Barefoot Shepherdess

Simple Wristwarmers

Just your basic wristwarmers with dark bronze beads on linen-colored yarn.  Made for a custom request.

I usually prefer my beads to blend in more with my yarn, so that they are visible in some lights and almost disappear in others.  But I really like the contrast on this one.  Perhaps it works because there are so few beads-- they aren't overly assertive, but keeps the wristwarmers from becoming too plain.

I wonder what an additional row or two of beads-- maybe in staggered rows-- would look like.  Whatever the case, another instance of less is more.

Leaves :: Two Ways

This is turning out to be really pretty--

I'm very pleased with the rose bloom portion of it; all it needs now is a rhinestone in the center.  I simplified my version from the pattern by using just satin stitch in the non-seed bead sections.  The original combined satin stitch & gold bullion thread, like this--

As for the leaves: I wasn't happy with them the first time around.  I had planned on following the pattern as shown above, with a combination of beads & sequins.  But when I finished outlining the leaves, I felt that it looked out of balance.  The flower seemed weighty compared to the leaves, even considering that the addition of sequins might adjust that a bit.  So I searched for a different technique and switched to this--

I think this looks much nicer!  And I didn't have to go get the sequins besides.

In Progress

So I'm moving beyond the basics.  Because simple rows are just not enough.

Sampling :: Bead Embroidery

Just trying out some bead embroidery techniques--

{ seed beads :: scattering effect }

{ cupped sequins, cupped sequins + beads, seed beads, bugle beads }

{ flat sequins :: side-by-side, overlapped rows and fish scale effect }

Rather than being tedious and annoying, sewing down these beads & sequins one by one was calming and soothing... hypnotizing, almost.  Would it surprise you to know I'm already addicted?

Impressions

An old-fashioned hollyhock.  Based on my own sketch.

Though I'm nearly finished-- the only part left are the center of the flowers-- I'm not sure that I'm satisfied with this one.  Now that I look at it through the distance of a photograph, the green I used for the leaves appear a little too dark.

From the beginning, I knew that my choice was not true to life-- the actual leaves of the hollyhock are only a shade or so darker than the buds and the stem.  Despite the difference, I deliberately chose something darker in an effort to express, in a single hollyhock stalk, the vivdness and vibrance of summer.  And that-- stitching not just the thing but the mood or feel of a thing also-- is more important to me than realism anyway.

Ever since I started embroidery, my aim has been to create impressions, capturing the essence of the subject, rather than re-creating precise replicas.  In fact, such an approach seemed to result in more lifelike forms-- in my mind, sort of like having to take a photo from a different angle than the intended view in order to achieve that same view.  As long as it better communicates the image in my head, I don't mind a bit of botanical artifice.  In this case though, I'm wondering if it was for the better...  The leaves simply seem to outweigh the flowers.

So I pulled out all my greens and started assembling a new palette.  The green in the middle is the one I used for the buds & the stem; the darker green would be for the leaves and the pale green, for the leaf veins.  Still, I'm not entirely convinced that this would be better.  And redoing would mean that the time & effort I spent to make sure that the thread strands weren't twisted-- a pet peeve for me, especially when doing satin stitch-- would have been for naught...!

To redo or not redo?  I'll be mulling over this one for a while.

Autumn Leaves

Japanese maple...

...and gingko.  Two classic symbols of autumn.  These are destined to be coasters, just as soon as I find a suitable fabric for the back... maybe a plaid of some sort?

Outside, the real leaves have yet to change to their bright fall shades, with only mere hints of color here and there.  Perhaps in a few weeks time, the outdoors will catch up with these colors indoors.