Tale of the Pesky Kimono

MAGIC project #2 is done, finished. No, I didn't stitch it in two different colorways, just playing with my photo software. It's been about 7 years since I first purchased this canvas. I had such high hopes in the beginning that it would stitch up quickly and that I would miraculously find just the right stitches and threads to use. Didn't happen that way. As a much less experienced stitcher 7 years ago I didn't know about the wonderful stitching support groups and lists and all the help available through them. Thinking it was a gorgeous canvas worthy of fine threads and stitches, and with Jo Ippolito's 300 stitches dictionary by my side, I thought I was prepared.

The real trouble began when I attempted to create a stitch guide; I had no experience and ultimately no business attempting this. I stitched and then frogged, stitched and frogged for months. I just do not have the talent nor experience to instinctively know what stitch best fits where. Frustration stitching this particularly problematic canvas caused me to put my needle down for about 3 years. Back then, back before discovering my needlework groups, I was still practicing the don't begin something new until you finish what you've started mantra. And I didn't want to work on the kimono so I ended up not working on anything. Big mistake rectified only after learning that it's natural to have any number of UFO's and WIPS in one's stash. That it's a normal part of being a stitcher. Thankfully I cast aside this notion of nothing new until old is finished.

Once the stitching was in, the poor kimono took a rest while I tried to figure out how to finish it to hang on a stand. I looked around on the Internet for help, but didn't find what I needed. The first thing I did was to cut away the canvas around the stitched design and basted on an interfacing for stabilization. Next I needed to find the right fabric for the back; naturally choosing a slick Asian fabric that frayed like crazy. The color and pattern were right, so what's a little fraying with everything else it had been through. The fabric was basted to the back of the canvas wrong sides facing inward. It was finally time to apply the velvet trim to the edges by hand leaving armhole openings. Voila! Done. Goodbye. Shoo! Actually I learned many valuable lessons stitching this kimono, that even though I was discouraged many times, I became a better stitcher because of it somehow. Becoming more aware of my limitations and levels of tolerance and patience, I now plan and proceed with my stitching projects differently than I did back then.

THE MAGIC SHOW

is coming in November at my local EGA Chapter meeting. I've been working on the finishing of two of my MAGIC (My All Good Intentions Contract) commitments this past week. The stitching has been done for quite some time now and after much thought, a bit of consternation and bravery, I began the finishing of the kimono and the Halloween Fairy project myself in an effort to save time and money. I will only discuss the fairy today.

The Halloween Fairy was meant to be framed, but to me Halloween is a day, not a season and I was not likely to display a framed Halloween piece. Not to mention that a background would have to be stitched if it were to be framed. Soooo I am using it to decorate the top of a round box from Hobby Lobby. Covering the exterior of the box and box top with a Halloween print fabric, I am now ready to cut my finished fairy canvas down to size and mount it on the top. I put the canvas on a piece of foam board and then attached it to the lid. A cover up trim seeking odyssey ensued and I finally decided on black velvet ribbon and large orange rick rack. I love rick rack, reminds me of elementary school and my Brownie Troop. This finishing project took time but wasn't difficult. The one set of fairy wings extend out over the edge of the box top and are vulnerable to crushing even though I stitched around their edges with braid and left the canvas underneath attached. I really didn't enjoy finishing this project myself. I think I'd rather be stitching; something I didn't realize about myself, but now I do. I do not plan on taking this type of thing on again. Well except for the kimono and third Magic project, a CanvasWorks Rooster pillow. With the finishing of these 3 items I am getting closer to reaching my stitching goals for 2008. Hallelujah! Happy Dance!

CATCHING UP!

Hi all! I have missed my blog. Thank you for not giving up on me. I've been stitching and making progress on my WIP's for the past few weeks and have other things going on preventing me from making a contribution here. I've been reading and enjoying yours, however. Currently I am not in Colorado but have traveled to NM to visit family. I drove so I have Teddy with me plus 6 stitching projects. I'll be here for a few weeks but didn't bring anything new to work on. That took will power. I had nearly self-talked myself into the "you're on vacation, take a new project" mentality, but I overcame that idea. Well actually my daughter reminded me that I would be making a side trip to PFOS. Dilemma resolved. :)

Before beginning this blog entry, I took photos of everything discussed; however, I have been unsuccessful in downloading and, therefore, editing my photos on the laptop I'm using. I will add them later once I figure out the picture software. It may also be an incompatable memory card.

Stitching priorities include my MAGIC projects; I've stitched 2 sides of the border and am working on the third of the Rooster; also finished the chicken wire fencing. I only have until November to complete the stitching; I think I'll do it. I'm using Silk and Ivory for much of the piece which is so nice to stitch with and no separation of plies.

As pointed out previously, I am nearly done with the Halloween fairy piece....if I don't do the background. I'm seriously considering mounting the design into a round box top. It's 7" in diameter so that may not be as easy as it sounds. I also need to think of how I want to address the fairy wings that extend outside the circle. Think I have that covered. This leaves me with 3 fairy canvas's incomplete for my MAGIC commitment. Lastly, I don't like to bead, but think a few additions to my Japanese Kimono would be a nice improvement.

Here is another project I finished but haven't framed; it's a prototype for a program I will lead early in 2009. I pulled the threads from my stash to do a test run of the stitches, etc. The point of this project is to feature a piece of jewelry attached to the geometric design. Instead of jewelry, I decided to attach beach glass in the shape of an angel, collected from the beach off Long Island Sound in the 70's. The glass has great sentimental significance since my close friend that collected it has since passed on.

