Inspired Stitches - Ramblings of a Blackworker

Design models…. you know, the models on the fronts of charts you find in your local needlework shops. They are a very interesting part of the needlework design process. In the development of the design, I spend hours and hours staring at the screen, playing with each element, working on it until I think that the design is perfect.

Then comes the design model. Fabrics and threads - oh boy! What will I use? I sometimes think that this is the hardest part of the process for me. My designs, mostly graphic in nature, do not necessarily need a specific color for any element (say the perfect blue shading for sky, red shading for bricks, etc.). Therefore, the entire thread and fabric world is out for selection. I also have begun doing multiple models for many of my designs, showing 2 different looks. Blackwork, at it’s simplest, in a single color, is absolutely stunning. But, add in those wonderful variegated threads, and voila - the design just pops. Oh, but can’t decide - then pull together multiple colors for a sampler look. For me, add in the fact that I’m not choosing the colors for any reason or location except to look good, and it just puts my brain into overload.

But… at the end, when the model comes back to me from the model stitcher, it’s as if a child has returned home from a long time away. The design has now come to life, and is truly a reality. Every one takes my breath away the moment I open the envelope.

I’m thinking of this process this morning, as I just received frames for 4 of my models last night, and I’ve gotten the models pinned, and boy they dress up pretty!!! Framing has always been hard for me. Having very little time to go out to choose frames, being too impatient to wait weeks for frames to arrive, and having lost my previous framing source (which went out of business), I’ve had models stacking up needing to be finished. They patiently waited in their bags, until finally in February, I found a new framing source. I’m such a happy lady!!!! The 2 orders of frames which I’ve received, of over a dozen various types of frames, have come in quickly, and in great shape. American Frame, also, is online, so I’m able to make my selections from here at home, in my jammies!!!! Something tells me that the local frame shop might not appreciate me coming through their doors in my bunny slippers and jammies. Anyways, I’ve been pleased with my American Frame experience so far. One feature that I love, is that you can upload an image of your piece, and try out the different frames on it. You even can save the image for future reference. Wanna sneak peak? Here’s one of the pieces I finished last night, shown in the virtual frame from my “shopping trip”.

Stop in and also request a catalog. The catalog has clear pictures of all the frames, so is a handy reference as you shop online. Also, you can go ahead and order your archival, acid free mat board and foam core through them also - already cut down to the exact size of your frame. It’s a wonderful thing, as I will no longer have to spread out across my dining room any time I frame, because I’m having to cut the large boards to mount the pieces on. Remember, use acid-free, archival quality products on your needlework!!!!

Well, Twisted Sweetness, shown above, will be one of the new 2007 A Blackwork Christmas designs. Keep your eye out, as it will be coming out in the next couple of months!

Have a wonderful day! Happy stitchin’!

It’s been just so crazy around here, that this weekend I concentrated on getting “back to the basics” on some things. I’ve been working on the new Needlework Building Blocks releases, and the next few months you’re going to see designs come out that are truly back to the basics of blackwork. I decided not to try to get cute or special in them - just simply played with shape and fills. The results, I think, are beautiful - and to me will stitch up looking like lace.

It also allowed me to remember what I just LOVE about the series - how playful it can be!!! I decided that I wanted to literally play around with the blocks, so I’ve made my own game pieces to do so. How fun it was - even with Jim staring at me with that blank “what in the world are you doing” look on his face. It’s given me some ideas - that you’ll see developed eventually in the future.

The weather here in Richmond has finally taken a turn for the cold. But with the incredible fall colors still with us, it’s really getting me in the feeling of the season.

Well, not much more happening around here. Wedding plans for my sister continue - and we got her into a couple of wedding dresses over the weekend. What an exciting - and daunting - time it is to plan a wedding!!! At least we have a year…

Have a great week!

Well, a common topic here seems to be “not enough time or brain cells”. Think I’ve covered that enough, so I’ll stop at that. It’s not a New Year, but I’m hoping to get a New Year’s resolution going to keep up more with this blog, with the Stitchin’board, and with other things which just seem to keep slipping away from me.

