Quieter Moments

Focal point

2007-02-23T23:28:00.000-08:00

This piece is progressing. The focal point is an abstract dove with a olive branch. It's my visual expression of a late night conversation about history with with my mom this past autumn. I'm still working on getting the right threads for some portions of this. But the worst is ahead as I must then cope with the mat or fabric which will be the same color as the red thread and run an eighth to quarter inch from the irregular black outline. Sometimes, I think I will never have it "finished". But I want to work with my best effort on it even though I have some disappointments in it already. I have to confess that I have a good laugh over my efforts to finish what is flawed.

Why do I keep working on it?
1. I want to capture the concept to the best of my abilities
2. There is a desire to convey that concept to others through the finished piece
3. I learn from my mistakes
4. It's good discipline for my character
5. It may overall turn out better than I presently think
6. I will never have any piece to finish if I wait for one that is flawless

New things going on

2007-02-16T01:48:00.000-08:00

New things are going on with my design work. But posting about it has been at a stand still. I have been so busy with finishing off some projects that it has been hard to carve out the time for my favorite blog. My blog about TSTC (see link for SharonB's weekly introductions) has been going strong just out of the necessity of the challenge. I am learning so much not only from SharonB's weekly introductions but from all the wonderful, skilled stitchers involved. It is well worth taking a look and seeing what is going on.

This is the headway I've made on the first larger piece I've tried in TSTC. For me, my primary focus in doing TSTC is exploring the stitch itself and any design concepts are incidental. But when I work on something this size I have to give attention to the design itself. Nearly half of the stitching is finished. The rough yellow circles are just to the right of the halfway mark and I've got to begin pulling the eye to the center of the piece.

The cut paper project mentioned in my last post is under way. I found the perfect purple thread after several trials and errors. My most recent search for the perfect thread is due to the fact DMC does not make Perle 12 in the colors I need. I'm checking about for three substitute threads on my History Examined piece now. And this is all the more pressing since I've already stitched most of it with Perle 8 not realizing I'd need some matching finer threads in a few areas.

I'm beginning work on my dragon. I've established borders and I'm sketching out all sorts of ways to finish him inside since the outside lines are set. I haven't decided on his color yet. I've been thinking he might be delightful finished off in pulled thread work--ecru. Then again I can see him in straight stitches of purple and green! I'm also working on the background stitches and the border. I want a slightly textured neutral background, but I want a border that works with the dragon and sets a tone for considering him.

Resource book

2007-01-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

No pictures, rain outside this morning.

I've been working with the idea of a visual journal the past month or so since SharonB wrote some posts about nurturing creativity. Using a visual journal was one of her five key ideas. My design teacher had started me on doing an idea folder. But I'd misunderstood what I was to put in there. Now, I've got going a workable book. I call it my resource book. I look at it just like I do my trial (doodle) cloths which I love and draw on all the time. The resource book is a place where I tuck away "as is" or preliminary ideas. Then they are an available resource to draw on as needed. I put in top loading sheet protectors to tuck away some of the scrap paper I sometimes scribble on, too. Because I can write in it, the resource book almost better than a trial cloth. I'm writing down a few ideas out of what I'm reading and things I've seen. For instance, I had a long drive Saturday and used some of it for an opportunity to watch the sun reflecting off the buildings. I don't want to forget some of those things I saw. And Monday, I ran across an article that someone wrote on a painter's perspective that reinforced my observations. I put these notes in the resource book.

Last night I actually transfered one of these ideas (a cut paper experiment) to fabric. I'm working on the idea and think I know where it is going. I took time to look at the best orientation, where to place the borders, how to do the background and what threads, stitches and colors to use. There is one last color I can't decide -- blue or black. I'm leaning toward blue but black would intensify the colors. I'm thinking about maybe a dark purple. That wouldn't be as harsh as black but might intensify the colors more than the blue. And now to investigate if there is any thread I can use in the color I want. The practical trade off in fiber art! Perhaps one day I will get brave enough to start dying my own threads and fabric.

A corner

2007-01-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

Starting a new year is like turning a corner.

Here is a corner from one of the recent designs.

I've been thinking of how to combine exploring the stitch that SharonB is putting out every week with a design piece. It amazes me what can be done with one stitch and how it lends itself to use in designs. While I'm stitching away on the nuts and bolts of finding out what the herringbone stitch can do (SharonB's stitch for week 1 of the challenge). I've been thinking about how to be as diligent in design work.

My biggest need is to realize I must do the hard work of laying out the design and playing with it. The more I get away from the merely decorative work, the more I see my need to plan before stitching. My design teacher keeps saying that. I can see for myself the difficulties I run into! And yet some how I want to skipping over these vital steps and start stitching immediately. I'm going to work on turning this corner!

Year in review "Purpose"

2006-12-31T20:58:00.000-08:00

This is the hardest to evaluate and write. I find it much more soul searching to consider. And I intend this to be the last of "those" kinds of post for a good while. I've got pictures of some of the stitching I've been doing the last couple of weeks that need to go up. Now that I've a halfway satisfactory manner of posting them on this blog, I need to get to that. If you're interested in looking at what I'm doing with the stitches in SharonB's Take a Stitch Tuesdays Challenge, my plan is to soon be filling up my other blog with those pictures. Her start up day is January 2, 2007.

Back to the question at hand--did I keep to the great purpose "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"? I think that God has allowed me to explore His simple shapes with a needle and thread. I find geometric shapes and patterns fascinating. I thank Him for the exploration in those thing by use of a needle and thread on a ground. Many times I think of the stitch itself as a shape; other times a group of stitches is the shape I'm considering. This year I've found some of my stitching is an attempt to express something to God, if not others. One such piece I titled The Last Drop. Another is History Examined.

I'm indebted to so many wonderful stitchers who in God's providence have helped me learn. First, Lois at my LNS, Darlene O'Steen for her book The Proper Stitch (And the lady who recommended that book to me so that I actually pulled it out and read it rather than just looking at the diagrams.), Sherlee Lantz for the diagrams in A Pageant of Pattern, SharonB for her website and class and there are so many others that I thank God for also. The blogging has been an attempt to make available some of what I've been learning about stitching. But I found so many other needlework bloggers teaching and inspiring me instead, I can't say anything.

