July 9, 2019 Tuesday

The First Day of My Remodeled Website

My New Year's Resolutions for 2021

I can't do better this year so I am keeping these for another year.

1.  Take all the pent-up anxiety about perfection and redirect that energy toward creativity. Open up your minds and think of creative  possibilities you can bring to your needlework, ways that will personalize it and make it distinctly yours.  Here are two ways to start:

Oops you made a mistake and you face a lot of ripping.

Ask yourself, is it really a mistake or a variation?

You do have to rip if you crossed most of your crosses in one direction and suddenly you started crossing them in the other direction, yep no way around that. Why? The real reason for good technique is that it allows all your attention to focus on your design (where it should be).

You don't have to rip if you made a leaf one row bigger than the design called for. This is obsessive behavior that needs redirecting in 2021.

You do need to rip if you make something so large it is out of scale with the rest of the design; you do not have to rip if it is barely noticeable.

You do not have to rip if you mixed up colors and the design is not exactly as the designer's model. For heaven's sake, if it looks OK, stop obsessing.

You do have to rip if a color or texture is not in harmony with the rest of the design.

You do not have to throw away a design if you run out of a dye lot.

If it looks like you are headed toward thread shortage, don't use the thread to the last strand, save at least 1/4 of it. Buy some more and decide where and how to introduce the new dyelot. I actually prefer to work with multiple dyelots. If you pay attention to lights and darks etc., they can bring an added depth to your design.

2. In memory of Audrey Francini, my generation's greatest needlewoman, slow down. Needlework is not a speed contest. Audrey was the slowest stitcher I have known. She was also the best. I have a couple of great stories about Audrey and her speed, I'll tell them in the next couple of mornings.

3. Forget about the Needlepoint Police. They don't exist except in their minds. You may meet people who think they know it all. Good for them, I applaude their confidence, but I don't buy into it.

I have probably told this story a dozen times but it is worth telling again and again. Years ago a friend wrote to me and asked, will this Kreinik braid look good with this silk?

I replied, beats me, try it and see.

Friend: whadaya mean you don't know, you're the teacher.

My reply: if the Immortal Artists Of The Western World don't know without trying, how would I, one mere mortal needlework teacher? (There's a bit more to thsi story too, I'll tell the rest another time).

All this goes to say once again, there is no real right and wrong, there are problems of course. The best way to find solutions is to think creatively.

Those are my New Year's Stitching Resolutions for 2021.

Reminders for me as well as for all of you.

Saturday, May 28, 2022

In News & Views I am ahead of my story on Queendom Website's home page, so I will back up a bit.  Last summer I worked for the better part of a month on stitching Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

I caught up the sampler a bit and then EWeek preparation loomed large. I packed up Elizabeth Cady Stanton in a box, along with all the threads and doodles and notes, and I packed the sampler itself in my drawer of unfinished projects -- and there they sat till two weeks ago.

I've had a busy two weeks working on Susan B. and I'm happy to report the worst is (hopefully) behind me.  Yes, Susan B. has her face, her glasses on her nose and she has half a head of hair, enough for me to know it works.

I have one more big hurdle: the color black.  Black and red are two problem colors because they are so strong. Real undiluted black would override everything, so I will convert to my favorite black substitute: Soie d'Alger's charcoal. #3226.

If necessary I can dilute it even more by adding a pattern in light gray metallic, even a white pearl metallic. The pattern will hopefully read as black except to black purists, but better I have some harmony in my colors than satisfy the black purists.

Tomorrow: a bit more on Susan B.

Friday, May 27, 2022

I was so busy working on Susan B. yesterday that the day ran away from me.  I see that time is growing limited before my Mystery will be here for Early Birds, so I have to double my work on Susan B.  Have you ever found that it is difficult to stop in the middle of something? I lose my concentration and can't remember where I was.

So today: up early, more corrections to Susan B., a long day ahead and maybe, just maybe, everything wll work out.

Glasses: several of you who know I've been working on Susan B. have asked how her glasses are coming along. I am happy to report that my Susan B. has glasses on her nose.  I want to change her eyebrow tomorrow, I decided I'm not happy with it, the arch isn't quite right.  Soon as I fix it, Susan B. will have her face complete, glasses and all.

Hair: danged hair. That is the hardest hairdo ever.

I had about 3/4's of it finished today, then decided I didn't like the line of it at the top back of her head. Tomorrow's chore: fix that line.

And that leaves her clothes. I haven't even considered clothes yet, except for color. Troubling because Susan B. wore black.  Why is black a problem? I'll write about black tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Almost, but not quite, so I am again working on hair.

Almost -- I know, disappointing, but not far to go and maybe today. Or tomorrow.

The important part: I'm making progress and each step I learn something.

Meanwhile, Cathe Ray has written to me that she has put together 14 (yes FOURTEEN) different thread and color combinations for Mystery in St. Tropez. I can't wait to see them!

Cathe is a reminder that my time is limited to work on Susan B. right now. Maybe till Monday, then I will set the project aside for a while and deal with (unending) webwork and Mystery in St. Tropez.

It would be super if I could set it aside with a fully-designed Susan B.  Best I can say is, I'm trying....

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

This is my fourth day working on hair. The good news is, I think I finally have the shape. My version takes a bit of artistic license but looks like it will work on a small portrait.  I'm auditioning it today on yet another trial scrap of canvas.

Guess how I figured it out: I went looking for a Susan B. Anthony doll. Usually doll-makers do a fair amount of research, and would you know, this is what I found

Susan B. Barbi Doll.

The photo on the lower right shows how Susan B. Barbi Doll's hair works.

In addition to this version, there are photos where Susan B. took long strands and twirled them into a decoration at the top back of her head.

