rain, rain, go away.......

Rainy, cold and grey here in Austin.
No new projects this week- just finished up the 'house' from last week and my Valentine's day - little - bits - o - love.

So, here is the house completed.  The address was Bond Street and my grandparents moved there in 1945.  I like it- I also think it lacks that **PUNCH**!!! thing- the stitches follow the same direction mostly and well- according to my 'drawing education' it is 'floating' so... with all that in mind- I am eager to start another BECAUSE it reminds me of the polaroids my grandfather used to take.  Yes.... another idea is born- I will get back to you on that- for sure!

This is a card I made for my friend Jon to give to his Valentine.  I realize now that a frame of color would have helped this 'pop!'  and now I know, for the next time!

When I began the thread was really too thick.  I separated it and did the stitching with three threads. I changed the direction of the hummingbird too.

 This is a Valentine for one of my friends- (they just don't know it yet!)

After 'Bond Street' I began thinking of how important it is for the composition that I vary the stitching direction.  I am stitching on card stock and as you can see in the next photo...

I pre- punch the holes using an awl.  This makes it a lot easier to stitch through.  Now the draw back is that the paper is not as flexible as fabric so I have found that 'straight' stitches work for right now (until I figure out another method :) )
**very exciting trip to the craft store this weekend and a purchase of fabric and an embroidery hoop!!  oooo, aaaahhh!!!!

And last but not least- remember the heart lino-cut  well it received some stitching too!

And I guess that is it for now- I have some new ideas that I am working out AND I have some cradeled panels arriving soon so I can get back to painting.  The drawing commission is coming along- will post soon and as always I am blown away by the most amazing, creative people and their wonderful blogs- check this out- thank you Kirsty!
So much wonderful inspiration and goodness is out there!!!


Thank you for reading and I wish all of you a very happy Valentine's day and a happy Chinese New Year- the year of the Tiger.
peace,
slee
ps- I have a new 'feature'- a comment moderator (i think that is what it is called) so if you leave a comment I will be sure to get back to you- when commenting I believe that there is an option to leave your email as well and I can email a reply too!
pss- I am armed and dangerous with info on tags/ labels and will be tagging and labeling soon!  Thank you Ines and Angie!!!