Choosing Colors! Kristina again

If you haven't looked this week, be sure to go to Kristina Klarin's new blog and see her photos and color "smears." I really like this new format of hers (formerly Kris' Color Stripes), as she shows with her paint blotches the colors in proportion to their importance in the photograph - which is a lot more help than just equal sized stripes, or in our case, just pulling out skeins of threads.

This is a wonderful way to put together a color scheme for a project in needlepoint - or anything else. Be sure to click on "color files" on the left side to see the swatches alone.

What Color is Green??

This is a question I used to ask my students back when I was teaching hobbyists to paint and to mix colors. "Green is green" was the usual answer until I sent them outside to look - then it was difficult to get them to do anything but mix green paint.


Fascinating! A bit of color theory was thrown in , of course, to help them understand the "why" of what they were doing in the mixtures. It's really great to have control when mixing paint!

Anyway, I was inspired and motivated by my friend (internet type co-conspirator/fellow designer/collaborator up on Cape Cod) to do something regarding shamrocks, as that's what she is doing right now.

My only thought was a cookie. I mean ONE cookie. Then I decided to research "shamrock cookies" and couldn't believe the images I found - which may lead to a whole basketful of them. I had thought in the beginning with just one to make pale green icing with some dark green and crystal beads on top for "sprinkles."

However, now this idea has grown and grown to include a lot of different threads and "colors" of green and other wonderful things. It seemed only right to use Petite Very Velvet for the cookie dough, and then different textures for the icing itself. This is only a fraction of what I have buried in the drawers of my stash.

The Memory Thread will also make great icing as it would be if extruded from a pastry tube!! This will be lots of fun, and remembering that it's just a needlepoint replication, it doesn't have to be EXACTLY like a cookie, but can be used to practice many new stitches and techniques for decoration. as long as it "reads" as icing.


The first photo is as far as I went today, and is the first sketch that's done for a new piece - getting the size right, etc. The arrow points to a place that isn't quite correct and will need to be redrawn - tomorrow! I do hope to start stitching one soon.


When I get the drawing to suit me, I will probably put it up on Freebies, etc. so you can print it out and play along.

Inspiration for Design

I'm in the middle of another week of chaos and confusion, in moves I'm making - hoping to land soon wherever it will be that I can "bloom where I'm planted." I'm pretty wilted and falling over right now, so haven't really produced anything to show. However, I never neglect my blog cruising in the morning while having coffee, and love the way the beautiful images get my mind going in the right direction.

I found a new one yesterday in Australia, that you might enjoy. It's called BEACH TEXTILES , and has some of the most beautiful pictures I've seen in a while.

As I say often, I look at blogs written by fiber artists all over the world, rather than needlepoint blogs (except for two or three), as I find they stimulate my creativity well, due to the beautiful and tasteful color combinations, and the patterns developed. Lots of inspiration here, and these things "imprint" on the brain and influence images and thinking.

Liz Morrow and I had been chatting by e-mail a while back about some "marbelizing" one of her needlepoint groups is doing on canvas - I don't usually do this sort of thing, but became rather intrigued with it.

This blog this morning had some dyed fabric on it - art work- that gave me some ideas, so now I'm in search of my natural sea sponges so I can play with it a bit - see what I can "replicate" that will do for needlepoint. I'm already looking at the yellow and orange picture - the first photo- and figuring how I might adapt that sort of thing by "painting with needle and thread" on needlepoint canvas. What fun!!

When you visit this blog, be sure to read Dian's profile - it's wonderful, and something many of us can relate to.

A New Angel and More Satin Floss!

These are two unrelated topics, but I wanted to show both - and then retire to stitch for the rest of the evening. Enough of painting for a few days!! (being busy is good).

I was finishing an order of my Talavera crosses, and decided while the paint was out to go ahead and put the same motif on the skirt of an angel. This was from my favorite of them.

