a process...

Once a design is stitched, it's time to turn to the computer.  I sometimes drag my feet at this point, but once I've started, it quickly becomes obsessive for me.  Now is when the reminder to get up and move around goes out of my common sense mind and gets lost.  

Not the most exciting blog photo but you get the idea.  

My dogged assistant 'Sir Chancelot'.  Somehow he manages to squeeze in next to me.  Add a loud rumble of thunder and he's like a glue stick.  Thankfully, that's all he needs, no hysterics, panting, or pacing.  Just needs to be close.

Yes, he has a custom designed stitched collar by moi.  Vineyard Merino, beautiful to stitch with and wears like iron.

No thunder, time to see if that cat will play with me yet.
Even my down dog doesn't get to her!

fabric next....

another glimpse of progress...

stitching completed, charting begun, and fabric to design.  

All stitching completed, Yay!
Looks like a flying carpet in this picture.
Mothers' Rocker Biscornu
akimberlydesign©2013

Wonder what my love of stitching corners says about me.
Another mystery, to ponder or...
 see me just shrugging my shoulders.
c'est la vie
Mothers' Rocker Biscornu
a Kimberly design©2013

this weeks update...

...another glimpse 

Tons of texture and movement!  
Mothers' Rocker Biscornu©2013
a Kimberly design©

It was tongue in cheek confession time on FB this week.  There was a huge discussion on how much decorative stitching one needs to put into each piece of painted canvas.  OR...do you need to do any, 'What's wrong with just Tent stitching an entire piece??'  I enjoyed reading the comments, then decided for myself that life was just getting too serious and had to [in my humble way] interject some humor.  

I see nothing wrong with Tent stitching an entire piece as I love it myself.  It's very meditative for me, plus, there is the aspect of being able to hold an ongoing conversation or watch a show.  Wish I could figure out how to read...I know, books on tape Kim...but I'm not a fan.  I like holding a real book.  

Anyway, all kidding aside, I've spoken up before about Basketweave/Continental aka Tent stitch.  You know I love it.  I just can't teach a full day & a half class on it to a room full of stitchers that want to learn something new to them.  Hence, this latest design is chock full of texture, different threads and yes, there will be beads. 

So, lookout all of you wonderful members of the Huntsville Big Spring Chapter ANG, I'm back!  And this is all just for you!  

retired, reinvented....

I am fortunate to have made a lasting impression with a wonderful group of stitching friends.  All over the country!

In the spring of 1994 we moved from the Boston area to Huntsville, Alabama.  Another Yankee moving south, many thought I'd be lost.

Ha!  NOT!  I was directed to join a guild there and as soon as the boxes were unpacked, that was exactly what I did.  

I met the most lovely group of women and to this day and two big moves later, we are still in touch.  Of course, the internet has played a part in keeping us connected.  During a recent 'convo' on FB, I mentioned a desire to be back out there teaching.  Freudian slip or not, the conversation grew and in October of this year I'll be back at my old stomping ground teaching a specially designed Biscornu just for them.  

While I lived there they urged me to design a teaching piece for a guild seminar being held in town.  The piece was 'Mothers' Rocker'. 

"Mothers' Rocker"
a Kimberly design©

Sadly, this piece, frame and all was stolen.  I've not had the heart to re-stitch it.  I did pull a different color way thinking I would in the near future try to accomplish this feat but so far, no.  Just not happening.  

Never fear, the story continues.  I have, however, taken many elements from the piece to design Mothers' Rocker Biscornu.  The colors are similar but more vibrant and the fibers...mostly silks with a shiny Japan Gold to make all sparkle.  Below is just the beginnings.  Can't wait to design the fabric backing.  

Mothers' Rocker Biscornu
a Kimberly design©
especially designed for
the lovely ladies in Huntsville, Alabama!

Just a glimpse!

UFO's....

Whoa!  It was a cute toadstool yesterday morning, 

today, looks like an alien landing!  

Which reminded me of stitching I need to address. 

So the neighbors are thinking....
this woman is a tad quirky....
why is she lying in the yard taking a picture of ??

When you dig, not shrooms, in drawers,
you find cool pieces...
that you need to work on!
Clouds & Sky mini sock
a Kimberly design©

Can't wait to show you what I come up with for this!
Guess that sort of commits me...
Clouds & Sky mini sock
a Kimberly design©

Stumbled on...

treasures.  Found a bowl of these at a flea market.  Wishing I'd brought them all home with me.  

Buttonhole twist silk, nothing holds color like this!