The other purpose besides exploration is what my mom said when we were discussing my needlework a few years ago. And I suppose only moms say these things to their daughters, "it would be good if you can put something beautiful in the world." I've had that purpose in mind from time to time on one piece of work or another. And often think of how the woman in Proverbs 31 was so involved in work with textiles not only for beauty but usefulness to her family and beyond. That concept seems difficult to translate into my circumstances but perhaps that is where I need to re-purpose or re-aim a bit this coming year.

Year in review "Learned and learning still"

2006-12-30T07:15:00.000-08:00

Please note: Updated information about my participation in SharonB's 2007 TSTC and future of this blog on a post below

Learning to look to see.

Value - my design teacher taught me to take time to block out color and think of what I'm seeing in terms of value. I think that people must have learned to do this more readily in the days when they had black and white movies, TVs and photos as a part of daily life. For me it's hard to do, but I see it now as a very exciting and important part of a design.

Design - with another big thank you to my design teacher- notice design in everything from what is in Creation to the manufactured things used time and time again in our daily life.

Take a break stand back and see - when I'm stitching I get caught up in a different point of view than when I stand back and look from a distance. It's hard for me to get up when I'm so busy stitching; but I've learned it is valuable to get up and look from a different perspective. Yes, when I'm right of top of it, I can see all the details. But from a distance has it all turned into a blur. If it's hanging on the wall does it beg a second glance? Does it call, "Come over and look at me and see what I'm about." And if it does, is it worth seeing closeup?

View the design wearing other "hats"- I work with package printing, so when ever I pick up a new package of something, I almost always am taking a look at the print job on it. How the art performed, what they are doing with the design to make it work on the press used, checking out what kind of board, paper or film they are printing on. There are so many things that I'm checking out--what font, type size, line thickness, screens, inks. Well, many more things, just too many to mention. But it truly is of interest me and I can be noticing so much at once in a small amount of time. Why? Training, experience and interest.

But what is a sales representative or a marketing person looking at? He wants to know how that design works on the shelf, when the customer is so many feet away, when they are right on top of it, in conjunction with other products the customer is selling, with other (read that "competitors") products that will be displayed around it, does it indicate what the customer anticipates or wants to know about the product, what does it reflect about the company behind it and how does it represent the product inside it. Of course, he cares about the print and I care about how the package will look on the shelf, too. We come from different points of view, training, experience and interest. But yes, if I take time to think about that salesman's point of view (and I also think need to think about the pressman, the filler's process and so forth) it helps me as I think about what needs to happen to the art being prepared to go to press.

Perhaps you will think this is too great a stretch to apply this example out of my business life to design and needlework art. Nor by using it do I mean to treat my designs as a product to be sold although some of them are, of course. But it makes sense to me to think about how will my design will impact others. And "looking" that is not so wrapped up in only my own point of view as I stitch a piece and "looking" that gets me outside of my narrower point of view brings some elements of balance into my design that I think would otherwise be lacking. Again, I think this is something I need to thank my design teacher for. She is always explaining what the viewers eyes are drawn to, what they tend to skip over, what makes them comfortable and uncomfortable (and not every design is intended to make the viewer comfortable). And then that constant anticipation of the submission of my work to her trained eye, helps me to train my own.

Year in Review "Done"

2006-12-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

Please note: Updated information about my participation in SharonB's 2007 TSTC and future of this blog on a post below

I've been thinking over this year to take stock and re-aim for the new year. This is a basic list of what got "done" without comments to compare the outcomes to the expectations. I'm evaluating that, but privately! And I might be far wise to have kept this part private, too. This list is neither in order accomplished nor order of importance.

I got a first website up, started two blogs, released five new designs and re-released a previous one. Bought a camera and obtained Photo Elements and a couple of other photo editing software programs. Bought a printer for covers and switched to XP (still a disaster!). Took a design class, SharonB's Personal Library of Stitches class and a photography class. Developed three new designs for release and have some other work in various stages for release. Started idea books (visual journals). Experienced some freedom in working "off the grid". Tried stitching on fabric other than evenweave linen. Started stitching with threads other than silk floss, 100/3 and Perle cotton. Obtained and read a few useful books relating to stitching, design and websites. Read more books through the library. Obtained more books, not read, but ready to tackle next year. Bought and lost a few more pairs of scissors!

I want to do two more things in evaluating and re-aiming 1. look at what I learned and need to learn 2. evaluate if goals are realistic and consistant with my end purposes.

Test for pictures

2006-12-26T18:49:00.000-08:00

Some more pictures from my trial Christmas cloths. I keep trying to think of ways to make pictures available on this blog. Perhaps this test will work out. Thanks for putting up with all my experiments.

Trial 1
Trial 2

Where did I go?

2006-12-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

I'm at a new blog for TSTC 2007 http://quietermoments.wordpress.com
This is going to be a wonderful year with SharonB in her Take a Stitch Tuesdays Challenge (TSTC). Please look into joining the challenge or simply take a look and see what's going on. Sharon has set it up so that it is always open for one more to join in and any day is the right time to begin. Once at Sharon's blog, the side bar has a category called Take a Stitch Tuesday. It will quickly gather all those posts together to fill you in on the details.

I'm staying right here to post updates for all my design work. This year I'm working on shape, color and texture. I'm so excited about all I have planned to tackle, the Lord willing. I'm still exploring moving this blog over to my website, posting pictures to a flickr account or posting pictures here again. I'll be updating my book list and journalizing my personal needlework explorations here. I've been doing more thinking on design and design exercises so I'm sure those topics will be coming up. I find having to express my thoughts in writing helps clarify and further my own thinking. If anyone has any suggestion on books or other means of exploring these topics, please post a comment. Thank you!

Trials again for photos

2006-12-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

I have been reading and checking a lot of things on this new photo album that is somehow now connected with Blogger. I just thought I'd try and re-check whether it will load my photos. Some of the help material sounds like I should be able to upload pictures from my desk top but then again its hard to tell if that material is still in effect. If this doesn't work then I think I will be looking about for another host for my photos and/or a new company for my blog unless I can understand what this new agreement is requiring to my satisfaction. I've got quite a few options to explore. I'm thankful for some of the time off during the holidays to concentrate on it. Post will definitely be spotty until I have it figured out.

