VAT?

So, I've just become aware of new tax laws regarding sales to customers in the EU.

I have to admit, I'm still not sure how this will affect my Etsy shop--especially considering how I can't get through one page of the guidelines without my eyes crossing... I just know that I have until the 1st to find out.

So... 3 and a half days of perusing international tax law.

yay.....

-_-

Buttaflies: Phase 2

Target. Acquired.

My tools: 

Needlepoint Inc. Silk 

Aand

Soie de Paris:

This will be my first time working with silk.

Let the games begin.

^_^

I have to freaking try this --> epic embroidery transfer

Thank you God for Pinterest.

While doing my usually start the day internet rounds, I was greeted by this wonderful pin whilst trolling Pinterest

Which led me to this wonderful post 

Which means that I have to figure out if they'll let me do this at OfficeMax.

Mind. Blown.

^_^

Last Round of Evelyn's Doily is up on Etsy!

While the title is pretty much self explanatory, I'm still pretty jazzed

^_^

It's taken over two years, but it's finally happened!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Round 4 Listing: CLICK HERE

Round 1-4 Listing: CLICK HERE

In the spirit of the holidays, I'm also offering a discount code for 15% any item in my store, valid until the 15th of January.

 M3RRYCHr157MA5

To read how to use discount codes on Etsy, click here

Merry Christmas everybody!

Let us not forget...

...the mega projects.

Now that the first buttafly is done, I decided to take some time and give a little TLC to a project that I can guarantee will be around for some time to come.

Doodleplex.

As you can see, I have finished the blue thingies (sort of. 

Like the rest of Doodleplex, the radial pattern is often based in repeats. In this case, while both of the repeating sections have blue thingies, only half of them have just the one blue thingy.

Here are some closer shots to give you a better idea of what I mean.

As you can see, some of the pointy bits have the aqua blue, and then a grey-er blue, on the other hand, some have frosted tips!

And there's still more to come!

^_^

I highly doubt I'll have Doodleplex, Part II, done before New Year... but who knows!

Buttafly One: FINISHED AT LAST!

I know you guys want to see the finished product, but I have to take it slow.

Forgive me.

**

Let me illustrate my thoughts--the most important of which being that I barely had any idea at all of what I was going to do for the body of the damn thing, and didn't know even after I had already started stitching.

What I did know, though, was that it was going to be white.

I also had some ideas for segmentation a la caterpillar, but I still couldn't think of how I wanted it done.

I wanted to stitch the colors for the segments simultaneously, in such a way that I would just finish the embroidery in one pass.

It was at this point that I realized my plan wouldn't work:

So, there I am, trying to figure out how to fix this without having to tear anything out (which I rarely ever do--so much so that I can almost say I've never done it!)

My answer came to me as such: Work the whole body in white first.

Check.

And now, for the segments. I actually got this idea for the segmentation from my Chinese embroidery book--and I wouldn't go so far as to say that I botched the technique...but I put my own spin on it.

What I was supposed to do was work the first shade, then make a line of back/split stitches and then stitch the next shade over that to give it a "raised looked"

But, in retrospect, I wouldn't have liked how it turned out if it had gone as planned because I was stitching in the wrong direction and it would've given me the opposite effect!

So, my process:

The line of stitches (I used split stitch). 

I tried to curve them to give it some dimension... not sure if it worked.

And then the shading stitches! 

The split stitches are located at the top of each orange section.

Now, I just want to say that I did not use two colors for the orange bits. I used one shade of orange, in fact, the lighter shade (that you can see in the bottom wings) because I thought that the darker orange would be too dark.

As it turns out, the shadow from the raised segments caused the tops to look slightly darker --> so accidental shading!

Yaaay!

So, here's the butterfly up to this point:

As you can see, the antennae aren't done yet.

I really struggled with the color choices for the antennae. I didn't want them to be blue or purple or that teal-esque color because of the predominance in the top wings.

So, orange it was.

And more french knots! 

I did decide to use some of the dark teal, just to keep things from being too orange, and so far I'm happy with it.

So, at last:

Buttafly Number One!

^_^

Random

So I found these digital art courses on CG Cookie and I made this:

I thought it was pretty neat ^_^

You can now see it on a new blog I just started:

Artistically Determinatified

(yes, I came up with that title myself)

^_^

Stitching Burst

At least, it definitely felt like one. I didn't cover inches worth of pattern, but considering the medium I'm happy I finished one of those little circles before my eyes gave out.

I was originally planning on trying a type of weaving stitch on all the circles except for the corners, but... 

let's just say it didn't work out.

On top of that, when I redid the circle with the stranded buttonhole, I had this little thread that kept getting in the way--and of course it ended up as a big thing of fluff that just got everywhere.

On another note, I also worked on the buttonholing.

