Our Friends' HAED SAL: Introduction From Rachel

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Introduction From Rachel

Hi everyone! First, I want to thank you for the invitation to join this blog. This is the only other blog besides my own personal blog that I have participated in.

A little bit about me: I just celebrated my 10 year anniversary with my husband. I have a 9 year old daughter and a 4 year old son. I have been stitching for almost 20 years! I taught myself when I was 10 years old. That was a disaster. Who knew you actually had to separate the 6 strands of DMC?!?! I have since learned a lot, and have quite a few finishes hanging on my walls.

I have been stitching HAED for a few years now, but haven't had a finish yet! I have 3 WIPs though, and I wanted to share my progress so far with all of you.

This first one is the first one I ever started. This is Wizard of Oz (Gustafson), stitched 2 x 1 on 18ct Aida. This is about 1/2 of page one. The only deterrent I have with this one is the amount of thread changes!

This next one is Gossamer Fairy StoryKeep. I just started this one a few months ago, but have not stitched on it in awhile. Stitched 1 x 1 on 28ct Lugana.

And the last one I have started so far is the QS SAL, Fiona. Stitched 1 x 1 on 28ct Lugana. I am really enjoying this one, but have slowed my stitching because of school.

I am looking forward to chatting with everyone, and seeing everyone's progress!

~Rachel~

9 comments:

Cindy F. said...: Welcome Rachel! Your wips are gorgeous and you've made amazing progress on each! Hang in there girl...those confetti stitches aren't much fun, but they really add to the finish!
Congrats on your 10th Anniversary:)
We're glad you've joined us!; March 8, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Terri said...: Hi Rachel. Your stitching is wonderful. Way to go on 10 years. DH and I are celebrating our 15th this year.; March 8, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Sjoukje said...: Hi Terri! I'm working on The Wizard of Oz as well, but it's not my main focus piece. I started in the opposite corner, because I prefer working from right to left and down to up. But you have more colours already, it's really nice!; March 8, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Annie Bee said...: Hi Rachel I love you progress pics. They look great. I am one of the rare people who actually likes confetti stitches.....LOL; March 8, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Yoyo said...: Love all your pieces. I want to try an HAED on 28 ct over 1, but it's a bit daunting to me.; March 8, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Carolyn NC said...: Rachel,
They all look fantastic!; March 8, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Rachel said...: Thanks everyone!; March 9, 2009 at 7:28 AM
jessneal said...: I have the gossomer SK too. I have been thinking about starting it. It looks really good!; March 9, 2009 at 1:20 PM
jessneal said...: I have the gossomer SK too. I have been thinking about starting it. It looks really good!; March 9, 2009 at 1:20 PM

Tutorials

How to Carry Threads
This is really easy...it takes a while to get used to though....and your back will look terrible...this you will have to live with...One thing...You will be working your 10 x 10 grids in colums...it makes it easier...
1. Start with a 10 x 10 grid..
2. Find your first symbol...and stitch all of that symbol in your 10 x 10 grid....When finished...
3. Find the same symbol on the 10 x 10 grid below it...take your needle and bring your thread up like you are going to make the first 1/2 of the X ...but don't do it...just unthread your needle and lay the thread down..
4. Go back to the first grid you were working on...and stitch the next symbol the same way....when finished bring your thread down....
5. continue each symbol until your first 10 x 10 grid is finished....
6. start the next 10 x 10 grid ....you should have thread there already for you to pick up and stitch...
Posted by Vickie 3/7/2009

Tent Stitching (Wikipedia)
Tent stitch variants
There are three types of tent stitch, all producing the same appearance on the front of the canvas but each worked in a slightly different way and having particular characteristics, uses, benefits and drawbacks. These variants of tent stitch are known as basketweave, continental and half cross tent stitches:
Basketweave tent stitch - The basketweave form of tent stitch is worked in diagonal rows up and down the canvas. The yarn on the back of the canvas has a typical basketweave appearance, with alternating horizontal and vertical stitches. Basketweave is the best stitch to use for covering large areas of canvas as it does not distort the canvas as the other two forms of tent stitch do.
Continental tent stitch - Continental stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitches appear diagonally across two threads. This method uses more yarn than half cross stitch tent stitch but is more hardwearing.
Half cross tent stitch - Half cross stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitch appears vertical or horizontal, not diagonal, and crosses only one thread. This method uses less yarn than other stitches but is not very durable as coverage on the back of the canvas is a little thin.