Two angles

This is what I finished tonight. I completed the row of #16, then did the #8, and the #4, all in Kreinik 002. I then decided to shoot another picture from another angle so you can see the black that is at the bottom of each pattern . I hope you can see it!
I think the design and the black are what makes this piece seem to have movement.

Darning along

Tonight I completed the bottom left segment darning in diagonal rows of Perle Cotton and #8 Kreinik. Then I started the top right section working in vertical rows for the white Perle Cotton and not quite completing the diagonal rows of # 8 Kreinik. The speckled canvas adds even more shine to this piece and this is very striking.

Forget me Nots

I finished the Diamond Pavillion stitches on the second paddle from the right and then moved over to the first paddle on the left. Using Mediterranean Waterlilies I started on the Forget Me Nots. I think they are cute. Using four strands of the overdyed thread whips these up pretty quick. Next time, I will fill in the rest of the flowers in that area .

I see you

Hi, gang, I'm back! And, now I can see you My eye is all stitched and she decided not to add the eyelashes that were on the canvas. I don't mind as I thought they were kind of prissy, you know? Then, all of the over my ear is covered and that made me feel a lot better too. Last but not least, you can see my masculine jawline is evolving. So, here's looking at you, kid! (I heard someone famous said that a long time ago.....am I dating myself? LOL, I mean Baa!)

Starting the background

This is a closeup shot of the Double Stitch that Sharon G has recommended as the background for this canvas. After some doodling, we decided on two strands of the Waterlilies thread. I think it looks great! The shine of the silk does not show up well in the photo, but it does in person.

More Rosemary

I worked on the Rosemary panel tonight, but did not quite finish. First step was to complete all the squares of 9 stitch basketweave. Then I did the yellow cross stitches. Last I started the six strand Gobelin stitches for the flower petals, but did not get them all finished. And, that is the red Bada Bling!

Moving right along

Today I lightly marked the boundaries of my circle so I would have an idea of where I was going.....hey I need direction.....Anyway, I then added a few more stitches to the top band of the pattern and started the second pass with the #16 Kreinik. So now the top is done and you can see the width it will be. Plus, I added my new Bada Bling magnet to this piece!

Filling in the boxes

I worked on filling in the boxes using either the #8 Kreinik and/or DMC #8 is almost all of the boxes I worked on. Except for the one that is in the center which is done with four strands of white floss. The center boxes are going to have beads added and I like to add the beads last to keep from catching my working threads so I moved to filling in the outside boxes which are, so far, darning patterns and quick to stitch.
Also, at the top are new Bada Bling magnets. They are jeweled magnets for the needles. One is red and one is gold and the gold one will move to the Black and Gold design tomorrow! Thanks again for the present!

Center paddle

I finished the center paddle! First I finished the six strand Pavilion Stitches done in the Anchor Floss. Then I switched to the Perle Cotton and did the waffle stitch in the background behind the violets and added a couple more leaves. I then did the French Knot lavender in Periwinkle and topped those with more French Knots in the Hyacinth.

Warming up

Hi, everyone! It's me....Otto! I have been sitting quietly by while all this needle stabbing and poking has been going on. I know a lot of you think I am really cute...I saw your notes....and Thanks! I needed to hear that. We sheep are very sensitive you know? Anyway, I finally got some wool back on the top of my head--all of that area above my ear! I should be able to keep some of that body heat in now while I gaze at some of those mountains over there. I will be back next week to see what happens then!

Another attempt

Here is the possible background stitch worked in one strand of the Waterlilies with an added single stitch in the center of each of the double crosses.
Then, I went on and worked more of the bottom ribbons and put in more of the single strands of Marlitt in the off white and blue. I am down about a third if that much. I also added beads to the two hearts on the outside top right. The top one got clear Japanese size 11 and the bottom one is Mill Hill petite pearl. A little here, a little there.

Pavillion Diamonds

Tonight I worked the second section of Pavillion Diamonds or the third section from the right. These are all worked with six strands of Splendor and laid to keep all those strands together. A couple more sections and we will start the top!

Can you see it yet?

This should be looking like a large S, I hope, to you at this point. I finished the top right section in all the bands and added the bottom three. This is Kreinik 002 in size 16, then 8, then 4, DMC fil in 282, Antique Gold and then black. Each uses a single strand and the top right is at the edge of the circle and the bottom left is as well. This is a small design that is intended to fit in a box top. The entire design is worked on the diagonal and counted--sorry, Jane.

Starting the background

I decided to start on the background instead of boring you with French knots on Otto again. Susan thought that since the stitches on Otto are so dense that the background should be open to balance the design look. Working with DMC Variegated Coton Perle size 5, I began working the pattern in a vertical gobelin stitch which is supposed to resemble distant mountains. (Even though one of the girls in stitch group says he looked a bit like a sheep with horns when I first started!) Since his head is curved, she created this angular open pattern with the irregular corners. There is more to come with the background so you will have to stay tuned!

