Repeat the process and create two more stitches. You will then want to take hold of the the needle AND the stitches and pull the needle through the fabric and cast on's, closing the circle. This will create a little ridged loop over the fabric. Your thread will now be on the right hand side. You need to push the needle through the fabric at the base where the thread was originally brought up and draw the thread completely to the back. We will now need to switch to the yellow thread, so just "park" the needle and black thread to the side for a moment. Repeat this process with the yellow thread, only increase the number of cast on stitches by one stitch. Draw the needle and thread through to the back of the fabric, just as you did with the black thread and temporarily park this needle and switch back to your black thread.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Honey Bee tutorial cont.
Once you have place the loop on the needle you will pull the excess thread towards you, tightening the loop and draw it towards the opening where the needle came back out of the fabric. It should look similar to this photo when done. (For those of you that are left handed, reverse the direction of the needle and use your right hand to loop the thread over the needle.)
Honey Bee tutorial cont.
The cast on stitch is done the same way that you would cast yarn onto a knitting needle. Basically it is a slip knot....for lack of a better term. Once you have placed your needle thru the fabric (taken a bite out of the fabric) you will start "casting on" stitches. Pick up your thread with your left hand, creating a semi circle that will allow you to loop the thread over the needle. Twist your hand in-ward, counter clockwise to close the circle and drop the loop over the needle. The first batch will be only three stitches. For more visual references, check out Sharon B's Stitch Dictionary..... http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/caston.html
Honey bee tutorial cont.
you will want to bring your thread to the top of the fabric about three quarters of the way up the stinger. Take a "bite" of the fabric, from right to left, bringing the tip of the needle out next to the thread. DO NOT PULL THE NEEDLE THROUGH!!!! Here we will start making cast on stitches that create the body of the bee.
Honey Bee Tutorial Cont.
To begin you will want to make a small straight stitch, approximately a quarter of an inch long. This represents the stinger so you will need to decide which direction you want your hummer to fly. The stitch itself will be partially covered with the body of the bee! Once you have made this stitch.....
Honey bee tutorial
to
I belong to the Hand-Embroidery group over at yahoo. They are a super group of folks and the owner Lillian and moderator, Melissa are just great! Long story short, Melissa has a blog, http://www.honeybeesbliss.blogspot.com, titled such for the meaning of her first name! At any rate, she saw the dimensional embroidered bee here that I had stitched on a pin cushion and wanted to know how to make it. Hmmmm.... wonder why? LOL!!! Soooo....i'm going to attempt to do a little tutorial here. If anyone has a question about any of the steps, please let me know and I will do my very best to help out! Also, if you are not familiar with the cast on, bullion or fly stitches, I would recommend that you practice on a "doodle cloth" before you jump into creating the bee on a block. The stitches are easy once you are familiar with them, but can be a little frustrating at first. DON'T let it stop you! Like anything in embroidery, practice and just relaxing to enjoy the process are all you need to start creating dimensional embroidery!
To start out, you want thread two millners needles. I used size 11. One with black, the other with yellow. It's important to use millners needles as the cast on stitches and bullion stitches as the eye of the needle is the same dimension as the needle itself and will allow the stitches to slide easily off the needle. I prefer to use Edmar rayon thread, but don't always have it on hand, so will also use DMC embroidery thread (as shown here.) I vary the number of strands that I use as sometimes I want a bee that is larger (or smaller) than the example that I am going to show you. For this particular BEE I used two (2) strands of DMC thread. The bee will be approximately 1/2" when complete. We will be using the fly, cast-on and bullion stitch to create this little "Hummer"!!
HBVariation5
Another addition to my Take A Stitch Tuesday! (www.inaminuteago.com).
This bit I did before I accidentally "found" the fish! :_) I was experimenting with changing the sizes of the stitches withing the row as well as their location. I like this idea from the perspective of creating the image of a fence on a block. It has potential if lazy daisy stitches or fly stitches are added to it as well. I'll have to continue to play with this one!
