Inspired Stitches - Ramblings of a Blackworker

The business of needlework keeps you working constantly on multiple levels - as does any business. Designers not only work on designs, but also must work on marketing, finances, models, and distribution. Of course, we’ve all gotten in to this business because of our love for “the design”.

Well, the most exciting part for me is when that elusive design which has been living unfinished in my head, all of a sudden falls together. Last night, I had one of those moments!

My Garden Traditions series - with Brandon and Albemarle - has always been my own favorite series.

Both designs have also consistently been good sellers, so that means you stitchers enjoy them as well. Well, what you don’t know, is that Brandon and Albemarle have 6 siblings in the wings, ready to be finalized and released. Those, in my opinion, are as beautiful. The actual garden designs are ready to roll. But… the borders need to be designed.

For many-many months, I’ve had a “design block” on a couple of them. I have the inspiration gardens chosen, photographs taken, and many attempts. None of those attempts, however, have ever made me happy.

Last night, the “block” evidently was broken, and now the finalized design is staring at me. Keep checking back!!!! It’s another beauty!!

The design development process is very funny. It puts you in holiday moods at all the wrong times of the year.

This weekend I’ve finalized more of my Christmas designs, which will be coming out in the next couple of months. Now that it’s finally getting nice and warm in Richmond, I’m in the mood to dive into my Christmas boxes and start decorating. I’m really excited about the Christmas coming out for your stitching pleasure.

I’ve finally formalized my first chart with designs for Tokens and Trifles Sewing Cards. If you haven’t seen these cards, you just have to try them out. What an easy way to get those quick gifts taken care of. I’ve not even shared with my model stitchers - as I’ve stitched all the models. They’re a great travel project, because the sewing card and threads fit nicely into a small ziploc bag, and in my purse. Several of the models went with me to England, and what great airplane stitching they were. Even didn’t take up much space in my luggage - which definitely was a consideration. Keep an eye out for them, they’ll be coming out soon.

More are in the works - as I have another nice stack of sewing card models in ziploc bags a’waiting my stitching.

Well, can you hear it? Silence!!! Linda returned today from vacation, so Max the puppy is gone. We really did love having him here, but it’s a wonderful thing to be the aunt of a puppy. They come to visit, but then they go home. Almost as soon as they left, Jack immediately began a long Sunday afternoon nap, which still continues. AAAAHHHHHHH - tomorrow we can sleep in!

Color and blackwork. I just love the combination, and love even more playing around with it. I’ve just gotten back my 4 models from my A-Maze-ments series, and am so excited about them. You see, the 2 designs which have already been released, I released showing them in 1 color.

Then, as I developed the models, I decided to play around with the DMC Linen Threads, and color. I took each of the 4 designs, used different combinations of the linen threads, changed the border schemes on each, sent the model kits out to my model stitchers, and crossed my fingers. Well, they came back, and they’re really beautiful. Each definitely has it’s own look, and I really love the combination of the 4 together.

Here’s your little sneak peak at how they came out.

I’ll be revising the current 2 charts to reflect the color options, and will be releasing the remaining 2 A-Maze-ments designs - Traveler and Wanderer - in July, 2007. Keep your eye out for them.

Until then, play around with color on other blackwork projects. What a great opportunity for you to pull out all those leftover partial skeins, and let the creativity soar.

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’!