Christmas Ornaments from Alice Peterson

Here you can see the different tricks I tried to outline the decorations on this ornament.

The V-shaped design shows how a couched string of beads looks.  I liked it, but chasing all those beads around while I tried to string them and then couch them was irritating, to say the least.

The right top of the design below the V-shape shows the same gold beads tent-stitched.  They barely show up, so they were nixed.

At the top, I couched Kreinik Hot Wire on the anchor-shaped design.  This is what I ultimately used for the outlines on the entire ornament.  After a lot of practice, it wasn't even difficult!

Working on the stitch guide now - more to come ...

"Bling, Glitz & Glamour for Needlepoint"

I've been threatening for years to teach a class devoted to beading and embellishment.

I recently took the time to read my autographed copy of June McKnight's book about needlepoint bling.  And guess what?  June has already written the class for me.

The book has loads of color photos and diagrams,  cool stitches that incorporate beads, sequins, embellishments, rhinestones and more.  I learned more than a couple of new things, always good.  I definitely recommend this for stitchers who have or want to go beyond just needlepoint.

We have a few of these in stock now!

Not all stockings should be huge and make you cry "uncle" repeatedly.  I love Susan Roberts' stockings--they are just the right size to match more "vintage" stockings and her sense of perspective and whimsy make them great fun...plus, her Santas always have a happy, not scary, face.

I kept the stitches pretty basic for Harrison's stocking; I had visions of years of running to the mantle to snatch it down, turning it upside down and shaking it to make the goodies fall out.  Since this is Harrison's first Christmas, I wanted to make it durable enough to last until he is an adult...and perhaps still performing the same excited ritual.  (You are only young once, but you can be immature forever.)

My favorite things: 

I used Silk & Ivory Stardust in white for the cuff in a vertical stitch.  By just unwinding the thread a little as I went along, I got great coverage and I loved the sparkly effect.

The basketball is stitched with perle cotton and the Dotted stitch from "the Bible".  This gives a great nubby texture, just like an actual basketball.

I loved using Frosty Rays for the garland with a simple satin stitch.

And that is stocking number 17--two more are on the (hopefully) expanding list.

More Halloween!

You have probably seen a ship in a bottle, but what about a skull in a bottle?  This is really spooky!

A cool stretcher bar tool

I recently went out of town and left Chris and the dogs in charge of the Bristly Thistle.  On Chris' to do list was putting together 20 sets of stretcher bars, with my special admonition that they be square.  Chris' solution (at around $5) was a T square from the LHS (local hardware store).  You can even use it to see if your stretcher bars are level!

Ringmaster by Kirk & Hamilton

Our oldest daughter chose this Kirk & Hamilton ornament for her 2012 selection.  She asked to have it framed to hang in her home office.  Hmmm.

My favorite thing:  beading the ring with cube shaped Japanese seed beads.

Christmas snail

This snail from Kirk & Hamilton was really fun to stitch.  My favorite things:  Ribbon Floss satin stitched over a perle cotton chain stitch for the raised brown stripes and the T-stitch worked in size 8 Kreinik in Moonstone.  (Sharon G once said that silver thread in an open stitch seems to age better than other colors in open stitches.)

After speaking to a couple of my finishers, I have started my annual panic.  Finishers say they are getting buried early--one has even moved their finishing deadline for Christmas back by 2 weeks.  Either we are all getting smarter and finishing earlier (unlikely, I think) or we are stitching like mad!

So, don't be a snail, get stitching!