Sunday, April 29, 2012

Life Goes On


Well so much for good intentions. I’ve been working on my projects but not as fast as I’d hoped and definitely not posting updates like I had planned. This week was looking good for catching up. I even was almost done with the TAST2012 stitch for this week by Wednesday. Ha! I was going to finish block 2 and 3 for the CQJ2012 project in time to be included on their website with my own page. That didn’t happen either.

Instead I spent a lot of time at the local hospital waiting for the doctor’s to determine exactly what needed to be done for my husband. He had taken a mean fall at home on Wednesday and was in a lot of pain. Thankfully the injuries from his fall were not that serious (he does have to use a back brace and do no work for the next two months). That will be a challenge since he is working outside in our yard all day long.

The doctor’s did decide he needed to have a pacemaker installed. His heart rate was staying in the 30 range and the highest they could get it was 40. So Thursday they did the procedure and Friday afternoon he was released. I was at the hospital almost the whole time so I did not get much rest. I did manage to finish the TAST2012 stitch and add a whole lot of French Knots to the Monkey Face piece.

TAST2012
Wheatear Stitch Scribble

Wheatear Stitch following another one of my scribbles. I decided to use a wheat color thread to work this design. First I practiced the stitch on my sampler since this was the first time I had used this stitch. I wanted to see how well it handled the curves of my scribble especially the tight ones. I’m quite pleased with the results.





Last week the stitch assigned was the French Knot. I love this stitch and have been using it since I was a teenager. I had never seen it worked in a tight style until I saw the work my mother-in-law did. Eunice Balaz was a master of the French Knot and bullion stitch. Here is a sample of her work with close quarter French Knots.


I have a better example which she did on a dress for my daughter. As soon as I can get a picture of it I’ll add it to my blog. Also a picture of her bullion work.  My mother Mabel Ruth taught me how to embroider when I was just a child of six of seven. Eunice taught me how to do the bullion rose. She used DMC floss and a milliner’s needle. The needle was new to me. Her floss was the variegated variety which she bought by the case. It’s not as easy to come by these days. When she used it she would cut off the very pale sections and use only the stronger color. I’m still amazed when I see her work.


For my sample I decided to stick with my scribbles. When I scribbled this one I immediately saw a face so I decided to outline it with French Knots and then fill it in with more French Knots.  I decided it was a Monkey Face and I will add ears to the design. This is a departure from my usual scribble which I normally do not add any more lines once the scribble is done. Rules need exceptions and this is one of them.

Here is the outline:
French Knot Monkey Face

Filling the Monkey Face


And here it is in process of being filled in. These knots are all single loops done with DMC pearl cotton size 8.


CQJ2012 


February Crazy Quilt Block

My February block is finished except for some buttons and possibly beads to be added as I assemble the entire crazy quilt. March is in the works. April fabrics have been selected and should be stitched this week.


Robin's nest in my magnolia tree
  1. Air scented with flower perfumes
  2. Blue robin eggs
  3. Plants poking through the ground
  4. Modern technology

Happy Stitching!
Rose

4 comments:

FabricFascination said...

I'm sorry to hear about your husband Rose, but glad he is on the mend. Your needlework is lovely.

maisie sparrow's vintage pictures said...

Beaytiful stitching Rose, hope your husband is much better.blessings.Maisie.

crazyQstitcher said...

Rose thank you for visiting and leaving a comment on my work.
I have added the notes for the metal charm and Crossed buttonhole.
It is at the end of the post.

I like your Wheatear scribble and thought how well it would look used as an itital.

I hope too that your DH has improved in health.
Maureen

Carli The Quilter said...

Rose, I love your quilting and embroidery work. We'll have a great time seeing each other's work. So glad you found my blog!! I am entranced with the way your work is going on in several areas all at once!! Like myself, I always have at least 5-8 CQ blocks on the go in various stages.