Melanie (Melly) Testa

Big Clean Sigh

As you may know because I have already posted to Facebook, my sweet Arrow passed away. This animal wrapped his double paws right around my heart, he taught me to love him, to communicate with and listen to him, he loved me deep into my bones. I felt as though no day were complete withoutContinue reading “Big Clean Sigh”

Stitching away the Blues

I am stitching away on this Breastplate. I guess this is called a running stitch, I just pick up a few threads and then continue to stitch, maintaining a similar length of stitch for each. It creates little dots on the back of the work, which is very pleasing to me. So far I haveContinue reading “Stitching away the Blues”

Print and Stitch

I am happily sewing away over here, working three Breastplates at a time. This Breastplate is the biggest of the seven. If I were to decide to wear them, rather than consider them an art object, this would be the one. Each of the Breastplates were made by ‘eye’ they are supposed to be clothingContinue reading “Print and Stitch”

Quiet hum.

I am changing the surface of this Breastplate by stitch, differences in stitch and thread quality as well as scale. This is the first application of stitch that I can see so far. This first application of stitch is hand dyed DMC 6 Strand embroidery floss. My plan for this Breastplate is large stitch, geometricContinue reading “Quiet hum.”

Breath of Fresh Air

Last week I took myself out for a much needed day on the town. I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where I stumbled upon what is probably the smallest exhibit there, Gems of European Lace. It took me about 5 minutes of trying to locate room 599 before asking a guard where the roomContinue reading “Breath of Fresh Air”

Gentle Re-entry

Quite a difficult week, I am glad it is behind me. I call to the regenerative power of Rabbit to heal and calm.

Hello Father.

Great things are accomplished only by the perfection of minor details. Will you please cook a special meal for me on a Friday night in the very near future? (Ask Mom the date).

Mish Mash.

I bought an album by Sophie Hunger. She is worth a listen. Check her out. I really like Kellie Davis of Mother Fitness Revolution. I was introduced to her web site by Bret Contreras site (who calls himself The Glute Guy-which I think quite charming, albeit goofy) 😉 The two coauthored the upcoming book, Strong Curves,Continue reading “Mish Mash.”

Hand stitch

Stitch, hand stitching is such a quiet endeavor. I love it for that reason. I love keeping the apartment so quiet that you can hear the needle break through the cloth. Over and over again. I also love the way stitch changes the nature of the cloth you work. This is a set of breastContinue reading “Hand stitch”

Brave, fiercely.

I have been conversing about cloth, it is a personal, ever growing and ongoing discussion, really. I have this ‘metallic’ white cotton, I bought it ten years ago, I don’t know its name. (Do you??) I am a total Mad Men Fan. And right now I have a crush in Michael Ginsberg‘s character. Please repeat theContinue reading “Brave, fiercely.”