Humpty Done-dy

If I said I was one hundred percent happy with my completed piece, I would be stretching the truth. Honestly, I wish I had one more day to redo some of the cutwork brick areas. I was so focused on not cracking the bullion purl, I wasn't watching my spacing. Some of my bricks look so crowded but I truly don't know how they will be graded. I had to let them go as they were, as time ran out quicker than expected.

If you noticed, there is a big gap in the work progress as depicted in my photos. Those were the critical moments when I was working on my own well into the night and told myself I would photograph my work first thing in the morning. Well, that didn't happen, so here's what I have managed to record.

Last minute details take shape. Lips stitched in stria-shaded padded satin stitching, jacket studded with French knotted paillettes, and work begins on brick wall.

Cutwork along bricks is almost completed. The tiny shoe is formed of pueter colored kid leather complete with tiny buckle and strap. Along the brick ledge is S-ing technique of rough purl and bright check alternately.

The completed work with added shading to legs and wall.

Closeup of bricking and details of sock. Note the lapel is stitched with plate, one of the advanced stitch requirements.

Gold Rush

I'm sorry that I haven't had time to check in with you this past week. I have been busy working on my goldwork project in San Francisco and haven't had a moment to spare for anything but stitching. I did manage to keep a photo diary of my progress each day.

Here I am working on my slate frame and trestle stands.

This photo shows the felt areas in preparation of metal threads. The yellow areas are for gold threads and the white areas are for silver threads.

Silver Japan thread outlines the head while Gold Japan threads form the pants.

A closeup view of the right hand. Notice the shades of purple shading.

Kid leather forms the bow and work begins on the left hand. Note the string padding along the crease of the hand. The head is outlined with silver pearl purl and the facial features take shape.

Up to my ears in Gold!

Greetings from San Francisco where I am working on my Advanced Goldwork project with the Royal School of Needlework. I cannot believe I have already completed Day 3 of 10 of my module.

I designed a whimsical project not knowing if it would be allowed, and a more traditional Jacobean project just in case the first one was rejected. I was delighted when my tutor, Sarah Homfray gave the "thumbs up" and I could begin working my adorable Humpty Dumpty design. This character has always been near and dear to my heart. As a child, I happened on the most charming over-sized stuffed Humpty Dumpty I had ever seen at a nearby gift shop. Christmas being only a few days away, it was the only item specified on my Christmas list. Although it was quite expensive, I knew if anyone could afford to buy it, Santa could.

My mother, the single parent of four girls, knew how much that stuffed Humpty Dumpty meant to me and on Christmas Eve, she approached the store manager and with all the fortitude she could muster, explaining how slim his chances of selling it after Christmas. The manager was convinced and a sizable price reduction was administered, making the unusual item affordable. Needless to say, I was completely overjoyed that Christmas morning at the sight of my Humpty Dumpty. I kept it throughout my teenage years and when I moved out, I made throw pillows from his stuffing for my first apartment, unable to bear throwing it out.

Here are a few pics of my design and progress so far. I have managed to stay on target with my work, completing the pricking and pouncing in order to transfer the design onto the fabric and lacing up my slate frame on Saturday, completing the padding (applying felt) on Sunday, and working the pants today in laid work. Tomorrow, I hope to complete all the plunging (bring the thread tails to the back) and beginning the laid work on the hands. Stay tuned.

Pencil drawing of Advanced Goldwork project, featuring Humpty Dumpty. Notice the thread breakdown and stitch plan. This design is taken from a 1930's Nursery Rhyme book.

The pink gingham silk dupioni is the fabric I have chosen for my piece. What you are looking at is the goldenrod colored felt applied to the fabric. The gold threads are a combination of Japanese gold #5 and Roccoco gold. The white padded felt areas are the hands, which will be stitched in silver threads.

This is a closeup of my work in progress. Note the yellow paint lines on the fabric, which will be covered with metal threads. The dark areas are where I have couched the threads in place with purple silk, facing out to light lavender to create coloration and shading to the pants. All the ends will be brought to the back and tied off. For now, they are held in place with hair tape so they don't get caught in my stitches.

