Fighting with a Hummingbird

 Not a real one. A stitched one.

I've spent far too many hours over the last few days trying to get this damn bird to look like it has feathers. I have finally decided that I'm done. Done, done, done. I've also decided that if I look at it from across the room, it's okay, and that once all the bling is added, maybe the feathers won't be as important.

As usual, the problem is that I can't stitch random. There were about two hours of videos on this part of the design that literally showed where each stitch should be placed, but when I started, my brain and my hands said nope, they don't work that way, random bothers them.

This is not my first rodeo with silk shading/thread painting--and I haven't been happy with any of the previous attempts either.

Today I think I'll try to get the wings stitched--they're satin stitch and I like doing satin--and then I'll start the metal threads.

And just accept the fact that random isn't my thing.

My fine feathered friend

 Finally! All the padding for the silk and metal threads is sewn down--stitches are supposed to be about 1 mm long, and about 1 mm apart. That is tiny! 

The plan is to start the silk embroidery on the body and head tomorrow. 

But we all know where plans lead me . . . 

Not a Canary

This is going to be a hummingbird, but right now, it looks like a peculiar canary.

 I've started the Hummingbird in Silk and Metal, an online class EGA offered earlier this year.

Earlier this year, my hand was in a brace and I was not stitching. Luckily for me, the access to the class materials was extended to September 29.

Wait a minute. This is September. I do believe I need to get cracking and get 'er done. Basically, I have printed out all the lessons, but there are the most spectacular videos that show just about every single stitch as it's worked. Talk about a major help!

Today I started the felt padding that both silk and metal threads will be worked over. It's fiddly and finicky but gives everything dimension.

So this is what I will focus on for the next couple of weeks--and let's hope I can continue to focus on one project for that long.

September Stitches

 There were very few stitches added to anything last week.

I did plant all the grass on one side of the stitching book, and started on the other.

I also had the wonderful experience of attending my "old" EGA chapter's summer social. Seeing my buddies again--well, there are no words for how lovely it all was. I miss every single one of them, and need to figure out a way to get back more often.

And I have decided to work on some other projects for a bit. After all, after years and years of school, September always feels like a new, fresh start. So I'm starting some new, fresh pieces.

So tonight I'm going to set up stretcher bars and an embroidery hoop, and will spend Labor Day stitching.

Needle in a Haystack

And here is my version of long and short stitch in smooth purl metal thread:

It's supposed to be random and organic. This is as random and organic as I get. 

Having been slightly under the weather for the last 24 hours, I believe I am going to sip a little ginger ale and nibble on a saltine, then go back to bed. Hopefully I'll be back to whatever passes for normal tomorrow.

Planting Grass . . . and Letters?

 I am still slaving away on the projects I decided to focus on.

I needed to set up the foundation for the motifs that will be stitched atop the hills. And I looked at the fact that there are letters (I don't like to stitch letters) and a lot of tent stitch (which I find boring) and thought maybe I should get this done and out of the way. So that's what I need to do.

And then there is my goldwork class. 

This is in no way a reflection on the teacher or the class. This is more a problem with my skill level, or lack of skill level, but I have to admit, I am frustrated.

We had to do a trellis stitch pattern. I've done trellis stitch patterns umpty-leven times on crewel pieces with no problems. However, I found that metal threads are much less forgiving than wool crewel threads. 

Even with eyeballing and measuring and eyeballing and measuring, I could not get my base lines for the trellis itself to lie straight and evenly separated. Thus, I ended up with something that looked more like fishnet than a trellis--no two spaces were the same size, sort of the way part of a fishnet can get wadded up. That meant that I couldn't do the filling pattern we were supposed to do. So I just threw in sequins fastened down with loops of smooth purl and called it done.

Then the motif next to it is supposed to be worked in long and short stitch. Once again, not like long and short in crewel. I fought with that for a good chunk of the afternoon and finally said I believed I should just do tent stitch for awhile.

And that's when I got completely and totally bored to tears.

I think I'll read a book.

GRRRRR!

Almost like Christmas

 It was a good mail day today. The materials came for the crewel class I'm taking this fall from Sara Rickards of Well Embroidered.

The "gift" box

with the contents wrapped in tissue

and all the goodies inside

Just look at those luscious colors! And the design is already transferred to the linen twill--be still my heart!

Today, though, I am taking a day off from stitching, at least until this evening. I have a list of Domestic Diva activities about a mile long and, thus far, I've only crossed off two items on that list. I must don my Head Housekeeper attire and tackle the living room.

And hope it doesn't tackle me first.