Bargello Button Debut

I have spent part of the last two days getting the Bargello Button project ready for its debut. Everything is set, or on order, and the first kits will be ready to ship within 10 days. I hope to make this the first of several and will be very glad to hear what everyone thinks about it. You have certainly read enough about it I'm sure....and wondered when I would ever finish! So...........here it is with a link to its new page.

   

I've also been talking about making the instruction book 1/2 size and binding it with the Zutter Bind-it-All and above is the result. It fits just perfectly in the tote bag which comes with the kit and has a firm back to set in your lap while stitching (sports practice, dance classes, waiting for the plane???, etc).

Painting the Shorebird

I have been finishing up the Bargello/Beginning Needlepoint Project this week and it now has its official name:  Bargello Button.  It will be added to the website next week.  All that is left is to decide on the final binding for the instruction book.  I was able to borrow my daughter's Zutter Bind-it-all, but she didn't have any wire.  But she was able to find some more of the great button I used for the center of the design.  So the wire was duly ordered and arrived yesterday.  Now I can practice with this new machine (for me) and get a few instruction books ready for next week.   I really like the new small format and am anxious to hear what people think.  I'll post a few pages when it's done.  

 

The last few days I've been working on painting the Shorebird canvas.  I posted the sketch on my last blog entry.  I didn't want it to be solid colors but more of a colorwashed effect, so i used Luminarte's Primary Elements Polished Pigments for the sky/water and sand dunes.  I mixed two colors together for the sky/water and then added a third color for the horizon.  I also mixed two colors together for the sand dunes. The pigments are mixed with Simple Solutions #1, which is for fabric.  But, yes, it still needs to be heat set. 

   

However I first used Copic Ciao markers and Fabric markers to indicate the California Poppies and clover.  Then I heat set the canvas with the iron on the highest setting for a few minutes. 

Much of the canvas will only be partially covered with stitching so the uneven watercolor effect was what I was going for.  The Avocet himself (or her?) will be stitched with solid blocks of pattern in each of the three main areas on the body.   

    

If anyone wants more details on technique, the pigment colors, marker colors, brushes used, etc, please contact me. 

Now....... that's cleaned up and next to work on coloring those knitting yarns I keep talking about.  I'm really looking forward to it! The collection of threads for this next project has really been growing in the last few weeks.  I found three additional threads this week at the new card and gift shop which just opened in a shopping center close to me......great ribbons.  However, these are more woven thread than ribbon and have metallic in them and sequins sewn on every inch or so.  Very fun!  Finding new and different threads and such is what really gets me enthused!

So here is wishing everyone good holiday shopping, or baking, or tree decorating  (that's us) this weekend. 

Bargello and Retreat Updates

Thanksgiving at our house was all about the food or just relaxing in front of the television. Nothing fancy but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  It was just nice to have everyone together as we won't all be together for Christmas or New Years. 

With Thanksgiving being late this year Christmas really is just around the corner!  The first holiday luncheon is this Thursday and lots of holiday boutiques are scheduled for this weekend.....so it's time for me to get with it and bring out those holiday decorations. 

I have had several requests for the Bargello/Beginning Needlepoint Instruction Book and will finally begin writing the instructions this week and plan to have it completed by early next week.  In addition to making the directions half-size (5-1/2 X 8-1/2) instead of the normal page size, I am trying to decide on the final binding.  I want these instructions to be very portable and compact.....for an easy take-along project.  Anyway....look for it soon on the website. 

This weekend I worked on the sketch for the mini project for the Stitchers Retreat.  It will be only 3" X 6" and I plan to watercolor the canvas except for the bird and flower ground foliage, which will be the main stitched elements.  The bird is an Avocet wearing its breeding colors.  This is one of several shorebirds which are very familiar along the California coast from Monterey Bay to San Francisco. 

My other stitching over this past week has been on next year's In Stitches column in NeedlePointer.  As I have been doing so much research into tile and brick patterns for the Mediterranean Squares, I thought to begin an intermittent series on small tile patterns.  Right now I am focusing on the design elements of the Mediterranean rim....which are very extensive....but later hope to expand to other areas.  I am having a great time with these projects. 

Needless to say I didn't get to my painting of the knitting yarn but that must happen next week as I begin work on the overall design.   Nothing like an ironclad deadline to get one going.   

No matter how busy it gets this month, it good to fit in some personal time.  I've actually started an actual appointment of 2 hours personal time a week.  Have a great week.