Peacocks in Magnolia Tree

Peacocks in Magnolia Tree
24" X 60" Alkyd and Gold Leaf on Board

Tuesday, January 7, 2014


Zebra Hanimal Hand Painted Needlepoint Canvas Stitching Fun

I loved stitching this canvas, vivid, wild, color contrast and I love stitching manes and tails with Fuzzy Stuff!  I've have really learned my design lesson for the Year- Leave More Space around the Zebra or any center of interest.  More space would allow me to figure out the background stitch, get the spacing down, and then run into the Zebra and drop stitches.
Zebra Hanimal Handpainted Needlepoint Canvas Designed, Painted, and Stitched by Annie
Copyright: Anne E. Shoemaker-Magdaleno HouseofChabrier 2014
The Mane is stitched in Black and Brown Fuzzy Stuff Rainbow Gallery Floss, but don't stitch the mane and tail until you have stitched the background.  It's very hard to count stitches with Fuzzy stuff in the way!

I used Kreinik Braid to stitch the Heat wave stitch behind the Zebra.  I used Black cotton Pearle 5 to stitch the stripes.  I ended up taking out the thick outlining of the stripes and doing the black stripes in tent stitch.  I often try out stitches, and then veto my own choices.  This is not unusual for me.  I sometimes will paint the same subject matter in oils, then in watercolor, and then do a pen and ink drawing.  Art work, designs, and paintings get better as you practice your art, and learn from your mistakes.  It's wise to be critical of your own work, but not be unforgiving or hard on your self.  Just learn from your mistakes, make a note in your brain of how to fix it, and then just move on!
I decided to stitch the white fur in a brick stitch, and the black stripes in tent stitch.  Blue Kreinik Fine Braid was used in the water, and the drips are little shiny pearls.  I LOVE shiny pearls, threads, and jewelry.  I am officially a Magpie or a Crow stealing all shiny stuff and enjoying the shimmer!


Finished Stitching Zebra Drinking Water on the Sizzling Serengeti!  

I've enjoyed stitching the Zebra.  It makes me smile, and I enjoy the stripes and hot colors.  Fantasy is fun!
I'm almost done with the little Peacock designed by changing James's blue hand print into a silly Peacock.  I just have the vines and flowers left to stitch!  I've laid out the yarns, braids, and floss for an 18" X 20" Trigger fish, and I'm also thinking about Roosters that need stitching.  Keep busy, have fun, and enjoy the life God has given you.  I limp, but I can still paint, stitch, and work every day to make pretty, lovely, and fun art!  Write when I get work, and I will add it to the loads of ideas striving to get completed in this life time!