No, they won't take my pictures. I will be back up and on track before the first either here or else where. I'm going to try one more test before I close my post and see if I can upload a picture from my website. No, it won't do that either. Either it doesn't realize its me trying to upload my own pictures or (and I think more likely from the message I got) it still wants me to sign a new agreement.

No more pictures until

2006-12-19T06:59:00.000-08:00

Well, I started out to post some more borders and fills this morning. (I forgot to post yesterday.)And I was greeted by some type of new agreement for Picasa Web Albums. I'm going to have to do some reading before I agree to this new set up!

I'm busy stitching on a large (for me) piece right now. I've got all the outline done and now I'm filling in with color. A very strange piece for me primary colors plus black and white on 22 count linen. Also I'm planing for the design to spill out over on to a background cloth of red gabardine. I keep surprising myself with what I want to do next. Ideas are not hard for me to come by. It's the execution of them that is hard since that is where I have to scale back to the reality of my limited skills and knowledge. In turn that keeps me pressing forward to learn more and that stimulates new ideas. Some days I feel like a little child trying to walk, stumbling and getting up to start out again.

More trial thoughts

2006-12-16T19:59:00.000-08:00

I'm still pulling out some things I was playing with for a Christmas piece. These are things that did make the cut. Not that they are bad, but they didn't fit in with the piece as it evolved. Perhaps they will show up in something else or there will be another Christmas piece.

It's surprising to me what just a few changes will make. Look at the lower small green border. It shows how my thoughts changed as I worked right to left. The top green border shows more play with that idea in what started out basically as a mirror image without the diamond fill. From there I tested out a few other variations.

Christmas in stitches

2006-12-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

Going through some of my trial cloths I found a few wintry, Christmas things. I had so much fun making the pine cones. I love the threads from Gloriana. Some of her threads make up the pine branches and are couched and create the border for the Field in Winter piece.

I have a Field in Autumn and a Field in Spring. So summer and winter are waiting in the wings. Field in Spring is hanging up in my home thanks to a very kind friend who had it framed for me. Although some parts of it are good, the middle needs spicing up. I did another Field in Spring but that name didn't stick. I suppose that means I have three seasons to go in the series. Perhaps 2007 will be their time.

Queen stitch fill-in

2006-12-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

I wanted to get back to this queen stitch learning sampler. Here are a few more ideas from it. I think these can work well as borders or fills. I haven't exhausted this sampler, but the rest I'm saving until I see what ends up happening with this piece.

This year I explored the straight stitches and had so much fun with the working with various ideas. I've put together two pieces using them. And even with such a plain stitch found it so exciting. My limitation was that the stitches could not cross, I could use no tie down, but I could put the stitches at any angle. Perhaps in some peoples mind that's too much flexibility. However it allowed for endless possibilities and many experiments.

Because of SharonB's 2007 stitch challenge(see post below for information on the challenge). I'm not starting off the year with any one certain stitch in mind to explore. The one stitch that I'd been toying with before the challenge idea came up was the woven stitch. I've done a bit of work with them in several pieces and on my trial cloths. So you may see some of them showing up in the blog soon.

SharonB's 2007 challenge

2006-12-12T00:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday I referred to SharonB's Take a Stitch Tuesday 2007 challenge. It is an interesting challenge and the link explains it much better than I. Each week the group will explore a new stitch that Sharon presents. Please check it out and see if it would interest you.

I'm looking forward to it because of the opportunity to gain skill and inspiration from Sharon and the others involved as well as the fun exploring myself. The other great thing is that it is a flexible format and fits each persons skill level and special interest in embroidery. I find myself learning so much from people who are not involved in my particular niche. It gives me another perspective and draws me out of my "rut" thinking.

The picture above is part of my collage made with transparent and opaque materials. So many of the details of the sky just don't show up in the photo. I don't know if I'll try to post any more of it to the blog or not. It is either a case of seeing it in person or having a better photographer!

The last edge on felt

2006-12-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

More experiments in spare moments with the inside out chevron (lower) and the twisted flies, cable chain and feather stitches (upper). I'm going crazy stitching on transparent layers to finish one of last my design class pieces. Definitely off grid work! Perhaps it's fortunate I've been exploring that a bit in SharonB's class.

It's funny how these two classes have worked together to stretch me. I wanted to only do counted thread work on 36- to 40-count linen when I started the design class in mid-January. Now here I am at mid-December and have had to experiment with different fabrics and threads in spite of all my initial intentions to the contrary.

I'm hoping next year will be a good solid year of growth with some of these concepts I've learned and need so much more practice with in my designs. The only new learning challenges planned for next year are color and shape. I want to join in on SharonB's Take a Stitch Tuesday and keep up with the group of people in the PLS class after the close of the Joggles' forum this coming Wednesday.

I've been going through my projects underway. I have so many in various stages of progress that I should finish off the old ones and never start a new one until mid-June. I'm going to try sticking my new designs into a visual journal. I want to see if that will help prevent stitching on anything new until then. I have two ideas that are just eating away at me. One is an abstract that needs colors and stitches determined. The other is a dragon. Of course, the dragon is an abstraction, too, but very recognizable. Thankfully, all my plans for this next year are as last year's, subject to God's providence.

Twisted flys and Inside out chevrons

2006-12-08T09:51:00.000-08:00

Still working with the felt to see what I can do on it. Enjoyed doing a twisted fly and feather (inner three lines at the lower right) and the inside out chevrons (two rows outermost upper right). I'm not sure what the name are for these stitches; these are names I use to help me remember what I did. There are four slipped cable chain rows at the lower left. The first has the slip done on top and twisted at the loop before fastening. Then I put a French knot on each side. The second has detached chain stitch on each side, the third one is beaded and the lower chain is laced with a stitch added in the middle and some extra loops on the bottom.

