Just 1 little bit left!!!

Today I got to work on finishing my RSN crewel piece.  I did the lattice work on the left leaf.  I did a fairly small lattice with a gradient securing stitch and gradient french knots in the centers.  Then outlined that section with stem stitch.

 Lattice added. 

 Gradient securing stitch.

 Gradient french knots added.  I did the gradient on the french knots one step lighter than the securing stitch that they were beside. 

 Stem stitch outline.

  

So close to finishing . . . 

Happy Holidays and Happy Stitching!!!

Progress is being made on my RSN crewelwork piece!  So excited that I just have 2 more bits to go and then I can mount it and have it assessed (though that last bit makes me very nervous)! 

A Christmas Stocking for Zay

I wanted to create a Christmas stocking for Zay that was in the same colors and similar style as the blanket I made for him.  On the stocking, I'm experimenting with more applique and leaving the thread ends exposed.  I hide the ends on the blanket for safety reasons (I didn't want him eating them!).  On the stocking though, I didn't want the ends to get caught on things inside the stocking, so I'm leaving them on the outside.  I've tried to incorporate them into the design as much as possible.  We'll see!  There are 4 sections:  his name, Christmas lights, Christmas tree, and a red wagon filled with presents. 

Another Bit of Crewel

I've missed working on this crewelwork!  I stitched the tendrils using stem stitch and finished the large circular area of the left leaf with stem stitched stems, chain stitched leaves, and a couple French knot buds.  I may go back and redo the buds in the light pink.  I used the lightest blue and I don't mind it for the area, but I feel that the overall composition of the piece may need a wee bit of light pink in there.  I also thought about adding maybe a bit of seeding in the light pink- but I feel that may be too busy.  I'm going to finish the last 2 bits and then see if/what I need to adjust.

Finishing my RSN Crewelwork Module:

Since my crewelwork piece for the RSN Certificate program was closer to being finished, I decided to frame it up and finish it first and then go back to silk shading.  Mentally, I needed one of them off my "to-do" list.  As you can see I have a little bit of "help" stitching now!  

The bit I finished today was the stem stitch outline of the large area of gradient rows of stem stitch on the leaf on the right side and the smaller bit at the top of that same leaf using adjacent rows of stem stitch.

Silk Shading: last blossom!

Pushing ahead with the silk shading!  I'm about halfway finished with the last blossom.  Still a bit to finish, but at least I'll be able to say, "The blossoms are done!".

A Wee Bit of Fun Stitching!

So lots of my friends and family are having babies, so I took a bit of time and am making a few baby dresses, bibs, and receiving blankets.

Silk Shading: Another Bit Done

So, I have accepted that I will be redoing this module.  As I finished this bit, I kept trying to think of all the positives of needing to do the module twice.  The main one I came up with was practice.  I will be thankful for it in the end I'm sure.  The thing that makes me the most nervous about this silk shading is that you are looking at the same bit for so long that I start to really to see all the weirdnesses and I really start to second guess myself.  It kind of all starts to look the same and blend together and I start freaking out that it's just not right.  

Anyways, I thought it might be good to just talk about the struggles I've had with this bit.  The first struggle I had was getting the curvature on the tip right.  I know this sounds easy, but it is a very small sized area and getting it just right was difficult to me.  After a few tries though, I think it did improve.  Next, I'm not sure if maybe my stitches were too long, but I had trouble keeping the smoothness as I moved around the bend towards the bottom.  What I cannot figure out is if the stitching towards the base is stringy looking and overworked or if it's just the stripy quality of the colors.  I needed a darker green, but I feel that the darker green that I used (which was the best of the bunch of my DMC's) is too dark and is too much contrast. 

I am trying though and learning.  I think my biggest struggle is actually working by myself on this.  There is something comforting when you work with a group of ladies that are all learning together.  Thinking of all the fun times over the past few years with the many different women that I've had the opportunity to stitch with . . . 

Zay's Blanket is Finished!

And, I think he likes it!  

Blanket for Zay is ALMOST done!!!!

So close!  I have run out of the red thread for the blanket stitch, so off to the store tomorrow to buy more to finish it up!  This is the blanket I made for my beautiful little boy, Zay.  

I wanted to do a fun blanket for his room that was my version of something for a child.  All the motifs are backyard motifs--dandelions, beetles, lizards, birds, clovers, owls, dogwood trees, etc.  I bought all my fabric from Alabama Chanin.  It is all organic jersey knit, and I stitch the blanket in an "Alabama Chanin" style.  

The front of the blanket is created with a double layer of the cotton jersey.   The motifs are created with using large backstitched outlines and reverse applique. The back of the blanket is a single layer of jersey with a layer of 1/4" cotton batting (wading) with the leaves quilted with a running stitch and Zay's name and birthday backstitched.  The back wraps to the front and is attached with a blanket stitch edging. 

Silk Shading Progress. . . I think

So silk shading has me quoting one of my favorite books as a child, "The Little Engine That Could"- "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".  Well,  I am going to give it my best try, but I have this distinct feeling I may be redoing this module.  So I keep trying and keep pushing forward (and taking stitches out and redoing).  It's very much a one step forward and a few back feeling.  I will be so excited when I finish it though, even if I have to redo it!  And, I cannot wait to get back to my crewelwork!

Moss Project Finished!

Moss Project Process

Stitching some moss

Experimenting creating the feel of lichen and moss with metal threads and DMC floss.  I digitally printed a photo of moss and lichen that I took a few years ago in New Jersey hiking on the Appalachian Trail.  I've been stitching on top of the digital print with DMC floss and metal threads using French knots, chipping, bullion knots, stem stitch, and s-ing.  It is a lot less structured than what I usually stitch so it's a bit unnerving, but I believe in a good way.  More to come soon!  I've still got a lot to do on the moss side, and I'm excited to see how the overlapping and layering works out.