Works in Progress - knit and dye

Thought I'd share a couple of small things I did last week. The fibers I dyed for the sampler I'm making. I was going for salmon. It's actually pretty close.




This is an i-cord knitted with Lion Brand chenille yarn. It will get used in M's book of textures and colors. I've already got her stroking fibers and exploring texture. I just love it.

Crazy Quilt Project Detail 7

The motif in this detail started with a fluffy, slubby yarn that was couched down in the shape of a heart. Flowers were added with silk ribbon stitches in the darker pink and French knots with #5 cotton perl in the lighter pink. Chain stitch leaves were sprinkled throughout with pale green rayon floss that was also used for the couching.

Other details include a beaded seam, a purchased trim seam accented with straight stitches, and a feather stitch seam accented with detached chain, straight, and pistil stitches.

Crazy Quilt Project Detail 6

This motif was worked freehand with stem stitches and then French knots were added along the lines of each heart. The thread is actually a finer weight knitting yarn in a silk/cashmere blend that I hand dyed.

Crazy Quilt Project Detail 5, TAST

Last week I mentioned TAST in a post title. For those who don't know, this refers to a stitching challenge issued by SharonB of inaminuteago.com. You can read more about it here. Each week she introduces a stitch and challenges stitches around the world to try it out and see what they can do with it. Debra Spincic hosts a web ring for the challenge here and there are lots of photos on the Take a stitch Tuesday flickr group. The TAST challenge is about midway through. I first heard of it a few months back when I was taking a crazy quilting class from Sharon. As much as I might like to, I can't devote the time to fully take on the challenge each week. However, I thoroughly enjoy reading about each week's stitch and seeing some of the work others are doing. I have been able to try out some stitches that were new to me, like the up and down buttonhole and basque stitches. You can see how I used the up and down buttonhole here.
Here's a photo of my first attempt at basque stitch. It's not too bad and I'm sure I'll try it again.
The photo at the top of the page is another detail from my finished project. It fits in nicely with last week's TAST stitch, French knot. You can see three different ways I used French knots. I've sewn them in groups of three to add texture to a patch while leaving the the texture of the fabric visible. I used them as a filler on a lace motif. And I've used them with feather stitch and detatched chains on a seam treatment. There are many ways to use French knots and they show up in most of my stitching projects in one way or many.
Be sure to check out Sharon's stitch dictionary for instructions for these and many more stitches.

Work in Progress - Sampler

Part of a bible verse on a sampler I'm working on, I'm sort of designing this as I go. I've started with the words and will add heart motifs, bands of decorative stitches, and perhaps vines with flowers along the sides.

Crazy Quilt Project Detail 4

This detail from the recent project shows a chain stitch vine with ribbon stitch leaves and a lace flower motif with beads.

Crazy Quilt Project Detail 3

Another detail from the finished project, this a small motif in the center area. Stitches include spider web roses, French knots, lazy daisy, stem, feather, running, and buttonhole.

Crazy Quilt Project Detail 2

Another detail from the project I just finished.

The flower was a purchased trim. I can't quite remember which kind, but it has the look of a Christmas season type of trim that I probably picked up for a bargain. I added the gold thread swirls next to the flower. The ends of the swirls ended up hidden behind the matt in the frame. I started this project a couple of years ago and then hit a creative block. Not knowing what was missing, I showed it to the recipient and told her my plan was to make it into a pillow, but I wasn't sure. I gave her some options and she chose to have it in a frame. Because I hadn't intended to frame it when I began, there was a bit of stitching around the edges that you don't see in the frame. I ended up adding a bit more stitching to it in the last few weeks. It is finished now and I'm happy with how it turned out.
In addition to the flower, this detail shows a seam done of herringbone in #5 perl cotton with French knots and straight stitch accents in rayon ribbon knitting yarn. The other bit is the end of another seam with eyelet type trim that has pink silk ribbon threaded through the openings and chain stitches along the sides in gold thread.

Crazy Quilt Project Detail 1, TAST

This is a detail shot of a crazy quilt project I'm finishing up today. Stitches include chevron, straight, French knots, pistil, detatched chain, whipped wheel, woven bars, stem, and ribbon stitches.

