Well Good Grief!

I can't even believe that I didn't get time to do a single post in November. Bad blogger, bad blogger! Shame on me...my head is hanging low.

Boy, life has just been a zoo lately! No major events, no weddings, or funerals (thankfully) or such! Just the same ole crazy life moments that just seem to eat at my time! And December is certainly not starting out any better!!

I have not gotten a single stitch done on my TDITM even though several dozen more are charted and in the computer...just not stitched, and therefore, not photographed! Obviously, I'm not going to make my timeline!! Who's crazy idea was this!! I'll have to console myself with the thought that I can and will do 12 dozen....even if it's not in 12 months!

And I can share the second mermaid with you...it was finished in November. Yeah, I know, should have blogged it then!! But, you'll just have to be happy with it now....hugs to all who follow this blog...and hope you have a great end of year, and a super great start of a new one soon!!

Latest stitching

I've been amiss lately in stitching on a round-robin I'm in. It is a relaxed robin, no deadlines...but even so, I have let everything else come first. So, I made it my number one stitching priority after retirement...to use my extra time.

The group is several lovely ladies that have befriended me (and I them) on my chat message board at HGTV. The robin is a crazy quilt block, about 20 inches in size, with a mermaid theme. However, in reality, it is more of an art block than a true crazy quilt block. We are moving outside out 'norm' and are truly loving the experience.

So, here's my work so far on Nicki's block...she did the beading on the baby mermaid. I thought that sequins (several hundred) were a good accompaniment to the baby. And the hair is done in 3 color silk thread; split stitch and long/short stitch.

I'm working on the second mermaid now...a blond! And I'll post her photo here when done.

TDiTM Stitch #83

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This last group of stitches was completed while on vacation with my friend Talia last week. Of all the ones I got done…this is my very favorite. I like the simplicity of the stems and the width of the stitch. It will really come in handy to fill in some space…and when I get to a tighter area along the seam, I’ll just shorten the stem until there is nothing left!

The stitch is worked in a beautiful variegated soft blue that reminds me of calm clear ocean water.

TDiTM Stitch #82

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch was a little tricky to wrap all the intersecting posts and add the French knots. Seed beads might have looked better…but I like the stitch. It is really nice with the variegated gold/yellow thread. Wish you could see it for real!

TDiTM Stitch #81

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch uses the same process as the last stitch. I think this one would be really great with 4mm crystal bicone beads instead of the French knots.

TDiTM Stitch #80

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Okay, back to wrapping the loops again. I have decided that I make more uniform stitches with the back stitch than with a running stitch. I back stitch from left to right, then on the return I wrap. Then I add the daisy stitches and French knots…and any little straight stitches that might be needed.

TDiTM Stitch #79

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The loops are not wrapped for this one, just a simple back stitch (try to make them uniform in size). The “spokes” are straight stitches. All is done is bright green perle cotton, size 8.

TDiTM Stitch #78

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The loops are done in backstitch then wrapped for this stitch, but the straight stitches are just a single thread. The thread is size 8 perle in a purple for the entire stitch.

TDiTM Stitch #77

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Here’s a stitch with all the spokes and loops done in backstitch then wrapped. By working from the outside edge of each spoke the last stitch can end at the center.

The thread is size 8 perle in a variegated blue for the spokes and a solid blue for the loops and French knots.

TDiTM Stitch #76

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is an adaptation of the last stitch…replacing the French knots with detached chain stitch.