Boy, when this little hobby started getting it’s own life, I never envisioned I’d be here today. I also never envisioned what work it would take as well. I constantly seem to be in a time management development stage. With my real career also busy, it makes for some very interesting juggling. I’m probably preaching to the choir here, as everyone seems to juggle more than they can. It just seems to unfortunately be the norm here in the States. Just today, I even saw an article about a study that was done which proves that children need to have plain old “play time” for themselves. In this world where every second seems to be orchestrated into organized calendars, events, etc. - isn’t it amazing we have to prove through studies that we just need to “schedule” in some unscheduled time…

Have you seen the new designs and notecards? I’m really excited to introduce the other 2 members of the Windowpanes in Knotwork series. I’ve had this series on my design board from my Ebay days, but had never quite finalized them to my liking - until earlier this year. It’s exciting to work at getting designs just to my liking, and getting them out to you stitchers. It’s really what makes all my “juggling” worth it. I’ve been doing quite a bit of planning lately as to what’s coming down the pike - and I KNOW that you’ll be excited about them.

Tomorrow night, I’m going to sit down and give some more attention to my Needlework Building Blocks. I have some many sketches and ideas, and I just need to finalize them - getting them ready for release to you. I’m getting ready to begin working at finalizing some of the retired ones - readying them for sale in shops. Tomorrow though, I’ll be designing and playing - the fun part of it all!!!!! MMMMMMM - what types of freebie blocks would you like to find throughout the Needlework Show????

Speaking of the show - the online Needlework Show opens it’s “doors” on Wednesday night (October 11), and is open until Monday night (October 16).

How great is it to shop in your jammies! Here in Richmond, they will be flannel jammies since the weather’s cooling down quite a bit. We’ll then be heading down to South Carolina for a long weekend at my childhood home with my mom. Have no fear - the computer will never be far away.

Well, I’d better head along. I’ve got a large black lab staring at me with that “it’s time for bed” stare. Imagine that - a dog who keeps a strict bedtime schedule - but cannot do so unless one of his humans is on the same one. Who runs this household you ask?????

Truly, I promise to try to get on here more…

Happy Stitchin’!

Sally

It’s just amazing how time flies when you’ve got too much to do……

Since my last post, not only have my wrens had their babies and flew the coop once, they’ve come back for a second go around!!! I seriously understand “empty nest syndrome”. I just happened to be in the office on the day that they pushed the 2 babies out of the nest, and took them on their first outing. Of course, I’m gullible enough to think that they’d be back! After 2 days of them not returning, I finally gave in and realized they’d left me. Oh my, how that got to me. Well, then after about another month, they started working on the nest again. With fingers crossed, I’ve been anxiously waiting. Well, this weekend, I’ve heard the babies again begging for their food. At least now I’m prepared for the empty nest - which will definitely be coming.

What exciting things are in progress for Stitchin’spiration! Most of my attention lately has been getting my “A Blackwork Christmas” series moving along. Wait until you see the designs! My model stitchers are all faithfully working on the models, and all of the charts will be introduced in early September!!!! Have you wanted to find a blackwork stocking? Have you wanted some quick blackwork Christmas ornaments for small gifts? Need to decorate gift jars or towels? Well, you’ll find that and more all in this series. Based on the Needlework Building Blocks series, this series is one to watch out for. This year will be only the first introduction, for a series which I’ll continue to do annually.

Another release of charts is in the works as well. My original plans were to have them out in May, but it will be June when they come out. You’ll find a nice variety of designs - including some additions to our most popular series. I also hope to get another round of Needlework Building Blocks freebies out for you in the next couple of weeks.

Well, I’d better run along to get ready for another week. June’s stacking up to be another busy month.

Hope to get back faster next time.!!!!

Sunday afternoons… you just have to love them. The busy weekend is winding down, and it’s a lovely VA spring day outside. So, I’m asking myself, why am I inside……?????? Jim’s off to church for youth, and Jack’s asleep at my feet. Meaning… it’s nice and quiet in the house. OK, so I’m really a hermit at heart - I admit it.

