Projects In Progress (The Peacock)

A "project in progress" (PIP) differs from a WISP in that it isn't slow - it's just not finished. It's an ongoing thing. I usually don't work on just one thing at a time - and especially if it's a brightly colored piece. This time, however, I have two rather splashy ones going at the same time. The peacock is shown in previous posts - and at this time, it's nearly done. (Do also see Gail's other new birds here, as they are totally delightful and full of color and personality.) I only have about two square inches left to stitch, and a few beads to add, and I will be done. Then it's off to the P.O. to Gail herself to send away for finishing as a rollie. The colors are magnificent, so it hasn't been boring - and the designwork is actually a rather semi-abstract thing. I can't really call any of the features "tail" or "wings" etc. - so just tried to enhance each area rather simply with basketweave and beautiful threads. The bump stitches are for accents, and carefully placed wherever I saw a square of four stitches.

I rather like the texture it added to this area - as it is the same color as the elements on each side of the body of the bird.

The last thing I will do is to sew on the bugle beads which were provided with the canvas - I haven't done this on top of finished stitching before, as I normally do the beading incorporated into it. If I can't figure it out, I'll send it back to the artist herself for the task.

The jewel case has my own Talavera design on it - which is now produced by Creative Needle. It is coming along nicely - but I'm getting a bit weary of bright colors, as these two pieces are rather intense. The outlining, done with a navy high luster braid from Kreinik, really enhances the pattern. The rest of it is stitched with Splendor silk, with the exception of beads where the green dots are, and red shimmer blend ribbon floss for the little squares in the diaper pattern. These two have been fun - but I'm going to start something a bit more subdued, I think, next time.