finally!!!

I finally got over my resistance to stitching the tree trunks of the aspen(?) trees. I've worked these in the knotted stitch, which is one of my favorites, and is easy to compensate. I've also almost completed the limbs of two front trees, worked in leaf stitch of vineyard silk with dark green balger highlights.

I've decided to do a band between the cuff and the lower stocking in the same dark green balger, probably in a large scotch, and then do Tripp's name in navy balger on a field of white vineyard silk. I still need to graph the name and transfer it to the stocking, matching his father's lettering.

I am working Santa's bag in blue suede brick stitch , skipping one because I cannot fit the suede into the same hole, and may go in with some bling, pehaps a brown floss or something to make it more intricate. The painting was faulty for the toys in the bag--I think it wasn't finished, because there were white areas, so I sharpied them in with black, and will decide what to do with it.

I hope to get some pictures up soon, but wanted you to know I am working!! I only have 6 weeks to my finishing deadline!!

background snow

I'm happy with the color of the background snow! To remind you, I thought all the silvers has too much "zip", the highlights were too glittery, unnatural for shadow areas. so, I used 7 strands of Accentuate, 4 of #389 which is a light blue, and 3 of #362, which is a khaki. Together they gave me the greenish cast from the trees that would be evident in the shadow in real life. the light picks up a shine, but no highlights like the shadows in the foreground.

take care,
Kathy

Entourage

The Entourage stocking has been taken off the large stretcher bars, and is going back on the roller bars. I have found I just don't like working on the large frame, and thus haven't done much.

I'm returning to Mexico next week, and taking the stocking with me. This time I WILL sticth, as we are going to relax!!

My spring cleaning/clearance is over for now, the "den" has been created from the room with the pool table, and now the focus is on this stocking (if I can find my roller bars!). I've promised completion for THIS Christmas (not next year).

take care!!
Kathy

San Miguel de Allende

Well, physically i am back, but my heart is still in Mexico! San Miguel is unfortunately almost deserted, the usual tourist scared off by national media that has always given Mexico a "bum wrap", but especially now, with the national media focusing on the gang violence. ummm--- we have gang violence in the US also, no?

Well in San Miguel, local businesses are suffering. the "high season" is July and August, and from hotel reports, things will improve. I only saw one person who even appeared to have a cold, so the swine flu is not an issue.

San Miguel is lovely, a bit hotter and drier than usual, but otherwise just as romantic and tactile as ever. We are actually trying to purchase a home down there, so my focus on decorating my home in Midland has taken a back seat to questions such as which paintings would fit where, and what furniture will go---in the event that we are able to come to terms with the seller.

Eventually, we will own a home in San Miguel--if not this one, then another. It will be a rental home, with top of the line linens, a full service staff, and amenities that make our guests feel they are in a 5 star facility. Perhaps we will even have needlepoint stands and magnifying lights? I cannot imagine a better spot for a group of friends to gather and reaquaint, and stitch.

San Miguel is a colonial town which is the spot for destination weddings, Santa Fe Photography workshops, multiple painting worshops, and while we were there hosted exemplary acoustical guitarists and opera singers! Last year, the Buddhist monks were visiting.

As well as a shopper's paradise, it has some wonderful restaurants. We ate at a restaurant in an old hacienda called Ristorante da Andrea, with delectable homemade Italian pasta and fresh entrees. Because we were house hunting, I missed the local "tuesday market" where last year I picked up some antique brands, which I discovered after I had given them to one of my sons for Christmas, were brands of his initials. Some things are meant to be. Granted, you have to watch your wallet at the tuesday market. And, I never wear jewelry in Mexico other than my wedding band.

I also found the workshop for the jewelry line: Virgins, Saints, and Angels. I discovered that the unmarked location is one I had walked past almost every day in the last 3 summers. Wholesale prices are not available, but 20 % off is nice!

