Melanie (Melly) Testa

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.”

A podcast, breast pockets, todays ramble.

This week Ricë and I recorded a podcast on ” Going Flat and the Breast Pocket Project” and if you have an hour, please listen to it. Studio Melly is up and running, hand dyeing embroidery floss. I ran out of cards to wrap thread on, and so, began making my own. I amContinue reading “A podcast, breast pockets, todays ramble.”

Neutralized Color

I am preparing for another Clever Guild class and these are some of the samples that I have been working on. I may be changing the name of that class, I am bot sure. I think the focus has shifted from being a boro inspired class to a embroidery and mixed media style class.Continue reading “Neutralized Color”

Bethany

Last week I put a post up on Facebook, asking if anyone knew of a uniboober or flattie in need to a pocket. Jennifer West responded, asking for a single pocket to be made for her cousin Bethany. Here is what Jennifer said about Bethany: My dear cousin Bethany died of breast cancer on Sept. 15Continue reading “Bethany”