It’s Been a While!! I’m Home and Back in the Harness!

Has it really been since February 9th that I did a blog post?!

After lots of ice, snow, airfare price hikes and teary goodbyes, I made it home in the wee hours of the 17th! It took me several days to feel “normal” (and I use that word loosely! haha!) But it’s Monday, and a Technique challenge on Splitcoast got me back in the groove again.

Making a Bargello design was our challenge:

Bargello is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. The name originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello palace in Florence, which have a "flame stitch" pattern.

Traditionally, Bargello was stitched in wool on canvas. Embroidery done this way is remarkably durable. It is well suited for use on pillows, upholstery and even carpets, but not for clothing. In most traditional pieces, all stitches are vertical with stitches going over two or more threads.

Traditional designs are very colorful, and use many hues of one color, which produces intricate shading effects. The patterns are naturally geometric, but can also resemble very stylized flowers or fruits. Bargello is considered particularly challenging, as it requires very precise counting of squares for the mathematical pattern connected with the various motifs to accurately execute designs.

Much simpler version for the cards though! Just cut strips of paper and adhere them side by side onto copy paper, then turn that paper 90 degrees and cut strips out of that. You’ll have a variegated patterned strip. Then arrange these strips however you want, getting the pattern you like, adhere them to a piece of cardstock and use as your background.

My first sample is done with Our Daily Bread designs, Wood Fish.

The paper is from The Paper Studio, base is Bazzill. Wood Fish was stamped in Ranger Fired Brick and popped up on Spellbinders Curved Rectangles.

This Bargello design is DCWV’s Pocket Full of Posies. Mark’s Finest Papers, Spring Has Sprung, colored with Copics and layered on MFP cardstock. Cuttlebug embossing folders, Polka Dots and Frills Borders for the base and strip.

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Thanks for being patient…
waiting for me to rest up and get find my mojo!

Have a wonderful day!!

Dawn