She's 9" high, so I was able to use the pattern exactly the same size as it is on the cross - just moved the elements around a bit. The wings are outlined in light metallic gold, and I can see using beads on the sunflower center as I did on the cross.

Next, the DMC Satin Floss. Last January there were 24 colors. Now there are 60!! I remember last fall when I first heard of Satin Floss, I called all over Austin and couldn't find any. Only one counted cross stitch shop had a little box of six colors.

I decided to go directly to the DMC site and buy some there, as I really wanted to try it. I had liked the shiny look of what they had before (can't remember the name of it - rayon floss) but it was not pleasant to use, and was crinkly. The Satin Floss is rayon - and is shiny and slilppery, but gorgeous, and when knotted up against the eye of the needle, it's easy to use.

What you see in the first photo is the entire collection as it is now - lots of fun to dump out of a bag and play!
Next, I separated it into shades, which is a wonderful development - there are actually FOUR shades of yellow and four of blue! The colors are rich and vibrant. I was doing this with a huge window behind me, so had the benefit of natural daylight, so I could see the true colors. It's amazing what effect one color has on another when placed side by side.

I remember a 5th grade teacher I had who gave us basic enlightenment into color theory - and what the retina of the eye does with color. One exercise I loved was when he had us stare for about 45 seconds at a red shape (we cut these shapes out of construction paper) - and then look immediately up to a white board he had in front of the room. There, an image formed of the same shape, but in the complementary color - which in this case was green. Budding artist that I was, I was so enraptured with this, I didn't want to be bothered with anything else - like history, etc.
In the last picture, I have separated out the low intensity colors in the collection - gorgeous, they are! I really enjoyed my activity here, as color schemes automatically fell into place - I separated out these skeins and put them into little ziploc bags for future reference.

I remember in Maggie Lane's NEEDLEPOINT BY DESIGN, she said her favorite way of choosing a scheme, was to just dump out her trunkful of yarn and see what fell into place - it works!!

Creating a Color Scheme

I didn't take time to ask Sharon Boggon (a great fiber artist in Canberra, Australia, if you're not familiar with her) if I could use her photograph of colorful trash bins in New Zealand, so will just let it suffice to tell about a great aid for making a color scheme.

You can see this on her blog PINTANGLE, and also go directly to the site here: KULER Go take a look! I have plans, myself to play with it a bit - fascinating, it is.

I"m showing these zinnias, as this is the kind of thing I look for when planning color shemes of my own - I'll try it on the Kuler thing, I think. What fun!!

Swimming in Seaweed (needlepoint, that is.)

It's time to watch Anne make seaweed in her watery habitat for the fishes. Go see her selection of threads, and then stay tuned to watch the process. I'm looking forward to this one!! You can find her at The Cape Stitcher.

UPDATE!! This is now finished, and complete with seaweed, coral, and bubbles - delightful!

Beautiful Threads: Choosing Color Schemes

I ordered these beautiful threads not too long ago from Sharon B. in Australia (Pintangle).

It seems her latest fun/creative endeavor is hand dying hanks of threads - silks, cottons, and wool, and putting them into skeins. She is showing them in packages of coordinating colors, but reminded me that consistent dyelots are virtually impossible, as they are dyed a bit at a time.

She showed on a post on August 13, the total process - and it's a fascinating thing to see. Do go take a look HERE.

I already have my eye on another package, and am told she'll have even more in a few days - so I feel I need to go ahead and order what I want before it's gone. (These may be seen on her Art Fire Store.) Also, when this phase of creativity is over, she will move on to something else - I wish I had a tenth of her energy! I wonder if the woman ever sleeps. Her blog is one I check every morning, as I get so much creative inspiration from it.

Anyway, this is one way I really enjoy putting colors together for projects - and sometimes just invent projects so I can use yummy threads! An entire scheme could be taken from the second from the top perle cotton skein, as it's variations include several beauties!

