The First Item in our Garden

Here is the first item we made for our Garden of Delights in a Basket:

It's a needle book designed by Linda Driskell. Our program chairman Georgette B. was able to contact Linda and she kindly allowed us to copy and teach her design to our chapter members. Georgette's goal was to allow each Baldy View member to try a small sample of a new technique and to finish it into a usable item without a sewing machine. She taught the stitching over one meeting and the finishing over another. This project featured a harganger center and mock bullion flowers.

Look at all Georgette's pins and needles! Georgette demonstrated how to get an even cut on felt by using freezer paper.

We could make an optional pocket in the back for our gauge that had been a gift from our chapter to each member. Georgette had to make two needle books to work out the techniques and she put her monogram on the back of one. She pulled that design from the Dover book "Charted Monograms for Needlework and Cross Stitch." If I get a chance, I'll post a photo of that too.



Thank you, Linda, for allowing us the use of your design.

May's Stitch-In

Today several members came to Ginger's Quilt Shop to stitch together. We had a lot of fun! Here are a few of the projects our friends are working on:

 

 This is a Christmas Stocking cuff that Georgette B. is stitching up for her grandson. The body of the stocking also will be stitched. Georgette is really enjoying this project so far. This is using a lot of metallic threads. If she finds the name of the designer we will post it.

 Darlene V. is stitching this up from a project she found in the magazine "Handmade." It's called Birch Wood designed by Leutenegger. Darlene has changed out the threads to an overdye for a subtle change that really works well for bark.

This next is a bit of before and after of the same piece. Called "Bargello Arrows" by Terry Dryden, both Pamela R. and Denise M. have taken on this project. The designer encouraged each stitcher to use his or her own color pallet. At April's stitch-in, Denise helped Pam choose a pallet of mostly blue and gold. The little doll is a frameweight borrowed from Darlene V.

Here is Denise's finished Bargello Arrows. It's beautiful!

"Sampler Scissors Roll" designed by Margaret Bendig was stitched by Denise too. This will be finished into a scissor pocket with a flap. The colors are lovely.





  Here is another design from Margaret Bendig called "Long May it Wave" being stitched by Helen I. The picture doesn't really show the lovely threads used in the project. Neon Rays and Sparkle Rays along with matte threads make this glow.



Susie S., Ruth P., and Mary Lee M. were also there but I missed getting photos, so I'll have to make sure I catch them next time. Again, our stitch-in time is open to any one who'd like to join us. We will meet at Gingers Quilt Shop in Upland on June 27 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The time is really flexible so getting there later or staying later is fine. We hope to see you there.