I figured the big reveal of my improved and lovely studio would only work if you could see the temporary quarters. So I’m showing you everything, just as it was yesterday afternoon. That’s my “desk” above. And yes, it is folding table with lots of stuff underneath. The bins have my color cards, the box more or less working documents. Being a table, there really isn’t much space for computer and printer and notebook, but I am managing. It does make me wish I’d spent more and bought a flat screen. I should also note the chair in the corner is a stitching chair and with the two windows it has great light. WIPs I’m currently working on are next to it and I have a Bargello footstool and my floor stand. Next we see the main feature of the room, the chandelier and tower of boxes. This is supposed
Monthly Archive:: January 2009
A monochrome color scheme can be defined quite simply. It is based on a single color. In fact, the name literally tells you that “mono” – one – “chromatic” – of color. To create a monochrome scheme, like the one in Winter Stars, you need shades of one color, and can include black, white, and/or gray. The single color can be a color from the color wheel, such as green, plus shades, tints and tones of that color. It can also be defined more narrowly, using only one kind of green, yellow-green for example, along with shades, tints and tones of that color. When you use a monochromatic color scheme, you narrow down the color, so other aspects of thread become more important. The value (lightness and darkness) of the colors chosen is more apparent. This is why monochrome color schemes are so popular for Bargello, as in the example
If you thought about it, you’d be surprised how often skies appear in needlepoint. And, at least to me, they are always challenging to stitch. I’ve tried several different approaches. 1. Using a patterned stitch. I like Nobuko for this and have used it for skies in many pieces, including the SF Heart. I also have used it for a Sundance mission and for one of Amanda Lawford’s Russian villages (stitch guide available from me soon) 2. Use a hand-dyed thread and a simple darning pattern. I love the open look of this sky. By changing the color you can get a brilliant or overcast sky. Because it’s a flatter stitch than Basketweave the sky looks farther away. This sky is from a piece available from me of a Napa Valley landscape. 3. Use contrasting textures in thread to make a patterned sky, I used this approach in the Cat’s
The alternate name for this post could be “What I Learned NOT to Do.” This is a vintage In Good Company stocking which is my current Sunday Stitching project. I started stitching it in the usual way, focal points first, then background. I’m using Silk Lame and Panache for the pink and blue. I started with the pink, no problem (or so I thought), but as soon as I added the blue I ran into difficulties. Because, you see, Panache is a delicate thread. In general I avoid threads which are delicate and which snag easily. My skin is so dry that even with lotion, the threads snags. So things like Trebizond, for example, I avoid. So my first tip is moisturize your hands if you use delicate threads. My second tip is always tape the edges. They will make your thread snag if the canvas edge is bare. But