Reviewing last week...

Most of you know about the 7 day challenge on Facebook...

below are my seven.

It was a fun challenge, didn't involve any 

restrictions on diet or large amounts of exercise!

And I found pieces I'd forgotten about.

Many have posted, what I call "vintage pieces" of mine.

It was a blast to see them popping up on my wall!

"Camel Flowers"©

My Biscornu Collection!

"Provence Purse"©

"Blossom"©

"Movement"©

"Austintatious Peacock"©

"Flying Jewels"©

"Yes, I'm Special"©
Voila! Fini!!
Wish you could see how much he sparkles!
Class starts Saturday March 5th!
at The Black Sheep Shop
in Orlando!

Camels and flowers ...

Recently my stitchy friend Sara Leigh posted the beginnings 

of her work on my Camel Flowers painted canvas design.  

I'd told her the story of how they came to be 

and she suggested I share the story with 'more' of you.

So, once upon a time my sweet friend Kim Hollifield 

had two camels from Petei Designs that she 

wanted dressed up a little bit more with 'saddles'.  

She asked if I'd paint them and of course, I did! 

I enjoyed doing something different and helping her out. 

Kim is an awesome finisher of stand up needlepoint designs 

as well as ornaments and stockings. 

Over the years she's finished many pieces for me. 

Some were rather odd requests, I remember a small crazy purse 

but we won't visit that today.

Above are the two painted saddles. 

Now, as I painted these, I saw flower possibilities. 

Yes, my mind works in mysterious ways.

Look how awesome they are as saddles 

for these two nativity pieces.

Kim stitched and finished beautifully. 

Love the added bullion cord and tassels too!

Click here to visit her Facebook business page to learn more!

Kim Hollifield

'Camel Flowers'©
My version! or warped vision :)

ChaCha...

 ...two steps back ... one step forward ... cha cha cha!

Decided earlier today that this weeks post should be a bit of a look back. 

Not that far back actually but none the less, previous.

I've been painting like mad on new designs to release 'soon' and found myself reminiscing.

Below are several pieces that are available through my distributor  Ruth Schmuff Designs

Like old family pictures, they bring back a host of memories for me. 

'Camel Flowers'© 
close up detail ... when I see this I think ... wow, I was focused !

Different angle of top detail.
I'm working on another design right now
that's a larger version of this burst of color.
Never a dull moment.

Camel Flowers©
This piece started with the 'flowers' that were actually saddles
 I had painted on a friends stand up camels
for a nativity she felt needed some blinging.
As I painted I kept seeing the saddles as flowers,
hence the name.
This piece may be on the small side
but it's packed with different techniques and threads choices.

From major technique to meditative basketweave.
This is my Provence Purse© design.
I even made the strap basic Kumihimo
with a strong nylon craft cord.

'Austintatious Peacock'©
This piece was actually designed for a friend
to stitch for her secret Santa gift.
Funny part is the giftee was also the owner of the camels!
Dear friend of mine as well, Kim Hollifield.

So much in the detail,
loved finding crystals for his wreathed neck.

By this time...
you know how much I love designing borders.

Mondays Belt Design
the canvas this is laid across is the beginning of the painted Provence Purse.

Mondays©
original piece designed to fit the
Weekender bag from Lee Designs
This bag has seen some miles!

I'm not sure what I'll call this yet...Sunburst, Happiness....
I see a lot when I look at the different elements in this piece. Below is the beginning of it's new life on the painted canvas.

Happy Sunburst....maybe....the beginnings.
Only the pinks & red are in so far.
I see feathers too....

Sir Chancelot's thought bubble...
'just name it already'.