An astonishingly different day

I've only lived in Colorado for 10 years yet I remain amazed at the change in the weather patterns from one hour to the next. After yesterdays beautiful morning, we did get a little rain and wind in the afternoon. But nothing like what happened this afternoon noon. The view is just slightly to the north from yesterday's shot. Mother Nature at her most powerful is still beautiful, still inspiring but in a different way. Hopefully I'll get beyond the weather report and on to some stitching next time.

Today's Inspiration

I wake up early everyday. I mean early as in wee hours around (gulp) 4 am. I don't jump out of bed mind you, it's more of a period of contemplation, planning and considering my options. Oh sure, I have to filter out the ruminations of the previous day and I'm not always successful especially when it comes to forgetting about what went wrong; but eventually I get to the present day's activities.

I felt lucky today which is inspiration in and of itself. As sunrise began, coffee made, I check the weather and notice the sky looks particularly gorgeous even though dawn is just beginning--I think a new day, a fresh start. DH is out of town sweltering in the desert of southern NM and a decision is made to share this mornings beauty with him. Camera in hand, I poke my head out and think, you're in your nightie for the love of God. Too bad.

The header photo today was taken this morning from the deck outside my bedroom. The sun is actually rising behind me and my camera is pointing to the west; the colors reflecting the sunrise are beautiful and you can even see last night's full moon beginning it's decent behind the foothills of the Rockies. Inspiration found.

My day will not be without it's problems but I am ever mindful that whatever today's challenges I have started out inspired, and therefore accountable to make the very most of  my day. Fingers crossed that I do a good job. Heartfelt thanks for stopping by for a visit, you too are my inspiration.

Lay/Laying/Laid Threads

Whatever! Just want to get this little controversial grammatical point out of the way before I get started. For our purposes here and in the interest of the PG rating of my blog, it's laid. I referred to dictionary.com for confirmation and I'm still not positive. Lay, laying, laid? Why? Just wondering.

I've finished most of the beading on the black corner sections but cannot proceed placing the green beads because I don't have them. The vial has gone missing. I'm sure I purchased it with the other supplies; surely I didn't start this project without everything necessary to complete it. Surely not. Oh, now I remember. I was going to substitute the Sundance green #14's for a green I had in my stash because my LNS didn't have what I needed. Well green is green, I must have something I can use. Nope, not this green because it's Cactus Green, nothing at all like my Kelly or Christmas greens. Figures.

Back to the beads later. Moving on to the next step: couching braid around the Ying and the Yang circle. Basically working with a needle of #12 Kreinik gold braid, a separate needle of Kreinik gold blending filament and 3 magnets, I found the best place to start ( far left side of the photo-beginning 2 strands of the braid). Couching is a good thing. It's very easy to manipulate the outline of a design as long as you take your time. You can make a circle more round just by moving around the laid thread with your needle and couching it down at regular intervals. Couching and neatening, couching and neatening theoretically makes for a spiffy circle.

When there are two or more strands being laid, it's even easier because you can push the second strand close to the first moving it into the ideal position. This is where the magnets come in handy. Park your laying thread in the direction it's to go, the after couching, park the needle with the blending filament and repeat the process. The magnets do a good job of keeping your loose strands in place. I also work with a stand for this type of work keeping both hands busy.

Here is where I introduced a third needle of braid and then later separated it (on the right) sending it on it's merry way around the inner circle where additional rows of braid will be laid and couched to fill in.

I'm on my way, next stop-the either the outside border or dragonfly. But for now I think it's time for a siesta....I'll be lying (to be in a horizontal, recumbent, or prostrate position, as on a bed) down for a while and I'm not lying ( to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive) either. Just saying.

To Guide or not To Guide

Speaking of stitch guides I just wanted to write about them today adding in my two-cents to other cyberspace conversations. I have long since known my talents lie elsewhere when it came to deciding the right stitch for the right place. For instance, take the kimono on the left. I began this canvas without a stitch guide about 10 years ago. Back then my idea was to use as many different stitches and as many different threads as possible in one little canvas. The kimono demonstrates this concept better than anything else I've ever stitched. I disliked how this was turning out and must have stitched it 5 times over because I made so many faulty stitch decisions; so many that I put it down and didn't stitch anything for several years. A few years ago I finally finished it and made the kimono into a kimono and I vowed never to stop stitching again for any reason under my control but I was still gun shy when it came to making stitch decisions. For one thing the whole process is very time consuming, taking up precious stitching time,  I concluded  I was better off leaving it to the experts.

