TDiTM Stitch #116

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 This is a simple little stitch...yeah, I say that a lot! The double herringbone stitches add some movement and width, and the embroidery combination stitches are just simple straight stitches. It would be a great canvas to add some bugle beads to the center!

TDiTM Stitch #115

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 I like the idea of this stitch...it is extra wide, and will fill a lot of space. That can be great when you are working on an area that just would not look good with a motif between the seams. But, don't stitch it with a seven-year old wanting to color and play dominoes when you stop to re-thread your needle...or your beads won't be straight! LOL!

And, the scale of the middle beads is way to small...they needed to be about 4mm and not seed beads. So, learn from my mistakes!...

TDiTM Stitch #114

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 In this stitch, the large circle represents any object you want to use. In this example, a 4mm pearl bead was used...but buttons, sequins, or other items could easily be used here. Porcelain roses would be gorgeous!

Roses

I love my new roses! The other flowers were very pretty...and fun! But roses ...especially fabric that has cabbage roses on it...are some of my favorite things. They make me smile inside...feel girly...and special. So, I really like the new borders...hope you enjoy them too!

Kathy

TDiTM Stitch #113

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This little three straight stitch grouping reminds me of a little flower with 3 buds. Especially with the Swarvoski crystals used in place of the ending French Knots. The stacked knots were substituted with German glass octagonal beads.

TDiTM Stitch #112

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 We go from very simple number 111 to this more complex...but, even so...it's easy to stitch. Only French knots (or beads) and straight stitches. The vertical straight stitches have been replaced with bugle beads...

 They remind me of little firecrackers...and would be great on a patriotic block. Of course, I'd have to use red/white/blue instead of pink/white/green!

TDiTM Stitch #111

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 It might be difficult to find a herringbone seam treatment any simpler than this...well, I suppose we could take it down to only one french knot! But, even though it is simple...isn't it cute!

 Using the little pearls instead of French knots does dress it up somewhat!
And, here's a little bonus photo...this block has three pieces of lace...and then nothing but herringbone stitches! Specifically, it is TDiTM Stitches 100 through 111...and I think they play nicely together!

Who says that the same style of stitch can't be used multiple times in a block! Ha! Now, it's ready for some motifs in the patches!

Blue Box Progress--Finished

There are two previous posts about the blue box...so check those out to get the progress as I've moved along.
For today, let me walk you through the stitching on the mermaid herself. First a reminder of how she looked when I started....

Since she is already a redhead...and I like that...here are the colors of silk thread I shall use for her.

These particular threads came from Thailand, off of Ebay. Gorgeous colors, but I have to tell you to beware because when they arrived (about 50 spools) I thought I'd have to throw them away...they smelled so badly. I could not determine if it was from being stored too long...mildewy...or from something else. I loaded them into a plastic container...sprayed (soaked!) them in Febreze...and closed the lid. After about 3 months...they smelled better. So, I sprayed them again...and 3 months later...all is well. The colors did not bleed either..and I was glad and fortunate for that!

Okay, here is the beginning of the hair. I stitched usually in a simple split stitch...and back stitch sometimes to fill in space. I use a divide and conquer method...by stitching along the direction the hair would be flowing...and use the image to guide me in that.

Then I continue this process until all the areas are divided up, and I can clearly see the direction the hair would be flowing...that is the direction of my stitching.

Truly...this is not a difficult thing to do. Just use really thin thread...and do lots of "rows". If you don't have any silk thread...use any type of rayon embroidery thread. It will give you a good sheen and is fairly thin. Combine three colors (as I did here)...or even 3 threads of the same color. The stitching actually goes pretty fast. Here is the final hair...it took about 2 hours to stitch it all.

Next, I debated several ideas for the "fins". They are very fluid with all the dips and valleys and creases in the artwork...and I didn't want to loose that. In the end...I decided to let the art speak and only accent it by stitching along the outside edges of the fins.

And, here is a closeup of the jewelry she is wearing...now she is ready to swim back home to Eileen! She'll be arriving soon gal!

Teddy Bear Tutorial

 I'm busy cooking...but wanted to share a little friend with you today!

This is a little teddy bear I stitched on a friend's crazy quilt heart. He is about 1 1/2 inches tall and is really cute. And, he was not too difficult to do! Really, he wasn't.
Of course, it would be best to try a little larger version first...so, here is a tutorial if you want to give this dimensional technique a try.

Cross-stitch Butterfly #1

I'm really liking this Cross-stitch software! So, here's a chart for you...technically, I think this is a moth...but I still love the colors!

Here's the symbols for Butterfly #1...and next the color chart.

 I'm off to find a good photo of Buddy...to see if I can chart him. I might need a new photo however!