TAST 2010 - 25

Vandyke Stitch

A mini stitch sampler, 6x10cm. which I have worked on over two days as the stitches are quite small and the threads mostly fine -

Stef Francis Fine Perle, Caron Wildflowers and crochet cotton No. 8.

The background is fine linen, Jet Ink printed with a photo of a collection of variegated fibres. I enjoy printing on fine linen but my printer doesn't always! It struggles and makes funny noises.

This is an easy stitch - but as usual I went wrong here and there.

Sunflowers & Haiku 28

"Sunflower season,

Paint, stitch, and take photographs,

'twill brighten dull days"

Our neighbour has a lovely tall sunflower and the local paper recently had photos of blooms growing to record heights - reminding me that I have a collection of a watercolour pencil painting done long ago, a photo of a field in France with the blooms fading, and several stitched pieces, which together have made a nice mosaic.

I added a Haiku as I'm way behind on my personal weekly "52 Haikus" challenge on Flickr - there should be about 32 by now!

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry with three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.

It is sometimes expanded or reduced in other versions but I prefer the original format.

Siennese Stitch Mini Sampler

Tast 2010 - 24

This is last week's stitch - I haven't been stitching, or using PC a lot recently as my arm is in a painful phase.

Hopefully it will be better again soon, I get frustrated!!!

The sampler is small, 6x6cm. on an Aida 14 count band in DMC Perle 5.

The pink and purple is variegated, green weaving is in a plain double thread.

This was quick and easy to do this afternoon, I enjoyed stitching it.

The weaving has added dimension and, I think, interest.

TAST 07 32 33 34 - Doodle

32 Crested Chain Stitch
33 Scroll Stitch
34 Portuguese Stem Stitch

As it was sunny and warm this morning I sat in the garden to complete this stitch sampler, with a few unintentional variations where I went wrong!
Although I was not keen on the stitches at first I enjoyed them as I got going - I often find this is so.
It's a mini piece, 7x10cm, on evenweave in DMC Perle 5 and 8.
The doodle developed as it went along and it's in a picnic frame for presentation.

"Just popping round the pond....."

TAST 2010 - 23 Waved Chain Stitch and variations.

Many thanks to Sue Webb for the background inspirational photo.

The link is on my Flickr Photostream - see side panel here.

The postcard is made from a Jet Ink print on canvas paper with top stitching.

The canvas is backed with a cotton fabric, flowers stitched with Stef Francis fine Perle and Caron Widflower threads.

Dried grasses are over stitched in Waved Chain, here and there with one strand DMC Floss, to give texture. (This doesn't show here!)

Busy Lizzies and TAST

The Impatiens have been more vibrant than ever this year so I took several photos recently.

Then I jet printed onto a canvas paper as background for a textile postcard and added my next three 2007 TAST stitches, using Perle threads.

29 Arrowhead Stitch,

30 Buttonhole Wheel Stitch,

31 Cast On Stitch,
and a few French Knots.

The canvas paper is substantial, layered on a cotton base, and does not need edge stitching.

I'll be printing more of the photos on the canvas to make into greetings cards - without additional stitching.

This afternoon I was with a very dear friend, who had a severe stroke two years ago.
Now that I am more mobile, at last, we can continue our weekly crafting.
Today Pat painted in watercolour on a textured canvas type paper.
I printed and painted on a dreary old scrap of cream voile curtain - inspired by the colours of the Sweet Peas from our garden.
I'm not sure whether Pat intended to paint holly, but as the printed version looks like it we can make Christmas cards from prints later in the year. It is very effective.
I was experimenting and will 'stamp-print and paint' more plain fabric to use as a base for postcards or TAST stitching.
A lovely afternoon - quite successful too!
Thursday morning ...... I had to start the day with a few more pieces, see Flickr.