Gilding the Lily?

 Since finding this stitched canvas in an antique mall during my summer travels, many brainstorms developed as to what I could do to bring it up to date a little. The hard part (all basketweave) was completed by the hand of an anonymous kindred spirit, leaving me to think of a way to spiff it up a bit by adding a little sparkle and personality. To what level one takes the embellishment is, of course, a matter of personal taste. Trying my hand once again with beads I thought that would be a good place to start. To say I am not a skilled beader would be an understatement as I have no idea all the options, tools and procedures associated in today's beading world. The most I could figure out for the small flowers was to put several beads on the thread, lay it on the the flower shape and tack it down. This saved time and allowed an easy way to cover up some of the uneven edges of the petals. Camouflage is my friend! Along with the seed beads I used a little Crystal Braid in pink to brighten the flowers, yellow Floche was also used (mostly because I love the sheen it exhibits on the skein) and then #16 Kreinik braid couched with extra fine braid for the curly stems. I left the leaves alone even though IMHO they could have used something, I didn't want to change the integrity of the entire canvas.

Also left the Spaniel alone for the most part only adding dog bone earbows. I did brush the pup's body with one of those funky looking tools made for the purpose of fluffing up fur. I was sooooo tempted to do something to her face, but decided not to get involved.

I have the materials for finishing this piece into the pillow myself; figured I'd gone this far futzing around with it I may as well go all the way. This has been a fun process and I encourage you to try your hand at this type of canvas embellishment. It's fun and a great way to celebrate your creativity.

Thank you for visiting today, as always the pleasure is totally mine!

COZY TOE #8

Yippee, PFOS' Cozy Toe #8 is finished. Well it's stitched anyway. Only four left! "Jill" as in Jack and Jill has bright and vibrant reds, pinks and turquoise in combination to make this lifesaver stocking a joy to stitch. Using one of my favorite threads, Petite Very Velvet in three colors of brick stitch on the cuff and toe made for very fast and easy stitching. Frye Werks, Sprinkles, Spun Silk, Floss and Kreinik #12 Braid are all included in the kit from PFOS of Lubbock, TX. I'm on the downhill to finishing these cozytozies and hope to have them all in time for the tree this year. Will keep you posted. Hope you're all well into getting your Holiday stitching ready for the finisher, it's nearly September, where has the year gone? Don't ask!

Gosh I've been away long enough to have undergone and recovered from a face lift, full body liposuction (is there such a thing?) and hair growth rivaling Rapunzel. I wish. Unfortunately nothing quite so exciting as those life altering events have kept me from my blog and friends and stitching and life as I know/like it.

No, it took a stay in Sedona where, due to the heat, I had the life zapped right out of me for half of August and without a computer and sporadic cell coverage no less! Or was it that hideous eye infection complete with ointment that kept me from stitching, driving, or going out anywhere. Cyclops is what came to my mind each time I peered into a mirror. Yes, I did see the doctor for an antibiotic and realized first hand that this type of treatment isn't really effective for what ailed me. It's gone, mostly, I'm now presentable.

There were a number of other unexpected "situations" that cropped up all taking their sweet time to resolve. Like the hail storm of catastrophic magnitude (dubbed by the insurance company) that surely centered itself over my home causing all kinds of damage and mayhem. And the aftermath/onslaught of roofers, painters, adjusters, etc. to help us through the calamity. LOL! It all sounds insignificant now, but at the time everything seemed to be happening at once, or at least needed immediate attention. August will never be the same for me, for one thing it's my last time to go to Sedona (in August). It was hotter than the center of the sun or turkey pot pie right out of the oven! No kidding. Sedona is beautiful but if you can't go in the winter...get a postcard! Yes, it's cooler than Phoenix, but not enough to say so, except at night, it does cool down I have to give them that. It's just an annual trek I take with an elderly relative who would not go otherwise.
Stitch-wise I did very little. I managed to finish this ornament for a Christmas in July exchange (pre August events). I finished it myself which allowed the inclusion of these other goodies shown here in my mailing. I also worked on the next Cozy Toe ornament and embellished the Spaniel pillow mentioned in a previous post. These things will be posted later today. So I have stitched a little, but not nearly as much as I wanted or needed to. I am waaaay behind on my queue.
While in Arizona I did make it to Needler's Nest in Surprise. They were having a storewide 25% off everything sale which I was not about to miss, Cyclops or not. I'll soon have photos ready for posting and of some of the fun things I found in that great shop.

Well that's about the gist of why my blog and stitching haven't been the priority lately. I know you all know how much I missed it. Thanks so much for bearing with me over these last weeks and thanks to those that have written to inquire. Take care.