Displayed for now in a pottery bowl I painted forever ago.
Called 'Percy's Bowl' as my big silver Persian named 'Percival' would sleep in it at night.
Crazy cats.

Thursday...

My head is so full of images I want to paint on canvas, I'm overwhelmed.  Just a little....and loving it. There are odd flowers, peacocks, dragonflies, swirls, dots, to list just a few of them.  So no post of new needlework this week.  Just picture me happily at my desk with brush in hand and paint flowing onto the canvas.  

'Movement'
a Kimberly design©

Moving forward...

my small treat piece is finished.  Time to get to work on projects that have been waiting in the wings.

Very soon there will be new pieces to post! 

Sir Chancelot all in paisley.
collaboration of a Kimberly design© & Karen Grant

aka 'Paisley Pup'
a Kimberly design© & Karen Grant

If you saw the earlier post of the beginnings...he had a white canvas background.  After completing the stitching I realized the white was too stark.  So I went the other way and painted it in with the magenta, then worked a simple open stitch to fill.  He still pops and the background is fun...may grow up to be a pillow soon.  

time...

to relax....

...dogs know how to relax

My break piece, I've been holding this out as a carrot until all the biscornu were finished. Totally enjoying the basketweave in different threads and such fun colors.
Paisley Pup©2012
collaboration between a Kimberly design & Karen Grant

 I've no pictures of fireworks...my little point and click doesn't capture those well enough.  Below are what I would call natures fireworks.  Captured at Bok Tower Gardens this past week.  Enjoy!

Bok Tower Gardens 2013

Bok Tower Gardens 2013

Bok Tower Gardens 2013

Bok Tower Gardens 2013

Bok Tower Gardens 2013

Bok Tower Gardens 2013

Have a Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Last TaDa!

For the Biscornu Series, anyway.  

There will always be TaDa!s in my life.  

That's the way my mind works.  

Provence Biscornu...just says HAPPY to me!
a Kimberly design©2013

Bright, fun, lots of texture.
Provence Biscornu
a Kimberly design©2013

This was a wonderful adventure.
Merci Bien to all who joined the club through
 The Needle Works in Austin, Texas!
Provence Biscornu, seven of seven in a series by
a Kimberly design©2013

Provence...

Such an adventure this has been for me.  Designing, stitching, painting, assembling with my own fabric and I've loved every minute.  Even when my hands ached after hours of painting, I loved it.  

All things come to an end at some point and Provence is the last of this series for The Needle Works in Austin, Texas.  

Last steps in the painting process,
Provence Biscornu
a Kimberly design ©2013

Lots of texture...just the background to finish.
Provence Biscornu
a Kimberly design ©2013

Loving the fabric for this one.
Of course, I think I've loved them all.
Provence Biscornu
a Kimberly design ©2013

Background and beads today.
Provence Biscornu
a Kimberly design ©2013

I'll post pictures of it all 'dressed up' soon.  Have a lovely weekend. 

Seriously...

I could easily become obsessed with these flowers!  

My neighbor handed me this beautiful bloom today.  What a treasure, just look at all that color!

Funny story behind this...
a Frangipani Tree.

This spring I attended a Flower Fair held in the park downtown.  In one booth this guy had buckets filled with [my point of view] dead sticks.  Each stick had a blob of paint either yellow, white, or pink.  When questioned he told me that these 'sticks' became the trees that grew the flowers that make the floral leis in Hawaii.  So of course, I had to have one!  Mine looked like a divining rod sticking out of my market bag and I received several strange looks.  Mostly from my Mother.  

When we arrived home, I pulled it out of my bag and shoved it into the birdbath bed with my Pentas.  Still there and blooming it's little heart out.  

I find these Orchids to be so amazing.
These delicate looking flowers bloomed over a month ago!  Last count was around sixteen blooms.  Incredible!

[They'll be a glimpse of the next biscornu for you...hopefully in a post tomorrow.]

  Have a great night all.

Finished!

It amazes me how quickly time passes.  I set a goal for myself several years ago to not rush through each day.  To not look at the clock continually, to smile 'a lot', to listen and hear all said to me without contemplating my next part in the conversation.  This last probably being the biggest challenge. 

So here I am, tomorrow is already June 1 and I only have one more Biscornu to finish stitching & assemble, paint & write the stitch guide for.  Where did the last six months go?

Below is Lily Pond, its peaceful to me as I think of a real lily pad floating quietly on still waters.  They're all blooming here...one should go take pictures maybe...

'Lily Pond' Biscornu 
six in a series of seven designs
by a Kimberly design©2013

'Lily Pond' quiet bliss
a Kimberly design©2013