Arts. It was my second time to attend Callaway and once again, it was a most positive
experience. I love meeting with friends and teachers and networking with new people
in our needlepoint world.
My course with Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn was an intense fun-filled 8 days.
The first four days were spent doing design exercises where we learned the language
of design. The next four days were spent creating our pieces in preparation for
a class exhibit. The energy was just amazing! Jan and Jean are so much fun and their
humor made our frantic pace a real joy. Jan and Jean have many books and videos
that teach their style of embroidery. You can check them out at
www.doubletrouble-ent.com.
Of course, whatever I created in the class had to end up on Needlepoint Canvas!
Jan and Jean tolerated the marriage of my style with their teaching. Eventually,
they loved what I was creating and we wanted more time together!
Here are pictures of my works-in-progress as they were shown at the class exhibit.
These pieces will be completed as soon as I can return to them.
Magic Carpet
This piece was created on wool felt and embellished with layers of ironed on Gold
foil, chiffon, silks. Then I embroidered various symbols to create mystery and meaning
to my Magic Carpet. I stitched the carpet onto 18 mesh black mono canvas and I’m
surrounding it with a border of laid fillings, created at random. The Magic carpet
size is 11 ½” x 9”.
Celebration Cloth Celebrating Freedom
This Celebration Cloth is celebrating freedom, thus the butterfly at the top. The
piece had me emerging from my cocoon or former restrictions. I learned to use an
Embellisher to join scrap fabrics, chiffon, velour, creating new textures and possibilities.
The piece is 11 ½” x 9 ½ “.
I’m very happy about these two wins. I’m also very happy that the pieces arrived
back in Canada without any Customs problems thanks to the careful attention to shipping
by Mary Beasley of Georgia Chapter.
The most exciting moment was when I won the Grand Door Prize which was a large travel
bag filled with stitching threads, tools, toys!
‘Needlepoint, Alive and on the Edge’, is the title of a DVD that I’m creating! I’ll
tell you more about it in the Summer update and with details of how you will be
able view a video tour of my home Needlepoint Gallery and clearly see details of
my pieces. Meanwhile, I’m very eager to hear your suggestions. Let me know what
you’d love to see and hear in the DVD. I’m moving quickly on this so send your emails
soon. cherrysoleil@rogers.com.
Here’s a picture of my grandson Jake and his football needlepoint canvas. Jake was
8 years old at Christmas vacation when his brother Lucas took this picture. Jake’s
a natural needlepointer. Really! His canvas is on stretcher bars, he knows how to
thread his needle, make knots, do a way-knot and a way-tail, stitch with the two
handed method. I soon discovered that I can’t tell my stitches from his and that
was on lesson 2! His stitches look so much like mine that I can’t tell them apart!
If he keeps this up, he will soon be able to help me complete some of my canvases!
Lorene Salt, our Roving Reporter, has a new list of sites for you to check out!
Needlepoint is ‘happening’. Lorene is a very prolific stitcher and still has time
to surf the net! You can see Lorene’s beautiful needlepoint on her Guest Gallery
page.
It is time once again for another Top 10 list. Time sure flies when you are stitching!
Here are 10 things that I found of interest for this issue
- For those interested in going to the ANG seminar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin August
28 to September 4, 2009, the program information can be found at
www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-09/index.php
- Janet M. Perry has a wonderful blog site. Lots of information and tips to share.
Check it out at www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com
- Rainbow Gallery has come out with some new colours in some of their popular threads.
There are new colours in Silk Lame Braid, Mandarin Floss, Neon Rays Plus, Soft Sheen
Fyre Werks, Petite Treasure Braid and Panache. See the colour cards under the “What’s
New” section at www.rainbowgallery.com.
- Suzy Murphy has a new book out - Suzy’s Mini Stitches. Lots of stitches, tips and
chuckles. Her book is available through Rainbow Gallery at many needlepoint and
stitching shops.
- Mary at Ozark Sampler hand dyes floss. The colours are magnificent. Also available
is a floss club. For more details contact www.ozarksampler.com.
- Orna Willis has a new website. There is lots of eye candy for the stitcher. There
is also a “How to” section as well as a “Gallery” and “Shop” section. Check out
her lovely designs at www.ornadesign.com.
- The Embroiderers’ Guild of America has a treasure trove of educational information
and classes for today’s needleworker. Treat yourself to a membership today - you
will find knowledge to last a lifetime. For more information contact
www.egausa.org.
- The Shining Needle Society is offering two new cyber classes. “Glitzy Accessories”,
a fun and creative set of needlework accessories with Carole H. Lake, and “Stitches
for Effect Notebook Class - Christmas Stitches”, with Beth Robertson and Suzanne
Howren. For more information, check out
www.SNS_Home_Room@yahoogroups.com.
- Ruth Schmuff and Kathy Holicky have two stitch diagram CD’s out - Volume 1 and Volume
2. Each have over 300 stitches all are beautifully charted and well organized. Available
at Ruth’s site, www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com.
