Tuesday, July 6, 2010

More Tent Stitch Excitement (With Diamond Rays)

Cha: Bird Body Underway
Due to popular demand (not really), I did more tent stitches yesterday.  I managed to finish my goal of 1/3 of the background in continental stitches (one of the tent stitch family) and also completed the bird's breast and underside in basketweave (also a tent stitch).

I wanted to mention that I used four plies of the darkest purple color (Gloriana overdyed silk floss) but only needed three plies for the medium mauve and the pink (both Splendor silk floss).  Both brands of silk are a strand made of 12 plies, but the Gloriana seems thinner.  I needed more of it to cover up the pink smile shapes painted on the canvas.  It may be a difference in the underlying type of silk used, or it may be that the purple thread got thinner in its many trips through the dye bath necessary for this very dark shade.  Regardless of the reason, you may find yourself needed to adjust plies to make sure all your tent stitches are the same, regardless of the colors you use.

Once the lower bird body was finished, I mixed it up a bit by adding rows of diamond ray stitches on the bird's back, which you can just see between his wings.  These were done in one ply of the same pink Splendor I used on his underside.

The paper head is gone in this photo.  More on that later on....

On a personal note, I found the cat Tommy dead this morning.  He had been failing for a long time as he was very old--he'd lived with us for almost 18 years.  Great mouser, Tommy, and a very sweet cat who purred loudly whenever he saw me, and who lived to hunt.  I shall miss him and I am glad he died in his sleep instead of having to be put down at the vet's because of his failing health.

Tommy Tune, Good Cat

UPDATE: Thanks for all the consoling messages about Tommy's death.  I can't post them here (Blogger is having trouble with Comments) but I appreciate them greatly.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

10 comments:

Robin said...

Oh, Jane. We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Tommy Tune. Hugs, Robin

Front Range Stitcher said...

Jane my heart is aching for you and I'm so very sorry this has happened. ((((Hugs))))

Beth in IL said...

Sorry about the loss of Tommy.

Erica said...

So sorry to hear about Tommy, Jane. It's so hard to lose our furry companions, isn't it?

ChitownStitcher said...

Jane, I am so sorry about Tommy cat. It is hard watching a pet's health fail and I am glad Tommy took the decision out if your hands, because that is never an easy one. I know you will miss him. Take care. Nancy

Denise & Linda said...

Sorry to hear about Tommy. Very sad to lose a pet. Hugs. Denise

Sara Leigh said...

I'm so sorry about Tommy. A friend recently lost her very old cat in the same way, peacefully in his sleep. It's the best way to go.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry about your dear cat. Tommy must have been cared for well to reach such an old age. Thanks for letting us know.
Nancy

Melinda said...

Oh, Jane, I have tears in my eyes as I send my sympathy to you on the loss of your Tommy. What a sweet face! How strangely comforting it is to know he left in his sleep. I've had several beloved pets that have died in my arms at the vet and, though they died gently, I wish that they could have died as Tommy did and been with me as long as Tommy was with you. I know another cat can't take Tommy's place in your heart, but I hope there is another who will keep you company.

NCPat said...

So sorry to hear this!
Cha is looking great!