Browsed by
Tag: Cross Stitch

Garbage Cover Image
Desert Island Stitch: Garbage

Desert Island Stitch: Garbage

Comments 2 comments

My interest was immediately piqued when I heard the intro to “Vow” for the first time… “I can’t use what I can’t abuse”… and then the track immediately clocks into full kick-ass mode… “like Joan of Arc, coming back for more.” I had no idea who this band was, but I loved the rawness of it all, especially after picking up the “Subhuman” import single. The album is gorgeous pop defiance, one minute seducing you, the next, punching you in the face… so here we are at number eight of my Desert Island Stitch series with Garbage’s self-titled debut…

Garbage Desert Island Stitch

This piece was quite a journey from start to completion. The first stitch made at the end of last year, the original goal was to have it completed before the start of 2020, but the design process took much longer than planned… and then there was a cross country move that put things on pause for over a month… oh and a global pandemic made shit a little weird for everyone.

Garbage Desert Island Stitch Close Up
Garbage Desert Island Stitch Close Up

With each of these pieces there has always been a point in the process where I doubt myself and think that its not going to work out. Since this one took so long I sat with a lot of doubt. it wasn’t until I had finished the “G” that I stopped second guessing myself. But I have to say, I’m really pleased with the final result, especially how I was able to make the “G” look a little soft around the edge!

Garbage Desert Island Stitch Comparison
Garbage Side x Side Comparison

I must confess, my love of the band goes beyond the music. Picture it… Los Angeles, 1995… my first experience seeing them live was at the Roxy [can you believe they let an 11 year old into that place? I know, right?]. The tiny little venue heated up right quick as Shirley took the stage. After the show, everyone was herded out but we snuck back in to the venue through a back door and sorta hung around like we belonged. We spied Shirley mingling between small groups of people inside. I was able to steal her for a second to snap a quick pic and she excitedly signed my box set of the album.

Shirley Manson and Happi Devil after the concert at the Roxy

A few months later, I was able to meet the boys [Butch, Duke, and Steve] after the show at the Glasshouse in Pomona. The best part was talking at length with them about the wildly different packaging designs for each of the 7″ singles. I have to say, they were all just the fucking nicest people.

Anywho… lemme know what you think of Desert Island Stitch number eight in the comments below… only two more in the series to go… what could be next?!

Live at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery October 21, 2016


Lush Split Desert Island Stitch Header
Desert Island Stitch: Split

Desert Island Stitch: Split

Comments 2 comments

I’ve written about Lush a couple of times now, so it’s not really a surprise that they would end up being part of my Desert Island Stitch series. From the aural soundscapes of “Nothing Natural” to the perfect pop jangle of “500,” their songs have always moved and delighted me. I guess the surprise here is why it took so long [#5] for me to finally put this one together.

Lush Split Desert Island Stitch

When I first thought up this stitch-series, Lush’s “Split” album was always in the running as one that I wanted to do. The delays were a result of my pondering just how I was going to do it. The cover is simple, and I’ve always loved it because of that. Some color blocking, a couple of lemons, a logo, and some lyrics. One of the challenges for me was how to translate the logo into 18 point aida, and could I even include the lyrics in the design. I plugged away on creating my template and thought I kind of nailed it with the limitations of cross stitch.

The whole time I was working on this one, I waffled on whether of not to add the lyrics on the side. They were never included in my final template as I wasn’t sure if they’d really translate or not. On the original cover, I always thought the lyrics running over the album title was a bit of design genius. It’s a simple idea that I had never seen before. Ultimately, I felt like I really needed to figure out a way to add them. I settled on a single thread, two for the bold font of the song titles. I have to say, I’m pretty pleased with the final results!

When you receive praise from Miki Berenyi herself! <Squeee!>

Anywho, let me know what you think in the comments below… and while you are at it, please enjoy the now sounds of Piroshka. Their album totally kicks ass… and if you think its random, give a listen, you’ll make the connection…

PS: Here is a photo of Miki and me after the infamous “Glam Slam” show in Los Angeles.

Miki Berenyi Lush Glam Slam