It was a great weekend for the Studio Tour last weekend–crisp fall weather, sunshine, leaves just starting to turn. Many thanks to all who visited my studio. I look forward to this event all year, because it’s so much fun to have people see my work in its natural environment so they can envision how it might look in their home or office. I also enjoy being able to demonstrate how I add texture to the pieces with freehand stitching lines on my machine. The most frequent question I get is “Don’t you have a computer to do that?” and the answer is no–the designs are completely hand driven on my machine, as if I have a pencil and I’m drawing each one out. If you right click on the bird image below, you can see the stitching lines more clearly.

"Redhead" 2011 Cindy Grisdela

Two pieces went home with someone new –“Redhead”, which was my entry into the Great Falls Studios Bird contest earlier this year. Mine ended up being a downy woodpecker because I had this wonderful black and white fabric that was perfect for the feathers—and because those are the ones that frequent my backyard.

"in the Vineyard" Cindy Grisdela

Also, “In the Vineyard” found a new home. I love the colors in this piece, and so did its new owner! They remind me of the fields around Tuscany. This piece was photographed on a black background.

Thanks to the old friends who came by and the new ones that I’ve just met. I hope we’ll see each other again very soon!

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