Mabel's other stitching 2022

[Mabel Figworthy]

I can't remember whether I told you about a rainbow sheep I'm hoping to stitch with my friend Trina? The design is Tanya Bentham's (her of the Opus Anglicanum and now Bayeux book) and it is two rams, one relatively naturalistic, especially compared with his rainbow-coloured companion. We're just doing the rainbow one, in muted colours for me and bright ones for her, using my lovely Heathway Milano crewel wool.

I've made a small start on it at Embroidery Group, and we'll get together to get her started as well later this week. At first I wasn't going to add the green hillocks, as they are not in the transfer pattern; they are, however, in Tanya Bentham's stitched model and I rather like the look of them. On the grounds that even the Bayeux Tapestry has some stem stitch in them, I will work them in that, in two blended greens. For now just a start on the Bayeux stitch (Oh, the original has quite distinct stripes, but I will probably make them shade into each other a bit).

[Squirrel]

A very good start on this interesting design. Love the array of colours to come too.

[Serinde]

Looks good! Putting your twist on a design is kinda the idea, I think.

[wendywombat]

What I really love about your stitching is that you keep coming up with such tempting ideas!

A Rainbow Ram.... Exellent

[Mabel Figworthy]

Not my idea in this case Wendy, which is why it's in my "other stitching" thread But I am (don't I always ) making a few changes...
I hope I'll be able to show you my friend's start as well later this week, as we're planning to meet up on Friday.

[rcperryls]

Love the beginning and whether or not it is your own design, your own spin will make it yours. Can't wait to see more!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Last Friday my friend and I had a sheep stitching session. Because of severe balance problems she finds it difficult to concentrate for long stretches on precise work, but it is apparently good exercise for her inner ear (as well as being an enjoyable hobby ) and here is her start on Bartram:



I did some more over the weekend, so mine is getting on quite well. In real life his purple bottom is rather dark, so I am contemplating taking that out and redoing it in a lighter shade.

[Roland]

Your friend has a great start to hers.

in the picture the purple looks great, but I know sometimes it’s different than IRL. Lovely stitching.

[rcperryls]

Your friend has a great start to hers.

in the picture the purple looks great, but I know sometimes it’s different than IRL. Lovely stitching.

I agree completely. I love the design you are doing also. Really makes the colors blend in together so well.

Carole

[Squirrel]

A lovely update on both pieces.

[Serinde]

I can see that you might feel the deep purple is too dark -- perhaps not enough contrast with his legs? I really do like the way you are bleeding the edges of the colours. The green in particular is giving new colours on either side, and I wonder if that effect will show through when you complete the Bayeux stitch. I've found the magic bench, so I can watch.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I can see that you might feel the deep purple is too dark -- perhaps not enough contrast with his legs?

It was mostly that with the other fleece colours, where they shade into each other, the stripes are quite noticeable, whereas between the purple and the blue it was almost invisible. Normally that is exactly what you want, an invisible transition, but in this case I wanted the stripes! So he now has a lighter purple bottom (pics to come).

[Serinde]

Ah. I thought you'd achieved the illusive "indigo". Shall be interested in the new pics.

[Mabel Figworthy]

No such luck

Here is Bartram with the clippers having been taken to his backside, and with the lighter purple inserted. I'm now wondering whether the red stands out too much...
(A more detailed account on FoF)

[rcperryls]

I do agree with you that the lighter purple does look better. I would not have realized that until I saw it. Which is why I follow chart instructions instead of creating them. Similarly, I think the deeper red looks really good at the front of his body, but since I was not right about the purple, I wouldn't pay attention to what I think.

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

I always pay attention to what other stitchers say and think Carole, especially experienced stitchers like yourself. Glad you like the new purple - it isn't always easy to envisage something until it's been stitched, so I was relieved I did actually like the restitched version better! On the Mary Corbet FB group someone suggested that the darker red works because it is in the shadow of the head with its big horn, which i found an interesting thought! I'll play around a bit with various skeins and see whether that gives me any further ideas

[fccs]

He looks fabulous. I like how the red stands out.

[wendywombat]

I like the red...but I also liked the darker purple
Of course in natural light in your craft room it's going to look different, so

We'll, that's a Wombat's view

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yes, getting the colours to show up right in the photographs is a nightmare. I always intended my version of Bartram to be a muted one, certainly compared to my friend's very bright one, so that's why the red may go.

[Squirrel]

t
Yoy are making great progress with this interesting project.