HBVariation4
This time I played with increasing and decreasing the size of the herringbone within the row. I was pleasantly surprised when I created a fish!! This will be GREAT for a project I have to do for a grandson! Woohoo!!! I think i'll try making the stitches a bit more dense then some of the fish can be more distant, some more up close! Even running another color under them...or weaving some organza type ribbon thru the stitches would be cool! Ohhhhh, the potential!
Take A Stitch, HB Variation
I played around a bit more last night and came up with some variations that are new for me. I thought i'd share them with you. This is a pic of them overall. Then i've got close ups i'll share of certain ones. Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Melissa's DYB block
I'm trying to keep some stitching momentum going today. DH finally went back to work so I can focus on this! This block is from one of two DYB rr's I am in. I struggle with this for a bit....don't know why, but I got there and am fairly happy with it. Hopefully Melissa agrees! LOL!! You can see her work at www.honeybeesbliss.blogspot.com. I created a two tone rose on the bottom corner using bullions for the light pink and then added some cast on stitches in a deeper tone to accent it. The buds are made out of bullions. Just above is a herringbone variation. (I had already done this prior to Sharon B (http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php) announcing the stitch for TAST! SOOO, i'm pleased I have a couple of variations under my belt! There is another HB variation directly above the rose on the feather seam and again above the tree. Do you think maybe I like the herringbone? LOL!! Other variations I enjoy are a cross between the HB and the cretan or the chevron and cretan. I then typically get mired in finishing them off with lazy daisy stitches, fly stitches, etc. To break that habit I will experiment on my sampler and see what I find! I added a little bee charm, for Melissa, some beaded flowers and one of my trees! OH! I almost forgot, I also did a feather stitch variation, sweeping curves like a feather, floating above the tree in some kreinik (sp) metallic. Last but not least, I added a MOP button with some lazy daisy stitches and added a flower bead in the center to create a flower. Sooooo, thats it! I threatened Melissa I would do a tutorial on making a BE bee. Now i've got to get busy as a bee and start taking pics! 's
ArtBra Block
I am a part of a group of ladies that create Art Bra's and a special quilt for donation to various foundations for breast cancer. This is my raw block for the 2007 quilt. The theme is hearts and the primary color is to be purple. Well....that's a toughy for me, as I don't generally work in that color! I had to some digging to bet this one figured out! LOL!! But....this is what I created. I have my design ideas worked out on paper (also a rarity for me) and the thought behind this particular heart is that it was broken with disease and will be beautifully mended to create a new whole. I will add other heart motifs in the patches as well to show the strength of our spirits to overcome all obstacles! Enjoy! Stay tuned for further developments!
Herringbone variation
I decided to join in the fun and participate in Sharon B's TAST project! You can find more info on this at www.inaminuteago.com. I began "playing" right after I saw the posting last night. I was struck with the idea of creating a swirl with the herringbone stitch. Soo, I made these litle herringbone "commas" with some variegated dmc. I kinda like them! I think I will try to do some more, varying the sizes more dramatically starting with really small and going to super larger! The herringbone is one of my favorite stitches so this will be fun to play around with! I will continue to post work ideas as I get them stitched! Hmmmm......even layering these would be fun...or making them into swirled medallions or.....:_)
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Family Heirloom
This is a pic of a lap throw that was made for my son by his great grand mother. She did this for all the great grand kids one Christmas manyyyyyy moons ago. It was made with quite a variety of men's ties and some ummm....interesting polyester from blouses and dresses. (I presume anyway.) As can be seen there is a considerable amount of damage to it, inclusive of the feather stitch embroidery done on all of the seams.
