Sun Flower, framed

October 17, 2010, 4:28 pm
Filed under: Melita's Other Completed Pieces, Sun Flower with David McCaskill at Fireside Stitchery

“Sun Flower” was entered in the 2010 ANG Seminar in the Painted Design with Stitch Guide category. For this piece, the judges noted that the twist of the thread was lost in some sections, a comment I got for certain areas on several pieces & something I’ll have to work on. And, the French knots were too big in one of the lower petals, making it a focal point. Looking at the overall % of total points allowed in this category, it scored only slightly lower than “Madam Carina” and got nice comments such as “fun to look at” and “an outstanding piece of needlepoint”. My artist’s statement follows:

I selected this painted canvas at Fireside Stitchery in Frazer, PA for a David McCaskill workshop. The piece is actually called ‘Daisy’ and is designed by Paula Manning for Dream House Ventures, Inc. But, I thought it was a sun until David said it was a flower! Thus, it is named “Sun Flower”. David picked the threads and created mostly free-style stitch patterns for the piece.

The dark green area used Wild Hairs couched with Anchor floss. The light green area used DMC #5 Cotton Perle and Kreinik Very Fine #4 braid for the sparkle.

The petals in the forefront are a brighter combination of Neon Rays + and Trebizond while the receding petals are muted by using Grandeur Silk Pearl and a subtly overdyed Watercolours.

Once I got into a rhythm of the skip tent stitch, the green area surrounding the petals filled in quickly. David recommended using that stitch to cover the holes from the back.

The abstract area used 3 Wildflowers with DMC Cotton Perle #5 couched on with matching DMC floss. The Wildflowers, rather than the Watercolours, is thin enough to allow the canvas to show through. Because I matched portions of the overdyed thread to the canvas as much as possible, I found this area of the piece particularly challenging.

And, I want to thank Dan at Framer’s Workshop in Philadelphia for always steering me to just the right frame! However, the judges thought the luster of the gold frame was a little bright for the mostly matte needlework. I’m going to have to politely disagree – I love the frame! And, I totally agree with the parting comment in the critique, “I know that you will enjoy this piece for many years.” I certainly will.

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It’s gorgeous!!!

Comment by Ann Daly October 17, 2010 @ 8:25 pm

So gratifying to know that the judges liked it, but it is far more important that you love it!

Comment by Rachel October 18, 2010 @ 4:55 am

Paula, the designer, talks about the blue ribbon winning entry in the Painted Canvas WITHOUT Stitch Guide category & more people doing her piece in a class at seminar. Maybe my blog got people interested in the piece! Read about it at: http://manninglewisstudios.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/a-blue-ribbon/

Comment by melitastitches4fun October 28, 2010 @ 8:41 pm