Designs that make my heart go pitter patter
Linda Wright
So, what makes your heart pitter patter when it comes to design!?
Hmm - good question:
My preference is surface/freestyle embroidery. I like to redo artwork
and create the texture where possible, in addition to the picture.
I've done some Manet, Monet and a couple of other pictures. Being
able to use more than just satin/long-short/split stitch is appealing.
I want to do a couple of Georgia O'Keefes, but haven't figured out
how to attack them yet.
I like things to have something that makes you want to touch it -
sparkly thread, fuzzy thread, texture in paint, charms, etc.
I like detailed landscapes.
Now, this may sound a little strange, but I want my work to look like
needlework, not an "authentic reproduction" that happens to be done in
thread (that ad that shows the grandmother who XS'd the picture of the
grandkids always gives me the shudders - THAT is definitely not my cup
of tea!).
Linda in Columbia, MO
Dianne Lewandowski
> My preference is surface/freestyle embroidery. I like to redo artwork
> and create the texture where possible, in addition to the picture.
> I've done some Manet, Monet and a couple of other pictures. Being
> able to use more than just satin/long-short/split stitch is appealing.
> I want to do a couple of Georgia O'Keefes, but haven't figured out
> how to attack them yet.
And you have pictures and *are* going to show us??? These sound
delicious! I liked your remarks about "authentic reproductions". This
is a centuries old argument/question/philosophy. :-)
Dianne
Dawne Peterson
>
> My preference is surface/freestyle embroidery. I like to redo artwork
> and create the texture where possible, in addition to the picture.
> I've done some Manet, Monet and a couple of other pictures. Being
> able to use more than just satin/long-short/split stitch is appealing.
> I want to do a couple of Georgia O'Keefes, but haven't figured out
> how to attack them yet.
>
> needlework, not an "authentic reproduction" that happens to be done in>
thread
When I was a fine arts student, one of my fellow students interpreted
several Emily Carr works in needlework--very textured and free style. They
were gorgeous. I agree with you--I tend to prefer needlework being what it
is, rather than trying to look like a photograph or a painting.
Dawne
Joan Erickson
> <snip>
>
> >So, what makes your heart pitter patter when it comes to design!?
>
> Hmm - good question:
Yes, good question, but there are going to be as many answers as there
are stitchers! :)
I haven't yet determined *exactly* what catches my eye because it's so
varied. Definitely horse things (Fire & Ice by Kustom Krafts is hanging
next to me) and other creatures, including some fantasy.
I'm not really into hardanger, samplers, geometrics, botanicals
(flowers, yes; botanicals, no) or landscapes (such as Thomas Kincaid),
the Frank Lloyd Wright designs or "street scenes". Now, that being
said, there's a street scene that was in JCS by Permin of Copenhagen--a
winter scene with lots of pastel colors--that I like. I have purchased
some of Lesa Steele's hardanger and Thea Dueck's samplers (Sweet pea
gazebo sampler and Heirloom Christmas)--again, the pastel ones. I guess
pastel colors catch my eye!
> Now, this may sound a little strange, but I want my work to look like
> needlework, not an "authentic reproduction" that happens to be done in
> thread ...
This holds true for me, too. I like realistic-looking designs but I
don't much care for the photo-quality computer-generated designs
(although even with this type there are still one or two designs that
called my name). I like to know that a *person* took the time to create
something from their heart that also speaks to me. That includes
designers who interpret others' artwork into needlework, such as Dyan
Allaire of Kustom Krafts or Gloria & Pat with the Precious Moments
designs (there're my pastels again! :) )
Well, Dianne, does that answer your question???? :)
--
Joan
See my first-ever design here:
http://www.heritageshoppe.com/joan.jpg
"Stitch when you are young and poor, frame when you are old and rich."
- Elizabeth's (rctn'r) sister's MIL (Barbara Marr)
Dianne Lewandowski
> Well, Dianne, does that answer your question???? :)
Ok, you like "some" things if they're in the color that appeals to you,
or at least a different type of "art" that appeals to you.
When you say the word "botanical", do you mean the roots and parts of
plants, etc. etc. that are so typical in watercolors - a scientific
approach?
How about still life such as a bowl of fruit, or flower bouquet?
Yeah, I know. I'll get as many answers as there are people, but when I
saw PaulaB noting what she "didn't" like, I got curioser and curioser.
Abstract doesn't appeal to me much, though I've seen some "samplers"
that are very appealing.
