Apr 6, 2009

BACKGROUND CHECK

I actually worked on three separate pieces this weekend! I don't think I've done that in quite some time, and since it was completely un-planned, I enjoyed it immensely.

On Friday night, I worked on the lattice stitch background of "Daisy Collage". I managed to get the left side finished:Stitching this background inspired me to try this stitch on my Rainbow Birds canvas. When we last left our heroine, she was frustrated at the amount of time it was taking her to stitch the slanted gobelin behind the birds. After some careful frogging, we now have a much more interesting background:My plan is to find the perfect purple ribbon for that border, and then I think I might use black beads for the eyes. I changed the feet and legs to Flair (kel soo preese) and I think a little more sparkle is just what these girls need. Oh, and because I learned that it doesn't make any sense at all to have a piece just fall off the edges of the canvas (thanks LJP!), I think I might add a funky border to this using all of the colors of the birds...maybe a checkerboard-type effect?

Saturday dawned bright and early and Aunt Chrissy and I headed out to a craft show (my very first). We had a splendid time, and I purchased this:Isn't it lovely? This was made by Pam Lim of Heart Felt, Hand Made. The fabric is gorgeous wool, which I think might be from Weeks Dye Works. The stitching is perfectly done in variegated thread, and the colors IRL are just so pretty. I can't wait to see more of Pam's work at the next show! Woo Hoo!

Yesterday's stitching was "Easter Parade". I have to confess that I was really frustrated by how hard it was for me to follow the chart. I finally broke out the photocopy and highlighter so that I wouldn't have parts in the wrong places and have to frog them again, (a' la Strawberry Garden):

I'm hoping that I might finish this one up this week and then find a cool ready-made frame for it at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Then I can display it for ten minutes before putting it back into the "Easter Stitching" box.

Stewey is pouty today. We got a few inches of snow overnight and he awoke completely unprepared. During a fit of seasonal cleaning, he sent all of his winter gear to storage, so he had to brave the cold without his wool muff or little snow boots. I'm not sure that he spent more than two seconds out on the back porch before he came back in, so I better go check the drapes. Damn dog.

15 comments:

  1. Looking good....Oh poor Stewey, but at least he didn't have to have a 'belly band' strapped to him......Could be worse!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the new background on the chicks. Can't wait to see your new and improved border!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Coni, I love your Daisy WIP and your Easter Parade (it was hard to follow, I agree) and that wool chick and eggs...I think I'm VERY jealous of that :)
    AND I want to thank you for your story e-mail that you sent me...I laughed until I nearly peed my pants :)
    Hugs and love!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the daisy progress. This is so not close to anything I stitch (I'm not much of a canvas girl myself), but I'll tell you that I think you should stitch the poppy version next because I saw it at the needlework store recently and immediately thought it would look fabulous with your nearly completed daisies. (Want to hire me as your needlework personal shopper?)

    Love the new background on the birdies. And, despite my aforementioned lack of expertise on all projects canvas, I will totally vote for your multicolored checkerboard border, so add that to your list, too!

    Now, why are you still reading this? Don't you have some stitching to do?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Busy, busy weekend, but rewarding too!
    Like the birds' background...I now like to use open backgrounds on canvas after all those solid tend stitched backgrounds I used to do.
    Tell Stewey Spring WILL be here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. About your Rainbow Birds - did this come with a stitch guide or did you make it up or what. I love your birds.

    Rebecca L.

    ReplyDelete
  7. lol Stewie....a nappy is next! The chicken, eggs and nest is beautiful....your stitching is stunning as always!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like your idea of putting a checkerboard border around your purple line....Do you have a rainbow-colored variegated thread you could use for the checks - with more dark purple in the alternate checks? Then it would pick up the rainbow birds and the variegated colors would "flow" and create color movement around the border too.... Just a thought for you to consider .....but I'm lovin' those colorful birds - and of course, your delightful daisis too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow - that new background really makes your chicks pop! As always, I bow to your amazing stitching abilities!! (goes without saying that I'll always bow to Stewie too!! - he's just too cute for his own good - I wish my smile looked as good as his!!) :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. There are times when one simply must get out the pencil or highlighter to keep those frogs away - I have to do it a lot. :)

    All your projects are coming along beautifully, Coni!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely stitching, those birds are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rainbow birds looks wonderful with that stitch in the background, and Easter Parade is looking so cute. I have that in my stash to do sometime too. Poor Stewey, winter did sneak back again. My Jaz was thrilled to see the snow when it came again (I soooo do not share her love of the stuff), so she's been bummed the last couple of days when it's been so much nicer.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  14. Just found you blog and your needlework is WONDERFUL!

    ReplyDelete