Saguaro Sunrise Finish Finished

I decided to be brave and finish my Saguaro Sunrise into a needlebook after all. I did not use the provided fabric because it would fray. I used some ultra suede I had in my stash and the corded edging technique from Marion Scoular's book (page 72).

For this technique, you remove one thread of canvas next to the stitching. You then stitch the outline stitch in the "ladders" left behind when removing the thread. A thicker thread than used in the stitching is required. I used the Glisten from the kit. 

The final result gives it a nice corded edge.

I have a snap insert tool, so I used that as my closure. Also, if I don't initial and date in the stitching and it is possible, I use a thin black Sharpie to write them on the fabric (upside down in this photo).

I used my sewing machine to sew in the wool felt needle pages.

I guess that is it!

Happy Stitching!!

Saguaro Sunrise Completed!

I worked on this the last couple of days and finished the stitching. I am not sure if I will make it into a needlebook or not. The kit included fabric and felt to turn it into a needlebook, but the verdict is still out.

It was a fun stitch and I am glad the teacher allowed ghosts.

Happy Stitching!!

Saguaro Sunrise Update 3

 I made quite a bit of progress on the back as seen on the right side of the canvas. 

Someone emailed me about this project with a question and I can't find the email. I think I remember the question, so will answer it here. 

She said she had been a ghost for the class (basically ghosts take the class at home and do not need to show up to the actual workshop) and wanted to know if there had been any finishing instructions.

Well, I also ghosted the class, so can't say if she said anything during the actual class. But she did say in our instructions (page 12) that she does not usually finish her stuff and gave the name of her finisher. I did not see any finishing information in the emails she sent after the class either. 

Probably not much help, but that is all I have.

My little helper while I stitch!

Happy Stitching!!

Saguaro Sunrise Update 2

 Woo Hoo!! I finished the front of the needlebook.  

I was working on this at my stitch club when I got to the last part (the ground) and thought it was too noisy to work on due to the complexity of the stitch. When I finally picked it up to work on in my stitching nest, I thought why did I do that the stitch is fairly easy. I guess it just depends on how you feel at the time sometimes.!

I have been away from stitching for a bit and it feels real good to get back to it. Same with blogging. I don't have many followers or get many comments. I look at my blog as a journal of my stitching, so I guess that is ok. But, I do hope to get my followers back at some point, so will try to post more this year!

Happy Stitching!!

Saguaro Sunrise Update 1

I decided to take up Saguaro Sunrise as my stitching nest project to report on each Monday. 

It is designed to be a needlebook with the Saguaro on one side and a cool pattern on the other. 

Here is my progress to date.

I hope to have more to show next Monday!

Happy Stitching!!

Saguaro Sunrise Needlebook

This is a canvas piece that was originally offered at the ANG National Seminar in Tucson, AZ (August 2022). As I write that I realize I may have never posted anything about that Seminar. Well, a post for another day.

Anyway, Sandie was able to teach the class through the Embroiderers Guild of America (EGA) Southwest Pacific Region in 2023. I was able to sign up as a ghost (did not need to actually show up to the class). Which was nice I did not have to drive to California.

I started working on it in November 2023 and mostly stitched it during my weekly Festival Stitchers club meetings. As I mentioned earlier, I have been in a bit of a slump stitching and crafting-wise, so the stitching was slow going. I hope to change things and stitch more in 2024.

I have the bottom section in various dark blue and purple colors to finish and then front side of the needlebook is complete. The stitch used (diagonal triple Parisian) is a bit tricky and I could not work on it during club meetings anymore (too much chatting). 

Once I am done, or tired of, making those playing card holders I will start back up with this. Or now that I think of it, I could start the back side, those stitches look like I could do them during a meeting.

Just one more decision to make!

Thanks for stopping by!

EGA National Seminar Report

From October 3 to October 7, 2018 I was in Louisville, KY at the Embroiderers Guild of America, Inc. (EGA) National Seminar. We celebrated 60 years as an organization!

 Members of the Seminar Committee, Executive Board, Teachers and maybe some I missed were given this embroidered name tag with back pocket. Here is the top part.










This Seminar was the last one using the old EGA logo and the new one was unveiled.

The sign on the left has our new logo

  

 The sign on the right has our old logo.

I took three classes and a miracle has occurred, as of last night, I finished all three classes!! It helped that not all were that big and being retired, I had plenty of time to stitch.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, I took a one day class: Nutcracker Santa by Janet Zickler Casey. I finished it last night. The design size is approximately 5" by 6" and I plan to have it finished into a hanging ornament. Probably for our tree next year since I have missed the Christmas finishing deadline for this year.

I then took a Thursday-Friday Class: Songbird by Toni Gerdes. It is based on the needlearts of the late 1700s and honors the Deerfield Society of Blue and White Needlework. She used stitches from the past with modern threads. It was fun. Design size approx. 8 1/2" by 7". I started it Oct. 4 and finished it Oct. 16. I also had it framed right away since, as fate would have it, I had signed up for a class with Toni through my local ANG chapter (Saguaro Stitchers) and wanted to have it ready to show her.

I also took a Saturday-Sunday class - Diamond Jubilee Sampler by Sandi Cormaci-Boles. I started it Oct. 6 and finished it Oct. 20. In an odd turn of events Sandi was teaching a class at my local EGA chapter meeting to honor our Gold Thread winner and so I worked to finish it to show her! I did not have time to frame it before class however. The finished size is 5" by 7". It uses various stitches and includes some crystals. It was fun too.

At the opening banquet I was seated with the RMR since I helped pass out the favors and it was easier this way. I am also a member of a Chapter there, so I sat with friends!

Opening banquet favor.

We had a nice boutique by ABC Stitch Therapy and I am not sure there was anything left in their shop in TX! We also got a very nice sized tote bag with zipper top. My stitching supplies and System 4 table top frame fit in just fine!

We also received a nice pair of scissors with scissor fob as our closing banquet favor.

 Last but not least, Coco says hi!! I think I woke her up when I took the photo!

Happy Stitching!!!