Ready for Some Spring Flowers?

I've had so much interest in the PURPLE DAISY class I offered last year, I'm going to offer it again this spring. 

If you'd like to try your hand at doing some "messy beading", this is a really fun, small project to make!

You'll stitch the 6" x 7.5" design on a 10" x 12" canvas that I print out myself, using a flower image I drew on the computer (using a photo of a purple daisy).  There's a fun "shadow stitched" background (easy peasy!), and a bold set of borders that are very fun to stitch, and frame the bright purple daisy with bright colors, checks and oh yeah, some beads! 

It's not a hard project, or a long one either;  four emailed lessons will be sent to you starting in mid-April. And the kit includes the printed canvas, all the necessary threads, and a packet of mixed gold beads for your beading.  If you've ever been curious about doing some "messy beading", here's your chance!!

So if you're interested in joining this next class, please visit my website: www.laurajperindesigns.net and click on the LJP CYBER CLASSES menu for all the class and ordering information.
HAPPY FRIDAY!!

A "Cool" Oldie

I was doing some printing this week for my distributor, and was updating an old quilt favorite called SNAIL'S TRAIL: 

In my early designing years, when I was doing lots of needlepoint quilt designs, I did quite a few of them in "Amish" colors - blues, greens, purples - that simply GLOW when they are finished.  This is one of those... (although the scanner can never get the right mix of blues and purples, no matter how I try!)

There are lots and lots of squares and triangles on this one, and you really have to pay attention to the graphs to get your swirly snails right!  You can see in the detail photo below how the "snails" are constructed.

And this one was different because the variegated thread almost becomes the background color, as it recedes behind the turquoise, blue and purple swirls.  I've never seen it stitched in other colors, but it would be fun to pick a favorite variegated thread plus three different colors, and stitch it up in a totally unique colorway.  The only stitch used throughout the whole piece is the Diagonal Satin Stitch, so you only have to worry about getting all your snail trails going in the right direction!

Anyway, I'm adding SNAIL'S TRAIL back onto my website (under the American Quilt Collection), so if you're interested in this very cool "optical illusion" quilt design, that's where you'll find it!

A New Floral Stitch Guide

Another model I sent to the TNNA show in San Diego this year was PRETTY (by Sandra Gilmore), done this past autumn...

I absolutely loved all the soft pastel colors in this canvas, and I found myself proceeding very carefully to render all the different shades of pinks and yellows.  Because the background colors were so lovely, I didn't want to cover them up with solid stitching, so I chose some blackwork patterns that provided interesting texture, but didn't hide the painted colors.

I like to think that the large "wall" area could be wallpaper, drapes, or even ironwork.  Then the middle section could be carpeting or the back of a sofa (I was envisioning a chenille sofa!).  Then another blackwork pattern for the white lacy tablecloth.

When I got to the bowl and flowers, I did a LOT of Tent Stitching (or Basketweave, where possible) in a variety of colors.  I added irregular Mosaic stitches over the bowl, to give it a rough-ish texture, hoping to contrast it against the soft petals of the flowers. You can't see it in the photo, but all the bowl stitches have a slight sparkle, since I mixed in some Kreinik Blending Filaments with each stitch...

And then I tackled the flowers. (Are they roses or peonies?  I still can't decide.)  First I Tent Stitched everything, then went back and added Diagonal Satin Stitches on just the petals I wanted to highlight.  I used rayon Ribbon Floss and Neon Rays, since I wanted a soft sheen on my petals.

Slow work, but very, very satisfying when everything is done.  And after all the flowers were stitched, I decided they needed some deliciously full bullioned and beaded centers!  (And I've included a packet of beads with the stitch guide, by the way).

So if these soft pastel flowers appeal to you (deep in the heart of winter) you can check out the stitch guide for PRETTY on my website.... or ask your local stitchery store to order the canvas and stitch guide from Fleur de Paris.  Either way, it's a wonderful project to get you in a flowery spring mood!

