Fan on Black....

by Jinice is finished. Last post I completely forgot about the braid and tassels located on the bottom of the fan. Jinice devised an effective way to make 6 strands of floss and one strand of gold metallic to look like braid. Quite clever; luckily I had red cord and wrapped gold Krenik braid around it and couched it all down. The tassels are made out of the left over red floss with bead embellishment. The application of the braid and creation of the tassels actually took me several hours; it is relatively delicate work and my fingers are clumsy at best. But I am pleased with the effort.

I frogged the entire plaid type area on the right side and took more care with laying the threads and placing the stitches. I am so much happier with the outcome and have no regrets about the redo.

The gorgeous turquoise border around the whole piece was stitched in Silk & Ivory and I actually think S & I was a better choice than the suggested Medici (S & I was not on the market at the time this design was created). It worked up like a dream and was stitched over 18! I eyeballed it in the picture and thought it was about over 10, but as it turned out it was stitched over nearly twice that. I really like it and the texture and semi-sheen really add to the piece.  The Fan will be framed and I am thinking either silver leaf, gold leaf or black high gloss enamel. I haven't been to the framers so there's really no telling what I will ultimately choose.

Thanks for following along on this one. I hope I can find more Jinice designs that are still out there; I don't think I've stitched anything that flowed quite as smoothly as the Fan. There was just the right variety of thread and stitches to keep interest peaked.

Now back to the Red Kerchief.

Japanese Fan cont.

Once completing the small frame of stitching (one row of #16 Kreinik braid tent on either side of 1 row of Watercolor slanted over two) around the fan it was time to begin the lattice background.  Jinice's instructions were very good allowing for easy and methodical counting. The lattice work is done in #8 Kreinik braid in black HL (high luster) which connects well with the sheen of the bugle beads. In the photograph the beads appear to be black but they are actually black iris which is more or less an iridescent black.

The beads are sewn on with medium blue floss, two strands, and while unlike any other area of this canvas the blue thread runs across the back of the canvas barely showing through the unstitched background. This technique has toned down the stark black background, softening the relation between the brightness of the fan and the depth of the black canvas. I used Mill Hill bugles for this and ran short by about 1/2 package. (No I didn't drop them on the floor as suggested by DH.)

The final piecepart of this design is to stitch the outside frame using long (over 10) straight stitches in stranded wool, mitering the corners. Medici was prescribed, however despite recently reading that Medici is once again available, my LNS suggested using Silk & Ivory in a peacock blue. If this doesn't work out, I will go with a similar shade of Burmilana.

Once I finish all couching left undone to provide for the beading, I will "clean up" the stitched areas and then off to the framers. Yippee!

Thank you for taking your good stitching time to visit today!

I hope you don't

have anything pressing to do today. It just so happens that I've found a few more amazing blogmeisters to add to your daily dose of inspiration. Hope you'll consider these must reads, if not, must follows. I am amazed I have any time to stitch at all. Oh how I wish I could stitch and blog at the same time, any suggestions? Enjoy!


Plays with Needles
Sew in Love
Threads Across the Web
Needlepoint Study Hall
A Needlepoint Blog

Progress report

It's Superbowl Sunday and I think I'll have plenty of time to stitch today if I opt not to linger on the computer, that is.  This week I've been working on Fan on Black by Jinice. A project I've wanted to do for a very long time, I've now discovered I am not as enamored with it as I once was. Make no mistake, the design is wonderful, the stitches have been fun and a good lesson in couching. No, I think it might be the red orange and flesh tone hues in the color palette that are not working for me. I may be rushing to judgment however since there is still quite a bit of work to be done.

     For instance the background is quite busy and should tone down the dominating black canvas with the lattice effect using braid, floss and bugle beads. There is a border that squares off the fan; the beginning can be seen in the picture on the right. There is one row of tent in red braid, then slanted gobelin over three in Forest Fire Watercolors (seen in the center part of the fan) followed by another row of red braid. And finally a large mitered border in a deep blue frames everything.
     In all honesty, this is not my best work. I think I'll end up taking out/fixing some of the couching for starters. The silver braid is couched in Accentuate (my bright idea) and I have clearly tightened down too much on the stitches; notice the scrolly areas on the left, especially around the red braid filled area. There are two rows of braid outline and one practically disappears because of my tight couching distorting the smooth flow of the outlining. I will take this out and couch with light grey floss instead and see if that helps.
     Also, on the right side, the Woven Plaid area is not as perfectly straight as it should be. This section uses braid, Patina, and two colors of Neon Rays tacked down with a fine gold metallic. The ribbon didn't lay as nicely as I would have liked and it seemed that where it was wound on the edges of the card, it split apart a bit. I used my laying tool but I wasn't as meticulous as I could have been on this section. I MAY end up taking it out.

