Ballerina Angel Princess Cross Stitch Design

Stitched with DMC on linen

MobiStitch on iPad

Detail of "Trick-or-Treaters" oil painting by Nancy Cuevas

With Halloween around the corner, I wanted to share this design I am working on. It's of one of the adorable trick-or-treaters in one of my more illustrative paintings. 

She knew exactly who she wanted to dress up as for Halloween. She told her mother she wanted to be a Ballerina Angel Princess, and of course, her mother was able to combine all three costumes into one. She waits patiently for her turn to show off her costume and get her treats. 

I am working on reducing the colors of this design, which currently sits at about 31 colors. I would like to get it under 20, preferably, under 15 would be good.  

Hopefully, I can get this done before Halloween. 

 

Wheel of The Year by Heaven and Earth Designs / Start

[I'm stitching it on 56-count Cream Zweigart Kingston Linen and using called for DMC threads.]

Started this pattern this month to learn more about the pagan year.  I've always been curious about living more seasonally. I know my grandparents lived off the farm in Michoacan, Mexico. That meant using everything that the land and animals provided. I remember visiting my Abuelita Teresa (my dad's mother) a few times. She lived in a dirt floor shed-like structure. She made cheese, maza, arroz con leche, bars of soap, and so much more from scratch. I remember the first time I saw her cook a chicken. She asked which one we wanted and then proceeded to catch it and twist its head off. I was horrified, but it didn't stop me from eating the stew she made because she had cooked it in honor of our visit. 

The new studio we just bought has a small piece of land. There are apple trees, blackberries, a bay leaf tree, a hazelnut tree, lots of sage, a tiny Japanese citrus tree, a palm tree, and an adorable small pond.  

It was too late to do much with the bounty of green apples we picked, but next year, we plan to get a dehydrator and learn how to can!  I did make a couple of apple pies that turned out very yummy. Used a new recipe by Natashas Kitchen. Link here Apple Pie Recipe

El Viaje - Retablo

 

El Viaje by Nancy Cuevas Weimann, 2023

Guoache on tin panel

This piece is a self-portrait of my younger self. She is on a voyage of self-discovery with her companion, El Gatito Negro. 

In researching Retablos in my Mexican culture, I came across an art form that is so whimsical and tragic at the same time.  I have been working on my own version of gratitude using this wonderful way of illustrating life events. 

Wearing masks in many cultures represents protection with the attributes of the creature the mask portrays.