I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Monday, January 12, 2009

An Appreciation For Red

Red has never been a favorite color of mine. I would have been perfectly happy if Santa had been wearing a "pink and white" suit instead of red.{:However, as the years have gone by, I have really started appreciating the value of the red member of the color wheel. I have noticed how it stands out and draws the eye to it....especially in flowers. Wildflowers....my favorites, have the Indian Blanket. Among the blues, whites and yellows in a field, the reds and oranges of the Indian Blanket, just make the field come alive.
One of my dear friends, Bell, who is in her 90's. has an antiques business,and does not like to have grass in her yard. Instead she has a packed dirt yard, but full of color with all of the flowers she grows there. You could say her yard is her flower bed. She has California Poppy among her beauties. It is one of the most prettiest, petally (if there is such a word), vibrant red flower ever. In my last post on transfer tracing I had begun to stitch this vintage poppy. Here it is, in the color, a few years back, I would have never chose to stitch with.
I chose different hues of red to have some shading on the flower. The same way in the black center. If you have ever noticed black in nature...as in crow's wings, butterfly's wings, and some flowers, the black gives off a blue highlight. I chose black and a darker blue for the french knot center. You can click on the pictures to see a better view ( I hope).

I also noticed the poppy has little brown "hairs" that run along the bud and stem.

As you know, I appreciate your input and comments....
Now my question to all of you.... I plan to place this stitched piece onto a towel.....as in my earlier posts......what color of towel do you think would be best? Red......green.... black? As you have gotten "more mature" in the years.... have you found yourself changing your ideas about something that you thought you would never like? I would love to hear!




8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love red poppies. I think a background of green/white check would be cute. As I grow older, I notice I am more willing to wear darker colors. When I was young, I wore a lot of pastels, but with changes in hair color etc., the deeper colors are more attractive to me now!

Linda said...

Kathleen, pretty , pretty. I'm attracted to so many colors...my taste just keeps changing...but I so love red. For me I love most stitching on a white towel....but this design might just pop on black. Hugs, Linda

LindaSue said...

Strikingly dramatic - love the variations in colors. What color towel? I think Mildred might have it - the green and white check. Although can't go wrong with straight white, poppy design and perhaps a border on the towel picking up the colors.I've always loved red - don't wear it as much as purple (my truest love) but each color has it's appeal - I'm not a "Blue" person per se - but navy, teal, DH's blue eyes - all have a place in my color palette and heart!

Childers Corner said...

Beautiful! I think any color towel would go great with it. What about and ecru cloth? I always think an off white or beige is pretty with anything.
My favorites changed. I loved blue as a little girl. By the time I was married, red was my favorite.

Paula said...

I think it's gorgeous!!
I had to chuckle at the story you told about Bell not having grass in her yard... she must be quite a character!

Kathleen Grace said...

Beautiful work! I love red, I love this against white but if you wanted to use a color I would think green or black.

KathyB. said...

Your needlework is so ...perfect ! Thank-you also for the previous post on transferring patterns.

I too, did not appreciate red until a few years ago, now I see I have brought a LOT of red into our home. Red adds spice and accent, doesn't it ? And it perks up my favorite color, blue.

Princess S said...

Red is my favorite color!!!! I love to watch the fat red cardinals...they are like hugs from God. Have a Very Blessed Day!!!