My Pulled Thread Study

 

 

This spring I decided to teach myself a new technique or at least one I only had a passing knowledge about, Pulled Thread. Armed with about a dozen books I started my quest. I read all the books and soon realized I was going to have to stitch some of the samples. What started out as a study of a new technique soon turned into a project of its own with its own loosely planned planning process. I must admit there was not a lot of thought process in this planning stage; I knew I did not want a “trophy project” but I didn’t want just a “doodle cloth” either.

 

 SideBar into thought process of Project: Last year I also became aware of ATC (Artist Trading Cards) and “Inchies”. All of these are big in other fiber and applied art form communities. I made an ATC (https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/adaptation/) from a design from Grace at Baryard Chatter (http://barnyardchatter.wordpress.com/ ). The two main rules for ATCs is they are should be 2 ½ inches by 3 inches in size and MUST be traded or given away not sold. I also did several “Inchies”, one inch of stitching. Again the requirements were simple one inch of stitching…not an easy task even on Congress cloth. Inchies were fun and great for the TV watching, but I did not know what I was going to do with them once they were completed. One “inchie” project I turned into an ATC and I framed it… I use part of it as my header for this blog (https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/inchies-turned-atc/ ). I since have incubated the “Inchie” idea and have come up with a few ideas I’ll share as they materialize.

 I had also become aware of stitched postcards about this time also. Some The Liberty Memorial in Kansas City (http://www.theworldwar.org/s/110/index.aspx) has a lovely collection of these postcards. They are refered to as WWI Silks; they are beautiful and someday I hope to own one. Here are some reference sites if you wish to explore further:

Gabrina Postcards: http://www.gabrian.co.uk/

NeeldlePrint Blog: http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2009/05/embroidered-silk-postcards-from-world.html

Silk Postcards: http://www.ww1-propaganda-cards.com/silks.html

Better Homes and Gardens had a blog on how to:

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/better-homes-gardens/11906/better-blogs-making-a-silk-postcard/

 

At first I thought I would do each stitch sample on a soft ground as well as needlepoint canvas and I would make ATC size. That idea was soon dismissed as unpractical and would take longer than I intended. I decided a postcard sized format stitched on 18 count canvas was the most practical method for my purposes and it would still be manageable as “Take-a-long” project.

And so I started with Satin Stitches and progress through Cross Stitches, Faggot Stitches, Four-sided Stitches, Double Back Stitch, Wave Stitches, Eyelets, Buttonhole and misc stitches. I soon realized that Pulled thread is a technique that takes patience and planning. There are stand alone projects for those who enjoy this technique and well done work is very lacy and beautiful. Those who love doing it spend a lifetime perfecting their art.  But I will probably not do more than incorporate some of the stitches into my needlepoint occasionally.

 But my pulled thread study now has a life of its own, 11 postcards and 2 ATCs; and I have decided it deserves to be joined together in some fashion. Sounds like a great winter project. Later this week I’ll share my ideas for putting the postcards together.

 If you want to read more about Pulled Thread, start with these blogs:

Stitching Fingers: http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/  that has a Pulled and Drawn thread group

Needlework Tips and techniques http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/needlework-blog.html

Changing the header

Yesterday, I decided to change the header of my blog.

The train did have significance and sentiment but only to me and did not reflect this blog. My youngest son had set this blog up for me and this was his choice of a picture. His brother, my second son also works for the railroad that sponsors this train so it had significance but mostly sentiment. I always intended to change it but it was another one of those “to-its”. So I put it on my list and now I can cross it off…maybe this list thing isn’t to bad.

 

Yesterday I was taking the Christmas things hanging on my hall wall and that’s where this picture hangs. I love this needlepoint and the attachments; The attachments were a bracelet that became to fragile to wear from a special friend. I also like it because it was quick and easy to stitch; it is a combination of 6 inchies to make an ATC (Artist Trading Card).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My hall connects the front of the house to the back of the house. I love this wall, it has a lot of things that I love to look at…it is my eclectic wall and has so many family memories.

