Bristly Thistle Needlepoint News

Our oldest daughter is moving to Philadelphia, so I stitched this little ornament for her. My favorite things—using Waterlilies and a darning stitch for the sky and the water stitch from ANG. I think I finished this in two nights—a nice break from the bigger seemingly endless Christmas stockings.

Here’s another cute canvas from Collection of Designs. I call it Penguin Joy and would love to see it as a pillow or a sign for the front door. I would stitch it in lots of wonderful glistening threads.

This stocking reminds me of when I was little—turning my Christmas stocking upside down and letting everything fall out. There was always a collection of candy and the ribbon candy was one of my favorites.

We have many more stockings from a Collection of Designs and other artists on our website
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Unpacking trunk shows is always fun, and the Melissa Shirley trunk show is no exception. Our store has a policy making employees (and owners) hold back from buying until we pack the show up. I am afraid to tally all the canvases I want to take home with me. From incredible Christmas stockings and works of art to small canvases that are perfect gifts, there is something to delight everyone. Some of my favorite smaller canvases are the Christmas petit fours, the bracelets and the lollipops (which come with a striped cane for finishing).

(The show moved on July 9th. Please give us a call and we can special order for you.)
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This canvas for a Limoges box is called “Happy Snowmen” and stitching them will make you happy, too. This would be too cute set on a table for the holidays, or as a box for a very special present. It comes complete with a round hinge.

We have several more Limoges boxes from Julia’s Needleworks on our website.

HeartStrings’ 2008 Santa is entitled “All Things Merry & Bright” The included spiral bound stitch guide by Pat Thode is another clear and magic-making book that will teach even the most experienced stitcher a thing or two. The resulting canvas, with its included embellishment charms, is a treat and will be enjoyed for many years to come. (posted by Michele)

A group of customers stitched these 12 months of nutcrackers by Patty Paints, using her stitch guides. Our finisher came up with a new twist on finishing them—they are weighted to stand and they have a gold teardrop loop on top that folds down. This way you can display them as stand-ups or as hanging ornaments. (posted by Michele)

My husband and I fought off cabin fever by going to Frankenmuth to see some PWDs at a dog show. We made a side trip to Bronner’s Christmas store, the self-proclaimed largest Christmas store in the world. That put me in the mood for the box waiting for me from Amanda Lawford. At market in Long Beach, Amanda had her entire collection of giant Santas in her booth. I fell in love with all of them and ordered these two. They are on 13 mesh and will lend themselves to wonderful stitches and fabulous threads. Whether they are made into a framed piece, a banner or a standup for your tree, fireplace or entryway, they will be sure to bring smiles—and oohs and aahs.

A bit of Santa history—Santa wasn’t associated with a red robe until Coca Cola began their print ads for their soft drink.

Here is an interesting link with more history of Santa’s robe color. (posted by Michele)

I was so enthused that Julia’s Needleworks now represents the JB line that I stitched this roll-up nutcracker “Partridge in a Pear Tree” in record time. I will be making stitch guides for the entire series of the 12 days of Christmas. And then there are the large standup Santas in my stash…I see Swarovski crystals in my future. (Click on this picture to see the detail.) (posted by Michele)

As a reward for stitching class models, I let myself work on a couple of small projects for myself at the end of the day.

I pulled this Heart canvas from my before-store stash. I worked the red and pink areas in basketweave using Petite Very Velvet and Trebizond. While stitching with the Trebizond, I found that longer lengths tended to shred at the end, so I began using 12-14” lengths. Because I hate ripping out, I needed to save the areas that were obviously worn. I took a 12” length of Trebizond and split it into thirds. I threaded one strand on my needle and went over the distressed areas. For perfectionists, this won’t work, but I don’t think anyone will get into the tree to scrutinize this ornament that closely.

I had never really appreciated Kreinik’s Japan gold braid until I stitched this canvas. I had intended to bead all of the gold areas and then came to my senses. I found the gold braid stitch in June McKnight’s book “Needlepoint Borders”. The stitch is a large cross with reversing mosaic ties done with #12 braid. I then couched the braid horizontally above and below the border using a strand of the Japan gold itself to attach it. The bottom of the center medallion is a fern variation. For the swirly lines, I again couched #12 Kreinik Japan gold braid. The floral motifs were going to be gold-plated beads, but I found they stood out from the canvas too much. I had tried the lazy daisy stitch with #12, but it was too bulky. Finally, I took #8 Japan gold braid and stitched lazy daisies with French knots in the centers. They look like gold peas in gold pods.

I’ve always wanted to take the time to learn goldwork. Until I can find that time, I think this “faux goldwork” is something I will use again.