Category: "Needlework"

Punchneedle tips and tricks

by brae  

This post as moved here on the new blog.

Bees and Trees rug - how to complete a French knot rug

by brae  

This post has moved to the new blog.

Needlework

by brae  

Quick links:

- Post on punchneedle tip and tricks
- Post on finishing a French knot rug
- Post on Baby Z Lap Frame
- Post on Morgan No-Slip Hoop
- Post on Morgan Lap Stand

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Cluny Animals - modified from a Bobbie Schoonmaker design, French knots - future project

Five Felines rug - The original pattern was made by Anne Ritter, and I was inspired by the rug made by Shelly Norris from this pattern. I altered the position, shape and size of the various cats to better suit the real life cats they represent. The rug measures 3 1/8″ by 1 3/4″ and took me 28 hours to stitch.

Birds on a Branch - Sue Bakker design, re-charted in Pattern Maker Pro and printed on cotton, French knots - work in progress

Gazelle Rug - cross stitch, 32ct Jobelan - Pattern from Miniature Embroidery for the 20th Century Dolls' House by Pamela Warner, work in progress

Mod Flowers Rug - French knots on cotton - based on modern real life rug by Thomas Paul - work in progress

The Persian - French knots on cotton - original latch hook chart by Patons - work in progress

Bargello seat covers - 40 count linen, two strands DMC floss - pattern from the book Miniature Needlepoint and Sewing Projects by Kathryn Falk

Tribal Foxes Rug - cross stitch, 32ct Jobelan - adapted from vintage original, work in progress

Horses and Birds Rug - adapted from a book on Ukrainian embroidery, charted on Pattern Maker Pro. I’m not sure if I will stitch this rug, but it was a good exercise in learning the software. I love the ease of changing colors universally in the Pattern Maker software.

Tree Ring Rug - freehand French knots, inspired the Woody Wood Carpet by Dutch designer Yvette Laduk

Nine Horses wall tapestry - half cross stitch, 32ct Jobelan - adapted from vintage original 

Prairie rug - punchneedle adapted from Mitchell's Interiors original - work in progress

Bees and Trees - French knot kit by Teresa Layman

Blue Medallion rug, chart provided by Jorge Cubells

Bedding pillows, pillowcases and accent pillows - most available in my etsy shop

Navajo rug - Natalia Frank design based on a Navajo original weaving

Topiary with Birds - motif from a Dutch sampler dated 1776

William Morris rug - adapted from a Janet Granger design

Llama rug - Brenda Keyes design

Orange Tree tapestry - Brenda Keyes design

Mackintosh chair covers - Sue Hawkins design

Faux crochet throw blanket - tutorial available in my etsy shop

Conservatory progress update

by brae  

After finishing the faux wicker furniture a few days ago, I've itched to work on the Newport.  So, I spent part of today working on the conservatory that sits on top of the Newport's garage.

The garage was made from the Foxhall Conservatory, but I didn't use the included windows or double French doors.  I cut plywood walls for the new conservatory and used the windows from the Foxhall kit.  I added the double French door to lead to the master bedroom and bought an additional single French door to lead to the outer walkway around the conservatory.

The wallpaper is French Vanilla scrapbook paper by Bazzill Basics.  The doors and windows have their first coat of paint but need to be finished further.

The unfinished stairs are the front steps from the original Newport base kit.  I plan to make my own front steps, so these were left over parts.  I will leave the exposed brick on the one wall and still need to finish the second floor board that sticks out into the room.  But, I like the way these elements make the conservatory look like a later addition to an existing house.

Most of the plants shown here are just stand-ins until I get the chance to make some more.  The elephant ear plant by the double French doors was made following the instructions on a DVD called Master Miniaturists: Flowers & Plants.  I had made floral tape plants when I was a kid, so putting this one together brought back memories!  :]

The Orange Tree tapestry is a needlepoint project I made from a pattern in the book Exquisite Miniatures in Cross Stitch and Other Counted Thread Techniques by Brenda Keyes.  This book is not specifically for dollhouses but has smaller real life size projects that can be used in miniature settings both with and without minor modifications.

The tiles are Greenleaf vinyl tiles.  Right now, they are just on the factory sheet put in place to see how the color works with the rest of the room.  I think the floor is a keeper!

I have a dark green wire table in place for the coffee table.  If I keep it, I'll likely paint it to match the settee and chair.  The rug is a paper printout of Thomas Paul rug called Seed in the coloration kiwi.  I'm undecided on the rug, too.  If I keep it, I'll print it on fuzzy paper for a more realistic finish.  It looks good in the photo, but in person it gives itself away as a piece of shiny paper.

Conservatory progress and wall tapestry

by brae  

I cut the window and door openings in the new 3/8" plywood walls of the conservatory.  It was quite a workout since I didn't have power tools on hand to use.  The foam core rooftop is just for planning purposes.  I haven't decided on whether I want a glass (i.e., acrylic sheet) roof or a solid one.


click image to enlarge

I'm rather excited about this room, mainly because it is turning out as I had hoped just like the garage.  Both the conservatory and the garage are partial scratch built rooms using the Foxhall Conservatory kit as the basis.


click image to enlarge

After stitching the Mackintosh chair cushions, I got the bug.  :D  I checked out a bunch of books from the library and lined up a number of projects.  The first one I completed was from Exquisite Miniatures in Cross Stitch and Other Counted Thread Techniques by Brenda Keyes.  This book is not specifically for dollhouses but has smaller real life size projects that can be used in miniature settings both with and without minor modifications.

The art is called Orange Tree, so I thought it would look nice in the conservatory.


click image to enlarge

I stitched it on 28 count evenweave fabric in mushroom color.  The book had called for it to be stitched on 22 count needlepoint canvas.  The color of the fabric saved my having to stitch the background, and the higher count made the project smaller in size.  The needlework is mounted on stiff felt on the back.