2 Pix on RCTNP

Drop dead gorgeous! as usual

Thanks. I need the strokes. My version is a bit different in the color graduations than Jean Hilton's - but I'm liking it.

Ellice

Stroke, Stroke--It really is stunning and I personally love purple.

The pictures look very inspiring.

Catherine

Thanks so much. It's one of those questioning things as you work on something. I was really pleased to see that the various ribbon types and metallics are working together so well. With the mid-tone silk (the solid purple).

ellice

Thanks. I'm intending to bring the piece into the LNS this week, so that a couple of the folks on the fence about the class can see it. When I'm done, I'll take some properly set up photos.

I love doing these stitches, and seeing pieces like this that people have done makes me think of ways to incorporate different threads or stitch types into my designs. As soon as this gets a bit further, I have to finish my frameweight, and "finish" it so that it can go to Woodlawn as an original design. Plus, I owe Donna and our friend Dawne a new, properly updated chartbook.

When you're ready to try some of these stitches - you'll go for it. You can always try to get a look at one of Jean Hilton's books - Stimulating Stitches. They explain her thought process, and mechanics of these stitches. She also did a teaching piece that is called Turnberry Ridge, which has more instruction for doing the stitches than do most of her designes (trust me - this piece - if you haven't done these stitches, then you definitely need a reference - the chart book isn't enough).

ellice

Neptune is a fun stitch. Even though it is all XS, it's not an easy one because of so much detail in the color changing. Check out Donna's version. I actually switched the 2 Dark blues into one overdyed - Merlin from WDW cause the pain of confetti stitching wasn't worth the effect. I'm sure it's well within your fun zone!

Baroque is on 18 ct mono canvas in black. Hence, the pictures aren't so great - especially the black perle on the black canvas background. It's another of those pieces I keep doing that should stay on the stretchers until it gets to the framers.

Great, I'm going to take a look.

Got to run - going to meet Donna at the framer's,

Ellice

How does one access RCTNP?

Pat in Illinois

Been having getting the photo album to connect and finally did - love the Baroque! May have to go in my someday pile. . .

How do you get the shadow/"floating" effect?

Linda

You need to join the Yahoo group:

Thank you!

Pat > >> How does one access RCTNP?

Glad you like it.

Hmmm - that may be the photo. It's hard doing the picture on the black canvas, even with a white backdrop. The open sections kind of waiver.

The "floating" shadow areas - if you're referring to the middle medallion - the outline is done in perle cotton smyrna's, but the top leg is in silk - so it seems to be floating and shadowed.

The crescents are done in soft sheen fyrewerks, and the head of the crescent has about 12 stitches that are doubled (though the top stitch isn't the same direction as what it is laying over). That sort of builds up the crescent so it's a bit puffier towards the top.

The other clever thing which Jean did - as in Amethyst Dreams - it's an exercise in the effects of texture and light reflection. So much is the same color - in my case black - done with other blacks, and you get a sense of shadowing by virtue of the different textures and sheen. The inner border looks pretty cool, and subtle, up close - with the 2 different ribbons - Neon Rays next to 1/16 Kreinik. The NR is wider, and together it kind of shimmers.

I'm pretty careful in doing this piece - the teaching thing. And using much longer lengths than normal - but for the long stitches - it works. But, I have use some little tricks - like knotting the end about an inch in - on the tail which hangs out when I anchor the starting end. Several of these metallics want to come apart. And, when the end of the thread is anchored, had to have extra beyond the buried part - and hit that with a careful drop of fray check, then snip. The anchors almost all include doing a bargello tuck or these slick things will pull out. Thread heaven - definitely worth it on the crystal braid, the NR, the metallic ribbons. OTOH, with highlights on AD, it doesn't really help. All you can do with that stuff, the knotted starting end (which I do fray check and snip - don't leave knots), and as with Neon Rays, sometimes wiping down with a damp cloth helps.

Hope this answered your question.

ellice