The basics

I did the basics first.  Her face, neck and arms are all stitched in Splendor.  I filled in her nose and lips and then did her nails in red Kreinik.

Instead

Instead of stitching today!  This is Tucker.  He is 9 weeks old, weighs 3 pounds, is part Chihuahua, Dachshund, part Italian Greyhound.  He is the new little guy running around here.  We picked him up on Monday and have been gathering all his supplies, playing with him, working and failing at potty training so far, playing ball, feeding, watering, playing with him, feeding him, watering, gave him a bath, playing with him, petting him, running around in the yard, and did I say playing with him?  Maybe I get to stitch tomorrow!  I am off to go and feed and water again.....possibly play with him!

Time to roll

Starting Morgana by working the skin areas of the canvas.  I am using three strands of Splendor and have one arm and her face, nose and part of her neck stitched. 

Morgana

Introducing Morgana by Leigh Designs.  She is one of the Ladies of the Night series of 8 done on gray canvas that has black spots running through it.  She is going to go on 8 x 20 inch stretcher bars and she is on 18 count.      Imagine the possibilities and that glass of wine!  Grab one for yourself as we start this fabulous canvas! 

You can see the entire series here:  http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp513x.html

I know that Jane in Chilly Hollow is working on Luna and a stitch guide for her and that Sharon Quick has done one for Remilia in case you are looking for one.  This one will be available after she is done too!

The last two

The last two boxes are filled.  First horizontal and then vertical padding with Splendor.  Next Patina is laid in a diamond pattern.  Last, beads are strung and couched in place.  Voila!  Fini!

Rhodes boxes

All of the Smyrna crossed boxes are now filled in with Neon Rays done in Rhodes stitches.  These are very rich and shiny! 

Down the middle

First, I outlined the outer box squares with Kreinik #8 and then added a bead in the center of each of the squares.  Next I worked the center diagonal waffle stitches using Silk Lame Braid.  Lots of texture going on!

Side boxes

 have started the side boxes.  Panache creates the box exterior and the interior is filled in with Splendor.  There will also be ribbon added and beads but that will be tomorrow!

Offsetting Byzantines

I finished the second set of Byzantine to offset and balance the square.  Here I did the white paper behind so you can see the stitches better....off to start the next areas!

Byzantine

I finished the padded Triangles and have started on the Byzantine stitches with Splendor and Panache.  This part is a lot easier on the fingers!

Padded Triangles

This series of padded satin stitch triangles is being worked with Kreinik ribbon 061 which is a red/black combo.  Pulling the 1/8 ribbon is a bit thick and these are heavy in comparison to the rest of the stitches.

Stash enhancing

I was in Connecticut on the weekend for a birthday party and the Enriched Stitch is just a tad off the interstate on the way up the coast.  I had a list-of course!- and wanted to pick up black, gray, white for upcoming projects.  I walked away with a nice bag!  I also got to see the Trick or Treat that Vicky DeAngelis will be teaching there!  How cute!  The shop has a fabulous selection of threads, canvas and beads.  The Kathy Schenkel trunk show was in but I resisted--just barely!  The gals are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable!  I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area!  http://enrichedstitch.com/

Overall size

I finished the bottom Cashmere stitches in Splendor so you can see the overall size--about 5.25 square.  I also started the next pattern using 1/8 Kreinik ribbon.

All of the boxes

I finished all of the Smyrna and Rhodes stitch boxes using the Elegance.  I put a piece of white paper behind the piece and now you can tell the difference in the fibers too!

Ruby

Next up is Glitz &Glamour-Ruby by DebBee's Designs.  This is being worked on 18 ct red canvas.  I started by working a Cashmere stitch with 3 strands of Splendor.  Next came Smryna cross stitches in Elegance followed by Rhodes stitches.

The final box!

 The final box is done!  I started by doing a series of crossed stitches around the Smyrna crosses-the silver.  Then gold Kreinik is interwoven over the crosses.  Elegance created the modified Sheaf stitches amongst those.  Then  more woven stitches in the center and then the Kreinik star is woven over those with a Jessica added to the center.  Gold and silver are backstitched around the Smyrna crosses and finally the beads were added.  Then more backstitching next to the center panel and below the two rows of silver in the box on the far right.  Below is the final photo.  Now all I have to do is finish it into the weight. 

Side bars are done!

I added all of the crystal and gold beads on the side bands first and then added gold Kreinik backstitching and details around all of the Jessicas.  The last top block on the right is next.  I had thought I would have it done sooner, but there are a lot of beautiful details.  I hope some of them show in the pictures!

A closeup of all the beads and glitz!

Filling in

Petite Frosty Rays and Elegance are added around all of the Jessicas in diagonal lines adding shimmer and matte around the edges.  Still more to add in these borders!

Barbados is ready!

Big News today!  The stitch guide for Barbados by Leigh Designs is now ready!  It is available for purchase with the canvas from your shop.  You can see photos at:  http://leighdesigns.com/
You can also purchase one from me as well!

All the way across

I finished all the way across.  First I added Diamond Jessicas in gold and silver between the sets of Jessicas on both bands.  Then each border has a double Fan Motif worked in the very middle!

And the bottom

Now the bottom band has all of it's Jessicas!  Moving right along.  Jane suggested that this might be pretty in other colors and I totally agree.  I think that you could use a single color but also even mix in two or three.  This is primarily gold, silver, ecru, gray and lite peach.  Black and white, light to dark purples, pinks, greens, blues and on and on!

Side bars

I have started the two side bars that will match.  A series of Jessicas are worked by alternating Kreinik and Elegance.  One down, one to go.  There are multiple steps to each bar and I will work them simultaneously.

Center Panel

 Long laid stitches are worked in Kreinik overlaid with Splendor to couch them down.  Upright crosses are worked on top of the laid stitches.  Next five Jessicas in Elegance and Kreinik are worked and then a Diamond Jessica is worked on top of those. Last, two rows of tent stitches are worked around the Jessicas.

The overall progress so far!

Mistake Stitches

This box has 2 different variations of Mistake stitches worked with Rainbow Gallery and Kreiniks.  Jessicas are added around the Mistake stitches and then partial Crescents.  Beads were added last.  Many layers of interest in the piece!

Happy 4th!

A safe and Happy Holiday to all! 

 Great friends, family, and fireworks!

Another box

This box has Amadeus stitches covered with a strand of Kreinik and then some beads in the center.
Teardrops create the middle shapes and are also surrounded by beads.

The ends are done.

 First, the overall view with both ends completed.  The center bands of Kreinik gold are also done.

 

Partial Sprat's Heads were worked in each corner of the ends to complete them and Sundance beads are on the ends of the Wheat stitches.

The ends

Each end of the frame weight has Jessicas and some wheat stitches.  The white ones are worked first and then the Kreinik one is put on top of those two.  The wheat stitches are also worked with Kreinik.