PINK ORCHID BARGELLO

by Colorado needleartist/designer Toni Gerdes.

Isn't this a beautiful adaptation of the bargello pomegranate? Toni Gerdes did a wonderful job presenting this bargello project recently at a local EGA meeting. To me it wasn't even a close call whether to stitch this simple, fast and colorful design. Toni used the stitched piece in the photo above as the insert for a hot pink, ultrasuede portfolio. Yes, it's just like an artist's portfolio, it unfolds, has handles and is perfect for carrying larger projects. I love bargello and was quite ready to get started on my own piece. NAN certified, Toni is a beautiful stitcher with great teaching skills, translation: she could teach me anything.

Getting started was easy, choose your colorway. I chose pink canvas and Threadworx # 11011 overdye as my base color. Then using light, medium and dark coordinating shades of both DMC and Anchor floss. Toni's design instructions come in 3 sizes: 6",8" and 11" square. I chose the smallest size as since I already had a HP Needlepoint hand-poured lacquered box just looking for the right design insert.

I actually purchased this box a few years ago for another project, took my stitched piece to my LNS to make sure I had the right color. When I got it home, in my lighting, it clashed. So with the shop's no return-no exchange policy, I was stuck. All's well that ends well.

To start, baste a large "X" across the canvas to identify center, then begin working in quadrants. The first stitch begins 6 threads down from the center hole. I pin-stitched at 3 threads down and using 6 strands of stripped floss I carefully laid my first stitch covering the pin stitch. Bargello in particular calls for the use of a laying tool and this project is no exception. Especially when blending light and darker threads.

The pattern is 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,3,2,2,1,1,1 with a step of 2. So if you can count to four and keep your wits about you, you can do this. For this bargello project it's important that you always begin each new length of overdye thread from the same end every time. Threadworx is a precut overdye strandable thread making it easy to determine which end is which.

Next is filling in the dark green leaves in tent stitch. The tent is done in a different direction for each quadrant. I was nearly done when I suddenly notice a huge knot on the back of my canvas. I began negotiations with myself as to whether to risk cutting the bugger out, leave it there or frog.

So after frogging one entire leaf, since I couldn't get it untangled, I stitched it again. Boo Hiss, naughty floss. I should have taken a picture of that knot, you would have laughed. I did....just not right away.
Now I'm ready to begin the rhythmic bargello starting with the darkest green floss, then the medium, then the lightest shade.

Following with the lightest pink. The real fun begins when the various colors are blended together to give the piece graduated shading. At first this is done blending 3 strands of two colors. Following with either the lighter or darker color on either side of the blended row. I would recommend sorting your threads on thread cards and numbering them. For the shading to be effective, the designer has chosen shades very close in color and I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between some of those close in color.

I've finished the four pomegranates and am ready to move on to the stitching that will fill in making this a 6" x6" square.

Someone once told me how to avoid the "teeth" that show through on long stitches, I forgot what the trick to that is. Anyone out there know what I'm talking about? Next time I will also include a photo of a completed piece in a different colorway. Thanks for visiting today.

Have You Ever.......

seen anything so cute? Earlier this week I heard our resident magpies and robins squawking up a storm. When I looked outside the masterbath window I saw a baby Great Horned Owl. My heart was so full of awe, he was golden and fuzzy and fairly large for a fledgling. No pictures. This morning I just happened past the window, no squawking or anything when I saw a pair of fledglings! A pair! I'm so excited and feel blessed. But as in all good things in life, it's not nearly as wonderful unless you can share it. I took the picture through a screen and window pane but you can still see their beauty. Enjoy!

Now I know you're going to think I'm bragging, but I had lunch with my DD this afternoon and when I returned home, look what was waiting for me in the driveway. She was alone and I had my camera phone ready for a picture. I know deer are quite commonly seen these days, but I still get a thrill when one visits.
Even if she did enjoy my tasty pansies!
Thanks for letting me share these beautiful visitor's with you today.