Then I found the canvas on the right which is testimony that perseverance in learning, observation and practice can break through even the hardest head. I fell in love with Patt and Lee Designs' canvas even though it didn't have a stitch guide at the time. I had to create my own if I wanted to stitch it. So I began flipping through all my stitch books and decided to let Father B's Book of Stitches guide my way. Years ago (like maybe 20) I stitched his Tale of the Chinese Plate and remembered there were 12 stitches recommended for Asian themes. I picked every stitch on the Geisha canvas and every thread too as I recall. I am so proud of this fact because I didn't think I would ever attempt doing it again, and it turned out I actually could choose stitches to my own satisfaction. Now I wonder if I should? I'm a stitcher. Even so, recently I was encouraged to expand beyond my reach. Who me?

Creating a stitch guide is an art form and while I feel more confident in my ability, the professionals (you know who you are Judy, Ann, Robin, Sharon, Amy et al) that have devoted much of their careers to designing painted canvas and charts have gained my attention and earned my respect. I'd have it no other way.  How about you out there, do you decide on your own stitches to your own satisfaction? And to the exclusion of using professional stitch guides? Sharon G has wisely pointed out that they are only "guides,' suggesting they can be used together with our own judgment. Not bad advice Sharon. As for me, I really like having a stitch guide, but I'll keep dabbling with stitches taking in what I can glean from you all and asking for advice along the way.

Wishing you all well this hot steamy weekend. Take good care 'til next time.

Dragonfly continued

Working right along I've made a few changes to the stitch suggestions-not that they needed to be changed-.but leave it to me to take advantage of an opportunity to finish sooner. The entire stitch guide consists of what I would term as lite stitches. This is wonderful and it really makes for quick work. On this particular section pictured left, I've decided to make it "really lite stitches" and have opted to eliminate the majority of the stitching inside each square outlined in gold Kreinik 1/16 ribbon.  I like it as-is so I'm going for it. There soon will be gold beads stitched in the center of each square and elsewhere to fill in. The unexpected yet welcome beading instruction in Sharon G's stitch guide gave me insight as to how to make your beads stay put, instead of flopping around. Seasoned beaders will know this, but it has changed the way I feel about how my beads look. First bring your threaded needle up (use a double thread) through the bead and down as if you're making a tent stitch, then bring your needle back up in the first hole and go over the bead separating the thread over the bead and sink the needle down through the second hole. Snug as a bug. Very nice Sharon, thank you for that extra instruction.

While I am pretty much keeping to Sharon's stitching order, I admit I decided to skip ahead to fill in the ladybug. I had the beading needle and thread already out and the beads too so I thought I may as well. : ) A rebellious charge am I.  Next are tent stitches in black Splendor, the long cross stitches using Kreinik braid in Dragonfly and then finish off the red beads on this black section. I'll do the gold beads tonight. It's coming together, I should be done, I've just had distractions this week.

It's been hot in Colorado and we've had quite a few what I call natty household issues to deal with this week so I've only been stitching at night. DH has been home for three weeks this month and I do things "slightly" differently around here when he's home - translate: I haven't made as much progress as I hoped to.

I did enjoy the company of many fellow stitchers as I recently had brunch with one of my favorite stitchy-mahjongg mavens; and lunch with another friend that bestowed upon me many of her books on beading. Heavenly perusing! Hmmm, eating and perusing with friends; two of life's more delightful pleasures. I also happened to be included in a fun evening of hors doeurves and lemon-ginger martunies martinis with several friends and visiting dignitaries of the stitchy world. I don't know how I ended up on the invite list but I had a great time.

Rambling coming to an end now. Thank you for stopping by today for a quick visit, it's always an honor. Hope you'll come back soon and don't be afraid to leave a comment if you're so inclined. See you soon.

Bead Play

Been devoting some time to organizing my beads today and it's not as easy as it looks. For one thing I think I spent more time looking at them than doing any actual organizing. I soon realized there are a number of things one should know in advance of hauling out one's bead stash. Such as don't underestimate the number of display containers needed to accommodate the different beads. And never forget to work on a level surface (not an overstuffed ottoman-trust me) preferably one with sides-like on a tray. It's also imperative that when transferring beads from a plastic bag or box into your brandy-spankin' new bead "receptacles" you do so with a miniature scoop or something flexible that allows for the necessary maneuvering to hit the container and not scatter all over. Not using the appropriate tool for this procedure has resulted in creating a large bead soup mix. Previously I mentioned ordering from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. I must say that the company is admirable; carrying a vast selection of beads and "whatnots" for creating bobbles. I know I've said this before, but until I really get familiar with most, if not all, aspects of bead buying it would be wise to do it in person. As an inexperienced beader my online purchases were made by color and shape, not understanding size is also a major consideration. That's not exactly true, of course I knew size mattered, I just didn't know the difference between size 6 and size 15. Many of the beads I ordered I had to return; thankfully FMG has a very liberal return policy. My selections were primarily too large for embellishing my needlework. Others were so small they could only be felt, not seen. Well barely! So now I will go out tomorrow and find more containers. I like the size of these and though I don't have anything labeled, I have all the excess safely tucked away with their identifying tags. Obviously I intend to keep them organized by color. That just works for me and it's wonderful to look at. Thanks for indulging me today while I slacked off from stitching to play a with my stash.

