CQJP July Block

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Spring and Stitch

In the gardens, the perennials are coming to life with new green shoots popping through the warmed earth, and leaves unfurling in the sunshine.

 the trilliums are in flower

last year someone trespassed and picked most of the trilliums on the property. I was so upset! Some have reappeared this year, but they are much smaller, and fewer in number

 Pretty 'pink' daffodils


(don't look too closely at those little yellow flowers in the distance, okay?...lol)

 These yellow daffodils stood proud and tall

 until a rainstorm flattened them!

they are now recovering
 more white trilliums

I haven't seen any of the red ones......they were picked, too. I'll take a walkabout tomorrow and see if I can spot any.......













I've added a tatted single frill seam treatment in a variegated pink Watercolours thread and a small beaded row to my May block:



I like how the rose 'silky' has been framed.


There are just a few short seams left, and I'm thinking of adding some climbing roses to the trellis fabric......









 Work on piece #4 of my wrapping cloth continues:
I added more x-stitching, another multi-row tatted frilled edging, more buttonhole lace, and a pleated skirt in the wild fabric to cover a blank bit under the frill


 then I covered the buttonhole stitching with a beaded cascade of  Josephine knot flowers
I added buttonhole stitch to my flat knot, and created three little puffy dangles wearing buttonhole lace trim.




















so far, piece #4

There's lots more embellishing to be added to this piece. What fun!

I hope you've had fun this week, too.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz













 
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40 comments:

  1. CreateologyMay 14, 2013 at 10:19 PM

    I am always amazed at how Mother Nature works her magic with all the plants and flowers that are strong enough to crack through the soil. Flowers bring such happy smiles. Your stitching is really enhancing your CQ and your cloth. This is such a tribute to needle and thread and your creative stitching. Simply Stunning Dear...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 15, 2013 at 8:59 AM

      Thank you so much, Sherry. It’s such a joy to see the gardens blossoming with new life each spring. Have a wonderful week.
      Hugs

      Delete
  2. Julie RomeroMay 14, 2013 at 10:29 PM

    I love trilliums...hope you find some of your red ones tomorrow! Your stitching is lovely :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 15, 2013 at 9:01 AM

      I might have to postpone that search, Julie, as it’s pouring out this morning. Maybe it’ll clear by this afternoon....
      Hugs

      Delete
  3. FoxMay 14, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    Love the rose and butterfly... so pretty.
    Fox : )

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    1. SuztatsMay 15, 2013 at 9:03 AM

      Thanks Fox. Such a shame about the picked trilliums, but I did find a few for you. Maybe I’ll find some red ones if it stops raining......
      Hugs

      Delete
  4. Judys Lace CreationsMay 14, 2013 at 11:55 PM

    How mean to steal your trilliums.I haven't heard of these.Your stitching is so sweet.
    Judy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 15, 2013 at 9:07 AM

      Judy, the trillium is our provincial flower, and grows in woodsy areas where the soil is rich from composted leaves. The problem with picking the flowers is that it sometimes kills the plant. They flower in early spring and is one of the signs that spring has definitely arrived.
      Hugs

      Delete
  5. margaretMay 15, 2013 at 2:24 AM

    there seem to be a few thieves around at the moment, fingers crossed more trilliums will appear, these are new to me not sure we have them in the UK. Like you my garden has been invaded by dandelions and also daisies, having to mow the lawn not because the grass has grown so much but because of the weeds growing so quickly!