I got a wild hair just after Thanksgiving and decided that it was time to get some projects (mmmmhmmmm) completed and dove head first into re-storing this quilt. There was more damage to it than met the eye. Like mildew damage to the foundation!!! Awckkkk!!! Sooo... I took some light weight flannel that I had and put it on the back. Keep in mind that i'm not a "planner" by nature and was flying by the seat of my pants on this one! I used the flannel as added support. Hind sight....should have traced the pattern of the original, taken apart the blocks and re-pieced it. Then...I could have made it straight, but then it wouldn't be an accurate reflection of the maker and the love she poured into this project. I then took out every piece of fabric that was damaged and re-placed it with pieces of ties that I have on hand. The embroidery overall was disintegrating, so I decided to take it out completely and re-do it pearl cotton in a similar color with hopes that it will hold up better under use. I wasn't worried about the monetary value of this piece, more about it's sentimental value to my son. I also wanted it to hold up for another 26 years without need of repair! LOL!!! It was with a HUGE feeling of relief and pride in the completion of this that after 80 hours, I can say I am done!!! I re-backed it, tied the edges, wrapped it up and fooled my son by saying it was from his great-grandma! :_) Oh! And the difference on this quilt....besides the fabric....and admittedly a bit of the stitching....I put a quilt label firmly on the back, documenting the date it was originally made, then re-stored and what was done! No one will ever wonder about this puppy again!! Now to get a pic of the "new" version so you can see the changes. I did quite a bit of reflecting while I worked on this and wonder how on earth a piece can be accurately restored with fabric from the period? The very thing that causes it to deteriorate would cause other "like" fabric to disintegrate too, wouldn't it? Hmmmm....something to explore! Enjoy!
I got a wild hair just after Thanksgiving and decided that it was time to get some projects (mmmmhmmmm) completed and dove head first into re-storing this quilt. There was more damage to it than met the eye. Like mildew damage to the foundation!!! Awckkkk!!! Sooo... I took some light weight flannel that I had and put it on the back. Keep in mind that i'm not a "planner" by nature and was flying by the seat of my pants on this one! I used the flannel as added support. Hind sight....should have traced the pattern of the original, taken apart the blocks and re-pieced it. Then...I could have made it straight, but then it wouldn't be an accurate reflection of the maker and the love she poured into this project. I then took out every piece of fabric that was damaged and re-placed it with pieces of ties that I have on hand. The embroidery overall was disintegrating, so I decided to take it out completely and re-do it pearl cotton in a similar color with hopes that it will hold up better under use. I wasn't worried about the monetary value of this piece, more about it's sentimental value to my son. I also wanted it to hold up for another 26 years without need of repair! LOL!!! It was with a HUGE feeling of relief and pride in the completion of this that after 80 hours, I can say I am done!!! I re-backed it, tied the edges, wrapped it up and fooled my son by saying it was from his great-grandma! :_) Oh! And the difference on this quilt....besides the fabric....and admittedly a bit of the stitching....I put a quilt label firmly on the back, documenting the date it was originally made, then re-stored and what was done! No one will ever wonder about this puppy again!! Now to get a pic of the "new" version so you can see the changes. I did quite a bit of reflecting while I worked on this and wonder how on earth a piece can be accurately restored with fabric from the period? The very thing that causes it to deteriorate would cause other "like" fabric to disintegrate too, wouldn't it? Hmmmm....something to explore! Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
CQ'd hearts
I belong to the Hand Embroidery yahoo group and there is a heart swap going on there right now. soooo, I thought i'd jump in and join the fun. I don't normally work in purples, but had it out as I was making a block for the Art Bra Ladies quilt. I then did some stich variations on the seams and utilized the butterfly lazy daisy that Sharon B of In a Minute Ago shared with us in her first class last spring. On the top heart, I had a MOP button that I thought would look good, but didn't have holes or a complete shank. It was a part of some vintage buttons I purchased awhile back. Anywhoo, I created a web over the button to hold it down and added some lazy daisies and french knots along with the litle butterfly. I tried to keep a more garden effect with doing a buttonhole stitch, adding fly stitches on top and the some french knots for flowers. It was stretch to work with these colors, but I like how they came out, especially the bottom heart! Can't wait to see what comes back my direction for the swap!
Tradewinds DYB 2
I don't post forever and here I am posting a ton of stuff all at once! Sighhh..... I wish I could learn to post more regularly. New Year's resolution, right? Welllllll????? LOL!!
This is a block I worked on for Hideko who keeps a blog... http://hideko-windfromtheeast.blogspot.com. This is a luscious block of silks, velvets and some metallic brocade fabric. I was stumped by what to do at first, but finally got in the swing of it. I decided to create a monogram in the lower left hand corner. A beaded rose is in the center, some feathers and some of my seam treatment variations. Gonna have to definately start challenging myself on my stitches! But then....that's what Sharon's "Take a Stitch" Tuesday will be all about, right? http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php?tag=take-a-stitch-tuesday I will be participating in this with some members in a small group I belong to. We thought it would be a great way to nudge each other along and develop or stitching repertoire! Should be fun! Now....just got to remember to post about it! Enjoy the pics!
