PEAR Update #1

I have not gotten as much stitching done the last few days as hoped but I did resolve a few design issues.  I wanted to transition the different areas as smoothly as possible, and feel like it's coming along.

It shouldn't take long  now to finish up this first section, draw  the continuation lines onto the other two parts and begin stitching the second one.  Now that the threads have mostly been chosen,  I have been trying to estimate the remaining yardage needed for the rest...... so I placed an order yesterday for some not-so-readily-available threads..........Sassa Lynne.  Otherwise, pretty soon I would be sitting here....waiting.  I'm using three of her overdyed #5 Perles and I really like them.   

The comments I have received have been very helpful.....thank you!   When trying something knew it really helps to get confirmation you might be going in the "right" direction.

By the end of this next weekend I'll, hopefully, have a partial second part to show.

Wishing everyone a great long weekend!

New PEAR Design

Well, Monday was shipping day for all the seminar kits......yippee!  And I've already received notification they all arrived safely.

Monday night I celebrated by doing nothing....just watching t.v.  But last night I was back to stitching....  this time on the bargello Pear design I began a month or so ago.  You can see this is bargello with a twist.  I like adding texture in the form of using lots of threads.  This time I've used, so far, Perle #3 and #5 cotton, Silk Perle in 15/2 and 30/2, and Soy Luster.  I also have a few skeins of he new Brocade Silk to try out on it. Oh, and this is 18 count Eggshell canvas. And below is also the palette I created for it (using Colourlovers again).

I have started with basic bargello patterns and then made them more free-form.  I am enjoying working with bargello in this fashion by trying to find the most representational .(hopefully) pattern. 

There will be three parts to this design as it will be a stand-up when finished.  The pattern might look a little funny to you at the bottom, but that is the base of the pear and it needs to be shaped like that to form the base. 

I'll keep you updated as it develops.  And I'll go back and change things....always happens.  Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!  Only two more until September rolls around. 

Bargello/Needlepoint Project Update III

It's finished except for sewing on the button!  I did change the stitch at the top and like it much better.  I know, this is a beginning piece after all and I should include one of each of stitch family but the cross stitches just don't seem to work here.  So, cross, composite and loop(embroidery) and knot stitches will just have to wait their turn for another piece.  To my eye, Bargello just doesn't combine too well with what I call "fancy stitches". 

The choice of border color was also a challenge.  I first I thought of the green, but it didn't work at all and the red was too much color.  The color and blue would also work.   Of course, it all comes back to personal taste.  And then the border is really optional but since the Gobelin stitch is the perfect border stitch, I just had to add it.

I want to add at least one more colorway before writing the instruction book and making the kit available so they should be ready sometime in the Fall.   Here is the preliminary Purple colorway.  Some of the threads are wrong, but the colors are there.  The button was my inspiration for the colorway.  I have three, very strong, over-dyes in the photo above and will probably remove one of them for he final.  There are also two softer over-dyes, the yellow/cream and yellow/orange ones, which will probably stay.  Any comments? 

Now to decide on finishing.  As an introductory piece, I think it should be applied to an already completed piece, such as a pillow, tote, box or tray, with a cording edging it.  Any suggestions?

The sun just came out from behind the clouds here.  In August, San Francisco close to the ocean,  sees the sun from 3 in the afternoon until sunset.  The rest of the day is usually overcast, or foggy.  But at least it's not hot!  We're at 63 degrees.  So I am going to get outside for a little while.  It's really easy to stay cooped up all day working and forget to just enjoy!  My husband and I both work at home and it's easy to even forget what day it is. 

So here's wishing everyone a great week....take time to enjoy the little things.