    How have you done the pink tatting, I thought at first it would be josephine knots but on second glance do not think so, please share your stitch with me.
    Your wrapping cloth is coming along a treat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 15, 2013 at 9:33 AM

      Hi Margaret. The trillium is our provincial flower and grows in woodsy areas where the soil is rich with the composted leaves. If the rain keeps up, the weeds will really thrive and DH might have to mow for this weekend......
      The stitch I used for the pink tatting is called the Fancy Picot Stitch, and is not often used, from what I read. But I like to add it as a decorative element to my embroidery. And to make funky flowers and trims.
      so, if d= 1st half of a ds, and s=2nd half of a ds, and --- = a long picot then:
      ds (---dd---ss)x where x= number of repeats desired
      If you are using a needle, this creates alternating picots on each side of the needle. Press these together before pushing down and off the needle. I made a long chain, then curled a shorter chain into a circular shape to indicate a flower. However, you can also make rings with this technique, too.
      Hope you have fun with this! Let me know if you have any questions, okay?
      Hugs

      Delete
  6. Margarets designer cardsMay 15, 2013 at 4:35 AM

    What do poeple get out of pinching your plants, I hope that some will come up, your flowers look lovely, at least you have spring at last,
    Your cloth looks lovely
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 15, 2013 at 9:39 AM

      Thanks Margaret. I think the trilliums were probably picked by two children, whose parents came to see the house last year. Maybe they didn’t realize how fragile the plants are, but I was so upset to come home and see them gone from along the driveway, and in our yard. I had saved some of the plants that grew too close to the road, and replanted them in my gardens. Some had been here for decades. Such a shame.
      Yes, I am glad spring has finally sprung. Are you having warmer days and sunshine?
      Hugs

      Delete
  7. Mosaic MagpieMay 15, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    I have a few trillium too, I always love to see the wild flowers come up. Those 3 puffs are perfect.
    Deb

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    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 15, 2013 at 9:43 AM

      Thanks Deb. I have always reclaimed trilliums that were going to be lost due to construction and roadways going through. They are so pretty, and I always think of them as the first declaration of spring. They’re a little late this year due to the cold, but probably admired and enjoyed all the more. Enjoy yours.
      Hugs

      Delete
  8. AnitaMay 15, 2013 at 11:21 AM

    Your cloth looks gorgeous Suz! Lovely butterfly! It was a pleasure to see your garden.Hope more trilliums will come up soon..

    ReplyDelete
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    1. SuztatsMay 17, 2013 at 8:12 AM

      Thanks Anita! There are a few more trilliums blooming now-even some red ones, so that is good.Have a great weekend!

      Hugs

      Delete
  9. DortheMay 15, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    How many amazing and exiting stitches there is to see, on your blog, dear Suz.. and the garden filled with wonderful flowers, so green and lovely!
    I wish you happy spring time, inside and out!
    Hugs,Dorthe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 17, 2013 at 8:18 AM

      Thank you Dorthe. Hope you're having wonderful spring weather, too. It's nice here, today, but the bugs are out. I hate the black flies. Happy weekend!

      Hugs

      Delete
  10. Naida WillisMay 16, 2013 at 6:16 PM

    Beautiful trilliums. I like the red ones too. Hope they come back for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 17, 2013 at 8:19 AM

      I hope so, too, Naida, but it may take several years.........I found a few red ones, though. So that's good. Thanks.

      Hugs

      Delete
  11. DianneMay 16, 2013 at 9:08 PM

    Suz, your wrapping cloth is amazing! ha ha ha we have those same little yellow flowers growing profusely here!! Your daffs and trilliums (which I am not familiar with) are beautiful. My daffodils were accidentally poisoned by an overzealous gardener in our house - sad face :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 17, 2013 at 8:15 AM

      Thanks Dianne. I'm still in love with creating wrapping cloth pieces-they are such fun! Shame about your daffs......Have a wonderful weekend.

      Hugs

      Delete
  12. WendyMay 17, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    your cq block is so pretty! and your wrapping cloth is amazing! I love what you have added to this block. those Josephine knots are so lovely...I am looking forward to seeing this all put together. Such beauty.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. SuztatsMay 17, 2013 at 3:54 PM

      Thank you so much, Wendy! As you can see, I'm having lots and lots of stitchy fun! Hope you are, too. Happy weekend.