This is a block I worked on for Hideko who keeps a blog... http://hideko-windfromtheeast.blogspot.com. This is a luscious block of silks, velvets and some metallic brocade fabric. I was stumped by what to do at first, but finally got in the swing of it. I decided to create a monogram in the lower left hand corner. A beaded rose is in the center, some feathers and some of my seam treatment variations. Gonna have to definately start challenging myself on my stitches! But then....that's what Sharon's "Take a Stitch" Tuesday will be all about, right? http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php?tag=take-a-stitch-tuesday
Windsong Jewels Block 1
I jumped into another DYB rr and this is the first block for this one! I decided to keep it light and more victorian to compliment the young girl. I, in fact, rather envisioned her looking out of a window so I gave her "lace curtains" done in the fly stitch. I outlined the pattern that was on the satin and gave it a small boost with some pearl beads and added the seam treatment variations that I seem to naturally drop into these days.... herringbone, lazy daisy and cretan. I really like the way they make things look victorian. Up top I added a feather with an outline stitch and feather stich then two fans on either side of the block. Soooo.....another block done! Yeahhhh!!!!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Windsong Jewels DYB RR
I seem to be on a mission to avoid straight lines (basically) in my cq blocks these days! I don't know WHAT has gotten into me, but i've been playing around more with various shapes and patch sizes. It will be really interesting to see what everyone comes up with on these!!!! I'm not so sure what I would even do! Actually i'm hoping it will encourage my compatriote stitchers to explore outside the normal boundaries and carry stitching past the seams! We shall see what they come up with! It will great fun, I think!
Tradewinds DYB Block - Jo
I am involved in a couple of DYB rr's. I believe I have posted the pics I have sent out and this is the first block i've done for this rr. I played with stitch variations for the seam work, i'm finding I truly enjoy handwork and that it has a meditative effect on me. If I don't get a little time everyday to stitch i'm lost! :) The combo's you'll see here are the buttonhole stitch with a lazy daisy popped onto the top of every other stitch. The a little french knot in between for contrast. Above that is a wide herringbone stitch that has been done twice, with little fly stitch flowers on top. To the left is a cretan, chevron combo with a fly stitch and straight stitch on it. The there is the herringbone with a fly/lazy daisy combo above that and then to the right is the feather stitch with french knots and lazy daisies. I stamped the butterflies on the patch then embroidered them. All the other embroidery, I free handed the pattern first. I did a feather to represent flight, a "dove" created with a padded beaded body and french knot wings. The pansies are just a rather favorite flower for me and touch of me to to the block. I added a beaded wind goddess to finish the block off along with some crystal beads on the feather. The little button is from my grandmothers button box soooo.....it's a nice vintage touch to the block, I thought!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Art Meme
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I've decided to take up the challenge of the ART MEME. I responded to Elizabeth's offer( http://www.veridianeyes.blogspot.com/ and need to post here. So the first five people to respond to the challenge via comments on this blog will get a small piece of art created by me. It will be something drawn, sewn, beaded or embroidered, maybe molded. I'm not quite sure what, but you will get something that I have made with love in order to 'spread the love'. The catch with this is that you also have to make the same sort of offer on your own blog. That means, this is not an exchange, you do not have to send me anything in return, but you must try to "pay it forward" though your own blog. So get commenting, and once I see you've taken it up, posted it and got people taking part then I will start making things.I can't promise how soon you'll get them, but you will get them. If you could post your snail mail addie to me privately, i'll be set! :_)
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Tradewinds DYB Blocks
This isn't a super pic, but I thought I would post them all together then as they are completed I can share them with you. I have joined another DYB rr. Truly international! I'll try to figure out how to get everyones blogs linked here. :-] Emiko and Hideko are from Japan. Jo is from New Zealand, Anna is from Portugal and Cheryl is in Wisconsin! It will be great fun to see how these well traveled blocks turn out!