      Even though I've pointed out my own imperfections, it is no reflection on the overall design and appeal of this piece. I especially liked the stitch variety, the use of beads in combination with stitches and the varying textures in the design. I would stitch this again and maybe next time try a pastel color palette.  So while listening to the game I'll finish one row of the red braid border and then work on the beaded background. As always, any comments or tips are most welcome. Hope you're having a great day today and that you're safely tucked inside, preferrably stitching, if you happen to be in the area of that huge east coast storm. It's snowing here in the Denver area today, but nothing like what's falling back east. Thanks for stopping in today.

Red Kerchief, Pink Walnuts and the Fan

I just can't be disciplined. I try and just when I think I'm doing great, my true self emerges. Alas, I've put down Kerchief, just to take a little break. A break?....from what? I love this project, am having fun and it's working up quickly. What more can one ask for? Variety? Oh yes, variety, as in, I want to dig in and start something new. There I was nearly finished and now I am on the verge of sabotaging my best laid plans. Probably just a deep seated inner-child rebellion (remember that from the 70's? LOL!). Oh inner-child be off with you and take your new canvases, threads and stitch guides with you! Lest I fall prey to your capricious project philandering. Those words of banishment did not work and this post is turning into a Peyton Place of project infidelity, stitching transgressions and yes, uncontrolled impulse.

But not before I share with you my progress on the Kerchief foreground canvas. Of the six door panels, the top four will be cut away (yikes! with my scissors?--not without surpervision) to expose Camille. A small area remains on the left part of the door jamb and then I'll fill in the two lower door panels, the stitching around the inside of the windows - then cutting away of the window canvas, some clean up here and there and finally attaching the lace curtains. Brillant! The threads have been delightful to stitch with throughout the entire project and include a variety from DMC, Walsh/Silk Wool, Simply Shaker Overdye, Threadworx, and Bijoux. I've enjoyed the variety of stitches too which include Long Armed Cross, Linen Fold, Perspective Gobelin, Padded Diagonal, Trailing, Outline and Binding to name a few. I'll keep you posted on the number of stitching hours logged when I'm finished.

Bless me Father for I have strayed.....and the first stitching transgression came in the form of a pink walnut. I don't want to say too much about this just yet other than it is an old art form and I think you'll be surprised when you see the finished piece.

It has been a nice departure from my beloved canvaswork though. Just for a few hours mind you (yeah right). I'll have more on this little gem in a later post, just wanted you to see what I've been up to while on my Kerchief hiatus.

My husband has been out of town for a few weeks- isn't that always the way it starts? No one around to supervise stitching progress, leaving the door wide open for that interloping new project to wheedle its way in. Then without having to make the bed (don't worry I'm not a total slouch, I pull the covers up over the pillows--good enough) and very little cooking happening,  there was plenty of time left to stitch into the wee hours and think/focus/obsess about the next project, I mean once the Kerchief is at the framers, that is.

The Fan on Black wins. Eventually I thought, what can it hurt to flirt with a new project? It's not exactly an act of infidelity, per se. So I pulled the threads, kitted the thing up then conveniently left it next to the bedroom stitching throne. Before I knew it, I had it on the stretchers, threw a needle magnet on it and away I went. And look at the progress, nothing like "new" to arouse your needle and rejuvenate your thread. Excuse me. After a twelve hour frenzy I finished about 3/4 of what the photo shows.

This is one of the bargains I found at our Chapter yard sale in November - only 10 bones! Thank you Cynthia. It uses beautiful and fun threads that have been a dream to stitch. Using Flair, beads, braid, more beads, silk, beads, Watercolors and beads.

