TUTORIAL ON CREATING A NEELDE LACE PILLOW

Greetings to Everyone, 

I am venturing out a bit to learn the art of Needle Lace.  In my last post I showed you a wee green leaf which was very difficult to create in an embroidery hoop.  So hence, I asked two fellow needle lace makers how they created their Needle Lace Pillows and they referred me to their blogs.  Lenore who is from SW Michigan was very helpful and her blog is called,  tatt3r'slacystuff. Click on Lenore's blog to see how she created her Needle Lace Pillow.  Also Britt from Perth Western Australia also shows her Needle Lace Pillows on her blog called "Stitchety Grub".  Both sites were very inspirational.   

So I started off searching for a container to use.  I found a Bungee Cord container like Lenore had in our basement so I used it too.  I wrapped it with blue foam I found in the sports department at Meijer's. It is approximately 1/4 inch thick. I applied the foam to the bottle with E-6000 Glue and then tied a string around it and let it set for 24 hours.

In the above photo it shows the fabrics I decided to use for this project.  I have endless supplies of fabrics so I decided on some batiks fabrics I bought years ago.  It was time to use them.  I also Crazy Quilt Pieced a CD Pincushion top and started stitching on it while the glued was drying on my container.  The tutorial for the CD Pincushion is on Lisa's blog called,

 "Ivory Blush Rose".  Lisa's blog is very lovely and she is a very talented and creative stitcher.

I then wrapped the plastic container with two layers of "Warm and Natural Batting"  and hand stitched the seams together.  My Needle Lace Pillow is approximately 9 inches long and 18 inches around with the batting on it.

Then I added my Orange Batik fabric and made it approximately 18 inches long so I had plenty of lenght to fold over both ends and make a casing.  On one end I pulled it tight and tie it off.  This is the end I plan to add the CD Pincushion too.  The other end I left a bit of room too.  The cap of the container can still be unscrewed to put my needle lace supplies into for storage.

Then I added my second layer to fabric all away around. It is very loosely added so I can place a wooden dowel under this area.

In the above photo you will see my completed CD Pincushion and I am now ready to stitch it to the closed end of my Needle Lace Pillow.

Here is a photo of my CD Seascape Pincushion fully attached to My Needle Lace Pillow.

To make the wood Needle Lace Dowel, I had to recruit "My Sweetie" whose has a passion for woodworking. Lucky Moi!!!  But first, I went to Menards and bought a Wooden Dowel that was 1 1/4 inch thick. It was the largest they had available.  Then My Sweetie took it to his wood shop and started creating my Needle Lace Dowel. The total lenght of the dowel is  9 1/4 inches long.  He cut the fancy end on it to make it easier for me to pull on it. Then he spray painted it with a primer, the aqua paint was next and he put a sealer over it. It is now nice and smooth so it will not catch on my fabric.

So this is a photo of My Completed Needle Lace Pillow with CD Seascape Pincushion.  You can see in the background My Sweet Grand Daughter Chloe.  She will soon be 4 years old.

Because stitching is my first passion I thought I would show you all the Seascape Stitching I put on the top of My CD Pincushion. I never really have a plan when I start.  I just pull lots of flosses and beads and start stitching away.  I have recently in the last year learned how to do the "Drizzle Stitch" and "Open and Close Woven Picot Stitches" so I like using them often.  vbg 

 Some of the flosses I used was "Kreninik Metallics Medium #16 Braid", "Mouline DMC Variations" in the aqua and oranges, "DMC Cotton Perle" in variegated colors, "Valdani Pearl Cotton", "Necessities, Over Dyed Floss" "River Silks" hand dyed Silk Ribbon and "Flair" tubular Ribbon and "Frosty Rays" which I scrunched up to look like seaweed.

The colors and fabric I choose for the project is not in my comfort zone.  I rarely use these colors.  I truly enjoy the stitching and at time I find myself having a difficult time stopping.  You can see I did leave a wee bit of space for the pins.     

This is a photo of my completed CD Seascape Pincushion.

The above photo is of two vintage Needle Lace books I bought recently.  I am very anxious to start learning the art of Needle Lace. 

My Friend Ann an Expert Needle Lace Maker from England advised me she uses "Pearsall's Embroidery Silk" which is made in England. The above photo is my recent purchase of this silk floss.  I can hardly wait to use it. 

I am going to the Mid Michigan Lace Maker's Guild Meeting this coming Saturday and I am taking their class called "Pin Lace".  I am looking forward to it.  In My Next Posting I will share with you all photos of this meeting and what kind of Lace I create.

During the mean time I would like to thank all my blogging friends for visiting My Blog and leaving lovely comments for me to read.  They are all greatly appreciated. 

Our weather has been so glorious that My Flower Gardens our sprouting and blooming everywhere.  "Spring" is my Most Favorite time of year. 

When I was at my favorite book store I found the "April Issue of British Country Living". Oh, how I love this Magazine.  This issue was special because it was the "Garden Issue.  I instantely bought it and when I got home I went to the sunroom cuddle up in my easy chair and immerised myself in all the truly beautiful photos of gardens around the world.  .  Looking at all these gardens photos made me smile and made my heart feel very happy.   

