V I V A Z I V A ! n e w s l e t t e r

▪volume number: 1619 ▪ FREE CELL PHONE OR GLASSES CASE DESIGN ▪

Thanks so much for subscribing to the VIVA ZIVA! Newsletter.

We’ll be issuing a newsletter regularly, with a new free design each time... exclusively created for the VIVA ZIVA! newsletter.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEW DESIGNS COMING SUMMER OF 2016!

We’re working on STAINED GLASS THEME DESIGNS inspired by the Prairie Style and by Mackintosh for handbags, wall art and cushions!

Also we thought you would like to see some of our RECENT PAINTINGS.

We’ve created this classic Prairie Style motif, called ‘Ginkgo Prairie’, for your glasses or cell phone as our latest free design …..

Its simple, dynamic geometric pattern is a perfect contrast to the gentle rhythmic shapes of the ginkgo leaves.

Two stitches helped create this contrast….the Couching Stitch for the bold, linear ginkgo stems and the Long and Short stitch used for its delicacy in the shape and shading of the ginkgo leaves.

WHAT’S IN EACH VIVA ZIVA! NEWSLETTER?

• New Designs & Updates
• Your Stitch to Try
• FREE Design
• Ask the ZIVA DIVA!
• Next Issue

NEW DESIGNS & UPDATES

SNEAK PREVIEW!

COMING THE SUMMER OF 2016!

An exciting range of designs with a STAINED GLASS THEME!

From handbags and tote bags, to wall art and cushions!

From Arts and Crafts to the Prairie Style! And more!

Go to our WHAT’S NEW AT ZIVA! page for updates or subscribe to our ZIVA Needlepoint Designs Blog, and they’ll be sent automatically to you when they’re released!

RECENT PAINTINGS

JUST FINISHED PAINTING THESE MOTIFS!

We developed two custom colour schemes for the WHITE IRIS cushion for one of our French clients. HAVE A LOOK!

We thought you’d like to see what the intricate RAMBLIN’’ ROSE motif looks like before it’s made up into a clutch bag.

Definite Wow Factor!

To get the full impact of this dynamic design, click here

A PAINTING IN PROGRESS!

MODERNIST MORNING GLORIES CUSHION

ALMOST FINISHED!

At the time of releasing this newsletter, we’re only a few days away from finishing this glorious Modernist motif, ‘MORNING GLORIES’.

In the photo, above right, I’m just completing the veins on the yellow and gold leaf. The photo above left shows it completed, with a only few more details yet to go!

YOUR STITCH TO TRY

THE COUCHING STITCH

The Couching stitch creates a geometric pattern with crisp, ‘bas relief’ clean lines.

Exactly what I was looking for!

You can see and feel the ‘ridge’ it creates which gives the motif more dimension!

NOTE: We used it only on the central stems but you could also use it on the dark green outline on the border motif as well (see Ginkgo motif chart below).

• As shown in the chart at left, place one or several strands of yarn along a row at the length required by your motif and hold in place. NOTE: more strands of yarn will increase the final depth of the couching.
• Then ‘loop’ the placed yarn with a second yarn to create the ‘ridge’. Both yarns can be the same colour or different colours.
• You can stitch the looped stitches at every intersection or at whatever interval you wish for the look you want.
• The photo above left shows several rows of couching in white yarn with an orange-coloured yarn looping it at regular intervals.



• With the Couching Stitch for the ‘Ginkgo Prairie’ motif (photo below), we used one strand of wool yarn for the couching , with the second strand looping it completely as shown in the photo below. NOTE: We stitched it in two colours to make it easier to see the process used for a straight line and for a corner detail

OPTIONAL LONG AND SHORT STITCH

You may want to try it, but it’s not crucial to the final tapestry. You could simply use the Tent Stitch for the Ginkgo leaves.

• In the photo above left, we’re showing the sequence of stitching of a flower petal in long and short stitches. Used in fine embroidery, this stitching method creates lovely detail.
• With our Ginkgo Leaves above right, we’re making it a lot simpler!
• Using one and two strands of Silk and Wool thread, we created the outline with one colour (raspberry red or white) and the interior ‘filling’ with the second colour (coral red or brown-grey) using long and short stitches.

PRACTICE THESE NEW STITCHES FIRST!

Keep practicing following the sequence of stitching in the charts until you feel confident. Then you are ready to stitch the free design.

FREE DESIGN

‘GINKGO PRAIRIE’ CELL PHONE OR GLASSES CASE DESIGN

We’ve created an elegant Prairie Style free design of stylized Ginkgo stems and leaves with a classic Prairie Style geometric border for a glasses or cell phone case.