Sad fur kid!
While not about embellishment (for the moment) I just had to post about one of my furkids. What a face, isn't it?? Poor girl developed an oral hematoma at the base of her ear and had to have surgery to drain it. She's been good about the bandage so far. I may have to make her a cq ear warmer tho cuz she's completely bare from the top of her ear down her throat! Can't have her getting a cold from this! Sooo.....many dollars later and a few trips to finally locate a vet who wouldn't scare her to death, we have her home and recovering! There has been talk about Noni juice on one of the lists and the miracles that it can work for allergies and such, so i'm going to try to locate some for her and see if her ear infections will clear up! More on that later!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Painted buttons
Goodness time flies!!! I've been busy with stuff and forget to keep up with my blog! Welllll....you're in for it now!
In one of the online cq groups I belong to, a class for painting buttons is taking place. This is a sampling of my beginning adventures! I think my favorite isthe black button, but some finishing touches still have to be done on these....like the top coat (minor detail) giggle! Plus I need to add more definition to the flowers for depth. But....for a first shot at doing something like this i'm pretty happy with the results. These are mostly roses, but I tried out some poinsettias and what I had hope would be some pansies but turned into more of a clematis! LOL!!! Then....of course....I had to do a tree! I will definitely have to do more of them in different styles! This is certainly a techinique worth trying!
In one of the online cq groups I belong to, a class for painting buttons is taking place. This is a sampling of my beginning adventures! I think my favorite isthe black button, but some finishing touches still have to be done on these....like the top coat (minor detail) giggle! Plus I need to add more definition to the flowers for depth. But....for a first shot at doing something like this i'm pretty happy with the results. These are mostly roses, but I tried out some poinsettias and what I had hope would be some pansies but turned into more of a clematis! LOL!!! Then....of course....I had to do a tree! I will definitely have to do more of them in different styles! This is certainly a techinique worth trying!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
JDBear
This is a block for the cq teddy bear juvenile diabetes project! Late....but done! I hope it will blend with the others and be enjoyed. I know I loved making it! Have fun peeking into all the corners of the block! Theres TONS to see!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Wool CQ1
I'm off on a new adventure! I'm going to make a wool cq for hubby for xmas! Think i'll get it done? LOL!!! Here is the first block. I've already learned quite a bit and have decided how i'm going to continue with the rest of the blocks. I've been told that it's best to butt the edges together and do a three sided zig zag stitch in invisible thread to secure them to the foundation. Well....since this quilt is going to be utilitarian and i've already seen some areas for potential pulling just through basting, i've decided that I will overlap the pieces and still secure them with the zig zag stitch. The wool isn't particularly think and the seams won't be any thicker than a cq seam so i'm not worried. In fact, I feel better about it's longevity this way. I'll post pics as I progress!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
CQD5
Finally decided to stop working on this block. I would like to have done a bit with the butterfly batik, but....it's pretty the way it is. This is rather a healing type block. I have added some lemon citrine and some aquamarine gems stones known for healing. This block along with some others i've been showing, is a part of a quilt to commemorate a dear friend and remind me of her courage, humour, kindness and love. There are many other bits on this block alone that remind me of her, which makes it even more special. It's time to start considering what I need to do with the sashing, etc. Guess I better go ponder!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
DYB Block completed
This is the final block in a DYB round robin. It's going to go on home to its owner who will be making a wall hanging I believe. I went with an image of looking through a window into the garden. I created dimensional embroidery iris' and echinacea. I then added a branch that houses the blue bird family; the lace butterfly flitting through a sunset sky and a spidey getting ready to peek out and see what is
going on! I love to add dimension to the cq blocks I do and find I use quite a bit of variegated flosses as are shown in the pansies to the left of the block. I used up some stray bits of thread and create the little fuzzy flowers on the window sill! Great fun! Off to get things done! Hope you enjoy!
going on! I love to add dimension to the cq blocks I do and find I use quite a bit of variegated flosses as are shown in the pansies to the left of the block. I used up some stray bits of thread and create the little fuzzy flowers on the window sill! Great fun! Off to get things done! Hope you enjoy!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Melfi Red Lthr Bib
This is a second bib (a piece of fabric that buttons to the front of a western style shirt) that I did for the same re-enactor. I hand drew the design, scanned it and digitized it. This piece is leather "suede" with fringe. The whole shirt is leather actually. Its and awesome piece. Anyway...from the designing of the flowers to the digitizing and machine embroidery....I spent about 60 or 70 hours to completion. It looks super in person. I was amazed that the embroidery actually had an antique quality to their coloring, which is good considering that is the image the owner wants. Authenticity and originality! This is another piece i'm proud of and thought I would share!