Yes, I took the Nativity pieces, and no, I did not place even a single stitch!! I am just way too excited and focused on these other things. But, I did purchase a panel with adorable Italian angels on ebay. eventually they will end up in Mexico!
the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190315155382&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

I like an ecletic decor, and discovered a US design team's book in a small bookstore in San Miguel that I highly recommend. It's Briger + Briger, who have a wonderful design philosophy, and gorgeous interiors as shown in the book. ISBN is 978-0-8478-2999-6 The lake house shown in the book is in Valle de Bravo, 2 hours from Mexico city, playground for wealthy Mexicans.

Stitching? yes, eventually....

Update

hi!!

I am off to San Miguel BEFORE dawn for a week. I decided to take my Bunger Nativity series with me, which reminds me i need to find the stitch guides(!)Since I am only half way through baby Jesus, I bet I win the prize for the one furthest behind. I guess it really isn't my fault. It has to do with the way I was raised. It's all my mother's fault!!! right?


Just kidding!! My spring cleaning turned into a spring clearance (you know, just like at the mall---just get it all outta here). And then I discovered the Cote de Texas blog, and that was it. I have been on a designing binge for the last 3 weeks, browsing all these beautiful blogs with gorgeous French decor and lots of burlap. they have tablescape Fridays, and even had a burlap party, where each blogger used burlap in some creative way. I didn't enter in, but it did give me the idea to add ivory burlap curtains in the rooom I am redoing. We already had shutters, but at $1.50 a yard from Hobby Lobby, and no hems, I can't wait til the fabric arrives! I just wanted something to soften the bay window a bit.

I've never been any good at decorating, but maybe I just have never paid attention. I highly recommend the design blogs!! try Mrs. Blandings also.

Back to needlepoint---the Entourage stocking is staying home. the snow would melt if I took it to Mexico in the summer. Grizzle would complain the whole time, and funny bunny would step on cactus thorns. Or, the housekeeper might pick it up with oily hands, or the drug cartel might steal it. I would pay lots to get it back:))

Anyway, Doc is still trying to help Mr. White in rehab. Therapy takes a long time, you know! that's why I quit--my life isn't long enough!

Anyway, I figured baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph were appropriate to take to San Miguel. their pictures are everywhere (unlike our public buildings and schools); they are famous! now, if I could just find an antique Santo for sale....

robin, amy, AM I the furthest behind? or is there anyone who hasn't started yet?

take care all!!
Kathy

snow shadows

I love what I have discovered for the receding background shadows on the snow covered hill. It is a mix of accentuates that turned out to be a color I had no idea would evolve!! I will post tomorrow the colors and the result. I think it results from pointillism~~ tricking the eye!!

gn,
Kathy

well....ALMOST back to stitching

Hi!!! I have missing you ALL sooo much!!!

Our textbook grandson was christened yesterday, I have finished two sets of invitations which tapped my creativity, the painters are REPAINTING the walk-in closets in my soon to be DEN, I finished my biannual checkup at MDAnderson, and if I can get my son off to Mexico in a week with international phone service, traveler's checks, and Tamiflu---well, then I might be able to actually make some progress in my stitching!!

"Doc" went with me to Houston for my checkup. (It was appropriate to take him--he was getting restless from no human contact. I think that is called "neglect") He was a bit intimidated among the finest oncologists in the country and hid during my exam, in his plastic tote. At least, he thought he was hiding, but the world could see him--ha!!! Anyway, I stitched some of his background.

I have started putting in the back snow area on my Entourage stocking. All the metallic silvers were too shiny for a shaded area, so I am trying Accentuate #362, which gives the dulled silver that should recede. I will see how it works and post the picture if I like it. It has a bit of a metallic khaki tinge which should work well with my other fiber colors.

XXL Zip Loc Bags

It doesn't rain in Midland, Texas---ever. so, I was caught quite by surprise in austin one day with my stocking stretched on 28in bars and a drizzle coming from the sky! (Grizzle didn't much like the drizzle!!)

