Cy - TAST 22 & May CQJP block

Can I squeeze my reveal in here....had a busy 3-day weekend, so I wasn't around to post earlier.


TAST Week 22 Knotted Cretan Stitch

I didn't have much time to spend on this stitch this week as I've been in 'Digital Designing' mode and working in the orchard.

But that is a story for another blog post. I'll keep you in suspenders (haha) for now.

So here are two test samples for Knotted Cretan Stitch.

With the pink floss I was just playing with different stitch lengths, widths and stretches.

And with the green, well, it was meant to be a circle but I got distracted when one of the dogs decided it was time to throw an old shoe at me "oh come on mum, it must be playtime now".

CQJP May Block

I have got this block to a reasonable stopping point for now, and I'm calling it temporarily finished.

I need (at some point in the near future) to add something more to the left side because I can see that all the "weight" of embellishing is on the right, and the block is not balanced and not to my liking.....yet.

Detail pics......

Silver ribbon stitched to create a ruffle, and turquoise seed beads scattered around the folds.

Blanket Stitch half wheels in two strands of blue variegated DMC floss.

I've no idea what this is called, lol. How about "noughts and crosses".

A bit more added to my "V" exploratory seam. I like the effect of the turquoise/teal raised threads going from one 'knot' to the next. This stitch was one I made up. I think it may be something similar to the Scroll stitch, but this one is stitched differently.

Black cotton crochet scalloped edging lace, and a very short seam with detached chains, silver beads and blue French Knots.

Freeform Mandala with a shiny gold Shisha in the middle.

And my usual centre patch with a butterfly. Not one of my better butterflies I think. It looks more like a hawk-moth to me, probably because of the chunky bead body. 

I may 'frog' the green thread lines on the top as it just doesn't look 'right' to me.

So that's all for now sweet friends.

Back to work on the digital stuff for a day or two before I will allow myself time off to relax with needle and thread.

Cy - reveal - TAST Butterfly Chain - and.....

Here is my TAST Butterfly Chain

Strange that I used the yellow and orange colours too. 

I was going for a rustic look while using this stitch. 

And then I used it on ribbon.

And........

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do....

My 'other' project for this week is - a Cross Stitch Biscornu pin cushion. Just because I want one (and I have been secretly envious of Angela's Biscornu since she showed us a pic of her workdesk).

I adapted and added to a basic one-colour chart for this cross stitch piece and made it 'mine'.

I wanted a jewel-like colour scheme to brighten the coffee table next to where I sit and stitch.

I have stitched some of my CQ too, but have not taken photos yet so you will have to wait for next weeks reveal for the finished photos.

So that's me for this week.

Happy Stitching

Cy - TAST Bullion Knot - CQJP May WIP

I was dreading the appearance of this stitch in TAST. I have never managed to get it anything near right in the past. I just had too many fingers and thumbs getting in the way of my wraps, and no amount of adjusting would get the knot to stay in place without unraveling itself.

So, good old Percy (perseverance) stepped in to help me overcome my fear of this stitch.

The light brown thread of the bullion knots in this 1st pic was a very stupid choice for me to trial the stitch.

Not only is it one of the thinnest threads I've got, making it very difficult to hold and wrap etc., it is also the wrong colour to show up on that seam, and it has ended up being rather insignificant.

After all the struggle and effort of learning the bullion I wanted it to have a bit more 'oomph' than that. It is so tiny even the camera had trouble finding it.

After that mis-adventure I picked up cotton floss and used all 6 strands to make a repeating pattern. It could be clamshells, bow-tie or duck feet (haha) take your pick.

I'm still not happy with the evenness of the knots, but hey, at least it's not unwrapping now.

And just when I thought I was done with the bullion knot stitch, up pops a thought that I could add big textured flowers to the bright cushion I'm making for my mum.

Now this is more like it. It's a lot easier with wool.

Two and a half big pink bullion knot flowers.

So it looks like I might have finally managed a half-decent bullion knot at last.

CQJP May WIP

This is the naked block I have made for my May block, and I have started stitching with the bullion knot (above) on it this week.

Happy Stitching

Susan: TAST 19 CQJP

Here's the progress. There will be more done on that bouquet, but not with bullion stitches.



Not sure why I did the stitching around the butterfly except it seemed the right thing to do. =)