Melfi Burg Bib & Collar
Embroidery is my "life blood". Literally! If i'm not digitizing (creating the computerized version of a design where I tell the machine to place the stitches) designs and logos i'm working on projects like I posted yesterday! Needless to say, I LOVE crazy quilting and I LOVE embroidery! LOL! That said, this is a sample of a project that I just finished that I drew out by hand from aged pictures then spent approximately 60 to 80 hours on creating it on the computer then two and half hours in the actual machine embroidery. I'ts a massive design. There are over 100,000 stitches there. That's a lot when you consider the average logo is about 8000 stitches! But....the owner was speechless and quite happy so...that's what counts! :_) He is a western re-enactor and these flowers are a modern day version of the flowers that can be seen on Buffalo Bills shirts. I am actually quite proud of this one. It came out very well and I don't normally brag...but had to with this one!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Kerry's DYB block
Taaaadaaa!!!
This is a block from the DYB rr that I am participating in. This has been sooooo much fun! It's great to be able to see what everyone does on these blocks!
On this particular block, the center patch had a silk impression of a feather that I thought would look good outlined or beaded. As you can seen, the embroidery is all I did. I wanted to keep this block a bit more airy and light in keeping with the colors and think I succeeded! The owner of this block raises sheep so I gave her a mini version that won't require quite so much maintenance! :_) The vine is done in a Caron watercolors thread and i'm realy pleased with the way it helped pull together the yellows and pinks in the patches. Then...my (sorta) trademark, a tree. This one is a bit different and is more along the lines of an oak. I hope she enjoys it!
This is a block from the DYB rr that I am participating in. This has been sooooo much fun! It's great to be able to see what everyone does on these blocks!
On this particular block, the center patch had a silk impression of a feather that I thought would look good outlined or beaded. As you can seen, the embroidery is all I did. I wanted to keep this block a bit more airy and light in keeping with the colors and think I succeeded! The owner of this block raises sheep so I gave her a mini version that won't require quite so much maintenance! :_) The vine is done in a Caron watercolors thread and i'm realy pleased with the way it helped pull together the yellows and pinks in the patches. Then...my (sorta) trademark, a tree. This one is a bit different and is more along the lines of an oak. I hope she enjoys it!
CQD4
Last, but not least in the project is my Madame Butterfly block! I'm not as good as I would like in the pre-planning phase of block creation so the use of braids and lace and such are an oddity for me. However, I thought the lace soften the overall look on this block and I finally found a trim the blended with the silk print enough to let it shine. I again added some stitch variations to the seams and some dimensional embroidery. The beads are huge by my standards, but...that soon will be corrected as well!
CQD3
Another completed block!! Woohoo!!! Rather the same scenario as the others. Not quite as much beading on this one. I did a bit of ribbon work, added a brazilian embroidery bee and other dimensional embroidery into the seam treatments. This isn't quite as encrusted and probably for the best as it allows the silk print to show a bit better I think!
CQD2
Another of several finished blocks for an 8 inch block project I’m working on. I’m feeling a tad rushed but things are pulling together. This particular block is more of a dragonfly theme, although all of the blocks for this seem to have fans of one variety or another as well as other insect life. I’ve done a smidge of dimensional embroidery and stitch variations. The beads are a bit larger than I normally enjoy using, but the ol’ glasses bit the dust and I’m waiting for my dr’s appointment to tomorrow to get some new ones! I like to do button trails…but I’ve got a long way to go before they look as good as Annies at http://www.loopylace.com/anniescrazyworld/ and Sharon's at http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.phps! Oh well! Practice makes perfect, right? Just like figuring out these durned links! GOT to learn that HTML!! LOL!
