Tekabarune: Lower Bow

Tekabarune: Mallet (cont.)

The last bit I need to complete before working the sides of the boat is the Mallet handle. The original had a circle/hole in the center of the handle that touched the boat but not the top one. The top one's center was worked in fuzzy effect. I chose to make them match and do round and round couching, covering the entire handle. 

Still not sure which metallic ill work the body of the Mallet in. The white is still the padding thread and the one brown vein is a test for possible metallic. Ill decide once I finish the sides of the boat. 

Here is the piece to date: 

Tekabarune: Sheild

The Sheild in the foreground also needs to be worked before I can return to the ship. 

Alternating #5 Gold an Silver in round and round couching separated by Katayori. The couching thread is the same color as the outer Katayori band which gives it a wonderful sheen. 

I mixed a rainbow #1 metallic in the Katayori which gives it an extra flair, too. 

The original design calls for white flat silk which would be used as one of the Katayori but I've chosen not to use it. The white on the black ground fabric would be too stark. Instead, I've chosen a regal purple. 

Tekabarune: Waves

After finishing the top of the bow, I quickly realized that I need to do the waves and "bubbles" that sit on top of the the bottom of the bow or sides of the boat. 

Per the box chart, I'm using #5 Gold. The box chart also calls for # 5 Silver.  I've decided to stay away from the silver because I'm finding that it REALLY pops on the black and gold speckled ground fabric.  It's interesting that all the pictures I have found of this design is on light fabric (white, light gold, and light blue) - so these really fun thread choices are challenging. 

Above is a close up of waves and bubbles. The waves are two strands #5 gold couched. The bubbles are single strand #5 To and Fro. 

Below is how the design looks right now. The drum is seriously incomplete on purpose... I haven't decided what the metallic for the To and Fro on the body will be. The JEC "honey gold" just fades into the background. The white is Couching thread.  The one brown vein is where I covered the Couching thread with brown silk. 

The other two other areas that I have to work before I can do the body is the shield and handle on the drum. Back to stitching!

Inspire

The laid Pearls are now in! I'm uploading a quick picture from my phone but will try to publish better ones tomorrow.

It maybe a week before I am able to get to the "dots" as I have lots of good family stuff keeping me busy through the weekend (Octoberfest here I come!). Here's to your inspiration!

"E"

Late last night I began work on E…

I placed a small piece of Purl Pearl in that opening, stitched some guidelines in, and began working the laid pearls.

The "e" Problem

This is a picture of the "E" before I even begin to stitch.  As you can see by the black circle there is going to be problem where the gold Pearls need to be separated.  I've drawn in approximately the direction they will be laid with the red arrows but there is a not a separating line of Pearl Purl.  I'm going to need to add that before I stitch the e….. 

Pictures to come!

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I and R

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"P"

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Halfway there...

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"S"

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Inspire: "N + S"

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Inspire: Laying the Purls

For the center of the letters, I am using #5 Gilt Bright Check Purl and #5 Gilt Smooth Purl using waxed, yellow Gutermann cotton thread. 

Christa, Lilystitch
 www.lilystitch.com

Felt Padding

Back to Padding!!    In the "n s" picture below, I show an example of the under-padding. This is what it sounds like - the layer(s) of padding that is ,eamt to build up the padding.  It is intended to make a depth in certain areas.  Often, one might use many layers to get a ton of height although I use the one as the letters are too thin to use more. 

I just love the softness one affects by using felt padding. 

I have traced the drawing onto felt and then cut out each letter:

Here is a photo log of the top layer of padding:

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Inspire

Pearl Purl outline is complete. Onto padding.

Pearl Purl Outline

Christa, Lilystitch 

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"Warts and All"...

With blogging, one has the option to cover up your mistakes however I think there is an honestly and ability to help others if I show my mistakes from time to time (biting knuckles moment).

So the other night, I'm happily working away on Inspire and thinking about next steps and design elements when I realize that I've totally jumped the gun by beginning work on the padding.  I was to the s when I said to self: "now how are you going to outline with pearl purl correctly with all that padding on?  It's going to be awfully hard to get nice, clean outlines….  DOW!"

It was a that point I went to bed.

Next evening, I decided not to take out the all of the padding, just the top layer on the "i" (I'm putting int two layers - the letters are too small to do more and I'd rather do the felt rather than cording).

As a good little Outliner, I am working the letters that I envision on the top then outlining the parts in the background so I begin with the "e"(also be as far away from my dirty awful as possible ;)

Christa, Lilystitch
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Inspire

Design

Lately, I've just been so challenged by my new job that I come home too tired to stitch or anything  (including Blog!).   All of my projects seem to have lots that I have to think about in order to stitch  on them which is the last thing I want to do when exhausted but yet too stimulated to sleep.

One of my many blessing is that I work with really eager, talented folks who want to make a difference.       I find inspiration in them as I work to inspire them… so I got to thinking about that word and how I could incorporate it into something I could actually stitch when I'm too tired to think but awake enough to ply needle and thread.

So it came to me - why not make the word a work of Needle Art?  It would be perfect for my desk…

So here it is: "Inspire".  It will be a piece of English Goldwork worked on Silk Fabric.

Christa,Lilystitch
 www.lilystitch.com

Tree of Hope: Working the Trunk and Branches

When I first began this project, I was thinking I really should do round and round couching.  As I was working the leaves I realized I wanted something more realistic. So why not stretch the Pearl Purl and create a very bark like effect?  That way the brown shows through and you get all the sizzle of the Gold.

At first, it took a ton of nerve to treat the Pearl Purl so harshly.  With the first bit in, I was totally hooked and having a great time.

As more and more went in, it was fun to see the results…. almost like I was watching veins grow up the tree.

Bark completed:

Next up: The Wee Birdies

Christa, Lilystitch
www.lilystitch.com