Out Come the Slanting Lines

True to the stereotype of feminine behavior, I've changed my mind about using interlocking Goblein stitches for the Tardis walls.  If you look at the free standing right side door, you can see how after only three rows and no compensation, the stitch looks messy and bunched, not like the smooth Tardis walls in photos.  So I will rip this out tonight and replace it with tent stitches.

I've been busy stitching the side of the Tardis with another stitch.  See the difference in the effect?  The side wall is a lot smoother, the tent stitches (basketweave is a tent stitch, along with half cross and continental) sit next to the diagonal long stitches well, and I have to admit it was very relaxing to basketweave last night instead of fussing over getting the interlocking Goblein in the right holes on black canvas.  It looks like the side panels show up well against basketweave in the same blue, although I may backstitch around one end to have a shadow there.  Haven't decided that yet.

One step back, then two more forward.  When things don't work out, I just change direction.

And practice my swear words.  [LOL]

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

The Police Sign and Slanting Lines

I'm making good progress on the Tardis now.  Last night saw me outline the Police Box sign on the front top of the Tardis by stitching long stitches over my perle cotton with my floss.  Then I filled in the sign center with tent stitches using my perle cotton.  I will add the letters on top of this later.  I plan to alternate working out the roof of the Tardis with filling in the exterior walls.

After a lot of experimentation with various stitches that Tony Minieri recommended in his Needlepoint Now articles on stitching architectural elements, I decided that Interlocking Goblein (over three threads) works best to cover the black canvas and give me a smooth wall.  I have started this stitch on the right door piece and will work my way down the door while I figure out how to stitch the top of the Tardis.

I want to point out two areas of the Tardis that are problems because I choose to work a three-quarters turned view of it instead of just a straight on view.  See how the police sign on the front has drops to the top periodically?  I can't do a slanted sign (which the correct perspective requires) in the stitch I've chosen that is smooth.  I have to drop down a thread periodically.

The other problem area is the base of the Tardis.  Again, I can't do a slanted padded line well because of the stitch I've chosen.

I could have avoided this by choosing a head-on view.  If this sort of thing bothers you, don't stitch your buildings or architectural elements any way except straight on.  Or choose another stitch that does slants better.  But really, all I need to do is convey the idea of a Tardis.  It doesn't have to be perfect and I know better how to do the next building more realistically after stitching this.

No problem is just an error--it is an opportunity to learn.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

More About Woodlawn 2010

Before you ask, no, I haven't had a chance to get to the Woodlawn Plantation needlework exhibit yet.  Now that the weather has cleared up, I hope to go this week or next, depending on all the appointments scheduled during this time that were postponed from February due to four feet of snow.  I am not sure I will write much about the show, however.  After all, we have a photo gallery to visit and some folks have blogged about it already.

Once again, here are all the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.*
http://www.flickr.com/photos/preservationnation/sets/72157623455198693/

The owner of The Point of It All, the best known needlepoint shop in Washington, D.C., writes about her visit here.
http://blog.thepointofitallonline.com/2010/03/woodlawn-needlework-exhibition.html

Susan visited Woodlawn yesterday.  Here's all about her trip with her friend Carolyn.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2010/03/woodlawn-needlework-exhibition-2010.html

As Susan says, a separate photo album has been set up to showcase the Japanese Embroidery on display.  You can visit the pieces here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48391823@N08/sets/72157623484841405/

Donna's been serving as a docent.  I hope once her stint is done she writes about the experience in detail and talks about the pieces she fell in love with and why.  My own limited docent experience tells me you really have time to study the pieces when you are a docent and learn more than a quick visit's study allows.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2010/03/view-from-tuesday.html

Claudia on the ANG email list wrote that this is the Best of Show winner.  *She mentioned that she thinks not all the award winners are in the ribbon photo album (the first link above).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/preservationnation/4416829235/in/set-72157623455198693/

I know they don't have the award for The Piece Jane Would Take Home If She Could listed.

You'll have to wait to hear about that.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Back on Track

I've been busy with the windows and door panels on my Tardis ornament and I like how they look now that they are all even.  I also took out the left side window to make it lower than the right.  Pamela's right--it looks better this way.


The insides of the panels are tent stitches to get a smooth look, mostly done with my #8 perle cotton. The top door panel on the right and the top roof panel on the side have writing on them so I used Water N Ice (the clear WT1) to do tent stitches that I hope indicate writing.


I've played with the placement of the wall panels on the left side, trying to make them look ok at that angled perspective.  This is why it is easier to stitch buildings head on--if I had just done a front view Tardis I would have these issues.  But it makes for a nicer look in my opinion and a more interesting thing to stitch.  


I also buttonholed around the left front door to match the right detached door.  I use buttonhole stitch a lot for edging of things like glasses cases and have never had such a time making the stitches even but I normally use crewel wool, which is much more forgiving and stretchy than the #12 perle cotton I have used here.  Stitch and learn, right?  Next time I stitch a Tardis I'll use wool!


I stitched the area above the left side windows with wrapped backstitch but I think I am going to take that out.  It's the right stitch for here to indicate the lines between the windows and the sign on the side but I think it'll look better if I use perle cotton instead of cotton floss.


So out that will come to be restitched.  If I like it, I will probably use the same stitch on the roof line of the front.  


I have tested stitches for the walls of the Tardis and right now I like brick stitches over four threads, but we'll see.  I want to use the same stitch for all the wall areas, which means I want everything stitched except the walls before I settle on a stitch for the walls.  That way I can compare the stitch to all the other stitches to make sure they play nice together.


This is starting to come together and the weather is much improved.  Things are starting to look good in CH! 


Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Still Grumpy

I'm still grumpy this morning.  Our road is closed to traffic but the river is receding and it should open soon.  The road across the river was under quite a bit of water and probably will have to be cleared of debris before it is passable.  See the moss-covered tree with the two parallel horizontal limbs?  The top limb shows about where the river bank is. You can clearly see how far inland the river is from the bank.  The photo doesn't show that the trees on the far bank are standing about 2 feet deep in water.  I took this photo yesterday after the river crested. The water level is dropping now.

I'm also grumpy about the Tardis door windows.  This is how they look today.  I like the spacing on the left door but I think everything is about 3-4 threads too high, so today I'll start at the bottom of the left door, rip out each panel and the window and restitch them lower down.  After I am sure of the placement then I will finish the right door.  Oh, well, since the road is closed I might as well get this right.  Right?

LOL

Everyone stay safe and dry on this dreary and wet Monday.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow