HoE, Two Finishes, Four Miniature Portraits

Greetings!
I just got word the Christmas ornament I sent to my Hooked on Exchanging partner, Gabi, arrived.

And here's the cutest little fox ornament I received from Rosa - THANK YOU, Rosa!!

Last year, I participated in a Round Robin swap hosted by lovely June. I have been contemplating what do do with some of the stitching I received and stumbled into some miniature frames in my stash. Here they are -

These are proudly displayed in my sewing/painting studio.

While wandering around Pinterest this morning, I found some beautiful 18th century miniature portraits and it re-awakened my passion for these little things. You know how I ADORE miniatures - well, I thought I'd share some of the ones I've painted on porcelain:

 3.25x2.5 inches.

If you look closely, this young lady is holding a locket in her hand. 

I painted this from a Christmas Card using the Old Master's method, called "grisaille". You can see it has a different look to it from the girl with the locket:

Madonna and Child - 2.75 inches in diameter

Grisaille is a term used when a painting is done in monochrome, or grays. Here's what a painting would look like after the first fire, before color is applied:

Madonna

2 3/8 x 1 3/4 inches

Last, but not least, here is a little angel:

2 1/8 x 3 inches

I've got a few more to share - but I'll do that in a future post.

Portrait Painting on Porcelain

One thing I don't do much of any more is painting on porcelain. Stitching has caught my attention…but I still plan to go back to painting, as well, some day.

I thought you might enjoy seeing how the portrait takes shape. Each one is a challenge. I can push an eyeball around for an hour before I get it "just right" ;0)

I use dry, crushed mineral paints and mix them with an oil, called an open medium. This means the paints don't dry, they stay open or wet, until the porcelain tile is fired in my kiln - from 1380 degrees up to 1517 degrees F.

I make an outline of the portrait I want to paint using a fine-pointed stencil and graphite paper. Once the outline is on the tile, the first step is painted. Once fired, here's what it looks like.

First Fire:

Looks kind of spooky, doesn't it?  The graphite lines fire out, leaving the paint. It's important to smooth the paint so you don't see any harsh lines. Even the smallest one draws your eye and it looks, well, bad.
(The design you see around this portrait are holding spots for raised paste, enamel and gold work that I wanted to do - this would consist of three steps/firings - once the portrait is complete).

Second fire:

You can see how I've built up the colors, giving her more depth and life. Adding the pupils takes away the spookiness, doesn't it?

Third fire:

Again, I've built up the colors, enhancing her features.

Fourth fire:

This shows the final fire for this portrait. I painted this at a seminar. Depending on the subject, some portraits can take up to 7 or 8 fires to complete.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate. I hope you found this interesting.

One Photo - One Story #2 : YouTube Video - I'd Forgotten

Years ago, I was featured on Public Television's "The Creators" series.  I'd completely forgotten about it until I was contacted by a docent from an art museum across the country looking for information about some porcelain paintings she acquired. The YouTube video was how she found me.

I thought I'd post it here - you might find it interesting.  Remember, it was produced YEARS ago - I'm much younger and slimmer in the video ;0)….my painting style has matured - both for my sweet Limoges boxes and my portraits.

Tomorrow - another picture, another story.

One Photo, One Story - #1 - "Uh-oh!" and Smalls SAL Check-In

Angela from Pretty Little Things in a Box invited me to take part in "One Photo, One Story". I'll post a photo each day for five days….maybe there's a story attached, maybe not.

"Uh-oh!!"

2.75 inches in diameter

This is a miniature portrait I painted of my daughter on porcelain. 

Here's the story:

My in-laws kept my daughter for a few days one summer. When I picked her up, Grandpa was so excited to show me what she'd learned. He said, "Sarah! Where did the indian shoot you?" (Westerns were very popular TV shows at the time). My sweet little girl pulled up her shirt, looked at her belly button and yelled "Uh-oh!!"

She was so proud of herself - it was one of those precious moments I kept seeing over and over in my mind, so I HAD to paint it. 

Tomorrow, another picture, another story.

Oh! And here's my Smalls SAL project for the month - it will go on a miniature needlepoint stand, once the stand is stained. I purchased the kit from Janet Granger. It's done on 40 Ct silk gauss and measures 1.5 inches square.

Swap Package, 4-Hers, Porcelain Portrait, Prince Charming

I participated in a swap hosted by Jenny of Elefantz as part of her Stitchery Club. We were to stitch one of Jenny's designs and include postcard(s) from where we live.

