Hello, I'm Daniela Mellen, a Writer, and Artist. I'm passionate about creating works that blend the power of language and art to tell compelling stories that inspire and connect with people.
As an artist, I express my creativity through various mediums, including painting, slow stitching, drawing, and mixed media. My art is inspired by the beauty and complexity of the world around us, and I enjoy experimenting with different techniques to create unique, visually stunning pieces.
Overall, I'm dedicated to creating works that bring joy, inspiration, and meaning to people's lives. Whether through my writing or art, and my goal is to connect with my audience and share my vision of the world.
Creative energy can be channeled into many forms. Join me as I show tips and techniques for watercolors, acrylic painting, slow stitching, and paper arts. New videos are posted on Tuesdays & Fridays. Additional Videos are available in the Membership Section for a small monthly fee.
Hi Daniela, Thank you ! Thanks for explaining and showing how to cut the skeins . When I first started stitching, I would find these all ready cut skeins at the thrift shop. Now I know how useful this is ! Pearl cotton is so pretty :)
Hi Daniela: Great prompt! Like how you research and sketch out your ideas. That tiny napkin is the cutest. Always enjoy looking at your wonderful snippet. 💜😎🇺🇸
I was taught at least 30 years ago by an Italian lace maker and needlepoint instructor when using perle cotton in the skein to pull the labels off. Unwind to a circle and cut across all layers at the knot section. Put labels back on the single layer and bring the two ends together. Divide the thread in 1/3's and do a loose braid. It keeps the thread nice and you can grab a piece from the top and pull and it comes out of the braid nicely. Yes, I do stitch with lengths from the single cut as was taught.
I enjoyed your video very much. I have been coloring everyday for a long time with pencils and gel pens and now I hope to use my crayons. I have subscribed to your channel. I am 89 years old. Grandma Sue in Central Indiana
This was perfect. Finally a comprehensive tutorial on threads that I have only guessed at all my life. Thank you. I would love to own that little sampler. It was extremely helpful.
I appreciate the heads up on the correct pronunciation. I have always heard it called a skein, but now I've learned that''s not the correct way to pronounce it. Thanks for the kind correction.
Perle cotton is so pretty. I bought several skeins so many years ago, and it is still in some container because I really don’t know what to do with it!
@@DanielaMellen well, for one I’ll stop separating it! lol. I have used it a bit here and there, honestly my hand sewing and embroidery is not well developed. However at one point they were making it for sergers/overlockers, and it was really pretty as a decorative edge. I don’t know if they still produce it or not. I should look. I kind of go in spurts of creativity in one area, and then on to another, or just back to my basic machine sewing.
What a beautiful way to make a decorative edge! I didn't know that, but it's so clever. I have found, with the more creatives I meet, that "spurts of creativity" are very common and make us all happy. ❤️
Your positive attitude goes a very long way in your cancer journey. I referred to my cancer journey as a speed bump in my life. My hair fell out during one of my hospital stays during chemo. Exactly 10 days after I started. I had gone with a trusted friend to get a wig prior to treatments, do zi was prepared. But, I preferred the pink (favorite color) ball cap the same friend gave me. I wore the wig to church and ither functions,but mostly wore the ball cap. My hair cane back as fine curly baby hair. I was hopeful it eould renain curly or wavy since my haur had been straight all my life. But, it didn't. Darn. I didn't dwell on my cancer or center my life around it. Modt days I refused to think about it. I'm so glad I happened to find you in face book as I was scrolling around for something new to watch. I will include you in my prayers and have started following you now ❤
What a great explanation of floss and Perle cotton thread! I never knew the difference!! And I’ve been doing needle work for years. Thank you for your excellent talk!!
Thank you for the information about perle cotton thread. I thought it was small balls if crochet thread for making dollies 🤦 I didn't realize it was for embroidery 😂 I will start using it for my embroidery projects now along with my embroidery thread 🥰 Thanks for the great video 😘
I’ve used regular embroidery,floss,for almost 60 years and have never had any bleed! I embroidered many pillowcases for me and they all were washed many times - no bleeding! No matter the color.
My personnal experience with bleeding: the big brands DMC and Anchor, used them for years never had a problem. I inherited the stash of a friend mother, she had other brands I didn’t know from China and I experienced bleeding just with some raindrops. I think it is worth the price to maybe pay a little more for well known brands.
@@jezanne Definitely stick with a name brand! When I started my hand embroidery voyage back in 1965 I was in college and went to the local 5 and dime and bought a set of pre- printed pillow cases and some floss - the brand was Star - haven’t seen it in years. But,over the many, many washing’s since that time this embroidery floss has never bled. I’ve seen floss for sale online without naming a company and I would never purchase it not knowing the origin.
I switched to #12 perle cotton quilt a few years ago instead of using 2 strands of regular embroidery floss - I love redwork style hand embroidery!!! It’s nit easy to find locally so I try to keep a,good supply before I need to go online. Stores that do carry perle cotton have a very small selection of #12.
Hi Daniela. I’m loving this months prompt. Your little hanky is precious. You have some awesome trims to work with! I’m also loving the new hair color on you. You look very refreshed. I hope that it makes you feel better, more like your self.
Hi Daniela. I’m happy to see you looking so well. Thank you for sharing this info. I’ve not yet been able to find Perle thread in any local stores. I’ll have to order some online
