Tear of Joy: Loretta Spears, designer

Project: Tear of Joy

Loretta Spears' Needle Adventures

 Christmas Heirlooms Collection

 October 1993

Name of designer: Loretta Spears

Type of needlework: Needlepoint

Photos: 4

Comments: I love stitching designs from Loretta Spears. This one is an unpretentious little Christmas designs that Loretta included in her Neelde Adventures, Christmas Heirlooms Collection and I am glad that she did.

There are only two threads used in 'Tear of Joy", Waterlilies and Sarah Bennett Specialties Opalescent threads together with some beads.

As for the finishing of Tear of Joy, it always depends a bit on what I have at home at the time. I try as much as I can to use what I already have. I had some Dupioni fabric which was a similar color and found some lovely already made cording that was just perfect for it. Perhaps, a little too perfect as it blended totally with the ornament, contrary to how Loretta Spears finished hers using a much darker color. I have also put some gold lame just under the canvas as the canvas is only partially stitched. This way there are gold sparkles coming from here and there when looking at the ornament.

I also managed to find in my stash some lovely velvet ribbons of a color that went very well with the colors already used in the stitching and finishing of the ornament so I added that for the final touches. Since the design pattern is exactly the same all over the ornament, I don't think that it really matters that much if part of it is hidden by the velvet ribbon.

You can see previous Loretta Spears projects that I have stitched so far here.

(Close-up photo)

This photo shows how Loretta finished hers

and the top and bottom part of mine before putting them together.

This photo shows the two parts together before

 the cording had been added together with the finishing touches.

Winter Reflections or Mystery #2: Loretta Spears, designer

Project: Winter Reflections

(Mystery #2)

Designer: Loretta Spears

Type of needlework: Needlepoint

Photos: 8

Comments: This project is a joint venture between another stitcher, Sharon D. from South Carolina, and myself.

I was at the time stitching another Loretta Spears project (Superstition) when I was contacted by Sharon D. about Winter Reflections. She had started stitching it a while back and had to stop for health reasons and she wanted to know if I would like to have it and finish it. The answer was a resounding "YES" and she mailed it to me. The following photo shows how much Sharon had already stitched on it.

Another interesting point about this project is the fact that Sharon D. had purchased this pattern directly from Loretta Spears herself in her own store which was located somewhere in Colorado.

So, with this project, there are parts of three different persons, Loretta who held this pattern in her hands, sold it to Sharon D. who in turn stitched a good portion of it, then it arrived at my home.  I finished the stitching already started by Sharon D. and had it framed. Perhaps we can also add my husband who helped to select frame and mat and of course my framer who never spares any efforts to do her very best to make us happy.

All this makes this project a very special one.

My friend Pat has also stitched this project before I did and you can see hers her on her blog called Needle Art Nut

Final note: Loretta pointed out the fact that her design could be shown either vertically or horizontally. I chose the horizontal option myself as I felt it looked better somehow.

Special thank you to Sharon D. for giving me this lovely piece.

(Photo showing sections already stitched by Sharon D.)

(First 3 lessons completed)

(Close-up)

(Closer close-up)

(First 4 lessons completed)

(Photo showing the stitching completed)

(Winter Reflections framed)

(Frame close-up)

Bargello Symphony: Loretta Spears, designer

Project: Bargello Symphony

(Mystery #8)

Designer: Loretta Spears

Type of Needlework: Bargello

Photos: 2

This design can also be seen on ANG website

Comments: Loretta Spears! I love her designs. I am normally the kind of person who do NOT want to do any mystery projects as I like to see what it will look like when done. I would hate to put time, efforts and money into something that I will end up wondering why in the world I have stitched that. I had seen this project on the ANG website (link above) and I just loved it. Having this photograph was a big help guiding me with my first mystery.

This was a big project and it took me quite a bit of time stitching exclusively on it but the end result is just so incredibly beautiful. I bet you can tell that I just love it.

There was quite a bit of counting and I had to pay great attention to what I was doing but overall it was a pleasure to stitch it. I had been fortunate enough to be able to find the kit so my threads are the original ones.

Update: March 09/2010: Just found a photograph of Bargello Symphony before any framing had been done.

Christmas Heirlooms called "Threads": Loretta Spears, designer

Project: Christmas Heirlooms "Threads"

(Needle Adventures - August 1993)

Designer: Loretta Spears

Type of needlework: Needlepoint

Photos: 2

Comments: From time to time I love to do a little project, something that I can do from start to finish in a few days. This is one of those projects. This is a Loretta Spears project from her Needle Adventures series that she published years ago. I love what she has done using a monochromatic theme. I think I used 5 different shades of red in different textures and it is all about mixing them indefinitely to come up with something similar and different at the same time.

It was a bit of a struggle to do the finishing on this cylindrical project and had to cheat a bit, but the outcome is not too bad. A professional finisher would have done a better job on this one, I have no doubt about that, but I like it just the same. Perfection is not always what it is cracked up to be. I often have to settle for "OK".

Superstition: Loretta Spears, designer

Project: Superstition (Mystery #13)

Designer: Loretta Spears

Type of needlework: Needlepoint & Pulled thread

Photos: 12

Comments: Now, I find this project so gorgeous. This is another Loretta Spears project, one of her mystery series. This one had a bit of everything in it, pulled thread, which was new to me and had some help with online stitchers, and there was also a bit of beading.

This is such a special design and I had the best of time stitching it. No wonder I love Loretta Spears designs. We all have designers that we prefer because of their style and for me she is one of them, though I have a long list of designers that I just love their work.