Strawberry Needlepoint Bracelet

This was a small needlepoint experiment done on 14c needlepoint canvas. It is far from perfect as most experiments are. I call it an experiment because I decided to break the rules!

I must admit to being the kind of person that likes to do things "my way"...many of my crafts have been self taught because I don't like to follow the rules, it is too confining. I also like to do things that others say "can't be done"...hmmmm.....what does that say about me?...either I have ADD which is a possibility, or I don't like to be confined by rules...which is also true, what ever the case having this personality trait has defined many of my most interesting and successful designs.

Many years ago I decided that I wanted to set antique buttons in sterling silver and was lucky enough to find a teacher that shared many of my traits and was willing to teach me and allow me to experiment ....she liked to use the expression "running with scissors". Taking on this challenge led to a successful jewelry design business and even landed me in a book on button crafts.

When I started this project it was only the second needlepoint project that I had tackled. I began by drawing the design on 14 ct needlepoint canvas and then I free-styled the stitches...this is something that is a "rule breaker"... not usually done. Needlepoint stitches are always supposed to go in the same direction, slanting to the right, mine are willy-nilly, "flying by the seat of their pants" kind of stitches..I like that about them, I mean, how else are you supposed to achieve those fanciful, twirling curves! When my design was complete I proceeded to fill in the background around those crazy stitches. I am not sure that I would attempt this again, but I don't think it turned out to awfully bad.

I finished it off as I did my cross stitch bracelet, backed with vintage fabric and closed with a crochet loop and antique porcelain button.I have started collecting antique samplers that have provided me with inspiration and a whole slew of motifs to be worked...what rules can I break next?

Cross Stitch Fruit Basket

Cesto di frutta punto croce

cross stitch fruit basket

Resolution #1, Project #1....Antique Embroidery Inspiration....tiny 2X4 inch fruit basket motif cross stitch..Mission Accomplished!

After many hours of frustration stitching tiny crosses through tiny holes, trips to Joann's for bigger needles and linen with bigger holes, Internet research on making the perfect cross stitch, I have finally found my embroidery groove...YIPPEE!
Through the power of perseverance, confusion turns to understanding and the rows begin to roll out one by one, designing as I go...25 red stitches become an apple, 58 yellow and you have a pear, the orange and grapes unfold before my eyes!
Looking back over my canvas I see mistakes I made, on the pear I decided to switch direction and in so doing the stitches picked up a different texture. This mistake taught me that you could create texture and that may give me the ability to mold my next image. I will always look back as this piece of cross stitch as my FIRST piece of cross stitch and in so doing will be able to see how far I have come. It all about the process.

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

dolce cagnolino

sweet little dog

I have been trying my hardest to part with this little velveteen dog but it seems that she has worked her way into my heart...and there she sits as if she has just jumped out of this folk art painting that also worked its way into my heart....parting with "things" can be such sweet sorrow...and that is a problem when your purpose is to buy and re-sell "things". The sweet part of the sorrow is the possibility of doubling your money....sometimes "the thing" wins!
I am not a hoarder by any means. It is very easy for me to rid myself of the unused and greatly used household items and clothes I have grown tired of. I love to clean my closet every season..it is so refreshing.
....but I am a sucker for anything quirky, well loved, the right shade of blue, pink and gold, Staffordshire, pin cushion, antique litho anything, small wood handled tools (more about that in another post), ancient patchwork and embroidery, ephemera...have I covered it all?...OH!! I almost forgot ...buttons, trim, fabric (vintage and antique of course). My collections inspire me and feed my passion for "the treasure hunt"...you never know what you may find around the next corner or on the next page of Ebay listings...somehow that always keeps me going.

What is on your treasure hunt map?

Antique Embroidery Inspiration Project #1

I adore cucito.
I adore needlework

I love this little fragment of antique embroidery and have decide to make this my first counted cross stitch project...well...I guess I should say I will "attempt" this project. I have been practicing all week on a scrap to try and develop my rhythm.

Over the holidays I made my first attempt on a fine piece of Zweigart Swiss linen that I bought on Etsy with no idea how to even do counted cross stitch and nearly gave up. I made a trip to Joann Fabrics and found a sturdy piece of linen with holes that were much easier to see and also...the key...a magnifier..and now I am on a roll.

The needlework underneath is actually a tiny little antique footstool that I found on ebay the week that I was on vacation (am I the only person that peruses Ebay while on vacation?). My mind was full of needlework ideas once the bug hit. I will post more pictures of the stool tomorrow...it has a bit of a mystery behind it.