Stitchin' and This 'n That

Whoa!  It's been awhile since I posted last.  Sorry about that.  I did not mean to stay away so long, but I've been stitchin'.  Unfortunately, a good portion of it has been for swaps and I can't post pictures yet.  Bummer!

I can show you my efforts for Stitch Explorer this month, though.  Sharon proposed a style of embroidery called Assisi.  When you visit her post, you will find several links to show you all about this type of stitching.   I found the pattern below on one of those sites.

It is a "void" style, which means the central motif is left blank and the background is stitched.  When you think about it that way, lots of possibilities occur!  Like this heart with star stitches as the background.

Or this piece I did last year as part of Sharon's Sumptuous Surfaces class.

While I was working on one of the swap projects, I needed to stitch some lettering.  I found a really great book of alphabets that I forgot I had!  So I took some time out to enjoy all those ideas . . . I suspect they will be showing up here and there in the future!

Some of the lettering styles adapted to Assisi really well!  Wouldn't this make a great name tag?

Here is a longer view showing several "explorations."  (These photos seem pretty pale.  Huh!  I usually have the opposite problem!)

As I go along, I am stitching these samplers into a long piece that will document 2009's embroidery.  So every once in awhile I add a date or such to  show where we are in the year.

Tomorrow is Easter.  A time of Faith, Hope, and Love.  Hope you have a happy day celebrating appropriately for your own beliefs.

Trellis Stitch

Last month I posted about the Stitch Explorer project - or stitch-along, or challenge, or whatever you call it - I am part of.  Well, this month the stitch was the Trellis Stitch.

This is a stitch that I don't remember having seen before.  It is different enough that one would remember it!  It is great for adding some dimension to your stitching!

Here are the few samples I stitched.  I tried different threads as well as different shapes.  Starting with the big red circle and moving clockwise:  perle cotton #8, perle cotton #5 (two examples), single ply wool, Caron Watercolours single ply (two examples). 

In this sideways shot you can see more of the dimensional quality.  When you stitch back and forth (or around) without decreasing or anything, the stitches stack on top and develop height.  On the three circular pieces, I decreased at different levels to vary the height.   For the rectangles you can do a couple of different things.  For the square, I attached the end of each row to the fabric as I stitched, so it hugs the surface.  On the twisted piece (left) I stitched straight up, and then tacked just the end stitches to the fabric as a last step.

  In this closeup, you can almost see that the red circle has a tiny "bump" in the center.  I wasn't decreasing enough!  The brown one - it looks like a Hershey's Kiss! - is a much smoother decrease.  Practice makes perfect!

I really like this stitch!  I found it very relaxing to stitch it, even in the beginning when I struggled to do it correctly.  As I learned to work the stitch and relax, it was more soothing.  It's also very interesting to watch the shape forming!  I plan to do some more experimenting with this.  I know it is a stitch I will use once in awhile.  It certainly adds interest to the work! 

There are several stitchers taking part in Stitch Explorer and many of them have blogged their experiences.  For those of you who do not embroider, or who haven't been following this project, I am listing some of my favorites.  These are worth taking a look at!  And I will definitely be doing some more experimenting with this stitch myself!

• Mandie at Stitches and Whimsies stitched some hearts with this stitch
• Raphaela at Textile Explorations added beads.  Cool!
• Kay at S'Mockery Sm'Art used this stitch for hair on some cute little dolls
• Annie at Annie's Crazy World made the cutest little teacup, as well as a little hat, and even a teddy bear!  They are amazing!
• Conni at The Scoop, Score, and Deal has some interesting leaf shapes she posted on Feb 18 and 19.  Be sure to check out the posts that follow, because she has tried several neat motifs, including a face!

That's just a small sample!  Anyone who is interested in hand embroidery really should be reading Sharon's blog.  Not only does she share her own work, but she frequently posts links to sites with lots of eye candy and information.

This month we are looking at Assisi embroidery.  One of my favorites!  I can't wait to get started!

A Bit of Chicken Scratch

I've been quiet this week - but not because nothing is happening.  I've been making steady progress on a few projects, just not enough to show any pictures yet.

Bu-u-u-u-t, I do have pictures of the embroidery sample I finished a couple of weeks ago!  No, I don't know why I did not post this earlier.  Out with the fairies, I guess!

I am following Sharon B's Stitch Explorer project and last month we explored the Chicken Scratch.  I recognize the stitch, but can't remember ever trying to stitch it myself.  It is usually done on a gingham fabric with white thread.  That creates a very nice lacy pattern.

This photo was taken at night, so everything looks yellow.  The stitch is a series of cross stitch - or double cross - and then lacing around the white squares in the fabric.   The heart shape is half done here, so you can see the two elements of the stitch.

 

I tried a couple of different layouts and color settings on the checked fabric;

 

 

 

And some variations on a linen fabric, with just lacing,

 

 

 

and with both lacing and cross stitches.  I can imagine some ways to use this stitch for a patterned area, or as fill-in.

 

But, I think I will most likely use it as an embellishment on gingham.  I remember some aprons from long ago.  And I like that crisp lacy look.  Can't help it!

This month we are working on trellis stitch.  I will share my experiments with that later.