Take care My Friends and I will chat again soon. 

Hugs                                                                                                                

 

Creating Needle Lace, My Sweet Grandchildren, and an Alaska Tree

Hello Everyone, 

I have been missing again for awhile.  I've had more computer woes and if Verizon does not get their act together soon I am going to give them the "Boot" if you know what I mean. lol So on to more pleasant topics like creating "Needle Lace".  I created this wee needle lace leaf in the last couple of days.  I got the pattern from "Beginner's Guide to Stumpwork" by Kay Dennis from the UK. (Click on the underline phrase). This link will also give you the Guild of Needle Lace in the UK along with Lacemakers and their sites). I have all three of her books and I love everyone of them. Each one of her books have a section on Needle Lace that varies from easy to most difficult. 

My first Needle Lace Motif was a fir tree that I created for My Bavaria Winter Wonderland fiber art project posted in the previous posting to this one. The Leaf below was created with Lizbeth size 20 tatting cotton. On the right side of the leaf I used "Single Brussels Stitch" and on the other "Corded Single Brussels Stitch. It is not the greatest pic but I think you can see the different lace stitches.  

Below is some goodies I recently bought.  The Guild of Needle Laces booklet gives you instructions for the Basic and Intermediate techinques. The center pattern with the Pink Flower Motif was designed by "Kay Dennis" and the Lace worked by "Anne Weston" both of the UK. The booklets are wonderful and gives you many Needle Lace patterns from easy to difficult. 

The first and third pattern kits were designed by Loretta Holzberger of Washington State.  Loretta teaches Brazilian Embroidery and Needle Lace at the

"Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild Seminar" ( click on underline phrase)  which takes place every year in Portland Oregon.  Loretta has a website

"Loretta's Custom Stitchery" with many lovely things to buy. I recently interview Loretta for our BE Wrap Up Newsletter inwhich I am the Roving Reporter.

Below is two very lovely tatted hearts.  The one on the left is called "Overwrought Victorian Heart" and the other one is called "Linda Davies Heart". These were created by Patty of California who I met on Stitchin Fingers. Patty so kindly made them for me to use as embellishments on "The Crazy Quilt Of My Dreams". Thank You Patty I truly admire your tatting.    

 Below is the  presents, I will be given to my grand daughter Chloe for her birthday  coming up in June.  Chloe loves the Disney Princess and hence the theme for her birthday pressies this year.  The place mat is so cute and on the back it has games to play and things to color with washable markers. The drinking cup has her name on it which I thought was so cool.   The Disney Princess Fleece Tied Blanket I made for My sweet Grand Daughter Chloe.   I think she will like it and she can cuddle with it every night and think of "Grandma Judy"!

My Grandson Ethan birthday is in May.  I also bought Ethan a place mat with his name on it and a "Ethan Cup" too.  I also made My Sweet Grandson Ethan a Car Fleece Tied Blanket.  I made the pillow cases to match which he already has.  Ethan can also cuddle with his blanket at night and think of "Grandma Judy" too.

With all my computer woes of late, I have not been in very good spirits.  Last week in the mail I received an "Anne Of Green Gables" post card. Hmmmmmm I wonder immediately who might of sent it. I should of know it was my "Dear Sweet Friend Heather" from SK. Canada.  She told me that while she was at the Vets. she saw the post card and knew she had to buy and send it to me to brighten My Day.  It certain did brighten my day and put a big smile on my face too.   Thank you Heather for thinking of me.  You are truly a wonderful friend. Heather also has a great blog called "A Cherished Life" please have a look.   

I love all kind of laces and with my recent interest in learning  how to create  neele lace, I thought I would share with you all two "Princess Laces" I bought when I visited Brugge Belgium.  Aren't they beautiful?

Oh, how I love my garden and Spring is such a glorious time of year.  Here is a photo of a Magnolia Tree just about at full bloom.  These lovely flowers smell so heavenly and look so beautiful I wish they would last forever.. 

I have been growing this "Alaska Fir Tree" inside for the last 5 years.  When the sprout was given to me it was only about 2 inches tall.  Look at it now.  I thought I would plant it outside this year but then decided against it until next year.  It is so special I would never want to lose it. So I will pamper it for another year. 

For the last couple of years we have been seriously thinking of buying a new vechile.  My sweetie's Chevy truck is getting old with over 250,000 miles on it and my Ford Focus is just a small run around car for me.  So with our upcoming trip we finally decided on a

 "Town and Country Touring Stow/N/Go,  Mini Van". It is so nice to ride in.  We have taken it now on a couple of  short trip and this one in the photo was to Frankenmuth Michigan.  We had stopped so I could admire a Pussy Willow tree in bloom and before I got back in I took this photo of our new van.  

So I need to forget about all the computer woes and start focusing on planning our trip.  My goodness it is only a little over 2 months and we will be on our way.  I am very excited to visit this special place.  I wish you all a very wonderful month.

Hugs,