22 February 2021

Northern Lights Conversion

Here's my latest little finish: a "Northern Lights conversion" of this charming winter scene from the February 2020 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine. I knew I wanted an aurora effect, but I didn't know if there was a fabric available that would suit me, so I hunted around. I settled on PTP Monster Mash and happily, I got a piece that was usable for this project. Well, half of it was. The other half of the fabric had too much purple in it for the look I wanted. Hand-dyed fabric is a bit of a gamble at the best of times, and if you're wanting a specific effect in addition to color, good luck. My piece just happened to work. I know it's weird, but I love it.


As I often do, I not only changed colors to suit the fabric, I also did some editing. I left off the little bushes, and the birds, and the snowflakes. I wanted the fabric to do all the work so I just sort of streamlined the design. If you check out the "color conversions" tab at the top of the page, you'll notice that I am always "purple-izing" designs. (I know "empurple" is a word and "purple-ize" is not a word, but I like purple-ize better and now it's a word.) I think it's because blue is such a popular color--except with me--and it's easy to visualize blue-to-purple conversions. Anyway, here are my changes (all DMC):

B5200-->Blanc; 3822-->3821; 598-->28; 3810-->29; 164-->3364; 988-->3363;

987-->3362; 644-->3790; 642 & 640-->4145

Speaking of winter and winter stitching, it poured snow yesterday. It's been incredibly cold here lately (negative double-digit lows at night, negative daytime highs, 30-below wind chill), and when it's that cold, the snow is fine and dry like sand and sparkles like diamonds. But yesterday it was warm (30!) and the snow was chunky and fluffy and made everything look like it was coated in frosting. 





Last winter was underwhelming but this one is making up for it. We have had so much snow. The snow bank in our yard from clearing the driveway is so high Tiger Lily can't see the street from her window. In spite of what it looks like outside, I'm kicking off spring on March 1st! Who's with me?!

Bonus:

Aurora Webcam!  If the Northern Lights aren't visible when you check, try again later or on a different night. You'll eventually catch them. So enchanting.

16 comments:

  1. I love your conversion on the Cabin in the Woods and your stitching is so pretty. What beautiful snow photos you posted too. Thank you so much for sharing. Have a great week.

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  2. Great conversion love the color of the fabric.
    Here it is already Spring and flowers are popping open all over.
    Have a great day.

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  3. I love how you changed the original piece to make this into Northern Lights. Your snow looks very pretty, but there sure is a lot of it. We only have a few inches left. Have a good day.

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  4. Nice finish!
    Great snow pics.
    Marilyn

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  5. How amazing it looks with some changes, I especially like the purple that you added. x

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  6. Well done!! It's wonderful. You chose well, love the purple touch!
    For such a tiny piece It's magical!
    Thanks for the info on where to go to see the lights.
    Darlene N

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  7. Oh Honeybee, I love your new winter stitch! I liked the original design, but with your fabric and thread changes, it looks so much better. Your snow pictures look incredible. Thank you for sharing the link to the lights!

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  8. I just LOVE your winter stitch!! I had marked this pattern as one I planned to stitch as soon as I saw it in the magazine, but your changes to the fabric and floss make it even more special- just beautiful! You have a great eye for color. Your snow pictures are gorgeous. Thank you for the link to see the lights! Have a great week.
    Mary

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  9. This is just beautiful! I love the changes you made!

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  10. Honeybee - I'm not a fan of blue either, so I love your purpleizing! And I am with you starting spring on March 1st. Whoo hooo!

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  11. Pretty stitching, and, your snow looks amazing!

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  12. Such a pretty finish! Your simpler version really showcases that pretty fabric!

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  13. I love your conversion on that fabric. The purple mountains are making me sing All Things Bright and Beautiful! The verse about purple headed mountains was always my favourite at school.
    Your snow photos are amazing but I'm glad we didn't get so much as you did!

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  14. Oh I do love your Northern lights. It is beautiful, especially the purple-izing. It makes it look so cozy and welcoming, compared to the colder look of the blue. I love blue, don't get me wrong, as a matter of fact I love colour, fullstop. I also love the look of the snow covered trees, as we are sweltering in high humidity and heat where I'm located. Hugs to TigerLily. K

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  15. Śliczny zimowy obrazek😊 tak jak piękna zima za oknem.

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  16. Your snow scenes look so pretty. Love you Northern Lights Conversion. And a big YES, time to head into spring and all the bright and pretty springtime colors.

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