 

 

 

This is “Master Calendar for 112 years”. from 1844 to 1956.It was my father’s and he kept it on his desk at work even after 1956. I keep it accurate only the year is 1909.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A glove stretcher (it was used to dry those cotton gloves we all wore in the 40-50’s)

Antique keys (don’t you wonder what secrets they hold?) and a brass stencil of a tulip, our last name means tuilip.

A zodiac plate from Brazil, and abacus, and my Grandmother’s tea strainer that I still grab to use.

A Mari plate that has so many cracks is looks like a mosaic, but my favorite aunt loved it and I just could not bear to see it thrown away. I hung it up close to ceiling and you would be surprised at the number of people who comment on how pretty it is. Some I show it’s faults, others I just smile to myself and say thanks.

The tree I made in the 80’s during my wood cutting days…there is a walnut angel and pineapple hanging also. We hung the ribbons from the tree during the 1st and 2nd gulf wars. Look at the beads to the left of tree, they were my baby toys. One set is wood and the other the Bakelite, but what is most interesting is both are strung on string and the pieces are small.  Boy what a hazard these are by today’s standards…not to mention that the paint could have lead… and yes they were chewed on.

And the last plate was from my Great Aunt Rose and Aunt Hazels kitchen. These two favorite aunts could make shoe leather taste good. They loved to cook and Thanksgiving at their house was a feast…and meal at their house was a feast. Whenever we have family “get-to-geters”, I look at this plate and know that traditions continue.

 

 

And this is my mystery antique. It is metal, the thing on the end is like a spring over the end. It does not bend. It is 3 inches long and 3/4 inch wide at the bow underneath the spring. 

 Anyone know what it is? I’ll tell you Friday. This is a conversation piece when people see it…

 

 

 

 

 

 I love my street sign. We were in New Orleans for Carnival (Mardi Gras is only Fat Tuesday) in 1986. We saw 9 parades in three days, it was quite an experience. These signs hang all over the city, each parish had their own sign. This one is from Jefferson Parrish. I wanted one, so I asked the Commander of County Sheriff’s Department how to get one. He looked at me like I was nuts, but gave me his card and told me to write after Carnival was over. I did and he sent this to me..no charge! I can’t believe they didn’t sell them. What a great fund raiser.

I love greeting cards and some are too cool. I frame many greeting cards to hang, it is great inexpensive artwork. If I ever get tired of them I can replace them, so far that has never happened.  These are from Mary Engelbreit, she autographed one for me too. I have three sets of these: this one books, the “good to be the Queen” pair and “Grow old with me” pair.

And of course needlework.

The sunflowers are one of about 12 of these I did for a ANG certification piece I was doing. I stitched them to see which color combinations worked well, and which stitch combinations I liked best. I gave most of them away as Christmas gifts the year I made them.

The gray piece is Mountain Star. I taught this as part of my ANG certification in Denver. I only taught it in pinks or blues but my husband wanted this color for his office.

There’s a lot more hanging there: Family pictures, Pat Buckley Moss prints, Charlie Harper postcards, some original art work, stained glass pieces, my uncle’s horse and camel crop (complete with poker), brass knuckles that belonged to my husbands grandfather. My mother’s last Fuller Brush vegetable brush…she loved these things and we found boxes of them. We just used them up last year except for this one that we hung.  Like I said this is a fun hallway, full of memories and reminders of many generations who made us who we are.

This post got carried away down memory lane, but I can now mark dusting all the pictures and wall off my list. 🙂

ttfn…sue

Inchies turned ATC

  The first inchy is made for the Heart Association Red Dress Pin. A friend of mine gave this to me and I think it deserves to be dressed up for all of us. I probably will put a small cording around this before I wear it.

The second picture is my #8 inchy from Inch by Inch (http://inchybyinch.blogspot.com/) turned ATC (Artist Trading Card.) The inchy parts are the #8 sampler completed as a color wheel arrange in complements. The attached people with stars were a bracelet from a dear friend. I loved wearing it, but it was very fragile and one of the stars had become very weak and I was afraid I  would lose all of it.  I am going to have this framed and place it somewhere I will see it daily to remind me to reach for the stars and that friends are heaven sent.

