In Honor of the Butterfly

I feel like a proud mid-wife. The Houston area is experiencing some mild weather, perfect for working in the yard and procrastinating on all other necessary projects. This is something I'm very good at by the way. This morning after I worked off all the StarBucks I drink by exercising at my neighborhood Curves I inspected my backyard garden. In early winter I had noticed several Monarch butterfly caterpillers on my butterfly weed bush. I worried and fretted over them during each cold spell. Several didn't make it but at least two went on to make their chrysalis.

Everyday I went out to inspect the chrysalis, hoping nothing had destroyed them. This morning during my inspection I noticed that they had both changed color from the previous lime green to a shade of black. I realised that this happens just as the butterfly is about to emerge. So I watched, encouraging them on, and sure enough first one butterfly and then the other slowly came out of the casing. At this point the wings are soft and wet. I carefully let the butterfly climb on my finger and then I placed each one in a sunny spot in my petunia bed. The butterflies will rest there, fanning their wings until they are dry and ready to fly.

To celebrate the butterflies I'm sharing one of my favorite designs, #132, Blue Butterfly. I stitched this up using Kreinik threads and had it finished as a purse inset.

Mardi Gras Heart

While at the January TNNA Market I had a shop owner stop by my booth to inquire about my Calendar Heart Series. They wanted to offer this series to the stitchers in their area. I told them they could take my stitched models to use as a selling tool. Then they asked if I would design a special 13th heart as an exclusive bonus heart for those who signed up for the entire series. Being the accommodating person I am , I agreed. The shop owner wanted the special heart to be a Mardi Gras Heart and said that she would send me samples of the purple, green and gold colors she wanted to use. Good to her word she sent me three skeins of DMC floss, #333 (purple), #700 (green), and #444 (gold). I got busy and completed my sketch of a Mardi Gras mask embellished with feathers and beads. My sketch is on the right side of the picture. The next step was to paint one on canvas, that's obviously on the left side. I took my canvas to the local shop to pull extra threads and pick up the beads I wanted to use. I'm going to use the DMC floss that was sent for the feathers at the top of the mask. I wanted the mask to have a bit of sparkle so I picked out Petite Sparkle Rays in a matching yellow (PS27). The purple ribbon will be worked in two shades of Fyre Werks, #FT24 (lighter) and #FT31 (darker). Along the bottom of the mask is a row of green beads. For this I selected some emerald green Mill Hill Beads, #02054. On the top and in the center of the mask is another larger "jewel". I couldn't find any bead or button that I thought look right. I decided on the faceted Mill Hill Crystal Treasures, #13016. I'm going to put one of these on top of a 8mm. green or gold sequin. The only thing left to pick out was a thread for the background. I decided that a soft white would highlight the mask without overpowering it. I don't know what stitch I will use at this point but I'm thinking I might use one that will allow me to add a small gold stitch in it. Of course, every thing looks and sounds good before you actually start stitching. So many times I have changed my mind in the middle of the project because it just didn't have the right look. Now it's time to get to work.

Hurrah ! Project Completed.

What a great feeling to finally get something finished. Some of you stitchers seems to be like those statues that have multiple hands, working through projects at an enviable rate. Not me, I start then sputter to a stop, life getting in the way, then pick it up again and continue onward. My one main rule is that I don't allow myself to start a new project until I've finished the last one. At least it can't be said of me that I have a drawer full of unfinished projects. Last night I put the final stitches in on my Dancing In The Moonlight canvas. I really only had the bunnies noses and eyes to finish and then the two bows around their necks. I used two shades of Tiara on each bow. Tiara isn't my favorite thread, the cut piece seems to fray too easily. Even if I use a short thread I only seem to be able to stitch with half of the thread, maybe it's me. First I outlined the bows using a wrapped-back stitch and then I filled them in with basketweave. So now it's done and I can move on. One picture shows the bows up closer and the other is the final project.

Dancing In The Moonlight - Border

I'm still working on this piece which I intend to give to my sister...this year! Thankfully her birthday isn't until November and even I should have this finished by then. I wanted to add a border and personalize it for her. With that in mind I added the saying:
"Sisters Are Blossoms In The Garden Of Life." inside the top and bottom borders. I was surprised to find that when I did a Google search for Sister Sayings that it came up with a huge selection of sites to view. I guess you can find anything on the internet. On the right and left sides I added a series of flowers and hearts. After I finish the border I will have to go back and stitch the bows around the neck of the bunnies. Then I will actually be finished and will send it off to be transformed into a wonderful pillow for her huge white bed. My dear sister will then spend the rest of her life protecting it from her brand new kitten.

Celebrating Our Heroes

First let me say that I don't usually do custom work but.......

she asked so nicely and I was in a good mood...so one for her. While I was at the January market a shop owner asked if I would take my Everyday Heroes: Paramedic design and change it to a fireman. Her son is a fireman with the Pacific Grove Fire Department and she wanted to honor him. They sent me some great pictures of his uniform so I had a lot to work with which made it a lot easier. I hope they like the end results and I'd like to see it stitched.

I've included a picture of the one I stitched and had framed as a gift for my husband. When he's not helping me at shows or building websites for people he's a paramedic. The small frog in the lower left hand corner is the station mascot.