- Anyone interested in studying the embroideries of Mary Queen of Scots, should check
out the book “Emblems for A Queen” by Michael Bath. It was published in 2008 and
is a spectacular book. It contains a huge amount of information and the pictures
of the embroideries are truly magnificent. I got my copy from Janice at
www.traditionalstitches.com.
Well these are my “ramblings” for this issue. If you come across a find or have
any questions, please contact me at lorene.salt@sympatico.ca.
Till next time . . . Happy Stitching!
Featured Guest Artist
Our featured Guest artist is Sharon Lee.
Sharon has painted my Flight of Fancy and Wind Dynamics canvases among others
that are still waiting to be stitched. Sharon has also painted the Stitchamaze Yourself
Canvases that are offered here on
site.
The Guest Gallery is an opportunity to exhibit your art and to inspire others. The
expenses are minimal for so much exposure. Stitchamaze pays for the web hosting.
Wired Solutions does the technical setup. All you need to do is to send pictures
and brief text about yourself. I welcome you to join this Gallery. It’s a fun experience.
The best part is that the person who will be inspired most, is yourself! Please
contact Stacey from Wired Solutions at
stacey@wiredsolutions.ca if you would
like to exhibit in the Guest Gallery.
Our needlepoint musings are international.
Anna Maria Salehar of the Netherlands writes about Needlework, Technology
and Modernity. She ponders what we can make as needlepoint gifts! Her thoughts are
fascinating! Let’s hear your suggestions.
Needlework ,Technology and Modernity.
OK, I admit it. I have strayed from needlepoint the past couple of years, seduced
by another technique. But at Christmas time, I caught the siren call of canvas once
more. Over the years a creative friend living in California has sent me needlepointed
yuletide gifts. Two of her beautifully stitched, wry ornaments hang on our tree
annually. This year, when I opened her artfully wrapped box, another gem awaited
me. Nestled in the tissue paper was a drop-dead-gorgeous needle book executed in
aqua Scotch stitch islands surrounded by a sea of a Milanese stitches in complementary
variegate thread. The book was lined with cream ultra suede and edged in cord. I
had forgotten how breathtaking a purposeful, handmade gift in needlepoint could
be. This is something I want to do too.
With Valentine’s Day behind us, I resolved to get on the stick to produce -- in
needlepoint –personal, useful gifts for the family this Christmas. Heaven knows
the adults have enough ties, sweaters, CD’s, bowls, and candlesticks. As for the
kids, well, they are drowning in computer games, dolls, and trucks. I want to make
something personal and special.
But what to make? Years, ago, I needlepointed an eyeglasses case in wool for my
mom. But the younger generation doesn’t wear glasses. They have contacts or have
had their sight restored with laser treatment. Sunglasses, when not doing duty on
a nose, are not kept in one’s pock or purse, but worn like a headband. Try again.
No need for needle cases or scissor cases. No one sews. Take another crack. How
about an agenda cover? Nope, they don’t carry paper versions anymore either. All
their appointments are stored in Blackberries or smart phones. And those just slip
into pockets for fast access. How about a cigarette case? Who smokes anymore? Personal
Pencil/pen/comb case with flap? Who writes in longhand with an expensive fountain
pen or uses a simple comb either, for that matter. Not in our family at least.
As for Christmas tree ornaments, well the locals here follow fashion. This year
the style cops dictated black balls on a white plastic tree. I kid you not! So I
doubt my tree bauble would make it into the front door for use the following year.
OK what’s left? Belts, averred a helpful friend. I have me doubts, at least here
for the younger generation. At Christmas a grandson was hitching down his pants
so his designer underwear would show, to my amazement, all right down right horror.
So what do folks still use? Well their passports, if there is enough money for travel.
Passport cover or a traveling roll-up jewelry case for the professional ladies in
my clan might work. How about a makeup etui? That’s useful, except when flying and
you are obliged to put everything into a plastic bag. I did see that computers are
getting smaller; in fact, Hewlett Packard has introduced a model called “The handbag”,
right about that size too. It has flowers on its metal exterior. Maybe I should
make a PC cover? Might do.
How about a carrying case of MP3 or Gameboys? Or just a small bag for the little
girls to wear around their necks as they go to parties? That could suit. With e-books
gaining market share among the young, soon bookmarkers will be an anachronism. Perhaps
I could get away with that this Christmas yet. Still not much of a gift, when you
think about it. How about a bangle for the girl tweens and teens? That’s a thought!
What’s a grandma to do! Just thinking up a gift is harder than executing it, particularly
for men and boys. Any ideas out there?
You can reach Anna Maria at amsalehar@yahoo.com
Chinese Drama Masks
I’m pleased to tell you that my canvas Chinese Drama Masks is nearing completion.
It’s an amazing canvas painted by Leigh Designs. It’s intricate and intensely powerful!
Can’t wait to have it hanging on my walls, although I don’t know where I’ll place
it.
Tassel Detail Center Mask Lower Mask
Chinese Drama Masks is the topic of my two part article, Joy of the Painted Canvas
for Needlepoint Now Magazine. Part one will appear in the May/June issue. I hope
that you are receiving this amazing publication.
