Suz: Slipping into September

Happy September! We're having the hottest week of the summer--- so says the weatherman--a fitting end to the summer holidays as the children head back to school next week. My course with Karen is also finished.
Having company from Thursday to Sunday night meant there wasn't much time for stitching. I did, though, turn my wave pocket into a pouch with the addition of a zipper and a ribbon pull. I think it'll make a great little holder for a Christmas gift, or maybe a wee sewing pouch for road trips, or even a funky make-up bag.......

The Spiral piece is pinned in preparation for sewing. I found a zipper to match, but first must choose a lining fabric.

And Wrapping Cloth piece #14 is not quite finished. Buttonhole stitch has been used on all the seams, as well as the napkin edging, and along most of the napkin design. 

More buttonhole stitch edges the openwork and the seams of the hanky

Here's how piece #14 looks. I need to secure the outside edges, remove the tacking stitches, and then damp stretch this piece. Then it will be time for piece #15!



I hope you've had a fun and creative week.

Hugs from Suz

Suz: August Ending.......

As August ends, I'm still working on wrapping Cloth piece #14, edging the hanky with buttonhole lace. I added some cross-stitch on the left side, and need to finish securing all the pocket openings, as well as the fabric layers.

I added more stitching to the Spirals Pocket.

 Then I began to add a copper look with pale orange floss and a metallic thread. I'm not sure how much more I'll add with the faux copper, but I can't stop at two.

I'm on the last row of the third copper spiral. I'm contemplating whether or not I need to add more spirals in a medium green.
Since I plan to add copper elements to this pouch, I think I need to shape it first, lay the elements on the surface, and then decide if more stitching is needed.
What do you think?



I've been working on a secret project, but I can't show any photos. At least not yet................

My e-course with Karen Ruane ends this coming Sunday. I know I'm going to miss it.

I hope you'll have some creative time to play this week. Thanks.
Hugs from Suz










 

Suz: Dog Dayz

We're having another week of hot and humid temperatures, so not much work is being done in the gardens. That means there's been stitching time!

On Wrapping Cloth piece #14, I added some layered pockets:

A small buttonhole lace pocket holds a piece of wild fabric, and sits upon a cotton, double-layered pocket edged in buttonhole lace. An oblong piece of wild fabric, also edged in buttonhole lace, protrudes from one of the two pockets.
All this sits upon a silk, buttonhole lace edged pocket holding three drizzles.

I then added another buttonhole lace pocket- this time in a triangle.

Then a frilly edging was added

I wanted to create a buttonhole lace, gathered pocket on a cutwork base

I may have gotten carried away with the number of stitches...........

and this frilly effect was the result. It looks like petals of a flower

so I added a Josephine Knot cascade to finish it off.

I like this look and it's inspired a few new ideas.

Here's an overview of piece #14. There are at least 14 pockets on this piece.

A few more finishing stitches to do, and this piece will be added to the tote.









A friend came to play with Gelli printing on fabric, and I made this piece from a spiral stencil I made:

This photo shows the colours better, and the start of some stitching.

My progress to date. Once I've added all the embellishing, I'll be making a pocket with this piece. I've used a variety of  threads in silk, cotton, floss, and rayon. So far the stitches I've used are: outline stitch variation, french knots, and long bullions. I'm not planning to stitch every spiral, but there's a bit more stitching to come.

The Purple Project is awaiting my time and attention. I'll get back to it one of these days.

I hope you've had a good stitching week, too.
Hugs from Suz


 

Suz: August

Happy August

The heat wave is waning and we've had several thunderstorms this past weekend. Wind, rain and hail. When the hydro was working, I spent some time stitching.

 

 

Wrapping Cloth piece #14 sports a bridge of buttonhole lace.

The bridge joins different pockets together

progress










the next photo shows pencils extending from the pockets on this piece

8 pencils= 8 pockets, so far.......

I'm experimenting with a doodle cloth

adding texture and layers




more branches and leaves to come

the Purple Project is progressing with 9 blocks pieced. Some need trimming and edging with a zig-zag stitch.

I have lots more fabric left over, so I may just make a few more, then the titivations can begin!


I hope you've had a fun and creative week.
Hugs from Suz

Suz: July Heat Wave

We're in the midst of a heat wave, sweltering in the gardens, and hiding indoors, even though we don't have central air. We may turn on the small portable air conditioner if it gets too hot. Then, I'll probably have a sit and stitch.
The wave piece is finished.

I added some beads, alluding to the sparkle of the sunlight on moving water........







then I turned it into a double pocket. Hmmmm, or maybe a pouch. Could even be a little clutch purse if I add a button closure........okay, so I couldn't make up my mind just how to use this double-pocket/pouch. I'll let it sit while I decide.

If I sew it onto a bag, I'll have a two-layered pocket. I was going to add it to some reclaimed blue jeans to make a purse, but some of the blues didn't play well together.









Wrapping Cloth piece #14 is in the early stages of embellishment. I added some of my wild fabric to make the open work on one napkin show up just a bit better. There are 3 napkins (or portions of) in this piece.

I added 3 bullion knots on the left. They join together several layers of cloth, and create two pocket openings in the scalloped-edged napkin.
You can almost make out the 1st layer of buttonhole lace on another, folded napkin edge. It also indicates a pocket opening.

 Two strips of buttonhole lace have been joined together to make an L. Each strip decorates a pocket opening.

So far, piece #14 has a total of 8 pockets!

The Purple CQ Project is picking up some speed. 6 of the nine blocks have been pieced.

Ah, this looks a bit neater. I have my tote of purple threads and embellishments all ready for titivating my blocks.


I hope you've had a good, creative week. Keep cool.

Hugs from Suz