Since I began this post days ago, I've completed the upper right section and the small area to the lower left. Leaving the outlining, background and framing. I didn't find working on the black canvas difficult at all. Again, I'll discuss it further once it's ready for the framer, which could be sooner than later. But for now I'm calling a halt to this fickle trend of project hopping. I've had my fun. I'm ready to finish these up and cross them off the list, visit my priest and walk the straight and narrow down the fidelity path of loyalty, singlemindedness and trustworthy.....nevermind.

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.

Closing in on Camille

Showing more progress the photo on the left depicts the nearly finished "forest". After all of the Diamond Rays were stitched you then go over some of them with the Ermine Stitch using Pine. It's really a nice shading technique for creating the illusion of trees in the distance. On the right are the three steps of the Hurdle Stitch - a composite stitch I had never used but really, really like. Why? It goes quickly! And once you get your bearings it flows along smoothly and rhythmically.  Because it's done in three steps, you get the hang of each step without having to constantly refer to the chart, etc.  I actually liked the way step one and two looked before adding step three. The thread, Simply Shaker Tin Bucket has such a nice variegation it's almost unnecessary to add a third element. BUT, years of parochial school have taught me to follow the directions. I hope to make enough progress over the weekend so I can begin stitching Camille. Excitement!  Thank you for taking the time to stop by today.

The Forest

Left side - Red Kerchief
Don't know if I instinctively decided the next section I would start would be the tree and background forest or if I was just impatient and wanted to see how the snow and trees would fit in together; but the right side background is actually what I should have stitched..."all in good time, my pretty, all in good time". LOL!

The tree trunks are worked in outline stitch with Caron's Wildflowers Black Forest. Using one strand this variegated thread is in between the #8 and #12 Perle Coton in weight, but has more of a matte finish making it perfect for a tree trunk. The stitching on the trunks took about one and three-quarter hours. The tree's needles are worked in a variation Diamond Ray pattern using Pine by The Gentler Art Sampler Threads; a lovely hand dyed over-dyed floss. The background "forest" also uses a Gentler Art thread, Simply Shaker in Green Pastures. I've left the link to Gentler Arts in case you're not familiar with these beautiful threads.

I really like the way the canvas came pre-shaded in appropriate colors allowing for the use of very light and subtle stitches (unconventional Ermine stitch), that effectively take advantage of the background tinting. Total stitching time for the greenery 4 - hours so far. Seems slow but the stitches actually move along quickly, it's the starting and ending of the threads that takes a little more time on an open pattern design like this. I am thoroughly enjoying this project as Caela's design has just the right tempo to it; you just begin to get anxious to finish one section and before you know it you're on to the next! Perfect timing for this instant gratification girl with a slight tendency of adult ADD.

HERE WE GO!

I am so excited that I will be taking you along on my next stitching odyssey which just might become the "pièce de résistance" of the year. When I first saw professional designer Caela Conn Tyler working on the Red Kerchief model, I knew right away I had to take her class. I mention Caela often on my blog and one might say I am a Caela groupie; there are a lot of us out there. Anyway, her concept of Claude Monet's Portrait of Camille Monet, The Red Kerchief, is most amazing in that she has achieved her interpretation by using foreground and background canvases. It's my first framed 3-dimensional needlepoint. There are several threads and techniques used, some familiar...others not so much, making this a unique and exciting project. Currently, Caela is offering The Red Kerchief at The 39th Annual Callaway School of Needle Arts  and the EGA Great Lakes Region Seminar.

Naturally Caela's work and mine vary dramatically, what you'll get here is my attempt to do this fabulous design justice. To begin, I've chosen the background canvas for purposes of this blog, but I actually completed the foreground canvas as assigned during the pilot class. This took place earlier in 2009 and I have been waiting for just the right opportunity to present it here.

Using Evertites, the line-drawn and shaded canvas is ready to go. I was totally unfamiliar with the technique used on the first step which was to apply Angelina. What the.... hmmm, Angelina. If you are as unfamiliar with Angelina fabric as I was, go here for a great tutorial.

Basically Angelina comes in a small sized bag for around $5-6 and sort of looks like spun glass or angel hair. Apparently it's readily found in quilt shops. The left photo depicts Angelina fibers after they've first been spread apart and then pressed with an iron. On the right photo, it's basted in place serving as background for the snow stitches. Clever! Notice the iridescence? Depending upon how much you spread out the original fibers, it will determine how opaque the pressed pieces appear.