I like to just dump out the stash of silks and cottons and see what's there that would go along. This package of five skeins is beautifully coordinated as to variations in dark to light shades, and in consistent intensities - makes it easier! Another factor with this package is that several different fibers are represented, which allows for interest in textures.

ADDENDUM: OOPS! I am a computer dummy, and can't get the link I gave for the dyeing process to come up - but the one here is beautiful, as it's showing her band sampler stitches done in these threads, and you can just click on "Search" on the side bar and type in "dyeing threads" - all kinds of places come up to see!!

Choosing Colors, Thread, Textures - the Difference it Makes!

This ornament is one I presented on Freebies, Etc. a while back, and also is to be used in my e-book on "Laces and Trims." It's such a simple thing, and I thought it would be a good one to illustrate how a change of color and using different threads, etc. can entirely change the look of a piece.


I don't paint things I'm going to stitch myself, as I'm too lazy to take the time, and also, I love the way it develops on the blank white canvas - kind of like painting. The dots I added are for the later placement of beads, which will be the clear Sundance #250 hexagonal ones for the glitter they produce - will also use them on the white flowers.

I'm using Petite Very Velvet, and also the Kreinik 002V braid that's so pretty with it. As always on shaped ornaments, I outline the shape first so it will have a smooth edge for finishing.

This ornament is to be used either as a tree decoration, or as a kissing ball mounted over a styrofoam ball to hang for a party decoration, or maybe just to sit on a table and look sparkly and cheerful at holiday time. Actually, the ball could be two sided, as this project is quick to do, being only 4 1/2" diameter. Also, by drawing it yourself on canvas, it's quite inexpensive.

Incidentally, my first thought was to do it in white PVV with red flowers - other color combinations are certainly feasible.

The second picture is of one I painted to show what color choices can do. I haven't had time to even think about stitching it, but when I do, I'll draw it on blank canvas rather than using this painted one.


I'm using cotton floss here, probably in "T-Stitch," as I want no sparkle, and will use petite Frosty Rays for the flowers in either bump stitches or long, slanted ones. The leaves and centers will be stitched with DMC Satin Floss, as I like the idea of having the shine as opposed to the matte finish of the cotton floss - interesting effect. Also, using pearl cotton for the flowers would be great visually! Due to the "ropy" spin, it has a sheen of its own.

If you haven't visited my Freebies, Etc. blog, this ornament is under the label "ornaments" (of course) and you can print it out and draw it for yourself. Also, I posted some Halloween napkin rings today, along with four with "jewels" on them. These too, can have major character changes due to a change of threads and colors - Try it!!

Finding Color Schemes

While I'm having an acute case of PPD (post project depression after painting two major canvases) and resting my poor aching back, I was looking through a neglected stack of magazines. I subscribe to a number of the "better" decorating publications, which is a habit I acquired in Interior Design school, as the images are great to imprint on the mind, and it's a good source of information about color and furniture trends - fabric patterns, etc.

I found this gorgeous page in an issue of VERANDA from last November./December, and saw immediately a color scheme for a new piece of bargello I've been wanting to do. As I've mentioned before on this subject of choosing color schemes, the art directors of these magazines - and in this case, whoever designed this beautiful ad, certainly know what they're doing!

This is a "complementary" scheme, meaning that it uses the red and green, which are opposites on the color wheel. The two colors are used at rather low intensities, which when mixing paint or dyes involves just adding a bit of green to dull the red, and red to dull the green - which makes them very compatible - complementary isn't easy to work with. Even the brown, as you see it, is very very low intensity (dull) red, which means green was added to it until it's almost neutral - that's why it works so well.

What makes the scheme interesting is the different values (light and dark) of the colors. These are things you don't really need to know as you select a scheme that's already been done - I just analyzed this one to illustrate what it is.

I keep file folders of color schemes, furniture arrangements, fabric patterns - all those things, as they are a great aid for me in designing decorative accessories. Not to copy them, but as inspiration and to keep up with trends.