I finished reading SharonB's sixth lesson. The text and the visuals are wonderfully inspiring. It is making it so hard to pull away for a few days and concentrate on my design class. But, of course, once I get working on that I will be just as happy there. Now to work on bringing the two together seamlessly!

More on felt from Lesson 5

2006-12-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

Below is some more play with rice stitches in the beaded areas. And my best efforts to implement some SharonB's tips about them. In the rest of the piece I'm sure my classmates will pick out other elements from lesson 5. Thanks to the good advice I've been getting I'm off to the store to recheck the fabric and purchase some other needles to try. Many thanks to everyone who was so willing to help me.

I've almost finished reading the amazing lesson 6. I'm looking forward to beginning the stitching. What a great opportunity SharonB has provide for us to learn. I would highly recommend this class whenever she offers it again. The class link should provide a good overview of the course as well as other links for information about it. I thought this class and Sharon's teaching style allows any stitcher to start where they are and go as far as they can. I don't see how anyone could exhaust all the material provided in the six weeks. I plan to be returning to it time and time again. The elements on design that Sharon provided in addition to the stitches is a great plus. I found it augmenting the design course I am taking concurrently.

Making holes

2006-12-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

Much to my distress, I am leaving needle holes in this felt. If anyone stopping by has knowledge of this subject and would kindly post an answer, I would appreciate it along with any other tips you might have. I'm wondering 1. if I bought the wrong kind of felt and if so what do I need instead? 2. how do I avoid making the holes besides not changing my mind and parking threads outside of the design area? 3. is it possible to reduce or smooth the hole after it's made? I used a 26 tapestry needle and a thread about equal to a Perle 8. The 22 inch bolt said wool felt. But it looks very different than the wool felt that my LNS had. However, they(LNS) did not have any light neutral color that would work with the threads I had. Therefore, I went off to the craft store, where they were very nice but had no idea how to answer my most basic questions. The thread is actually a very nice purple and the felt is antique white even if the picture didn't capture this. This is some attempt at suggestions SharonB made for the rice stitch and the rest is just testing the material with a variety of stitches.

Filling in the holes

2006-12-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

A few ideas to fill in the page for the single straight feather stitch came up to mind as I had read some of the more recent lessons from SharonB's class. The other night with no thread to do my grid, I finally had an opportunity to try them. I might have pushed the limit too far on the 3rd light blue border and reduced it to nothing more than a fly stitches. But it's too late for, it's stitched!

Shapes and Grids

2006-12-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

My design class and SharonB's stitch class are pushed together on this page. On the design side we have been studying grids and stitch shapes in SharonB's. The rice stitch is a very definite shape either square or diamond. I decided to push it into a rectangle too. I've got one more grid to add to this, but my LNS is closed on Mondays. I can't find any suitable thread in my stash.

More on density

2006-12-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

SharonB's lesson 4 has me thinking about density. On this 4x6 I learned new variations of the buttonhole and Cretan stitch, made a long-tailed French knot and tried the cloud stitch. All aimed toward the use of density in embroidery. By the time I was finishing up I was also striving to consider a way to convey distance and what part density has to play in that. These two considerations have forced me to think about the color, luster and thickness of the threads I use.

Avoiding temptation

2006-11-30T08:07:00.000-08:00

Last night I wanted to tackle four more stitches from SharonB's class. I was so tempted to go back toward "the grid" and do some nice neat straight lines. I'm thankful I remembered one of my largest personal goals is to use this class as an aid to get "off the grid". I did find myself counting threads twice. I'm headed toward felt where I have nothing to count.

Thanks again, Shay, for the royal blue ribbon and fuzzy thread. I enjoyed using these once I got brave enough to try them last night.

A finish to this page?

2006-11-29T09:08:00.000-08:00

This page is hopefully done except for triming the edges and stitching it into the book binding. It basically finishes lesson 3 and goes into lesson 4 of SharonB's library class. Lesson 4 concerned a number of stitches that were new to me along with information about texture and density. I began to experiment with that in this piece. Since the previous posts on this I've added crested chain stitches in 5, 8 and 12 perle cotton at the lower right quarter and a variety of buttonhole stitches. The rest of the stitches are those that came to mind while trying to vary texture and density. I still have a few more of those buttonhole stitches I want to learn. So I hope there will be a second page for lesson 4.

More of from Queen Stitch Sampler

2006-11-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

I decided to post a bit more from the queen stitch sampler. I just picked out some of the small olive green borders. These were so fascinating to me as I stitched them. Just look for the fly stitch and you will see how they are put together by deleting parts of the queen stitch, changing the size or angling and/or changing the position of the tie down stitch.

I've been busy stitching other things and have done some more work done on the 4th week of SharonB's class. I conquered the crested chain stitch from lesson 3 last night. Not ready to photograph yet. My design class has been taking up my thoughts the last few days. Thankfully, I've made some progress there. Some of my favorite things to do, too! Playing with geometric, natural and man-made grids for patterns. I want to linger over these spots and bypass others. But I have a good teacher who won't let me slide. And as we all know by experience some of the things we dread the most to do become, in time, old favorites. I think I might be saying that about the crested chain some time next year.

Is anyone else thinking about goals for next year? One capital purchase for me is a scanner! I'm so tired of fooling around with photos when often a scanner would take care of the job quickly. Of course, I must conquer the camera for many other reasons. Unfortunately, not everything can be put under the cover of the scanner! In the meantime being without a scanner is forcing me to take tons more pictures and that can't be a bad thing. Eventually, I will learn.

A flower or two later

2006-11-24T17:26:00.000-08:00

I read lesson 4 while still working on this lesson 3 sampler for Sharon B's class. Despite my purpose to keep the lessons separate, what I read crept in. The upper left is the cable chain with a variation or two. On the upper right there are French knots, fly stitches, a couple of chain stitches and anything else that came in handy.

The bottom is primarily an experiment with chevron stitches running vertically. And then between the beads a blue silk ribbon couched by detached chain stitches. There are straight stitches on the left side of the beads to fill in the "v" of the chevron stitches.

I think this still needs some finishing touches even if I don't fill in a great deal more of the lower right. There is still so many stitches I want to try from lesson 3 that I'm going to have to give some thought to the finish.

