Rocking along

No, the Peaceable Kingdom angel canvas still isn't finished.  All it needs is the tall grass around the lion and I do have the thread with which to stitch it.  The bottom line is I'm just not motivated yet.  To paraphrase the old tag line of a prominent winery, "I will stitch no canvas before its time."

But the canvas pictured here is long overdue.  Like the angel canvas, I purchased it for next to nothing on eBay eons ago when we lived in Texas.  It had been rolled up, but acquired the fold you see here in the move to Massachusetts seven years ago.  The name of the design is "The Toyland Rocking Horse" with a copyright date of 1993 by Kfi. 

The photo that accompanied the canvas shows it finished as a stand-up, but the outline around the design area, to my mind, at least, is awkward.  I started to mark the outline and soon realized I wasn't going to be happy with it.  What I really wanted was a pillow, so with a little help from DH and photo shop, that's what I've finally achieved.

The oval outline is 17 inches high by 19 inches wide on 18 ct. canvas--another biggie!  I mentioned to the owner of my LNS that I seem to be attracted lately by very large canvases, and he suggested I was compensating for my size (I'm slightly vertically challenged).  But I love everything about this design, from the subject to the vibrant colors.  With the exception of the background and the horse itself, the details are perfect for stash-busting, which is exactly what I plan to do.  The verdict is still out on what thread and stitch to use for the background, but I've ordered some thread for the horse.  Until it arrives, I'll work on those areas I can stitch, so stay tuned!

The Acoma Pot canvas: finished!

In my last post, I mentioned I thought I could finish this canvas in a week's time.  Either I overestimated the amount of work still to be done, or I underestimated my determination to complete this canvas. 

Stitched entirely in Vineyard Silk Classic, it will be finished as an insert for a pillow to grace the loveseat in our family room.  That's the one surface where the dogs are not allowed to snooze!

I've practiced creative avoidance long enough, and really do need to finish my angel canvas!

Acoma Pot progress: on a roll

I picked up the Acoma Pot canvas again to work on as I composed the copy for the next Needlepoint Now column in my head.  There's nothing like the soothing rhythm of basketweave to help arrange one's thoughts!

I've finished all of the Vineyard Silk Classic "Natural" and "Bark" background areas and am now hopping around, alternating colors as I fill in the areas that remain.  Today is the monthly meeting of our local needlework group, and the canvas will come with me.  I'm hoping I may actually finish this canvas within a week.

"Speechifying"

What fun!  The Cape Cod Chapter of ANG invited me to speak to its membership yesterday on the topic of "How to Stitch a Painted Canvas."  About 10 members brought along a painted canvas so I could suggest threads and stitches to bring the piece to life.  I never cease to be amazed at the diversity of our needlepoint designers:  there really is something for everyone .  This was a very talented group of stitchers--I saw some incredibly beautiful pieces of needlepoint displayed!

Now--time to get back to work!

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow with family and friends!  I've made my favorite thing for Easter dinner--reservations!

The photo is of the "In The Pink" ornament from the Eggs for All Seasons series, designed several years ago for an online discussion group Easter egg exchange.  It was stitched with DMC cotton floss and Kreinik braid using tent, mosaic and diagonal mosaic stitches and Smyrna crosses.

Right now I've got out my turbo needles to finish a canvas for an upcoming Needlepoint Now column, but I hope to be back soon with a finale for the Peaceable Kingdom angel stand-up.

More on the Acoma Pot

Our monthly needlework group get-together was cancelled yesterday due to snow--boo, hiss!--so the Acoma Pot canvas and I went nowhere.  But I have done some work on it over the last few weeks, since it's my go-to project when I'm practicing creative avoidance.  While some folks may do their best thinking in the shower, I do mine while mindlessly basketweaving away!

I did succeed in making my way around the bottom right corner with the Vineyard Silk Classic "Natural" and "Bark," and have added some "Cactus" to the leaf areas.  I estimate it's at least two-thirds complete--it's just a matter of keeping at it!

Angel Progress: The Mane Event

Q:  Does it really take four weeks to stitch the mane on a lion?

A:  No.  It takes 2-1/2 weeks to practice creative avoidance and 1-1/2 weeks to stitch it.

Yes, folks, Leo the lion, as he is now dubbed, and I have been hanging out together for four weeks.  I've called him other names during that time, but we won't go there.  It's hard to make that first stitch when you're out of your comfort zone.  While I had practiced random stitching on his tail and was pretty satisfied with the outcome, that mane loomed mighty large!

I started with two strands of the lightest shade of Burmilana, working from the crown down to his ears, then turning the canvas 90 degrees to stitch the long sides.  When the base was finished, I added more random long stitches on top of it with one strand of two darker shades of Burmilana.

All that remains is to stitch tall grass on top of the brown area around Leo.  I promise it won't take another four weeks to wrap up this project!