Aloha, Stitchers!

Direct from my Hawaiian-print pants to you: it's LAHAINA BREEZES!

Boy, was this a fun one to stitch up! It's a 10" x 10" design that I worked up on the bright aquamarine 18 ct. canvas for a little bit of island flavor. And the patterns I chose worked up so fast and easy it was an unexpected surprise to have it all stitched up in 7 days.

Here's a close-up of some of the fun patterns:

And see at the bottom of the photo, I even snuck in a wavy row of jazzy bugle beads, for a totally different texture... plus there are some crystal beads sprinkled around the piece as well.

And here's a side shot so you can see some of the shiny Ribbon Floss stitching in the plumeria flower section, that adds an extra dimension of color and light movement to the piece:

If you're interested in sampling these LAHAINA BREEZES yourself, please visit my website for all the pattern particulars.... ALOHA AND HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND, STITCHERS!!

Inspiration Strikes!

Last week, I was wearing a a pair of pants I made many years ago out of a serene batik cotton print. All day long, while I was wearing them I kept looking down at the patterns on the fabric and thought they would make a very cool stitchery design.

See what I mean?

Finally I couldn't stand it any more. I stopped what I was supposed to be doing and sat down and drafted a composition that incorporated a few of the simple fabric patterns, plus a few other motifs that would create the look and feel of a tropical Hawaiian piece.

I scanned the drawing into my Adobe Illustrator program and started working out the graph lines and project dimensions. Once satisfied with the rough layout, I pulled out a handful of blue, aqua and teal threads and started stitching.

I spent all day yesterday sitting on my covered patio stitching, while Katie snoozed on the lawn. And here's what I got done:

I intended to just get the main areas established (so I could take this project to a friend's stitch-in this coming weekend), but I had so much fun stitching each of the areas, I couldn't stop working on it and sheesh, I might have it almost finished by the time the weekend comes around! All that remains to be designed is the Hawaiian-type floral motif in the lower diamond... but no worries! I'm confident that I can create just the right flower motif to finish this piece.

(Psst: Although the photo makes it look like I'm stitching on sage green canvas, I'm really working on the brighter aquamarine canvas, so I have an aqua background on the unstitched areas...)

Anyway, I'm hoping I'll be able to complete the graph and text instructions just as quickly as I can, so I can release this design while the summer is hot and cool projects are a stitcher's necessity! Until then: "Aloha, Stitchers -- and stay cool and serene wherever you are..."