Thursday, November 29, 2012

Great Lesson Learned!

So it has been 1 week since I began this blog.  Still love the idea!  This past week I have been painting lots of canvases getting orders ready and getting new designs for market in Feb. 2013.  Can't wait for market!

Wait, I got side tracked!

Several weeks ago I ran into a friend from high school who stitches.  She came to one of my classes that I hold weekly at Needlepoint This here in Dallas.  It was fun to see her, had been a very long time.  Anyway, she has started needlepointing and needed some guidance.  Well, fast forward a few weeks and she brought the piece in this week with her initials that she had put on the canvas herself.  I had told her how to do it but she did not have the correct pen.  So when she came to see me it was rubbing off on me and everything else.  What a mess!

So after long discussions we worked out a plan of how she might save this canvas.  I have to say that she always had a positive outlook, I had my doubts.  Wish all my customers would or could have the same outlook.  Anyway, she sent me pictures of the piece as she was working on it.  Could not believe it all came out. As she blotted the front to remove the ink the back was acting like a wick and soaking up all the ink.  Back was a bigger mess than the front.

Bless her heart, she worked and worked on it and got it all out!  She told me that she lives by OxyClean!  That and a small sponge is how it all came out.  So the most important lesson to be learned is to make sure that you use an Ultra Fine Sharpe or acrylic paint when designing or changes a canvas.

Happy Stitching & Have Stitch Will Travel!
Julia


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Welcome!

Welcome to the first posting of Have Stitch Will Travel, the blog.  My hope is that you will find all kinds of great needlepoint information as well as ideas for finishing.

I was teaching in Montgomery for The Needle Bug last week and we had the best idea for a gift for the guy in your life.  We needed a gift for a new husband who loves to go duck hunting.  So between myself and the precious bride to be, we came up with this idea.  Take a belt canvas and stitch is as usual.  Remember not to stitch with very bright colors.  Then you will use the Binding stitch to attach the 2 long sides together.  Next you are ready to send it to your favorite local needlepoint store and have their belt finisher connect the 2 ends with leather and add a clip on the end to attach the duck caller.  We also thought of putting welting in the center as you connect the 2 sides to give it some substance.  Basically you have made a lanyard for your duck caller or scope.

Another great other use for a belt canvas!