Look for the Girl with the Sun in her Eyes and She's Gone....

I'm sick of sunshine. I admit it - I am stormy by nature. Rain storms, thunder storms, snow storms, wind storms -- I adore extreme weather. The more extreme the better.

I guess my craving for dark and stormy skies has driven me to pick up Vincent again. Working on swirling clouds and dark, starry skies -- is very satisfying for me right now.

I experimented with loosely stitching some black tulle down over the spires and melting the tulle for texture. I will continue stitching the spires until they are almost completely covered - only the rought melted edges of the tulle peaking through.

Originally, I was going to cover this entire piece with stitch, (utilizing the painted pictures as a thread color guide, only) however I've come to the conclusion that the painted piece beneath -- peeking through here and there gives the stitching more depth -- and I like it.

Progress on Placemats & Dear Jane....

I'm still working on these placemats. I finally got them pieced, and now I'm adding some outline stitching to the center panel -- through the leaves, around the crows and maybe outlining the flowers. I dug out my Embroidery Stitch Bible which is the greatest little book with step by step illustrations as to how to execute each stitch. I find that I am enjoying the process of stitching these little details very much. I would like to do more of that. Once I finish stitching in some detail, I will back these, do a little outline quilting, bind them and then they'll be finished and off to their new home.

I have NOT been diligently working on Dear Jane as I find these tiny blocks a bit err, uh ..........

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F R U S T R A T I N G! I do resolve to keep plugging away at them though -- because I do need to learn to ACCURATELY piece (as is evidenced by these horridly crooked blocks!!) so I am looking at this as a learning experience. I am trying to do at least 2 blocks (or more per week). Once school is out and Sabrina starts tennis over the summer, it will be great because I can bring a few with me and work on them at the court. Anyone else currently working on a Dear Jane??