Using regular sewing thread for basting (which will be removed once all the permanent stitches are in place) and a sharp needle to go through the Angelina, I'm ready to move on to stitching the snow.  The snow is stitched in Long Tall Sallies combining white floss and Accentuate (with a little light grey thrown in for good measure). Remember that this side of the snow will be covered by the curtain hanging on the foreground canvas and is stitched rather randomly suggesting the effect of glimmering, drifting snow. I'm hoping I've done this well otherwise we'll be viewing this with the curtains drawn! LOL! Prep time (iron fabric, cut and baste onto canvas) about an hour.  Stitching hours: 2-right side only

STITCHED!

This might have been the quickest project in memory--yay! Instant gratification, almost. The bells were stitched in three strands of Mori silk, with shading done at the stitchers discretion. Then large and loose French Knots in the silver metallic for the clappers.  Isn't this design different? I can't wait to get it finished into an ornie. Did you notice the adorable needle minder above the heart? A Christmas gift from our local ANG Chapter, I think mine is hello kitty. Perfect! Hours logged for last evenings session: 2. Total stitching time: 8 hours.

Moving right along...

last night I finished filling in the center section. I loved using the Silk 'n Colors Royalty for the main pattern. Silks rule! Then in between are various colors of Accentuate, and burgandy silk for the flowers. Pearl beads were included in the kit, but I decided to change it up and use some lushous (OH NO I DIDN'T...that would be luscious, Madonna. BTW, I noticed it on my own) lavender and turquoise pearlized beads. Truth be known, the pearls included in the kit have gone missing. :( I should check between the cushions of my stitching throne but I'm afraid of what else I might discover.....a hairbrush, empty pistachio shells, my first husband! Just kidding, I've only been married once; but if I had been married before.......

Back to the task at hand, the center design is flanked by a braided pattern stitched in a gold metallic. And the vertical lines on either side serve as the underlayment for the next pattern and are stitched in an overdyed metallic. Stitched this through one taped episode of "Young and the Restless", two "Criminal Minds" reruns and the local news. Total hours logged, 3.5.

Our Heart

designed by Marnie Ritter. This is the first of a series of hearts Marnie created for our local ANG Chapter, Mile High in Denver, to honor those that have experienced breast cancer. You may purchase the kit directly from Marnie at the above link and $2.00 from every sale will go to the Susan B. Koman Breast Cancer Research Center. Thank you Marnie for your generous heart in designing this beautiful design. I'm am proud to include this as my first project of 2010.

Getting started, all of my Evertite stretchers in this size were "unavailable" so I decided to use mini rollers attaching the canvas with the hook and loop type tape and side lacing. For the lacing you can use carpet thread, but not having any on hand I used button hole twist which is also very strong. I like using this method for smaller projects such as this. By the way the heart measures approximately 5".

The canvas used is light tan with gold flecks. First time I've used this and it really adds sparkle to the project even though it doesn't seem to show up in the photos.  The kit has some very delicious threads including silks and metallics. Using a laying tool really makes the threads lie flat allowing for maximum sheen from the silks. Though some stitchers might object to this practice, I often use my finger to lay threads, but I always have my Tekobari and that other gadget that fits on my thumb close by.

This year I am planning on being more diligent about documenting my projects in a journal. I will include the type of thread used, number of hours stitching and anything else worth noting. So far I have logged 2 hours, 30 minutes.

May the new year bring you peace, love and joy that never ends!

Ringing in the next new year and reflecting upon the old automatically brings thoughts of you. How blessed I feel knowing you are here now joining me in this new fangled way to reach out and touch someone. When beginning my stitching odyssey or this blog for that matter, I didn't know how much joy and contentment would come to be mine. I am looking forward to starting new again and am hoping you'll visit often. Wishing you the best in all that you hold dear! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Madonna

Le Coq est fini!

Merci le Dieu. I mentioned in an earlier posting that the Rooster was finally stitched. I waited to post a photo until it had been displayed at a recent local stitchy meeting. Thank the Lord and pass the band-aids. Honestly, this was one heavily painted canvas and all the basketweave made it very difficult and painful to stitch having to force the needle through. But it's done and I am happy with it.

