New African inspired design

Here is  a scan of the second of three new designs I am working on.....

Hopefully you can see the 4-way/symmetrical design emerging.  The X element at the center bottom of the design will be at the four points of the diamond.  This element includes 8 rose/red bugle beads, 8 blue bugle beads and one 8mm flat square bead. I have also used Copic markers, again, this time to surround the center diamond composite pattern.  Over the marker there is some light stitching to let the canvas show through. The overall design size without the narrow border (shown in pencil) is 5-1/2 inches square.  

I am anxious to return to stitching it as all seven of the design areas are all set as far as thread colors and stitches, so all that remains is enjoyable stitching.......no more "un-stitching" to work out the design issues.

Only one problem remains......I still can't come up with a name for the design.  If you have any suggestions, please drop me a line.

Now on to design #3!

Bargello Button Debut

I have spent part of the last two days getting the Bargello Button project ready for its debut. Everything is set, or on order, and the first kits will be ready to ship within 10 days. I hope to make this the first of several and will be very glad to hear what everyone thinks about it. You have certainly read enough about it I'm sure....and wondered when I would ever finish! So...........here it is with a link to its new page.

   

I've also been talking about making the instruction book 1/2 size and binding it with the Zutter Bind-it-All and above is the result. It fits just perfectly in the tote bag which comes with the kit and has a firm back to set in your lap while stitching (sports practice, dance classes, waiting for the plane???, etc).

Bargello and Retreat Updates

Thanksgiving at our house was all about the food or just relaxing in front of the television. Nothing fancy but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  It was just nice to have everyone together as we won't all be together for Christmas or New Years. 

With Thanksgiving being late this year Christmas really is just around the corner!  The first holiday luncheon is this Thursday and lots of holiday boutiques are scheduled for this weekend.....so it's time for me to get with it and bring out those holiday decorations. 

I have had several requests for the Bargello/Beginning Needlepoint Instruction Book and will finally begin writing the instructions this week and plan to have it completed by early next week.  In addition to making the directions half-size (5-1/2 X 8-1/2) instead of the normal page size, I am trying to decide on the final binding.  I want these instructions to be very portable and compact.....for an easy take-along project.  Anyway....look for it soon on the website. 

This weekend I worked on the sketch for the mini project for the Stitchers Retreat.  It will be only 3" X 6" and I plan to watercolor the canvas except for the bird and flower ground foliage, which will be the main stitched elements.  The bird is an Avocet wearing its breeding colors.  This is one of several shorebirds which are very familiar along the California coast from Monterey Bay to San Francisco. 

My other stitching over this past week has been on next year's In Stitches column in NeedlePointer.  As I have been doing so much research into tile and brick patterns for the Mediterranean Squares, I thought to begin an intermittent series on small tile patterns.  Right now I am focusing on the design elements of the Mediterranean rim....which are very extensive....but later hope to expand to other areas.  I am having a great time with these projects. 

Needless to say I didn't get to my painting of the knitting yarn but that must happen next week as I begin work on the overall design.   Nothing like an ironclad deadline to get one going.   

No matter how busy it gets this month, it good to fit in some personal time.  I've actually started an actual appointment of 2 hours personal time a week.  Have a great week.