Camille

Have been making progress on Red Kerchief as I continue to enjoy stitching on this project. BUT....I've been distracted, waylaid, whatever you want to call it. Family health issues (not to worry, all is well thankfully) that included a short hospital stay (not me) and I thought I'd get some stitching done, but not meant to be. Sometimes distractions are way to much to overcome and I just couldn't concentrate.

That was then, this is now. Over the weekend I nearly completed stitching Camille. Loved getting her face shaded just so, and the stitches chosen for her coat and kerchief were perfect. Primarily using Burmilana which is one of my favorite threads, it does tend to fray a bit but keeping the thread length to a minimum fixes that problem. I changed one thread out, the Silk Serica; as much as I like working with silk I just don't like this one though many stitchers do. But even with the sheen and brilliant colors offered I find it too difficult to work with. Using Rainbow Gallery's' Flair for the ruffles is a great idea and so forgiving! Stitching for 18 hours (not all at once) over the weekend, the background canvas is nearly (nothing like photography to show my stitching imperfections and omissions!) finished. YAY!

I can't stress enough that if you want a unique project that packs a lot of bang for your buck so to speak, this may just be the project for you. It looks a lot more difficult than it is. I can honestly say that whether it's the small size of each area, the stitches and threads chosen, or just the thought of having a Monet hanging on my walls, this has been the most fun I've had stitching since my Gossipy Geisha Kitties.

Next up I'll show the progress on the foreground canvas; I'm closer than I thought at getting this done and am already mentally moving on to my next stitching adventure. Thanks for stopping by today, more later.

Latte goin on round here!

"Come on over baby, whole lotta stitch'n going on" or at least there will be once I remove myself from the office chair to the easy chair. Wish you could come over, there is so much to talk about such as I'd love to know what you're working on, what you're dreaming of working on and....and whatever you like.

Today is the first day of the second year of my blog. I can't believe that year went so quickly....if only I'd stayed on my treadmill as religiously. I noticed I went over 7000 visits, that's amazing to me and I am so grateful that along with the knack to create stuff we are all so very curious. Thank you for visiting today and everyday you give me a little of your time. I raise my coffee cup full of Starbuck's new limited edition, "Arabian Mocha Sanani". Doesn't this sound tempting, full body, bramble fruit, cocoa, clove spice? Add a little cream and voila you have a treat worth splurging on. Part of my Mother's Day gift from DD. Also got a new stove top popcorn popper, you know the kind that you twirl the kernels around in. Plus teensy tiny popcorn to pop. This is my 4th said popper, I just wear them out. It's a family trait, my sister is the same way. Hi Margie!

I've had visitor's over the past week but now that everyone is back in their respective corners of the world and my husband is in NM for a few weeks, I've cleared the decks and have gotten down to some serious stitching. Have what I call my two major projects to concentrate on. I'm about halfway finished with Marnie Ritter's Renaissance and it is so beautiful. I know there are many Marnie Ritter fans out there and encourage you to get your hands and needle on this project if you like variety, explosions of color and sparkly! I love sparkly. I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching this piece and am anxious to get back to it. Her creation is indeed a masterpiece.

Speaking of masterworks, Caela Tyler's interpretation of Monet's Red Kerchief is well underway and taking front seat right now. It involves two canvases, a foreground which is nearly complete and a background (so to speak) which is waiting at the moment. Techniques galore and so very different from anything I've stitched before and I cannot wait until I have my very own Monet hanging on the wall. When I finish these two, well I will have something won't I.

Perhaps the most exciting thing on my mind is what's next! I get to choose, and you know how we like choosing new projects. Excitement. The only limitation is I must stay within the confines of a) my 2009 stitching queue and b)my stash closet. I can do that, I think. Will keep you posted. :) Love that, "Keep you posted" of course I will, this is a blog.

Even though I could sit and visit here until the cow's come home, I better get a mooove on. Oh, I'm still waiting for the call that BBB and Red Kitty are ready to be picked up. Here kitty, kitty, kitty.

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.

Say Hi to Lucy, Desi, Laverne, Shirley, Sonny and Cher

This year's Cozy Toe intentions are coming to a close. Close of the toes. I am not sure how their names were chosen, but they are all identified by first name. Five are complete and off the bars, one last sock to whip up! I loved these tiny projects, they work up in a couple of days, a mere weekend and that is for a slow stitcher like yours truly.