The borders were all fun albeit time comsuming but I kept ticking off one side then the other and little by little the final stitched was laid. Using a combination of braid, beads, silk, wool, perle, ribbon, linen and fabulous fiber feathers it was a challenge. The debate at my house now is whether to frame or pillow it. I'm leaning toward pillow. I'm thinking down filled and heavily laden with tassels, cord and ball fringe. Something fairly substantial because of it's size. I want to send this one off for finishing instead of doing it myself. While at the finisher I think I should protect the tail feathers in some way as they are 3-dimensional, delicate and easily disturbed. The canvas by CanvasWorks was excellently painted, it's just that I had chosen to do so much of it in basketweave to show off the intricity of the pattern and I kept losing interest in stitching this; therefore maintaining UFO status for approximately 5 years! Have I no shame? No.  I even took it to Studio Time with Caela Tyler who made some of the stitch suggestions on the rooster. And David McCaskill also showed me how to do the coppery outside border.

Well thank you for staying with me through this one, now on to my year's end final WIP's. See you soon!

Catching up!

During a recent visit to Arizona I managed to make it over to Needler's Nest located in Surprise. What a delightful shop with helpful yet not hovering staff. I'm standing with Bettelou who specializes in cross stitch. I hope you'll visit this wonderful store if in the area. The day I was there they were having a 25% off everything sale.  I could have really gone crazy with that type of discount, but I stuck to only a few vital items. Apparently like beauty, I believe that vital is also in the eye of the beholder. :) I found these two little charmers below which are going right into my queue for the coming year. Unfortunately they didn't come with stitch guides, but given the patterns on their clothing, looks like I'll be doing basketweave. Yikes did I say basketweave? Well just for their outfits; the background and hair will NOT be basketweave, not after that rooster episode.

These are relatively small so they'll work up fast. I already have vintage bamboo frames for them. Next year I think I'm going to focus on projects that tend to be smaller in size. I just had too many biggies in my queue this year and I'm looking forward to not having to deal with a cumbersome canvas on my floor or table stand. Yes, I think something I can mount on my "straddle paddle" will be the perfect size! LOL! Remember that? I like using it, it's just so.....different.

I sure tend to do a lot of painted canvaswork, don't I? I love to needlepoint, but I also enjoy and admire stitching done on evenweaves, linens and other types of fabric. But painted canvas seems to be where I land most of the time. It makes everything more costly, but it can't be helped. These are works of art in many cases. With that I'm going to go play in my stash closet, getting my new projects kitted up. Love that term, kitted up. Thank you for visiting today, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with stitching.

P.S. Still can't find spell checker in this blog mode.

It's been a

busy week. Beginning with an ANG Chapter pot luck and gift exchange. As always it was great fun and I am thrilled with my gift from fellow blogger Colorado Stitcher. I received an exquisite mini laying tool/embroidery punch. It's hand turned out of Bocote wood, feels great in my hand and is made in Mansfield, OH by Turn-of-the-Century. I also received a tin box that Mary decorated with a bargello top and contained a stitched needle minder. So generous Mary, thank you!

Here's a photo of the Christmas Cuff Bracelet by Melissa Shirley I finished this week. Petite Very Velvet was used for the stripes, the green is Kreinik braid interspersed with green beads. Face is silks and beard is stranded wool. It won't be made into the bracelet for this year as all the finishing deadlines have long since passed.  It was a fun and easy take-along project.

Today was my monthly stitcher's breakfast and stitch-in. It is always such a great pleasure to be with my friends that enjoy stitching as much as I do. Everyone was working on something different, passing around new found stitchy magazines and stash organization ideas.  Oh, someone spilled their coffee on the table where we were stitching. We all gasped in horror, but no harm was done. No it wasn't me....I was drinking sparkling pomegranate juice!

Hope you're having a great weekend and immersed in stitching contentment. Be back soon!

Here I Am!

Hello out there in stitcher's blog land! It's been a while and even now I only have progress to report today, no photos. I have been feverishly working to complete the stitching on my Rooster project, Marnie Ritter's beautiful Renaissance piece, and a second cuff bracelet. My goal is to have the stitching done on these pieces completed before Thanksgiving. I have a commitment to do so to myself of course, but formally to one of the Chapter's I belong to that has their finished projects challenge coming up.