In Process
I’m making a bit of progress on a project I’ve gotten involved with. This block is nearing the end of my actual embroidery phase and will then go to adding beads and buttons which will draw the whole block together for me. I’ve done some dimensional embroidery for some variety and added some stitch variations as well.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
geranium
Last one for today! These geraniums are soooo pretty this year! They have held their color and bloomed and bloomed and bloomed! Again, i'm thinking of possibly trying to stitch them in BE. But....maybe thread designing is more called for so that the depth and blending can be achieved! I'll just have to play around with em a bit I guess!
garlic bloom
Why, you ask, is this person posting a picture of garlic? It does look a bit surreal, doesn't it? LOL!! I have found that i'm looking all around me for inspiration for the stitching i'm doing! I think this could be reallllllly neat if done in BE! It would provide the depth and texture to pop this and bring it to life! Where to use it???????????? Ohhhh....i've got a few places I can hide it! Maybe have a bee hovering or one of our teensy white butterflies that have been hanging about! Anywhoo.....more on stitching progress with garlic....later!
fountain flower
This little gem is a new one to me this year! It's called a Fountain flower. The heat has dissipated many of its blooms, but when it was full, there were little sprays of these flowers on a spike! Very neat! The pistils are fairly long and the color of the flower really has more depth that just isn't showing well here. I am planning to try some of these on the pink block I just posted. We'll see! :_)
Beginnings - 2
This is the second block I will be contributing! I have lace to die for the fan. I don't think bright white will quite work here! I've already started on the stitching on this one. I'm running feather stitching along the long seam above the fan with a variegated thread. I will then come back in with beads and such to soften it and tie in the colors. My friend, as mentioned, loves butterflies, dragonflies, bees, spidies, etc. SOOOOO, she's going to be getting just that. Along with flowers and embroidered lace, etc. After i've gotten a bit farther, i'll post a pic of the progress! Enjoy!
Beginnings
This is one of two blocks I put together for a project Iam involed in. A friend is potentially quite ill, so a bunch of us are making blocks that will be assembled into a throw for her. The borders, as it stands now, will have SRE all along seams, etc. Minkee has been chosen for the back! The sashing will be black velvet and all the colors of the blocks are to be jewel tones, after five fabrics, etc. Well....this lovely lady loves butterflies and will get them, at least on this block I pieced more curved type patches to try and keep the wing flavor and am going to try some of Sharon B's stitches (variations) in her 100 days 100 designs series. I will post as I progress so you can all follow what i'm doing! Only thing....beads will probably be last cuz i'm ALWAYS snagging on them with my thread! LOL!!!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Marya's DYB Block
Wahoooo!!! I'm caught up on rr obligations!!! PHEW!!! Now to get my grand daughter's b'day pressies done and off in time for her b'day! Anyone ever heard of Fancy Nancy?? Welllll....got to fancy some stuff up for her! Anyway....I digress! This is a pic of a rr block I just finished for a DYB rr. I'm realllllly not sure about that dragonfly and might just pull it out before sending it. I tried something different with a teensy mop and....well, we'll see. I have been teaching a class on trees and decided to do a sample of the wisteria tree on this block. I rummaged through the ol' button box and came up with this little selection for a mop trail and then added one at the bottom with a dyed mop on top of it. I did a fly stitch lace and some herringbone stiching with a detached chain along with a vine to which I added some cast on stitch leaf's Thennnn....what started out as a beaded rose but is really just more of a beaded medallion. Still came out ok. I hope you all enjoy the teensy amount of eye candy!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
DYB Hideko's block
This is the very first bolck I worked on in the DYB rr. This is Hideko's block. Her materials are just gorgeous! I presume the are kimono silks. I created a little cherry tree for her, dabbled with a beaded flower technique. That still needs some refining but it still came out kind of cute. Then theres a dragonfly, sharon b's chainstitch butterflies at the top and some stitch combos to finish off the seams. I hope that Hideko enjoys the block. My interpretation is different from others i've seen so far. That's part of what makes it fun though!
