A Better Tail . . .

The tail of this kitty and the tail of the little mouse on the previous post were both stitched with Brazilian outline stitch (floss held below the line of stitching when you use Z-twist rayon floss). The stitches can "gap" away from the fabric, depending on which direction you stitch and which stitch you use.

Select the direction of stitch for the final effect that you prefer. Although this tail is outline stitched, I added a couple of extra stitches at the base. I also left just the slightest space between the kitty's paws and body to add definition. The entire cat is stitched with vertical satin stitch (except for the tail).

Draw a curved line on your doodle cloth and outline stitch, first from top to bottom and then from bottom to top to see the differences.  Repeat the curved lines and now stitch them with Brazilian stem stitch (floss held above the line of stitching with rayon Z-twist floss). Make notes on the fabric with your Micron Pigma pen and choose the effect you like when you stitch.

This design is a dogwood tree in which the cats have treed the dogs (I'll post a picture when I've finished stitching the design). It's another of my new Millefiori designs.

There's another kitty:

I added a bullion to pad this kitty's tail and then satin stitched over. I also padded the kitty's bun and am satin stitching over. The tail rests across a tree root and without the padding, it would look like it is actually slicing through the tree root.

Rosalie

I'm Having A Guilt Trip

...about the kink I stitched into the tail of this little mouse. I call it "The Eek Factor" because the little mouse is having a stare-down with an elephant in full bloom.
     It's one of my new Millefiori designs that I will have ready for everyone to stitch next spring.  The design is named "Toot".

I guess I could cut it out and smooth it.  I could probably move the little mousie eyeball to somewhere besides the back of its head, too.

Well, while I'm thinking about it, I will go on to stitch another of my new B.E. designs.  I just thought I'd write a note into this space in case anyone drops by.

New Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery Flowers

Each year members of the Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild, Inc. (BDEIG) stitch and assemble a beautiful art quilt. Tickets are sold and all proceeds are used to provide scholarships for our members. My contribution was a 6" design featuring lilacs and a gazebo (and of course, a kitten and some butterflies showed up as entertainment).  Here's a detail photo:

I've used this stitch technique on other of my Millefiori Brazilian dimensional embroidery designs and also have the instructions in my book, An Artist's Garden. But I'll be teaching this little "Lilac Gazebo" design at our BDEIG Seminar next June. All classes will be posted at the website in January/February 2012.

And here's a sample swatch of the fabric each of the volunteer member/ stitchers received. This was great inspiration for choosing our colors and even for deciding what to design for the scholarship quilt project:

Here's the design I stitched for the quilt. I kept the sample attached to the embroidery to help me focus on color choices:

And now it's back to work in my Rose Garden. I'll post pictures as I finish. It's great fun to dream up these designs and I hope our B.E. stitchers enjoy playing with them.

Rosalie