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Desert Island Stitch: Split

Desert Island Stitch: Split

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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
Pretty Hate Machine Header
Desert Island Stitch: Pretty Hate Machine

Desert Island Stitch: Pretty Hate Machine

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Nine Inch Nails is one of the few bands that has followed me through life. As a band, they continue to evolve and change [there is even a second full time member now]. There are quite a few album options that speak so clearly to parts of my life. Whether it’s the “Broken” EP that helped me get through the struggle of coming out, or the concept album “Year Zero” which was so pointedly critical of the Bush administration [I’m waiting for a redux called “Sub-Zero” as a commentary on our current administration].

I finally settled on “Pretty Hate Machine” for the fourth in the Desert Island Stitch series. It was one of those albums that dug itself into my soul the very first listen. Of course I went with the original CD cover design rather than the 2010 remaster. I think Rob Sheridan did a great job rebuilding the image, as Gary Talpas’ original design files were lost, but I love that hot pink in the original.

The cover image appears to have been run through some heavy processing, and the color saturation adds a strange effect similar to low-end video equipment capturing a hot light. The challenge here was how to interpret that digital feel on something so completely analog… aka: thread.

I’m super pleased with the final result, even if Trent wanted to get rid of the pink. Let me know what you think in the comments below!