To Market, To Market....

Although I'm not traveling to San Diego for the first TNNA show of 2014, I have sent my models for the stitch guides I've created for four Sandra Gilmore canvases. I had a blast working on painted canvases for a change, and I look forward to doing more of them in the coming New Year.

But I wanted to share with you my recent holiday stitch guide, for Sandra Gilmore's NUTCRACKER.

 He's a very handsome fellow, isn't he?  I especially love the raspberry and green colors, and couldn't wait to get stitching on him!
 

Because I was thinking this wooden nutcracker was shiny, I decided to stitch him in the shinier rayon threads of Ribbon Floss and Neon Rays.  Rather slippery threads, those rayons!  But I didn't have any problems with them, and they are so soft, they work nicely for the Elongated Tent Stitches I used for his hat and body.  I used regular Tent Stitches (or Basketweave) for his whole face. I also decided this nutcracker is so regal looking, his crown needed a tiny Swarovski crystal in the gold cross at the top of his hat. That's included with the pattern, by the way...

I padded his nose, and of course, his eyebrows and mustache (with soft Bella Lusso).  I left his fuzzy hair for last, mixing 2 strands of white Wisper with 1 strand of white Bella Lusso.   Personally, I didn't want super fuzzy hair, but if you did, you could always tackle some Turkey Work for those areas.

Since I wanted the nutcracker to be the focal point of the piece, I chose a quiet background, so it receded  behind - but not competed with - the nutcracker. I used a simple but elegant blackwork pattern, but enlarged it to fill the large background space, sorta like wallpaper, I guess...

 And, to tell the truth, I think my favorite part was stitching the ribbon border!  I've slightly padded the pink raised ribbon sections so they look like they're moving in and out of the canvas.  The white scalloped border is done with DMC #8 perle, and the green stripes are 1 strand of DMC Floche.

So if you are a nutcracker collector (and I know there are a lot of you out there!), or just want something fun to stitch for next year's holiday season, please visit my website for the stitch guide.  Or contact your local stitchery store for them to order both the canvas and stitch guide from Fleur de Paris, the distributor of all Sandra Gilmore canvases.

A New Holiday Pattern

I've been stitching as fast as I can to finish this new pattern in time for the holidays, so now I can finally share it with you!

It's called "HOLIDAY WREATH", and guess what?  It's a big ol' wreath made up of lots of sparkly wrapped packages.... and it looks like this:

It's a nice large design, 11" x 11" on 18 ct canvas (I used the eggshell with gold flecks, so the background is all sparkly and festive).  I had soooooo much fun stitching each of the packages - they're all done with simple stitches - and then getting them wrapped with whatever kinds of easy stitchy ribbons I could think of.  Here's a close-up of some of the packages:

I've used just two #5 pearl cottons: a Christmas red and a Christmas green, mixed with a handful of metallic ribbon threads for the packages and the ribbons.  And that big red bow?
 

It's done in long stitches, using the very yummy Very Velvet threads. (I've added just a few padding stitches under the bow areas, so that's what's making it look puckery on the scanned image, but in reality the bow is Very Rich looking and will "poof up" a bit when it's finally framed!)

After I stitched all the packages, I went ahead and added lots of irregularly stitched evergreen boughs peeking out behind the packages.  And there's a bit of tent stitching between the packages using the same variegated green ThreadworX Overdyed #5 pearl cotton.  I've added a sprinkling of round gold beads on some of the packages.... but you know, I'm thinking that a few fun buttons or embellishments (like tiny candy canes, bells, stars, snowflakes or gingerbread men) might be very appropriate to add to the packages - that's something you might like to do on YOUR wreath!!   All in all, it's a very fun and festive piece to stitch....

So, if you want to stitch up a new holiday piece that will surely become a family favorite, please visit my website: Laura J. Perin Designs for all the ordering information.  

Join the Club!

I've been meaning to tell you about a special project I designed for NORDIC NEEDLE, in Fargo, North Dakota.  You all know about Nordic Needle, right?  About their fan-tas-tic  store, website, and catalog??   If you haven't visited them, go hop, jump, skip over to see their amazing range of stitching merchandise -- virtually everything that the stitcher or embroiderer could ever wish for!!

Well, a few months ago, they asked me to design something really special: an exclusive project that they could use for their first-ever CANVASWORK CLUB!  They've got a Hardanger Club and a Cross Stitch Club, and they wanted to start a canvaswork club too.   So I did some super-marathon stitching and worked up a really fun 10-month project that uses fresh, festive "Nordic" colors of red, blue and green.  Here it is, and it's called NORDIC PANEL:

It's a long piece, about 7" wide by 18" long, and each section has a different and very fun stitch pattern to work up.  I specifically used different canvaswork techniques, such as bargello and blackwork, so the stitcher would get a taste of lots of interesting stitch patterns, and have the fun of trying new techniques in small sections.  Additionally, each separating border pattern uses different stitch elements, so there's a nice variety of unusual stitches to experience within this panel piece.  Here's an up-close look at part of the bargello section and below it, the blackwork section:

I focused on using traditional Nordic elements, like the classic star and floral motifs, combined with a happy checked border.  And the colors I chose remind me of those bright Nordic sweaters you see in the winter months... Happy, happy, happy, don't you agree??   (Although I think this project can be displayed equally well in spring, summer, fall and winter!)

 Because I wanted to create a project that would appeal to beginning stitchers as well as intermediate stitchers, I kept the stitches simple.... Really, it's just the way that they are combined (and with the use of a variegated thread and a handful of metallics) that makes this piece LOOK complex!

When you sign up for the Nordic Needle Canvaswork Club, you'll initially get the full thread kit (it's only available in this one red/blue/green colorway), which also includes the first lesson. (You'll be using scroll bars on this long piece, so if you don't have a set, you can purchase those from Nordic Needle as well.)  After that, you'll need to sign up for the monthly lessons, so you can work on your panel month by month.  In addition, as a special club bonus you'll receive four small ornament designs that will come throughout the remainder of the stitching year.  The ornaments can be stitched up as separate pieces with threads from your stash, so you have the added pleasure of a few more fun projects to enjoy throughout the year. 
 
What more can I say, except: This is fun, fun, fun to stitch, I gotta tell you!  So if you're looking for a fantastic new project to inspire you in 2014, please visit Nordic Needle's website and find out all about their new Canvaswork Club.

Just a Quick Follow-Up...

It's been lovely to read the comments coming in about the Little House books, and how they touched our childhood lives and I just wanted to say:

I'm sure all of you will really enjoy reading the story behind these beloved books!  After reading Susan Albert's A WILDER ROSE, I was profoundly moved by the quiet drama (and heartache) that was involved in getting these books published.  Susan's descriptions of life during the Depression were particularly moving and brought home to me how HARD life was during those years.  And yet, and yet.... people survived and were grateful for what they had; a valuable lesson, no matter when or where you live.

Finding out about Rose Wilder has made me think so much about the books themselves (I even went to the library and checked out a few of my favorites to reread)...but mostly I found myself thinking about Rose Wilder A LOT, and how she struggled to take care of her parents, yet forge ahead with her own art (writing) and try to build her own independent life at a time when the publishing industry had virtually crashed to a halt, and no one had money to buy books.  And I think wistfully how nice it would have been to sit and stitch with her, and talk about all the places she traveled during her life.

And another thing I found interesting: the Little House books came along JUST at the time when the publishing world was beginning to create separate children book lists, and editors were on the look out for material that would appeal specially to children.  The timing was nothing short of providential, I think, and ultimately added to the unique success of those special Little House books.

So, if you want a special treat for yourself or perhaps for a reader on your Christmas list, please visit Susan Albert's website:  www.A Wilder Rose.com.  You'll also be able to see photos of Rose Wilder and read more about her life.....