I know I thought I'd get all 12 done this year, but I have a clear conscience and can only afford to have 6 finished anyway. Perfect. Excuse me a moment while I add the next 6 to my 2009 queue. Hmmm, getting crowded in there.

These have been a joy to stitch for a number of reasons, first of which is that they were expertly hand painted, the stitches were all tested in advance and appropriate for the space, likewise, the fibers were also well chosen to accommodate the space and design. They all came taped up, individually packaged with threads, instructions, photo of finished piece and stitch diagrams. No wonder they work up in just days. All that arriving monthly from PFOS in Lubbock, TX. They sure know how to do things in Texas and in a big way too. Since the yearly series has closed you can buy them individually.

Now marching off to the finisher, well as soon as I get the last one off the stretchers.

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.

Made progress

on Cozy Toes #7 yesterday. The Saturday morning stitch group arrived and since they hadn't been to my home before I had a great time taking them on a brief tour. But the best kind of tour in my opinion is self guided. Now you can do that with trusted friends, non-judgemental friends that is. We also had a show and tell where finished items were given a well deserved ogle with ensuing ooooooohs and ahhhhhhhhhhs! Truthfully, talent abounds in this group, awe inspiring talent. I wish I could show you some of their exquisite projects; whether complete or in progress it is not possible as some are going to be taught at NAN, ANG or EGA and these gems are not mine to share. But be on the lookout in future posts where I will alert when they become available.

You may recall in an earlier post I referred to the turbo stitcher? Well G, we'll call her, was also at breakfast, creating a breeze with her needle motion. I will ask her if she'll let me post a photo of the piece she was working on, breathtaking! In fact, I will seek to showcase her talent on this blog; if she agrees you will be in for a fabu treat! Stay tuned. I mentioned I did make some progress on my stocking. Quick stitching with tent or diagonal mosaic. I changed from using Flair to Perle #5, call me lazy, it's okay. I get easily annoyed with all the twisting that seems to occur when I use the flat ribbons as they persist in defying my laying tool. Moistening may help, I'm not all that familiar with which threads can or cannot be moistened. Next, completing the lower half which includes sewing on a few beads. Hmmm, where are my band-aids?

Suzy Murphy's Lite Stitches Workshop

The technique known as "lite stitches" or "shadow stitching" is one that I hadn't tried before until a few weeks ago. Suzy Murphy came down to Colorado Springs from Wyoming to teach her class, "Lite Stitches," named for her book with the same title. Very, very fun way to learn something new. Suzy is an entertaining teacher and kept everyone "in stitches" throughout the weekend! Ahem.

Using fewer strands of thread than is traditionally recommended for the canvas gauge, along with a handsomely painted canvas, I learned how to achieve beautiful subtle color and textural effects allowing the painted design to show through the stitches. This method is used in conjunction with skipping over canvas threads covering only every other one. This way there is no need to blend threads and eliminates the painstaking matching threads to canvas paint.

An obstacle I encountered using this technique became apparent when I tried to hide my tails and away knots. You just have to use common sense where to bury or begin threads on an open canvas, if it shows through, it's not the end of the world but try again to hide them where they will be least noticeable.

So most of the stitching in the photos was completed during the first day of the class so you can see just how quickly using these methods show fast progress. The textures created by using metallics and skipping stitches are subtle but beautiful. Are you able to see the effect created when using a white thread over both the snow and into the the blue mountains? It's a great shading technique and so simple. To be continued soon......

Rio Rincon WIP

I continue to experiment with adding pictures. I was hoping I could just leave a link on the side of the blog where the pictures would be opened, but I haven't figured that out just yet.

Rio Rincon is a canvas designed by southwest artist Terry Medaris. There is a very large line of similarly painted canvases available and I have 3 more that when completed will be framed alike. I am nearly finished with this first piece and with Terry's stitch guide it has been a fast and fun project. I plan on using some of the same stitches for the other pieces in the collection. I particularly like the "Pattern Stitch" used in the sun with overdye. Other stitches include Padded Cross Stitch, Reverse Mosaic, Victorian Step and others. Threads used are metallic braid, ribbon floss, floss, overdye, Watercolours, Neon Rays, Fiesta, wool and rayon floss. Not much left to stitch, then I will tackle the beads. I don't really enjoy beading, the needles are so thin and sharp I end up wounding myself with nearly every bead!