Feeling BUGGED!!!!

I have no idea how long it has been....but apparently, none of my gallery links worked. I thought the problem had been corrected.....nope, it seems not.... learned today that they just sent you to an "error"page.    ARRRRRGH!!!! 

BUT.....they ARE  working now.....gosh...at least I sure hope so.
By clicking on the photos on my side bar, Project Gallery, Doodle Gallery, Snowflakes and My Toy Sewing Machines...you should be taken to a photo gallery of each of them.....you can  also find links on "Galleries" page in the tool bar above.

This doodle was inspired by the variety of bugs I have been dealing with...technical and otherwise.

Following and Creating Knitting Charts

Sometime in March of this year, I took an online class through Craftsy, a knitting class using stranded colourwork techniques. The class project was perfect for using some of the yarn I had reclaimed from sweaters.  While I have done colourwork and Fair Isle in the past....I had not taken the time to learn the proper way to do it and my work was never as neat as it should have been.

Once I got used to a different way of holding my yarn, I picked up the technique quickly. This Cowl was the provided pattern from the class (which you can find here) 

look how neat it is on the inside

of course....now I wanted to see if I could create my own charts. I accomplished this with the help of an app I found, called 8BitPainter (it is meant to be used for drawing simple pixel art) but it works great for creating needle work carts too.  In the photo below, you can see the chart I created with the app on my iPad mini, and the cowl (in progress) I knit following my chart.

Such fun to be able to combine needlework techniques with modern technology.

Nature's Weather Forecasters

I really enjoy being able to simply sit and watch the birds. (and maybe doodle a bit)
One of my favourites are the comical Juncos.  In my area, these little guys show up in the late fall....as soon as I see them I know that the cold weather is here to stay......in the same way, they forecast the return of warm temperatures by their disappearance......well....they have not packed their bags yet so I guess we are not quite done with cooler temperatures.  Year after year these birds have been pretty reliable weather forecasters

Spring Bouquet

It seemed to me that the time had come to freshen up my blog banner.....(it had not been changed in quite a long time)
I decided to feature my latest doodle,  Spring Bouquet.

I drew it on my iPad mini...using the Concepts app and my stylus, Pencil by Paper 53

I have to admit that I kinda cheated a little.....how?  you might wonder.....well....I drew only 1 half of the doodle and using some of the tools within the app, I copied, flipped & fit 2 halves together.
Once I was happy with that part of it, I went on to refine and add more details to it.

It was an interesting exercise....trial and error helps me learn more ways to play with line.

Doodles Transformed

Once again, I am thrilled to show what has become of some of my doodles.

I have posted several times about how honoured and excited I have been each and every time Trish Burr....Embroidery Artist, Teacher & Author has approached me about transforming a design of mine into one of her incredible works of thread art.

Her new book White Work with Colour has been released and I can finally show you the small part I played in its evolution.  First of all, let me tell you that the book is gorgeous and, as with all of Trish Burr's books and patterns, the attention to detail is phenomenal.

pages from White Work with Colour - Trish Burr

This book ( 8.5"x 11" ) is beautifully laid out, with concise, clear, detailed instructions for 17 different projects..... along with everything you will need to know to ensure success.

Some of the time, Trish is drawn to a design I have already shown, and at others, she has a specific idea in mind and gives me the opportunity to draw something just for her.

Pages from White Work with Colour - Trish Burr

 3 of the projects in her book White Work with Colour  (Zen poppy, Doodle bug and French country vase) are based on my doodles .....oh...but wait....... take a look at what she does with them

In the following photos, you can see the original doodle I sent to Trish paired with her amazing transformation of it.

There is yet another of my doodles currently under going the Trish Burr royal treatment...but that will be kept under wraps until a later date.