DAHLIA....AND MORE!

We have been having cool weather here in San Francisco for the last several days.  Cool enough I have had the heater on up until about 2 in the afternoon.  When I say cool it gets down to about 50 at night and up to about 65 during the day.  Now, last week it was up to almost 90.  For us that is really hot and of course, and most homes here have no air conditioning....just offices and the bigger stores and restaurants.  It's definitely what you get used to.....I went to school in Houston and that's hot. 

Just a note I have finally completed the instruction book for Dahlia and the kit is now available.  It's the fourth (and final) design of the Silk Ribbon Flower Series.....in this size.  Hopefully next year I can begin a new series as these were so much fun to design and stitch. 

I am always so happy to receive feedback from stitchers in my workshops with pictures of finished questions and/or comments about the design.  Lyn Y. of Canada just received her Winter Frost purse back from the finisher and plans to carry it a  wedding this summer.  Thank you Lyn for sending a photo which will find a permanent home in the Stitchers Gallery (coming soon).  Just beautiful stitchng!! 

 

Lately I have been staying up a little later than usual.  This seems to be the time for instruction books, both new ones and revisions for the new classes to be taught at seminar in September.  All the pilots have ended and feedback is coming in....about thread quantities, graph comments (for all sorts of issues), comments on the written portions, etc.  Now don't get me wrong....I really look forward to receiving the feedback.  Good instructions...more enjoyable classes for everyone!

  But anyway, I was checking my email one last time....about midnight....and McCall (our daughter and zoo keeper) sent pictures of the Scissors Fob and Needle Threader Set she had promised for the website.  Actually she sent two, but here is a picture of my favorite.  Just a soon as I have them actually in hand I'll be adding them.  Aren't they pretty?! 

Now I must go.  I've just started a new book.  Normally I just read in bed at night but today I must sneak in a little extra reading....Hit and Run by Lawrence Block. 

THE FLOWER DIAMONDS NECKROLL PILLOW

Unbelievable!  I received a call last Friday my project was ready for pick up at Marlene's.  I had to wait all weekend....but I knew they would do a great job....just anxious to see it! The pillow could have been finished with an almost infinite number of color combinations but I think this combination is very nice.  I had initially thought of tassels but this end treatment seems more appropriate.  There are 5 shades of silk and the custom cording with only 3 really visible in this shot.  The flower button is 2 colors.    Of course, the design wraps completely around and the horizontal bands match up along the seam.  That was the plan, but one is never sure if things will work exactly as planned. 

I can't write much now as I am actually getting ready to take a class for the next two days....from Joyce Lukomski.  The class is Fabulous Fillings and I'm really looking forward to it. 

Over the summer I will be posting followup photos of "squares and diamonds" (no final title yet), a dinosaur painted canvas my son-in-law just delivered to me this evening, and a three dimensional pear design.  I last posted a photo of the "squares and diamonds" initial palette on April 29th so it's about time I get back to it. Both the pear and squares will be new class proposals.

Also, my daughter is going to design some beaded scissors fobs and needle threaders specifically for my website.  Hopefully she will have the first prototypes ready to show in a week or two.  She already has some threaders and knitting/crochet stitch holders on Etsy, but these will be different. 

Hope everyone has a good week and weekend.  First day of summer on Saturday!!!

FLOWER DIAMONDS COMPLETED

As promised Marlene (the pillow finisher), called yesterday for me to go back to her shop to sign off on the the fabrics she had selected for to complete Flower Diamonds.  She has chosen five silk fabrics to use for the sides and I can't wait to see it finished.  Maybe just a few more weeks before it is done! 

I also know that next April's pilot group is probably anxious to see what the project finally looks like.....so here it is!  As you can see, there are lots of options and lots of thread, bead and ribbon choices. 

On another note I have been enjoying the new online group for stitchers:  Stitchin Fingers. The site was started by Sharon Boggins and it has grown to over 500 members in just a few weeks.  There are lots of things I like about the site but most particularly are several groups which are interested in specific things....such as Blogs, Designing, and Hand Embroidery.  Also, there are members from all over the world, which is great!  The link is near the bottom of my navigation, if you are interested in visiting. 

Have a great week.....I probably won't be writing again until next week because there is Father's Day and DH's birthday is the next day! 

Hope everyone is enjoying nice weather.....it's actually warm here in San Francisco!