my world lately

Well, Confetti is now Carnival. Here is the progress thus far on this newest design. I just love working through these reconstructed quilt block patterns. The design changes with each block.

I've also been doing some meditative mandala stitching. These pieces measure about 5" x 5". No pattern, I just start at the center and work my way out. 

And finally, the first Lil Flake of the sixth snowfall

complete with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer boots!

I've been struggling with the 'got too many things going at once' syndrome again, but am feeling better now that I've got a few things scratched off my list of commitments. 

Now, off to stitch!

my flakey friends are back

I decided to return to some of the series of designs that were favorites of stitchers. The Flakey Friends, a trio of goofy snowy-sorts was always one of my favorite series to design. They started in 2006, and the last design was released in 2009.  Well, here they are again!  "The Gift of Friends" is available on my website now, and will be available through Hoffman Distributing  very soon!   This piece stitches up at 96w x 72h. I stitched my model over two threads on 28ct. Thyme hand dyed Jobelan from Wichelt Imports using DMC threads and Kreinik #4 Braids.  

Next up?

A return to the Snowballz!

The first..."Snowflake Garden"....

I also crocheted two scarves using my hand-twisted recycled fabric and fiber yarn that I will be photographing over the weekend if the weather cooperates!  I am really pleased with how they turned out. 

Now off to stitch! Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. 

...and also Yasamine of the Little Snowballz

While I miss my kids terribly (they are off on a family vacation/raquetball tournament with their father) it does give me the opportunity to spend large hunks of time stitching uninterrupted. It meant completing two Snowballz over the weekend.

Yasamine joins the series on the tail end, one more to go. Zeke will be started this afternoon. Yassy is stitched over two threads on 28ct. Pink Dahlia hand dyed Jobelan from Wichelt Imports. I love their hand dyed Jobelans. The colors are amazing. As with the other Little Snowballz, she only requires 8 colors of DMC floss. The piece finishes at a 48w x 69h.  She's a little "thinner" than some of the other Snowballz. I just consider her petite!

I do enjoy exploring other designing paths. My mandala series has been inspiring to me, and I always enjoy florals and working on creating garden pieces.

But I will always find such joy in the Snowballz.

Willie of the Little Snowballz

Finished the "W" installment of the Little Snowballz today in between thunderstorm warnings! I stitched Willie over two threads on 28ct. Coffee Jobelan from Wichelt Imports. The design uses 8 colors of DMC floss and finishes at 72w x 94h.  Three more designs in this series and it will be complete!

I am starting on the first of four mini mandalas next. I have designed one for each season. I will be starting with the Spring piece.

Vivianne of The Little Snowballz

I finished Vivianne of the Little Snowballz this morning. She is stitched over two threads on 28ct. Thyme Jobelan from Wichelt Imports and finished at 72w x 95h and uses 8 DMC colors.

This leaves four more Little Snowballz in the series. They've all been charted and are ready for stitching.  I will be starting Willie this afternoon. (With Xavier, Yazamine and Zeke wrapping up the line).

I have some other floral ideas that I am going to sit down and sketch out later this week, and I also think it is time to revisit the FernFolk Series. I had a stitcher suggest that I get some girls into the line seeing as its been all lads so far!

I have also had several requests for a check-off list for the Little Snowballz, so I will be trying to get that taken care of and up in a printable pdf. 

Ulysses & Secret Garden

Had another finish today! Welcoming Ulysses of the Little Snowballz. As with all the of the Snowballz of this line, Ulysses uses only 8 DMC colors. I stitched my piece on 14ct. Blueberry Jobelan Aida from Wichelt Imports. He finishes at 72w x 84h.

 I have decided to start the first of a new garden-themed line called 'Secret Garden'. I am going to get back to including vintage embellishments with the chart packs. Each one will be slightly different than the next.  Buttons, some beads, and blooms created out of vintage handkerchiefs will be worked into this series.

Because each pattern will include something different, the thread choices are very simple as well so that they can be adapted to the colors of the handkerchief blooms.

                                                                                              

Weekend Work

Today I spent the morning in the studio going through vintage buttons, tatting, and hankies. Now I have a dining room table full of goodies, and I am hoping to start working on an idea that has been rattling around in head tomorrow. More to come on that!

Ulysses of the Little Snowballz is almost finished and I have charted the V-W-X-Y-Z designs, and that will wrap up this series. I think I need to dig out the Halloween folder pretty soon and see what is lurking in there.

Some time spent today editing Meditation III. I rounded it out. It was feeling far to hard edged to me before. I played around with some color changes as well and might be using holographic braids in this one again, or I might get out the Color Variations from DMC.  It is almost feeling too dark with the current palette.