A New Leap – Fibers

Here are the fibers I used for the background.

image, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

The top one is the heavy thread I used for the trees.  Next is a loose spun thread used on the darker meadow areas.  Finally, the lighter meadow areas were stitched using a silk with flames, which means tighter areas and looser areas.  Laid down with long stitches, these fibers show off their irregularities to make a rich background that looks complicated while actually being fast and easy to stitch!

Prayer: Father, thank You that our irregularities make us unique, beautiful, fitted for individual purposes in Your world.

A New Leap – Background Stitching

Rather than leaving the background openwork, I decided to do some fancy stitching with different fibers to make a scene for the leaping lamb.

This was done freehand, using different variegated textured threads.  I stitch the trees first, then fill the landscape in around them and the lamb and Joy.  Fun and quick, as the stitches are long.

image, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the beauty we each can bring just working in the background.  I pray for those who work quietly to know that they do Your work.

A New Leap

Recently our pastor and his wife left for an encouragement trip to missionaries in the Philippines sent by our church 20 years ago.  20 years in the field!  Perhaps this is normal, but I didn’t grow up in the church and it seems extraordinary to me!

He asked the church members to send cards of encouragement.  There was just enough time for me to stitch this piece for them.

Missionary Joy, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, please bless this family which has devoted so much of their life to your service and service of your people.  Bring them an ever closer walk, unexpected joys, long worked for successes, wisdom for their path.

Reaching for Faith – Stitched!

Here is the fully stitched piece.

You can see that the canvas has gotten somewhat distorted during stitching.  Blocking the piece will correct this.

Reaching – Unblocked 2, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, the process of going through life can stretch us.  Thank You that Your grace and love can always bring us back to our full beauty, as You intended us to be.

Reaching for Faith – Stained Glass 2

There are many books that can give you fancy stitches for a variety of looks.  My favourite is

The Needlepoint Book: A Complete Update of the Classic Guide: Jo Ippolito Christensen: 9780684832302: Amazon.com: Books.

Sometimes it’s just fun to mix it up!

Reaching – lower right, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, help me to find creative ways to enjoy my life and service.

Reaching for Faith – Stained Glass

To make the stained glass, I used a variety of variegated threads to give the colors.  I also used fancy stitching to suggest different kinds of textured glass.

Reaching – upper right, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, I praise You for the complexity and beauty of Your creation.

Reaching for Faith – Fur Highlights

The initial inspiration for this piece was seeing Romanji, my little black cat, silhouetted against a window with stained glass privacy film.  Romanji is black with the occasional white hair peeking through.

I liked the idea that he cat should not be totally black, and added a variegated black-to-grey fiber into the flat DMC black thread to get this effect.

Reaching – fur highlights, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of free will.  Help me to make choices that bring me further into the light, and turn away from the dark.

Valley of Shadow – Framed

I chose a rustic wood frame to give the piece warmth.

Valley of Shadow – Framed, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, I hold them up to You for the rest of their lives.

Valley of Shadow – Stitched!

And here it is completely stitched!

Valley of Shadow – Stitched!, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, I pray that You stay with them and grant them peace and healing without end.

Reaching for Faith – The Cat

For me, the cat represents me and my sinful nature, yearning for the peace, love, and healing that only God’s love can provide.  Those claws are not out.  Faith directs my tentative reaching.

Reaching – Cat, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, I know that only Your love can save me.  Thank You for sending Your Spirit to guide me in my life choices.