I got started on the cross-stitch version of the Stackable Cats over the weekend! I’m pretty happy with it so far.
All Annie’s had in the way of 14-count cross stitch fabric was light blue and light pink, so I thought I’d give the blue a try. I think I rather like the effect.
I’ll be working on my full design (including more cats, birds, and balls of yarn) next, and if all goes well I plan to publish the pattern when it’s done!
The popular British knitting magazine Simply Knitting featured my Luvgun pattern in their February issue as one of “5 of the best Valentine’s treats.” I’m chuffed, I think!
(Isn’t John a lovely hand model?)
The issue also includes a new Alan Dart pattern for Simply the Sheep, who is very cute.
Kate Jeffery, aka discosmurf on Ravelry, designed a cute little dragonfly for a bug-themed mobile that she’s making, and she put the pattern up on Ravelry as a free download!
Last week I finally finished the cross-stitch that I started over Thanksgiving!
It was very exciting to complete it, but the photo isn’t so exciting because it just looks like a wrinkled version of the photo that the pattern came with. But I still like it and it was surprisingly very fun to make.
Almost immediately after finishing the little children and flowers, I got out some graph paper and colored pencils that I bought a couple weeks ago and started sketching out gridded versions of my Stackable Cats.
I very rarely sit down and work on drawing something, and after a few hours, I realized that the process was extremely relaxing and enjoyable. Then, because I’ve just started taking a class in Illustrator, I fiddled around with grids in Illustrator and started making a real-live chart. I like the way it looks on screen, but I’ll have to get supplies and actually stitch it up to see if I like it as cross-stitch. That’ll probably take a long time, but I’m eager to get started.
If I like how it turns out, I’m totally going to make a bunch of designs with my characters!
By the way, since I’m getting into this new medium right at the very time that we’re opening an embroidery show at gallery hanahou, I have no illusions about the skill level I’m at with needle and thread. But that’s OK, I’ll just be happy if I can make simple cute things that make me smile.
Let’s see who’s making an appearance today!
discosmurf’s groundhog Top Hat seems proud to be king of his mound of dirt.
His mound seems a little less thrilled by it all.
beforesunrise’s Murray (named after Bill, of course), also doesn’t seem to be afraid of a thing this morning.
He even invited a few friends over!
teaYarnly’s Godfrey forgot what day it was!
Huuuh?
But it’s not all springlike predictions from our groundhogs this year.
Godfrey the First at chez Mochimochi spent a few quiet minutes contemplating his shadow…
And giolou’s little guy woke up to quite a frightening sight!
A big thank-you to discosmurf, beforesunrise, and teaYarnly for testing the pattern. I hope we see lots more Godfreys pop up year round!
Next Friday (2/6) at gallery hanahou we’re holding an opening for our new love-themed embroidery show from 6-8 pm. It’s going to be amazing, so if you’re in the New York area, I hope you’ll join us!
We’re also holding a Valentine embroidery workshop with Kayte Terry and Kristen Rask of Schmancy on Saturday the 7th at 1 pm. Space is limited, so email info@galleryhanahou.com to sign up.
gallery hanahou presents
Forget Me-Not: embroidered love from the new craft movement
February 6 – 27
Opening reception: Friday, February 6th, 6-8 pm (RSVP info@galleryhanahou.com)
gallery hanahou / 611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC
For generations, women have expressed love of family through the painstaking art of embroidery. This February, gallery hanahou presents a new generation of embroidery artists using needle and thread to depict love in broader terms, whether idealized and simple or brutal and complicated. Curated by Kristen Rask, this group exhibit of affordable artwork will win your affection in more ways than one. A meaningful alternative to waxy chocolates.
In conjunction with Forget Me-Not, gallery hanahou will host an artist-led Valentine embroidery workshop on Saturday, February 7th, at 1 pm. Space is limited, so please contact info@galleryhanahou.com asap for details!
Artists
Aimee Ray, Apol Lejano-Massebieau, Diem Chau, Emily Eibel, Emily Katz, Heidi Kenney, Jenny Harada, Jessica Marquez, Joetta Maue, Kate Durkin, Katherine Shaughnessy, Kayte Terry, Kris Garland, Kristen Rask, Mary Yaeger, Molly Dilworth, Nicole Licht, Orly Cogan, Pamela Davis, sam*skiart, Sarah Horton, Shanna Fiorucci, Shannon Rankin, Vanessa Lauria, Vivienne Strauss
All of the artwork in Forget Me-Not will also be available for viewing and purchase online via the gallery website beginning February 11.
gallery hanahou
611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC
[7th Floor of the Cable Building, NW corner of Broadway + Houston]
Mon-Fri noon-6 pm, Sat by appt only
646-486-6586
info@galleryhanahou.com
And here is a small sample of the artwork in the show!
From Diem Chau,:
From Vivienne Strauss:
From Orly Cogan
From Sarah Horton:
Thanks in part to your input last month, I now have a pattern shop on Ravelry!
It was very easy to set up, and hopefully it will be just as easy for people to buy patterns there as it currently is on my website.
For now, my newest patterns, special offers, and free patterns will still only be available here at mochimochiland.com, so it’s a good idea to sign up to my mailing list for annoucements (just email info@mochimochiland.com) or to check the blog frequently.
Animal Collective has a new album just out, Merriweather Post Pavilion. After listening to it a few times, my thoughts are that it’s very good, but not their best for me. I really liked the frenetic energy of 2007’s Strawberry Jam and the gorgeously complex sound of their older albums. Merriweather Post Pavilion is a bit more easy and domesticated, and the lyrics are much more understandable than in previous albums, which for me is actually a bit of a drawback. It doesn’t leave so much up to the imagination, if that makes sense.
But MPP seems like Animal Collective’s most accessible album to date, so it’s probably a great introduction to their music if you’re not already a fan.
If you are already a fan, here is some other music from 2008 that you might have missed and may like:
Visiter by The Dodos
I love the way they combine simple acoustic sound with fun complex rhythms.
Ice Cream Spiritual by Ponytail
It took me a while to be ready for the heavy guitars and high-pitched growling, but at one point I just got it, and really liked it. (The son of the president of the company I work for plays in the band, in the interest of full disclosure.)
The Evening Descends by Evangelicals
A little psychedelic, and different enough to hold my attention. Also, they’re from my home state of Oklahoma!