The framer called today

to let me know my Terry Medaris, Rio Rincon, piece was ready to be picked up. It was held in captivity for 4 weeks or there abouts which isn't really all that long...just seemed like it. I think I like it, it's growing on me.

I am not sure I'm completely happy with the cutting of the triple mats, however, I won't complain. First I noticed there were a few cuts that weren't executed exactly along the lines of stitching, I also felt that the blue/green mat was a little large relative to the stitched piece. I also thought that the width of the yellow/tan mat should have been the same as the purple mat. I would have preferred that the purple mat be on top. The overall size of the piece and the order in which the mats were placed was not discussed.

I do like the framer I'm working with, think they're very professional and have been in business for a long time. I primarily think that the unusual cutting of the mat template must have been very difficult to execute. Maybe not, maybe I'm wrong.

I am working on three smaller companion pieces that will be framed together in one piece, using the same framing as Rio Rincon. I may have some changes made at that time. It would be great to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Desert Mission by Terry Medaris

I began stitching on the Desert Mission canvas this evening. This is the largest of the tryptych, measuring 4.5"x5"x, and will set the standard for threads and stitches used for all three canvases.

Starting on the mission, I used 3 different fibers in 3 coordinated colors. Soy silk in both Solid and Shadows and Amy's Burmilana. These threads were sometimes blended for shading. The stitch is the Hungarian adding a subtle pattern and is an easy stitch to follow. Next I'll do the doors and windows of the mission.
Mission Accomplished!
Nearly. This has been a delightful little canvas to stitch. Using the same threads inside the windows as the body of the mission, and outlining the windows with laid Petite Very Velvet. Love that turquoise color. The black outlining is done with perle coton. Greenery is DMC floss, then using NN Overdye for the flower knots. Either Krenik braid or slippery Fiesta for the panes. Watercolors was tent stitched on the door with Krenik braid "bars. Next, the magenta desert and purple mountains.

My Roots are Showing!

Southwest roots, that is. Raised in Arizona I cannot help but be attracted to just about anything southwestern. Here are three companion canvases to Rio Rincon (see May 18 posting). I am very anxious to get started on these friendly canvases, painted by Terry Medaris at Sundance, while Rio is at the framers. My plan is to have these framed as a triptych. Incorporating many of the same stitches and threads used in Rio, I am hoping these will look even more like they "belong" together. I'll be using beautiful threads from The Pure Palette, Soy Luster Solids and Shadows; more Amy's Burmilana wool/acrylic blend; Gloriana 12-stranded silk; J.L Walsh silk wool and bits of other accent threads.

It is a total indulgence starting these without first having finished my Magic rooster http://frontrangestitches.blogspot.com/2008/07/studio-time.html, which is the final of three pieces I have to finish before the November deadline. I have that piece well under control and just need to play with something else. It's been a while since I've started anything new and have been quite diligently about finishing several of my WIP's this year; there will be more evidence of this in the next week or two. I had planned on giving myself permission to start something new on my birthday in September; but the birthday God's had something else in mind: car trouble. Not to worry, I didn't have to leave the house for new threads or anything, had everything on hand to get started. Will keep you posted on their progress and meanwhile know that I am clam happy with anticipation that the framer will be calling any minute now.