The last leaf!

I finished the last leaf!  First I completed the pattern of four sided stitches in the bottom right leaf and then I did the six into one cording and couched it around the outside edges.  The basted line at the top was the last thing I did tonight.  I am to baste the entire perimeter of the design in preparation for the next step.  As a reminder, the basted line is the actual top of the piece.  I previously told you a different position, but according to the pattern instructions, this is it.

Starting Seven

Tonight I started the final leaf-number seven.  It is the lower left one in this photo.  It is worked using Kreinik #8 in gold and coppers and done in the four sided stitch.  One diagonal row working from right to left is done and then a left to right alternately across the sketched area.  The multi tone carries the general theme of the different colored leaves.  This piece is on 14 x 15 stretcher bars and is being worked on 24 count canvas.

Leaf six!

I added the last few rows of golds and silvers in the flat pattern.  I then did the six into one twist for cord and couched it all around the edge using a single strand of 105C.  Only one more leaf to go before we add other areas of interest. 

More of the filling

I worked on the filling in leaf six.  You can now see that the two strands of silver and the one of black silver are part of the pattern and that the two strands of gold and one gold black create the rest of the pattern.  This leaf is another in Ms. Chen's variations in metallic colors to add highlights and yet allow continuity in the design.  There is a little at the bottom left to stitch and then couch the cording around--that is for tomorrow.

Number five is done

I did the 6 into one twist and then couched it down with one strand of Kreinik cord on the number five leaf.  I also moved to the top right and started the flat pattern for this one.  You can see I have set up the pattern and am using Kreinik cord in silver and silver black.  Do notice that this is not a complete leaf, but a partial one.  Back to moving right along!

Back to business

 I am back from vacation in Connecticut!  We had a wonderful trip and the weather was fantastic.  We went to the Big E(xposition), Vermont country Store, Basketville, Yankee Candle, Whatley, Newport, Waterbury, Foxwoods Casino and lots of other fun stuff.  Coming back to reality like laundry, grocery shopping and pulling weeds!  LOL  And, my stitching.  I finished filling in the bottom leaf with the blend of silver cord.  It is ready to do the twist and couch the cord around the outside.  I also did some stitching in the car.  This is one of the Colonial Needle purses and I bought the initial letter P canvas by Lee and stitched it in the car traveling.

 To do the insert was very easy when I got home.  I trimmed the canvas and removed the protective paper and gently lifted the edges and placed the piece on the sticky surface.  It said to glue the edge but I used double sided sticky tape as it was less messy.  I am impressed with the quality of this bag.  It has a large zipper pocket on one side and two smaller pouches on the other.....think cell phone and pen holder.

A different view

Anne pointed out that I was showing you this piece from the wrong direction, so here it is with the correct position. I also worked more on leaf number five. This flat stitch is worked with two strands of 105C Kreinik cord and one strand of silver. It is a counted pattern worked on the diagonal. And, the three strands together are slippery! I must have re threaded the needle six or eight times to get this much done.

Around tuit

I finally got around to it and framed Stitches in Sterling. It is a brushed silver frame and sets off this piece nicely.
Then, I finished stitching the Stitch n Zip gift. This is a wild one and done in all Kreiniks and Vineyard Silks. I then lined the inside with some Ultrasuede to cover the back of the stitching.

Tomorrow I will resume the Lacquered Leaves.

Finish on four

Tonight I did a four into one twist with the Lacquered Jewels and couched it down with a single strand of the Lacquered Jewels all around the fourth leaf. This finishes this one as well. I started working the next pattern in the bottom right leaf. You will see lots more of this one tomorrow.

The interior

I completed the interior of leaf four. I finished the pattern by using the copper and copper black in the remaining top rows. Then using a single strand of Kreinik cord in 205C, I filled in the edges of these leaves just like leaf three. I am glad you all like this one and have noticed the subtle shading and how the colors flow between the main focal leaves. I need to do the twist in cord and outline this leaf and I will start this tomorrow.

Two more rows

I was able to complete two more full rows tonight! I must be getting faster at this! These top two rows are either copper or gold and a mix of them in the middles. I should be able to get the last few rows in tomorrow nite! Then you will be able to see what happens with the tips of these.

Half the fourth one

Last night was stitching group and I worked on another present so you will have to wait a while to see it. But tonight, I got back to work on the fourth leaf. The rows are numbered on this one from the bottom up. The bottom right row one is all copper and then row two adds copper mixed with black. Row three has copper/black and gold as does four with some regular copper. Row five is all copper. Remember I am pulling each row with the pearl first and then removing it and adding the Kreinik braids back in. Did you notice the empty spaces at the bottom of the points of the leaves again?

Turboing right along

I finished all the single strands of cord in the rest of leaf three. Then, using the braid, diagonal lines criss cross the pattern areas and are couched in the center. Notice the copper one on the outer left. Last I did the six into one with 205C cord and then couched it down all around the outside edge. Being curious, I started the pull for the next leaf to the left in the bottom right corner. Remember, I used pearl cotton in black and pull the design and then take that out and fill it in with the Kreinik braids.

The third leaf

I worked on the third leaf tonight and completed the wrapped bar patterns in the copper, gold-silver, and gold. Notice the color changes within the rows providing a blending/shading variation. I then started the remaining design for the remainder of the leaf. Using a single strand of yet another color of copper cord, I am doing long stitches to fill in the rest of the leaf! Very different approach to more color variation

Second one is done

I finished the second leaf by continuing to work the pattern in the copper, silver gold and gold. I then did a four strand into one Japanese twist with the Lacquered Jewels this time, and couched it around the outside edge of this leaf. tomorrow I will start on the leaf that has already been started to the left of these. More surprises coming up!

Three colors

Working my way up to the top, I have added the 102 silvery gold and then tonite I added 002 gold along with the copper. This gives the appearance of shading in the leaf. I am getting a little quicker at the pulling technique too!

A couple more rows

Here I have added more in the copper Kreinik all except the very end of the top row. It progresses to 102, the gold and silvery blend. There are more variations coming up as well.

Starting number two

I started leaf number two, which is directly below the top right one, by taking out all the previous stitching. I spent some time reading over the pattern, looking at the pictures and decided that what was there was not right. This pattern is created by first pulling the threads using size 8 pearl cotton with medium pressure. That is removed leaving the design in the canvas. If you enlarge the above picture you will see some of the next section that is pulled. The notes on the pattern say to pull two sections at a time. Then using the Kreinik you fill it back in thereby saving the stress on the Kreinik and creating the pattern.