Mind Games

Hi everyone,

It's been busy around here and time flies between posts.  I finished the second ornament from our ANG Chapter Book - I think it turned out great.

Then, while I was trying to decide what to do next I picked up the Seminar magazine with all those great classes in it.  I don't think I can actually go to seminar, but I did sign up for a Correspondence class...blackwork peonies.  This is also referred to as Elizabethan Blackwork because it was introduced to England by Catherine of Aragon and was popular during the time of Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth.  I love the fact that you can take a very simple pattern and manipulate it into an elegant design.

I just started the blackwork HOMEWORK which has to be done before you jump in to the real piece so here are my first photos of my practice blackwork.  You have to have a plan (and actually think) when you stitch so you drag as little thread as possible on the back as you work the design.   I am moving from dark on the left to light on the right just by adding or subtracting design elements.  It's all done with 2 ply of black floss.

And here is a photo of the "person" who thinks I am nuts and wants to go outside!

See you soon,

Linda

The Dog Ate My Homework

What's left of my stitch guide

Hi,

I was just sitting outside stitching and minding my own business when a GUST of wind blew my stitch guide off the table and before I could yell "Emily!" she had grabbed it and run off, all the while trying to EAT it!  (Wow that's a run on sentence)  So when some child in your family comes up with the excuse "the dog ate my homework" it might just be true!!

But she did give me my next blog post idea :)

Here is the next ANG ornament that we are working on at our chapter meeting...

It's pattern couching (that's the section in the middle).  You lay down one thread - here the gold kreinik and couch down a pattern with the other thread - here the red floss.  I have named this my Pope ornament since it's red and white and gold.

My other example of pattern couching is on my Panda Santa canvas which is a big WIP.  The pattern couching is on the coat - it looks like brocade when you're done.

And here's a little WIP that's almost done- love the background.

Have a happy weekend,

Linda