Click here to read
more about my Chinese Drama Masks
Lucas Tallis Bag
This is my third in a series of 5 Tallis bags that are being stitched. My Grandson
Lucas will be Bar Mitzvah in September of this year and his Tallis bag is a work-in-progress.
Lucas chose his canvas from the web site gallery of Sharon Lee. It’s a Chagall window
titled Simeon.
I’m stitching the canvas with a variety of threads, selected by the colors that
feel right: Ver A Soie silk, Kreinik Silk Mori, DMC cotton, Needlepoint Inc. Silk.
The black outlines are Kreinik metallic braid couched with black treasure braid.
The Tallis bag is painted on 18 mesh canvas.
I’ve had requests for details of how I attach fabric to canvas, what’s holding it
on. I frequently hear “How do you do that?” Thanks for your interest and inquiries!
Transitions in Canvas Collage
A canvas collage begins by placing fabric shapes onto the needlepoint canvas in
a pleasing layout. The shapes can be cut at random, or cut along the outlines of
the fabric detail, or cut into specific geometric shapes.
Transitions that flow are created when the needlepoint stitches move in, around,
between, and onto the fabric pieces, joining them in new ways and creating a new
textile. Flow leads the eye to move around the piece with ease.
Transition gives voice to the piece. Create a transition that’s serene or mellow
if that’s what you want to say. It’s also possible to create a transition that will
speak of humor, sadness, surprise or drama.
I like to use contrast to create transition. Contrast can be created by the introduction
of a strong color suggested by the print and then emphasized by using a variety
of fibers and decorative stitches. Fabric prints are oversized or small, have depth
or appear flat. Threads can be matte, shiny, solid or overdyed.
There’s a delicate balance between chaos and art when using so much diversity. It’s
important to stay aware of your color theme, blending, enhancing and also accenting
with the use of strong contrast.
I will refer to some of my own Canvas Collages where you can explore the Transitions:
Jungle Sounds
Click here
to read more about Jungle Sounds
The fabric shapes were cut at random and I placed them on the canvas till I had
a possible design. Using the fabric both on the right and reverse sides and contrasting
brilliant color with muted color created a smooth transition of color flow. Stitching
also created transition. All stitches in this piece are tent stitch, stitched in
wool and cotton. The transitions are created by blending this limited pallet of
threads to match the adjacent fabrics. The fuchsia stitching and the yellow sun’s
rays add color contrast and sparkle, which by contrast, defines the areas of Transition.
Stepping Stones
Click here
to read more about Stepping Stones
Fabric and photo transfer were cut at random in this section of Stepping Stones.
I wanted to create a sense of movement, water in transition from wave to wave. Long,
straight and zigzag stitches are used to create color transitions, emphasize the
waves, and allow transitions to all areas of the piece. I’ve matched my threads
to the muted colors within the fabric print. This could have been monotonous and
“safe” if I hadn’t used the purple contrast long stitches. Of course, this is a
bit of fantasy and artistic license since water isn’t purple. The print allowed
this interesting transition through the use of contrast and surprise.
In My Elements
Click here to
read more about In My Elements
In this section of In My Elements, I have used texture and color to create Transition
between areas of the design. The heavy mass of French Knots is a key element of
Transition in this piece. French Knots are stitched in all of the colors that are
printed in the Photo transfer of the forest, leading from the brightly colored leaves
in the foreground to the dark depths of the background. This transition into depth
perception is created by the contrast of strong color. By surface stitching the
transferred leaves, I have created a transition of color and imagery between the
large leaves to the imagined smaller leaves. All of this invites the viewer to imagine
stepping inside the forest.
The Journey
Click here to read
more about The Journey
The two fabrics used in this piece, one heavily textured and one smooth, are very
closely related in monotone muted tones. The transition was easy as I used stitches
and couching that imitated the heavy fabric and monotone color so I need to use
contrast to add some drama to the Journey. Bold dark green long stitches “wake”
the viewer from a dreamy visit, inviting one to stop for a while and take in the
scene and creating a Transition in mood. If those stitches had been pastel they
would only attach fabric to fabric. Stitches can be used like words in a book to
convey your message.
Moonshine
Click here to
read more about Moonshine
This piece may have been my most fun in working with Transition. The flow of the
cloud patterns invited me to join those pieces with couched outlines. At first I
found ways to match certain prints with a particular couching color. Later, I abandoned
my own rules and just let the clouds flow with the color that I had at hand and
it was so effective! Sparkle became mysterious, then muted, then bright. I loved
doing the border. I wanted the color of the clouds to flow out to the edges of the
piece, to create a border but not a boundary. As I played with the colors the stitches
began to look like stars in the sky. This Transition added another area of interest
that flowed from the piece and made sense as it related to the clouds and the night
sky.
I often refer to my stitching as Needlepoint by Committee. Where would I be without
the caring of fellow needlepointers, Seminars that encourage, amazing and generous
Teachers, talented Canvas Artists, neighbours that show interest in a Gallery tour,
writers on Needlepoint, Needlepoint shops, On line needlepoint friends, Cyber classes
and last but not least, those of you who visit my stitchamaze site galleries. It
takes a community to encourage and nurture an artist.
Stitchamaze yourself!
Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil