Thursday, March 15, 2007

Bejewelled

Dawn got her jewelry tonight! This is one of my favorite parts of the Passione Ricamo designs - Laura loves to put jewelry on the fairies! This one is amazing - some areas are all beads or are all Petite Treasure Braids (plain and blended with DMC). I am lucky that I actually have never found working with metallics to be difficult. I do see a lot of people complaining about them, though. I think the key is to keep your lengths relatively short and use a Q-Snap - you just cannot get good tension with metallic braid if you stitch in hand, especially in large areas. I have tried both ways many times, and the Q-Snap is the clear and outright winner - no bumps or bobbles like I saw on one of the fairy spirits a few months back - the stitcher stitches in hand and her stitches do not lay flat and nice. Some may disagree, but if you look at both, it is hard to dispute this.

Yay, a three day weekend for me! Good planning, as we will get a forecasted 6" or so of snow during the day tomorrow. It was 76F when I was driving home from work yesterday. I hope this is the end of the snow for the season, but in New England, you cannot be sure in mid-March! I hope to get a FAQ on how the Neighborhood RR works out to my groups while I have this time off - I do I hope I can get that done!

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooh I'm jealous. I have the worst trouble with metallics! She's looking lovely :)

Anonymous said...

How short did you cut the metallics? Do you use Thread Heaven before stitching? How many strands for 28ct fabric? Any back views of your stitching?

I'm not having difficulty but would like to make it better stitching as I do find it a pain to stitch but loves the feel of it once I finish a row....like chain-mail. :-)

Deb said...

Carol,
Dawn is looking lovely. I agree about the tension of the fabric when adding beads and metallics. I stitch using scrolls mostly. And, I try to use short strands on all threads to keep the sheen as well as manageability. I cut metallics no longer than about 10" and threads no longer than 13", ordinarily. It seems to cut down on knots and kinks! Your stitching is just beautiful.
Deb in FL
Lavender Rose Ramblings

Rachael said...

Very Pretty !

Unknown said...

Oh yes Carol, those beads sure do look lovely around her neck.

I must admit, I am not a fan of metalics and probably avoid using them if possible.

Your stitching this week is lovely as usual.

stitcherw said...

Dawn looks so pretty in her new jewelry, I really enjoy seeing your updated posts on how she is coming along.

I love Q-snaps and use them on everything. There have only been a couple of very small projects that I've elected to do in hand. My tension without using Q's just is not even, and as you mention, my stitches just don't seem to lay as even and nice without them.

I hope the snow misses you, stay warm and enjoy your days off. We'll look forward to seeing pictures of all the stitching you get done.
Sue

Unknown said...

She's beautiful. I love her necklace.

I stitch in hand, but I do agree with you on the q-snap especially with the project I'm doing at the moment with metallics.

Jenn said...

Very pretty Carol! Wow 76 deg! We were in the 50's on Wednesday but, back in the 30's yesterday and now today we have snow.

Enjoy your day off! I wish i was there to stitch with you.

ollie1976 said...

The beads really make her stand out-great job!

Samantha said...

Wow - she's beautiful Carol! I love the jewellery that Laura puts on her pieces too. :o)

Kajsa said...

That is so pretty! Love that necklace.

That's a good observation about the metallics and beads. I don't stitch in hand most of the time, except when I'm beading in the end. I'm always concerned about crushing beads. How do you deal with that?

Six inches, ugh! Sounds like a great time for stitching.

Wendy said...

Dawn looks gorgeous with her jewellery! I actually love working with Petite Treasure Braid, and in reading your post, I always use a very tight hoop on my stitching, so I guess that's why it hasn't been a problem for me. Rayon thread however...its a huge ordeal. But I do love sparkly things!

Anonymous said...

I have just found your site and love the stitching. You have inspsired me to begin again. I need a translation though. What is a Q Snap? Is it only obtainable in the USA?

Cherilyn

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Q - snaps a necessity and modern invention for the avid stitcher...I agree wholeheartedly :)

Sharon said...

just beautful!

Michelle said...

Love this! I've never had any issues with metallics either, other than threading them into my needle sometimes. I agree that using a q-snap is the only way to go on that, and with the beading. Enjoy your long weekend!

Stitch Wizard said...

Oh she is just beautiful Carol!! I love these colors as well!! You make so much progress on everything!! Great job! Debby :)

BeckySC said...

She is looking gorgeous, Carol!!

Sally said...

Dawn is looking beautiful Carol. I love the colours.

Leslie aka zoeandcooper said...

She looks just stunning! She has some good taste in jewelry.

Stay safe in all that snow. And I thought it was over.

mainely stitching said...

The weather is so weird lately, isn't it?

I hope you have a wonderful 3 day weekend. And your bejeweled lady looks lovely. :)

Cathy B said...

Carol - I hope you are enjoying your day off!

Elizabeth MacGregor-Kirkcaldy said...

She's just gorgeous, Carol! I love the jewellery! :-)

Anonymous said...

Oooooooh, how lovely! Thanks for the advice on the metallics. I will give it a try.