The Exemplary 2026
2nd Place, Professional Adaptation
Muse’s Kiss

I found this full size display on my evening stroll of the Somerset Mall in the Gucci store window on the night I arrived in Troy. From Dawn Donnally’s class description, I knew a visit to the mall would be needed to find our design inspiration. So, I captured the display knowing that I would eliminate the sneakers, handbag, scarf, and plates from my adaptation. That left plenty of challenging elements to create.

Based on everything Dawn lectured on during class, I was convinced that this design would work. I’d be able to incorporate wire somewhere in this piece which was the only required element. I traced the basic elements onto tracing paper and then onto the 18-count canvas Dawn provided. On the second day, we made a trip to a Needleworks where I purchased some threads but returned to class and spent my time testing stitches on the small doodle canvas Dawn provided. After my 2-day class with Celeste Chalasani, I knew stumpwork would be used too.

For perspective, I used a smaller stitch and lightest color for the background, a larger stitch and a darker color for the midground, and the largest stitch and darkest color for the foreground.

Since the turtle and turtle shell are the focal points, I used a 24 count Congress appliqué with padding. The background was stitched first. Multiple layers of felt are under the shell and raised stem stitches under felt form the base for the neck and legs. I traced the shell with the padded Congress Cloth in place. A single strand of black floss showed up nicely over the basketweave for the intricate shell design.

The flowers on the left used interlock canvas for a Jessica and a circular Rhodes stitch with extra stitches until I liked the buildup of thread. All but 8 canvas threads were removed and placed through one enlarged canvas hole tacked down on the back. Needleweaving over wire created the stems. Buttonhole stitch covering wire was used for the shape of the frog on fabric and attached over padding. More wire and the buttonhole stitch was used for the exotic plants growing on the rocks.

I enjoyed the challenge of creating this whimsical design with a variety of stitches, techniques, and threads.