Once upon a time....

I rode the bus to and from work...it was a long ride.  In the mornings I had the lovely & entertaining Gwen to chat with but on the way home it was just long.  So I would stitch or pull out my sketch book.  I'd stitch small 'stuff'.  Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with this stuff.  

Pictured below is one version I came up with on a weekend spent with my son.  I asked him what he wanted to do, being a man of many words ... 'art'.  He chose to paint a large canvas at my desk and I pushed myself into the corner of the sofa with my rapidograph.  

This is what evolved. 

'Below the Surface'
a Kimberly design copyright 2011

'Below the Surface'
a Kimberly design copyright 2011
Work some swirls with watered down acrylics, have fun drawing squiggle art over the paint shapes.

Miter/press raw edges to the back, mount on foam core [which I painted], & place on top of art.  Then mount in a shadow box frame.  Then sit back & have another 'Tada' moment.

'Flowers in the Sky'
Art Card by Kimberly
also on the 'bus'

Love this...

A friend told me I was delusional....

I almost fell off my dragon!

'Avery's Dragon'
Kimberly 2008

check check check

Shipped to The Needle Works

'Knot Garden' biscornu three of seven in the series
a Kimberly design copyright 2013

On the paint table....

'Swirling Hearts' biscornu four of seven in the series
a Kimberly design copyright 2013

On the frame...almost fini!  

'Paisley' biscornu five of seven in the series
a Kimberly design copyright 2013

I'm at a sticking point, odd thing for a women who works with needles to say :-)  All but two little spots to stitch and my brain went blank.  Not to worry ... it will happen shortly as I can't wait to trim those two tufts of Turkey Work!  

I've been busy....

...it's great to be busy.  Really, it is.  There are times when I'd like to collapse into a beach chair, preferably at the beach.  Some sand, some surf, a warm breeze, ahh just a day dream for the moment but it will happen!

For now, thought you'd like to see a different slant on what to do with a small square of finished needlepoint. I'd had this piece for 'awhile'.

"Little Something" a Kimberly design 

I stitched this from one of my own free handouts I designed forever ago.  It's worked all in Soie Perlee silk with the edges beaded.  [I'm presently hunting for a copy to offer here for you but can not locate it just yet.]

"Little Something" mounted on sliding top wooden box.
Embellished further with fun line art.  

Inside this wooden box in an endless supply of cards with my art on them.  This was my Christmas gift to my Mom this year.  It was prompted after several different trips to every store that was offering BOGO's for greeting cards.  While I was in a fit of giggles over the many trips, this was serious business to Mom.  

Now she need not ever worry as every time she uses a card another magically appears inside her card box.  

'Melissa Shirley Design'

Isn't he wonderful!?!  I finished stitching him a month or two ago.  He's off to the finisher tomorrow with this fabulous Kaffe Fassett fabric and some fun bullion cord I made.  Can't wait to see him all 'done up'.  

Tada!!

I love my new purse, it's the best ever!

One side is Kelly Clark's beautiful way with paisley.
http://www.kellyclarkneedlepoint.com/

The other side is me having fun with the same colors.
Don't you just love dots!

I may be set with brushes for awhile.  Painting on needle point mesh trashes a paint brush quickly. These nylon bristle brushes have become my go to.  They arrived in the mail today,
oh happy day!

I don't even remember doing this but it's fun!
Have a lovely weekend!

it's 'that' day again

Happy Valentine's Day !

Hearts & Flowers
a Kimberly design

If you have good thoughts

they will shine out of your face like sunbeams

and you will always look lovely.

~Roald Dahl

You are beautiful

You are magical

You are capable

You are wonderful

Believe it!

Nothing about needle point...

Every Saturday a.m. we happily head into town square for the Farmers Market.  It's a treat for me really.  I love getting fresh organic produce and getting to know the people.  Each week a lovely bunch of carrots, tomatoes, mint, rainbow chard, and this week sweet little peppers from Miriam.  

A block down is Scotty & Peg from the Barefoot Creek Gardner with my dozen eggs. Eggs go so fast they let you email them each week with your wants/needs, I love this.  They have the best baby arugula and curly kale ever.  And...they sell Jim's Jams too.  I bought Pineapple this morning, tastes like pineapple upside down cake on my toast!  What a treat. 

Feathers!  Treasures with my dozen this week :-)

Today I met The Guacamole Guy and bought a bottle of his Tangy Tomatillo.  Wow.  I'll be liking him of FB shortly.  

Gluten Free toast for me from Udi's.
For what would eggs be without a little toast and jam.

What a fabulous way to start the weekend.  We raced home to make breakfast. Don't want to complain but...it was a bit chilly in the shade with a breeze.  Of course, when you stepped into the sunshine, instant relief.  With the feet of snow we see in pictures on FB at my cousins in Connecticut, no whining about a little cool breeze here!

So, now you all know, it doesn't take much to make me happy.  Have a wonderful weekend.  I was relieved to read that all the snow up North is powder.  Yay, hopefully none of you will lose power.  Stay warm and make use of the time inside to be cozy with a good book, an old movie...and of course, with many of my friends there is always a stitching project to keep you happily busy.  

kumihimo...

Very cool, but something I can not talk and create at the same time.  