Royal School of Needlework

I spent most of the day packing my sewing supplies for my upcoming trip to San Francisco to begin my diploma course at the Royal School of Needlework. I will need an entire suitcase just to house my supplies. The diploma course is the next phase of study after the Certificate Course, which I have already completed. Lasting ten days, this intensive course features Advanced Goldwork, a project I designed and must complete before the deadline. I'm really looking forward to it.

Although I completed my design ideas yesterday, I still had to figure out stitch placement and thread choices so I brought home my sketch pad and completed that portion of the task. Now I'm working on laundry so I can complete my packing tomorrow. My plane departs Friday morning and I have a ton of stuff to do before leaving.

The Certificate Course consisted of four module areas of study: silk shading, Jacobean crewel, goldwork, and blackwork. It took all of five years with which to complete and I'm expecting the diploma course to last at least as long. I haven't had an opportunity to scan the mockups of Advanced Goldwork, but I would like to share my project from 2007's module.

First module of Certificated Course, Silk Shading, is a study in long and short stitch. Working from a photograph, the design is replicated in single strands of Anchor floss on silk dupioni. (See acutal photo below).



Busy Weekend

I just experienced one of the busiest weekends we've had in a while. Saturday morning we drove to Lafayette to have lunch with Evan and Andrea then off to the BFA Art show at the museum. The BFA Art Show, is an exhibition of the graduating Graphic Design seniors and fellow fine arts majors from UL in Lafayette. The exhibit featured the best works of the senior design students and their final projects. They were to develop a fictitious non-profit organization of their choice and design an entire corporate campaign including packaging, stationery, logo, website, and product development. Evan chose an organization geared to the many pets that were rescued from Hurricane Katrina called Hurricane Hounds. I think it turned out terrific and Billy and I were extremely proud of his work.

Then, we drove back to New Orleans just in time to make Billy's awards banquet where he was awarded a trophy for his Big Game Fishing skills. We had such a great time just visiting with old friends while enjoying a marvelous meal.

F to B: Logo, stationery design and corporate imaging; dog grooming products;
 dog sweater product; dog food packaging; suitcase to hold kit with labeling.

Corporate Image and stationery design.

Closeup of product development.

Point of Sale showcard.

Web page design.

Evan and Andrea at the Art Show.

Billy, Evan and me.

Laptop Day

I spent the entire day working on the revision of "Charlotte", a pattern that went out of print a few years ago. This pattern features a baby gown and matching bonnet, which I'm told is a favorite for namings and special occasions. I had it regraded to include newborn sizes for those wishing to use it as a coming home outfit, and into a little girl's dress version, in cases where a big girl dress is necessary. This version will be high yoke, gathered waist and three-quarter length sleeves. It will also feature the large medallion in front with a cartouche for a monogram. The gown is sized NB-6mo-9mo, and the girl's dress is sized 1-2-3.

Tomorrow, Billy and I are driving to Lafayette to see Evan's Art showing at the museum. This show features the best of the best works of the seniors at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I'm really looking foward to it and I promise to get a few photos for you. Happy Friday!

Caitlyn's Dress

I decided to get my lazy self into the office today, especially since Billy has been dropping subtle hints about having to care for the doggie all by himself while trying to work. We have a new receptionist who is adorable and sweet and we love her. Brandi loves the pup but truthfully, it is my dog and I should be with her. And I really need to get to work designing a project for myself during the two week session at the Royal School, which is coming up quickly. I'm doing advanced goldwork and it is a bit intimidating. But, I've never been one to shy away from a challenge.

I received a text from Christine on Easter morning, the student I was helping with her Easter project via text a few weeks ago. She was excited to report the dress had been completed in time, even though it was 9:45 p.m. the night before. I think the dress turned out lovely and I could tell she was immensely proud of herself for having reached her goal.

Caitlyn wearing Cherries Jubilee on Easter Sunday.

Caitlyn looks so precious in her new shoes and pretty Easter dress. Christine, you did good.