Halloween Kitty has a Backside

I am so happy with the Kitty's backside.  I changed the size of the black stripes to over three threads and added the appropriate number of gray stripes.  I satin stitched the black stripe using Neon Rays.  I stitched the gray stripe using Skinny Van Dyke with two strands of floss.  It is so cute. 

Backside

I am not sure about Kitty's face.  It seem very thick and heavily textured compared to the rest of him.

Kitty's face is so so

Overview

More on the Halloween Kitty

On Sunday I finished the kitty's tail.  I used the criss-cross hungarian stitch.  I used four strands of black floss for the long stitches and three strands of gray floss for the cross stitches.   He's coming along.  

Close up

Halloween Kitty by Melissa Shirley

I pulled out this Kitty on Friday night.  Reverse scotch is one of my favorite stitches so I was naturally drawn to this canvas.  I used four strands of cotton floss on all the 5x5 squares.  I started the criss-cross hungarian stitch for the tail.  I have to add an extra gray cross stitch every so often to make it work.  Pretty cute!

Halloween Kitty by Melissa Shirley

Farming at Martha and George's

I am making some progress on Martha and George.  I finished the dark olive hill in the Donohue stitch. 

Olive hill

I started on the right side of the hill in the Diane's Coat stitch.  I am using three strands of silk. 

Gold hill

I finished the beach in Cobblestone using four strands of cotton.

I finished Martha's very elegant skirt in the Brighton stitch.

Brighton stitch

I am still thinking about stitching over the whale as Tony suggested.  I might keep him up front.

To cover or not to cover...

Bad News, Very Bad News

Someone is stealing Painted Pony Designs and converting them to cross stitch charts.  You can see them on Pinterest.  It looks like it is someone in Russia.  They are also creating angels and blatantly copying Debbie's style.  If you happen to see one of these on Pinterest, please don't repin it.  I commented on everyone that I saw that this is stealing.  So disturbing.

I Finally Have the Time!

I finally have the time to report on my Tony Minieri class at The Needle Works.  It was wonderful.  I got to meet one of my stitching idols, Patricia Sone.  Sweet and cute as she can be.  I reconnected with a friend I  had made in an Amy class years ago.  Hello again to Debbie!  I made new friends and of course had fun with all the Austin regulars.  

My canvas is called Martha and George from Patty Paints.  The stitch guide that Tony wrote is great fun.  

Overview

 The stitch for the sand is Cobblestone using four strands of cotton.  The stitch for the olive green hill is called the Donohue stitch.  This is four strands of silk.  I love them both.

Lower left corner

 Martha's dress is the Brighton stitch using four strands of silk for the scotch stitches and size 8 Kreinik for the accent stitch.  Very elegant!

Martha's skirt

 New to me is the Diane's Coat stitch for the gold hill.  I am stitching over the brown marks and will come back to stitch them on top.

Gold hill

 Also new to me is the Flowing Water stitch for the ocean.  Tony recommended a size 8 Kreinik but it was too shiny for me.  I switched to two strands of Weeks Dye Works called Deep Sea.  Perfect color and perfect name.

Flowing Water stitch

The class included lunch everyday which were all delicious.  I really want to go back!  Stitching and posting will be sporadic for the next few weeks.  I am moving to an apartment for a remodel and the Texas Legislature is trying to kill us.   I hope it all settles down by late August.   Thanks for following.

George and Martha's Farm

Today I am off to The Needle Works for a class with Tony Mineri.   This is my favorite class format.  The canvas is sent to Tony.  He works his magic creating a stitch guide.  I arrive at The Needle Works.  My canvas, stitch guide and threads are all in one place.  I stitch and Tony is around for consulting, teaching new techniques and making us all laugh.  I will post my progress.

Patty Paints is the designer