Oh me, oh my - what a treasure-filled package I received from Narelle. Look at the bag and matching needle book! Not to mention the ADORABLE panda measuring tape, 100 Anniversary spoon, the stack of fabric squares and a pen from Atherton, North Queensland. THANK YOU, Narelle! I love, LOVE it all.

This past Sunday I hosted the 4-H club, Denim and Dust, at my studio. There were 12 young ladies and 4 mothers who came for the cross stitch project. I had a BLAST! I think the girls did, too. They were all so nice, attentive and polite - I'd love to have the visit again and work on another project. They kept me busy - lots of questions - and (I think) seemed to enjoy themselves. I snapped a quick picture:

I thought you might enjoy seeing one of my miniature paintings, "Alexa", after "La Ghirlandata" by Daniel Rosetti. The portrait itself measures 2.75 inches, while the raised past, enamel and gold work band is .25 inches.

And look who's visiting for THREE GLORIOUS WEEKS!! My Prince Charming (and daughter and SIL)!! This will be a good dose of love and hugs before they move to Singapore next month (SOB!).
Here he is looking out the bay window in our kitchen.

And here he is shopping for some new duds:

Gold Elegance

While sitting in our family room yesterday, playing with graph paper and colored pencils, I glanced over to the bookshelves and noticed this vase.  I painted it about six years ago:

It's 10 inches tall and 6 inches across (handle to handle).  Painted using 24 kt gold, raised paste and enamel.

Hmmmm….maybe I'm getting the painting bug again?  In the mean time, off to stitch up the new 1:12 slipper pattern.

Grow Your Blog Party - 2015

This is a first for me - participating in the "Grow Your Blog Party" hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full.

OK - here goes - My name is Kim and I'm NUTS about NEEDLEWORK!

Why do I blog?

I am thoroughly amazed at the connection stitchers have to each other.  The people I've met through my blog are amazing.  They are like family to me - sharing our woes, pain and joys. Such creativity and open sharing of ideas and projects! Reading other blogs inspires me to create more and more.  Sometimes I feel like my head will explode I have so many ideas running around in there.

My motto is "The work of the hands brings forth the spirit of the heart." I love making things for others.  When I share the work of my hands, I feel like I'm giving them a part of me. Our home is decorated with many things I've stitched - from needlework miniatures to a large tapestry.  When I look at each piece, it brings back memories of when I stitched it.  Some of those memories make me smile - others a tear.  But it's all good.

One of my other passions is painting porcelain. I paint in the 18th century European style, meaning the paint dries before I fire it in my kiln.  I LOVE Limoges boxes.  Here's one I painted:

I also love to paint portraits on porcelain tiles with an open medium (the paint won't dry before it's fired).  Here's the portrait I did of my daughter on an 8x10 inch tile:

Needlework, painted porcelain, blogging.  Love it all.

Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you love to create. I will choose one lucky person who leaves a message - a SURPRISE GIFT will be given. Please, PLEASE make sure I can contact you. Sometimes I get lovely messages from people who are "no-reply" and I feel awful I can't reply to them.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit. I'd love to hear from you!

iStitch Sew Advent SAL Day 11, Coasters and a Christmas Painting

Here we are - Day 11 of the Sew Advent SAL - snow flake and some hearts - I LOVE how this is coming along….

At the luncheon last Friday, we were to bring gifts wrapped, no name on who it was from.  Once you opened the gift, we were to guess who gave the gift.  If you were correct, you won a prize.  Mine was a delightful wine glass coaster.  You set your wine glass inside.  I was intrigued and  set out to make some myself.  TA-DA!!

LEFT: Back of coaster  RIGHT: top of coaster

I found a FREE pattern on Craftsy and used scrap material I had on hand.  My daughter likes them (which is a great review in my book ;0)).  They were quick, easy and make wonderful gifts, don't you think?

The Christmas before my mother became so ill, I was still painting on porcelain.  I love Christmas and horses and dogs and…..well, I digress.  I received a Christmas card with a colt on the front and he looked so cute and GUILTY, I had to paint it.  I thought it might bring you a chuckle as it does me every time I look at it.

4x3.5 inches

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

The Limoges Box goes to….

CHRISTINE M

The random number generator selected Christine's name from the list.  I've sent an email to Christine - soon the box will be leaving Iowa and traveling to it's new home.

