Splish Splash...

One of the best ways I know to stay cool on a hot summer's day is to sit under a ceiling fan and work on a project that has cool blues and greens in it -- which is my idea of color therapy!

One of my favorite blue and green designs is REFLECTING POOLS, done many years ago...

It was the first piece I created for my "Impressionist Collection" because it was such an asymmetrical abstract, it really didn't fit with my other more traditional samplers.  It was also the first piece I created using a technique that still fascinates me today: mixing "heavy" #5 pearl cotton variegated threads with "light" stranded silk or cotton threads in the same colorways, just to see what happens when you put them side by side.  Here's an example of what I mean:

The border areas in REFLECTING POOLS are stitched with 1 ply of a 3-ply #5 Caron Watercolours thread; and the same stitch pattern is worked "on the other side of the border line" but using 1 or 2 ply of a finer cotton or silk thread (in this case, Caron Waterlilies).  You're making the same stitch pattern, but all of a sudden it looks different - paler, softer, farther away.  Here's another example:

While the thicker #5 version has a richer, more solid look to it, the thinner version looks totally different, doesn't it?   I love the lacy-ness of those inner patterns, although the variegated colors really pop in the heavier border areas.  When comparing the two versions I rather think those "light" versions would make terrific background patterns for painted canvas pieces.   And notice how different the plain ol' Basketweave Stitch looks when done with 1-2 ply of a stranded silk, against the more solid chunk of Basketweave done with the #5 Watercolours.  Interesting, huh?

NOTE: I used a family of Caron Watercolours, Wildflowers, and Waterlilies in 068 - "Mediterranean" for this piece, and yes, the thread colors between the different thread types are different.  But you know, that's one of the things I like about using variegated threads -- every stitched piece will look slightly (or even greatly) different, since dye lots can change drastically over the years -- because that makes every stitched piece unique.... 

Anyway, this piece was stitched over 10 years ago, but I love it just as much now, and it is still refreshing to look at, especially on a hot summer's day. The darker border areas remind me of mosaic tiles around the edge of a swimming pool, while the inner patterns are a softer, paler reflection of those same tiles, only seen under the shimmer of an imaginary pool..... Ooooooh, very cool!!

First Cyber Class for 2013

Hey, Stitchers!  I've decided to try something a little bit different for my next cyber class.... 

I'm calling this one "FLOATING PANELS" since it's got lots of interesting geometric elements floating within a larger geometric area.

The wonderful thing about this design is that it features a variegated silk thread (Waterlilies) with a palette of silk threads that are mixed and matched in such a way as to change the look and color of each rectangular box.  I love experimenting with variegated threads, and this design plays around with how the variegated colors change throughout the piece, depending on which solid colors you mix with it.

I've created four different colorways, to broaden the interest in this piece: AMETHYST (shown above, in purples and blues with Waterlilies 06-Amethyst), SAPPHIRE (blues and aquas with Waterlilies 289-Lexi's Blues), RUBY (reds and purples with Waterlilies 290-Mystery Mix), and AMBER (golds and browns with Waterlilies 251-Sunflower Seed):
   

 

In the photos above, the first skein on the left is the color used for the borders; the next three skeins are the main color group; and the final two skeins on the right are the accent colors.  There's also a handful of matching metallic threads from thick to thin (not shown), just to add extra texture and sparkle.

There will also be a few Swarovski crystals, a sprinkling of beads, and a handmade fused glass jewel that will match each of the color groups.  All of the groups are worked on the sage green 18 ct. canvas, except for the RUBY colorway, which will get sandstone canvas. (If you want sandstone canvas for the other colorways, please let me know and I can adjust your kit.)  By the way, the finished size of this piece is 6.25" wide by 11.25" tall...not super big or complex, but the nice thing about this abstract is it can be framed/displayed vertically OR horizontally!

If this abstract geometric appeals to you, and you'd like to start the New Year with something totally different, please visit my website, Laura J. Perin Designs, for more information regarding this 2013 cyber class.

