So Much to Learn!

As I am exploring keeping a blog and the herringbone stitch this last week I was struck by the same thought in both instances - there is so much to learn! So, I beg indulgence as I learn about the blog especially. This week's blog challenge for myself will be learning about how to link to other sites. If I am neglecting to link to those who give me such inspiration please know it is only through a lack of knowledge of how to do so and not bad manners. I will rectify this situation this week with the help of my computer guru friends. So, please bear with me! Thanks!

Take a Stitch Tuesday - Herringbone Stitch

Here is my first sampler page for the Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge. This first week was herringbone stitch which was very nice for me because it is one of my favourite stitches for seam treatments. I should have allowed myself more time to work on it and I could have done a lot more but I will continue to work on it spare moments. Tomorrow the next stitch will be introduced by Sharon B and I am excited to see what that one is.

On this sample, I did a shallow herringbone first, then a row of deep ones.
The third row of stitches has french knots added to it.
Next is a blue herringone stitch with straight stitches and gold beads.
#5 is a double herringbone stitch done in pink and blue.
Row#6 is a simple herringbone in pink with a piece of green velour yarn woven through it.
Row #7 is another row of simple herringbone with gold spacer beads and seed beads added. This is one of my favourite variations for seams.
Row #8 is another simple pink herringbone, ths time with lazy daisy stitches and french knots added in blue.
Row 9 is an elongated herringbone wth additions of straight stitch, lazy daisy stitch and french knots.
Row 10 is a herringbone variation from Pamela Kellogg's site.
http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/
I check Kitty & Me, Pamela's blog, regularly as she has such lovely stitches and motifs to share. Thanks Pamela!
Row 11 has another row of simple herringbone done in varigated green and lazy daisy stitch and pink french knots.

I could have gone on for quite awhile but ran into a time crunch. A lesson learned now is to start on next's week's stitch right away.

I am going to work these sample pages on oddments of counted cross stitch fabric as I have done here on Aida It is my intention to create a stitch reference for myself with these pages.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable week and a big thank you to Sharon B for organizing this!

Take a Stitch Challenge

I wonder if it is just part of my character that I have to always slide into the finish line at the last moment? lol I had hoped to post the picture of what I have done on the herringbone stitch tonight but since my brain works faster than my fingers I will get the picture up after work tomorrow afternoon. Just one more row..... Just one more stitch....

Waste Canvas on CQ

I am having a love affair with using waste canvas on my crazy quilting. In case you haven't discovered this tool yet, waste canvas is used to stitch counted thread embroidery to fabrics that are not evenweave. That makes it perfect for crazy quilting applications!

This sample is a blackwork butterfly stitched onto a crazy quilt block. The wastecanvas is held together with water soluable glue so after you are done embroidering using the holes of the canvas as your guide, you can then moisten and remove the threads of the canvas. They pull right out and you are left with just the design! I have never found it necessary to moisten the threads of the canvas as per the instructions. Because I have concerns about leaving water marks on some of the delicate cq fabric, I have always simply substituted patience for the water and used tweezers to pull each canvas thread out individually. I originally had concerns that the canvas theads would be too roughto pull out dry but have used it for cross stitch, blackwork and even beadwork on cq and there have never been any problems even with delicate silk fabrics.

A second thing to look at in this picture is the seam treatment. This combination of herringbone stitch, cretan stitch and straight stitch is my first exampe for Sharon B's TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday) Challenge. I will be starting oni my sample pieces toay so will post more herringbone picures soon!
Hugs,
Kerry

Needlepoint, Etc. Christmas Ornament Swap 2006

I took part in the Christmas Ornament Swap at the Yahoo group, Needlepoint, etc., this last year. I have just received my ornament from Gillian in Vancouver. The ornament is one of the Victoria Sampler's Christmas Virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity and Patience). I was fortunate enough to receive the Patience Ornament from Gillian. Thank you Gillian! The finishing on this ornament is flawless - the backing is a lovely matching pink moire and it is finished off with a matching braid. The counted work on it is a combination of cross stitch and specialty stitches stitched in soft greens and pinks as well as silver thread Kind of inspires you to start on next year's Christmas projects already, doesn't it??

Christmas Ornaments

I am looking at my Christmas tree today and wondering how long I can put off taking it down - lol. I have so many handmade ornaments and it is a shame that they are only seen for a couple weeks a year.

This little cat is a new ornament this year - another item received from Connie in a swap. I have no idea where one finds a little wooden mouse this tiny! The cat is another example of Connie's fantastic dollmaking skills. It is one of my favourites on the tree this year. Thanks again Connie!