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MYSTIC, CT
November 14-15, 2008
Friday - Saturday
Sandie Vanosdall
of The Sweetheart Tree
Holly & Hearts Christmas Sampler
Click Here for another View
 Dear Mystic Stitchers,
I can't wait to meet you all this November in Mystic! I've actually been busy getting ready for our time in class for quite some time now and have designed two new projects which we'll work on - but before I tell you about the projects I want to tell you that I am really looking forward to meeting all of you! Sue promises fun both in and out of class ... and, since "girls just wanna have fun!" I've dreamed up some fun stuff we can work on.
For the Mystic classes I've created a spectacular and sparkly new band-sampler with a slightly contemporary twist. It's called the "Holly & Hearts Christmas Sampler" & if the sampler isn't enough to keep your fingers busy there is also a large heart shaped ornament adapted from the heart motif in the center of the sampler - so there are actually 2 separate kits that you'll receive in Mystic!
The Holly & Hearts Christmas Sampler is worked on 28 count Platinum Cashel Linen and is chock full of fun fancy stitches. In addition to Cross Stitches and Backstitching (something that I've been told I'm "notorious" for) the other stitches used in the sampler include a Modified Star Stitch, Elongated Rhodes Hearts, Diamond Eye Stitches, a Four-Trip Stitch forming a half-diamond shape, 2 variations of "Whitework," Oblique Herringbone Stitches, a variation of the Scotch Stitch, Large Cross Stitches, Tent Stitches, 2 variations of Tiny Laticework with Tacking Stitches, and the Amadeus Stitch (which is repeated 4 times to form a twisting diamond shape). Lots and lots of Mill Hill Magnifica Beads and Swarovski's Crystal-Clear Paillettes add sparkly accents to the finished sampler. The sampler is worked in DMC 6-strand floss, Perle Cotton, and a bit of sparkle added with touches here and there of Balger Silver cord. None of the stitches are particularly difficult and we'll walk easily through them all so you have an easy time completing your sampler.
The Holly & Hearts Ornament is also worked on 28 count Platinum Cashel Linen - but we've made a change or two to this "pull-out" from the sampler. The primary stitches used for the body of the heart are simple Cross Stitches and Backstitches but in the center of the heart we've inserted the Amadeus Stitch once again to challenge you. This time we've worked with Weeks Dye Works hand-dyed flosses with a bit of Perle Cotton to work the Amadeus Stitch. Once again this piece sparkles with Magnifica Beads and Crystal-Clear Paillettes!
Each time I teach I always "recommend" that students should bring "magnification." Many people think they can do without it.....but trust me when I say that to make some of the stitches easier you'll need BOTH magnification and bright lighting - so bring both with you please and we won't have to dip into Sue's big bottle of Tylenol to straighten out your crossed eyes. Also, to keep the proper tension on some of these stitches it's very important to use a hoop, stretcher bars or Q-Snaps to keep firm tension on the fabric. You just can't keep the tension right if stitching "in hand" for some of these stitches so bring whatever "toys" you use and are comfortable with which will hold your fabric really tight! (The finished sampler size is 5”x14” and the linen cut is 11”x20”. The ornament takes up about a 5”x5” area, and the cut size for the ornament is 9”x9”).
See you soon in Mystic!
Sandie Vanosdall
NOTE FROM SUE: Participants should be used to stitching on linen and be able to read a basic cross stitch chart. The instructor will go over all specialty stitches and provide illustrated written instructions for you to follow at home. Bring your usual favorite stitching tools along with any needed magnification or light (if you bring plug-ins, bring an extention cord). You might also like to have some extra tapestry needles (I’m one of those that likes to thread up each color to have handy).
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