TAST- week 8

It's week 8 of TAST, and it's the chain stitch.


There are a lot of variations and I tried to do most of them. lol

From left to right:





the circle is just the chain stitch as a filling

a pink chain stitch
magic chain stitch with 2 threads
open chain stitch
zig-zag
double
wrapped
chain stitch, divided
twisted
crested
cable chain stitch
feathered chain stitch
There were more variations, but I ran out of room!

I am having computer problems. My ISP is changing its Operating System, and when each customer is changed over, the bandwidth decreases, and this affects the responding and operating of my computer. So, I may disappear for a few weeks, or I may only have some capabilities. So, if I'm no longer posting, or leaving comments, it's because I have temporarily lost that function. So, it's not me.....it's the ISP!!
I'll miss you!

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Encrusting Calico- a Pebble Adventure Part 2

Here's where I left off last post with my pebble:

It was beginning to take shape, but there was a lot more encrusting needed.......

 I ummm, got a little carried away with the encrusting, I think


All the stitching on the pebble is completed

Here's a different angle


As you can see, I added a bit of colour........and some beads

shaped, stuffed and sewed


I think I should have added more stuffing



there's lots of tatting on here: Josephine Knots and chains in different threads



I think the tatting adds an organic look to the pebble

I used some plastic canvas for the base, and it worked well.




Gee, there's not much pebble showing, is there?  oh, dear..tsk tsk


maybe next pebble I'll have to use some restraint.  hmm, is that possible? lol

I really, really like the net stitch shown here


it seems to have captured some worn, unraveling rope...


I've so enjoyed myself working on this challenge
Thanks so much Deb and Marjolein introducing me to this new madness.........

I've been scoping the drawers and secret places looking for more goodies to use in more pebbles.
Just think, I could use some rusty bits fabric and add metal items, letting the metal bits add more rust to the fabric and the thread. That would be cool.
I want to start another pebble, but i think I should do my TAST first. maybe. muahaha
 I hope you're doing something you love.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Encrusting Calico- a Pebble Adventure

Over at stichin fingers, Deb and Marjolein invited everyone to join in a challenge, calling it a "Pebble Adventure".

 This is my beginning.  We're creating "Encrusted Calico," which looks like rocky surfaces encrusted with growth. Just like a tiny underwater scene.

Using muslin for the base, I added some buttons, and plastic beads and rings. I'll add a second layer of muslin and entrap the bits between the layers, sewing them down.

This is the perfect place to use any ugly plastic beads you have in your stash. I'm using all plastic here, so that the fabric won't become discoloured.

Can you imagine, though, doing a 'rusty bits' "pebble Adventure"?  That would be cool. Another wonderful reason to make rusty bits fabric!

Here's how it looked with the top layer, and a start on the encrusting.

Here's my progress so far. What do you think?

There's lots more stitching to do......

This is so much fun I've already begun gathering bits for my next 'pebble'!



I'm off to do some more encrusting.

There's still time to join in the fun!




Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

TAST- week 7

TAST week 7 is the Detached Chain Stitch, also known as the Daisy Stitch:

I tried the long tailed detached chain stitch
and then the knotted one, but that didn't work out too well


then I played with the 'petals', created a flower, and joined many 'petals' together


two threads used together create interesting effects


Do you suppose that next week, Sharon will choose the chain stitch?  I hope so. It has many variations.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Gina Brummet

The Tatting Community has lost a talented and generous tatter in Gina Brummet. She passed away on February 13th.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Gina face to face, but she always left very kind and supportive comments on my blog. As well, she shared her knowledge and skills with everyone, posting her projects and deciphering vintage patterns for everyone to learn.
Thank you Gina. I shall miss you.

Happy Valentine's Day

              Happy Valentine's Day!

I just wanted to wish everyone a day filled with the people and activities that you love!

Be my Valentine?



















May your day be filled with lots of Love!
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

February CQJP

My February block seemed to come together quite quickly, perhaps because it's Valentines. I went with a red and white theme.

my block after week 1

 I removed the red ATC tag

I added some stitching, and a green button with 'pearl seed beads

 then a faux pearl adorned this fancy picot meandering chain

some green on green bullions and french knots

my block now looks like this



















and I think it's finished for now

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

TAST- week 6

TAST for week 6 is the Chevron stitch.
I had a little bit of fun with this one.
Here's my sampler:



I played with different sizes of the chevron

Then I tried a double chevron

See that? the m's and the o are chevron stitches, as well as the w
 layers of chevron and a monogram M inside a chevron stitch box

the indoor lighting created a yellow tint on the cream fabric

The O needs a bit of work on the spacing

turtle island Wednesday afternoon

wonderful shadows


you can see the reflection of my camera in the window....guess I should have gone outside to snap this pic.

my red amaryllis was in full bloom
4 flowers were open at the same time

when the sun shone through the window, it created oranges and interesting shadows on the petals







Hope your day had sunshine!
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Heartfelt

Well, I thought I might as well join everyone else in tatting hearts. It is the season, and love is the reason........
Rosemarie's Heart Pattern ( by Rosemarie Peel)  tatted in Lady Shuttlemaker's 'Victorian Valentine'  in size 20










Off to tat some more hearts!

Hope there's lots of Love in your day.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

TAST - week 5

This week it's Herringbone stitch.

from top to bottom:
Tied herringbone

herringbone


double herringbone


laced herringbone


herringbone ladder stitch



It was fun practicing this stitch. I wanted to try interlaced herringbone and close herringbone, but I ran out of room.
Do you see that green above the stitching?  I'd used my marker to name the stitch, but decided to damp stretch the fabric since I could see the marks from the hoop. I spritzed, and ' herringbone' began to bleed onto the fabric. The air turned blue while my fabric turned green! I was madly spritzing and blotting until only a faint hint of colour remained.  Thank goodness most of it came out.  Now I'll have to find a permanent marker.

My red amaryllis is 4 years old and is now in bloom. Looks as though there will be 4 flowers. Each year the bulb gets larger.









Last night there was a little colour in the sky behind turtle island. It disappeared within a few minutes of taking this shot.








Hope your day has colour in it.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz