The Empty Chair awaits...

Here is my Japanese embroidery frame, waiting for me to come work on my next piece. I haven't sat in that seat for over 3 weeks and that's not good. I'm starting a new piece on July 29 so, technically, it would be nice to have this peony design finished. Problem is...it's summer and my son is home and my time isn't so much my own. But, that's just an excuse. The bigger "problem" is that I am having way too much fun crazy quilting my details...
Here's a close-up of what I'm working on...can you see the valleys in the fabric? We are using a Japanese embroidery technique called "fuzzy effect". Fuzzy effect is stitched by laying threads in every other valley and then couching those threads every 2mm or so -- usually with other colors to get a painterly effect. It's very impressionistic and very beautiful and, actually, I'm feeling more excited about getting back to it while I'm sitting here typing about it. Of course, if my teacher is reading this (hi Tonie*gulp*), I'll be found out. She'll be disappointed in me but, hopefully, she may understand the need for a break?

Today, because I needed time to stitch, I went to buy my son a huge Star Wars Lego kit which should take him a few days to finish. I know I shouldn't just buy him something for no reason, but drastic times call for drastic measures.

On a positive note, the framer called to say that three of my Japanese embroidery pieces are ready. It will be like Christmas when those come back! My framer is a graphic artist, 73 years old and superb at understanding the "artistry" of framing. I'll post the pics when I get them.


OK, back to details...Here is Day 20. I had some stitching to do in order to create this silk ribbon spray. You'll notice that the right most flower has white beads on the silk ribbon. This is not my favorite effect but my silk was running and that looked worse. Now, I can't decide whether to bead all three (which really doesn't appeal to me but they would all be the same) or just leave only one beaded...


Day 21 -- super simple. I loved these sequins on the coral velvet so I left it simple. I don't often think to use sequins so thanks for that detail, Sharon.