You can purchase the disk, nylon cord, & plastic bobbins
at your local hobby shop.
The silver end caps I found at my local bead shop.

Once finished, I threaded the loose ends through the cap.
Then I unraveled  & knotted each end.

This takes some practice.  I still continue to find I'm off count & I made the most simple braid listed.  I had to repeat in my head 'left - left, right - right'...as I wanted to go right - left and vise versa. Tension was tough to keep with the nylon cording but I wanted something super durable as I plan to carry this purse for a long long time!  Oh, and a pro at this mentioned one day...'it stretches'.  So while I was braiding, I pulled.  

In total, it's worth the effort to learn this.  My head is full of many applications for this braid down the road on future projects.  

So...an obstacle in my path...

This is what happens in my head when I can't find a fabric to back a piece....

Top center is Kelly Clark in my colors...that is the front of my new purse.
The back or maybe the front on some days...is moi.
Can't find a fabric that talks to me...I make my own :-)

I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching these pieces.  Thank you to Kelly for getting this project started.  Mostly, I used Vineyard Merino Wool, which I love.  I did pop in some of their Vineyard Classic Silk for a little shine here and there.  I love Vineyard Classic Chocolate, of course, it's dark chocolate in my book.  

Now to re teach myself the Kumihimo cord making for the strap.  If you recall in an earlier blog...I'd been exploring fabric shops in Austin and came up with the below fabrics...decision made now...going with the beautiful jade green piece.  Strap will be chocolate brown.  I can't wait to have it all put together!

Kelly Clark purse design, a blast in basketweave!

Mardi Gras....

 ...check!  Ready to ship.  Love crossing things off my 'todo' list!  Yay!

Canvas painted, fabric enclosed,
chart proofed & printed.
It's in the bag, ready for Colleen to add
all the pretty thread & beads.

A jewel of Emerald, Amethyst, & Gold, quite sparkly.

March will bring us to the
'Knot Garden Biscornu'

DEADLINES...

couldn't we come up with a better word ... I make my own and cause my own kind of crazy.  Art is a process and I love every step.  I love seeing each layer of the painted design as it comes to life on my canvases...even when painting many of the same.  As they stack up there is this great feeling of accomplishment plus...they really look cool.  [to moi]...the rest of you may be doing an eye roll or just shaking your heads...but loving what you do is an amazing feeling.  

All painted, ready for edge binding.  
Mardi Gras Biscornu
a Kimberly design copyright 2013

Stitch guide started...hand charted while stitching.
 Next I'll convert to a nice clean computerized version.
Mardi Gras Biscornu
a Kimberly design copyright 2013

Voila!
If you're a member of the Biscornu Club through
The Needle Works...
this will magically appear in your mailbox next month!
Mardi Gras Biscornu
a Kimberly design copyright 2013

and a Happy New Year !

My version of  a 'Tree of Life' a Kimberly design copyright 2013 

Your Life is a canvas...make sure you paint yourself a whole lot of colorful days!

Decking the halls....

glimpses of a few treasures and some 'finished' stitching.  Always a good thing.  

I designed the 2 sided ornament for Rainbow Gallery several years ago, still a favorite.  The coral & turquoise I painted but never figured out how to put a hanger on...so it gets  'displayed'

The Collection of Designs Santa stand up Mom stitched a good while ago too.  Fun discovering treasures when you get the Christmas boxes down.

My Mom is a huge fan of anything red, white, & blue!
She stitched her stocking and I painted the tassel for her.  I'd forgotten about the tassel.  

day to day...

Since I last blogged, so much has happened in the world.  My heart is a whirl of hurt but ever hopeful for a brighter future.  It's like being on a teeter totter ... remember when some kid would inevitably jump off while you were 'up'.  Most of us never let that happen twice.  Then you become an adult and the world throws you a curve that makes your stomach drop.  I hear in my head ... just keep going ... smile, breath ... breath deeply.

In my own little part of this world much has happened that's made my heart soar.  I decided to leave Texas ... just like that ... I had a talk with myself and for once, my head and my heart were telling me the same thing.  I wanted to be closer to family, as in parents/brother/extended.  My kids are exploring all sorts of options out there...daughter and son in law are looking forward to his next assignment in the Army.  My son will soon have all his certifications for welding and has already spoken with recruiters.  Both will not be in Texas soon.  

So here I am, new place, new life....new roads to travel.  Many of you know I have been planning to get myself back out there in the needlepoint design industry.  My first foray is the Biscornu Club through The Needle Works in Austin, Texas.  So far so great!  

Painted 'Butterfly Biscornu' canvas, bead kit, fabric, stitch guide....
check! check! check! check!
Ready to ship in January!

The farewell to all in Texas was not an easy one.  I had an amazing job at The Needle Works.  I worked with incredibly talented women/true friends and the customers...sweet, gentle, kind, loving, caring, many of whom became great friends to me.  I've been afforded the opportunity to work with some of the most creative stitchers out there.  I've been very blessed in so many ways.  I'll keep all of this in my heart, these are gifts to treasure forever.  

My gift to 'the girls' & 'the boss' at my last Christmas party.  Ask me if that felt weird after seven years!?

'Rudolph' a Kimberly design copyright 2012