Thank you to all my followers and those who helped be celebrate my 200 follower milestone!

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Pay it Forward and 200 Follower Celebration

Greetings, Stitching Sisters!  Random number generator selected

Thoeria and Lynda Ruth

A huge THANK YOU to all who wanted to join in.  I'll be in touch, ladies!!

Celebration Time!

With the flurry of activity here (baby, volunteering, stitching, housework, stitching, laundry, stitching) it completely blew by me I had reached over 200 followers!  EEEK!!!  So to celebrate this milestone, I'm having another giveaway - it's a teeny-tiny Limoges box I painted (1.5 x .75 inches).  24 KT gold scrolling is on the inside lid and inside bottom - I'll paint the initial of the winner inside.  The roses and rose buds are surrounded by 24 KT gold and burnished so it looks like cording.  

If you'd like to be included in my 200 Follower Celebration

• Leave a comment on this post.  Please make sure I can reach you (i.e., "no-reply bloggers" will not be eligible).  
• If you send a new follower my way, you will get TWO additional chances.
• Drawing will be November 1st.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

March Smalls SAL Project, Give Away on its Way!

Here is my project for the Smalls SAL hosted by Stitching Lotus. You've probably got the idea I love dogs.  I painted this porcelain box with little dog foot prints and hearts.

The inside bottom of the box has a heart, as well.

I designed and stitched a pup for the lid, mounted it and finished it off with black cording.

It measures 1.5 inches square and 1 inch tall.

Jacquie will be receiving the LHN's "Goodwill" pattern.  Congrats, Jacquie!!

This Butterfly is FREE and Celebrating my First Blogiversay

My first Blogiversary is approaching next month.  I have had SO MUCH FUN over the past year, I'd like to do a special give away.

I'll be giving away another Limoges box I painted.  This one measures 3x3 inches and, with the butterfly, 3 inches high.  I will paint the inside with 24KT gold and the winner's initials/monogram.
OH!  and did I mention there will be more goodies added each week until the drawing on February 16th?

Here's how to enter:

1.  Be - or become - a follower: one entry.
2.  Place a comment on this post: one entry.
3.  Blog about this give away on your blog: one entry.
4.  Send someone to my blog and - if they become a follower - you get another entry.

OH!  And I've been busy, busy - I'm just finishing stitching my latest cross stitch pattern.  Once it's complete, I'll post the design and the free pattern.  I think it's adorable and stitches up quickly.

It's minus 30 wind chill here, so off to gather my threads and needles, put a warm puppy on my lap and fire up Netflix.

Stay tuned for the next addition to my FIRST BLOGIVERSAY GIVE AWAY - I'll post Wednesday.

Cheers - and Happy Stitching ~

2014 - Give Aways Galore

Welcome 2014!   The past year was one of loss, but also growth.

 - Our two miniature schnauzers, Missy and Sally, passed away less than two weeks of each other.

 - My Aunt passed away the Friday before Palm Sunday.  

 - My dear, sweet mother suffered a severe stroke and struggled for months with the aftermath before passing in November.  

 - Our family grew by one member - our daughter married the love of her life in July.  

 - I started this blog, which has brought growth in creativity and, more importantly, marvelous, supportive cyber-friends.

LET'S START 2014 WITH A GIVE AWAY

I designed and stitched the silhouette of a horse on 18-count canvas, then painted the bottom of a porcelain box using china paints.  After completing the stitching, I mounted the canvas on the top of the box.  It measures two inches in diameter.

I loved the design so much, I painted another canvas and another porcelain box.  It also measures 2x2 inches.

 My first giveaway of 2014 is the square box and canvas, above - complete with instructions and everything you will need to complete the project.  It's a quick project, so the lucky winner won't have to spend tons of time on it - and will have a lovely piece when done.

Here are the guidelines and how to enter:

1.  Be - or become - a follower to this blog - one entry.

2.  Place a comment to this post - one entry.

3.  Blog about the giveaway on your blog - one entry.

4.  Send someone to my blog and, if they become a follower, you will get another chance to win.

Winner to be announced on January 15th.

Cheers!!!

Redheads - OH MY!

My daughter, Sarah, has been blessed with gorgeous red hair and she comes by it rightly.  My grandfather’s nickname was “Red”; when I was young,  my hair was as red as Sarah’s.  (Now it's more gray then red - HA! ).  I have pictures of the two of us when she was small and our hair color was exactly the same.  I remember detesting my red hair as I was growing up.  I wanted to be blonde – you know, “Blondes have more fun!”  My daughter also wished she had different hair until she was in her 20s.  Now she loves it.

