think pink!

is an understatement....

ok so i've made some headway with the walls in the hesitation stitch (will go back over and fill the gaps with a darker pink)

too much? i actually really like the color and think it plays into the whole "candy house" theme we've got going on up in here, but it can be so hard to use your imagination to envision what it will look like once completed!

i'm in a friend's wedding this weekend so unfortunately my progress will be scarce, but who doesn't love the opportunity to eat and drink for free and show off your crazy dance moves?

creating the candy house

ok so roofs are nice and all, but i've been anxiously awaiting my chance to stitch on the scrumptious candy for this cute house!

first items were the lime wedge windows. i set about beading them in the appropriate shades of green...

next were the candy canes. these were fun.

i padded them in frosty rays and kreinik to give them a little shape. the gauzy frosty rays makes them look almost real, right? gumdrops were a quick stitch in sparkle rays and i love how simple but effective it is!

so last night when i was showing my progress to dbf, (dear boyfriend) he pointed out that it was difficult to make out the lime wedges because the beads were a tad overwhelming. as much as i hate to admit it, he was totally right. (the perks of loving an art director, huh?)

so i tested out what it would be to only remove the inner beads but leave the outer perimeter. and i love the result! it makes it look more like a window, while still maintaining the character of the lime. what do you think?

next up is the hard candy shell of the 4 walls. 2 words: THINK PINK. 

(reminds me of Funny Face, n'est-ce pas?)

hello! is it me you're looking for?

hello out there! (if anyone is still reading this) lol

so my babe and i survived the move from new orleans to dallas in march, and we've been settling in with our new home and new jobs. it's so nice to be closer to my family and friends, and we love exploring everything this big city has to offer. new orleans will always have a special place in our hearts though, mine is probably a little more bittersweet. 

thankfully i was able to unpack all the boxes and find some moments to steal away and begin working on my gumdrop house! 

i purchased this canvas through a special trunk show from pocket full of stitches, so i also went ahead and ordered a few stitch suggestions along with it. it's nice to use the suggestions, but also make it my own with a few embellishments!

first up was the doors and windows. i had a great gingerbread-colored dmc thread in my stash that i used, and then added the window pane outlines in 1 strand. the shutters are slanted gobelin in frosty rays (i hate working with the thread, but love the effect it produces). since i had the frosty rays out already, i tackled the kreinik wreath in french knots, and added the bow. 

i wanted to tackle the roof next (and this took probably about 2-3 weeks since i wasn't very motivated). the first layer was the white ribbon "frosting" in an upright stitch. 

next was the darker shading in stranded splendor, followed by the brick stitch in the lighter gingerbread color. took longer since it required a laying tool and the canvas is a little larger so it felt clunky. 

so far i like the results, it gives it a little textured look, almost like a graham cracker or a waffle. in any case, i'm glad to be moving on to the rest of the candy house...maybe some beads will be next?