Beaded Ubuntu Dish - Updated 1/31/26

January 31, 2026--Done!!  I added two additional rows of beads to the upper edge, then bezelled the center Rivoli.  Bezelling anything is very new to me and my inexperience shows--mine is a little off center.  But it's done and I'm pretty happy with it.  And my rings, earrings, etc. look wonderful sitting in the dish.

Ubunto Dish Completed Top View

Ubunto Dish Completed Side View

Ubuntu Dish Sitting on Bath Countertop Holding Jewelry

January 22, 2026--All 14 panels have been beaded and stitched together, and I love how lacy it looks.  This is larger than expected (about 5" in diameter).  The bead colors (white with navy and gold edges) are perfect together.  Next up is the bezelled Rivoli placed in the center of the dish.  I have very little (almost none) experience in doing this, so I see lots of "two steps backward for every one forward" in my future.  Wish me luck.

Ubuntu Dish in Process - Side View

Ubuntu Dish in Process - Top View

January 11, 2026--I'm a member of the Seed Beads and More Facebook page where I found a free pattern designed by Cath Thomas called Ubuntu Dish for 2025 International Bead Week (IBW).  The project, as designed, is done with different color beads for each of the 14 "panels".  I decided to work up mine in all white with a navy blue and gold edge.  

I hesitated to tackle this, not knowing if I would be able to do such a complicated project.  However, after sitting down for an hour or so to completely comprehend the instructions, I found that I could easily work this up because the instructions were so well done.  And I also discovered that yes, you can teach an old dog a new trick or two.

Here's the project as designed:

Ubuntu Dish as Designed

Here it is in my colorway.  So far, I've done 4 of the 14 panels:

Ubuntu Dish - 4 Panels Done to date

This will be perfect to place on my bath vanity for holding rings, earrings, etc. that I wear every day.

Bookmarks Darning, Blackwork, Etc. - Updated 8/13/24

August 13, 2024--I've completed 15 more bookmarks (photos below).  These are so much fun to stitch and work up easily.  

The first two photos are an example of reversible "blackwork" done in purple thread, the first one is partially stitched, showing how the first "path" looks, then the design is completed with the second "path".   However, I do need to work a bit more on my skill to end threads on the reverse side so they don't show.

Blackwork Pattern Partially Stitched

Photo showing front (left) and back (right) sides of Blackwork

I found an excellent resource for darning patterns:

Here are photos of the other fourteen bookmarks:

July 11, 2024--Last year I attended Needlefest New Jersey and had the pleasure at one point of sitting next to Dee L of the New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG who showed me the bookmarks she was working on.  They were stitched on Aida cloth using various darning patterns, threads, etc., and they were so darned cute.

Soooo, I just had to stitch up some of these myself and learned that our local library in Georgetown, DE, where my needlepoint guild chapter meets, would be happy to have them as give aways to their new card holders, avid readers, etc.  I found some lace edged Aida fabric bookmarks on Amazon which are perfect for this purpose except, in my opinion, they are a bit too wide.   Nevertheless, I have them and am happily working away on them whenever I need a small, easy to carry project (in the car, at stitch-ins, etc.).   Since they are supposed to be reversible, I "finish" off each bookmark by sewing across the top and bottom to catch the threads so they won't pull out.  

I'm now tackling a bookmark with a reversible blackwork pattern.  I went on YouTube to learn how to start and stop threads and was disappointed to see that most of the videos treat blackwork as black thread on white cloth embroidery, but NOT reversible.  Fortunately, I have a decent library collection of blackwork books such as:

    Reversible Blackwork Book 1 by Ilse Altherr, 1978

    Blackwork & Holbein Embroidery Book 2 by Ilse Altherr, 1981

    The Heart of Blackwork by Ann Strite-Kurz, 1992

Below is a collection of twelve bookmarks stitched so far.  I especially like the one with hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds since I'm an avid casino goer.  Each picture shows the bookmark's front (left side of photo) and back (right side of photo).   Most of these have been worked up using a stash of discontinued RG metallic threads given to me by a friend.  Each bookmark takes anywhere between 12 to 20 yards of thread, so I am happy to have this stash.

Necklace and Bracelet Shell Game - Updated 7/6/24

July 6, 2024--Loved the Shell Game bracelet so much that I ordered more beads to make a necklace.  Fortunately, Jill Wiseman had the same bronze size 8 and 11 beads available.  The bugle beads, even though they have the same number, are just a bit darker than the ones used for the bracelet, but not enough to bother me.   Here it is.

Necklace Shell Game

May 17, 2024--I've just finished another beaded bracelet and love how different this one is compared to others I've done.   This one, called Shell Game, is designed by June Wiseman and took just a few hours to work up.    I'd love to have a necklace using this pattern, so may call Jill Wiseman to see if the same beads are available.

Bracelet Beaded Shell Game Finished

Parcheesi Anyone - 3/27/24

March 27, 2024--This is a piloted project I stitched for Susan Hoekstra who will be teaching this adorable game board class at the 2024 ANG Seminar in Kansas City, MO.  Susan tells me the unusual colors and design were copied from an antique Parcheesi board.  The kit includes a line drawn canvas, instructions, threads, frame pieces and parcheesi game "men".  

I probably won't use the unfinished frame pieces supplied with the kit, but instead will have my framer set this in a black lacquered frame and add "footies" so it can sit on a table.  The parcheesi men supplied are also unfinished and the thought of painting these myself is untenable, especially after I had hand painted all the checkers in a previous pilot stitched project for Susan called "Game Is On".  Too fiddly.   I'm actually thinking of hitting some second-hand shops for an older parcheesi game just for the game pieces.  If I find one with all the playing pieces in colors that I like--that'll be that.

