Morris Impressions: Ann Caswell, designer

Project: Morris Impressions

Designer: Ann Caswell

Type of needlework: Bargello

Photos: 2

Pattern found in Piecework magazine, Jan/Feb 1999, pp 18 - 20

Free pattern at the Caron Collection HERE

Comments: I first saw this design in the magazine and loved it. Later on, I saw the exact same thing online and have included the link above. The issue of this magazine is probably not available anymore anyway and there is absolutely no differences in the instructions between the two, exact same thing.

The colors and the threads used for this project are just so yummy, at least to me. I truly enjoyed stitching it, though I needed to be very careful with the counting and I think if I remember correctly that there were some little errors between the stitched photo and the diagrams. It has been a while so I can't remember exactly what they were, but I was very careful to check both before stitching any portions of the design, which is good advice for any projects.

This project was finished as a little decorative pillow, something I could have done, but selected instead to have it framed. If I were to redo it again, I think that I would go for the pillow.

The Drawn-thread Needlebook: Sharon Cohen, designer

Project: The Drawn-Thread Needlebook

(1995)

Designer: Sharon Cohen

(The Nostalgic Needle)

Type of needlework: Drawn thread

Photos: 2

Sharon's website: http://www.nostalgicneedledesigns.com/

Comments: My very first attempt to drawn thread and I must say that I just loved it. This is great fun to do. Of course the Fleurs de Lys is a symbol special to the "french" part in me, being French Canadian.

This is not a difficult project though when it is your first time, you need to be vigilant as not to make any mistakes. It was suggested to me that I finish it as little decorative pillow instead of the needlebook originally finished below. I think that both finishes looks great.

(Photo of the needlebook included with the instructions)

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.

Poirot: Jim Wurth, designer

Project: Poirot

(3rd of the series)

Designer: Jim Wurth

Series: Dodecagon ornaments

Type of needlework: Needlepoint

Photo: 1

Jim's Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DodecagonSeriesOrnaments/

Edwina Gorey by The Sampler Needlework

Project: Edwina Gorey

Designer: Unknown

Type of needlework: Crewel embroidery

Photo: 1

Website: http://www.samplerneedlework.com/

(you need to call them, if interested, as this kit is not listed on their website)

Comments: Another project that I just love. This project has everything that I love and I have enjoyed every minute of it. The section that was the most fun for me was stitching her hair with bullions and I love the way it has turned out.

I love what it says about her on the instruction pamphlet:

Edwina Gorey:

 Our heroine reflects an earlier time when mourning samplers became the fashion. Her distress is still felt today but for a different reason. Her every fiber cries out. "but you don't understand, I can't do anymore!"

Her name owes a debt to Edward Gorey

Gem Storm, Marianne Frost, designer

Project: Gem Storm

Designer: Marianne Frost

Type of needlework: Bargello

Photos: 2

About Marianne's work: National Academy of needleArts & also ANG to only name a few places

Comments: This is a cyberclass I have taken with Marianne. I just love doing bargello and this project is no exception. This is just such a beautiful design with lovely colors.

I remember that some of the threads were a bit slippery and had to be very careful with them and also used a laying tool, but the end result was well worth all the efforts necessary to get there. Stitching the flowers were so much fun and it adds those spots of colors so necessary to make this design come to life. That was a wonderful experience and Marianne was very helpful too.

Periwinkle Pincushion: Jan Kerton, designer

Project: Periwinkle pincushion

Designer: Jan Kerton

Type of needlework: Embroidery

Photo: 1

Jan's project found in: Inspiration magazine issue #50

Basic tutorial for such pincushion can be found on the WhipUp blog

Comments: Now, I am such a big fan of Inspirations magazine. I think that this is one of the best, if not the best commercial magazine around for embroidery. The Australians sure  know what they are doing. The projects are absolutely fantastics.

I made this little pincushion for a friend as a thank you for all the things she had done for me. It was done in silk dupioni with silk ribbon flowers and lots and lots of bullions all around the side of it.

I have a feeling that she has not really used it but is keeping it as a little souvenir from me. Some things are almost too beautiful to really use them and with Inspirations that is often the case. Their designs are just gorgeous.

Mojave: Jim Wurth, designer

Project: Mojave
2nd of the series)

Designer: Jim Wurth

Series: Dodecagon ornaments

Type of needlework: Needlepoint

Photo: 1

Jim's Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DodecagonSeriesOrnaments/

Comments: This is another one of my favorite in this ornament series. I just love the colors. If I remember correctly, I stitched this one in record time.

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".

Angelina: Ilse Altherr, designer

Project: Angelina

Designer: Ilse Altherr

Type of needlework: Blackwork

Photos: 4

Some of Ilse's designs and books can be find here and other shops

Comments: When doing blackwork, I love to do something other than geometric patterns, if I can called it that. I love to stitch animals, people ........... I am sure you can see what I mean.

Angelina was a pure delight to stitch, mostly her dress. The quilt part was a little more tedious to do, but still, not bad at all.

No doubt I will be doing more blackwork in the future. We have some great designers like Marion Scoular, Ilse Altherr and others who have great blackwork designs.