TDiTM Stitch 50

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch has more length than the previous ones, simply by adding more French knots. I also amended the pattern by adding a 3mm crystal between the base chain stitch and the fan. It is a little hard to see in this photo, but really sparkles in real life. I think dropping the fan a tiny bit more and even adding a flower bead or a pearl would be really cute with all these French knots.

Try it and let me know what you think!

TDiTM Stitch 49

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

I think the Christmas colors in stitch 47 put me in a holiday mood…and I stitched this one in Orange with black accents for Halloween apparently! The strong contrast in colors does a good job in defining the elements of the stitch…and if the large lazy daisy stitch was done in black…that would change it up again.

This stitch is basically stitch 48 with a large lazy daisy added at the "V" of the curved chain base. Keep you daisy semi-tight if you want a long slender stitch as shown her, or very relaxed if you want a “fat” more tear-drop shaped stitch.

TDiTM Stitch 48

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This time, stitch the half-circle chain base..and drop down a little space and stitch the five pointed fan…all the same color. Insert a seed bead in the little space between the chain base and fan…and add a seed bead at the end of all five of the fan “blades”.

Isn’t that a cute little stitch!

If you don’t have seed beads, or are working on a project that wouldn’t look good with beads (although I can’t imagine one!)….just work French knots instead!

TDiTM Stitch 47

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Let’s continue to build on our chain stitch half-circle seam with the five pointed fan. This version is stitched in Christmas green and red…and looks very festive! Of course, you can use any color combination you wish.

The five French knot stitches at the inside top curve point, and the one between the chain base and fan, could be omitted...and replaced with beads as a more lively variation.

TDiTM Stitch 46

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Here's the first in our series of circles, half-circles, and ovals!

You will recognize the five pointed fan...as we have used it many times in the past with our zig zag base. The half-circle base is chain stitched; but could be done in a straight or stem stitch if you prefer.

The previous post gives you a location for the circular templates...or you can use a simple object (spool of thread, coin, etc) to help you draw your half-circle.

TDiTM Template Loaded

Morning All!

The next few (dozen) stitches will be based on a circular shape...as I'm tired and bored of zigzags!! (And you probably are too!)

We'll still keep the basics the same...french knot, lazy daisy, straight, and chain stitches. So, if you can master these simple elements...you can do the entire 45 stitches I have already posted....and those scheduled to follow.

I'm considering some other stitches after we pass the first 10 dozen completed...but we'll just see how that goes!...nothing too radical however; cause this is supposed to be for us "newbies"...

You can get the new stitch template at http://crazyquilting.pbwiki.com

Just scroll down and find the Templates by Shawkl (Kathy) area...and click. Three templates are available that you can use for marking Crazy Quilt seams...

The site does require that you create a login/password....sorry, that's just how it works...but we don't do anything with the information. You'll just need to remember it to download files.

Look around while you're there...as there are great photos of CQ endeavors...and lessons...from us gals at the HGTV.com message boards. Heck, while you're at it...come on over to www.HGTV.com and say hello. You'll have to scroll down to the very bottom of the front page....on the left side "message boards" will be in a tiny box of "additional things" on their site. They have lot's of active message board topics...like gardening, decorating, etc...but we're under the "Crafts" category...and then "Needlework and Quilting".....

The templates files are pdf format, so all should be able to print them out. They fit standard size paper. Take the printed sheet to your local copier and have them create a transparency for you (or print them on transparent sheet if you have them)...Cut the "rows" of stitches out...then punch holes where the little black dots are. This will create seam templates you can use to mark your stitch base (circle, half circle, oval, zigzag, etc). Just lay the little plastic seam strip down, and use a regular #2 pencil to place a "dot" in each hole you punched. Voila!! Now you have a guide to stitch perfect seams!

Oh, and use a tiny hole punch...you can find them in the scrapbook section. Get the single hand held type...they're less than $10.

Now, I'm off to daycare for a little while...then, will try to get the first few of the half-circle base stitches loaded for you to try out!

TDiTM Stitch 45

Here's the next stitch...a long time coming. It is a simple variation using my favorite 5 point fan stitch (my name for it)...and the chain stitch zig zag base.

And...after looking at the posted stitch...I realize I didn't stitch all the french knots!! Oh bother!...Well, you'll just have to do better than I did...cause it would take another week for me to redo the photo again!!

It is taking me a while to get accustomed to this new laptop...and VISTA operating system. And my camera software is not compatible...so it has been a real effort to try and find a work around to getting my photos loaded. Even then, they are way too large...and I'm trying to manipulate them in my scanning software to get them at a reduced pixel count that will load on web sites and message boards. What a chore! I'm not totally comfortable with the process yet...hopefully it will get better as I go along.

Sorry to be so long in posting this stitch, LIFE really happened for me these past few weeks....

Just Checking In

I'm amiss on posting, but tried to load up lot's of stitching before leaving on my "vacation". Now, I'm back...and still worn out! Unpacking is almost finished, but I need more bead containers for all the beads I got while in New Hampshire!

It has rained every day this week...and work has been hectic. My sinuses are driving me nuts, with a headache almost every day. Perhaps I'll get my energy back in the next few days and can post more stitches. I "doodled" about 35 more while gone...and need to get them drawn up in Illustrator...and stitched...and photographed. Just can't wrap my brain around all of that yet.

I have finished stitching on two of the three round robins waiting for me when I got home, and they will go into the mail on Monday...so I'm not just lazing around.

Guess I'm getting old...as this simple trip just wore me out! Well simple might not be a good word for it...woke up and did breakfast around 7:30 a.m. each day...and fell into bed around 11:30 each night. Full day of activity...loved it!! But, my body seems to know I'm back home now...and wants to nap!

Stay tuned, there will be more stitches soon! And, I'll get photos done of my Round Robin block that was returned to me at the retreat....Mom's loves it! I want to stitch a little more on it (from me)..and then will make a pillow for her bed. She is getting a full-size bed in a couple of weeks...and it will take a place of honor when finished. She is excited about that! Thanks to all my Forever Crazy ladies for their wonderful work...and friendship. Hugs...