Needlepoint Background, Dove's Eyes, and Beading

Hope everyone in the states enjoyed a weekend of Turkey, family and friends!  Everyone else across the world, a great weekend! I have spent the last few days with family hiking, eating, and in general catching up.  There has not been a ton of stitching being done at the LilyPad due to the festivities.  Some 'tho:

Another block on the Background project is complete.  Also, the new charting software arrived so stay tuned for charts on these blocks.  The blocks do look a bit hodge-podge.  This is sort of my intention - have the blocks in the same colors as the Monet Water-lilies painting with an assortment of fun stitches.  My thought is that it will all come together when I stitch in the border between the blocks.

Re-beaded the necklace to my ANG Cahaba Lily Chapter Name Tag:

During the plane travels of last week, I did put in many more Dove's Eyes on the stravel piece.  Not quiet half way done on those.

Christa, Lilystitch
www.lilystitch.blogspot.com and www.lilystitch.com

Needlepoint & Beading: Fleur Finished

What a productive weekend we had at the LilyPad.  As you can see above, I finally got around to putting the finishing touches on the Fleur de Lis on silk gauze.  I had most of the blue beading done but just couldn't decide how I wanted to finish her.  In the end, I chose to really wonderful golden-pinkish-blueish beads to do the roping effect.  Then added a beaded rope that used blue and the smaller beads for a necklace.  When not in use, I will hang it from a door knob or hanger for a touch of decoration around the house.

Work on the background continues with another couple of squares completed.  I promise to share stitches as soon as the software upgrade arrives for my software (may need to explore another provider).

Here's to the best week you've ever had!

Christa, Lilystitch
www.lilystitch.blogspot.com and www.lilystitch.com

Mom's Tassel - Finished

Two posts this evening, both with lots of pictures.  The first is are two images of the completed tassel I have made for my Mother.  Brown, Rayon threads in the body.  Number 11 seed beads with some really great brown beads that remind me of the dirt around my mother's beautiful Niko blue hydrangeas.

Christa
Lilystitch
www.lilystitch.blogspot.com and www.lilystitch.com

Today's Tassel Class

Today, I had the wonderful experience of taking a class on a technique that I knew very little about. Beading! I've beaded on canvas, silk gauze, and the like but never true beading before.

On the left are my first two attempts (close ups below).  The first, which is fininshed, is in golds, greens, and a varigated bead with dark green thread.  The second is in golds and blue with dark brown threads which I am making for my Mom. 

This is SO much fun.  Easy to do.  Very much like stitching needlepoint.  The charts are very simular and the threading is much the same.  My instructor, Clare, was so giving and an absolute delight.  You should see that box of tassels she pulled out - I wanted all of them!

My hope is that I'll steadily do a series of these over the next year to give as gifts for Christmas (So family & friends - now is the time to make a color request).  I'm looking forward to making bigger, fatter ones for around the house on furniture and lamps.  I've ordered a tassel book that PH recommended when she taught the needle case last summer which I expect to have lots of creative ideas. 

THE best part is that I took a great class and discovered a truly wonderful local shop that is full of energy and has a very giving, creative atmosphere - The Bead Biz.  It is an absolute must for anyone who wants to experience a wonderful afternoon in not just beading but NeedleArt.  There is a great little Coffee Shop/Restaurant, La Reunion, two blocks down where I enjoyed the Tomotoe, Basil, Mozzerella Panini and great Ice Tea two Saturdays in a row.  Laura, at BB, made it so easy to find various types of beads as well as made awesome suggestions so you know that I came home with a little stash as well.  I've not yet pulled those out but if time, I'll upload pictures of them tomorrow.

My only regret is that I will not be in town next weekend to go back and enjoy this quaint shop and restaurant again.  Perhaps it's time to get back to my first NA (needleart) love - Japanese Emberoidery and Needlepoint....

Happy Stitching!


Christa
Lilystitch
www.lilystitch.blogspot.com and www.lilystitch.com