AUTUMN KALEIDOSCOPE is a gorgeous pattern designed by Canadian designer, Lorene Salt. Lorene contacted me several years ago regarding dyeing up a custom colour combination specifically for this project, Colour #10 in my shop. It will come as no surprise to many of you that as much as I loved the original colours and I do, I knew I wanted to experiment with a completely different palette but really was not sure what colours. So, along came my summer collection and bingo! I will admit that the photograph simply does not do the palette justice despite my best attempts. Think I may have to find someone to take a far better photo of this one!
I chose Colour #45 as my focus colour which is a dark blend of purple, olive green and aquamarine – think peacocks. I used this colour for all the grid lines and repeated it in the border. My second colour combination that is repeated in the design is Colour #46 which is a bold tropical blend of turquoise and lemon lime green. ALL the colours and threads were drawn from my stash – I used Kreinik size 8 braid, Kreinik 1/16” ribbon, very velvet petite, rayons, flosses, Neon Rays, Silk Lame Braid, silk perle, Sparkle Rays, perle cottons, really whatever I could find that either blended or contrasted with Colours 45 & 46. The result is a very tropical palette and definitely not autumn. 
This design measures approximately 9 x 9 1/4″ on 18 count canvas. I opted to paint my canvas a turquoise colour using acrylic paint, not necessary but simply a choice I made. Lorene describes this pattern “the completed design takes on the look of shards of coloured glass, which one would see while looking through a Kaleidoscope. There are over 50 different stitches including various Jessicas, Amadeus, Sprats Head, Balloon, Waffles, Chilly Hollow. Techniques include Bargello, Diaper patterns and laid fillings.” I will admit that I found some of the stitches quite challenging due to lack of familiarity. BUT as always, Lorene provides excellent directions.
I did make a couple of changes, simply because I wanted to and I used very few beads replacing these with threads. There is no kit available in this palette for sale. This one I stitched for ME :). If you would like to create your own Autumn Kaleidoscope using a similar palette, you could start with
Colour #45 size 8 perle – 2 skeins
Colour #46 size 5 perle – 1 skein
Colour #46 size 8 perle – 1 skein
You can find the pattern for Autumn Kaleidoscope exclusively through A Stitching Shop
Thank you to Lorene for another awesome design. AND she has recently designed SUMMER KALEIDOSCOPE available for teaching purposes only – can hardly wait! You can read more about Autumn Kaleidoscope on Lorene’s website.
It is our Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend so I will be taking an extended break returning to regular posting on Friday October 12th. The shop remains open.
