Linda by Orna Willis

I have just started "Linda" by Orna Willis.  I have had this pattern for years and finally decided to stitch it.  I have changed the colors quite dramatically.  Back to my favorite color palette!  
This project will take a long time, I will only work on it once in awhile, it is a good travelling piece.  I know it is a bit large for that (on 16" stretchers), but it is for when I will be doing a lot of stitching in a home environment.
BTW, the lightest shade is really a pale aqua, not white.

Octagon in a Square

Oh boy, here she goes again!  If you remember my Diamond in a Square, this is the same idea: Bargello surrounding Mad Miters.  The inside of the octagon will be Mad Miters; you can just barely make out the basting for it.  It is just about ready for the MM to begin.  

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/health/brain-crafting-benefits/

Check this out for ammunition that what we do is not only fun, but healthy!

Two New Mad Miters

 I am going to be teaching Mad Miters at the ANG chapter in Boise, ID.  The class decided they want to do a small project, a 5" square, with just 3 centers.  So, I made two new models for them to study.  
The blue one uses 5 shades of blue plus a metallic.  The aqua uses 4 shades of aqua plus a Watercolours. 

Tim's Vermeer

I've never done this on Blog before, but I'm going to recommend a film.  Last night I went to see "Tim's Vermeer".  It is a documentary about one man's attempt to recreate a painting of Vermeer's.  It is a fabulous film!  Did he actually "paint a Vermeer"?  Of course not, only Vermeer could do that.  But the process is absolutely fascinating!  The work he went to over several years and all the things he had to learn, his patience & perseverance & brilliance, is astonishing.


If you are an artist or someone who loves technology and invention, or if you are just interested in those things, it is a must see film!

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!

This week marks 5 years of blogging here.  Wow!  I can't believe its been 5 years!!


 Over that whole time, this blog has totaled 85,000 hits!  Isn't that something?!  Yes, I realize a lot of those are the same people who check in regularly, but still....


Thanks to all of you, the regulars and the occasionals.  It is just wonderful to have this community.

Nature - Sky FINISHED

Finally, Nature-Sky is finished, the feather is attached, the instructions are written.  That means all three of the Nature series are finished!  Earth is being piloted right now and Sky will go to the pilot stitcher on Monday. 

I hope to be able to add these to my website in May or June. Stay tuned for the next adventure!  

All three are shown below.

 

Mad Landscape FINISHED

It's finished!  The latest Mad Miters experiment, Mad Landscape, is finished.  It was an interesting experiment, I enjoyed stitching it, but it isn't quite as spectacular as I would have wished!!
For those of you who know Mad Miters, this particular nightmare has 24 centers!  It uses the basic zigzag pattern and I'm glad I stuck to that - any other pattern would have been impossible to keep track of.
I haven't decided if I will frame it or just put it in my portfolio.  If I do frame it, I'll certainly post a photo for you.