Flying together

All of the Charley Harper Cardinals are now home and comfortably posing on the wall!  Thought you might like to see them all together!

The cardinals are framed

Maggie just emailed me these photos of the cardinals all matted and framed!  They are in North Carolina for a while but I thought you would like to see her exquisite work!  Thanks, Maggie!

Sequins and Beads

I finally decided about the square snowflakes!  I did not like any of the stitches for the square snowflakes!  I went to Hobby Lobby and bought some iridescent stars and round sequins.  After trying both, I used the round one and secured them with an iridescent bead as well.  I think they fit with the modernistic look of the rest of the canvas.  The final item was to add the round black beads for his eyes.  Adding this one to the finished list!

Starting the snow

Well, I don't think any of us want snow, but it sure is hot and humid everywhere!  Working on the snow on the bottom leaves was a bit refreshing just looking at the white Frosty Rays 217.  I am using the Nobuko stitch and doing a lot of compensating to fit the shapes.  I did one snowflake to the left of the pedestal in a square Rhodes, but am not sure I like it.

He is all done!

I stitched the body of the bird in Knotted Stitch using 5 strands of the red Splendor.  I also added the black eyes.....moving onto the snow and don't we just need that!!

Look closely

I did the base of the wings......I did 5 spokes out to the ribs using 5 strands of Splendor and then I wove over and under them to create each side of the bird wing base.  Then I did basketweave and completed the black and orange of his beak.  Jane said snow is in the forecast and it is true......but I will work the body first and then the snow areas.

A little here

I have been able to sneak in a little stitching here and there.  I almost have the second wing done!  Just a few more ribs up toward the center top and the wings will be in.  Then, I will fill in around the outside of the wings with a few more of the brick stitches to complete the background.

Back to stitching

I finished all the spokes and T stitches on the right wing!  I will have to go back and do a few more Brick stitches around the edge but he looks spiffy so far!  LOL

So what I did....

I am filling in the wing!  I am using three strands of Splendor in between the "ribs" with a T stitch so they look a bit lacy.  The "ribs" are worked in the same color of Splendor using four strands and a tent stitch!  both of these stitches go fast so I hope to get the rest of this wing done tomorrow!

Well, it's about time!

I finished the background around the outside!  Happy dancing here!  Both Jane and Beth picked up that I have not worked the Brick stitch in and around the wings and decided I was "up to something".....of course, I am!  Stay tuned....

Down the middle

I completed the Brick Stitch over to the leaves, down the center and then started working over to the left.  One more day should knock out the rest of the Brick stitch near the edges.

The leaves

I finished the leaves on the top!  I also worked the background on the right almost over to the top leaves.  I am going to work more background next and get that filled in as close to the wings as I can....and yes, I have
turned the canvas and am working it "upside down" so I can reach it!  LOL

Some of this n that

I worked on the background on the top right side and also worked a couple of the top leaves.  I alternated needles of threads so as not to get bored doing just one or the other!  LOL
Jane asked about the size of this piece and I apologize for not having included that before!  It is 12.5 inches across on 14 count. It is a large piece and it will be hung on my sun porch when I get it done.

Pedestal for the bath

The pedestal for the bath is finished.   I finished all of the Parisian stitching on the pedestal in the four strands of Splendor.  I know you are waiting for the snow on the bath and all the flakes and leaves but I will probably do it last.  I started working on the group of leaves at the top in the four strands of Splendor in stem stitch again and want to get those finished next.

Moving on

I finished the bowl of the bath!  I also started working the pedestal and am using the same four strands of Splendor but switched to the Parisian stitch and am also laying it.  The horizontal design of the Flemish Bond called for a vertical stitch to offset it and after several choices, I went with the Parisian.

Adding a rim

I finished the bowl and then did a row of tent stitch using three ply of Splendor to set off the edge and while I was at it, did all the horizontal and vertical lines in the pedestal as well.  Then I resumed working the lip of the rim in the Flemish Bond stitch.

The Basin

I continued working the basin of the bath in the Flemish Bond stitch with the four strands of Splendor.  I almost completed the bottom section.  Notice the single row of canvas above and below the bowl and that the pattern will continue above before the snow starts and below before the pedestal.

Bottom half

The bottom half is all brick stitched over to the bottom of the pair of leaves on the left and up to the top right corner one you can see.  I finished up the left side today and also went back to work on the bath bowl itself with the Flemish Bond stitch using four strands of Splendor. 

Back to the bath

 It really is a picture of the lower half of the Brrr--rrr--ddd Bath by Charley Harper and I worked in the lower left section tonight.  I am doing Brick stitch over two with two strands of Splendor 1072 and laying the threads.  When I first cropped this picture, I thought....hhmmmmm headless fishies in a pool but really it is not!  I am such a smart aleck some times....forgive me!

The bath

I started working on the actual bath itself.  I am doing the Flemish Bond stitch with four stands of Splendor to match the paint.  I wanted this to be a textured concrete befitting his highness in the midst of the cold winter day and thus decided on the Flemish Bond stitch.  He will still remain the focal point due to his color, but will be an interest in the piece.