It’s been a busy weekend, getting the Needlework Building Blocks caught up finally. Note the new addition to your right with the Blog Block of the Day (or really entry) link added. Each time I add to the blog, I’ll post a different block. You’ll have to be quick to catch them!!! Tonight I’m finalizing my decisions on the next release of designs, which will come out at the Needlework Show mid-April. Oh, which ones will be coming to life for you all to find???? What a tough decision that always is! Luckily, I do have quite a few designs ready to go to choose from. I did work on some new designs last night, and can’t wait to see what they grow into.

Designing blackwork - how does it happen? Well, the designs just seem to develop on their own accord. I get an idea, and slowly over time it develops. I’ll play with it right when it comes to me, then it always seems to take a back seat to others. Then, one day it will pop back into my head, and I develop it a little more. Then, after several phases of development, it will all of a sudden come together. In between, various stages of good, and bad, versions try to come to life. It’s always interesting to look back at where it started. Alot of times, my original idea is NOTHING like the finished product. It was just the starting point.

My blackwork fills are, truthly, my doodling coming to life. I’ve always played around with graphics and repeats. Even as a child, my father would give me his engineering graph pads, and I’d spend hours trying this doodle or that out. I clearly remember many of them which I’d repeated sketch out, and some of those have now come to life in my fills. Again, some will develop over time. Once I come up with one - whether I like it then or not - it goes into my library. Some of the ones I actually didn’t like at first, have soon become my favorite when I put it in that perfect design or put it together with others. I love the mix of various fills, and play around with them as I design. Is there a PERFECT way to combine the fills? Probably. But, I believe that perfection in needlework is simply the eye of the stitcher. If they’re happy with their selection of fabrics and threads, then it’s the perfect piece for them.

Well, it’s going to be a busy week here in the Rudkin household. My mom heads into town on Wednesday from SC for Easter, and we’ve not even started getting ready for her. Whew - hope she’s not reading….. Also, it’s a 4 day week at my job (yes, I have a real job AND design), and that ALWAYS means we’ll be squeezing 5 days of work in to 4 days. Whew, just thinking about it tires me out.

Everyone have a wonderful Easter week! I always look forward to our Maundy Thursday Communion service, as it celebrates a very poignant time for Christ. How humbling it is to celebrate communion on the day when He took his own Last Supper!

Ever have a time when your head’s filled with ideas, lists, and things to do, but you just can’t get moving? Well, I’ve been in that mode for a while now, and am finally getting moving along. Things with Stitchin’spiration really moved much faster than originally planned, so I felt the tug of many-many-many ideas pulling me different ways.

Well, finally I’ve pulled together the list, and am starting to work through it in good order.

Today, you’ll notice that I’ve cleaned up the website design some. Hopefully, with these changes, pages will pull up easier for you surfers. Next step, to get the Needlework Building Blocks pages updated and cleaned up. Designs are currently in the wings, waiting to come to life. Updates will hopefully be made during the week of April 3, with the Stitchin’sight and Stitchin’board also being updated.

Big plans are in the works for April for other reason as well. From April 19 to April 24, we’ll be taking place again in The Needlework Show. How’d you like to shop for needlework in your jammies? Well, here’s your chance. Don’t have a needlework shop nearby to purchase for you? Well, there will be many shops available who’ll take special orders for any designs you find as you search through the many-many vendors.

Be sure to stop in at the Stitchin’spiration booth often, as we have plans in works for offering a freebie (or more) to stitchers and shops during the show. Also, we’ll be introducing you to more exciting designs from Stitchin’spiration. Come and see what the class of April, 2006 looks like!!!!!

Even with all the work happening on the computer all day, I somehow managed to make it out into a gorgeous Virginia spring day. Pollen hasn’t hit full throttle yet, so we could still enjoy the great weather and gentle breezes without seeing the yellow clouds. The wrens building the nest near our office window seemed to be trying to finish things up. Maybe someday soon we’ll have some babies to watch through the spring.

Well, since time’s changing tonight, and we’re losing an hour, I’d better run along. Happy evening!!!