sharing....

the 'back' of my work!  Most stitchers totally freak if you take even a glance at the back of their work.  I happen to not care.  Of course, the back of my work is annoyingly neat to others.  It's not a 'thing' for me...it just happens to turn out that way.  My head thinks ahead of my hand...it's like a GPS...if I start here...I can slip over there to snag that stitch...then over there to work the other area of this color... and so on.  It's not really a conscious effort.  

Anyway, my point in sharing comes from a discussion about a week ago with other threadbenders on a FB needlepoint page.  The question posed was..."When do I Basketweave as opposed to Continental??"  You can drive yourself crazy over this....my answer is to not do this...remember why you stitch??  To RELAX!  I felt the eye rolls from several dedicated teachers with that...sorry.  I do have some personal rules I like to enforce....a frame is better than in hand...not just because it keeps your canvas from listing to the left but also for your comfort.  Posture, neck/shoulders/the all important hands...gripping your canvas causes gobs of problems down the road.  I've probably only met two stitchers that really relax when working on a piece, most of you have a death grip on your canvas/needle.  

I will say when working on a skinny belt...it's in my hand but it does take me longer this way.  I stitch two handed and am like an addict with the speed I achieve.  This is my business...so I do go for speed...models have to be worked up quickly.  

Getting to the point here...below are several shots of a piece stitched entirely in Tent, so far.  Tent being the generic term for a stitch that is worked on a diagonal over one intersection of canvas.  Basketweave and Continental being the only two ways I recommend Tent to be worked.  You'll see from the pictures that you can actually work Basketweave in very small areas.  Like the little blue arches...even on a 4 intersection block.  Single lines, curves...these have to be in Continental. 

This cute Paisley Elephant is by designer Karen Grant.  I love elephants, she also did the paisley version of my pup Chance ... which I can't wait to work.  He's the carrot at the end of my Biscornu series.

On another note...I am working steadily on the Biscornu designs which begin shipping mid January 2013.  The Swirling Hearts design, fourth in the series is patiently waiting for it's fabric to arrive....for a second time.  The first draft came looking very pale lavender which did not work.  So back to the drawing table and off again to the busy little fabric factory.  The latest email says it's been shipped, due to arrive shortly.  Maybe by the end of this week or beginning of next, I'll have something to show you. 

a Kimberly design....

a.k.a. Kimberly Crum .... several years ago ... I decided to leave the charted world for an indefinite time.  I loved it but sales were not what they needed to be.  Knitting had become the new favorite and even painted canvas was taking a hit.  So I 'retired'.  

In 2005 I went to work for The Needle Works here in Austin, Texas.  Being back around all the thread and canvas was a nice feeling and I took on the task of writing stitch guides for painted canvas sold through the shop.  It's given me many opportunities to explore new ideas and meet many different stitchers.  

On my off time I started to draw again.  In an earlier post I showed you some of my work from the 70's/80's.  I began to acquire a vast array of colored pencils and markers.  I discovered on line marketing and dabbled.  It was fun and I was enjoying myself.  I have quite a collection of illustrations for card art from this period of time.  

This brings me around to the now of my life.  All that card art is slowly inching it's way out of my head and onto canvas.  Circle of life so to speak.  The banner at the top of this blog was a card I drew the week before my daughters wedding three years ago.  I'm thinking I'd like to paint it even larger for a pillow.  Of course, still working full time...my evenings are just not enough time to do 'all the stuff in my head'!  I may have to start making lists...anyone that really knows me....knows this is not a forte for me.  I'm big on post it's that live in my jeans pockets.  

Pictured below is a piece I created back in '98.  It was one of my most popular designs, titled appropriately enough, 'Evolve'....

"Evolve" a Kimberly design copyright 1998

the stuff in my head....

when there is time enough, that stuff comes out onto the canvas. Then sometimes...there needs to be a request to get the wheels moving in another direction.  

While I'm having a blast painting/creating/stitching/finishing the biscornus for the club starting oh so soon...a break is sometimes needed. [designing fabric for Swirling Hearts today]

The sweet lady that cuts my hair...a Needle Works customer...has been stitching up a storm to make ornaments/mini socks for a tree that is 'just for me'...her tree started out small but has now become a taller tree and needed a tree top angel to fit.  I told her to let me see what I could come up with.  Below is Angie Angel.  

What's in a name...I grew up with a crazy metal art angel on the top of our tree...her name was Angie. I think Mom acquired her while we were living in France.  I have a box in the attic of French metal/glass ornaments...all beautiful but all in pretty sad shape.  Maybe some of them can be given a new life on canvas as well.  Hmmmm....

'Angie Angel' 

While out yesterday picking up a new stash of Chai Tea at The Steeping Room here in Austin.  I just had to wander through Anthropologie as well.  I love that place...color overload for me and I love the sale room.  Recently dropped my favorite fruit bowl in the sink....went to pieces.  Would have cost me four times what this cute shallow cup with handle for holding on dearly cost.  Love crackled glazes.  A new notebook...I write down little bits I see along the way that click with my space.  And of course, absolutely needed a couple new cloth napkins...is anyone else like me...they have to be totally shot before I toss them out.  

Lastly....but foremost in my head...progress on the 'Paisley Biscornu'!  Actually have more accomplished but not photographed yet.  Will post again when I have the fabric for 'Swirling Hearts' finished. 

