Adorn

quick, quick, it's a SALE!!

>> January 17, 2014 – etsy, sale

I just uploaded a slew of some of my best designs onto my ETSY shop. They are on sale at 30% off, while supplies last!

quick, quick!!

Growing in our home.

>> January 12, 2014 – Interiors, philadelphia, shopping, thoughts

Funny how at times I find myself very moved, thoughtful, emotional, all brought on by pondering what I perceive as the emotions of my plants. We have a wall of windows, northern exposure, all along one side of our loft. The windows are not very well insulated and they can be very cold to the touch in wintertime. And yet, my orchids and succulents seem to thrive on the ledges of these windows. These desert and humid weather plants, looking out at the bleak winter on the other side of our windows, sprout new growth even in the coldest of days. The succulents cling to the windows, using them as aides as they climb upwards and out into the winter light of the north. It makes me admire them. They adapt, they use what is there, they don't give up, they continue toward light and life. It struck me, this morning, how they are all showing new growth, that light, full bodied, green new growth. It warms my heart, it makes me so proud of my strong willed plants. Is that a crazy sentence? It's what I feel.

So proud of you guys!!

But this is the most beautiful flower of all, growing in our home. Nina asked to buy a kimono so she could wear it at home. The two of us visited Chinatown yesterday, in the pouring rain, and found this kimono at the bazaar. It may be a Chinese version of a Japanese kimono, but she loves it. In fact, I hear her in the background, playing with her Wii game while wearing it. My Nina always provides us with the most amazing combos...

I treated myself!

>> January 8, 2014 – art, food, thoughts

to some new books!

First on the culinary side I purchased Jerusalem, a cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. I've fallen in love with Yotam's books, I already have 2 others but this one has the most spectacular photographs. The dishes are so beautifully put together, you can smell them through the pages. Best of all are the photographs of Jerusalem, the markets, the cafes, the piles of produce, ahhhhh. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but visually it was worth every penny.
Next I purchased The Smitten Kitchen by Deb Perelman. She has a delightful cooking blog, she's got a great sense of humor and makes you want to try making her dishes. Here I can say that I've already tried a few and they are FAB! (Sesame-spiced turkey meatballs and smashed chickpea salad YUM!)

Then I purchased two books on Illuminated Letters! I'm so excited to sit and semi read - semi study and drool over these two books. I've always loved looking at those big first capital letters but never knew they had a name and techniques to achieve them. It so much fun delving into some slightly obscure, extremely specific, it's like shedding another layer off of life.

Moving along...

>> January 4, 2014 – designs in progress, new designs, new needlepoint, thoughts

I'm working on a big commission piece, I'm charting a design and working on multiple colorways for the design, I'm shipping orders, but at the end of everyday, I try to get a little stitching done on my piece below, (see here and here as well).

If you look carefully at the corner where the borders meet, you can see that the compensation needs to be tweaked. The first "draft" of a new design, the first canvas, always needs tweaking. That's what happens when I chart it on the computer. That's where I can fix all the little problems and bring the piece to symmetry.

Btw, no name for this piece yet. Hmmmmm

Happy New 2014!

>> January 3, 2014 – thoughts

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.”