I feel like it should've been slightly more therapeutic... but at the time I was fighting off a lack of feeling in my caboose for sitting too long, and a tenseness in my back from being hunched over.

-_-

But on the bright side, it's that much closer to being done! 

Embroidery Woes

But first, a more cheerful announcement before I forget:

There is a certain tatting pattern in development that is very near completion. 

I admit that I haven't exactly been working on it around the clock, but I am very very happy with the progress. 

And now, to the woes... 

Within the last few days I've discovered that the screw that tightens my embroidery hoop has become damaged. 

Now, I'm hoping to be able to find a replacement (I honestly haven't been able to look yet), but in the mean time that means that my hoop may not be tight enough to work with.

However, when I realized this, I got stubborn and decided to do at least a little bit anyways.

I managed to finish my little miscellaneous Doodleplex embellishment and use up some spare thread scraps that were too large to stick into my orts jar.

I did also notice that I seem to be rather fond of french knots.

I do have to admit that it was tricky having to pull on the fabric every few minutes--puckering being a definite concern.

However, I feel that it turned out alright in the end.

^_^

Le Masterpiece moving forward!

While I would've loved to say that Le Masterpiece was finished when I finally got through that big fat border, there was, unfortunately... more to go.

Those round thingamabobs around the edge still had to be tackled. 

After a brief hiatus, I returned to the task.

This is my progress thus far: 

A closeup on the corner: 

It took longer than I expected, which made me a little weary... but I'm thinking I'm gonna mix it up and try something new for the rest of the circles... let's just see if it works.

In the mean time, I wanted to work on Le Masterpiece, but I didn't feel like doing anything super tricky.

So I started on buttonholing some more of the inner elements. You can see it on the inside edge of the thing border, and that round thing

In case you can't really see, here's another shot.

I do realize that I forgot the extra threads that were supposed to pad the outline... but I'm thinking I'll just save the thicker outlines for the outer border.

^_^

I've been a bad blogger... again

It's been... I'd have to say, at the very least, a week since I last worked on Buttaflies and I haven't shown my progress!

I forgot! 

>_<

So, to make things short and sweet, behold!: 

As you can see, Buttaflies is almost complete! 

I do admit I had a bit of a tricky time with the shading. I couldn't get the direction quite right (which is why the bottom left wing looks a little more radial than the one on the right) but you learn from your mistakes, so I am nonetheless happy with it!

Here's a closeup: 

I used split stitch for the lines and single-thread french knots to fill up those round bits. I almost used satin stitch, but then I remembered my experience with the yellow thingies in Doodleplex  and completely switched gears.

-shudder-

Anywho, Next on Buttaflies: thorax, antennae, and final details!! 

^_^

I said, and so I did.

I did it!

I worked on some tatting Sunday--and on some charts, too!

More specifically, I tatted in order to check the charts.

I do hope that counts.

In the mean time, before I went to bed I decided to do a little embroidery and whipped out Buttaflies again.

I didn't expect much. I've been trying to go to bed before 3 AM (which is harder than it sounds), so I did my best to temper myself.

The far shot:

The close up:

That second ball thing looks a little dingy, but it's part of the plan--which hopefully works.

^_^

Tattingness...

My last post was about a project that I felt I had neglected... but now I realize that it wasn't the project that I had neglected the most. 

For a while now, I've been avoiding my tatting projects.

I don't know why... I guess I just haven't been feeling very tatterly. 

-_-

Now that I have that in mind, though, I shall endeavor to change that!

P.S. 

This is my 250th post!

^_^

Weekend Pledge

Now, I promised I would do something, and I did--and I made sure to take pictures.

My project of choice: Buttaflies.

Last seen as: 

So, I began with the background of the bottom wings. 

As per "protocol", I outlined the shape in my favorite when it comes to shading edges: split stitch (note: the stem stitch I used here is made with the needle splitting the previous stitch from above by going down into the fabric instead of coming up and splitting it from the bottom)

And, as far as I can remember, this was my progress at the end of Saturday:

(please forgive the horizontal lines, I couldn't figure out how to get rid of them post-picture-taking and my light wasn't cooperating)

Now, come Sunday I started a little earlier and finished the whole dark orange section in (for me) record time.

And, about an hour ago, I finished!:

My patience was seriously tested when trying to go around those little circle thingies.

But, done!

^_^

Saturday...

After spending approximately an entire week staring at GIMP (photo editing program) and Inkscape (vector image program), trying to make stuff for my Society6 page, I have decided to take today and do a little textile work.

Now, I haven't done any yet... but I'm going to look over my previous posts, see which project needs a little TLC and go from there. 

Time will tell if it works.

^_^

P.S. Check out my Society6 page, I've uploaded some of my mom's photos and they look awesome! 

