TDiTM Stitch #90

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Rick rack isn’t just for your grandma’s aprons anymore! It can be a very beautiful seam treatment too! By the way, it can also make pretty flowers…or cabbages even!

But, I digress!

Seams can be really nice when done in rickrack. You have a wide selection of colors to choose from, texture is added to your project, and you have several widths available to you as well!

So, the next few seams will use rickrack! Now, don’t think that you have to limit yourself however, these seams will work just fine along a curved stitched line as well! So, if you don’t have any rickrack to play with…just stitch some continuous curves!

This first seam is very, very simple to do. One straight stitch, two leaves, and 3 little French knot buds! Enjoy!

New Template

I just loaded the 4th template onto the CQ Wiki Site. It is free after you log in. Scroll down under the CQ Lessons and Info and select the templates folder.

Any/all of the template sheets can be printed onto clear velum. If you don't have velum, print them onto paper...and take that to any local office supply store that makes copies. Request a "transparency" to be made...they are less than $2 each...some places charge less than $1 each.

After you have your clear velum print or transparent copy. Cut the page into strips, allowing each of the individual template to be a single strip. Use a tiny (1/16th size) hole punch (available in the scrap booking section of any hobby store)...to punch out the marked holes. Each marked hole represents the "spot" for the needle to enter the cloth to create the templates' stitch.

This is an easy process...and a great time saver! It also produces uniform base stitches for this challenge...then follow along and stitch all of these combination of very basic seam treatments for your Crazy Quilt projects!

The templates are at http://crazyquilting.pbworks.com

TDiTM Stitch #89

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is the last of the half-oval base stitch.

This version is done in variegated pink with perles. As I post the picture, I can see that it is a little wobbly…guess I should not be stitching these at 3 a.m!

So, hopefully you can follow the chart and not my example with creating this one!

The next few stitches will use the half-oval idea…layering that image on top and bottom, in alternating curves. The charts are drawn using the template…but the same idea can be done using rickrack as it has alternating “peaks and valleys”. So, watch tomorrow for ideas using rickrack as a seam base to stitch upon.

TDiTM Stitch #88

 Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The base of this stitch is the shape of a half-oval again; done in a wrapped back-stitch. The straight stitches and detached chain stitches are done in pink; and the French knots in the stitch chart have been replaced with perle beads in a medium rose color.

TDiTM Stitch #87

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The base of this stitch is the shape of a half-oval again; done in a wrapped back-stitch. The French knots in the stitch chart (larger than normal) have been replaced with perle beads.

TDiTM Stitch #86

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The shape of a half-oval was done in a wrapped back-stitch. The curve and straight stitches were done in the same variegated green. French knots in bright pink were completed last.

TDiTM Stitch #85

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 

The shape of a half-oval was chain stitched in bright blue. The straight stitches in green, and detached chain in pink were then added to complete this combination.

TDiTM Stitch #84

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch was done using the template for the oval; turned sideways and only using the top half to mark the curves. After backstitching along the shape of a half-oval, the stitches were whipped in the same color thread.

Plum detached chain stitch and French knots finished off the stitch.

If you are just checking the blog…the templates are available at no cost for the base stitch. Directions on obtaining them are at the link above to the first post of this challenge.

Crystal Beaded Dragonfly Motifs

Recently I beaded up a dragonfly motif for a project. I made several different colors and shapes which I plan on loading into my Artfire Studio Site if I ever get a free minute to call my own around here!

Here is a photo...with the prices as well. If anyone would like one before they are on my studio site, just send me a comment with your email (I won't post it publicly). Also, I'd be happy to make you one in any color you need...like the red one.

All are done with Swarsvoski crystal bicones. The wings are glass on the smaller and metal alloy on the larger; each have round glass or metal beads between the crystals. The tails and body have wire armature, not thread. The tails have been slightly curved, but could also "fly straight" if you wanted.

It is also possible to make them with a ring for hanging (from the top of the head) if you wanted to use them for earring or necklace drops.

Hugs to you all!

CQ Vine Motif

Finally, I have felt like a little stitching. Still battling this sinus crud...good days and bad. Here is some work on a round robin that is due...so gotta stitch even when coughing!

The block had beautiful silk ribbon already...but needed some movement. So, I added a spider web first (my splash of color)...and then a vine that moves from bottom left up, across, and ends at right. Instead of more SRE, as I did not want to take away from the gorgeous work already down...I added flowers/buds of Swarovski crystal elements and Swarovski perles in two sizes.

I like working this!