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While thinking of dolphins, ocean waves and curving lines, I started with clean and clear colors I liked and just had fun putting various stitches into the related shapes on the black linen.  The couched silver outlining tied it all together and gave the vaguely bug-like appearance that inspired its name. 

Since I don’t visualize, I have to start with a concept, e.g., a jellyfish, a doorway, a flower on a plate or yellow altered with white.  The format area (frequently in the Greek Golden Ratio) is broken into shapes.  To paraphrase Georgia O’Keefe, “I try to divide space beautifully”.  Then, colors and stitches follow.

Since I can’t “see” what the piece will look like, I have to keep stitching and watch it grow.  To do this successfully, you must be willing to change by taking out and redoing.  You may not ever be fully satisfied, but the emotional relationship is like no other work done from someone else’s designs.  I derive satisfaction that I don’t find in any other activity including drawing, painting, cooking, writing or any other creative outlet.  I feel very lucky.  Try it; you may like it!