Thursday, February 14, 2013

Sweet Hearts Update

Happy Valentine's Day!

It seems appropriate to show how far along I am with the Sweet Hearts redwork designs that I first showed last Valentine's Day. Not far at all! But at least one is done:


Adding the loop knot to my repertoire was a big help, but I was still struggling with these for a long time. I used a ceramic pencil to trace the designs, and it rubbed off quickly, so I had to guess where to stitch half the time.

Finally last fall I saw that Pigma Microns come in red, so I bought one in the smallest size, 005. Pigma Microns are permanent, archival quality pens, and I found that the 005 makes a very fine line:


Now these are finally easy to stitch! I sincerely hope that they will be done before next Valentine's Day!

But honestly, I am not sure that there is a lot more redwork in my future once these are done. Even though I love things that are red and white, I have been finding it hard to warm to this technique. We'll see how I feel when they're all done. There will be nine in all, so lots of time to change my mind...

9 comments:

  1. I haven't seen the Pigma Micron in red. I have a fine brown that is good but will look for the red. I like redwork, but need either some interesting stitches or designs I like a lot. Nine is quite a lot!

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    1. Too right, Jillian! Nine is a lot. But the pen has been a Godsend. :)

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  2. I do so like the effect of redwork, unlike you although I have a couple of books on it I have not yet done any, maybe one day, I rather like the quilts and wallhangings using them as I say maybe one day!!

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    1. Thanks, Margaret. I like the effect too, it is just doing it that seemed flat. But, now that I have the pen, it is a lot easier, and better for watching tv than cross stitch.

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  3. I love the look of redwork, as you, and nearly everyone else does. And, like you, find the actual doing of it palls fairly quickly. Part of it is the monotony of one color thread, at least for me. Yours look very nice.

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    1. Thanks, Mary Ellen. Maybe as you say, it really is just the monotony of sticking to one colour all the time. Doesn't bode well for my whitework plans!

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  4. Beautiful redwork. There is something about the simplicity of the designs that makes it so very charming. I usually save my redwork to do while travelling because the lighting is usually not at it's best, and the red thread is easier to see then a lot of other hand work. The red pigma pen is inspired. I have one and will use it for that very purpose. Thanks for the post.

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    1. Thank you! That is an interesting idea to take redwork when travelling, instead of the little cross stitch kits I usually take now. Or in addition to them!

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  5. Thanks, Joyce, and welcome! I will try some redwork at my next appointment. My car is due for it's smog check again, which is usually about an hour of waiting around. This little experiment may motivate me to get it done sooner!

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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!

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