The Consensus is....

stitch surgery will be performed.   Morning is always the best time for surgery and this morning is no exception. It didn't take long at all once the first clip of the thread was made. I've tried to show you in the slideshow the steps taken. I decided to clip in the center of the cord needing to be removed and pulled each end to the side. Secured the ends and then inserted the new length of cord slipping my needle underneath the single strand of silk. This also proved easier than first thought. I went slowly and carefully and I am thrilled it turned out without creating any further problems. If you haven't done so previously, go to yesterday's post and read all the excellent comments including one from the designer, SharonG.

Many, many thanks for all words of wisdom and to all that encouraged me to go forth and fix this eye catching glitch on canvas. Moving on to the next section, see you soon.

Problem to Solve

The upper left blue background is complete laying a single strand of super thin metalic cord couched with a single strand of silk.  This delicate stitch creates texture while allowing the blue canvas to show through. I worked simultaneously with two threaded needles and 2 magnets; one parked while stitching with the other. There is a problem, unfortunately, and I would very much appreciate your opinions on this if you have the time.

The twisted two-ply antique gold cord (one very fine strand of black and one of gold) at some point became untwisted. In the larger photo on the right you can see where this happened about 1/3 down from the top of the photograph. I noticed this in the photograph however upon examining the actual stitching it is readily detectable as a shiny, more reflective strand of gold. Here is my delimma: do I attempt to remove the untwisted strand and replace it with a new, intact strand of cord? Or leave it as is?  I would think in order to "keep the peace" with the surrounding couched rows I would have to clip the unwanted strand in the center, pull each end to their respective side and tack down. Then carefully slide my threaded needle under the couching with the new cord and then securing the ends. What do you think?

I've begun stitching the tee stitch using one strand of silk in the lighter blue background area behind the dragonfly. Continuing on my way hoping to hear from you in the meanwhile. Thanks for visiting today, it's only going to reach the 60's here which is cool even for Colorado in July. Sending you best wishes for a peaceful day.

Dragonfly Up First

After mounting Dragonfly and Ladybug on the stretchers I started on the upper left blue area. A very long strand of antique gold cord is laid across the canvas and couched down diagonally, left to right, with one strand of Slate Gloriana silk. Do not end off the cord, instead bring it back across to the opposite side of the canvas and couch with the silk only this time stitching the diagonal in the opposite direction.  Then in about a half an hour the first row is done. I think this correct, it's late and I'm sleepy and will re-check in the daylight! I will see you back here when this first section is complete.

New Project Lined Up!

After the large Deco Cat I am quite ready to stitch something small. I have my ornaments for charity that I could finish but I'm really ready to dive into another new project. Besides, ornies make good inbetweeners. While sifting through my stash (my favorite pastime) I came across these delightfuls, a gift from DD for my birthday last year. We didn't purchase the thread at the time since I knew these would be going straight into my 2011 project queue.

Obviously that didn't happen since I'm blogging about this today. After receiving permission by Ms. Sharon G her very self to "blog along," I opened up what I thought was the stitch guide for the dragonfly-thinking I would incorporate the stitches and threads of dragonfly into butterfly and be resourceful for once I only purchased the one guide. Lo and behold Sharon G. included guides for both canvases!  In addition her guides are only spectacular with color images of the stitch diagrams, large print, tips, not to mention clear and concise. This could turn into a dream project.

I headed over to my LNS and found all the "ingredients" to get started.  Turns out that out of all my stash, the only things I had was a tube of Sundance beads and the 2 pairs of Evertites-I need 4 pairs because I want to stitch them simultaneously. This should be fun.

There's a Japan Thread by Kreinik that is so shiny and a perfect choice for its application here; I hadn't even heard of Japan Thread previously. I'll also be using Kreinik Cord, Ribbon and Braid. The beads are a minute size #14 and I am not even sure I have a beading needle small enough, these are tiny.

I think I'm already to get started, so let the games begin! Wishing you a HAPPY 4th weekend to all who celebrate. It's a mild day here in the Rockies and tomorrow's predicted temp for Denver is 80 glorious degrees. Which means I'll have a sweatshirt on for the fireworks. Fine by me. Hope you have a fun day planned filled with friends, family and outdoor fun. You know where I'll be.