Saturday, January 26, 2013

What's Next?

Obviously, with two projects recently finished, I am now allowed to start two new ones! My next embroidery project will be Breath of Spring, the linen tote bag with an embroidered pocket from Inspirations 56:


This kit has been ready to go with the threads all sorted as long as Cottage Garden was. I was a little put off when I found that the kit came with a pre-printed panel:


I hate it when the lines show around the stitching. But, now that I am starting it, I am also glad that I don't have to transfer that complex pattern! There are 17 different elements to stitch in this pattern, so, many blog posts to come!

My next Bonheur des Dames counted thread project will be the monthly sampler for August, Aout:


If anyone knows how to insert the special character for the "u", please send me an email or let me know in the comments. I can never figure it out!

I have already started both projects. As I was putting the first stitches into the Aout sampler, I realized why I love counted thread work so much. It's because you start with a completely blank canvas, with no prior markings on it. So it's like creating something out of nothing, and it actually feels more creative to me than an embroidery pattern, even though with counted thread projects you are usually more of a slave to the design. There's something magical about watching your first stitches grow.


So, lots to do! Plus, I need a break from Celtic Spring, which is at the stage now where it is nothing but the gold braid for the forseeable future. I can only do so much of that at a time!

9 comments:

  1. how I admired the bag when I saw it in Inspirations so it will be great to see it developing. The counted work looks interesting too, wondering what stitches are going to be used in both these projects.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Margaret. The Aout sampler is much the same as Juin was - petit point, cross stitch, French knots, and rows of detached fly stitches and couching to divide the segments.

      Breath of Spring is also pretty straightforward, mostly stem stitch, satin stitch, and some long and short stitch, blanket stitches around the yellow flowers, and a few bullions. I think it will be nice!

      Delete
  2. I doubt there'll be many lines showing once you've stitched that quite detailed and crowded pattern. It looks a lovely project. Your blank canvas notion is interesting in relation to such a structured technique. It is amazing that the design emerges through counting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Intellectually it does seem weird, but it really is more of a creative buzz doing the counted work, for me anyway!

      Delete
  3. The linen bag really does look fresh and spring like. I hope you have fun with it. Looking forward to future updates.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Any advice on how to type the "u" with the caret correctly?

      Delete
    2. Hi Monica. The "u" with the circumflex is just a little upside down "v" on top of the "u". An easy way to type it correctly is to do it in Google translate, and then copy it to where ever you need it. A website that will give you the the instructions on how to type the French alphabet is www.theasciicode.com.. Hope this helps!

      Delete
  4. What wonderful new projects you are starting. I particularly like the Lakeview piece and look forward to seeing you finish it. The easiest way to do a special character in a blog is to type it in your word processor or a translation program and then cut and paste. In fact, I don't know any other way!

    You asked what's next now that the Flower Fairies are done. You can see the first two naked blocks for my CQJP2013 on my blog, if you want. This will be a totally different kind of project, too! But crazy quilted still.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much, Susan. Your new CQ idea looks great!

      Delete

I'm told Blogger has been bouncing some comments, so if it happens to you I'm sorry! But the settings look right so I can't explain it. In any case, thanks for reading!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...