I went to the craft evening at my church Monday and there were knitters, scapbookers, quilters, cross stitchers and me doing Temari Balls. There were only a handful of ladies but I have been assured that usually they are a large group . Of course everyone was interested in the Temari Ball and if there is enough interest I may put together a small class for them but I am going to wait another month of so to give everyone the opportunity to show an interest.

I have been going to the YMCA everyday for the past couple week and doing water exercises. I just love the water and have decided in my next life I want to be a mermaid that stitches. Of course all my threads would be water proof and would really never get wet in my fantasy. I exercise and then spend a half hour just floating around the pool. It is like meditating to me. I am so relaxed the rest of the day and I can really tell the difference in my muscle tone in just a couple weeks.

Tonight I am going to veg out with a cuppa ice tea and read your blogs.

ttfn…sue

Adaptation…

Sometimes when I am roaming around online I see a design that I like, I will bookmark it. Some of these designs are just inspiration for another idea that pops into my mind, very rarely are these designs a copy of the original design and sometimes they never go any further than… I like this. BUT, every so often I will use part of these designs in my stitching and then I try and get permission to use the design or work. If I see an entire design that I want to convert to needlepoint…then this requires getting permission from the original designer before you adapt the piece.

I have became very interested in ATC (Artist Trading Card) made in needlepoint, they make great little ornaments to hang, quick easy gifts, and good ideas for cards I also make for friends and family.  I very rarely see a design in stitches and threads, but last month I came across a design that popped right off my screen in stitches and threads. I could see this stitched as an ATC. I wrote Grace and told her what a nice design I thought this was and that I would like to adapt it to needlepoint. She wrote me back a lovely email:

 “…I would be honoured to have you to use my “Spring” quilt pattern to adapt for your needlepoint. I do have a few requests though. Please reference me as the designer of your needlepoint pattern. I would also ask that only you use the pattern, if others want to use my design as well please have them contact me themselves… ”

You can see the original design on Grace’s April 24 blog at Baryard Chatter: http://www.barnyardchatter.blogspot.com/

 And so I stitched Spring in an ATC format (2.5 inches x 3.5 inches). Graces design is 10.5 inches by 14 inches. I made two of these, one for me and one for Grace. Thank you Grace. It is a fun design! There will only be two of these adaptations from this source and I cannot give permission to copy or reproduce this design, only Grace can do this. If she gives permission to use the design then you still must contact me for permission to copy my interpertation.

You can see more of Grace’s work at:
WEBSITE: www.redbarn-studios.com
BLOG: http://www.barnyardchatter.blogspot.com 

In a nutshell, this is an example of how the copyright law should work. ALWAYS give credit where credit is due and always get permission to use someone else’s work.

 

Mother’s Day

            

Just a quick note to wish all the Mother’s out there a Happy Day. I stitched this little piece and will put it on a card to give to my three daughter-in-laws who are all very dear to me…afterall they married my sons. I will share it all with you also.

Happy Mother’s Day

Another TIF for March & a quick gift

  Yesterday, I went to local ANG guild meeting and the program was Blackwork. I could have used the suppilied thread but since I knew I would probably complete this at the meeting and I happen to still have the colors from the March TIF still in my stitching box…Well…It was just a given…another TIF and an ATC too!

   This little Blackwork technique was worked in 2 methods: The flower and leaves were worked in a “Back and Run” Stitch; it is a back stitch followed by a running stitch.

    The border on the bottom is a “Double Running Stitch”.

Then I committed a great faux-pas… I missed one of my only two Granddaughter’s birthday! It was kind of a honest mistake but it made me feel awful. I sent her an IOU ticket and today took her to lunch complete with cake and a shopping trip.

    

Her gifts were Webkins http://www.webkinz.com/ and cash stash pad. I made the cash stash pad with unused $2 bills and a glue stick. Make sure all the bills are sqared up on one end and rub over a glue stick. I also put a tiny piece of ribbon over this glued end. Then I made the cover using legal sized paper. Glued the cash to the inside and folded. And a gift anybody would love to get. I think I’m out of the dog house now and I won’t make this mistake again!

ttfn…sue