Friday, April 3, 2009

Pins and Needles

I'm finally updating. It's not that I haven't been doing anything, it's just that what I've been doing is making bunches of Rorschachs and 5 pictures of the same thing is kind of boring. But I'm done with those (for now) and on to new projects.

Despite the fact that I have almost 3 months to go, I started on my mom's birthday present. When she came to visit I found some embroidery patterns with all 50 state birds and flowers (for like $5 so awesome), and I told my mom I'd do some for her. These are the first two of four. They'll eventually get framed.




I'm doing New Hampshire and Massachusetts as that's where my mom was born and grew up. California is where she lives now and North Carolina is where I live. I figured that was better than just doing four random states. I'm kind of considering coloring them, but I don't know. If I color one I have to do them all, whether I really like it or not. I am so indecisive about things this like this. Anyone have an opinion?


After those two, I was still in an embroidery mood but kind of sick of birds and flowers. (Omg so many lazy daisy stitches on the NH one blargh.) I've been pondering some Watchmen embroidery for a few days, but i just didn't have an idea I was in love with. I was thinking just a group shot of the Crimebusters, but I wasn't excited about the idea. Then today the idea for these just popped into my head.


I think Nite Owl II is my favorite of the bunch. I love the way the frame and background came out and he's making that "I'm a paunchy nerd who fights crime" face. Plus his quote is stupid and makes me giggle.

Those ferns in the background are going to make me crazy, I can tell right now. I think they may get simplified for the actual project. I do love the look of them on this though. And the gun sort of looks decent, which is rare as I am terrible at drawing firearms.

I wanted these to sort of look like a cross between a portrait and a religious icon. The religious icon I like not only for the look, but also because there's a certain mythological aspect to super heroes. Working with that, almost all of them have sort of the suggestion of a halo behind them.
Also, I am one of those people who finds Rorschach absolutely adorable. I am properly ashamed of myself, don't worry.

Ozy and Dr. M are on my Flickr. What have I gotten myself into...

18 comments:

  1. Well, something like half of the states have chosen the cardinal as their state bird anyway. Once you get the one done you're in the home stretch...

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh my!
    thank you so much for these amazing patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Benjibot: What's so great about cardinalds anyway?

    Claudia: No prob!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love these! I think my husband might be getting a stitched Rorschach for his birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful! I cant wait to make these.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank you for sharing these! they are so awesome! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You've gotten yourself into a whole bunch of Awesomeness! Thanks for sharing the patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for the Watchmen patterns!

    About the birds- I wouldn't color them, if I were you. They look so pretty and delicate as they are!

    ReplyDelete
  9. OMG!! Nite Owl II + Devo reference = perfect xmas gift for Alan Moore-obsessed hubby!! Hmmm...maybe I will make all of them. For pillows, perhaps?? Other thoughts?? THANK YOU!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those designs are completely amazing. I totally want to stitch the whole set.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you! posted you on my blog.

    http://dreaming-of-craft.blogspot.com/2009/04/craft-o-rama-links-to-all-sort-of-free.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. I had never tried embroidery before but your Rorschach pattern on Craft: inspired me to redo all my dining room chairs (they're currently crap).

    I finished my Rorschach chair and wanted to share it with you. Your creation coming to life! (but not in a zombie kind of way)

    ReplyDelete
  13. These kick ass! Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Allison, the chair is AMAZING. I'm so glad to have inspired you and you did a wonderful job!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful, your doing an amazing job. I wish my embroidery skills were this up to scratch!! Thanks for sharing these designs. x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you! If you do try to tackle them I'd love to see the result!

    ReplyDelete
  17. your skills explaining embroidery has made to me want more please update with info as my whole life is embroidery skills

    ReplyDelete