stitchin'

With the newest of the Lil Flakes and Snowbugz out, I picked up the January installment of the Whiskerkins, Snowflake. He was a quick stitch, and has been very well received by the Whiskerkins fans!  He has more sparkle than what you might see here as I worked in a few Kreinik braids.

With the end of the month looming, I thought it better to leave the next holiday themed pattern I had designed for next year, picking up instead Carnival, the next in the cross stitch quilt block collection.

I just love this design. It's addictive and ever-changing.  I've found myself working until 2am the last few nights as I lose track of time while stitching.

This is the progress thus far, working through the bottom left quarter of the design as well as the top left quarter. I hope to get the whole left side finished over the next couple of days. I have already started designing another of these that reminds me a little more of stained glass.

Now off for more coffee and a staff meeting at the group home, pouting a bit because I really just want to stay home and stitch.

garden kaleidoscope fabric collection

After ordering test swatches and making needed edits, (the print was just far too big in most cases)  I've got this collection of fabrics where I want them, and I will be ordering a few fat quarters and yardage. I've got a quilt idea blocked out and am excited to use my own fabrics to make it.

Most of these prints were developed using my photographed images of the flower gardens at Sibley Park here in Mankato.  Pulled them into one of the various graphics programs I enjoy putzing with, something I can get positively lost in.

kaleidoscope

Finished! Whoot!  Stitched over two threads on 28ct. Queen Ann's Lace from Wichelt Imports using DMC floss. Finishes at 150w x 150h.

Wednesday Play

My son was sick today :( and so once I got him medicated and sleeping, I found myself with some unexpected  time on my hands while he rested. After working for a bit on some homework, I settled in and goofed around with some images.

Some play with a scrap of paper that I had blotted a water color brush out on, scribbled on and then scanned. Once I had the image cropped, I played around with off-set and kaleidoscope filters. Each swatch is 8x8 inches, 150dpi.

The last two swatches are also 8x8 150dpi images that were inspired by a photograph of a storm cloud-filled sky that I took this summer. I brought the image into Photoshop, upped the dpi from 72 to 150 just to get the washed out feel I wanted, played around with a few effects and then off-set the image.

The second image is off-set a second time.

A few more potential swatches for fabric design