Leaf Collage Update II

A few people have checked on me to make sure I'm still here because it has been so long between postings!  When I last posted I was leaving for a few days to teach a workshop and when I returned I realized my studio was just too much of a disorganized mess to continue.  So, among other things I have been doing lots of little reorganization jobs.  It was too much to consider the whole problem as a whole.  The job is certainly not done.....is it ever?  But things are back on track and I actually have my worktable back. 

 

I have been stitching on Leaf Collage and am posting an update here.  I will post one more photo in a day or two and then it will have to be set aside while I stitch on a few more projects.  I promise to continue with the project later!  Since the last update I have completed the "zig zag" vertical band and the frame at the lower right.  The frame is a slanted gobelin variation worked in two colors.  A little finicky to stitch but it certainly gives an interesting effect.  The rust, red and orange area at the top center is new.  I'm calling it a "gingham" stitch but it is stitched on the diagonal instead of the usual straight stitches.  The final new area is the background.  You can just catch the little bit of glitter.  Just enough stitching to integrate the rest of the stitching with the open background.  The last update before the hiatus will be one stitched leaf.

I've also been asked whatever happened to the Plump Pear.  Well, it has stalled a little, but I definitely plan to get back to that too....and will update that project also.  One of the issues is that I have realized I won't be able to kit with several of the threads  I've already used and need to see what is available as substitutes.  When a teacher is thinking in terms of teaching projects, this is always a consideration.

So, many projects in the works but little to show right now.  But keep checking back.  Over the next 3 months I hope to have several projects to show you.

Happy stitching!

A New Design - 1st steps

You might have been wondering what had happened to me.  Well, I've been here at home, most of the time, working on putting together 60 kits for the upcoming seminar in Milwaukee.  I always have a preparation plan, but "other things" always seem to get in the way.  Anyway, as of this past Wednesday,  they were shipped off to a volunteer who has graciously offered to accept all the kit boxes from  teachers....and a huge job it is.  Thank you very much!

I did actually go on the field trip I spoke about a few weeks ago and found a few more threads to work with to stitch a Leaf Collage.   I plan to stay fairly true to the original sketch....designwise, but came upon a postcard photo a few months ago of some natural leaf jewelry that has the most gorgeous colors!  I like the colors much better than my original, so I used it as my go-by for pulling threads.               

 

Now I have pulled the first group of threads and they are spread out below in some semblance of order.  Of course, I always need to pull about three times more than I will need!  I will start stitching and then realize some will work, many will not, and it's back to the stash to find replacements....or maybe a few more new purchases will be required.  Oh well. 

If you compare the original sketch, the photo and the threads, you will see the quantity of threads I pulled in each of the different color groups are not proportional to the quantities which will be in the finished design.  So, think less green and more blue-green....if you can visualize that.  But when I was pulling colors, I was not just looking at color, but also at texture and type of thread, so you might see several threads that are the same color, but they are different textures, or content. 

I probably won't get to stitching on this until I get back from seminar.  It will be about 10" X 12" and on stretcher bars that means about 16" X 18".  That takes up just too much room in my bag.  But I do plan to work on the fabric transfer portion of the design next week and post some results.

Wishing everyone a great week.