Color Texture Stitch

Mediterranean Squares Framed

2009-06-29T03:37:45Z

Well I returned home four days ago, but it certainly took me longer this trip to catch up on everything. Maybe because the weather was so much hotter than I'm used to......I was in Houston the last few days of my trip and it was 103 when I left and about 68 when I got off the plane in San Francisco. Now there is a big temperature difference!

But, even though it was hot I still had a wonderful teaching in Nashville and visiting my dad in Houston. Of course, it is always glad to return home to hubby, and all the animals (dog, bunny, and turtle).

While I was gone I received a call from the framer saying Mediterranean Squares was ready early so I was able to pick it up on Thursday and am very happy with the way it turned out. I certainly can't take credit for the framing choices as he came up with the gold mat and blond frame. They really show off the stitching. There is definitely an art and skill in framing.

Now that I'm home for the next two months and it's time to start to start assembling kits for the next few workshops. But I will also be working on the next new design so hope to post some palette photos soon.

Wishing everyone a great July 4th weekend, if I'm not back here sooner.

Traveling

2009-06-16T23:47:04Z

On Friday I took Tropical Jazz to be finished into a tote bag. Marlene and I decided on is 13" X 13" plus the handles. It will probably be between 2" and 3" deep. It will have three pockets inside so should be a very useful size. The fabrics are very pretty, but not the usual silk or velveteen or velour, and I love the main color....a soft apricot. It will be ready sometime between now and July 15th when I can pick it up! I'll post a photo as soon as it's done.

I will be away for a week and won't be posting a blog entry, but when I return I will be starting work on a new project: working title is Leaf Collage. I actually did a full color sketch of this design, several years ago, but am just now getting around to stitching it. I have been looking for just the right techniques to use for the leaves and the background....but know I think I'm ready to take the plunge.

Stay tuned....and have a great week!

Terry

TROPICAL JAZZ COMPLETED

2009-06-12T00:20:01Z

I finished up Tropical Jazz last night. The final touch was to the add the strip of assorted beads down on the left side. In looking back at the sketch which has been posted on this site for several months, the final version turned out fairly close. We took the photos this morning and then I worked with them a little in Photoshop Elements and printed out a photo on glossy paper. The colors are very true, but it just couldn't capture all the texture and the bits of glitter from the small sequins on the braid and the glint off the resin beads touched up with the metallic and lacquer paints.

I'll be taking it to the finished tomorrow. My plan right now is to have it finished as something between a tote and a purse....maybe with a funky trim around the top edge. Well, we'll see what the verdict is tomorrow.

TROPICAL JAZZ Update

2009-06-03T00:42:09Z

For the last month I've been stitching a few hours a night on Tropical Jazz.The canvas has now been colored with a blend of translucent markers in several places. You can see where the canvas has been colored but not yet stitched. I 've decided to complete all the "regular" stitching before adding the embellishments. But the end is near for stitching. At the far right there is one strip with a little remaining. And at the left side, there is a large swath of four diamonds which is underway, as well as the border. When these areas are done, it's on to embellishments! It probably looks a little unfinished now, but just wait.

Now for the embellishments. I've gathered together all the things I've collected as options, EXCEPT for the resin beads which I am re-posting below. I'm waiting for a few more beads to arrive and then I'll have a short painting session to add some Stewart Gill Metallica paint. I'll post some photos when they're ready.

See, there are lots of choices: some flat square and lentil beads, braids with sequins, "squiggly" rayon threads, and tiny round and square sequins. The multicolor thread at the bottom is what I plan to use as the background surrounding the diamonds on the left side.

Previously (back in January or February) I posted a sketch of the overall plan. I've stuck to it fairly well, but as usual a few things needed to be changed. That goes for the embellishments too. I know I will use some of each of the four main groups seen above, plus the resin beads, but I'm just not sure exactly which colors, etc. It will take laying them out on top of the stitched areas and then picking one or two at a tme and then more, and more, etc. until it seems "right". I was recently reading the latest Cloth Paper Scissors Studios magazine, and one of the artists included, Pamela Harvey, stated her design philosphy as "too much is not enough". I can identify with that.

I'll post an update on the bead painting and a finished photo......soon.

Have a great week!

San Francisco Bay Area Needlework Shops

2009-05-24T20:34:51Z

Over the last 1-1/2 years since I begin this blog I have had several requests for current information on San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area, needlework shops. And whenever I travel to teach workshops, at least one student wants to know the latest on San Francisco shops, as she is planning a trip to the area. So, I finally decided it is time I compiled one, and was surprised they totalled 12 shops! We are so lucky!

A new shop, Luv2stitch, just opened on May 12th. It is owned by Dale Lenci of D J Designs and many of you are probably familiar with his designs. It is located in San Mateo which is about 25 miles south of San Francisco, but not that far south of the San Francisco Airport. I am looking forward to making my first visit there in the near future.

To find the list, click here. All of the shops have a website (with links), and some have online catalogs. I hope this listing will prove useful to you. I will try to keep it updated, but please let me know if you have problems with any of the links, etc. Enjoy!

Wishing everyone an enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!

Mediterranean Squares Finished!

