Finished Needlework Canvas

I finished up my mom's needlepoint project this week.  Now I need to find out how to mount and frame it.  I think she would be pleased.


I decided to add our initials at the bottom in a freeform manner--not perfect, but that's ok.  I was going to put just MD2020 for me, but as I got to the M I realized that MD2020 could be akin to MadDog 2020!  haha!!  Ok, so for this year, I will have make sure to add my middle initial for projects :)



So my news is that I started a new job, which is the reason I wanted to learn to needlepoint.  I am currently working at The Needlepointer in Edmonds, WA... the only needlepoint centric shop in Washington.  There is one other shop in Issaquah, but they also have a cross stitch mix.  I brought home a 13 mesh canvas this week and omgoodness... my eyes.  My mom's canvas is 10 per inch and at times my eyes would flutter, but the the 13 is really hard on them even with glasses on.  So far at the shop I haven't had to give advice, as I focus on mainly internet sales as well as ringing out customers, but I am concerned I can't add my own experience because I am having eye issues.  I know I need to get my eyes checked again and likely new glasses, but I want to know everything about this craft to give the best advice.  BTW, the threads in the shop compared to the ones that my mom used (likely wool blend) are SOOO wonderful and soft!  I am practicing with a silk wool blend and it is heaven.

That said... I have an interview next Friday at a local quilt shop.  I love the people at the needlepoint shop, and the environment.  I am also learning a lot.  We'll see what happens.

I Wonder Why....

...Mom never finished this project?  90% was finished and then it moved out of the living room.  The canvas was printed in 1974, likely started around the same year.  I am glad that I kept it, and now in deciding to learn, I am glad that I have everything I need to practice--and finish it for her.  Knowing my stitches are mixed in with hers is comforting.  BTW, that needle hadn't been moved in over 30 years, it was slightly rusted into place, leaving a mark that I am going to have to figure out how to clean later.





I finished up the violets and have started on the final panel section background.  Why did I suddenly decide to pull this project out the back corner of the pink room (far back corner of a room above the garage that we store things in)?  I'll follow up with that on Wednesday with hopefully some good news.

Cheddarback Month 11

I finished up the latest Chedderback blocks for January, 44-48.  I have hit a roadblock on working on the previous months though.  My goal was to get at least one a day done and be all caught up for February, but I've had a few roadblocks and balls in the air to really focus on sewing.



For block 48, I English paper pieced the block and had a hard time.  I don't know if it was because of the fabric chosen or just me (likely just me), but I could not get the center to line up.  And I am ok with that.  There are some challenging blocks in this quilt, and unless it is an all-out mess, I am currently choosing not to redo.

It's looking like a lot of foundation paper piecing is in store for me in my catch-up plans.  I really do like how blocks turn out using this method, but I prefer typical piecing since it isn't as fussy.  But I will tackle all methods and learn from them.  Month 11 had three foundation paper pieced blocks, one English, and two normal piecing.


I love how it looks together... I need that center section done, time to get to work and catch up.