Monday, July 12, 2010

My Cozy Nook


Well, I've found another fun place to stitch in my house. This time it's in the kitchen nook. I have my breakfast here, with the golden morning light shining in from all the windows. It's a perfect place to sit and read while I have breakfast and Katie curls up on the rug underneath the table.

Then the other morning I thought, "Gee, this would be a good place to stitch, too." And I went and got one of my floor stands and a little project I'm working on for the kitchen, and VOILA!.... A new Stitching Station is born!

So I've been spending some of my mornings stitching away in the bright morning light. I even put my laptop on the table so I can listen to audiobooks while I stitch -- my idea of HEAVEN!

And here's the little project I'm working on:


It's a project I bought at a local ANG "auction" a few years ago that had not only the canvas, but ALL the threads needed as well. When I pulled it out recently I realized the hotel is the same color as the walls of my kitchen. So I HAD to get stitching on it so I could see it framed on the wall.

It's been fun stitching with threads picked out by someone else. I chose to stitch the hotel in clapboards instead of basketweaving the whole thing - thought it would go faster (done with Flax 'n Colors "Pumpkin Mousse"). And the shutters are all done in Pebbly Perle. I started tent stitching the shutters - both the black and white areas and GAD, was it HARD. The Pebbly Perle was too thick and tough to work in solid tent stitches, so I ripped out the white rows and left the black shadow rows, and then just laid long horizontal white stitches along the slat lines - it was MUCH easier to deal with, although my shutters are a little wonky! (But, hey, this is an old French building and it's okay for the shutters to be a little ancient looking, n'est pas?. Grin.....)


Currently, I'm stitching the windows with a very fine silver Kreinik Cord. You can see it in the photo, but I'm just tent stitching - tedious, but it does glint like glass windows. And I substituted my own hand-dyed thread for the walkway, instead of the greyish Gentle Arts thread that came with the canvas. I just saw the street paved in used bricks - so that's how I stitched it.

All that's left now are the leaves on the flower boxes. I'm using two different variegated greens and just placing lazy daisy stitches haphazardly all over. The really fun part will be putting all the flowers on top. The original owner of the canvas chose red silks for the geraniums. I'm planning to use two pink Ribbon Floss colors, just to maintain the pink "kick", just as the canvas designer originally painted. Oh, yeah, and I think the red door needs a doornob - maybe some gold beads??

I'll share the finished piece with you after I have everything stitched, but now I had better get back to it. I'm soooo close to finishing this piece and I'm nearly there.....

12 comments:

Anne said...

I just love your new project! And what a lovely cozy nook in which to stitch.

Tatkis said...

It's such a nice and cosy place to stitch! And your Hotel looks very nice, wish you a happy stitching!

Best wishes,
Tatyana

Coni said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE it! (The nook, the stitching, the colors, the stitches...everything!)

Oh, Laura, your new nest looks simply fabulous! I hope that you and Katie are all settled in and comfy cozy in your new place. It's looks just lovely.

Anonymous said...

This looks like a very cozy place to spend a morning. What type of stand is this pictured?

Susan said...

What a wonderful little room! All your stitching places are unique.
I'm wondering where you got your floor stands. They are different, and I've checked the usual places but can't find them. Would you mind sharing??
Susan

Front Range Stitcher said...

Love the lacy curtains and brickwork already. This is fun to watch. And of course you think it's heaven to stitch and listen to audio books...because it is! And what a lovely place to do so.

Also, so excited to see your offering of "Sunflowers" in the latest issue of "Needlepoint Now." Darling design, thank you!

Alice said...

That is a beautiful stitching spot!

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I love the bricks on the wall and the red glitter hotel name.

I took my daughter to Paris recently and your needlepoint hotel looks just like the real thing.

Laura

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

You make me want to try my hand at canvas work! So lovely. I really like the stitch you used on the building...it truly makes it pop out. :)

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

I've jumped into the pot! I just bought all the stuff to make your lovely sunflower design from the latest issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine. This will be my first canvas work. Your design really inspired me. I love sun flowers...and snowmen, but that's a story for another day. :)

Danielle said...

LOVE the nook! So cute and cozy. And nice paint color on the walls. Looks very calming and a good way to start the day.

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