So happy with the results from the first of Kris Compas’s new line of kits, the Lisa Sofa. The micro-check fabric is cut from a thrift store-sourced man’s shirt. I used three strands of DMC floss to make the piping.
This was the couch last night. I thought I was going to use yellow piping — having also considered tomato red, plum, pumpkin and bright olive green — then opted for the charcoal gray. Keeps more options open for pillows and stuff.
The kit comes with unpainted cute fat feet. I used the aubergine acrylic the first set of doors was stained. The feet are not blurry in real life.
I am a bit surprised how well this curvy couch works on the covered porch. I had intended to use a sleek modern couch, upholstered in wool. Alternately, I have an old Houseworks Chippendale sofa kit, the one with the squiggly back. If I can find the right scale silk brocade, or maybe a fantastic Paisley man’s tie… then the wood base and legs could be yellow… The deadline for this build-along project is September 26. I don’t have to decide now :)
I cut slices of styrofoam eggs to build up areas of the ground and glued them to the project board.
I mixed thick glue and Ceramcoat “Trail Tan” and coated the mounds and surrounding area, then sprinkled on a fine sand/tea mixture. Still drying. In addition to farming wool, Argo Wool Works also grows lavender. There will be lots of it, as well as California poppies and succulents. I found this awesome echeveria tutorial from Annie Christensen of We Love Miniatures. Very excited to begin propagating.
Small progress on the Yipes, Stripes Meets Checks rug.
End of day Friday, B left work early and we went down to Sharp Park to watch the waves. We walked out onto the pier, and then along the esplanade. This is where a sink hole opened up in the sea wall a few storms ago. There used to be about eight more feet of walkway there. The sun was setting and there was a blowing mist in the air from the waves. A somber view of the ocean’s power.
Also, viewed together, the Yipes, Stripes rug and this photo have a certain commonality.
O_O
nancyland.com 
Fantastic work on the sofa! The checks line up perfectly and I love the chubby purple feet. (I know, “aubergine”. (But try singing “Aubergine Rain” or “Aubergine Haze”.) What colour brocade or paisley are you considering?
Thanks, BW. I can only think “multi” for the brocade or Paisley. The Chippendale sofa would be an excellent entrée to a custom high-count needlepoint fabric but, I fear I don’t have enough lifetime this time around to do it. Because aubergine haze is in my brain, and lately, things don’t seem the same. Purple rain is a whole different story. And please excuse me while I kiss the sky. Here in Northern California, it’s a thing we routinely do :D
I love love love the couch.
It’s so pretty, is it not? Kris Compas is a master of design and technique.
Want to leave a clever comment, but haven’t had coffee yet. Nice progress, like everything. Confused now by the egg mounds, but assuming it will make sense when they’re planted.
I feel your coffee deficit. Appreciate the encouragement. The mounds may or may not work. Hopefully sense and illusion will prevail.
Another instance where the choice of fabric makes all the difference — I’m ashamed to say I didn’t give Chris’ kit much notice when she debuted it in her fabric but I love it in yours. I should know better.
No shame, Christina! The sofa kit has beautiful lines. Looking forward to seeing other versions. What fabric would you use?
The sofa looks great, very stylish and contemporary. The pattern works nicely too. Great idea sculpting the styrofoam and the carpet is looking great, I love the colors.
Thanks, Bennie! We’ll see how the mound idea plays out. Glad you like the rug! Free-stitching is my therapy right now :)
Looking good! The sofa turned out great, I agree that you can do a lot more with the charcoal piping. The rug is awesome — great colors and fun pattern. The landscaping is looking good too!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! The rug is an antidote to following a pattern, and fun to stitch. Likewise with landscaping :)