Debbie S block DYB
I am involved in a DYB rr which has been great fun! I love seeing everyones interpretations on the blocks going around! This is a block I did for one of the participants...Debbie S. Tons of roses on here....bullion roses and then the thread painted old fashioned rose you see in the upper right corner. The seam treatments are variations on the cretan/herringbone stitch with a detached chain stitch and french knot on some of them. Anywhoo.. it's finally done and will be on its way to meet up with its co-blocks!
Monday, May 22, 2006
peppermint rose ii
ANDDDD....here is an absolutely gorgeous old rose with peppermint markings. It appears to be at least 10 years or so old. It's will live in a pot also so it can travel! Another item to add to my "got to re-create" in embroidery!
Variegated yarrow
Yet another addition to the patio this weekend. Our life is in a bit of transition so I decided to put this in a pot instead of the ground. Its a variegated yarrow in colors i've not seen before. I think these will dry up very nicely!
Gazanias
Just a few pics of some "pretties" in the yard this year. This is a gazania variety. GOT to figure out how to replicate this one in embroidery! I LOVE them!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
peach tulip
Then.....there is this little beauty! How can you resist the peach and cream textures all blending with the colorful yellow center and the pointed tips that gives them a bit of a feathered look. These ones have just woken up for the day. Finally. After our cold snap they stayed closed for four days!!
orange tulip
Of all the flowers we have, tulips are among my most favorite. This one is really pretty with it's yellow and orange striping!
periwinkle
Haven't had time to do any stitching except with the commercial embroidery machine, so I thought I would share a bit of spring! This is our periwinkle that has finally decided it likes where its living! I love the little purpley blue flowers! They are a bit like pansies to me with their bright little faces! Enjoy! I've got a couple more to post!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
iroquis beading
On my quest to learn more about the beading technique I posted earlier today....a friend sent me a pic of some Whimsies that were made in the style of the Iroquis indians beading technique. The surface is definately raised. Soooo, now i'm off to find out more about this technique. With the flowers done by Cynthy Anderson...I know she adds some poly fiber fill under them...so i'm suspecting that there are quite a few bridge type lines of beads that are then gathered together in the center and tightened up after the stuffing is tucked in. I'm going to play with this a bit and see what I come up with...so stay tuned! If anyone has info on Iroquis beading....please share! I'd LOVE to learn more about all of this!
Beaded Flowers
These flowers just fascinate me!!! I picked up a copy of the $100,000 Quilt Challenge magazine, cuz it had an article in there by JBM and another one by Cynthy Anderson. Welllll, about the second page in this picture of a gorgeous wall hanging type piece also done by Cynthy Anderson for Fire Mountain Gems & Beads!! I LOVE the flowers on this because of their dimensionality!! On another piece of hers, by her article, she uses beads as the embroidered stitches...like Margaret Ball does of "Embeadery" fame! I just had to share some of this eye candy! It took me forever to get a pic to work....but here we are. Thank you, thank you Cynthy for this inspiration!!! NOW to figure it out!! LOL!!!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
DYB Blocks
These blocks are now winging their way off to New York to begin their trek around the world! I joined a DYB rr! Awckkk!!! I didn't need something else to do! :_)) But...I really couldn't resist and will enjoy seeing how these progress as each person embroiders on them! If I do this type swap again, i'm hand piecing! LO!!!
I like the effects better that way! Or, maybe I just need to practice doing machine piecing more! :_)))
I like the effects better that way! Or, maybe I just need to practice doing machine piecing more! :_)))
Cancer Blk 2
This is the second block I did that is off to Kate for addition to the breast cancer quilt! I used a stamp for the first time...came out pretty well...I used the chevron stitch and some lazy daisies around the outside to create a frame. The two seam treatments immdediately around here were from Maureen Greesons newsletters. I thought they fit in well! I've decided that SRE and I do NOT get along so for now i'm going to stick with brazilian embroidery, embroider variation with rayon and beading! It just simplifies things for me! LOL!!! I dont know why I struggle so with silk ribbon...but I do! Such as life I guess! This block is a bit more springy with the dragonfly, roses and such! Enjoy!
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