Joan Erickson
> When you say the word "botanical", do you mean the roots and parts of
> plants, etc. etc. that are so typical in watercolors - a scientific
> approach?
Yup! Exactly what I mean.
> How about still life such as a bowl of fruit, or flower bouquet?
Nope. Boring. Donna Giampa and Theresa Wentzler have had many
beautiful patterns in JCS of pears, peaches, pumpkins, etc. I
appreciate the complexity and detail of the designs, but they just don't
*do* anything for me!
> Abstract doesn't appeal to me much,
Agree with you there, too.
'Twill be interesting to see future responses! :)
Jenn Ridley
>So, what makes your heart pitter patter when it comes to design!?
That's a toughie....
Hmmm... realistic animals, but not photo-reproductions. Dimples
Designs bugs, some Cross My Heart animals, Crossed Wing birds.
Realistic florals like Silver Lining and Lilac Studio. Maureen
Appleton's florals, including Floral Finesse.
*Some* Art Deco and Art Noveau styles. I'm currently doing Rose Trio
from Art Stitch for a housewarming gift for a friend, but I'm using
mostly satin stitch in silk instead of cross stitch. I like Heartland
House's FLW and Mackintosh designs, but I'll probably never do them.
*Some* TW's, mostly the "english" samplers and the horses.
Whimsical designs like Bent Creek's alphabet and Snapper series,
although I do them in brighter colors. SamSarah and (some)
Lizzie*Kate, although I often change colors.
I don't like MLI or Mirabilia. (I do have a couple of the older
Mirabilia fairies in my stash, but I'm not fond of the newer ones.)
*some* samplers. I'm about 1/4 of the way through Marget Drake, and
I've seen a few others I'd like to do.
My current 'kitted up, ready to go' box has a couple of Cross Eyed
Cricket designs, a Bent Creek, a current ANG CyberWorkshop, a Jean
Hilton needlepoint, SamSarah's "I could be a prince", and a Maureen
Appleton scissor fob.
The rotation box has, in addition to what's listed in my .sig, a
Tom&Jerry kit, a sailing scene, my fish round robin, SamSarah's
FrankenFlora, a Pooh Christmas scene, some German Renaissance long
stitch (in silk), and the tail end of Betsy Stinner's Elizabethan
Sampler.
jenn
--
Jenn Ridley
jri...@chartermi.net
WIP: Santa Christmas Stocking, Emperor's Coat, Stretch, Halloween Circle
Most recently Finished: Will Work for Freezer Space, Turnberry Ridge, Noah's Journey
Linn Skinner
oriental carpets on silk gauze for relaxation therapy.
Linn Skinner
Skinner Sisters
www.skinnersisters.com
www.embroideress.blogspot.com
"Linda Wright" <lew...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5cb0f958.03102...@posting.google.com...
Darla
<dia...@heritageshoppe.com> wrote:
>When you say the word "botanical", do you mean the roots and parts of
>plants, etc. etc. that are so typical in watercolors - a scientific
>approach?
>
>How about still life such as a bowl of fruit, or flower bouquet?
My "Botanical" collection of XS charts is about that eclectic. I also
include seed packets and crate labels in that designation. "Animals"
includes the real-to-this-world and the fantastic. "Miscellanea"
covers *lots* of territory! LOL
Darla
Sacred cows make great hamburgers.
Yvette
changed the premise to account for my last point!)
- William Morris textiles, embroideries (many of which are actually
his daughter May's designs really) and everything else by him too.
Also the flowers and plants that Henry Dearle did for him. Just
beautiful!
- really old Hardanger - so beautiful, so inspiring
- new Hardanger too! But not bellpulls or needlerolls - what is the
point? But then what's also the point of doilies these days - and
they're the things I do most of!
- whitework in general - give me whitework with its focus on stitches
and textures (instead of colour) any day!
- watching my daughter when she is asleep. That's not to say that I
don't like her when she's awake (on the contrary!), but there's
something so peaceful about watching a small child asleep.
There's probably more, but that's all I can think of quickly.
Yvette
Sydney Australia
Hexe
> <snip>
>
> So, what makes your heart pitter patter when it comes to design!?
>
> Linda in Columbia, MO
i like different, outside the more traditional forms of embroidery. i
like combining mediums. right now i'm making a tote bag combining
stencilling and thread.
i like stitching scenes as in some of Rosalie Wakefield's designs.
i'm drawn to colors and the variety of stitches used.
Hexe
Linda Wright
> And you have pictures and *are* going to show us???
Well, Dianne, you've seen some of them already, I think.
