January 22, 2016

Fruit Bellpull by Teresa Wentzler ~ A Bit of Work Done



Fruit Bellpull Progress
Designer: Teresa Wentzler
Lately I've had more time to stitch, and it sure has been great to see some progress. First, I worked a bit on Paula Vaughan's Wedding Ring Bouquet.  I'm stitching this on 22 count hardanger fabric, and I started it back in 2002 or so on a whim.  Here are a few photos of it. The first one shows how it looked awhile ago, and the second one shows how it looked when I tucked it away to 'rest' a week ago. At this point I have a lot of backstitching to do, as well as stitching the white curtain that's in the background.  I hope to FINALLY  finish this piece this year.






I worked some on my Fruit Bellpull. I also started this one back in 2002 or so.  Can you believe it? I am not even 1/3 done with this.  It has so many colors and blends, as do all of Teresa Wentzler's beautiful patterns.  I love working on it, but progress is slow due to the amazing color changes and shading of them.  Here are some photos, and they show progress going back in time and not just my most recent progress.


Here are the colors for this project:


This is how I store the blends for the project. I created this little box back in 2002 or so when I started this one. I bet that folks do it in a much cuter manner now, or perhaps in a more efficient way. This works fine for me. 




These are the peaches that I finished years ago. The peaches are in the top square of the design, and there are six fruits total in the design. Each depicted fruit is surrounded by a border of satin stitched flowers on vines. The leaves' colors are blended threads in the border, too.  The blends are gorgeous, but for me it makes the whole process much slower.   

If you have tips on how to make it go faster with the blends, please do leave a comment and explain it to me. :)  I would really appreciate it!




Here's a photo of the grapes that I took long ago. There are so many blends and colors that I found this bunch of grapes to be very challenging. 



Here you'll see a bit of progress in the grapes and leaves.


Last but not least, here is the project's appearance when I tucked it away for a well-deserved rest. I just can't work on this one exclusively.   I have finished all the backstitching of the grapes and its leaves, but I next need to work on that border that surrounds the grapes. Then I will move on to the apples. 


Here's a photo of the finished project. Instead of finishing mine as a bellpull, I plan on having it framed. I've seen a few framed online, and they look fantastic.  At this time due to its complexity of design I am toying with the idea of just doing three squares instead of six squares. I wonder how that would look? Well, knowing me I will do all six squares. Each square is so lovely, and I hate to skip three of them.  Here is the design, finished as a bellpull:




New Project News
I have never just had two projects going, so I had to start a new one.  Besides the low number of WIPs I had, they were both started so long, long ago. I haven't had a new start since 2012, so I figured it was time, right? We all need to look at some fresh work. 

I could have used a pattern I already owned, but instead I went out and purchased a leaflet by Blackbird Designs.  I have just started that project, and will share that with you next time.  I am finding it to be a joy to stitch. Instead of using DMC threads, I am stitching with the called for overdyed threads. That has been fun, too. 

Thanks for stopping by today.   










16 comments:

  1. both are pretty pieces. over dyed threads are fun to work with.

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    1. Thanks, Cindy! Yes, the overdyed threads are fun.

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  2. Magnifique,Bravo a vous!
    Il est difficile d'avancer vite avec autant de couleurs de fils,je pense que toutes les brodeuses ont ce soucis.
    Mais quel beauté
    J'aime aussi Théresa Wentzler,mais je n'ai pas encore brodé son design.
    Bon courage pour la suite de cette merveille.
    Amicalement de France

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    1. Merci pour vos beaux mots d'encouragement. Vous avez raison, nous pensons tous que notre broderie est en mouvement le long trop lentement. Cordialement des États-Unis à vous.

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  3. Beautiful Progress on your WIP's...I love them. Great Progress. I can't wait til I see you new Start Progress. I love Blackbird Designs...they are fun to stitch!

    Happy Stitching
    Linda K, Railroad

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. I am really enjoying the Blackbird Design and will post some photos soon.

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  4. Beautiful stitching on both of your lovely projects!

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    1. Thanks, Annie. I appreciate your kind words.

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  5. I'm always IN TO new projects :) LOL! But I adore your sweet fruit bellpull...I have no hints on how to make the blends go faster, but I think it is gorgeous! And Paula Vaughan...man I love her Leisure Arts patterns...yours is going to be stunning!

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    1. Thanks, Vonna. I appreciate your encouragement and helpful words!

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  6. Both your projects are just gorgeous. I love Paula Vaughan's designs a lot but have stitched only one so far. But whenever I go through my stash and see her charts I feel my fingers itch. Maybe this year.
    I have never stitched a project by Theresa Wentzler. And the projects where I had to use blended threads in the past are very rare. I remember keeping the blended threads wound on small bobbins. But I have no idea how you could stitch faster with them. But the result is always stunning as can be seen in your pictures. Great stitching!

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  7. The bell pull is coming over beautifully. Re: blends, I set mine up in advance in a thread organizer but it looks like you are already doing that.

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    1. Thanks, OhSewCrafty. I should get a better organizing system, but for now I will proceed with my box of envelopes. I appreciate your comment!

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  8. I'm also working on the fruit bell pull - for about 13 years now. Your envelope idea is great.

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    1. Thanks, Cricket! Sorry I just saw your commment now. The envelopes have helped, for sure.

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