Painted Canvas Spotlight: Hanukkah Cookies

Thread suggestions by Kreinik
 ask your local needlepoint shop for Denise DeRusha canvases #192, 193, 195

Denise DeRusha Designs features several Judaic-themed projects. We picked these three cookie canvases because they are small and quick to stitch (plus we love sugar cookies). Stitch three, and then finish them in their cookie shapes to set on a plate for a sweet display. 

The canvases are painted on 18 mesh. We suggest the following threads:

• Anchor cotton embroidery floss: 1045 and 1046 for the tan colors, plus 129, 130, and 131 for the blue shades.
• Kreinik Tapestry (#12) Braid 3202 Cat’s Eye, 018V Vintage Navy, and 001V Vintage Silver
• Kreinik 1/16” Ribbon 060 Midnight (optional)

Due to their small size, tent stitch is easy and appropriate for stitching the outside edge of each cookie and the blue frosting areas. Listed below are our suggested embellishments to help you bring the canvas to life—using Kreinik metallics of course!

Dreidel cookie #192 from Denise DeRusha Designs

• Tent stitch the letter in Kreinik Tapestry (#12) Braid 3202 Cat’s Eye. This color has a rich gold hue with pearly accents like wet frosting.

• Stitch the silver flakes in Tapestry (#12) Braid 001V Vintage Silver. This is a brand new Kreinik Vintage thread color, and it’s perfect for the muted silver finish of silver food decorations. You have several options here; tent stitch would look like tubular accents, or work a cross stitch for more of a spangle look.

Star cookie, dark blue #195 from Denise DeRusha Designs

• Create the gold spangle ‘food decorations’ with #12 Braid 3202, and the silver ones with #12 Braid 001V.

• An easy option for the long blue stitches is to use blue Bugle Beads in a medium size. However, an alternative would be to use Kreinik 1/16" Ribbon in color 060 Midnight. This is a blue and brown variegated color, giving the impression of, yes, chocolate! Stitch the background in the floss, and then just do a straight stitch with the 1/16” Ribbon. Use your finger to keep the ribbon flat as you lay the stitch. You can also couch the ribbon for added security.

• Star cookie, light blue #193 from Denise DeRusha Designs

• Stitch the blue spangles in cross stitch with Kreinik Tapestry (#12) Braid 018V Vintage Navy. This is another brand new Vintage color in the Kreinik palette. You’ll love its muted shade.

• Use medium-sized gold Bugle Beads for the long gold embellishments. Alternative would be to use Tapestry (#12) Braid or 1/16” Ribbon in 3202 in a straight stitch (or couch).

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