I'm already getting out the cotton floss to put this color scheme together to use for something - probably the bargello I have in mind. Of course it will benefit by the addition of something sparkly, and something shiny as well as the cotton.

Color Inspiration and Silk Ribbon Embroidery

The first blog I ever saw a few years ago was that of an art quilter - I was looking for crazy quilts, and found what has occupied my mind since. I actually spend more time looking at these than I do on needlepoint blogs - as the inspiration and images are so wonderful.

Color schemes are particularly good on some of them, as Allison Aller's quilts - I have an entire file folder full of blocks from her quilts - with her permission, and I suspect, high amusement. She also graciously supplied me with a block to use in my very first article for Needlepoint Now, which was on adaptation and inspiration for needlepoint.

In analyzing this first picture as a color theorist, I know why the little touches of yellow and orange work so well - but it doesn't matter knowing the WHY - what matters is that it works. Allie's color sense is superb. This is the kind of thing I take to the LNS to choose silks or whatever I feel like working with (or can afford).

In the next one, the touches of blue against the orange, and the wisp of green on the right are perfect for accents. Incidentally, the butterflies are from another art quilter from Houston - Debra Spincic - who is going to have an Etsy store to sell these beauties. She makes them on her embroidery machine, and they are exquisite - the link to her is on Allison's blog, Allie's in Stitches.

The other Art Crazy Quilt/Embroidery blog I look at every morning without fail, is PINTANGLE - Sharon B.s beautiful and informative blog. So much great instruction and inspiration even for a needlepointer! She is going to start a Cyber class for Silk Ribbon Embroidery on June 18, which I wish I could find time to do (might do it anyway).

My very first experience with that was about 12 years ago when I was wanting to replace a book on Crazy Quilting - and the quilt shop sold me Judith Baker Montano's book, "Crazy Quilt Odyssey," which was full of SR - stitches and instructions. I was hooked, although I'd never seen it before, and immediately began to apply it to needlepoint. (I now own five of her books)

Sharon's work is without equal - so do go take a look if you're interested in learning, and learning it right. I call SRE my "instant gratification."

Choosing Colors for Needlepoint Projects

My daughter's latest catalog from J. Crew just arrived - and it's full of not only beatiful things to wear, but COLOR Schemes! I have a large file folder full of just such things I've collected over the years, as they are a great source for putting together a scheme.

Most of these publications, along with great magazines, (My favorites are Veranda and House Beautiful) have art directors, who are very good at putting pages together to be the most eye catching and effective - so of course using these to inspire us in our needlepoint color selections is great.

The first picture is simply a dress fabric against a lovely, soft green background - very pretty!


Next is a stack of blouses in bright pastels and neutrals. Notice that the colors are all at about the same intensity, (brightness or dullness) which makes them work well together.

To illustrate taking a color scheme from such a display, I cut off a part of this, into just a swatch of soft, bright pastels. Usually, when I feel my stash needs "refurbishing," I will take something like this to the LNS - or just get out my DMC color swatch card - and match them up for future reference.



Next is a stack of jerseys at a rather lower intensity, and lighter in value.

The next one is a stack of colors - the same bright pastels of early summer - but brighter than the first ones!
The last picture is my choice of the colors - may be for a wild, new bargello thing.

Anyway, this is a really fine and simple way to put together color schemes without wearing yourself out worrying about the color wheel. I taught color theory for many years - and it's great for mixing paint, and for understanding why colors will or won't work together - but for pulling threads for a new project, this is my favorite method - let somebody else do it.

Don't overlook catalogs that have fine bath towels and colorful sheets, etc. - great sources!! Even ads for drapery and upholstery fabrics.

I think one of my favorite color schemes that I used for several years, was an ad for sheets and towels in "Caribbean Colors." I had those tacked up on my painting lamp, and created sea shells, even other critters in these colors, as well as bargello projects for spring and on patchwork.

