Between wallowing in the extreme gorgeousness of Kaffe, messing with knitting stranded colorwork on a sleeve with double-pointed needles (oh the humanity! The ends! The giant entire sweater flopping in the way of everything! Serenity now!) and spending four hours watching Tess of the D’Urbervilles in an attempt to stay in touch with what my son is working on in school (if watching sumptuous BBC adaptations of classic literature is what it takes to be a good parent these days, well, I guess that’s the price I’ll have to pay) I decided to take up needlepoint.
There was this first:
This is my (still-unblocked) version of Anna Maria Horner’s free pattern. It measures about 4” x 6”, and I did it all in a morning, which made me then start looking around the room for more things I could needlepoint. Being who I am, there were actually a couple things to choose from, and so I picked up this piece of canvas, sorted out some colors from my improbably large tapestry yarn stash, and just started.
Within two episodes of Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin (Lena Dunham and Billy Joel) I had this much done. I love this so far, love it! I love it just the way it is; the graphic modern-ish squares pattern against the burlap-y-ness of the plain canvas. Oh man, I adore it. To think I’ve been hanging on to all this stuff in hopes of somehow coming up with a gorgeous fancy flower design, with blown roses and patterned pottery. As if I could do that. Sometimes you’ve just gotta know yourself, and then dive in.
I love the heart and I really like the colours in your new one. If anything it's kind of refreshing to see something other than the flowers/roses! How selfless of you to watch Tess, the things parents have to do eh? ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice!! But how do you do it?? Counting blocks and watching a movie??
ReplyDeleteLove
AMarie
This is great! Very modern, yes, but bright and happy at the same time. :) Better than an intricate rose pattern, too! Thank you for sharing - as always you are a lovely inspiration! xoxo, Jess
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Kaffe is that I couldn't actually wear any of his sweaters - I imagine they'd be incredibly heavy, no?
ReplyDeleteThey would make gorgeous wall hangings though! Or even a rug if you could stand to walk on something that would be so much work.
the heart is gorgeous, I rushed straight over there to pin the pattern! Loving your geometric design too. I did some needlepoint last week and am itching to do some more!
ReplyDeleteI like the simple rustic-ness of this too. In the same way I like unfinished wood with a nice Danish oil rubbed in. I always find it hard to just leave things at that perfect moment when it's good enough, but just can't stop myself to "finish it off" somehow. I kind of hope you'll leave this just as it is for some cushion cover or table runner. Nice. Wendy
ReplyDeleteNow you're delving into one of my absolute favorite hobbies. :) Go, Kristen!
ReplyDeleteI just love this!! I'm also wanting to do this, your geometric design is just great! Heather x
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! That heart is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteClaire
I love this so much! Especially the contrast against the natural canvas - it looks so fresh and modern.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that every time I visit your blog I am more and more inspired. It's such a treat and after a really long day, it's like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely talents.
ReplyDelete~Ann
You are one talented woman......it is a gift that you share yourself with us .... a sweet treat to visit each day !!
ReplyDeleteooh so pretty, and it looks very addicting. can't wait to see your colorwork sweater!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how much you do. Although I am a bit the same always having to be working on something. Like you I too have so many projects going at one time. It's great through isn't it? I just decided to dabble in needle point. Oh, to be creative!
ReplyDeleteYOU Amaze me AGAIN!!!!
ReplyDeleteNow please do not think me knit picking here but - while this is definitely needle work: is truly needlepoint or more accurately considered Bargello which are stitches that cover any number of spaces in any direction, whereas needlepoint (I thought) was only and always crossed xxs...
Guess I Am just curious because whatever one calls what those boxes on burlap are have me swooning!!! Rock on with your Colorlicious self Kristen :)
you try so many different crafts, and everything looks beautiful when you make it. looking forward to see what picture you create with those gorgeous colors!
ReplyDeletehappy needle work and TV watching :)
Anna
You are just amazing Kirsten. You do so many different things ...units just amazing,
ReplyDeleteYou are great!
speechless - I am going to have to limit how often I read your blog because the list of things you inspire me to try is endless - please have a holiday and do something less crafty, like...........! oh don't stop you are just so fab x
ReplyDeleteYou have SO many talents!!! Whenever I visit you here, there's always somethign else I feel the need to add to my 'must try' list!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
Carly
x
Inspired once again. Thank you Kristin x
ReplyDeletebeautiful...
ReplyDeletelove
maria
mscreations27.blogspot.com
I absolutely adore your triangles. The perfect mix of order and chaos. Amazing!
ReplyDeletehmm, I might need to learn how to do that! I saw the post at Anna Maria and immediately fell in love with it but since I have that many things to do, now didn't seem like the right time to pick up something new! I absolutely adore your version as well!
ReplyDeleteLove, Kirsten
So beautiful! Love the heart. I see that no matter what you take on, you manage to stay in your color scheme -- so pretty! Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, another beautiful project has sprung from your blog. Yes those are definitely your colors. This I really like!!!!
ReplyDeleteThose colors are beautiful. I love the look of this project!
ReplyDelete