I posted them at RCTNP, if anyone else is interested.
Linda
Beth Katz
Right now I'm leaning toward geometrics and texture. I like hardanger.
I'm working on a band sampler (Diane Evans's 'Evans-Morris Band Sampler'
(WIP: http://cs.millersville.edu/~katz/xstitch/pictures/emBandOct21.jpg
it will have some beads on it as well as a crystal heart in band 3).
I like to experiment with threads, stitches, and colors. But I also like
birds (Dimples Designs 'Fuji' is done and I have the Blue Heron from Crossed
Wings as well as many others).
But I guess right now it's geometrics that strike my fancy.
--
Beth Katz
fran
Jean Hilton, and Something Different. I also collect Dimple Designs,
Silver Lining, Mirabilia, and TIAG, to name a few. I am learning
Japanese Embroidery, tatting, and torchon lace.
So I usually have one canvas design (Susan Porta's A Series Of
Saints), a couple of cross-stitch designs (TW's Mermaid, Dimple
Designs Amelia), a Japanese Embroidery (Freind Of Flowers), and
various attempts at new needlecrafts going all at once, along with the
job, gardening, classes, etc., etc., that my life revolves around.
Some days I just wonder how on earth I'm going to get everything
done........
Ellice
> Joan Erickson wrote:
>> Well, Dianne, does that answer your question???? :)
>
> Ok, you like "some" things if they're in the color that appeals to you,
> or at least a different type of "art" that appeals to you.
Color I can change, if I like the design. And frequently do.
>
> When you say the word "botanical", do you mean the roots and parts of
> plants, etc. etc. that are so typical in watercolors - a scientific
> approach?
>
> How about still life such as a bowl of fruit, or flower bouquet?
Interesting - I like the watercolor type style, don't like the still lifes -
unless I'm painting them. OTOH, my first linen piece is a bouquet of pansies
- just kind of hanging there, tied together - from Cindy Rice.
> Abstract doesn't appeal to me much, though I've seen some "samplers"
> that are very appealing.
Well, Samplers aren't usually very abstract ;^) I'm very mixed about
samplers - I really like some, but wouldn't want to stitch them. Yet,
amazingly, I've really fallen for some of the Elizabethan type spot samplers
- which are so busy they seem exactly opposite to my taste - I like things
clean - yet I find them very appealling. Maybe it's just the spots of color.
I can't figure it out.
ellice
Ruthie
Joan Erickson wrote:
Linda wrote:
> > Now, this may sound a little strange, but I want my work to look like
> > needlework, not an "authentic reproduction" that happens to be done in
> > thread ...
> This holds true for me, too. I like realistic-looking designs but I
> don't much care for the photo-quality computer-generated designs ...
> I like to know that a *person* took the time to create
> something ...
So true! While I've made charts from photographs, I tend to "art them
up" a bit. For instance, my needlepoint that went to the silent auction
was a combo of two photos: a Bull Terrier sitting, seen from the rear,
and Long's Peak. I didn't copy the dog's coloring; instead I just did
shading, using blended colors. If that's the right term! ...Stitched
with 3 threads, each a different color? And I reverted to my
printmaking days with the mountains, and did them in color blocks.
My other two designs - both Bull Terrier Christmas ornaments - I just
made a line drawing from a photo, and went from there, adding a Santa
hat to one, and showing the other holding a candy cane. (Like a *real*
bull terrier would do that! Snort! Hand a candy cane to a Bully and it's
crunch, gulp, "what candy cane?"
There are a couple of works of art I might do reproductions of - but
because I think they'd make good needleworks. Notably, Van Gogh's irises
and sunflowers. So does that make me a Realist, or is it just that I
think they'd fit the medium? And a couple of O'Keefe's, too: the one
looking up the tree, and Antelope Skull With Pedernal, one of my
favorite paintings of all time. Oh, yeah, and one of the ones looking
down on clouds. I saw them all at an exhibit at the Met in NYC several
years ago. While there, I saw a familiar face in the crowd, and was
going to wave, when I realized that I knew him, but he didn't know me:
it was Jerry Orbach!
The O'Keefes I would want to do accurately - but they do fit into my
color-block way of seeing. The Van Goghs I will wait on until I've
gotten good at freestyle and fancy stitches. I know I want to texturize
them - but I don't know jack about it - yet!
Come to think of it, there are a couple of my own prints that will make
good stitcheries...
What am I doing up at this hour??!!!
Ruthie, sleepless in Colorado
alowan earthlink net