Thread selections for a Study in Black and White

I've been busy today doing nothing - fizzing around and accomplishing little, but totally enjoying Other People's blogs. Take a look at Anne's lastest post on The Cape Stitcher to learn about enhancing a piece of needlepoint with excellent choices of threads - and only a few, low-key textured stitches. Very interesting!!

Beautiful Colors from Images

I have always heard that "the artist sees the world through different eyes," and I believe we do - as we SEE rather than just "look at" the world around us. It's a joy to be able to look at leaves lying in the grass, and wanting to interpret or adapt the way they look with an art medium. (In my case, this is usually watercolours, pottery, or needlepoint canvas.) I see texture on tree bark, and try to figure out how to stitch it. A cascade of flowers on a vine must be interpreted in silk ribbon. and on and on - there is a painting or design source anywhere you look, if you learn to observe and really see.

Yesterday I found a blog that's new to me, (via Jan Fitzpatrick's THREAD MEDLEY), and have spent hours going through it. Looking at beautiful images is good for the artistic soul - and anyone else's, as they seem to imprint on the mind! These pictures are from Kris's COLOR STRIPES blog, where she chooses a color palette from her photographs, and makes a gorgeous and coordinated color scheme from them - in the form of stripes.

I'm delighted to see this, as Sharon B's TIF Challenge is at an end this month, and I have enjoyed it a lot - my own challenge being to design something in needlepoint, using her chosen colors. Of course one has to also figure out which color will be dominant, etc. etc. - most enjoyable! This would also be a great help to anyone who has a problem with choosing thread colors for projects that require the "invention" of a color scheme. Be sure to go look, and enjoy!!

Colors! Putting them together

I hear a lot of people lately wondering about how to put color schemes together - and a lot of talk about "analagous and adjacent and complementary" colors, etc. etc. - but this doesn't really help much in the matter of putting a pleasing combination together and choosing threads for a needlework project. Also, after choosing colors from a color wheel, there is the additional dimension to consider of value and intensity of the individual colors - and will they work well together? I had an intensive course in color theory with my interior design studies in college - and this has been invaluable in mixing paint colors, as it makes it soooo much easier and faster to create the desired color, and to make sure the colors work together. Also, it helps me in matters like ecclesiastical pieces, as I have to consider the effect of the light on surface colors as it comes through stained glass windows - adjustments have to be made for this.

It also helps if one understands the effect of individual stitches on a piece according to the nature of the fibers - as for example, basketweave stitches break up light, and cause a color to be darker and duller than it would in long, flat stitches. Interesting effects - and they need to be considered when choosing threads. However, I still use just the visual thing to choose colors that are pleasing together - and get inspiration from many sources - I never sit down and decide to do an "analagous" color scheme. It's good to understand these things, but I still get my own color schemes from looking at nature, and other assorted sources.

I found these gorgeous pictures on the Thread Gatherer website (see this under "Good Stuff"), in which color schemes are ready made for needlework projects - this has fabric, so appears to be for a quilter. Great color combos! These I would definitely "borrow" from for maybe one of my crazy quilt pieces - and use the threads, as they are already put together!

Another great place to get inspired is in catalogs for home decorating accessories - fabrics, etc. I find these in the Pottery Barn, Gump's, etc. - and sometimes in the clothing ones also. Look sometime at the stacks of colored towels so tastefully arranged for eye appeal - and also T-shirts are many time displayed that way. Trained professionals arrange these, so they are very attractive! I also remember Maggie Lane saying in her Needlepoint by Design that her favorite way to select a color scheme was to just dump all her yarn onto the floor, and the most amazing combinations appear. I do this a lot myself - and the important thing is, if the colors look good to your eye, there really doesn't need to be a complicated explanation via the laws of the spectrum and color theory for it. It's good to understand why, but not really necessary.