The doll house

Did you ever have a doll house when you were a kid?  I did--it was a favorite toy--so I was eager to stitch this one.

I began with the white area, using DMC floss in basketweave, then added windows in a Scotch stitch variation with DMC floss #414.  The green shutters and red window boxes were worked with DMC #5 perle cotton in a slanted gobelin stitch.  The door was outlined with more perle cotton and filled in with DMC floss.

To add some subtle variation to the "shingles" of the roof, I used Weeks Dye Works "Molasses," a #5 perle cotton, in a slanted gobelin stitch.  With the canvas turned 90 degrees, I worked oblong cross stitches with Sheep's Silk "Rust Brown" to create the chimney bricks.

With the doll house completed, I finished the boat using DMC floss #817 in a slanted gobelin stitch for the bottom and a satin stitch for the flag.  The mast was worked in a stem stitch with Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #002.

The Jack-in-the-Box

Before tackling the Jack-in-the-Box section, I worked the sail of the boat in mosaic stitch with white DMC floss.  Then I started in on Jack's suit, using royal purple Petite Very Velvet in basketweave.  His face, hands, collar and cuffs also used DMC floss, with Leviathan stitches for his buttons.

I must be an incredible pack-rat--the DMC Medici wool I used for his hair was originally used to stitch the wig of the Rainbow Juggling Clown I designed in 1996.  Now that's some vintage thread!

The outside of Jack's box was worked in a slanted gobelin stitch with Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #002V and the inside in Scotch stitches with DMC floss #825.

The duck pull-toy used Vineyard Silk Classic "Citron" and "Dandelion" in basketweave, with a beak of DMC floss and a base of DMC #5 perle cotton.  I'm still debating how to finish the wheels, so will leave them for later.  The same goes for the pompom on Jack's hat, which I'll stitch after the background is finished in that area.

The candy cane box below the duck was worked in alternating vertical slanted gobelin stitches and tent stitches with white DMC #5 perle cotton and Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #003HL.

Beginning with Baby Bear

I'll never forget the day my son, then in fifth grade, came home with a look on his face reminiscent of a deer in headlights.  He'd been given a long-term history assignment on the Boston Tea Party, which required research, notecards, bibliography, outline and final report.  Totally overwhelmed by the scope of the project, he turned to me for help.

Think of the project in terms of how you eat a hamburger, I suggested.  Take big bites, and chances are good you'll wind up choking.  Take little bites, and it's likely everything will go down just fine.  So I'm approaching the Toyland Rocking Horse canvas as I would a hamburger, one little bite at a time.

I started with the little teddy bear at the bottom, using three different shades of brown Burmilana in basketweave and tent stitches for his body.  Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #005 in Smyrna crosses formed his eyes.  His nose was padded with DMC cotton floss #310 to give it a slightly higher profile.  His festive bow was stitched with Petite Very Velvet V632, with shadows provided by DMC floss #498 in tent and satin stitches.

A good start--I think I'll take a slightly larger bite next!

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!