Lines and a flower

2006-11-23T10:38:00.000-08:00

I've had fun stitching in between design class work! No fun with photography, however! Great notes on lesson 4. Thank you so much SharonB! I might be a year or two in putting everything into practice---no, I think I should revise that---may I never get done experimenting with the concepts you have been writing about. I do hope by practice to gain more skill with them.

I was impressed by the diligent way that Sharon has gone about her own study. It is evident in many ways in this latest lesson. I know that many are reading these notes along with me. I'm enriched and learn from watching my classmates use these stitches and concept, too. Thanks to you all!

Cable chain stitch

2006-11-21T23:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, my attempts at this stitch are limited to a very small area! And can I read and follow directions? Not well. Lines 1-3 and 5 (left to right) are before I discovered that page 22 of SharonB's lesson three presented a very different stitch than I saw on my fabric. I sure did get good laugh and the right way is certainly easier. The last line is composed of two cable chains in blue and I tried to lace them together with peach. Everything else probably plain from the photo. I really enjoyed this stitch once I learned how to put it together. Just wish I had more time to stitch but my design class is calling. I have a ways to go before I can begin stitching for it.

Alphabets

2006-11-21T00:32:00.000-08:00

Saturday evening while I was stitching the word "herringbone" for week three of SharonB's PSL class I thought about how much I like making up simple lettering. I have no idea about the fancy alphabets with flowers or other decorations nor the beautiful scripts that I sometimes see. But for quick use such as I need I think about the letters' similarities and the first letter I stitch in a particular group becomes the prototype for the rest of the letters in the group. This way I can stay consistent without making up a full alphabet or pulling out a book and copying a pattern from there. It must come from first grade training. I had a teacher who invented or retold a wonderful story about making the number five. Years latter I found that same story was also embedded in my sister's memory, too. I think she may have gone over all these letters with little stories as well. Perhaps all teachers of small children have a stockpile of such teaching aids.

Since the capital B is similar in many ways to the following letters: D, E, F, H, I, J, K, L, P, R, (S), T, (U, X, Y, Z). The letters in ( ) may be included in another group. C is similar to G, O, Q, (U) . M, N, (U) , V, W, (X, Y) make up another group. Sometimes I will split this group and do M, N differently from V, W. I may also do S and Z in a separate group by themselves or let them fall in the B group. Another group suitable for S is the C group. I let A stand by its self and make it up once I establish at least one other letter. I don't included it with the group with V automatically. This is because of the weight and spacing around this frequently used letter does not always please me if done in the same manner as V that is used less frequently. I use the same principles for lower case letters, too, although the groups vary a little.

Just getting started on SharonB's PSL Lesson 3

2006-11-20T08:49:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the bad picture; still gray here. I did make a reflector by covering some foam board with aluminum foil. It provided a great deal more light. But then I had trouble avoiding shadows and all sorts of other things.

This is very much just the initial stage on the herringbone stitch. I wanted to try this stitch on a curved line. Several things caught my attention and I want to try in a more formal version. For instance, the two small herringbones over each edge of the larger one with the beaded center. In the open top area I want to try turning some corners. However, I have to balance my time so carefully with my design lesson and go on immediately to some of the various chain stitch lines. I've always resisted this stitch, but Sharon's examples make me want to conquer it. I'm thankful for two days off work this week. Of course, some of it will be filled with Thanksgiving activities, but I hope to put a significant dent in all the stitching I want to do, too.

The latest on points...

2006-11-19T16:28:00.000-08:00

and not finished yet. I added to make certain areas fuller and taken away what no longer seemed to be functioning. I think I need to take out or move in closer the dark blue star above the ribbon near the top. I'm disappointed with this in some ways but have learned from the exercise. The very purpose of taking a class! It seems to me that in this piece the points have not become focus points but just a means of creating a line.

I've started a week #3 sampler for SharonB's PSL class using the herringbone stitch. I may have been too rash in trying to back off the grid this time. I don't know if I can tame it or if I can make the lines flow satisfactorily. Pictures tomorrow, I hope. It is very foggy and gray here. I did learn how to make a homemade "reflector" for picture taking. I'm going to give that a quick try tomorrow morning. It should help both inside and outside pictures.

I've been busily working away on my design class assignment, too. One portion is to take a shape and exploit it. It is very similar to what we do when we explore the variations of a stitch. I love this kind of experiment. It forces me out of the ruts of my own making.

More on Lesson 2 for SharonB's class

2006-11-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

After stitching on the points page for lesson 2 last evening, it was so encouraging to wake up this morning to Jo's advice to not rip and keep going. Thank you, Jo! I turned the ribbon at the top and filled in more and switched the flowers to the other side of the ribbon at the bottom of the page. I'm not sure if it is done yet, time will tell. After playing around editing the picture, I think I need to fill in still more. Sorry the picture is poor--a rainy day here in the central valley of California. I need to hide some heavy thread lines, too.

I read lesson 3 last night, too. It is such a full lesson Sharon delivers every time! I'm so thankful that I decided to try and move away from the strict grid that counted thread had keep me on and take this class as a means to that end. I've tried to do some of that "off grid" work in every lesson. The lines in lesson 3 may be the toughest for me to break away on so far. I am glad that Sharon's lesson showed examples of "off grid" work. I might have to think about it for a while longer and reread the notes or I may just have to plunge in and start practicing.

Work in progress for SharonB's PSL lesson 2

2006-11-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

Had a bit of time to work on the second page for lesson 2 last night. I ripped out one of the three remaining rayon points and basically started over again on this. Looking it over this morning, I think I still need to rip out a lot more and stitch a lot more of something into this. I still want to go back and embellish the picture of the swing in the tree from week 1 with the butterflies Sharon showed us in lesson 2. And now lesson 3 is here! Special thanks again to Shay for the threads and her post on lesson 3 that is encouraging me to press on.

This special six weeks of time is flying by and I'm barely scratching the surface of what Sharon's provides. I've just finished touring all the beautiful work that has been posted by classmates. It is so inspiring!

