A stitching and working weekend

The summer officially began for me this past weekend.  Not only was the weather fabulous, it was also our first weekend back up at my parents' cottage.  Although there is always work involved in  re-opening the cottage for the summer, I did find time to relax by the lake and stitch.
 



 And one of us was even gutsy enough to brave the still FREEZING lake (only 5 weeks ago it was still frozen in spots)





It was a very successful weekend.  My parents were pleased with all the work we accomplished and I completed the next designer square on the Designer of the Month Collaboration Sampler.  It's adorable, but I'll make you wait until next month to see it.

I also started a new needlepoint project.

I always have at least one needlepoint project on the go.   These are great for stitching in the car, because the canvas is a 10 or 11 count (easy on the eyes on bumpy roads), and the wool is a single ply.  I generally choose a painted canvas, but I was so taken with this pattern by Iryna Varabei, our "Designer of the Month"  for this month, I couldn't wait to get started.

Iryna has also stitched hers in the continental stitch (pattern available in the Spring 2012 ANPT magazine), but with DMC floss on a 24 count canvas. She then finished hers into a small rug, great for a doll house or mouse pad.  Obviously just by the difference in the canvas count, mine will be larger and I will finish mine into a needlepoint pillow.  While converting the cotton into wool, I also changed two of the colours: I changed her corals into golds.  Once finished this will look great in my family room, and with all the driving we will be doing this summer it shouldn't take too long.

Happy Mohter's Day

A little gift to all the mothers.

A stitching friend had found a rather interesting red napkin with a rose pattern on it printed in white x's.  With my interest in monochromatic design she naturally thought of me.  Although the napkain was square the pattern was not; so I tweaked it a little  to square it off. 

I think this pattern would look awesome in a variegated red silk thread.  

One that comes to mind is SNC 074 "In the Burgundy" by The Thread Gatherer.
Stitched in the continental stitch on Gitta's 40ct silk gauze
 it would even fit into a 1.5" pendant.

Enjoy your day!!!

Stitch Night with Iryna Varabei

Iryna joined us Wednesday night for Stitch Night.  She introduced us to a stitching technique, Nizanka, from her home country of Belarus.  We followed a bookmark pattern she designed and one of us even managed to complete it.  I really enjoy such work, as it is a quick way to dress up almost anything.
                                                                             To finish the bookmark, all that remains is a 3 sided hem stitch and then to trim the fabric and fringe the ends.

If anyone was unable to drop by for Stitch Night, but would still like to see Iryna  and her unique designs, she will be in the shop this Saturday (May 11) for the afternoon.  She will also teach another Nizanka pattern on Saturday May 25th.  Click here for more information regarding the workshop.

Designer of the Month - Iryna Varabei

This month's designer is Iryna Varabei.  Born in Belarus Iryna immigrated to Canada in 1999 and is now sharing her very distinct design style with Canadian stitchers.     Her designs are reflective of her Belarusan traditions with ornamental motifs and Belarusan images.  She transforms traditional patterns into modern designs enriched with a diversity of stitching techniques such as cross stitch, canvas work, Open work, Needlepoint, Nizanka (a Belarusan Wicker Stitch), and String art.
She has had many of her designs published in A Needlepulling Thread Magazine, and also self publishes under "Spirit of Belarus".
 



 


For  stitch night on Wednesday May the 8th, Iryna will introduce us to one of her Belarusan techniques, Nizanka.  It is a reversible stitch; a great ornamental stitch for table runners, table cloths, pillows, sheers, and much more.  During stitch night we will make a Nizanka bookmark, shown on the left.  The kit charge for this bookmark, including 18ct linen, wool, and instructions is $15.00.  Please RSVP if you are planning on partaking.







Iryna will also be in the shop on May 11th, for a "Meet the Designer" day, and she will also hold a more formal Workshop on May 25th.   Shown on the right is Iryna's contribution to our Designer Collaboration Sampler now available in the shop.  In her Nizanka style, this motif is called  "Berahinia", the Guardian Lady.  Along with the runic symbols, on either side of her, she provides protection and well-being for you, your home, and your soul.

Here is a sneak peak at the sampler as it is progressing.  Carolyn Mitchell's is in the top middle, Brenda Franklin's is the beaded rose bud on the left (we still have bead kits available for $3.95), Iryna Varabei's "Berahinia" is the top right, and the bottom right is Maria Golleck, of Marnic Designs.  Maria will be our "Designer of the Month" for July.  

So, drop by the shop, see Iryna's designs up close 

and try your hand at a new technique.

Designer of the Month Collaboration Sampler

Here is the Designer Collaboration Sampler with the first 3 FREE Designer patterns.  Carolyn Mitchell's is in the top centre square, Brenda Franklin's, our current Designer of the Month, is the beaded Rosebud in the left column, and Iryna Varabei, next Month's Designer is in the right column.

Not knowing how the designs will look, we are just scattering them around the sampler.  Feel free to position them where ever you wish, and create your own unique sampler.

Brenda will be in the shop for her final "Meet the Designer" day, on Saturday April 27th.  So, if you have not been able to drop by the shop, this will be your last opportunity to chat with Brenda, watch or partake in some of her Demos, and see her models on display.  There are also a few remaining bead packs still available for purchase at $3.95 for her Rosebud design.

Stitch Night with Brenda Franklin

This past Wednesday for stitch night Brenda Franklin was at the shop teaching all of us (me included) her "Altered Chain".  I had been wanting to do this since I first saw it in her suite (booth) at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace 2 years ago.

I didn't get too far with mine, mainly because I changed my bead colour half way through the lesson.  But I am so pleased with my second choice.

Care had to be taken when starting, as the chain might twist, but once you get going it was easy.
Brenda then also showed us how to end the chain by attaching the finding with a figure 8 finishing technique, and how to add extra beading thread in case you run out.


By having attached the beads to a simple aluminum chain, the chain becomes strong enough to use as a purse handle and eyeglass chain.  I personally wanted to learn this technique so I could make a low cost, but gorgeous nametag lanyard.  I once ruined a top by pinning my nametag to it;  the pin had left a hole that didn't close up once the pin was removed.

Another big hit was Brenda's beaded rose bud pattern,  her  contribution to the Designer Collaboration Sampler.  Brenda has used delica beads, although she has also listed their matching DMC thread colours.  She has made several kits, so there is no need to buy full bead vials.  The pattern is free, but the bead kit is $3.95.  The bead kit also includes beading thread and a quick instruction.


Brenda will be in the shop again on April 20th for her workshop "Demented Cross Stitch", during which she will show you how much fun you can have by breaking all the rules.  Her design for the workshop is adorable, and she plans to break 10 rules.  Personally I can only think of 2 cross stitch rules, so if nothing else the workshop will be quite educating.

Designer of the Month - Brenda Franklin

For the Month of April, Brenda Franklin is our " Designer of the Month".  Brenda designs for cross stitch, needlepoint, and petit point.  She custom designs pet photos and has a large selection of many different breeds in varying design sizes.  














Brenda also has a variety of other designs, and her Sea Turtle is my favourite.

So drop by to see her stitched models and meet Brenda.
Brenda will be in the shop most Saturdays.  She will hold a variety of demos, revealing her many talents. 

For more information when Brenda will be in the shop visit our Events and Workshop pages.