2009-05-19T01:04:08Z

Well, Mediterranean Squares is finally finished and on its way to the framers! It took a bit longer than anticipated to finish the three rows of border but think it really sets off the design. The finished size is 9-3/4" square.

Now on to stitching Tropical Jazz. I posted sketches of that design several months ago. It is another project which must be ready for exhibit at the ANG seminar coming up in Milwaukee. I'll post a few updates as I go.

If you are thinking the webpage appears a little different but can't quite think what has changed....it is the banner. Thought it was about time for something different! Hope you like it.

Wishing everyone a great stitching week!

May Thread Kit - Whirlygig

2009-05-12T00:26:03Z

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine actually was celebrated over two days because of my daughters' work schedules.....both Saturday and Sunday. Everyone is so busy all the time, so it was good to be able to spend time with each of them. Now, to find time for all of us to get together is the next big challenge.

Now, here it is the middle of the month already and I'm just now posting the thread kit for May: Whirlygig! There are only a few of the thread kits available. Also, for those of you who have been thinking about the Winter Frost Purse, there is only one thread kit left. Click here for more the description on Whirlygig and here for Winter Frost

I also have a problem and I'm hoping someone knows of a gray permanent marked with a fine to very fine tip suitable for marking canvases. I currently use a Pilot SCA-UF black fine point marker for some of the canvases and a Quilter's Pencil for others. But, during the recent Flower Diamonds pilot some students had some problems with smearing on the very light color (yellow) threads. So I'm thinking a medium gray might be the solution. But, I went to Dick Blick's and couldn't find anything. I've looked online also, but no luck so far. Any suggestions?

And thank you Jan for your ideas on wearable items. If anyone has ideas for wearable or household items, I'd love to hear those also.

Have a great week.

Night Poppy from the Past

2009-05-04T23:35:03Z

Well, I have been home from my teaching trip since last Wednesday evening, and had a wonderful time, but it certainly takes several days to get all caught up. Today is the first day things seem almost there! I finally got back to stitching on Mediterannean Squares last night. But, even though I have stitching projects lined up through July, I need to keep thinking about future proposals, etc.

Night Poppy (above) is a design I created as part of my Master Teacher Journeyman Level at the end of the first year....way back in 2001. It is framed and hanging in our entry hall, so I see it every day. Some of the threads are now discontinued, but I still like it and am thinking of re-stitching it and giving it a bit more texture. It's only 4" square so possibly it might be time for a re-visit, what with many of us looking for smaller, portable designs.

Also, at a recent workshop the workshop chairman said guild members are looking for more wearable or household needlepoint items other than purses, belts and camera straps. Working with linen for wearable items is one thing, but using canvas is a little more difficult. Does any one have a specific idea or project to suggest?

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend and has something fun planned. I say "weekend" because one of my daughters is able to come for the day on Saturday and the other on Sunday. I don't get to see either one of them very often so really looking forward to the weekend.

Another Mediterranean Squares Update

2009-04-19T22:40:33Z

I have been hearing about snow and lot's of rain in other parts of the country but here....today...it is beautiful. No fog and 69 degrees. I'm inside today but hoping for a nice today tomorrow for a trip to Stow Lake to see the baby Herons. Stow Lake is in Golden Gate Park so it's only about 2 miles from me. Everyone should be back in school (after spring break) so it should be rather quiet over there. This little lake also has pedal and electric boats or rent.....if you get out this way.

But back to the update for the Mediterranean Squares........ I have been stitching on it most evenings but you are probably surprised at how little I have to show for it. It seems I put in three threads and take out one, then add two more. So things do move slowly. I have decided the darkest red in the partial square at right is too dark, so it's coming out tonight and a slightly lighter red is going in there. I like the way the square, at the lower right, turned out....and it went pretty much according to plan. Oh, but I almost forgot, I've ordered a replacement thread for the row square single row of Mosaic stitches in the small center square....as the white just seems to bright now. Sometimes it takes almost to the end before little items like this show up!

So, as you can see, this will almost finish up the larger squares. Then there are three small squares to finish and the border.

I will be away on a teaching trip from April 24 to 30th so I won't be making a blog entry during that time, nor taking my stitching with me, so will resume stitching soon after my return.

Hope to see you here around the 1st of May.

Stitching Progress

2009-04-10T20:20:41Z

This last week I have been busy getting ready for the last pilot class. for this year....Flower Diamonds.....so lots to do. The instruction book is close to being finished and the kits are almost complete.....just waiting for one more item. (there is always one!). The canvases are usually the last thing to complete. The way they are marked has to a lot to do with how the instructions are written. Everything must, hopefully, work together and make sense., both in class, and after students get home. But anyway, the kit box should be ready to mail early this next week.

But, that is what has been going on in the daytime. Most evenings I have been stitching on Mediterranean Squares so it will be finished by May 1st. Since I last posted an update I've add some small squares along the left side, completed several partially worked squares, and started the large square at the lower left. That leaves two main squares to add and other smaller items. Even though I have sketches done and threads in mind, things still need changing as stitching progresses. In classes students ask about the development of the design. I always answer it takes a bit of re-stitching, and this has been no exception. During this last week I have changed threads at least three or four times.....either the color and/or texture of thread.

I'll post one more update before the "finished photo". Here's hoping each of you are finding time to get lots of stitching done.

Happy Easter!