Color study again

2006-11-15T20:03:00.000-08:00

Color is part of lesson 6 in my design class. I've been reading and re-reading the chapter and then starting back at the beginning of the text and looking at every picture just to see color principles in action. It has been enjoyable and enlightening, too, since many principles are fresh in my mind now.

It's almost 24 hours since I touched my needle and thread! A very unusual circumstance. Instead I've been doing preliminary designs that I will have to bring to the point of stitch-ready. In the past most planning has flown out the window while doing the stitching. We shall see how I fare this time. Since one of these designs has to be traced unto the fabric, perhaps I will succeed in sticking with it.

SharonB's lesson 2

2006-11-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

This is some of the lesson 2 work with many thanks to Shay for all the wonderful new threads that I've been using here. She sent me a lovely packet of threads, ribbons, trims. She really loaded me up with such a variety in thread thickness and shine that I've been like a kid and getting into everything. Another result of Shay's generosity is that I've been having several "first time to use" experiences.

I've never done work with ribbons; if ribbons were used it was for finishing not stitching. I found that I enjoyed working with ribbons for the french knots. I tried them for the berry and crown stitches, too. I'm not sure if I have the tension right. I would welcome any suggestion about that.

I'd never noticed rayon threads before. I love the shine. However, I found that I need practice before I have any skill with them. I think all that I managed to do on this tiny sampler was to thread them through the rows of moss stitching. I've been practicing on another page for points and shapes. I'm not sure if I will be posting that or not. It is still such a mess. There are a grand total of 3 rayon flowers I've not ripped out!

Queen stitch

2006-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

I was reading through SharonB's notes on lesson 2 Thursday evening. It reminded me of variations I'd tried to make with the queen stitch when I first learned about specialty stitches. At that time I'd never heard of the fly stitch. Now, I think of the essence of the queen stitch as a specific arrangement of the fly stitch. I'm sure I may learn more about it as time goes by. I've put up a few pictures as a reminder of those explorations with this fascinating stitch. I've two samplers full of the attempts!

Latest on lesson 1 from SharonB

2006-11-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

These photos are the show the latest on lesson 1. I've got more space on my pages so I can't say that it is finalized. But I have read lesson 2 and must move along to explore there. Sharon's material is so rich!

More on the feather stitch

2006-11-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

Here are some more experiments with the feather stitch. I did a few rows with two colors because one of my goals for this year is to test using two differing threads within one stitch. I don't care how they differ--color, texture, size--but that they differ is important to me.

In the last image the contrast is not showing up well. On that line I wrapped a darker peach thread around the outside portion of the feather stitch on both sides. If you're wondering about the blue stitching, I stitched one row over another. I like the nest it makes, I need to try putting a bead or French knot inside. I'm not sure if I will end up liking it or not. I could always weave a ribbon or thick thread through it-- in or out of the openings or entirely behind it. I love alternatives!

The sixth design class lesson was in at the post office last night. My work is cut out for me! I've been busy with it this morning. But last night I got some work done on the chained bars -- the last stitch I set for myself to do in lesson 1 with SharonB. I just haven't had time to snap a picture. And I've got a few more experiments with the feather stitch yet to take, too! I'm so funny! I can hardly wait to download lesson 2 and yet I'm still lingering over lesson 1. For me learning takes time. I want to hurry on but I need patience with myself so that I have time to think and consider. Reading Sharon's notes helps me to do just that. And while I'm stitching I have time to relax and reflect on what I've been learning.

Trouble with a feather...

2006-11-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

...with a feather stitch, that is. I had fun playing after a while. It just took time getting from frustration to fun. I still had problems turning the corners as you can see. Thankfully, this stitch is one from SharonB's class on a stitch library. I'm hoping to see some good solutions as classmates keep posting their work. The tall picture is an attempt at hollyhocks, one of my favorite flowers. Too many beads in the second section for my taste but I was too tired of ripping out to tackle any more. Well, there are numerous other problems with that section of the sampler, but sometimes I like to leave my mistakes as reminders of something I've tried, but couldn't accomplish. When I come back to it in a few months or a year or so and find I am able to work the idea out--what an encouragement it is!

I can finally post a link to SharonB's blog for those who may read this and aren't familiar with it. It is http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php Thanks to Linda for helping me with instructions on making links in these posts! Sharon's website and stitch dictionary are worth checking out, too. Links are at the top right corner of the blog.

More from SharonB's class week 1

2006-11-06T15:34:00.000-08:00

I've finished two stitches in the first lesson of SharonB's class and am onto the third. No pictures yet on the third. I'm not doing good on that at all. The stitches aren't forming correctly with some of my threads. I think I'm going to ripping out and re-stitch, but then again maybe I should leave it as a reminder to myself. Since the sixth design lesson is not in yet, I'm planning to make some progress by tomorrow.

Sharon throws out so many variations for each stitch! I love all the alternatives. And I'm seeing so many great pieces from other class members. It is inspiring to look around.

The stem stitch is basically the same as the one posted the other day. I've just used some finer threads and in one tiny section tried beading the twists. I'm not especially pleased or displease with the attempt. In case you're wondering why the crazy line angles. I did a picture of a tree with a swing in one of the branches. The beaded section of the stem stitch is the seat of the swing. You can probably guess the rest. The scattered beads are just my attempt to indicate flowers in the field and break up the blue lines a bit. As you can see I still don't understand much at all about sizing these pictures.

The beginning of SharonB's class

2006-11-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

I'd rather have a needle and thread in my hand and 'draw' on fabric than have a pen or pencil with paper. I have been like a kid on vacation with my next design lesson not in and time to work on SharonB's first lesson. I can totally relax and play. Her instructions and pictures are wonderful. And what inspiration from all the other stitchers in the class!

Naturally, even when I having fun I'm thinking about how it is turning out. For instance in the last picture. I think I would have been happier if have separated both the top and bottom line of running stitches by two threads each from the middle three. One thread of separation didn't give me the look I wanted. Then too, I wish had used bugle beads or stacked seed beads for the lines I wanted on top of the peach columns. And speaking of columns now I have some totally new ideas. I also got a wonderful idea about lacing from seeing Shay's work in the class. Two things now to implement and two and a half stitches to explore before Thursday.