Add a Little Mystery to Your Life!

In the latest issue of Needlepoint Now(Sept/Oct), there's the start of a three-part project of mine called "Triptych Mystery". Here's what the whole design looks like (since they've revealed the whole design in the magazine, I'll also share it with you here):

Each month a different square will be shown and stitchers can do the whole design, or just one block at a time, as they prefer. I've chosen favorite stitch patterns that are fun and interesting to stitch. And the 4" blocks do work up rather fast... and can make great abstract ornaments as well. (I can see them turned on point with a tassel added for a hanging ornament...or all three worked as a small banner - apprx 4" x 12".) Here's what the first installment looks like up close:

If these abstract squares intrigue you, check out the latest Needlepoint Now magazine and get started stitching!

But also please take note: the Watercolours thread used for the whole piece should be Watercolours 231 - Ethiopia (not 257 as written in the instructions). When proofing the pages I totally overlooked the thread number and the wrong one slipped by me! Rats... Sorry for the mistake, stitchers... but once you see the gorgeous purples, golds and browns of 231 Ethiopia you'll love working with it as much as I did!

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!!

A New Abstract

It's time to reveal my latest abstract design in the IMPRESSIONIST COLLECTION - I call it "FLUORITE FANTASY":


I was inspired to create this diamond-studded design because of a handful of favorite crystals called "fluorites" I got many years ago. They are naturally formed octahedrons in cool colors like teal and purple, and they look like this:



And when I was stitching on FLUORITE FANTASY I tried to use diamond-shaped patterns as much as possible, to reinforce the crystal's shape and form:


I've also added lots of crystal beads (which you can't really see in this photo, and in addition, I've added a few small purple jewels in the smaller diamonds - which I didn't show in this particular photo...)

And of course, in this piece I also use one of my favorite techniques: stitching the same patterns in different thread weights (thick and thin) to create the illusion of space and distance within the design:


So, if you love stitching in purples and teals, and want to create an asymetrical counted canvaswork piece, this might be a nice challenge for you! Please visit my website for more information on FLUORITE FANTASY...

Twilight on the Trail

Here is another of my favorite abstract designs, TUCSON TWILIGHT. With the mellow purple and gold colors it truly glows with warm earthtone colors. When I designed it, I was thinking of the deep purple shadows of the desert, stretching out across a hot golden landscape. (But sometimes when people call to order it and call it "Tuscan Twilight", I don't correct them. It certainly COULD be a Tuscan twilight, too...don't you think?)

I enjoy thinking up fun (and easy) stitch combinations that also echo the theme of the design. I like the diagonal zig zag rows that create little spaces to add small flower motifs. This pattern reminds me of woven blanket patterns you find in the southwest. And check out the upper diagonal row of simple straight stitches - done with the variegated thread (Wildflowers 016 - "Bark") it has a very sophisticated look. Add some beads, and a very easy stitch looks very elegant.

I'm always amazed at how different patterns look when you change the texture or thickness of the thread. In these Impressionist Collection designs, I use the narrow borderlines to create two different stitching areas: the outer areas use 1 ply of the #5 Watercolours, and the central, inner area uses 1-2 ply of the finer Wildflowers thread. When the pattern "crosses the border" (as I say in the instructions) you continue the same pattern, but in the thicker thread...creating a darker, richer version of the pattern. I just LOVE the contrast between the two different areas. And as you can see in the photo of the whole design at the top, it creates depth, dimension, light changes, and drama. Looks very complex, doesn't it?

And here's one thing that's different about this pattern: I created two-colored borders. I had never tried that before and wanted to create a shadowed effect on the lower left corner. Instead of using just one color, I joined two border colors together by splicing/overlapping the colors. It's a simple enough technique, but not one that you see used very often. It's worth trying on canvases where you want the border to shadow the main design, and give it extra weight and dimension.