Babble Without a Cause

Apparently I am going to have to get over thinking that I must have a photo ready before I can write something on my blog. I just don't have one today. I have been stitching (obviously not enough to photograph any progress), hosted two sets of visitors, volunteered and had house "issues." I also attended an EGA meeting this week where fellow stitcher, Jennifer Riefenberg, taught us about the color wheel. Jennifer is such a great teacher because she is so relaxed and non-intimidating; putting everyone at ease thus creating a very receptive environment for learning.

I thought I knew the color wheel, you know, red, yellow, blue. Well evidently it would be more accurate if I stated that I recognized a color wheel when I saw one. Knowing it is quite another thing. So most everyone knows that the wheel depicts the primary colors and variations thereof; but did you know about the tertiary colors? Yes you did, you just knew them as a combination of the primary and secondary colors. Well then, what about shades, tints, tones, values and color dominance? Hmmm, do you know about those? You better get a color wheel, it's all right there...and it's fun. You don't need to invest in the mack-daddy of all color wheels to be able to learn, although having said that, all wheels are not created equal. A great basic wheel with plenty of options and explanations is here, http://www.dickblick.com/zz049/15/. Then again this one here, http://www.dickblick.com/zz049/60/ might make a good case for more is more. Naturally you wouldn't want to be without this shown here, http://www.dickblick.com/zz049/47/. And when you determine how one might use this, http://www.dickblick.com/zz034/03/ let me know.

There's so much out there on the web about color wheels, lots of useful tools, and how to's, but if you don't have access to your computer 100% of the time, you need the real deal in hand. My recommendation is the pocket model, the size of a CD it's easily kept with your regular stitching supplies. Thank you Jennifer for supplying it with our class materials.

Yes, I've used links to one particular art supply website but there are many more out there. I have no affiliation with Dick Blick Art Materials, but I have ordered successfully from them in the past.

Keeping it short and sweet in Colorado. Thanks for stopping by today.

Plaid: Having a pattern or colors, checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to one another

HUH? Never mind, sounds complicated...NOT!

I love plaid, always have since parochial school! But I had no idea how it was achieved with a needle and thread. Until last night at my local ANG meeting, I learned. Our program, taught by a local talented and gifted teacher/stitcher, Jennifer Riefenberg, showed us just how it's done. And in record time. After the general meeting we had just over an hour to learn and practice the technique. I loved it! If you haven't given stitching plaid a try, please do. It's as relaxing as basketweave or tent but with a much more interesting effect, IMHO. Depending upon your choice of color and the number of colors used, the effects can be as different as anything I've seen in needlework. Thanks Jennifer for sharing your photos.

Hmmm, I'm already thinking of ways to incorporate plaid into my projects, current and upcoming.