A SPECIAL TREAT!

    Over the next few days, you and I are going to
take a journey through the process of creating a 
custom needlepoint design.
    The finished design size will be 20 1/2" X 11 3/4".
Gail informs me that it is for a box pillow.  The subject
matter is a rather large house in Long Island, New York.
A house in the Hampton's.  We shall scan some photo's
and post a few of them to give you an idea of what we are
dealing with.
    Gail sent the sketch out for approval from the owner
of the house, and it's recently come back so all is ready
to go.  This has been in the cooker for a while now, but
we never could have anticipated all of the turmoil
of the last year, so it had to be put on the back burner
for a bit.  Painting a canvas of this type and size
requires a serious block of time. Once you start one
these pieces, all else goes to the wayside.  Over the years
I have watched Gail paint all different sorts of architecture,
from small cabins, the White House, and pretty much 
everything in-between.  It's kind of fascinating to watch 
the whole process come together.
    I will be posting photo's at various stage of the canvas,
as well as a scan of the sketch.  The sketch gets placed under 
the canvas , as a sort of guideline while she paints.
    This particular canvas will be on 10 mesh/stitch, and will
most probably be worked in wool, as it stands the test of time.
    You'll have to pardon me for saying this but, " this
ain't no tar paper shack".  You'll see.
   Gail goes into a zone when she paints one of these things.
It takes a lot of concentration and finesse.  The most difficult
part to fudge is the bushes and/or grass and trees.  You
have to utilize various tricks to fool the eye.
   So, it should be, at the very least, interesting to look at.
I shall endeavor not to sound like a total putz.
   I am sitting here listening to Mary Black on a Cd. 
If you are unfamiliar with her, she is an Irish folk singer.
Wonderful voice and great musicians, all from Ireland.
Music for listening and contemplation. Irish writers, as well.
Universal themes.
   I guess it's time to start thinking about putting some
chicken in the oven.  I may add to this a bit later, but one never
knows.  Gail is finishing up some Santa's and listening to 
"Beach Music" by Pat Conroy.
   There is one song on this CD that is sung completely
in Irish.  I have no idea what the words mean, but it's
amazing to listen to.  Haunting, is the best description
that I can come up with
    Anyway, that is what's going on here.  Hope you are
having an enjoyable day.
   Feel free to drop me a line.  Mr. Squiggee.