New Stitchers Gallery

I couldn't wait to announce the first page in the new STITCHERS GALLERY:  Bargello Arrows. You probably saw the group picture which was posted yesterday.  The beautiful pillow below was stitched by Claire using rich ochres, chocolates, dark reds....with just a touch of soft blue.  Shown in the gallery are the pictures of all the Bargello Arrows projects I have photos of so far. They are all beautiful, but what a range of color and texture.  I hope to add few more over the next few months. 

Also, over the next few months I plan to add a few more pages of stitchers' works on several other designs.  I really love to see what stitchers have created.  So, if you have completed one of my designs,  I would love to hear from you ! 

DAHLIA....AND MORE!

We have been having cool weather here in San Francisco for the last several days.  Cool enough I have had the heater on up until about 2 in the afternoon.  When I say cool it gets down to about 50 at night and up to about 65 during the day.  Now, last week it was up to almost 90.  For us that is really hot and of course, and most homes here have no air conditioning....just offices and the bigger stores and restaurants.  It's definitely what you get used to.....I went to school in Houston and that's hot. 

Just a note I have finally completed the instruction book for Dahlia and the kit is now available.  It's the fourth (and final) design of the Silk Ribbon Flower Series.....in this size.  Hopefully next year I can begin a new series as these were so much fun to design and stitch. 

I am always so happy to receive feedback from stitchers in my workshops with pictures of finished questions and/or comments about the design.  Lyn Y. of Canada just received her Winter Frost purse back from the finisher and plans to carry it a  wedding this summer.  Thank you Lyn for sending a photo which will find a permanent home in the Stitchers Gallery (coming soon).  Just beautiful stitchng!! 

 

Lately I have been staying up a little later than usual.  This seems to be the time for instruction books, both new ones and revisions for the new classes to be taught at seminar in September.  All the pilots have ended and feedback is coming in....about thread quantities, graph comments (for all sorts of issues), comments on the written portions, etc.  Now don't get me wrong....I really look forward to receiving the feedback.  Good instructions...more enjoyable classes for everyone!

  But anyway, I was checking my email one last time....about midnight....and McCall (our daughter and zoo keeper) sent pictures of the Scissors Fob and Needle Threader Set she had promised for the website.  Actually she sent two, but here is a picture of my favorite.  Just a soon as I have them actually in hand I'll be adding them.  Aren't they pretty?! 

Now I must go.  I've just started a new book.  Normally I just read in bed at night but today I must sneak in a little extra reading....Hit and Run by Lawrence Block. 

A Stitchers Gallery

I'm happy to report I have recently received more photos of student's finished projects!  It is always so much fun to see all the different finishing techniques, not to mention all the wonderful stitching.  Jo Vitayne finished both Monet's Garden box and Orchid herself.   Now the amazing thing to me is that she had to make the box before she could finish it....and it's just perfect!  The hardware is available but there has to be a framework to support, as well as a base. Now the finishing technique for the Orchid has a print fabric used as a mat, which really sets of the design.  Something different, and very effective.  

Trudy Downing has sent Seasons for us to see.  She says,  "It will hang just inside our front door, practically the first thing people see when they come over."

I really enjoyed designing Seasons and am always so gratified when a stitcher has enjoyed stitching it as well.  Thank you for sharing Trudy....a lovely job....well done.!

As students submit photos of their finished works I will continue to post them here.  It is always enjoyable to see another stitcher's work. And, as you can seem, you might get a new idea for finishing off your own projects.  At some point over the next few months I hope to set up a gallery page so all the finished photos I have can find a permanent home.  I also have several photos from before this blog was begun which need to be added also....with proper credit given!

Now, I haven't written very ofter lately, but I was teaching last week and leave again shortly for another another week.  But then I'm back home for over a month so have good intentions to "retire" several of my current teaching designs and move them to "retired teaching pieces" which means the instruction books and canvases will be available for sale.  Also, Dahlia, recently seen on those pages will be added no later than May 15th, hopefully before.  This design finishes up the Silk Ribbon Flower Series I.

I don't plan to write again until after my return from Oregon.....around April 16th.  Hope everyone is enjoying Spring weather.