If you’ve been following my blog, you know we are all about Mystery Classes at Bedecked and Beadazzled. You sign up for a class knowing only what the canvas will be.  You then come to class every 2 weeks or so either in person or virtually and receive a new section of the stitch guide along with the threads, beads and whatnot for that section.  I’m only stitching about a week ahead of you!
You can see our past and future Mysteries on the mystery class page of the website. It’s never really too late to join the fun. Even if a mystery is solved we can still kit the project for you. You’ve just skipped ahead and know how the mystery ends!

We finished the Harvest Colors Puzzle Mystery Class about 2 months ago and I didn’t know how I wanted to finish the piece.

I could frame it, or make it a wonderful pillow with just the perfect trim, or inset it into a box top or tray, or make a needle notes book.  (More on this another day.)  What to do????

Inspiration finally struck.  I had this great totebag from lantern moon.  It’s woven something, probably bamboo leaves, in a wonderful orange color.  Away the two pieces go.  Tote bag and needlepoint to be combined into the perfect stitching tote.  Here’s the results.

Pretty cute isn’t it?  Here’s my moment of genius.  Well, not really genius, but a pretty darn good idea.  I sent the finisher a piece of black tulle to stretch over the needlepoint.  Now there is a semi-protective layer over the stitching. Much less worry about the stitches and beads getting snagged! When you see it in person you can barely tell the tulle is there.  It doesn’t make it busy.  You do have to find the right color but I just used black and it simply made all the other colors richer.

While I was teaching the mystery I also thought it would be fun to turn the same design into a charted design in a different colorway.  Here it is.  I stitched it in turquoise, lime and navy on teal canvas from JAR Designs.   If you would like a new counted thread project for your collection, you can order the chart here .

It’s getting cooler out so more stitching time.  I have lots planned to share so we’ll talk soon!