I began writing this post a few weeks ago and have since finished the bracelet and the rooster. WOOO HOOO! Happy dance now in progress. Both of these projects were stitched primarily in basketweave with specialty threads and, because of the size and heavy painting on the rooster canvas, my fingers feel totally abused.  Progress on Renaissance continues to be my main focus, I have all the full diamonds completed leaving only the half diamonds. I have not obtained permission from Marnie to post a progress photo at this time, but hope in the future it will be okay. You can view her photo here; keep in mind that if you're interested she will be teaching this piece at ANG's 2010 Seminar in Columbus, OH next Fall. Once Renaissance is finished I will return to stitching Caela Tyler's Red Kerchief piece, which is also in line for completion by the end of the year. I wish you could find an opportunity to stitch Caela's most unique design at Calloway in January.

That will conclude my WIP's for 2009 therefore freeing up some space on the queue for 2010. But what about my 2009 list of projects?  Ahh yes, that telltale list looming over there on the right side of this blog. I can only say that I did not begin most of the projects slated for 2009 but I did manage to finish several things that were not in queue. I will soon have my 2010 goals set which may or may not include things from '09. This is always a fun ritual for me; deciding upon which fabulous projects I plan to stitch in the coming year.

It's good to visit with you a little today.....and also give my stitching fingers a rest.  Oh by the way, where did they hide the spellcheck feature on blogspot?  See you soon.

Stitching with My Peeps II

Thank you for your comments on the photo of October fruit, The colors of Fall are vibrant; now if I could only learn how to center the photo in my header on Blogger. In fact, since they've upgraded things I've had a difficult time getting my photographs to cooperate all together.

The fruit was actually the centerpiece for the breakfast table last weekend. It was my turn to host the monthly stitch group; there were 9 of us in attendance. We all belong to the same local ANG chapter and meet once a month to share breakfast, open stitching and conversation. I always look forward to this gathering.

Also this week one of our local ANG chapters held their annual yard sale of stitchy items. I was very impressed with the quality of things being sold. It was a blast.  I sold stuff too! I was very disciplined only bringing home a few treasures to add to my stash and ended up spending just $27 for all of this. Treasures include a Joan Thomasson kit, Katya; Jean Hilton's "Mother of Perle" chart; an Ilse Altherr design chart, Katarina; a new Trail Creek Farm pillow; and Japanese Fan on Black with Forest Fire Watercolours by Jinice.

The fan is a piece that I've only seen online and always wanted to stitch, but didn't think it available any longer. I am very excited about it and am tempted to put it right at the top of next year's queue. Truth be known, I'd like to squeeze it in this year now that I've finished Lily Pad. But I am still hoping I can finish Rooster (worked on the head last night and still contemplating the cockscomb), Red Kerchief and Renaissance before year's end. I haven't mentioned the latter two in a while, but they're on my mind, just not on my floor stand! I am anxious to get back to them as they are beginning to call to me.

As always I am very grateful you've visited and hope your day includes relaxed stitching and/or stash enhancement!

Finish #18

for 2009. Not that anyone's counting....except maybe me. :) Though that seems like quite a lot, it's amazing how few have come out of my 2009 queue list. All that means is that I don't have to think too much about what I'll be stitching in 2010. More on this in another post.

Lily Pad is now stitched and awaiting final finishing. I haven't decided exactly what I want to do with it yet, boxtop, tote insert, not sure. In any case it was a very fun project and perfect for learning designer Susan Goodman's canvas transfer embellishment techniques. Think about doing this with a portrait of a child, your home or maybe a beloved pet. I can think of all types of applications. The background was randomly stitched using 1 strand of Accentuate; a nice effect for water without all the work!

Susan, local to Colorado, has taught needlework at national EGA and ANG seminars as well as at region seminars and local chapters. Her original embroidery pieces have been exhibited in five national EGA Biennial Exhibits. Susan’s current specialty is creative embroidery design with an emphasis on transfer methods and use of computer photographs. Lily Pad is a current teaching piece and though she doesn't sell individual kits directly, she teaches classes all over the country.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Updated.

Thankfully this blog is not a democracy. That is to say I get to decide things. Like to share things not stitch related.

