Making something with your hands is healthy....

I have been saying this for a long time now. When I need to decompress, I stitch. Stitching, for me, is a form of meditation. I am not good at rhythmic breathing, "om"ing, or clearing my mind on queue, but I can lose myself in my stitching. Martha Stewart Living has an article in this month's issue (November 2012) about just this.

In the article, they interview a psychologist- Robert Reiner, and I quote him here- "Crafting can decrease your heart rate and blood pressure and even improve sleep. Your breathing takes on a regular pattern, which shuts down the body's anxiety producing fight-or-flight response."

I totally agree! The article goes on to talk about how crafting keeps you present, and in the moment so you can't worry about the future.

I highly recommend picking up this issue and reading the article!

Happy stitching!


Kimberly

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Back in the studio!

Hello everyone!

I am back in the studio after a break for politics (I am never very creative when I am stressed!) and also some focused attention on my cross stitch business- Nine Stones Needlework.

To warm up, I am painting Orchids!  Most new work i am posting will be for sale with a PayPal button to simplify things.  Remember, the watercolors come unframed, so if you are thinking holiday gift, leave time for framing!

Cheers!

Kimberly

Online Needle arts Show!

I am participating in an online Needle Arts show starting today and going through the weekend.
This is a clever concept- a trade show without travel!
The way it works is that the general public can go to the website and browse. If you see something you like, you can go to your local Cross Stitch or Needle Arts shop and ask them to order it for you! This really helps me get known by new shops and you get exactly what you want.
Please take a look!
http://www.needleworkshow.com/
Kimberly
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Orders are ready to ship!

Thank you to everyone who watched the Chronicle episode (link below) and thank you for the orders!




This is the link- sorry- i cannot figure out how to make it a hyperlink!

http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle/Kickstarter-stories/-/12523032/16880238/-/13jg17qz/-/index.html


Kimberly


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Location:Warwick Rd,Belmont,United States

Exciting news!

First of all, for all of my New England followers- the episode of Chronicle will be airing this Friday at 7:30 on WCVB- channel 5!
http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle

The other exciting bit of news is that a wonderful blogger has featured my French Knot paintings on her blog- http://www.welovefrenchknots.com  I wrote about her blog the other day, but if you go now, you will see the pieces she is showing of mine! 

That's all for now!  Happy Stitching!

Kimberly

Progress on the latest Cross Stitch pattern!

It occurs to me that some explanation is necessary when I show cross stitch patterns, French knot paintings, etc.

I choose certain paintings to recreate as cross stitch charts. To make a cross stitch chart I must first have the pattern, which I create with a computer program (and lots of tweaking). I hire a "stitcher" to stitch the pattern for me because you need to check for mistakes in the chart. I also need the piece stitched so I have a photograph of the pattern stitched to put on the front of the chart. (Have I completely confused you yet??). Once all of these steps are done, I can go to the printer and have the final chart printed, which I sell to people to stitch themselves! I also sell kits which are the charts and all of the supplies necessary to finish the pattern- chart, needles, beads, linen, and floss.

So, with all of that information- here is a picture of a piece being stitched by a wonder woman of a stitcher (thank you Marilyn!)



This piece is a New England clapboard church which i first photographed, then painted, and now am making into a cross stitch pattern!

My other love is the French knot work I have been posting about. The French knots I do without a chart- I simply look at the painting as I stitch. However, I am working on adding instructions to the cross stitch charts on how you can use the cross stitch chart to make a French knotted painting as well!

More to come......


Kimberly


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A fun website!

I was recently turned on to a website that has a perfect title-
WeLoveFrenchKnots.com




Visit the site to see lots of fun French knotting, along with contemporary needlework of all kinds!


Kimberly
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"Snow Drops" French knots

This is the watercolor......





And this is the french knot painting!


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French Knot Paintings!

 Soooo exciting!  This is the first of my french knot painting series!

 The richness of the surface is so beautiful!

 The amount of control I have with the image through the DMC floss is the most surprising discovery.  This technique feels a lot like painting with oil paint and a brush.

On to the next one!


Cheers!


Kimberly

New pattern!

I have just released a new pattern- Pomegranates! This pattern is taken from a commission painting I did for a friend. She had the painting done for her parents for the Christmas Holiday last year.
I will be loading it on the website this weekend so you can order a chart soon! Www.ninestonesneedlework.com



Cheers!


Kimberly

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Commission!

 I was hired by a friend to paint some watercolors of the product he imports-Bela Sardines- www.belasardines.com!  I have to tell you, I had never tried sardines but am now a regular consumer of the small tasty fish!  It was fun to paint the charming cans and the wonderful vegetables and foods you combine with sardines in preparation.  I highly recommend seeking out this brand because people have told me they are better than what they remember- not fishy, and high quality olive oil too!

 Another fun thing I discovered is that I like this kind of commission!  I am supplying my friend with three watercolors, framed and I am working with a printer to have note cards printed up with the images on them.

You can friend Bela on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BELA/27926172544?ref=ts
Enjoy!

Kimberly

Bulbs!

I thought maybe bulbs would add to the flower theme with a twist!




Kimberly

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French knots- progress!

I have been making tiny little knots for weeks! I am recreating one of my watercolors of a flower into a stitched painting- here is the progress!






-I LOVE making these! I am even considering classes to teach cross stitch and French knotting- what does everyone think?


Kimberly

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Sketchbook page

Hey everyone!

We are just returning from yet another wonderful week in Maine! Great friends, great food, warm lake and sun- amazing!

This is a page of studies from some wonderful flowers that friends brought over one day.



-Kimberly


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On my way to Maine!

We will be heading off to our wonderful annual summer spot in Maine on Monday! It is the definition of pure relaxation- great friends, great lake, big long screen porch looking out over the lake, and lots and lots of coffee, wine, chocolate, books and of course my art supplies!

If I can post from Maine I will, but if not, there will be much to show next week!



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