It's Valentine's Day!

I know you are all looking at the calendar and shaking your heads, but before you decide I am totally nuts, go see what Melissa Shirley just posted on her website.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Blue Skies, Blue Eyes

Petei Angel Holding String of Stars

It's been slow going on my little Petei angel during Christmas as we had house guests. There just wasn't time to work on her but after everyone left and I got the house sort of back in shape, I finished the blue sky and her blue eyes.   The eyes are done with the same blue Petite Treasure Braid that occasionally fills in the diamonds in the background so they look like stars twinkling in the blue sky.  In this photo you can really see the contrast between the medium blue of the diamond outlines and the paler blue Petite Silk Lame Braid that fills in each diamond.  This background eats thread like crazy and I was afraid I'd run out of Petite Silk Lame Braid, so I used regular 18 count Silk Lame Braid in the same color for the compensation stitches around her hair and dress and stockings.   Those compensation stitches were mostly tent stitches and regular 18 count Silk Lame Braid does nicer tent stitches than the Petite Silk Lame Braid does unless you double or triple the smaller Petite SLB in your needle.  That saved thread and made my compensation stitches better looking and quicker to do.

I think I'll do gold Kreinik cross stitches on her gold and white bib, then nestle little white pearls among those stitches.  After that, I will rummage in the stash for pink threads for her face and hands and silks in red and green for her striped stockings.  Stay tuned for more angel goodness.  Things should start moving faster now.

At least I hope so!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Ecclesiastical Embroidery

One thing that has always fascinating me is church embroidery. I love needlepoint kneelers but the priestly vestments are even more beautiful to my eyes. If you agree, you'll enjoy heading here and here.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2012/12/slabbinck-ecclesiastical-embroidery.html

http://www.needlenthread.com/2012/09/icon-embroidery.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com