My daughter has asked me to create a gift for someone who has shown her great support in her writing. I don't know the future recipient, but since she is a high profile media personality, I have been able to do some research. Of course, I understand that my perspective is from the outside looking in and this perspective is not always true, but I am confident in my assessment that she is of strong character, provocative in nature, big hearted probably, incisive, colourful....

In that light, the design is all about strong movement and vibrant colour. I am looking for excitement. Here is the design. I plan to use a palette of strong jewel colours. Tomorrow I will photograph the threads, fine silks. Dimensions are small, 6 inches by 3 inches, roughly. I want the piece to be intimate and since I am not sure if it will finally be on periwinkle blue linen background or on white linen which I will dapple with thousands and thousands of rich blue seed stitches to make is appear that the background is blue, I am actually going to work two pieces simultaneously and see which one pleases me the most.

I'll keep a running blog of both results. Feel free to tell me what you think.