Still paddling

I worked on the center paddle of the fan filling in the top and down the right side with six strands of the Anchor 926 floss in the Diamond Pavillion stitch. Separating and plying the thread takes a bit of time and laying each stitch does too, but it is definitely worth the shine and the look of textured paper.

A change in plans

The girls at stitch group want to see Otto, so today I worked On Nancy Cucci's Stirling today as the trade off for working on that on Tuesday. I was able to complete all the rest of the boxes for the entire design! I also started box one on the inside of the center design using Kreinik #8 to create more little boxes. By the way, this design is about 6 1/2 x 6 1/2, and it sparkles!

PS>> Thanks for all the great comments about the Roses and Tassel piece! I did add the before photo due to several requests and no, I am not bidding on a companion piece that is on ebay! LOL

Back from the Framer's-Updated

Jane in Chilly Hollow asked that I repost the before picture which is above and then:
I picked up the Tassel and Roses from the framer today! It measures 18 wide by 24 tall. The frame is a brushed silver and the mat is a mauve velour to match the colors in the piece. The fillet is silver and the top mat is raised away from the piece with spacers to allow the beads and rhinestone water drops space. There is a navy mat up next to the stitching to create the dark illusion between the top mat and the piece. My framer did an exquisite job as usual!

This n That

First, I put in a sample of the Double Cross stitch from Suzy's Portable stitches as a test--down in the lower left--as a background possibility. I worked it with two strands of Waterlilies. Sharon G suggested this stitch. Next, I put in some gold and blue stitches on the hearts in the top right corner. Then I worked on completing the gold on the remaining ribbon streamers at the bottom of the bow. Although I did not complete the gold, I made significant progress on it. So, how do you like the Double Cross?

Over on the right

I worked the two end Linen Fold sections on the right side tonight. The horizontal stitches are laid with six strands of Splendor and the half crosses are put in with four. I will work the next white area from the right which will repeat the Diamond Pavillion stitches next week.

Restart

I restarted the Black and the Gold. This is a bargello wave style design. The top row of each curve is worked in Kreinik 16 followed by 8 and then 4. Next is DMC 282, followed by Antique Gold, which is actually a black wrapped in gold. I did not get as far as I thought I would as I ended up pulling out a section of the four again tonight, but not nearly as much as the first start would have to be removed. I have set the previous started piece aside and will eventually pull out of it out, but I was anxious to get going again.

Established borders

Tonight I worked on the right side borders and boxes. Everything to the right of the threads is boxed in. The overall size is about 7 x 7. A few more boxes on the left and finish the outside border and we will filling in all that space.

Segment Two

The second segment from the right is complete. I worked the Waffle Stitch with a single strand of DMC Perle Cotton and pulled the stitches to create the lacy effect. I then started the Diamond Pavillion stitch with the six strands of floss at the top of segment three.
Thanks for all the great comments on this piece and I will pass them on to my friend when she returns from her travels.
And, Otto is very pleased you all think he is wonderful.....even if DH still calls it a goat!

The first million

Otto's face is full of French Knots! All of the area above his quirky smile is filled in, with just about twenty inches of that color left. Whew! Yet, a great accomplishment for filling in that much area so far using six strands of floss and a two wrap knot.

All the loops

I finished the bottom right ribbon loop tonight using a single strand of the Marlitt. Sharon G has suggested a double cross background in one of the shiny threads. So I checked my books and
found the stitch. I doodled it using a single strand of Accentuate but that is so fine it does not show up, so I will try that again later with one of the other fibers I have to use in this piece.

Rosemary's Garden

I completed the Rosemary's Garden panel tonight. First I finished the tent stitched squares that I had started last week. Then I put in the yellow cross stitches with six strands of pale yellow Splendor. The petals were also put in using six strands of the lavender Splendor. Using the six strands of silk makes both the center and petals of the flower stand out away from the tent stitched background. Great idea by Terry!

Black and Gold

Since I don't have the black canvas yet, I thought I would show you what I will be working on after I get the canvas. This is a picture of the piece as far as I had gotten when I realized an error in the bargello pattern in the second row at the top! Instead of ripping this all out, I chose to just restart the piece. So maybe next week, I will start over......

More squares

Tonight I worked more boxes around the outside of the 3 x 3 box. The top measures about 7 3/4 across the top. This part of the design is being worked in the Kreinik #12. Very sparkly!

PS: I am glad so many of you like the Lady Carolyn's Fan piece! It is stunning and a great piece by the designer. I enjoy working on it as much as you enjoy seeing it!