Stumbled Upon a Stash Sale

Still not stitching, instead we traveled down to a shop in Colorado Springs today. Ruth's Stitchery is a fabulous shop with most everything one's heart could desire for quilting and cross stitch. They carry a huge line of specialty embroidery threads which were on sale for 25% off! No exceptions. I was so excited I could not contain myself. Think that is a very generous discount. As you can see in the photo I took advantage of a good thing. :) Of course I can't help but think of how much money I saved. I should go back on Monday. Hope your LNS is able to offer nice sales this weekend, that way you can save money too. :) :) :) To quote Vincent Gardenia in Moonstruck, "You've got to spend money to save money." Exactly!

My week in review or what I did instead of housework.

I usually don't write much about my life outside of stitchville, but I like to hear about yours and thought I'd take a chance you might be interested here. It's been a busy week and I didn't get much stitching in, regrettably. The third week of every month is always the most hectic. Monday began with my volunteer duties with Hospice. Then that evening I enjoyed attending Colorado Columbine Chapter, ANG. It's a great group and they held a great program entitled Colorado Collage. As beautiful as it is, I couldn't participate as I have enough on my needlework plate as it is. But I enjoyed seeing my friends and catching up a bit. I will be taking over the responsibility of newsletter editor. This should be fun once I get the hang of it.

Tuesday, I went to Little London Stitcher Chapter, ANG meeting in Colorado Springs. We had open stitching so I worked on last year's major WIP, the rooster. Wednesday, Hospice again and I attended the Board meeting for Colorado Chapter, EGA where I'm Outreach Chair; a role with fewer responsibilities than most, but still a worthwhile undertaking as we have monthly collections of needed items and distribute them to local shelters.

Thursday I attended Mile High Chapter, ANG and wore my new name tag. I also took Geisha Kitty's and Red Kitty for Show and Share. I received many nice compliments which I am totally grateful for. Thank you! Our program was fabulous, a lecture by Caela Conn Tyler on Canvas Embellishment. I was able to visit with many of my stitchy friends which is always a treat. Also, I gained much inspiration from seeing the finished and in-progress works by everyone.

Today, was busy, but fun. Went to the movies, stopped by Starbucks, then strolled around Tuesday Mornings (never know what treasure you might find, this time I was skunked!) and finished off the day at Cheesecake Factory for a yummy chicken dish. No cheesecake. :( I also goofed around online catching up with email and surfing around all my favorite blogs! Blogs are so much fun to read and write! Thanks for letting me recap my week; it was a good week, but I'm glad it's behind me now. BTW, I'm still waiting for my BBB project. I called to check on it to see if it had come back from the finishers, the conversation went like this. Me: "Hello, I'm calling to check on a piece I left for finishing several weeks ago." Response: "Did we call you to tell you it's ready? Because if we didn't call you it's not ready". Okay, snotty, can you at least check on it? I wanted to say, but didn't get a chance. I'm laughing at this now, but when it happened.....not so much. I'm sure it will be back soon, maybe next week I'm hoping. Can't wait to share it with you then.

Well take care all, have a safe and fun 3-day weekend. I'll be stitching up a storm. What's new with you? And if you're a Veteran, thank you!

RED KITTY!

Red Kitty is home! I am very pleased with the framing and matting. It's such a whimsical piece I posed it along with other whimsical finds. The framing is not quite as stark white as it appears in the first photo, but not as golden as the second shot. Anyway it will reside in my daughter's red, white and black guest bedroom. Fun.

GAY ANN ROGERS' RED KITTY SAMPLER

Latte goin on round here!

"Come on over baby, whole lotta stitch'n going on" or at least there will be once I remove myself from the office chair to the easy chair. Wish you could come over, there is so much to talk about such as I'd love to know what you're working on, what you're dreaming of working on and....and whatever you like.

Today is the first day of the second year of my blog. I can't believe that year went so quickly....if only I'd stayed on my treadmill as religiously. I noticed I went over 7000 visits, that's amazing to me and I am so grateful that along with the knack to create stuff we are all so very curious. Thank you for visiting today and everyday you give me a little of your time. I raise my coffee cup full of Starbuck's new limited edition, "Arabian Mocha Sanani". Doesn't this sound tempting, full body, bramble fruit, cocoa, clove spice? Add a little cream and voila you have a treat worth splurging on. Part of my Mother's Day gift from DD. Also got a new stove top popcorn popper, you know the kind that you twirl the kernels around in. Plus teensy tiny popcorn to pop. This is my 4th said popper, I just wear them out. It's a family trait, my sister is the same way. Hi Margie!