Here's a trick many of you might want to know about, because next time I will be better prepared. Ziploc makes an XXL bag with handles at the top which comes in a box of 3. Each is 2 ft x 2.7 ft. don't confuse it with their XL tote. this one fold up flat. I plan to keep one in my stitching bag JUST IN CASE!! It takes up NO room at all!

here's the link, and scroll down to find the product:

http://www.ziploc.com/?sid=SEM&cid=GOOGLE

Next week I will be back!!
Kathy

EBAY

Whomever invented Ebay should have also invented a 30 hour day!!! how can I possibly decrease my stash when I am seeing such nice canvases going for next to nothing?? how can I possibly stitch everything I want to when I keep adding new canvases?

I added two medieval canvases:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=320368769054
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=320368769992

I imagine these are printed on interlock, but will see when they arrive.

I am selling two gorgeous Peter Ashe canvases, the Mallard and the Quail, ending later today.

(you can search on ebay and find them)

In my effort to "clear the clutter" from my home, I am also considering how to do the same for my time. We all need to consider how to spend more time on our priorities(actual stitching, for example), and less on extraneous time robbers(browsing ebay(!))...Something I know I need to do anyway!!!

Kathy
PS Today is my BDay!!! 21 again!!

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

WHAT KIDS CAN DO TO CANVAS

this post on Janet Perry's blog sure rang true for me.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/?p=1819

Why does a mother of four VERY active sons needlepoint? Because, unlike my home, it stays where you put it, it has a basic organization, it's beautiful, and it relaxes me!

I remember when my son George decided to cut something on my desk when he was young. He used a Swiss Army knife and just HAPPENED not to move the beautiful angel needlepoint canvas that was on my desk, resulting in a six inch slice through it. I've kept that canvas for some reason! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately!) children grow up. I've also kept the egg he painted on canvas. It's mainly blobs of paint.

so, thanks Janet! I can stitch this canvas after all. But, I wonder if I would prefer just framing it and giving it to George.

FAVORITE ITEM OF THE WEEK

I am starting something new, and will post my favorite accessory, thread, or other "Item of the Week"

This week my favorite is the mega plastic tote bag (30in x 20in!!). This is perfect for travel if you have something large on stretcher bars, or are carrying multiple projects, lights, etc. I love the fact that it is waterproof and zips on top. I feel very secure that my needlework is protected. I purchased two of them!

Now, when you are not using it for needlepoint, it makes a great dog carrier for your Great Dane. Heck, you could even put your grandchild in there if he is throwing you for a loop, but I don't think you should zip him in!! darn!

You can find these at Amy's Golden Strand and The Needleworks.

Kathy

ESTATES

What will happen to your completed needlepoint items when you pass on? I am not trying to be MOROSE, but those DYEING threads (Threads to DYE For) with names like cadaver, casket, and autopsy spark the question.

Will your kids or grandkids fight over them, or worse, will one of them just take them? Will they put your Christmas ornaments in a box in the garage with the rest of the decorations, feeding those poor hungry moths?

Well, something I did about 2 years ago may be of interest to some of you (is anyone reading this?) My tree was full of decorations! I could hardly identify my needlepoint treasures--had to really look for them. I decided that since two of my children were now married and had relatively sparsely decorated trees, it might be nice for them to have some of my needlepoint ornaments, RIGHT NOW. I had over 20 ornaments, and four sons, so I took a picture of each ornament, and created a Picasa web album. We drew straws for the order, and then we emailed each other as to whose turn it was and each son selected their favorites. Once completed, I took the chosen ornaments to the two older sons, and am keeping the ones for the unmarried sons here.

The nice part of this was how much FUN it was for them AND FOR ME!! I could see how much they appreciated my many hours of stitching. THEY know which ones are theirs, and I have the opportunity to make sure they take good care of them, storing them appropriately. The two older ones will have them on their own tree for my grandchildren to enjoy from the time they can remember, and so my needlepoint will be even more special to the grandchildren.

Even if you do not distribute them now, I recommend this procedure so that the "choosing" part doesn't come in a time of stress.

I think this is a much better way to divvy up precious needlework, than to risk hard feelings after I am gone. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Kathy

OFF THE ROLLER BARS

It's awesome to see it all stretched out! I feel like my "baby" has moved from a crib to a big bed! I can't seem to get a good picture of the whole stocking, but it is on stretcher bars.