A portrait of Sarah I painted on an 8x10 porcelain tile

Throughout history, being a redhead was not necessarily a healthy thing to be.  Redheads have been subjected to discrimination and fearful prejudice, being viewed as untrustworthy, mischievous, temperamental, and lustful. In ancient Egypt, red hair was seen as so unlucky, red-haired girls were burned alive. According to Greek myths, redheads turn into vampires when they die.

In medieval Europe, the infamous witch-hunting manual, Malleus Maleficarum, instructed that red hair and green eyes were marks of a witch, as were freckles (which most redheads are prone to have). This belief might have stemmed from the general consensus that redheads were evil, wanton, and hot-tempered. In the Bible, Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot are often portrayed as redheads, as was Lilith, Adam’s first wife who insisted on sexual equality. Even Jonathan Swift, in his 1726 classic Gulliver’s Travels, characterized redheads as being wanton and promiscuous.

Elizabeth Siddall was Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s model in the 1850s until her death in 1862.  Her image is recognized worldwide as the model for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.  She had glorious red hair which was not considered socially acceptable in the Victorian era.

Beata Beatrix by Rossetti

Over the years, I’ve studied the paintings of Master Artists who have lived through the centuries.  Through this study, their paintings take on more life and meaning as I learn more about their lives and come to understand their trials and tribulations.  

I'll share what I've learned about Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelites soon.  It's absolutely FASCINATING!!

What does this have to do with cross stitch and needlework?  Stay tuned ;)

Happy stitching -
Cheers!

Needle Keeps Needing Homes

Here is a photo of the presentation bowl I painted that contained the names of all of you who entered.

 I've drawn the six names who will be adopting the needle keeps ;).

• Merrill
• Connie K
• Calamityjr
• Rhona
• Kay Eyles
• Bernadett Rauski

Please email me your mailing addresses (spiritoftheheart1@gmail.com) and I will get them to you.

I had SO MUCH FUN doing this......I'm already cooking up another give way.  

Happy Stitching - Cheers!!

Scissor Fob Added to Give Away!

I'm seeing a "pink" theme.   I've added a scissor fob I made for my first give away.  Attaching a picture of the three items some lucky person will be receiving.

Hmmmm......what will be added next?  (Probably something pink ;)

First Milestone

YIPPEE!!  I reached my first milestone of more than 25 followers.  I promised my first Give Away would be an awesome one.  Hold on to your hats......

Have you heard of Limoges boxes?  I fell in love with these little porcelain marvels in the 70s while in college and on a Chicken Pot Pie Budget (I could buy them for 19 cents each when they went on sale.  I can truthfully say I haven't been able to look at chicken pot pie in the face since 1978).  You can surmise I could barely afford food, let alone a Limoges box.

Here's a little background on Limoges boxes:  the origins of these petite hinged boxes date back to mid 17th Century France where the fist discovery of the beautiful Limoges clay was discovered.  The original boxes were known as TABATIERES or tobacco boxes.  The very wealthy would also use these intriguing boxes as containers for jewelry, perfume or snuff. Through time these amazing boxes have become valuable collectables.

Each box is unique in that skilled French artists fit each box with detailed metal frames and clasps.  I purchase them as "blanks" (i.e., completely white porcelain) and hand paint them with a 17th or 18th Century design.  Each box is fired in a kiln (at approximately 1450 degrees) numerous times to achieve the affect I want.  Because each box is hand crafted and hand painted, they possess minute variations in color, brush strokes and form that make them unique.

OK.  Can you guess what ONE of the items in the give away will be?  Here's a photo of the Limoges needle case.  I will paint the winner's initials in 24KT gold on the inside of the box to make it even more special.

It measures 3 inches long, 1 inch wide, 7/16 inches deep

Here's how the give away will work:

1) Put a comment on this post and you are entered into  the giveaway.

2) If you are already a follower then your name is put in twice.

3) Put the photograph of this giveaway on your blog and then get another chance.

4) If you blog about this giveaway in a post on your blog then you get another chance.

Please let me know if you have done any of the above. Invite your friends to enter- the more, the merrier.

The winner will be randomly chosen on July 1st, 6PM CDT.   

Next week, I'm adding more goodies to the give away - watch this space.

Cheers!!