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'.

What she said...

Ruth posted a fabulous accounting of my weekend in Baltimore teaching 'Flying Jewels' aka the big bug. Please go look at all the wonderful pictures that were taken with a special 'look back' at the way we were photo posted at the bottom of the blog!!  

Click HERE

Sharon, who was our first distributor when Ruth and I were all about charted needlepoint, picked me up from the airport. Which was a fabulous start to the reunion we had all weekend!

It was waaaay back in the mid nineties when we all met. We've all evolved since then, happily in wonderful creative ways. I would miss the 'old days' more if the 'new days' were not just as awesome!

Cest Fini!
Provence Purse©2014
a Kimberly design©

Our first day of class was devoted to working
the top and bottom border designs.
The second day was all about the 'big bug'
and his magnificent copper mesh wing span.

What a wonderful group of warm hearted
women to have in my class.
I am humbled and honored that you all joined us.
Thank you to Ruth and her amazing staff for putting the kits together and keeping all running smoothly throughout.
All you do is greatly appreciated in case you don't hear it enough,
we LOVE you!

all is quiet...

I'm super busy designing and super excited about teaching in Baltimore in November. Time just keeps rushing by!

My favorite past time. 

My favorite girls. Sweet grandbaby girl is now FIVE months. Too fast!

Travel....

When planning a trip...

What do you check out first?  The weather, things to do, what should I pack to wear, do I have a travel size shampoo/toothpaste?  Or...are you like me?  What will I take to work on, next would be something to read. The clothes, the weather, the toothpaste can all be dealt with but if I don't have a 'no brainer' piece to stitch and something to read, I'm in trouble.  And as it happens, I just finished my last basketweave piece.

Yesterday I realized this and I fly tomorrow!  Brain is racing and lands on an older idea.  All those biscornu designs I did fabric for...I have all those computer drawn images!  GO PLAY!  What transpired is the first image below. 

'Provence Purse'©

The colors will be different as you'll see in the next image below.  Use what you have in your stash when your flying out the next day. Get drawing and get painting! I'm excited!! Bet you couldn't tell that at all?

Fun pile of thread, center panel drawn in, love my colored sharpies. Today I'm painting in between several other 'todo's. Like laundry and packing.  

My Son

Another one of my creations!  I've posted many a picture of my beautiful daughter and just a few [haha] of my new grandbaby...but none of my handsome son. He's pretty much forbid me up to this point, not a big fan of social media.  Avery was here to visit recently while on a walk one day I mentioned this lack to him.  He agreed it was a little one sided and gave permissions, hence the picture above. Please let me introduce my son to you all. He's super talented and out of my two, he is the one that enjoys stitching! He draws up his own pieces and off he goes. I'm not saying that he's big on finishing any of them but he has a great time getting started. He's recently finished welding school and just landed a job that he is so far, pretty stoked about. Proud mom I am.