07.21.09
Posted in Stitching Genres at 7:37 pm by deRomilly
I have a box full of “half-finished” needlework. What I mean by “half-finished” may not be what you expect.
You see, what I mean is that the embroidery is finished, but the product isn’t. So. Half-finished. You see, I hate prep work and “finishing” work with a passion. the prep work has to be done or I don’t get to stitch. but the finishing work — which entails either “real” sewing (and me terrified I’m going to ruin a piece I stitched and love) or more work similar to the prep work (for example, lacing to a board for framing), or paying someone else to do these things is something I often don’t get around to doing. So, I have a box of unfinished finished objects in my studio that is getting close to overflowing, and none of my own work on the walls or chairs in my house.
Anyway, I noticed last week that the box was getting overly full, and something had to be done. So instead of tackling the main problem – the finishing work — I took photos of the work to share here over the course of the next few weeks. 
Yup. I’m still procrastinating about finishing them.
The first one is a piece that I did to hang in our bathroom, which is supposed to, in the long run, gain a Gothic Castle theme. There’s a shower curtain that is most definitely a UFO and will probably stay that way as well… I’m still considering whether to admit that I bit off more than I can chew with that one. I may go ahead and start a different one in a technique that’s more likely to actually get finished! LOL Click on the images for details.
Remember that I’m a horrible masochist when it comes to needlework. This is done in mostly satin and stem stitch… on cotton muslin, and measures about six or seven inches wide. When you look at the details — all of that satin stitch is done with one strand of DMC floss. I told you I was crazy…
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Full Gothic piece
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Gargoyle detail
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Detail of base
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03.06.09
Posted in Stitching Genres at 7:42 pm by deRomilly
That I forgot I had done!!
I was trying to pull stuff together to start embellishing those blocks for the Encrusted Crazy Quilt class… And found a block that I’d started and not finished a while ago. There were two little seams left to finish. So as a warm up to stitching the new one, I finished it.
It’s very simple as crazy blocks go, intended as a large pillow for the living room. Made out of cotton decor fabric I was given by an interior designer from old samples (make friends — they give you WONDERFUL fabric!!) and embroidered entirely in cotton 6 strand floss, I think it will make a lovely pillow. Detail photos below. Click any of them to view larger.
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11.17.08
Posted in Stitching Genres at 8:00 am by deRomilly
This is a post for Mary Corbet, who posted this summer about the Inspirations camels, and for whom I promised to search for the photos. I was lucky enough to find them.
I’ve read Inspirations Magazine constantly for the past many years — I didn’t realize just how many until I pulled up these photos and found I’d stitched them in 2004! Now I really feel old! I’ve been reading the magazine for a long time before that, too…
Usually I read the projects and get inspired and go off and do my own thing. But when the camels found their way into my hands, I was happily ensconced in my bellydance troupe and looking for a way to thank them all for the wonderful times they’d given me. These were perfect!
I stitched them individually on small pieces of Weeks Dye works hand dyed wool felt for each of the troupe members. This let me try out the stitches and experiment with the specialty threads on the blankets — since I couldn’t get many of the Austrailian threads in the states at that time – and didn’t have the money to order them all at once.
The wool flannel blanketing for the blanket came from Jenny June before the owner folded the business (I’m still bummed about that closure…let me go pout in a corner for a while). I got the last yard she had of the blanketing. There is still enough for me to stitch the camel sequel for me (Inspirations # 43), but I haven’t gotten around to it.
If you have access to this magazine, sadly no longer easily available, I highly recommend this project! It’s quick and fun, and absolutely stunning in person. As usual, click the photos to enlarge them. I still see the camel on black every week at a friend’s when I go to rehearsal with my new troupe, Phoenix Rising (which shares two of our old members in addition to me) and I’m still honored that it hangs on her entryway wall.
Closeups of the blanket camels:
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01.11.08
Posted in Artwork, Finished Projects, General at 11:17 am by deRomilly
Happy New Year, even if it is a bit delayed.
Last year was hectic on the family front, and although I managed to maintain my art development, and got some designs completed, nothing quite got finished the way I intended.
This year promises to be an improvement. The family issues should be mostly resolved by the end of March, and I hope to have things up and running by June. (Note that this is a goal: It’s subject to slippage.) What I’d like to do is get Golden Circle Designs back up and running completely, business license and such so that those of you who have asked me about designs I had for sale five years ago can have access to them again.
In addition, there are several knitting patterns in the works, a companion piece to Lucinda in the Rose Garden, and quite a bit of one-of-a-kind artwork that is ready to go. I’ve included a photo of Lucinda for you, I’m sorry it’s small and not the best: my original image is my old business disks, which of course need different hardware to read. I’m going to have to do some conversions… and soon!
I’m considering making some of these available via Etsy or Ebay before I can get the website up and running. I’d love opinions on this option…
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12.21.07
Posted in Finished Projects at 11:59 am by deRomilly
I did promise y’all a photo of the finished “Shapely Tank.” Well, here you go. First time ever trying to take a photo of myself in a mirror. Taken about a month and a half and 20 pounds ago! So now there is actually a full inch of ease in it. Still the nicest top I’ve ever knit, though. And *I* look better!
Knit on size six needles with KnitPicks Shine yarn. I love this stuff. And it really DOES wash well!
Anyway. On to the bad picture!
I think when I knit it again I’ll make a couple of changes: First, despite the called-for amount of garter stitch edging, the hem rolls. I’ll double it at least. It’s not a big deal right now, but I could see it being a problem in a silk top intended for something other than my casual office.
I’ll add a half-inch to the armhole depth . Although I like the fact that they come up higher than most, they just aren’t quite deep enough to be comfortable for me. That extra half-inch should solve the problem.
Highly recommended. On me it doesn’t look very good with more than an inch of ease. Your mileage may vary.
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