THE MONTHS IN CANVASWORK
The Months have been an ongoing project for me since 1998 when I sat in my backyard
creating August Evening. I taught it in Fredericton, New Brunswick in September.
During a delightful flight over eastern Canada late one September Morn; that design was
born. By the end of the year December Dawn was complete and April Flowers was in
the works. I decided that was enough and moved on to other things.
Then one day a couple of years later I was unpacking some shipments when some
delightful threads fell side by side. I looked at Gobi Sands from Caron, and
Harvest Basket and Wintered Grass from Sampler Threads laying beside silk ribbon with
names like Bride's Blush and Rose Blush. Then a Mill Hill treasure in the shape of a rose
fell into the mix and you have November Rose.
Three more years passed and all of a sudden I found myself quickly stitching up January
Chills, all because of the canvas called Leventeen Blue. As I finished it, October Moon
was calling me and before I knew it February Fever and July Sunset were done.
Then life changed, I "semi retired" and sold the store but I still had three months to go. I
love music and June is a month of celebrations and from there June Jazz sprung to life.
My eldest granddaughter was born in May and it is a month of mystery, as the trees and
flowers burst forth and misty mornings can be common in some areas as if fairies are out
and making mischief on the May Mist.
It is now 2016, I completed March Moods which is worked in glorious
mauves, soft greens and a touch of dusty blue. I cannot beleive it has taken me so
long!! I love each one and they offer me wonderful memories, I hope they do for you too.
Many people have purchased a box with a 5" by 5" opening in their lid in which they can
display the design for each changing month.
Since many of these designs were produced a few years back, some of the
charms and threads may not be available. Please find suitable substitutes in your
favourite needlework store. For example, the golden leaf I used for September Morn can
be replaced with one of the nicer leaves now available or, as an alternative, try using a
squirrel - adorable!
I design from my heart and sometimes mysterious things happen. My Seasons
developed and I decided this would be the appropriate place for them to appear on my
website since they, too, are all about the same size.
MY SEASONS
The four seasons are featured on the
cover of this book. Each design is 4.5" by
4.5" and stitched on #18 Mono Canvas.
Each season uses a different colour of
canvas including Eggshell, Sandstone,
Santa Fe Green and French Blue. Though I
stitched them individually you could use one
background coloured canvas such as
mushroom and make them into a square for
a picture or pillow or one long picture or wall
hanging. Each design has its own colour
listing and features Flosses, #5 Perle
Cotton, Kreinik Braids, Overdyed Silks,
pearls and beads.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $20.00
JANUARY CHILLS
It is worked on #18 mono canvas,
Leventeen blue and it is 88 by 88 mesh or
5" by 5". A variety of stitches
including Florentine,
Walneto, Rice and
Herringbone are stitched using
Watercolours, silk and 1/16" Ribbon which
offers a cool effect.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $16.00
FEBRUARY FEVER
It is worked on #18 mono canvas, red and it
is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5". There are a
variety of stitches, many creating hearts
such as Crescent Stitch and Rhode Hearts,
and Basketweave. Fibres include Mandarin
Floss, Petite Very Velvet and Snow plus
pretty Mill Hill Charms.
Warms up the long winters.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $16.00
MARCH MOODS
Worked on Aquamarine #18 mono
canvas. It is 88
by 88 mesh or 5 by 5".
The fibres include:
Soie d'alger, #5 Perle Cotton, Vineyard Silk
Classic, Petite Very Velvet, Neon Rays,
and #12 overdyed Braids by Threadworx.
Stitches include: Flat, Algerian Eyelets,
Knotted, Gobelin, Rice, Waffle Variation,
Diamond Herringbone, Milanese.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $20.00 includes the sheep button
APRIL FLOWERS:
It is worked on #18 mono canvas, white and
it is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5". It features
a variety of stitches such as Windmill,
Rococo, Blackwork and fibres include
Impressions, Braids, and Petite Very Velvet.
Enjoy the flowers bursting forth.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $15.00
MAY MIST
It is worked on #18 mono canvas, white and
it is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5". This design
uses a variety of stitches and fibres
including: Rice, Cashmere, Flat Stitch
Variation and has a Blackwork wrought iron
fence stitched using
fibres such as Sampler
Threads, Impressions, Braids, Watercolours,
and
Waterlilies. It is topped off with a
delightful hand painted porcelain Fairy
Button dancing inthe
garden.The gate is
open, do come in!
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $24.00 includes the Fairy button.
JUNE JAZZ
It is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5" on #18
mono canvas, white. It features a variety of
stitches and fibres including: Silk Ribbon
Roses, Cashmere Variation for the piano
keys, Petite Very Velvet for the
top hats and
bow ties, Blackwork for martini glasses and
antique lace. A
silver trumpet charm is
included in this design.
Can you hear the music?
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $22.00 includes the Silver horn charm.
JULY SUNSET
It is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5" on #18
mono canvas, butter (orange is now
available). A large variety of stitches are
used including Shell,
Trellis and
Eyelet Stitches using fibres such as
Watercolours, Waterlilies, Sampler Threads
and Perle cotton.
Summertime is so delightful and relaxing!
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $16.00
AUGUST EVENING
It is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5" on #18
mono canvas, lavander. A variety of
stitches including Eyelets,
Laid Blackwork
Stitches, Hungarian and Milanese are
featured. Fibres include #8 Braid,
Watercolours and silks.
Imagine the warm evenings and the scents
of the flowers in the gardens.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $15.00
SEPTEMBER MORN
It is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5" on #18
mono canvas, sandstone. A variety of
stitches including Florentine,
Milanese,
Eyelets and Shell. Fibres include Silk,
Impressions, Watercolours,and Braids.
The sun is setting soon and the leaves are
changing for the season.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $15.00
OCTOBER MOON
It is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5" on #18
mono canvas, black. A variety of stitches
including Interlocking
Brick, Blackwork,
Satin, and Four-way Leaf Stitch.
Fibres include Snow, Braids, Petite Very
Velvet and Silk. A delightful mother of pearl
moon reigns over the terrain.
Some call the full moon in October the
Harvest Moon; others call it the Hunter's
Moon.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $16.00
NOVEMBER ROSE
It is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5" on #18
mono canvas in pink. A variety of stitches
including Silk Ribbon
Roses and leaves,
Cashmere Variation for bricks, Blackwork
and Satin stitch. Fibres include Braids.
Sampler Threads, Watercolours, and silk
ribbon.
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced Suggested Retail Price: $16.00
This is the design featured in the header
on this page.
DECEMBER DAWN
It is 88 by 88 mesh or 5" by 5"on #18
mono canvas in French blue. A variety of
stitches including Eyelet, Leaf, Van Dyke
and Blackwork Snowflakes using fibres such
as silks, Neon Rays, Watercolours, Braids,
and Soie Cristale.
The crunch of the snow and the sun shining!
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Suggested Retail Price: $15.00