'
Paisley Biscornu'

this past week is a blur!

Interesting week ... what I can remember of it!  Unbelievable how quickly it flew past me.  Some stitching, but not enough to post yet...some art...few nights where sleep was totally elusive...and a beautiful end of week rain!  
On an up note...I feel like last weekend is running into this one.  Sort of nice.  Offering of art below to start your weekend off.  Have a great one!

Portion of a larger piece....titled 'Movement' shown here in color.  Below is a b/w version.

Baby Cardinal ... photo by Corliss Englert.

I call this 'Nest' amazing what you can do with brads found in the scrap book isle.

'Movement' b/w with yellow sun accents in background.

My holiday...

...was spent at my drawing table.  It was wonderful.  

"Knot Garden" painted!

This evening was spent designing the fabric for the 'Swirling Hearts' Biscornu.  Nothing to see just yet.  The stitching is complete...just waiting patiently for moi to get it's backing designed.  

I recently viewed a beaded Circular Jessica....soooo cool...and I think it might be the perfect center for 'Swirling Hearts'!

Larks!

Not the flying kind but the kind that throw you off the beaten track.  This happens to everyone, I'm sure, but artists seem to have a knack for it.  

When my fabric for the "Knot Garden" came back it made my heart soar.  I loved it...yes, it's okay to love what you create.  You love your children that way too.  I was so happy with it that recess couldn't get here fast enough.  

About a year ago I had this idea of making myself work a 'little' larger.  I'm not inclined to it, I like drawing small things...like my cards.  So when I was purchasing some art supplies and saw nice pre-stretched canvases for sale...buy one get one!  I bought several...and there they sat under my desk.  [I did keep them dusted...but that's another obsession.]  

Everything happens for a reason.

Recess/weekends are not long enough....

Mischief...

Piles of wool felt...unfinished hand painted tassel tops...line drawings turned into super fun canvases...and finished Peace canvas computer bag.

Not all mischief...have no earthly idea what I'll do with the felt but there are stray thoughts here and there.  

The "Down Dog" canvas is hand painted by Karen Grant, my cartoon of Chance, her paisley rendition!  I love it, she made my day when she brought that in to me.  You may see more of these collaborations in the future.

The real thing, Chance!

 Friend, Barbara Garrana, did a fabulous job on my Peace sign computer bag, it's being put to use daily!  Can never have too many bags in this industry!  Barb was recently featured in Needlepoint Now for her clever sewing abilities.  'Bags by Barb' are popping up all over the place!

button button ...

Stitch Lab had the buttons!  Yeah!  Emily and Niku were wonderful to help me dig through the yellow button jar.  There was a bit of giggling, quietly as a class was going on in the next room.  I came home with the buttons and a pile of wonderful colored wool/rayon felt to play with [someday].

Look !

The fabric for the Knot Garden arrived Wednesday and  I love it!   I went on the hunt for a center bead and could not find anything.  Somewhat daunted I came home...ate some dinner and had one of those flashes of light.  Remember my post of a few weeks ago, I went exploring local fabric shops?  I brought home the cutest little yellow flower button and Voila! est parfait!  I'll be on that cute fabric shops doorstep Sunday to see how many I can get out of their yellow button jar.  

Maybe I'm having too much fun with these?!

I probably shouldn't get too attached to this button just yet!

Did I write you that Biscornu is a French adjective meaning
quirky irregular shape?  

From the bottom.

 

a glimpse....

 Building another border on Swirling Hearts Biscornu.

Silk, Velvet, Metallic, Rayon

Eyelets, Couching, French Knots, Fly

Can't wait to design the fabric for this one.

another life time ago....

...I was an illustrator.  My daughter wants me to 'do more of these', she grew up to be an interior designer, amazing child of mine.  My son will soon be certified to weld the world together.  His dream to design swords...on the side of course, as he tells me ... 'Mom...you know I have to have a 'real' job'. Smart kids...grown kids.  Both amaze me and make my heart smile.  I can't believe how the time has flown.

I didn't have children when I drew these ... it really was a life time ago.  When I look at these my head spins.  The only work I could find back then was freelance for small boutiques...I drove my rusty little yellow VW bug all over Pittsburgh.  Of course, gas was ... well, lets not go there.

Anyway, just thought I'd share a few 'gems' with you.  More soon on my current project, Swirling Hearts Biscornu.  I'm playing with the border!

Oh my gosh...I forgot to mention the caricature of moi....this was rendered by my college roommate, Lori Maxwell.  It was always an adventure hanging around with cartoonists.  Lori and I are still great friends.  I will post a link to her website on the left.  The year was 1977, I lived in my Dr. Scholl's, jeans and adored that striped sweater...and yes, my hair was HUGE, very curly and very dark!

Here a stitch....there a stitch....

Next up...Hearts & Swirls Biscornu!  Playing with memory wire tonight and randomness.  Which tends to freak out most stitchers.  Sorry...but it can be very freeing.  

Being your own inspiration...I painted this wooden tassel several years ago.

I've been busy...

Biscornu Three ... Knot Garden ...


simply bursting with knots! 

Adding the last few beads...around 1a.m.
Just couldn't stop until it was finished!

The center is left 'un-stitched' as that's where the center button
is attached during the finishing.