Butterflies

The hand embroidery group had a swap in May that I participated in. It was a design challenge swap. We were all given the same pattern to stitch and paired up with a swap partner. This first photo is the butterfly that I stitched. The stitches used include chain, detached chain, stem, satin, and French knots. The purple outline on the outer edge of the wings is a line of single detached chains stitched perpendicular to the wings. The feathery effect is just what I was going for.



The second photo is the butterfly I received from DeAnn. I love the texture and the colors she used.

More butterflies can be found on the group blog here.

The pattern can be found by searching for "butterfly & lazy daisies" in the pattern library at needlecrafter.com.

I also received a piece of turquoise suede from Lin Moon a few weeks ago. Thank you, Lin Moon. It is so soft and yummy to touch. I had several ideas for it, but I haven't settled on one yet. It may end up in the little one's book. I've started sketching and listing ideas for the book in a visual journal and collecting fun bits to use. The hubby actually invited me to tag along with him to Joann's recently. I have the best hubby you could imagine. I restrained myself rather well so as not to discourage him. However, I couldn't pass up a bargain on a bit of bright orange furry fabric that will go nicely in a color themed book. I have a couple book ideas so far, basic kid stuff that will be in variously textured fibers, colors, numbers, family photos, and an alphabet book with all things cow related. I'm doing pretty well with that last one, but haven't thought of anything cow related for the letters A, I, O, V, and X. If nothing else comes to mind, I could do a cow playing the Xylophone, but I'd like to keep it a little more realistic than that. If you have any ideas, please send an email or leave a comment. Thank you to everyone who has left comments lately. I've really enjoyed them.

Round Robin Block Home

A few weeks ago my Anything Goes round robin block came home. These are not my usual colors and I couldn't imagine how it would turn out. The ladies in the group really worked their magic here. It looks great. Thank you ladies.

An idea from a failure to follow through.

No pictures today, just an idea. One of the forums I read had a challenge recently. It involved making a padfolio from this tutorial and changing the flap to use it as a design element. I gathered the supplies, but never chose the main fabric and finished the challenge. I was really wanted to do it because it was the first challenge for this forum and these could make cute little gifts. I still want to make a padfolio, but looking at the two yards of double sided fusible peltex (I had a coupon so I had to get extra), a new idea struck. I could adapt this technique to make book for my little angel. I've been thinking about making her a book with fabric and textures and flaps and velcro and cords and such. She enjoys these things and loves books. I wasn't sure how to put it together, but I think this method could work. It would also add structure to the pages like a board book. I'm getting excited about this project so watch for updates.

A new hobby...

as if I need another hobby. I go to a craft group once a week, mostly for the coffee and girl talk. It's also a playdate for my little angel. Another mom brings her daughter that is a couple months older and the girls get a little baby socializing. A couple weeks ago we started making beaded jewelry. It was fun, so last week I thought I would make a set to wear with my outfit for Pentecost. I made the top last year and the neckline is much lower than I had planned. It's a great summer top, but it needs jewelry. So I searched the craft shops for just the right beads. Many of the beads didn't make the final cut. I still have to finish off the earrings and string up the bracelet, but this is what I came up with for the necklace. Not too bad for a first try at designing jewelry. I ended up not making the meeting and just *had* to go out and buy the tools. Now I'll just *have* to get more beads and make more jewelry to put the tools to good use, right?

My angel got so excited when she saw the camera, I had to get a picture of her too.

Class Block Update

Today's seam turned out so well, I'd like to say it was planned this way. It wasn't, it was simply a matter of being determined not to give up on it. I wasn't happy with the silk ribbon attempt at grapes, but I hate to take anything out. It's just such a waste of time and materials. I had originally used 2mm silk ribbon. I meant to use 4mm, but was a good way into it before I realized that I picked up the wrong size. So instead of loose grape bunches, I ended up with these tight little knots of blah. The vine was done with two strands of linen floss in a palestrina stitch. You can see the original seam in a previous post. It was sparse and blah. So now that I've come to the beading phase, I thought I'd try adding some beads to try to save this poor pitiful seam. I didn't take anything out, just added the beads right over the ribbon knots and let them flow down into grape bunches. The ribbon knots give added dimension under the beads. I was so happy with the result, I added some hand dyed pearl cotton leaves and tendrils. The leaves are oyster stitch. The tendrils are loose, multi-wrap French knots. I used the same thread to whip the palestrina stitch vine. The added thread and variations in color give the vine a bit more body.

