A Touch of Fall

Here in northern California, there's a faint touch of fall in the air, and the grapes have started to ripen a few weeks early ~ even though it's only the beginning of August.  And that reminds me that it's time to offer "HARVEST TIME" as a fall cyber class again. 

I don't know what it is about this project  ~ whether it's the plump clusters of grapes that are so fun to stitch, or if it's the rich luscious burgundy & green colorway of Watercolours "Camouflage" ~ but it's definitely a favorite of mine, and from what I can tell from stitchers around the globe asking for it, it's a popular favorite of stitchers as well!

So now's the time to think about harvesting some of your own grapes.....

Go visit my website: www.laurajperindesigns.net to read all about this fun up-coming class and register for it today.  

(And if you want to open a bottle of wine and raise a glass in celebration of the coming fall harvest, go right ahead!)

Here's What I'm Working On...

Here's a little sneak peek at something I'm trying to finish up this week.

I'm calling it VINEYARD BOUQUET. I wanted to get back to doing some blackwork again, but do it on 18 ct. canvas this time. I've used a variegated thread (of course) in a autumnal colorway, with burgundy, green and gold accents.

I'm planning to include a few other color choices: a chardonnay version (golds) and a zinfandel version (pinks), because this design would definitely look great in other color combinations. And although I wanted to work on the "old" brown canvas to give it a vintage look, it can also be stitched up on sandstone or eggshell canvas, for a brighter, sunnier look. There are places for beads, too - especially for the grapes....I just don't know how many to add - that'll come at the very end, after all the stitching is done.

And I'm especially pleased with the borders on this one! The rippling ribbon effect is soooo easy and fun to stitch....And the satin ribbon accents that "wrap" the green outer border add a subtle sheen to the plain outer border, making it look rather elegant, plus give it a little extra dimension. And speaking of dimensions, the overall size of this piece is 10.5" x 10.5" on 18 ct. mono canvas.

I'm really lovin' the look of this design, thus far! So I think I'll get back to work on it....Later, Stitchers!!