I'm making book pages with stitch names for titles. Some one in the forum suggested the nun stitch for finishing edges. My "thank you" to that person, a great idea.

Bits from lesson 5

2006-11-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

These are bits and pieces from 'the last drop', a small design based on shapes and lines from drawings made for lesson five in my design class. I tried various things with my stitches to give an appearance of depth and mass. Once I started stitching, I couldn't stop, despite seeing flaws. The soft brown above the honey is an attempt to show the brown cabinet through the empty part of the glass jar.

A flower or two

2006-11-04T01:32:00.000-08:00

Still can't do anything with new images from my design class. I'm giving up hunting and am on my way to the store tomorrow for a gizmo that connects the card from my camera to the computer! These are a couple of flower borders. The top one is very straight forward but the bottom more fluid and delicate. Looking back, I laugh at myself for putting them both in the same band sampler. Now, if they were in a small stitched piece where the contrast could be used on one side as compared to the other, I might be happier.

I'm having so much fun with SharonB's on-line class about a stitch library. I learned a new stitch and played with it. I had to leave it to begin to work with the second one before I explored even half of all the suggestions Sharon was throwing out. I decided on four stitches I want to learn this week so I have to pace myself to get through them all. Her website 'in a minute ago' is worth checking and the blog, too--daily. Sorry, I don't exactly know the procedure for giving you a link there if you don't already have it.

Finished off lesson five

2006-11-02T01:21:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's in the mail. The fifth design lesson is history and I've learned a lot. Failed to comprehend a lot, too. It's all stitched, pictures are on the card and I can't find the gizmo to plug into the computer to get images edited and posted. A most challenging stitch for me. Usually, I love geometrical florals. But the design class keeps pushing me out of my comfort zone. I stitched a teacup and jar of honey sitting on a tablecloth with pitcher on a side table behind and a curtained window behind that. No, I've not gone into realism. It's stylized and there is an invisible hand pouring the last drop from the creamer into the cup. Now I can hardly wait to see what is in the next lesson.

Sharon B's stitch library class starts today; the perfect thing to cover the wait. I keep going further and further from my comfort zone. However, I prefer to think of it as extending my comfort zone. How far may one extend one's comfort zone? Is that a good choice? Or is there something to be said for keeping a smaller comfort zone and possibly going deeper in that one area? Am I wandering or is this a purposeful exploration?

I spy a design

2006-10-30T07:21:00.000-08:00

Design everywhere!? My design class assignment open up my eyes to see designs all around me. I found a beautiful design on the front doors of a retirement home where an older friend of mine lives. There was a border design on my post office box. My awareness of surroundings has been increased with this "I spy a design" outlook. Not only is nature full of design but man-made goods as well. Perhaps I'd shut down my awareness by being functionally oriented. Do this and what is the next step? Oh, yes this is next... Then along came my teacher's challenge to find designs--photograph them or sketch them and adapt them for needlework. And then if not adaptable, use them as a starting point for your own designs. Give proper credit. I made a childhood game out of it. Open up a magazine to read, do I spy a design? Going out on an errand, where is a great design? Review them; what was the best design I spied today? It has given me tons of stuff to mull over while sorting out a few of the very best to work with intensively. I've been enriched by a simple change in outlook. I want to keep this game going, despite a finished class assignment.

Tiny borders

2006-10-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what lead me to the color selection. But I still like the little tiny borders. They can sneak in between lines of alphabets, go on both sides of a larger border and turn a corner with ease and no fuss. Many stitches will lend themselves to the center of the flower or it can be removed altogether. I think variation adds to the appeal when it is stand alone but when it is dressing for a bigger border, then I tend towards repetition so that it doesn't draw away attention.

A border and half a border

2006-10-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

Well, these were again very simply stitched borders. The top is the full border and below the half, exactly the same except for losing an edge. These look good vertically, too. In fact, I flipped the lower one around from being a vertical border. Truly, both use same thread and are on the same ground; the difference a .jpg image above and a .png image below. Yes, it made me stop and think. Perhaps .jpg is not the best type of file for my needlework after all.

I love playing with borders. I don't always keep them along the edge of a design, however. I've made a few designs out of borders only. No, nothing as fancy and as beautiful as some of the Spanish samplers or laced ribbon samplers that I've seen. What I enjoy is the repetition and rhythm of a border. I find them very relaxing to stitch. That makes me ready for the challenge of turning the corners! I haven't figured out just how to show the corner treatments using the software I have, but I aim to learn more soon.

Threads

2006-10-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

My favorite thread is Au Ver a Soie 100/3. It's showing up in a lot of these pictures. This thread doesn't do everything I would like, but most everything! Some stitches might require a floss then usually I resort to Needlepoint Silk. Then DMC Perle cotton 12 and 8, I don't usually use 5 although I've some in my stash for special projects. I love Gloriana's overdyed threads because of the Luminescence which uses a 100/3 thread. And, of course, to me her colors look wonderful. Oh dear, I just remember seeing a new one on the last visit to my LNS. I have to return soon and check that out.

The above rounds out what I use day in and day out except for some special projects. Do you have any recommendations? Why do you use the threads you do? I'd be interested in knowing. Perhaps I'm just in a rut. Or I'm ignorant of what might do a better job.

A simple cross-stitch border

2006-10-22T22:54:00.000-07:00

It surprised me that these few simple cross-stitches would make a border. I'm playing with two colors here again--just not in the same stitch. Everything is pretty self-explanatory just by looking at the picture. But if you wonder what I did and prefer words this is my best attempt.

I used 2-over-2 cross stitches throughout. For the light peach curved line there are 3 cross stitches sitting next to each other at the high and low part of the curves. To go down (up) work 4 more cross stitches each one set one thread down (up) from the last stitch. Then start the 3 even stitches for the bottom (top) of the curve to set one thread down (up) from the last of the 4 staggerd stitches. The middle orange cross stitch is 3 threads directly under (above) the center of the group of 3 stitches on the upper (lower) curve. The other two orange cross stitches are worked 1 thread over and 1 thread up (down) from the middle stitch, one on each side. Note: ignore what is in parenthesis until doing the other portion of the curve.