I've had visitor's over the past week but now that everyone is back in their respective corners of the world and my husband is in NM for a few weeks, I've cleared the decks and have gotten down to some serious stitching. Have what I call my two major projects to concentrate on. I'm about halfway finished with Marnie Ritter's Renaissance and it is so beautiful. I know there are many Marnie Ritter fans out there and encourage you to get your hands and needle on this project if you like variety, explosions of color and sparkly! I love sparkly. I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching this piece and am anxious to get back to it. Her creation is indeed a masterpiece.

Speaking of masterworks, Caela Tyler's interpretation of Monet's Red Kerchief is well underway and taking front seat right now. It involves two canvases, a foreground which is nearly complete and a background (so to speak) which is waiting at the moment. Techniques galore and so very different from anything I've stitched before and I cannot wait until I have my very own Monet hanging on the wall. When I finish these two, well I will have something won't I.

Perhaps the most exciting thing on my mind is what's next! I get to choose, and you know how we like choosing new projects. Excitement. The only limitation is I must stay within the confines of a) my 2009 stitching queue and b)my stash closet. I can do that, I think. Will keep you posted. :) Love that, "Keep you posted" of course I will, this is a blog.

Even though I could sit and visit here until the cow's come home, I better get a mooove on. Oh, I'm still waiting for the call that BBB and Red Kitty are ready to be picked up. Here kitty, kitty, kitty.

These Just In....

Rio Rincon and companion canvas' designed by Terry Medaris for Sundance Designs were framed and photographed at different times accounting for the variations in appearance here. However, in reality they are identical in color and size. Earlier this week I returned from the framer where I left my first born and my leg; the framer knew it would be folly to take my arm so a leg and a kid is the going cost of framing these days....apparently.

These are just a few of Mr. Medaris' designs featuring stylized depictions of life in the southwest. Rio came complete with stitch guide and threads and were purchased at Old Town Needlework located in Scottsdale, AZ. The three companion pieces were stitched with threads and stitches stolen from the Rio kit. Otherwise I would not have been able to have them framed and they would have been hanging on the wall with push pins. :) Sorry the photos are sort of cattywampus.

A Few More Finishes

Cozy Toe #7 finished! These small projects have served me well as take-alongs, they're easy to keep contained and can be worked in hand without a frame. Having said that I will be happy when the dozen are hanging on the tree! The another ornament was designed by Pat Mazu for NeedlepointNow,the greatest needlepoint magazine going, IMHO, and the most recent issue includes articles from fellow blogmeisters, Liz Morrow of Lizart and Coni Rich of Spinster Stitcher fame. Enjoy! But don't forget about me, I love when you visit too. Again, finishing by Marie in Montrose, CO.

Mile High Fun!

Mile High Chapter of ANG is one of the local Chapter's I belong to. This year, Caela Conn Tyler designed our new nametag. She introduced many of us to using ink pads used for the subtle colors of the sky and included a number of stitches in the skyline design. Thank you Caela! In addition, as a gift to the membership, the Chapter donated the supplies and Caela's design for a Mile High tree ornament. Again, many thanks for these fun designs. Both of these items were beautifully finished by a very nice lady located in Montrose, CO. Hi Marie!

How Cute Are These Girls?

Look how darling Patt's, of Patt and Lee Designs, Geisha kitties turned out. Now you see how wonderful the design is when both kitties are stitched with white fur. The whimsy just jumps out at you. We were both stitching these simultaneously and I think I must have borrowed her technique for the hair ornaments as I see how similar they are. Thank you Patt for letting me publish your finished piece; I love everything you did with them too. And for those of you that haven't ventured onto their website, you are missing out on some very charming, beautifully executed painted canvas designs with a special flare for Asian and, naturally, Cat inspired pieces. Oh, and by the way, did I mention that the Geisha Kitties are her creation? Thanks Patt!

