This first image is how I laid out my plans for the painting. I investigated a variety of layouts and techniques before I began.

The second photo is the image of the dress that inspired the color scheme and the ribbon work. It is copied from a Cora Ginsburg catalog.

French Knot

Tricky at first but easy to master with practice, the French knot appears in many stamped and counted cross-stitch projects.

Bring the threaded needle up through the fabric, and wrap the floss around the needle as illustrated. Tighten the twists, and insert the needle back through the fabric in the same place. The floss will slide through the wrapped thread to make the knot. Don't pull the thread too tight or you'll pull the knot out.

-Better Homes and Gardens

I am currently using this stitch for a work that you will see soon. Here at Needle 'N Thread I found a great video of the French Knot. They have a whole gallery of videos...yeah.

Details of "Smoot"

Here are a couple of detail shots. The beading and sequins show up but unfortunately the free-style quilting does not. The other thing that does not show is the fact that the figures are in trapunto (slightly raised).

"Smoot"

This image is taken from an old daguerreotype (whew, thats a hard word for me to spell!) and inspired by period clothing...(I will explain later). My larger pieces deal with revisiting the past both in imagery and technique. This piece is quilted, beaded and embroidered. By the way did you notice the drastic departure from the small acrylic still lifes. What can I say, I live a dual life!