Miscellaneous pieces

The photos in this post haven't been shown before.  They
were made for specific celebrations and/or people.  They
are all from 2015 and 2016.  Enjoy!!

Sorry...I can't figure out how to turn this around!

Continue on to the next post where
I show my latest finished project!

Saguaro - Blackwork Beads and Stones

Inspired by Carol A. Bruno, artist for
Saguaro National Park in
Tucson, Arizona

Old and New finshes

Two Seasons - Spring has Sprung and Golden Autumn
borders finished - will be applied to deco pillows

Long Dog Spirit Of Vierlande - stitching finished in 2010
Edging is now complete.  Two Seasons pieces on either side

Spirit of Vierlande - it is now a great table piece
Sort of  old-German meets modern decorating!

Two Seasons - Golden Autumn and Spring has Sprung

Two Seasons - Golden Autumn

Two Seasons - Spring has Sprung

The pieces in the series "Two Seasons" are now stitched.  I like the way they turned out.  I don't think you can see in the photos the metallic threads but both pieces have  shine to them.

Two Seasons

Two Seasons

I kicked around the idea of sewing them together, back to back, but that was not my original conception. They need to be side by side so you can compare them. I'm not quite sure what I am going to do with them. I may finish them off with a hardanger edge so that they can be cut out. The only problem with that is then the backs are readily visible and, let's face it, blackwork backs aren't like hardanger backs! I may just sit on them for a while until I decide. They definitely need to be washed though....the pencil outlines are still way too visible. I don't think there will be a problem with that though as the thread is all DMC. I don't think metallic thread fades.  Susan....am I write about that??

Monument Valley Interpreted

OK, so Monument Valley Interpreted may be done.  "May?", you ask.  Yes, it may be done.  I need to get your thoughts.  I am quite pleased actually, with the way it looks.  Of course, Susan will be able to make it look even better when she frames it.

I think the texture looks good and the depth is defined.  But what do you think? Please let me know! In the mean time, I've put it away for a few days. I'll take a look at it again when I hear from you. I've worked on this just about every day for 6 months and I need to look at something else for a while before I make up my mind.

Monument Valley Interpreted - stitching is done!

It's truly a great day!  After almost 6 months, the fill stitching is done.  I've started on the outlining, as you can see, on the left mountain.  OK, the tricky part starts now.  My goal is to show depth and texture without overwhelming the stitching.

Progress on Blackwork Piece and Thanksgiving

After a month of working on the sky, I am sharing my progress with you. So...what do you think? The "fading" will be a little better after the piece is washed. I used blue chalk and it is still a little visible. Of course, the outlining will define the mountains more and make them sort of "pop out".

 

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, whatever you did and wherever you were.  My dinner turned out excellent and everything was still hot when it got to the table.  That's always my goal although it doesn't always happen.

I did not forget, though, all the Thanksgivings I was someplace else, doing something totally different.  Like doing laundry at the Laundromat.  Those holidays were Special to me.  Celebrating Thanksgiving with other people that didn't have anywhere else to go but to do their laundry.  I have to say, spending a couple hours with complete strangers in a laundromat on Thanksgiving was a blessing. Sharing whatever it is that you have to give with others that need it.  And them, sharing with you.

My orchids are having a wonderful time and showing it with their blooms.  All except my new Blue Vanda.  I am sad to say that I don't think that wonderful flower is going to survive.  I've been working and working with it but, alas, it just continues to die.  Maybe it wasn't meant to be....maybe I was supposed to admire These beautiful flowers from afar.

Monument Valley Interpreted - Landscape is Finished!

It took almost 5 months but the landscape is now stitched. And, as promised, I managed to get the piece photographed from afar. Funny how Susan liked the idea of a 'natural' setting and I like the idea of a 'professional' setting. Ok, it's not all that professional but it got done what I wanted.....that you can really see that it looks 3-D!!

It was mentioned that the contrasts are so good now that perhaps I didn't need to do the sky. I thought about that alot but decided that it really does need the sky. If you look at the original photo, the sky is very much a part of the beauty. That blue. I hope to be able to capture that vast space of color and do it justice in my piece. I've started it a little in the left corner, down by the skyline. It will varegate darker as it goes up.

Monument Valley Interpreted and the Beauty of Fall

I am very excited about how my piece is shaping up.  I've noticed that looking at it close up and looking at it from a distance is a big difference.  At a distance, you can clearly see depth and the perception is quite good.  Of course, working on it, I only see it close up and it tends to look flat.  I will try to take a picture from afar after the foreground is done so you can see it too.  Someone asked if I was nearly done.  No, I am filling in the sky as well so there's still plenty to stitch before I do the detailing!

Yesterday was a first for me.  I rode my bicycle outside for the first time in November.  And it was only 40-45 degrees.  Although nature's colors are mostly earthy at this time of the year, when I look closely, I can find colors that seem to shout.  I am not sure what these things are but they are bright and bold  and sprinkle hope and encouragement throughout the woods.  The peak of our Indian Summer has passed but there is still so much to see.  My outdoor riding time could very well be over for this year but maybe, if I'm really lucky, there will still be a few days where I can brave the cold and explore the wonders of nature and be inspired by what I find.

Monument Valley Interpreted... update

It's coming along really nice I think.  The trick will be the combining of the far and near grounds.  I've been working on this for a little over 3 months now.  It's moving along much faster than I expected.

Monument Valley Interpreted Update

It's been almost three weeks since my last posting on my current project.  I thought it was time to show it again.  Susan...you taught me better but I have to admit, I didn't leave much border.  Well, you can deal with that some other day.  Don't put this on your calendar for framing yet.  I still have a ways to go!

Blackwork - Monument Valley Interpreted

Monument Valley Interpreted is shaping up pretty good.  Here is my progress.  Just in case you forgot, it was started on June 21, 2013.  It's still got a long way to go but at least it actually looks like something now.  I think the mountains do show depth, something I was sort of wondering.  Of course, the back stitching/outlining will add the final touch.  Thanks, Dad, for opening my eyes!  Why use my glasses, a coffee cup or a coin when I can use a ruler to show you the size!!! ha ha  

Sometimes a question.....stitch or watch the sunset!