Three days into 2015, and I’ve finished two more canvases from my stash! I’ve been so good.. I’ve limited myself to stitching things that I had already started. Nothing new until everything started is completed. I’m excited to be ready to send some things away to the finisher so early in the New Year.
This evening I completed my Kirk and Bradley Circus Giraffe and Zebra…
I have always LOVED Kirk and Bradley’s needlepoint canvases (Have you seen my Pineapple and Cupcake Scissor Fobs?)
I’m glad I waited to stitch them until I felt like I could do them justice.
I know they are a little silly, but each of the animals has so much personality. They are the perfect pieces to use all sorts of fun fibers and embellishments on. I pulled all sorts of Neon Rays Plus, Petite Silk Lamé Braid, and Kreinik out of my stash because I only needed little bits of many of these colors.
The backgrounds on both of the canvases are a combination of Soie d’alger and Kreinik– adding just enough sparkle to complement these whimsical designs.
I used encroaching gobelin stitch on the fur of both the zebra and the giraffe. I have to confess.. it’s really my go to stitch for all animal fur. It always adds the perfect texture to the canvas, and it is such an easy stitch to do in Impressions wool.
The ball that the giraffe is standing on is entirely beaded, which added a little more dimension than just stitching it.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I have the Kirk and Bradley Circus Lion, Tiger and Bear hidden away under my bed. But now that I’m on a roll and have finished some things up… maybe I can justify starting them too!?
Very cute! How did you make the little fringy things on the tails?
How will you finish them? I love whimsical designs but I feel like they might be too silly to have in my house year round!
I’m going to finish them as ornaments! Just sent the off to the finisher yesterday… I’ll be sure to share as soon as they’re done.