I wasn’t sure about the green colors of the moth in this overwhelming blue design. I was afraid it might clash without being different enough to stand out. So I tried changing the moth to blue tones.
Blue-Luna-Blue-Luna-Context, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Comparing this with the green moth, I decided to stick with the original.
Blue-Luna-Green-Luna-Context, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Prayer: Father, I pray for balance and beauty in her journey.
The relationship between the moth and the moon is important in this piece. Having designed them in isolation, I can check this relationship without the distraction of the background.
Blue-Luna-Green-Luna-Moon, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Prayer: Father, keep us moving towards the light, and let the light overwhelm our fear of the darkness.
Next up is the Luna Moth. Designing it in isolation highlights for me its beauty and fragility.
Blue-Luna-Green-Luna, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Prayer: Father, our fragile lives shine in the darkness. Help us to protect that light while letting it shine out to others.
I typically design each element against a blank background. This simplifies the process, focusses my eye on the element, and makes the boundary of the element clear.
But after designing each element, it’s important to plug it in to the overall image. This checks that the design is coming together well.
Blue-Luna-Moon-Context, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Prayer: Father, help her and her caregivers to focus on each element of her treatment, while keeping the larger context of her life in mind.
“The primary requirement is a longing after God.”
From my morning readings in “A Celebration of Discipline“, by Richard J. Foster.
Safe Fortress, a photo by Ian Sane on Flickr.
Afraid that you may not be suitable for a close relationship with God? Remember this!
The next step is to design each element at size. I start with the foreground elements, then do the background. So the first order of business is the moon.
The challenge is to show the brighter and darker areas we see and know, while still giving an overall impression of luminescence.
Blue-Luna-Moon, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Prayer: Father, even as You made her a light in the darkness, let her find Your light in her troubles.
I decided to have “Reaching for Faith” professionally blocked and framed. Here it is, complete!
Reaching for Faith Framed, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Prayer: Father, I praise You and thank You for making us artists, in Your image. Help me to do my art for Your glory.
I’ve been meaning to write a Christmas message for the blog and not getting it done. This morning I received this lovely gift from a dear friend and sister in Christ:
Starting to read, I came across this to share with you all:
“If prayer is fundamentally an expression of love— a single-hearted reaching out to the Other in a love relationship— it is more simple than any technique or way of praying. The most important thing in prayer is the heart’s inclination in relation to God.”
Simsic, Wayne (2012-03-28). Seeking the Beloved: A Prayer Journey with St. John of the Cross (Kindle Locations 119-121). The Word Among Us Press. Kindle Edition.
Praying for the inclination of all our hearts, and wishing you a blessed Christmas!
Carmen
One of the key things that must be done when designing a needlepoint piece is cutting the millions of colors and shades in a photo down to a manageable palette of colors. They must be different enough that the person stitching the design can tell them apart, but close enough that the color changes aren’t too dramatic.
I find that six shades of grey from white through black inclusive is about right. Other colors can support a similar range of shades.
So I pick colors for the palette from the layout, keeping these guidelines in mind. I arrange them in a grid so I can pick paint colors.
Blue-Luna-Color-Pallette, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the beauty and intricacy of creation. Help her to appreciate Your work all around her.
“… we are given power to meet the demands and the needs that are waiting for us in the ministry yet to come.“
From my morning readings in “The Power of His Presence” by Ray C. Stedman.
Moon Rise behind the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm, a photo by “Caveman Chuck” Coker on Flickr.
I always think the power must come from me. I’m doing this, aren’t I? But no. Things go much better if I look to Him for the wisdom and the power.
NeedlePrayer 