Adorn: 2013

Understanding a design's progression.

>> December 23, 2013 – artists process, designs in progress, new designs, thoughts

I seldom remember to document the progress of a design, so I'm going to make the effort to remember with this number. Stitching is something I try to do daily, but it's not always possible. Many days, by the time I get to my stitching time, after 8:00 in the TV room, I am too tired. But the truth is that there are periods when it's a matter of mood. I just can't bring myself to pick up the stretcher bars. I'm not inspired, I'm not "feeling" it. I've just gone through a period of not being able to stitch. I couldn't force myself, and I shouldn't force myself. I've decided I always need to pickup the canvas with anticipation and excitement. It must be a must! Well, it's back and as the magic 8:00 pm hour comes around I get excited.

Progress on a new design is slow. I am never, ever, too lazy to tear something out when I'm not happy with it. I don't care how much work it is to tear out, or how much progress I've made. I want to feel that every new section is "right" before I move on.

First stage of design

Second stage of design

Sometimes I don't like how the next step looks but I can feel the difference between: it's NEVER going to look good, or: it may not look good now but with the next steps I have in mind, it will fall into place. That's how I felt with this piece when I added the green diagonal braids. I had a feeling that with the green Jessicas I added on either side of the diagonal braids, being that they were symmetrical, they would turn the side sections of these squares into significant parts of the design, rather than just endings of the central section.

We are going away tomorrow for the rest of the year. I will be taking this piece with me, as well as my camera, and I will document my progress.

Strange, very strange.

>> December 14, 2013 – artists process, color, designs in progress, experimenting, Interiors

I find this a little spooky. The first photo is of my new living room rug. Just got it in yesterday. The second photo is of a piece I've been working on for about a week. Do you see a resemblance in the colors, and shapes, or is it just me? It's so strange because I didn't set out to use the same colors nor was I looking to reproduce the shapes. I didn't really notice the resemblance until just now!

Hmmmm, I don't know about this... kinda spooky.

FLASH SALE, FLASH SALE!

>> December 10, 2013 – colorways, etsy, sale, threads

I need to have air circulation, I hate having stacks of stuff on the floor, and I love to see clear surfaces.

HA! Not happening! See what I mean???

You can see how bad things have gotten in these two photos -

Circa 2011

Circa NOW!

We need room!!

SO we start with a little FLASH Sale.

Our Nightshade Cuff and Ocean Cuff are both on sale.

While supplies last we are offering them at 25% off = $30 each.

Check out our Etsy site for the cuffs along with some new Color Conversation Kits.

Thank you!

Thank you, you color enablers, you!

>> December 5, 2013 – color, color ideas, colorways, creativity, etsy, fiber art, silk thread, trends

The new silk Color Conversation boxes have been so well received, thank you all! I am always humbled by your endorsement of my love of color. We have been replenishing our Etsy shop, trying to keep new and fresh combination offerings. Here are some new ones along with their inspiration. Can you blame me for my addiction to coming up with new and exciting silk conversations?

“While the 2013 color of the year, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

OUR RADIANT ORCHID

As winter creeps in, how about a reminder of summer?

SUMMER SQUASH

HERE COMES THE MOON

OVERCAST

The Duchess of Argyll

CHEEKS

FRESH MOSS

More to come... check these and others at the ETSY Shop

New Silk Color Conversations

>> December 3, 2013 – creativity, fiber art, needleart, needlepoint kit, new items, silk thread, threads

I am a great admirer of the lovely, color-saturated Planet Earth fibers. They are a delight to stitch with and when you combine them with free instructions on how to craft a beautiful color-block cuff, you have a perfect marriage. Just perfect!

Scroll on down to see a few of the available "color conversations". They are presented in a clear box and topped off with pearls, crystals, or Czech glass beads; whip cream on a tasty dessert.

You will find these "color conversations" on my Etsy site, ready to be plucked. Check them out HERE!

Color Conversation Kits with instructions in envelope.

Wanna blow your mind?

>> November 29, 2013 – art, artists process

The artist Valeriya Kutsan (a make-up artist who makes art on faces), collaborated with Alexander Khokhlov, (a photographer of great talent), and together they came up with this, these are all actual faces, just paint on faces!...

Just blows my mind!!

OH! and don't forget the new Ornament design available on our Etsy site!

HANGING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS - NEW KIT!!!

>> November 25, 2013 – colorways, diy, fiber art, holidays, needleart, needlepoint, needlepoint kit, new designs, new items, new needlepoint, shopping, ultrasuede

My book "My Point Exactly" has sold out. Over 8000 copies are gone, ( just a few left for me). I hate to see the designs from the book go to needlepoint heaven not to be seen again, right? Therefore...

The first of them, "FORTUNE" is back as a kit, or instruction booklet only, on my Etsy site. It comes in three colorways and is perfect, just perfect, as a holiday project, a stitched piece for a dear friend, or a gift in the form of a kit, for a fellow stitcher.

Sunshine

The instructions come with detailed stitching illustrations and charts as well as instructions for finishing the piece as shown in these photos. The Ultrasuede backing, the beads and a template that aides in getting the attractive shape, all included. Fibers, canvas are there as well.

The kit includes all the goodies!! Start with canvas, fibers, (silk overdyes, ribbon and metallics), glass beads, Ultrasuede for backing, (really yummy colors), and the lovely instructions.

If you know anything about me, you know that one of my fetishes is presentation. For this holiday season I had beautiful Adorn wrapping paper made in order to offer each item perfectly wrapped, ready to go! If you'd like your purchase wrapped, just send us a note!

Is finishing not for you? You can send it on over to us. We will be happy to finish it for you, we just can't promise it for the holidays, sorry... ($40 for the finishing). Send us a note for more information.

So, like I said... right here on Etsy.

Symmetry playground, it's a blast!

>> November 24, 2013 – artists process, creativity, experimenting

I picked 8 photos and cropped them into different shapes. Then I put them together to form a rectangle of all the photos in random order. Next I flipped and mirrored to make four symmetrical quadrants. And this is what I got. Oh my, I can smell another addiction!!