Beading on the Class Block

I made time to stitch yesterday and have started beading on the class block. I've added sead bead centers to the little bullion flowers. Itty bitty metallic pink beads tack down the buttonhole swag in the upper left without adding more color or detracting from the flowing stitch. Tiny 2mm cup sequins with the same pink beads add a bit of glitz to the lace in the lower right. Frosted pink flower beads were added to the buttonhole wheel seam and a round gold bead was added to the center of each of the white cast-on stitches along the lower left seam. Still more beads to add as well as butterflies and buttons.

Class Block Update

Haven't done much stitching lately. We were away for Easter, my dad was in ill, my teenage daughter passed out and has to go for tests, and my littlest angel has her first cold along with her dad and me. I did get some flowers on those vines and have pulled out beads to play with. Now to make time for play...

Bloggy Bit

This is so me. :)

You are The Lovers

Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse.

The Lovers represents intuition and inspiration. Very often a choice needs to be made.

Originally, this card was called just LOVE. And that's actually more apt than "Lovers." Love follows in this sequence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the Emperor, who is about control, it is a radical change in perspective. LOVE is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all about. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. This card indicates that the you have or will come across a person, career, challenge or thing that you will fall in love with. You will know instinctively that you must have this, even if it means diverging from your chosen path. No matter the difficulties, without it you will never be complete.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Class Block Update

Not much done since last week. My newest (5 months now) angel has been getting up 3-4 times a night and I've been a zombie. She just started taking longer naps during the day. I even got to nap with her yesterday. :) There is no off switch for the ringer on my phone, but burying it under the sofa cushions with the volume turned down during naps has really helped.

I've added bullion buds to the upper left seam, cast on circles to the lower left seam, more random filler to the texture build-up in the lower left, straight stitches between the bottom half buttonhole wheels with chain stitch vines along the top, and metallic straight stitches around the ribbon French knot clusters. The lace motifs are not stitched down yet, but I'm pretty sure about the larger two. The smaller oval one may still become a button cluster with beads. The lace motif under the silk ribbon motif really works for me. I have observed that my SRE florals tend to be rather geometric and look more like floral arrangements than the wonderfully organic natural looking florals I've seen others do. This isn't bad. I'd just like to be able to do both and will have to put more effort into designing a more natural looking arrangement. I blame it on the mathematically oriented side of my brain. Anyway, putting the lace under the motif makes the arrangement look right, like it has a structure of some sort to be sitting on. The bow may still find it's way onto that spot, but I haven't tried it with the lace yet.

I'm quite happy with how the vines turned out. I picked out flower beads for the wheels, but it was still a visual stopping point that just bothered me. The vines have fixed that. I tried a knotted cretan vine, which is this week's TAST challenge, but it didn't work there. I thought about barred chain, but then forgot and did regular chains. I'm glad about that though With the other thorny vine in that area, I like the smooth flowing chains. Now to add little knots or beads or something.

One last note: metallic threads are a real nuisance. When all else fails, listen to the wisdom of those who have gone before and use really short lengths of metallic thread to stitch with. :)

CQ Class Update

This is my class block so far. Not many of the laces and trims made the final cut. The motif I was thinking of for the lower right corner is still an option. The other motif has been changed to an idea for a curly button motif with trailing beads. I have an idea for a ribbon bow under the silk ribbon flowers.

In the lower left corner, I've started a fairly random area of textured fill in stitches that I'm liking so far. The upper left seam is buttonhole over herringbone I found on Annie's blog. I'm fairly sure
I've also seen it on Sharon's site also. It's a little twisted in spots, but that will get straightened out when I add beads. The green seam almost across the middle was the first one I did and I'm still waiting for inspiration to strike and tell me what to do with it now that it's there. The little pink seam that looks like V's is up and down buttonhole. That's a new stitch for me that I picked up from Take A Stitch Tuesday. I don't know if I'd use the straight form of it, but I like the angles. None of the seams are finished yet, but this is what I have so far.

Thread Gathering

Gathering threads and fibers for each of the class blocks I've started. There are some packets of 2mm and 3mm sequins here to try, but I'll dig into the beads after I get some stitching done.