A long neck

I finished the rest of Sadie's neck.  Under her chin is Splendor 925, then 924, then one strand of 924 and two strands of 900 blended, and then all 900.  I am using three strands on all the skin areas. I have the hands done except the shaded areas.  Her nose outline is done in 924.

A spaceship?

Working on this today, it reminded me of a spaceship!  LOL.  I finished all of the Hi-Lights on both sides and down the center.  I then did the center two bands using six strands of pink Splendor.  I have started the jewels by using two strands of Hi-Lights and doing the Rhodes stitch.  Then another Rhodes is stitched over topof the first one.

Fourth one

This is the fourth project in the rotation.  Voila is by Kimberly Crum designs and it is being worked on 18 count canvas.  I could not decide whether to use the called for colors and have decided to go for it.  They are a little out of my usual choices but it is an ornament design after all.  I have started at the top with a tied stitch using a gold Treasure Braid to create the cap.  Next, starting down, I am using Hi-Lights with two strands to tent stitch the shape of the top part of the design.

Starting Bliss

This is Bliss, another ornament by Loretta Spears.  It is worked on 18 count and first, metallic ribbon isworked in upright Gobelins.  Next more upright Gobelins with Flair and Newon Rays.  Then upright crosses all around.  Last I have worked Rhodes stitch with white floss all around.  So far it is 1.75 inches across.

Another finish

I finished the Snowflake by Loretta Spears!  This is a quick stitch due to using all Snow for one, and the quick stitches.  I finished all the upright crosses with the cross over them The background is filled in with every other stitch Continental changing the stitch directions per the chart.  Putting it in the finishing pile!

Instead

 Instead of stitching today, I went to ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI.  Above is a photo of one of the entries.

 It is called the Nature of Glamour by Madeline Kaczmarczyk and it is amazing.  Below is her artist statement she submitted with her entry.

Feel free to check out the web site  and see a lot of amazing work!  
www.artprize.org

Snowflake progress

Snowflake by Loretta Spears is worked on 18 count white canvas using Snow.  I put a piece of orange fabric behind this so you could see.  I started by working the Double Bow Crosses per the instructions.  Next I am working upright crosses with a cross on top of those for the borders.  This is going to be 3 inches square when I finish.

Third start

These are the third start in my new rotation!  On the left is Snowflake by Loretta Spears from November of 1994.  The one on the right is Bliss from June of 1994.  These are both under her Needle Adventures designs.  I have the canvas out and on the frame as I am going to work them both on the same piece of 18 count canvas and I am now going to go and pull threads........

Octagon Border

I started the octagon border for A Different View by doing Smyrna cross stitches in Thread Gatherer's Silken Colors called Bayside Shadows.  What you are looking at is the top and left side.

Framed in black

I chose an all black frame and a double black mat to frame the penguin family.  It is under glass and that is why there is a highlight on the left.  Ready for Lisa!

A Different View

Adding into the rotation is A Different View by Kurdy Biggs of Threedles.  Her website is Threedles.com and you can see all of her great designs there.  This is a 10 x 10 design on 18 count.  I am working the Koral Kiss colorway but putting it on black canvas.  I have all the threads and have ordered the crystals that will go on this piece.

Starting with skin

I always do the face and skin areas first and am using three strands of Splendor.  Her rouge is 897 with the shading in 913.  Her creamy face is 900 and I have skipped over her nose and lips for a few minutes and dropped down and started her neck area in the same 900.  I also always do skin in basketweave.

Have you met?

 Have you met Sloe Gin Sadie?  She is one of the Floozies by Leigh Designs and all of them can be seen on Leigh's site at
  http://www.leighdesigns.com/ImgIdx2c.html  
She is a 10 x 10 on 18 count lilac canvas.  I am
pulling theads as you can see below and getting ready to add this to my new rotation!  Thanks Leigh, for your permission to stitch this one on the blog and hope you all enjoy this one.

The Penguin Family

The Penguin Family is finished!  I did the rest of the gold beads for the outline and also the black along the wings and on the feet.  I then used Angora in white to create the brick stitches for the babies bodies.  This one is ready to be framed and sent off to the recipient.  thanks again to Michelle Lash of Brittercup Designs for the cute canvas.  www.brittercupdesigns.com

Christmas Heirloom

This is the one that is Christmas Heirlooms, January 1993 and it is now finished.  I am finishing so many of these that when I posted the Snowflake the other day, I had the wrong name!  Now, how could that happen?  thanks to Jane for catching that! 
Anyway, the back is silver as are the sides but the hanger is blue.  I think I will wait and finish other ornaments later as I am confusing myself!

Beading babies

I have beaded the babies heads and eyes with black Mill Hill beads and have started the body outlines with gold.  Maybe another hundred or so to go!

A lesson in couching

Loretta Spear's A lesson in couching is now finished into an ornament.  This has a silver backing and the edges and hanger are white ribbon.

The finished cube

Snowman cube is finished.  I finished stitched all the sides together and put some quilt batting in the center
for the "stuffing".  The cord and the tassel are more of the Fyre Werks! 

Another one done

The Snowflake ornament by Loretta Spears is now in the finished pile!  She has certainly designed a lot of these and they stitch quick.  I wish I was as fast on the finishing. This one has a silver band around the outside and it is a bit stretchy so it also is the bow at the top.
Update:  I had the wrong name on this one before and it really is the Snowflake!

Three more

I finished the finishing on the candy cane ornaments adding these three to the finished pile!  Woohoo!

Just adults

The bodies of the adults are all done.  I finished up all of the Japanese ribbon stitches in the white and am ready to start on the kids!

River Silk

I am adding the "feathers" for one of the adults.  I am using 4 mm silk and doing the Japanese ribbon stitch randomly.  Sharon G suggested using the River Silks and yesterday I forgot to acknowledge that Jane in Chilly Hollow suggested the bugle beads.  Thanks to you both....it is working out well!

350 bugle beads later

Yes, 350! bugle beads to cover the parents bodies!  LOL  I have started at the heads and am using River Silks ribbon and doing a lazy daisy stitch to create the white part of the parents bodies.

Lots more beads!

The penguin on the right if all beaded!  I have also started the one on the right and put in gold bugle beads for the eyes.  Beading is going a little faster than I thought and maybe it is because they are bugles!

The Penguin Family

I have started the Penguin family.  This canvas design area is about 4.5 inches square on 18 count by Brittercup Designs.  Here is the link to her website and you can contact your local shop for buying information.  http://www.brittercupdesigns.com/
I have worked the adult beaks in basketweave using 2 strands of Splendor in 877 and 910.  I did the hearts in a Rhodes heart stitch using two strands of Splendor 896.  I have also started the black of the bodies which I am working in black bugle beads!