I have completed 99% of the actual program model in exactly the fibers and colors suggested by the designer. This colorway is much more subdued than my bright stash piece. This will be presented for sign-ups at our meeting in September

I have also been involved with the SNS (Shining Needle Society) Stitch project given by Beth Robertson and Suzanne Howren; It's the first in a series of three notebook classes of stitches. I have enjoyed this type of "cyber" class and highly recommend this method of learning as there is no travel involved, you have benefit of fabulous national teachers and you can proceed at your own pace and in your own time. I don't think I should include a photo.

Lastly, but not least I have brought the remainder of my Cozy Toes to work on if I finish all the other projects. So I have my work cut out for me while I'm on vacation and better get busy.

Thanks again for bearing with me over the past two weeks during my period of dormancy.

Yours always in stitching!
Madonna

Good Grief, what haven't I done!

To understand why I've posted these fun fairies, you need to read Cyn's comment on my MAGIC projects. I wasn't going to put up any pictures, and now one of the 4 has already disappeared somehow. Cyberspace.Oh well here I am shaming myself, but I'm among friends, right? Since you asked, I pledged all 4. :0 Now before you go questioning my judgment or worse yet, my sanity, I really didn't think I would be able to finish these fluttering fairies in time for November's meeting. I planned on writing a check for them all along...."yes, that's the ticket," all along! I tried getting the Easter season done, but, alas, not this year. These not so little projects are very cute and you really do learn several techniques. I liked the materials used too; they're fun, I just have found other things I want to do. I am glad my good camera's memory stick was full otherwise you'd really get a gander at how these orphans haven't been in the most protective environment. I think these are from '03. Here's a thought: I could just stitch the central motif and matte the rest? Would that be cheating?By the way, if you need something to stitch, I'll pay the postage! As far as the other pledged projects, believe me, I've counted how many lines I have to stitch daily on that rooster to ensure completion! Don't ask! LOL! Wish me luck.

MAGIC: Producing results...

through mysterious sleight of hand influences or unexplained powers and the charms, spells and rituals so used. Hey, that sounds like what I need to help dwindle my 2008 UFO pile. Where do I sign up? In reality you and I know it will take more than a little abracadabra or even a miracle would be more likely to help plow through my stash of undone's. Or so I thought.

Last Fall our local EGA group was challenged to sign up for Barb Loftus' very inventive MAGIC program. MAGIC (My All Good Intentions Contract) was created as an incentive to help members reduce their ever expanding accumulation of UFO's.

Here's how it works. Members were asked to identify 3 projects they would like to finish and present them at our Chapter meeting. Yes, you had to stand up and pledge your intention (s). A paper contract was filled out for each project stating a self imposed dollar amount to be donated to the Chapter, if the UFO wasn't completed in one year's time. In our case, it was Fall 2007 to November 2008. The monies raised, if any (yeah, right, anyway), will be added to our Chapter's Outreach program funds. Members generously pledged several hundred dollars and it's now nearly August. Wonder how everyone is progressing?

As for me, well, I've completed the stitching on a kimono, after 7 years of picking up, putting down and ripping out, I'm glad it's done. Next up is the Rooster seen here in the blog Archives (July 3, Studio Time). Then I have a set of 4 canvases in varying stages of completion. These were from a class I had taken at an ANG seminar in NM, Four Season Fairies with Dorothy Lesher. I learned a lot in this class which is justifcation enough for being gentle with myself if I don't finish them. The main objective for taking classes is to learn, not to finish. Right? Right. I think I'll need to get my checkbook out for these. Well, that's okay, it's going to a very good cause.

Okay Chapter members, you know who you are; how are you doing?

STUDIO TIME

with Caela! Okay, I am really excited. Next week at this time I will have the good fortune to be in the company of many fabulous needleartists. I'm attending the EGA Rocky Mountain Regional Seminar held in Denver. The class choices this year are fabulous and it is such a treat to have the Seminar held in my own back yard, so to speak.

As a member of the hosting Chapter I will have certain volunteer duties but the rest of my day will be spent with national needlestar Caela Tyler. I've opted to sign up for her Studio Time and plan on taking full advantage of her expertise and wisdom. Studio time is where you bring any stitching issues you may be having or canvas problems, etc. to an expert to help you work out solutions. I will be seeking her help in how to go about making either of these major canvas/thread investments the best they can be. The rooster is 14"x14" by CanvasWorks. It is a handsome canvas that my husband bought for me several years ago. I have been perplexed as to how to stitch it and have tried a few things here and there, just to give DH the impression that I am actively working on it. He is thrilled that I will soon have help and is imagining a light at the end of the tunnel.

This is the other canvas and I've been saving it for over 20 years! It's by Elsa Williams and originally came with her tapestry wool. Well I am so glad I held off doing this, can you imagine all the different thread and stitches that can be used now? It's fairly large but so light and airy I think it will work up fairly quickly. Don't you? I want an open back ground but will defer to Caela before making a final decision.

For those of you that know Caela's work you understand why I jumped at the chance to sign up for her Studio. Having viewed many of her finished works in person, all superlative adjectives worthy of a fine artist come to mind, but there is one thing that stands out to me. I am talking about what I refer to as her light handed touch.

When I first began stitching I believed that heavier thread and stitch usage would be more dramatic and, quite honestly, I was never really happy with the end results but didn't know why. After seeing Caela's exquisite work, so intricate, light, showing fine detail, I learned right away that this is a far more effective way to enhance the design. Unfortunately this style does not come naturally to me, but I'm learning and hoping for a little osmosis action to take place at Seminar. I'll keep you posted.