Parcheesi Anyone Completed

Below is a photo of the project taken from the seminar brochure.  If you sign up for this project, you're going to love the interesting stitches and scrumptious threads used.

Bracelet Beaded Filled Right Angle Weave - 3/9/24

March 9, 2024--Yesterday I took a class from Donna Baratta at the Rehoboth Beach Art League on how to work up a filled right angle weave bracelet.  She supplied everything we needed--beads, button for closure, thread, needles, lighting, scissors, bead mat, written instructions, etc.  Love this technique and we managed to get everything done in the time allotted (4 hours).  I now want to make this again, but two additional rows wider.  Here it is with silvery white seed beads and very shiny dark blue 4mm Czech fire polished crystals.  

Bracelet Beaded Filled Right Angle Weave Finished

Spring Sampler - Updated 9/17/24

September 17, 2024--Won a 1st Place Ribbon in the Canvaswork/Needlepoint category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 12th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

February 18, 2024--Picked this up from the pillow fabricator yesterday and love how it looks sitting on an extra dining room chair.  The colors work perfectly with the furniture, wall paint and draperies. 

Spring Sampler Finished into a Pillow

Spring Sampler Pillow on a Dining Room Chair

January 22, 2024--The stitching is complete on all 21 bands.  Loved working on this project and I especially love the colors.  Next step is to meet with my pillow fabricator to determine what color will look best for the pillow back and whether or not she'll need a few rows of tent stitches around the edge so the canvas won't show. 

Scroll to the very end to see a full list of my threads used for each band as compared to those used by Melita.  Hope you will find this helpful if you decide to stitch this wonderful piece.

Spring Sampler Completed

January 6, 2024--Now thirteen bands are done, and each one complements the other beautifully.  I'm putting this project away so I can continue stitching on it at EGA's CampWannastitch in Ocean City, MD.  Stay tuned.....

It's interesting how different rows 6 and 16 look from each other because of the way my window light hits the canvas at a slant.   When all the stitching is done, I'll find another way to photograph this piece so the light shines evenly on it.

Spring Sampler Bands 5 through 17 Completed

December 29, 2023--Eleven bands are now stitched, and I love the colors.  As we work from the center outwards (in this case, up and down), Bands 6 through 16 are done.  

Spring Sampler Bands 6 through 16 Completed

December 12, 2023--When I took the photo below on November 1 that shows a partially stitched Band 6, I stopped working on it to confirm with Melita, the project's designer, that the thread used was too bright and light.  She agreed, and I finally had an opportunity to purchase a new thread color from Waste Knot Needlepoint in Arlington, VA on November 20th on my way to Thanksgiving in Ohio.

Sampler Spring Border 6 Question

After looking at all the ribbon-like threads, nothing struck my fancy.  Finally, I found the color Mermaid, #5009, by Kreinik.  Size 16 Medium Braid and it works perfectly--and I love the sparkle.  So, I put away the RG Sparkle Rays PS68 Light Sage for use in a future project.  Of course, I had lots of "frogging" to do and tucking away of tail ends, but I got it done in no time. Here's the result.

Spring Sampler Bands 6 through 15 Completed

The next Band, number 16, uses the same colors and similar patterns as in Band 6, That will balance the project nicely.  

October 10, 2023--I've now stitched seven bands (8 through 14) on this delightful sampler (about one-third done).   I want to take this with me to the New Jersey Needlefest event that takes place in a week and a half, so I'll hold off on doing any more until then.

Spring Sampler Bands 8 through 14 Completed

October 5, 2023--I couldn't resist starting this project instead of waiting for the class that begins later this month.  Melita's instructions are wonderful, so I haven't had any problems so far.

We are instructed to start with Row 11, the center row, then work our way north and south.  So that's what I've done, then I added the top and bottom Rows 10 and 12.  The colors are developing into an interesting combination.  Now I'm really looking forward to adding more rows to see how the colors play together.

Spring Sampler, Rows 10, 11, 12

September 9, 2023--I recently signed up to take Melita Glavin's Spring Sampler project (photo below) through my local EGA chapter at Brandywine (near Wilmington, DE).   This is an award-winning piece designed by Melita and I'm very excited to begin working on it.  

But first, choosing the threads.  This could have been a daunting task if it weren't for the fact that Melita, and her friend, chapter mate and stitcher extraordinaire, Linda M., were willing to meet with a few of us at Fireside Stitchery in Malvern, PA, only a 2.5-hour drive for me from southern Delaware.

I brought some fabric swatches and a paint sample with me upon which I would base my project's color palate.  Linda M. volunteered to work with me and I'm so glad she has the patience of a saint.  I just couldn't imagine how her suggestions would look and kept her constantly finding alternatives.   But in the end, everything came together and I'm very happy with the colors chosen.  Melita was also consulted on some of the color choices and thread substitutions and offered invaluable assistance.  All in all, a very fun day (almost as much fun as going to the casino).

My color palate (fabric and paint swatches from my living and dining rooms are on the right)

Spring Sampler Thread List Revised

And best photo of all--Melita's project photo (hers is done in purple):

Spring Sampler designed and stitched by Melita Glavin--Project Photo

Class will be held towards the end of October, but I may not be able to wait that long to start.

Thread List by Band and Stitch

2 comments:

MelitaJanuary 5, 2024 at 9:48 PM0

It's coming along really nicely. Love the new darker thread in Bands 6 and 16. Perfect! Can't wait to see it in person on the 17th. Don't forget to bring it!

Reply

Brenda M. CôtéJanuary 6, 2024 at 10:25 AM

Thanks Melita. I'll bring it to the meeting on the 17th and also to Camp Wannastitch.