We have slightly updated the colour palette from the classic colours of the Prairie Style earth tones, by accenting the central geometric pattern of the ginkgo stems in black to give it a more modern twist. If you are more of a purist, you could use a dark brown or green!

A silk and wool thread (50/50) was used on the ginkgo leaves motif and 100% Wool tapestry yarn was used for the rest. NOTE:The entire case could also be stitched in cotton, or all silk and wool..

READING THE CHART:

’GINKGO PRAIRIE’ CELL PHONE OR GLASSES CASE DESIGN

NOTE THE FOLLOWING :

• With the long and short stitch for the ginkgo leaves, we’ve shown on the chart the effect you should be trying to achieve. If you decide to use the tent stitch instead, use the outline as your guide for the size of each leaf.
• The central black stems are to be stitched in the Couching Stitch. The dark green in the border can also be stitched in the Couching Stitch.

YARN COLOURS

The ginkgo leaf yarn colours for the cell phone/glasses case design are chosen from The Caron Collection Impressions Silk and Wool for the leaves and outside red border and from Appleton Tapestry Wools for the rest of the case

They are readily available at your local needlepoint shop or online.

Silk and Wool (50/50) yarn colours :

• #2040 Raspberry – 1 skein
• #2073 Coral Red – 1 skein
• #0057 White – 1 skein
• #1046 Brown Grey– 1 skein

Wool (100%) yarn colours :

• #983 Putty Groundings – 1 skein
• #691 Honeysuckle Yellow – 1 skein
• #154 Mid Blue (central background) – 1 hank
• #151 Mid Blue (border) – 1 skein
• #158 Mid Blue (dark outline on border) – 2 skeins
• #993 Black (couching stitch) – 1 skein

OTHER MATERIALS

You will also need :

• White 14 mesh (hpi) evenweave or interlock canvas 5.5” x 10.5” (approx. 14 x 27cm):
• Needlepoint Needle: For 14-mesh canvas, use size 20 needle
• Masking Tape

Go to the ZIVA site for more detail info on the MATERIALS required.

STARTING UP AND STITCHING IN PROGRESS

Start by marking the outline of the case on the canvas with a pencil or WATERPROOF pen following the count from the chart and centred on the canvas.

• Using the chart as your guide, I would suggest that you start with stitching the outside border first in the Tent stitch. This will make it easier to count the stitches required for the ginkgo leaves and stems in the centre of the case.
• Next create the ginkgo stems with the Couching Stitch in black yarn, as you practiced.
• Once you’ve stitched the ginkgo leaves in Long and Short stitch (or Tent stitch), you can start filling in the background.

MAKING UP SUGGESTIONS

CUSTOMIZE IT TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS!

• If your glasses or cell phone case needs to be larger, you could add more rows of the red yarn to the outside border.
• Side gussets can be added to give the case more depth if needed.
• You can also stitch it twice to create a case with the motif on both sides.

ASK THE ZIVA DIVA!

QUESTION:

Two similar email questions we received recently…….

I just discovered your website and am SO EXCITED about your designs. I would like to make one of your necklaces to start and am not sure about how to order it. Please advise. Thank you,

AND

I wish to order the Klimit clutch bag, do you sell it as a kit or as a chart. The site is difficult to follow for ordering.

ANSWER:

I have already answered these questions individually to help guide them through placing their orders.

For those of you wanting to place an order, I’m sincerely sorry if you’re experiencing any confusion!

HERE’S HOW TO GET TO THE SHOPPING PAGES TO ORDER. (photos below)

EVERY PAGE ON THE SITE HAS TWO LINKS YOU CAN CLICK ON TO GET TO THE SHOPPING PAGES

LINK ONE:

On the left column of EACH PAGE on the site, you will see the category “GO SHOPPING WITH ZIVA”. Click on “CHARTS” or “PAINTED CANVASES” for the design you want to order. Other items listed under the same category provide you other general information before ordering.

OR

LINK TWO:

At the top right of EACH PAGE on the site, you will see a graphic turquoise square with two links provided to click on for ordering: “HAND-PAINTED CANVASES or “CHARTS” .

NOTE: Also at the bottom of every page where a design motif is shown, you will also find a link to the Shopping Page for that item. Just click on that.

When you get to the shopping pages, go to the item you want to order and click on “ADD TO CART” .

If you still do have a problem ordering, please CONTACT US

WHAT NEXT?

The next VIVA ZIVA! Newsletter #1620 will be issued in the fall of 2016 .

I’ll be including:

• New Designs & Updates
• A new Stitch to Try with a
• Free needlepoint design: to be announced in September, 2016
• And lots of other features!