I didn't turn a corner on this trial border but I liked the curve both vertically and horizontally and it looks like it would be easy to turn a corner gracefully.

Rice stitch

2006-10-19T23:59:00.000-07:00

Rice stitches are a favorite for me. I like the queen stitch and the satin stitch, too. Is there a stitch I don't like? Yes, the one's I haven't worked with until I've understood their beauty and usefulness. Oh, yes, and then there are the ones I failed to learned how to execute successfully. The french knot and the dove's eye immediately spring to mind. They are beautiful, I see their usefulness, but I don't like them. They give me fits when I do use them and I tend to avoid them as much as possible. I did this sampler as I first began to understand and work with the rice stitch. Darlene O'Steen's book The Proper Stitch helped me. She encouraged stitchers to try a different weight or color of thread for parts of the stitch once the basics were learned.

I am excited that this book is being republished and expanded. I'm sure it may be a help to so many stitchers who haven't a copy of the previous edition.

Border variations

2006-10-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry, that I used the peach backstitch, but had lots of fun with this.

Working left to right I started out with 4-over-4 cross stitches staggering over 2 and up (or down) 4 for the next cross stitch and switching directions every fourth stitch (counting that fourth stitch as the first stitch of the next group, too). I then worked 2-over-2 upright stitches to outline around the 4-over-4 stitches. Partial eyelets were then worked from bottom point of each upright cross stitch to the center point even with or deeper than or the height or depth of the embroidered points.

And around one of the eyelet centers I wrapped the thread under the eyelet rays and fasted the wrap down two threads from the eyelet's center. Why? For 3-D effect and I'm a little crazy with experimenting. I did try wrapping with out the lower fastening point but I didn't like it as well. And then half way through I dumped the center 4-over-4 center cross stitches. I wanted to do something different. Well, "different" does not of necessity equate to "better". I hate the peach. Another color or white just for texture might have worked. And perhaps 1-over-1 cross stitches in white instead of backstitches. Thread play, yes! I love it.

Factors

2006-10-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

(Click on chart to see details)

I've used this chart may times for planning my counted thread work.

Reading the top row think -- number of threads in linen or squares in aida
Reading the first column think -- number of threads in linen or squares in aida used for motif or repeat

For instance if you have a piece of material with 24 threads (find 24 in top row) available for a design you may have 2 repeats (find 2 in first column) of 12 threads each (intersection of row and column), 3 repeats of 8 threads each, 4 repeats of 6 threads each, 6 repeats of 4 threads each 8 repeats of 3 threads each or 12 repeats of 2 threads each. If using for repeats consider if there are any leading or ending threads needed. If using for motifs consider if you want space between the motifs.

For a band samplers repeats of 12, 8, 6, 4, 3 or 2 would all turn out evenly, excluding leading or ending threads, if any.

Fades from color to cream

2006-10-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

Top row 1st stitch down cream increasing until all cream
2nd row 2nd stitch cream increasing
3rd row 3rd stitch cream increasing
4th row 4th stitch cream increasing
5th row all stitches in color
6th row every other stitch cream

Design & random chance

2006-10-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

My design class is providing exercises to aid in stimulating new designs. Some of these techniques have been great; I've learned by doing. But others seem to me to reflect the exaultation of random chance. Perhaps it has to do with influence evolution theories have had in the many other disciplines including art.

I find myself with dubious expectations of best results based these controlled random chance exercises. Didn't Aaron's story to Moses run something along this line: I put the gold in the furnace and out came this golden calf? Well, it seems to me that the controlling part of the chance exercises are the best hope I have of any specatular results. I would welcome others' thoughts on these type of exercises. Have you encounter them? What were the results? How much control did you exercise over "chance" to get the results? Did you feel like you were bringing harmony out of disorder when you made adjustments? Or were you giving chance a helping hand? Do you see a difference between the insertion of chance into a design compared adding spontaneity?

More images

2006-10-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

This is just a design of play with a number of different ideas running around in my mind--a little bit of a number of techniques.

Below are some results of my recent interest in using more than one color thread in a stitch. I like the way that a thread matching the ground adds texture, can almost disappear or blots out part of a stitch of color on the ground. But then two colors contrasting with the ground in a stitch produce interesting results. They soften transition from one color area to another or may create almost a shadow affect. I am very much a beginner in exploring here.

Improvement on images

2006-10-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

Improvement gained and still needed. Hopefully a class on photographing needlework will be underway shortly. Otherwise my other fond option of a scanner will be in place!

Conclusion: I don't need batteries

2006-10-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

It is evident I don't need batteries for a camera; I need a scanner! I understand how those work. The camera is another matter. These are from doodle cloths. After looking in the dictionary, I think I'm going to drop that name.

A quote instead of photos

2006-10-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

Wanted to make a quick attempt at posting something from doodle cloths this evening but was curtailed by the low battery light coming on. A few pictures--postable? No!

Thought I post this quote instead. I've been thinking about it for a day or two now and how it may apply to needlework. It's from Itten's The Elements of Color p 18: If color is the chief vehicle of expression, composition must begin with color areas, and these will determine the lines. He who first draws lines and then adds color will never succeed in producing a clear, intense color effect. Colors have dimensions and directionality of their own, and dilineate areas in their own way.

I'm amazed by the immensity of the if clause. Do I concur? This man seems to have been marked by diligent study of color and impressed by it from youth.

Trial and error

2006-10-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

Still working on getting things sorted out.
Some texture squares on blue directly above--
lots of fun to stitch,
no fun to photograph.
And my first attempt at fabric postcards at the top.

Explore

2006-10-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Above are a couple of designs from the past few months. But what is on my doodle cloth is generally my favorite work. It's unedited, undeveloped but earnest exploration of stitches, designs. What is posted is done with the thought that it may be of help or interest to other needleworkers. Also I look for comments that either correct, refine or further my understanding of stitches and design.

I think it shall be a slow beginning as I begin to accustom myself to the techology and discipline involved. But I hope that as my understanding grows that it will be a more frequent, consistant record of the work.