P.P.S. What do you think of the new background?

Arrowhead Stitch Tutorial

If you tuned into some of my last posts, you'll remember a "brief" mention of a certain "Arrowhead" stitch.

If memory serves, this is my first embroidery stitch tutorial--so bear with me.

The example you'll see below is actually a part of Doodleplex. I'm using this tutorial to add a little miscellaneous embellishment to mix things up.

Let us begin:

First, make a long stitch (or line of long stitches, depending on how big the shape is and if the center line is straight/curved) down the center of the area you want to fill.

In this case, that would be a McGyvered flower/leaf thing near the edge of Doodleplex Part II:

Next, you make two stitches at the "bottom" of your shape, for as long as you can go while following the outline. Sink the needle either in the same hole as the first big stich or underneath the thread as close to the hole as possible. In this case, because the leaf I'm trying to fill has such an elongated shape, my stitches are long compared to the shape of the leaf:

(please forgive the horrible picture, I couldn't get my camera to cooperate)

Afterwards, keep filling in the shape with stitches parallel to those bottom two stitches. Your stitches should start at the outline (or slightly outside of the outline depending on preference/desired effect), and end under that big stitch down the center.

And just continue that way until you get as far as you want.

If you want an arrow like finish, just keep stitching until you're sinking stitches at the very end of that long stitch. If you want a rounded finish (as seen here), adjust the angle and the length of your stitches when you get to the rounded portion of your shape.

Out of curiosity, I tried stitching a leaf the opposite way. Parallel stitches first, and then the long stitch down the center.

First off, I made a mistake and made my bottom stitches waaaaay too long, so if it looks funny there's a 95% chance it was due to an error on my part.

Other than that, I'd say the effect was very similar if not the same. So, whichever works for you should turn out just fine.

^_^

Bad Blogging and a Curious, Deceptively Unproductive Few Days

(note the caps in the post title)

I've been a bad blogger.

I do apologize for a certain lack of postage...

However, I am here to say that I've been working on stuff--and I have pictures of the stuff! 

They're just still on my camera.

My latest project, however, is not of the textile nature.

I've been dabbling in graphic design--as such I would love to announce that it would absolutely give me the giggles if you:

Check out my profile on Society6!

^_^

Also, please check out the new addition to my sidebar!

Doodleplex must NOT be forgotten.

However, I am sad to admit that I often do forget not so little 'ol Doodleplex...

But, here you can see the beginning of the last "round" of Doodleplex Part II:

Actually, now that I think about it it's the end of the "second to last" chunk of Doodleplex Part II.
I did jump the gun a little, though, and thread the three colors I want to use for the "tree"... who knows if I'll be able to use it this stitch session, though.

Here's a shot of the first stitches!

Anywho, the main chunk of this post is dedicated to the purpose of me complaining about my bizarrely sudden struggles with the fishbone stitch in the "leaves" above the flower.

In case you don't recall (and I'd be surprised and impressed if you did recall), I've already had some practice with fishbone stitch back in Doodleplex Part I:

and:

I was positive it would work the same here, but it wasn't until I started in on it that I realized that the shape of the "leaves" I was trying to fill were gonna be an issue.

And I went through a few different versions of stitches until I finally seemed to get a hang of this one specific stitch that I came up with one the spot. I haven't seen said stitch before, so I'll just go ahead and coin it.

I call it: Arrowhead stitch (displayed here in the green-yellow leaf).

Note: it's called the arrowhead stitch because of the "theoretical" appearance. Though, so far it looks like a feather or fluffy bunny tail (center leaf).

Why Arrowhead? Well, there's already a feather stitch, and "Arrowhead" sounds more epic than "fluffy bunny tail stitch"

Anywho...since I'd already threaded some thread for the "tree", I didn't exactly finish all of these leaves.

I did get to use that tree thread though.

Therefore, at the end of a marathon stitching session, I give you:

Tutorial on Arrowhead coming soon! ( © Karla Barraza)

^_^

Ideas for the Future?

I was trolling Pinterest (as per usual when my head's a little too active for me to relax) when I came across this pin that caught my eye:

(clicking on the image should theoretically open the link)

For some reason, the colors stood out to me. I'm thinking of trying them on...a flower...a butterfly?

Not sure yet, but at least I have a color scheme!

^_^

Top wings... done! (Almost)

Save a minor detail and an issue with the order in which layers have to be stitched, I'm essentially done with the top wings! 

To compare, let me begin with the last update seen on Lace (making) Adventures:

Approximately half of that second wing is done, as you can see. 

Now this past weekend, I had promised myself that I'd get back to embroidering after a crazy few weeks. However, come Saturday, I found myself doing nothing. 

However, Sunday, I put my foot down and picked up my embroidery hoop.

^_^