It's no wonder I don't get much done living out here on the Colorado high prairie, there's so much to enjoy and distract. It's snowing today and I can't help but go out and take pictures. It's not like it's an infrequent event, but it's just so beautiful to me (a girl from Phoenix) that I need to capture it on camera.

It's not even that much snow...yet. Predicting 8" in my area. The first thing I need to do is make sure the birds aren't going hungry...yeah right. Look at this fellow determining which peanut is the heaviest.

And then there's is this "cautious canary" waiting until that weirdo taking pictures in her slippers goes back inside. The beauty is just endless. Okay, okay, enough already with the bird watching, it's the perfect day to cozy up and stitch! Almost done with the Lily Pads. See you soon.

Well here it is the morning after, we did get what looks like a good 8" as predicted. It's sunny and beautiful, so naturally while I was outside brushing off the satellite dish I just happened to have the camera handy.

Rooster WIP

 I've been working on the grass with a combination of Silk & Ivory and Burmilana in two colors for the tent stitch background and then over stitching long and short with a Burmilana in a tweed and yellow. I like the way it turned out. I'll do more combo colored tent along the bottom of the grass to finish up that space.

The rooster's tail was understitched in tent with purple and green metallic and also a light and medium lavender/purple Burmilana, planning they will peek through the overestitched feathers. Black and navy blue Peluche from Fabulous Fibers were used for the over hanging feathers, and then tacked down here and there into place. This thread seems to curl naturally and I think it is a good look for feathers. The photo doesn't show the individual feathers very clearly.

I've got the head and parts of three sides of the border to do next. Tent, phew, takes a long time. But the closer I get the more inspired I am to finish with thoughts of moving on to new things. YAY! The next picture shows the outside border using one strand of Silk & Ivory in a shade of rust then using staggered stitches of #16 Krenik braid in a rust blend to couch it down. There will be 2 more rows in this color and then one row of blue. This is a fun way to quickly make an outstanding border.

The Lily Pad

by Colorado designer Susan Goodman, is my next take along project. I am looking forward to stitching this piece as it will be my first attempt at a new to me technique. One of Susan's specialties is creative embroidery design with an emphasis on transfer methods and use of computer photographs. Working on Congress Cloth I’ll be using sampler stitches plus embroidery to change a photograph.

First up is basting around the edge of the entire photograph with a strand of floss. The purpose of the basting is to ensure a straight edge around the photograph.Then scotch stitch covering the basting with 2 ply of Threadworx Overdyed floss around the entire border of the photo. Finish with two rows of tent around the whole thing.

Next using DMC and Threadworx outline several (but not all) of the lily pads with the outline stitch. Then using long and short gobelin stitches fill in the veins of the lily pad.

The second installment of this project will be the lilies and background. See you soon.

   

AMAZING Rocky Mountain High Birthday

I cannot believe I'm here, a most magical place. In honor of a "milestone" birthday DD arranged for family and friends to join us in Copper Mountain, CO for a week long celebration of reunion, friendship and birthday fun. The private home was phenomenal located within a ski in/ski out property, it was wonderful with family and close friends it was beyond anything I could have imagined.

How do you like this imaginative birthday throne? Isn't it wild! The brain child of a close friend who knew the birthday queen would love to hold court in style. The scenery from this home's many balconies was amazing and ever changing. We enjoyed Indian Summer, Fall and Winter all in the same week. It was glorious.

We played Mahjongg, cards and I stitched.The bird population alone was captivating providing hours of relaxation.

At over 9700 ft, this Gray Jay and Steller's Jay are very much at home in the high altitude and they are huge! We put out sunflower seed to attract them though they were happy to eat bread too. About 3 days into the week we had snowfall and the slopes were littered with snow making equipment to go along with the colder temps. I had never seen these in operation before--very interesting. I think the top summit in Copper is over 12,000 ft. We were definitely affected by the thinner air even though we live at around 6300 ft, it really made a difference.

We went into nearby Frisco for the birthday dinner and naturally we had to make a stop at Sarah's of Breckenridge Needlepoint store. It's a lovely shop and Sarah is always stitching something superb. Be sure to save time to visit this fun shop. DD picked out these two lovely Sharon G's canvases as Sarah was unpacking from a recent show. As a gift, I also received a new K's creations metal floor stand. Love it!