I hadn't a clue what this ornament was, but a friend explained to me how it is done.

All I can say after all this hair exploration, I am happy I don't face having to do this do every day. Probably the first time in my life I'm happy to have impossibly unruly curly hair that has to be short.

On with another day of hair. Maybe with luck my Susan B. will have a fine head of hair by the end of the day.

Another Rabbit Hole....

Monday, May 23, 2022

Monday Monday! My favorite day of the week: the workweek is new and full of promise, the days are long, the light brilliant and it is TIME TO STITCH.

I'm on the way this morning to my LSN. I probably have over a thousand skeins of floss but of course I don't have the right ones.  I'm after grays and browns. Brown? Gray? A Mixture? Here's the rub, I won't know till I sit down and start stitching.

So I will buy them all.  It's a bit like yellow threads last summer. I didn't know which yellow threads I wanted so I shopped for anything that caught my attention, for I need to make garlands of yellow flowers.

Yes, I have work to do in the next month, but I also have planned a LOT of stitching time, and creative stitching takes masses of threads with which to create.  For me, no buying only 'what I need' because my canvas is blank and I have no idea yet what I need.

For the next days: a creative journey that has my undivided attention.

Sunday, May 22, 2022

For Early Birds: give me a few more days to work on Susan B. and then I will set up a page for selling Early Copies of Mystery in St. Tropez. Won't be long now.

I am asking for more time because I am immersed in Susan B. who isn't easy. We are so sensitive to faces, as I hope I pointed out in my FACES lessons earlier, that each shape and each line, even how I pull the thread through each hole makes a difference.

It is a fun challenge. I am on my third trial. Today I am working on the hairline. Susan B.'s hair isn't the easiest style to understand,  and once I understand it, I have to simplify it to fit its space.

On with stitching today. Plan to stitch till my fingers ache and my eyes are bleary.  Good light is here now, so I will publish Queendom Website and then pick up my needle.

Enjoy your day.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

A month to go till my favorite day of the year, the Summer Solstice. Why is it my favorite day? Because of the long daylight hours, and it is my tradition to stitch all day long that day, from first light till the light fades.

This year I have high hopes that I will have Susan B. in place on my sampler and I will be at work diligently on yellow flowers, yes garlands of yellow everything. I look forward to the day! I always do.

The day after, I will be on Gary Parr's podcast talking about Mystery in St. Tropez.

Meanwhile this morning I posted two Mystery in St. Tropez Ornaments. I made them as a way to use up the threads left over from my Mystery, then realized they would make a good quick audition to see how colors worked together. Either way, very quick to make.

I'm looking forward to today: As soon as I finish with Queendom Website chores, I have the rest of the day to stitch!

I will leave up the option for Early Bird copies of the Mystery through the weekend, then we will move on.

Friday, May 20, 2022

Mystery in St. Tropez will remain a day or two, then I will leave a small reminder and revisit it when we are closer to the Summer Solstice.

I won't forget those of you who have asked for Early Bird copies of the Mystery.

The long  daylight days are just great for stitching and so I have plans to take advantage of the stitching time. More about my stitching time tomorrow. Hope you too will pick up your needles as we move through spring days.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

A note to Save The Date: I will be guest on Gary Parr's podcast on June 22 and we willl talk about Mystery in St. Tropez.

This morning I have posted a sneak peek at some of the options and you will see that it is a different Mystery from Mystery in a Corner. The lines are cleaner. There are three different corners, each corner with three different shapes, so all together nine different corner possibilities.

When will I sell the pattern? Trying to decide right now.

On June 21 for certain, but perhaps an 'Early Bird' option for Queendom Website's regular followers.

I'll leave a little photo posted and will update dates as I decide. If you are interested in an 'Early Bird' copy, please email me.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

After 14 years, I stitched another Mystery and this morning I've posted the first step, the center on Queendom Website's Home Page.

When will it be available? I thought on or near the Summer Solstice. On June 22 I will be on Gary Parr's podcast to introduce it.  I will try and sort out the timing in the next two weeks.

Tuesday, May 17 2022

I am leaving Mystery in a Corner in place for another day,

then watch tomorrow for a surprise all these years later and an update behind the scenes here at Queendom Website.

I have an early-morning dentist appointment, so will be brief this morning. Back tomorrow morning.

Monday, May 16 2022

The first half of May is past now. Typical May here on the coast yesterday: all fogged in for the morning and overcast for much of the day. May Gray indeed.

This morning I have posted a variety of Mysteries in a Corner from long ago. Different colors and different options make each individual.  I had a great time seeing what  people did with the design. Most used the options I wrote for the pattern, but some adventuresome souls branched out and tried their own.

So is this what you thought would happen?

And why am I dredging up this old pattern from a decade and a half go?

I will answer soon.

Sunday, May 15 2022

This morning we say goodbye to FACES and cameos and Tiny Floras and we switch gears.

In 2008 (which remarkably was 14 years ago, I designed a Mystery called Mystery in a Corner. Does anybody remember that design?

It begins with a Center Square and this morning I have posted that Center Square on Queendom Website's Home Page.  

Your assignment for today: look at the Center Square and the legs. Look carefully and then try to imagine what happens to the corners, hence 'Mystery in a Corner.'

Then check back tomorrow morning and see if this is what you thought would happen.

Saturday, May 14 2022

Good news: no catastrophes yesterday on Friday The Thirteenth.

I  will leave Tiny Floras and the summary of my lessons in place for today. We will say goodbye to Cameos and FACES Lessons and move on.

What next?  I have a couple of ideas. I'll work on them for tomorrow.

Probably the easiest photo to help understand Susan B.' hair in profile..

Susan B. Barbi Doll's hair