Just Another Quick Pop In

TAST2012.

Palestrina Stitch Scribble

Just a brief update for the stitching challenge. This week we were given the Palestrina stitch to learn or practice. I’ve never worked this stitch but every time I see it in one of my many embroidery books I think I need to try this stitch. So finally I’ve done it and I like it! This will definitely be going on my go to stitches list. I’m already planning on where to use it next. I didn’t experiment with it too much but will definitely work on different ways of doing it. I do prefer the close stitched ones the best.

Close Up of the Palestrina stitch worked close together

 Now the previous week’s stitch is a different story. After many attempts (at least 4) and then seeking out a video of someone working the Cable Chain stitch I finally got it. But it is not one of my favorite stitches for sure! I have seen some great uses of this stitch from others working the weekly stitches.

Cable Chain Stitch Scribble

Happy stitching!

Rose

I Love Doing Wheelies!

Buttonhole Wheels

Much to my surprise I found the buttonhole wheel addictive. That’s the stitch assigned to this week’s TAST2012. Maybe I like it because it is round. Round seems to be my favorite shape. I love buttons, fabric yoyos, woven spider web stitch, and dots, just to name a few.

I considered going a different direction for this stitch rather than my usual scribbles but decided to stick with the scribble. I did however scribble in a conscientious way so that I would have round places where I could work the buttonhole wheels. Then I added little individual circles all around my scribble. (And this was even before I knew how enjoyable I would find them!) I like the way it turned out, I used a backstitch to connect my scribble ones and added large French knots to a few of them. I might put a bead in the center of the smaller ones. The thread I used was variegated pearl cotton.

Cretan and Knotted Cretan stitch

The week before was a catch up week but I had already finished working all of the stitches. Before that was the knotted Cretan stitch. Since I didn’t get a post up earlier I’ll show it now. I had trouble getting started with this stitch so I started with a plain Cretan stitch and then worked into a knotted Cretan once I was comfortable with how the basic stitch went.

I’m continuing to work on my butterfly vest. The outer edges of all of the butterflies have been finished as well as their bodies. I’m in the process of adding the antennae.

Batik block

For the quilt guild I belong to the challenge for June was to use four different batiks and made a railroad block. I found some batiks in my stash and then added two more before deciding which ones to use. I wasn’t sure I liked the combination until I actually put the block together. This is how it turned out. Now I wish I had enough to make a full quilt!

Lion and Lamb embroidery

My blocks for the crazy quilt challenge are coming along- slowly. The lion and the lamb for the March block are done.

I know, I know the lion should be roaring but my grandson (8 months old) loves to look at his Tutu’s work and I didn’t want to scare him! Haha!

Finally went ahead and made the blocks for April, May and June. Now to get them all stitched and embellished.

April block

May block

June   block

Happy Stitching,

Rose

Remember This?

Butterfly Vest

Well I mentioned last time that I really needed to get started in my 12 in 12 UFO projects. This being six months into the year I thought I was going to pick some items that needed just a little bit of work. But no, my eyes landed on the butterfly vest and that’s where I went. To have it totally finished and lined will take some time. In the meantime my goal is to get all of the outside edges stitched down and the butterfly antennas done by July. I’m down to a few more wings and then the antennas. I plan to wear it to my quilt guild meeting in July. I’ll be wearing a work in progress!

So here are my tips stemming from this project:

1. Keep a record of the brand, colors, and number of strands used for the colors. Also add any notes or ideas you have as you progress on the project. A notebook or sketch pad would be good for this. Then just in case your supplies get separated from the project you’ll still have a record. You guessed it, this project is years in the making and has gone through several moves and an organizational attempts by my daughter. I think I succeeded in matching what was already done pretty well but it would have been easier with a record. Of course the record has to be available too! I’ve even thought about using sticky notes on the project.
2. I’m down to just needing black thread for the first goal. I plan to take it with me when I take my husband in for some medical tests. He’ll be in for at least 2 hours so I should be able to finish. Since I know I’ll need quite a few sets of floss I’m going to prepare them ahead of time. First I’ll cut my lengths then separate them into 2 groups of three strands each. I put a small overhand knot at the end of each set. As I cut the lengths and separate the strands I keep them all going the same way so I know which is the top (edge pulled from the skein) and which is the bottom (cut from the skein). When I put the strands back together I try to get the edges even as near as possible. I’ll pull them through my thumb and forefinger to smooth them out and then tie the knot. Then I can trim the excess and make the top even. I’ll prep several of these at one time if I know I’ll need a lot and know how many strands I’ll be using. Of course this won’t be necessary if you are using a non-stranded thread like pearl cotton.

Another section of the vest

Happy Stitching!

Rose