SPRING CLEANING

Hi all!~

I've had a bit if a lapse in my posts because I have been moving. Sixteen years ago, when we moved into our current home, I had a 4 month old fourth son, and could barely see straight. Not much thought was given on how to use the space in our home, so now, after sixteen years of accumulation, I am pretending I am moving in for the first time. www.clutterdiet.com has been a wonderful resource, providing me with access to five certified professional organizers, and a searchable base of articles and tutorials, as well as a discussion forum full of wonderful people who provide ideas and support. So, my spring cleaning turned into a full time project!

Back to needlepoint: I am going to try something a bit different for the distant snow-covered hill in the Entourage stocking. The metallic silvers seemed too shiny, so I decided to try Accentuate #362. It may not work at all, but it is a nuetral which seemed to be in line with my shadows in the foreground.

Also, I will stitch the near tree and the decorated tree with an irregular continental in dark green vineyard silk with the lighter leaves in Kreinik #16, color 009HL. The highlighted branches will not be as light as painted, but I like the way the dark green contrasts with the distant trees and give the stocking some "punch". I MAY end up doing the name in the Kreinik 009HL on a white cuff. The irregular continental on the front tree, and perhaps a long and short on the back tree will cover the area rapidly, and any detailed stitch would be lost anyway in the dark color.

I miss my stitching and will be back soon. (I hope!!)
Kathy

RIPPING OUT (again)

I am takiing out the dark silver snow in the background and am going to try the same color as my other snow shadow areas. Perhaps with the smaller space I will like it now!

CHANGING THE DESIGN AGAIN...

The original edge of the snow area bothered me because it sloped upward and, when stitched in the shadow color, was brought to far forward. It also seemed to need to be continued on the other side of the wolf, and I didn't like that it went into the face of the wolf. So I ripped it out, and changed the line, lowering it and making it slope down just a bit. I replaced the fiber with Kreinik 025 #16, which is probably not the best, but was in my stash. I think it makes it fade out, but would be interested in your comments. I may still change it. I had to paint the area green so that the canvas did not show.

You can see how it was previously in the post titled:

"Off the Roller Bars"

ENTOURAGE PICTURES!

In the top right picture, the slide stitch variation was removed^^^^^^I replaced it with this straight stitch. A strong pattern works here, and I like the suggestion of boughs on the trees. I would have left the one exposed stitch between the straight stitches, but my son doesn't like exposed canvas. As it turns out, the I prefer it WITH the darker stitch over one, as the pattern is more defined. this is one of the stitches in my notebook from the SNS class I mentioned earlier.

FIREWORKS!!!

Fireworks went off when I picked up a package off the front doorstep that was shaped as if a stocking canvas could fit inside!!

Yes!! It was a stocking that I ordered from Amy's Golden Strand, complete with threads. (see link to the right for Amy's website) I had previously ordered her stitch guide for it. I am so excited!!!

If you click on the title to this post, you can go straight to the Tapestry Tent image of AXS 375. Talk about a motivation to finish the Entourage stocking!! I can't wait!!

does anyone know the name of this stocking?

PS I toook the picture above with an instant Canon camera, on the fourth of July 2008. I had no idea I could capture fireworks on that tiny camera in the dark!!

OUT WITH IT

I am also taking out Santa's sleeve, opting for a better color metallic and a smoother fiber for the matte.

Wondering about the picture above? that building was being demolished!

the purple?? who knows??

have fun!
KK

RIPPING OUT

I am taking out the sliding variation stitch from the distant trees on the Entourage stocking. Although I had tried several leaf-type stitches, I was unhappy with them in wool. So, I tried the sliding variation, in Watercolors, but thought the diagonals were too prominent. That is what I am ripping out.

I've realized that I was really wanting was a stitch that didn't show the individual branches. Rather, I would like for the stitch to just create the impression of branches in the viewer's mind. I love the color of the wool, but had not been able to "make it work".

Since I am taking a notebook class through the Shining Needle Society on stitches that would be good for Christmas: "Christmas Stitches I" taught by Beth Robertson and Suzanne Howren, I decided to use a bargello stitch featured in that class. I have LOTS going on in this stocking already!! The bargello should fade into the backgound, which is what I want. I may add a darker stitch over one in between the rows.

Pictures tomorrow....I hope!

Kathy