      Hugs

      Delete
  13. KarenMay 19, 2013 at 2:12 PM

    and have any more of your wonderful, innovative titivations been added to your cloth I wonder??!
    http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 19, 2013 at 2:35 PM

      Ah, well Karen, wait until you see what I have planned for piece #5! Nothing else innovative on this one.....can't have too many on one piece.....have to spread them around, don't you think so? Thanks.

      Hugs

      Delete
  14. Magpie's MumblingsMay 19, 2013 at 6:24 PM

    I actually thought it was illegal to pick trilliums because they are so fragile. I guess people don't know that picking them most often kills the entire plant. Such a shame that someone would do that. Lovely pictures - and your wrapping cloth is progressing wonderfully.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 19, 2013 at 8:33 PM

      It used to be illegal to pick them, but at some time that apparently changed. I didn't realize it until the pickings happened and I was railing about it. Then someone told me it was no longer illegal. It's a shame the plants suffer.
      Happy Victoria Day!

      Hugs

      Delete
  15. MarjoleinMay 20, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    The tatted frill reminds me of a dahlia. (With longer loops and close to each other.) Did you tat chains with long picots to create them?
    I like the flat know, how big is it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 20, 2013 at 6:41 PM

      Hi Marjolein,
      I created the frill with multiple rows of chains sewn side by side.
      The stitch is called the Fancy Picot Stitch, and is not often used, from what I read. But I like to add it as a decorative element to my embroidery. And to make funky flowers and trims.
      so, if d= 1st half of a ds, and s=2nd half of a ds, and --- = a long picot then:
      ds (---dd---ss)x where x= number of repeats desired
      If you are using a needle, this creates alternating picots on each side of the needle. Press these together before pushing down and off the needle and you can also make rings with this technique, too.
      The flat knot is 1 1/4 inches square (~ 3.2 mm).
      Thanks

      Hugs

      Delete
  16. CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMSMay 21, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    Hello Suz, Your Trillium are very pretty as is all the other lovely flowers.. Your tatting is always so wonderful to see and it is truly masterful and lovely. Hugs Judy

    ReplyDelete
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    1. SuztatsMay 21, 2013 at 9:02 PM

      Thank you, Judy! Mother Nature sure is awesome. Even through the thunderstorms, the trilliums kept their 'heads' up.

      Hugs

      Delete
  17. suziqu's thread worksMay 21, 2013 at 6:00 PM

    Hello Dear Suz
    I just love your trillium and daffodils - they look so perfect (well before the rain!!!) - they bring so much cheer to early Spring!
    I love your wrapping cloth - so many different stitches with the added tatted frills. It's looking fantastic!
    Spring hugs,
    Suzy

    ReplyDelete
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    1. SuztatsMay 21, 2013 at 9:05 PM

      Suzy, i love to walk around my garden each morning, enjoying the new blooms and their lovely scent. (now, if I could only get rid of the biting bugs.....) The roses are leafing out! Thanks

      Hugs

      Delete
  18. EmmaMay 21, 2013 at 6:21 PM

    I love trilliums but didn't know picking weakened the plant, I'd hide little electrical conductors in mine...../:!

    Beautiful stitching, love the idea of the buttonhole lace/trim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 21, 2013 at 9:08 PM

      Emma, remind me never to sneak into your garden and pick any flowers! O! tee hee The buttonhole lace is so much fun to do.....thanks.

      Hugs

      Delete
  19. CarlaMay 25, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    Wonderful flowers and wonderful works!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 25, 2013 at 10:13 PM

      Thank you so much for your visit and lovely comment, Carla. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

      Hugs

      Delete
  20. Judy S.May 27, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    Don't you just love spring? Trilliums are one of my very favorite flowers. Thanks for visiting my choir link; that piece you liked was part of Sunrise Mass which was our special work for spring of 2012.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 28, 2013 at 9:17 AM

      I love everything about spring, except the biting bugs! This year the black flies and mosquitoes are vicious, numerous, and ravenous! Makes gardening a lot less enjoyable. I wear netting to help, but it's awkward and hot.

      Hugs

      Delete

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