Sunday, August 31, 2014

Gecko Begins


This has been such a very busy month with classes...mine and StitchMAP's. So, I have not had any time to stitch this month's HEX Challenge...and only have two days to get it done! So, I began last night with the outline of the gecko and the brick behind. Both were done in Stem Stitch.
 
 
Stem Stitch is not the first choice of many people for a design that has such tight curves...the instructions actually said Back Stitch because of this reason. But, I like doing my own thing with designs...and rarely (as it never most likely) do exactly what instructions say for anything. And, Stem Stitch can be very easy to work around inside and outside curves...even tight ones...if the length of the stitch is just shortened. For these tight curves, the inside curves stitching is reduced to only a couple of threads for each stitch...and it works around the line perfectly!
 
 
Next was to select some beads and threads. I pulled a whole bunch of greens from my stash. But, most of this will not be used as the gecko is too small to hold ALL of this. 
 
 
I did find some tiny cabochons in green. These were part of a MIX of cabochones that I bought and wondered what in the world I'd do with these teensy ones. Goes to show...don't discard anything! Ha! These will be temporarily held in place with a tiny drop of E-6000 glue until I can encase them with embroidery work or beading.
 

The eyes are first to deal with. The gecko has "bulging" eyes...and I didn't want them to be green like the body. So, I went with a 4mm round black bead. Olive green bullions, stacked on top of each other, create an eyelid for each eye.
 

The next area for consideration are the feet. This gecko's feet are pronounced, like a tree frog. I placed a little bead near the end of each toe.
 

These beads look like round beads probably...but, they are actually drops. These are tiny, about 3mm, and I purchased them for tiny spider bodies.
 

Each toe is rounded with one or two bullions...which mimic the eye lids nicely...and French Knots to fill in the foot. Well, that's the progress so far...now, I'm off to stitch some more!

 
Photobucket

7 comments:

Pippas quilts said...

I do like stem stitch very interesting how you select your beads Gecko looks lovely.

Linda B said...

The talent that lies behind those precious fingers ceases to amaze me.
I love your gecko and to do the bricks as you have is smart as well, but what less would be expect.

Anonymous said...

Kathy, I'm so in love with your gecko! I love stem and outline stitch. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but until I did Birdie Stitches in 2011, I'd never really heard of the back stitch. I didn't know there was an option to stem/outline, so that's what I used all the time, and I still use it a lot. I don't think it looks as nice as yours, but I'm happy with it. I've seen a couple of the geckos, but this one is so gorgeous ... and green, my color! =)

Sandra said...

Wow your work is always gorgeous

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I love the stitching for bulging eyes..so perfect. He's going to be quite a flashy fellow.
xx, Carol

Suztats said...

Love the eyelids! Saw your finished gecko--Fabulous!

mary said...

just too precious - what is the bunny made out of? wool or felt? I love it...have been babysitting so not much stitching - let me hear back so I can make that wonderful bunny - Mary in texas at snowtx@aol.com