Back From the Framer

Gossipy Geisha Kitties designed by Patt and Lee Designs
This was a very fun canvas to stitch. The original design depicted both kitties with white fur; I contemplated changing the fur color and ultimately decided to go with tabby colors. After living with the change for a month or so I stayed with the change.
The canvas was painted on interlock canvas, a departure from the mono canvas I was used to, and the differences though slight are not visible in the finished piece. After all was said and done, I would use interlock canvas again to keep costs down, but prefer to stitch with the more flexible mono canvas if given the choice.

A triple mat and black frame were selected but a less visible fourth "under mat" was used as a background, adding color to the areas of the canvas that were not filled with stitches. This subtle use of color changes the overall look of the stitched design, i.e. yellow was used in this case, if white would have been used the look would have been noticeably brighter.

Stash and Stitching Places

I was excited when Barbara Bergsten asked on her blog, "Where do you Stitch?" I just so happen to be a very lucky lady when it comes to stitching stations. Well at least in my mind. Recognizing that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I fully understand that having places to stitch all over my home may not be every one's idea of heaven, but I am thrilled to be able to stitch here and there and the orts prove it! Let's start with my stash closet located in the upstairs guest bedroom. The walkin is fairly large as I have a triple dresser centered on the back wall which houses my upcoming projects, notions, paperwork. Hanging are project bags and painted canvases, on the dresser, my blank canvas, down below are my stitch books and some of the bulky frames and stands. On the right side of the closet are my thread drawers and copies of my stitching magazine subscriptions.

Yes, that's an office chair in there. It was my husband's cast off but it works perfect allowing me to play in my closet while seated. I don't stitch in there and when company comes to stay (like now, my Godmother is visiting through Mother's Day), I move the chair back into my husbands home office.

My favorite stitching zone is in my bedroom under a window shown in the top photo. My next favorite place is at the dining room table where I can use either a frame weight or a clamp (I use a table pad to protect the surface)). My Ott floor lamp

plugs in near my chair. This is where I am stitching the pilot project although while I have company, I won't get much done. Last but not least is our downstairs where I love to stitch, there's lots of natural light, but oddly enough I don't stitch down there too often. When I have stitch group here, we typically will stitch down here. You might know that the silhouette you see in the background is TBear. I love the Dazor lamp but it's too heavy to move around or up and down the stairs, so it stays down stairs.

So there you have it, my stitching places, where you can find me most of the time. Thanks Barbara for posing the question. I can't wait to see other's thrones too!

It's May Already!

Missed posting last week, but I've been reading your blogs and enjoying every minute. Fortunately or unfortunately I often fall victim to the Internet domino effect, you know one blog leads you here and then another blog leads you there; next thing you know you've fallen down the rabbit hole and are overdosing on ideas, eye candy and inspiration. There are worse habits I dare say. I have those too.

I have been stitching away on the pilot project I missed out on. Oh, and Red Kitty is finished and at the framer, the Gossipy Geisha Kitties are also being framed along with the three Terry Medaris Southwest pieces. I expect they'll be ready in a week or two. Needless to say I'm looking forward to getting them back.

My new Mile High name tag, two Cozy Toes ornies, the Mile High Christmas ornament and another ornie are all at the finisher's. I am also expecting to hear from the LNS that the "surprise" BBB is back from their finisher. "BBB?" you say? Can't tell you yet, it's a surprise gift. Once it's back I doubt I'll be able to hold up showing it off to you, but don't forget mum's the word. :)

Wanted to pass along to you a most fascinating website that I think you'll enjoy. I want to warn you in advance that a) it has nothing to do with needlework; and b) if you are a nature lover you too may find yourself with yet another "sit down" hobby as I call them. Bringing me to the real reason I haven't posted. I've been mesmerized for a week watching a live "nestcam" of an eagle family, two parents and three hatchlings. Both parents are unbelievably attentive and I am always interested to know what the daily fare will be. Today, think it was huh, pfresh hassenpfeffer! Anyway, here is the link, I hope you enjoy it: http://www.hancockwildlifechannel.org/staticpages/index.php/20090302200021473

Thank you very much for visiting today, I'll soon be back with photos of the finished and framed pieces. Till then, be safe and worry free until your mouse brings you back to me. Click.