TAST - Thorn stitch

Here's my TAST sample for Thorn stitch. The year and the challenge are nearly over but Sharon has proposed a new challenge for next year called Take it Further - click on the link to read all the details.

I'd like to give it a go but not sure I'll manage to meet the deadlines. Although TAST was weekly and therefore sounds like more work, the samples could be done very quickly if so minded and didn't need any pre-planning. Developing a design is very slow work for me so I'll just have to see how far I get.

Lisa Vollrath's Christmas Countdown

Lisa Vollrath, collage artist, has a Christmas countdown starting tomorrow 1st December, where she'll be posting a free image every day till Christmas for download. All she asks in return is that we spread the word on our own blogs so here's the link http://countdown.tentwostudios.com/ and I'll be downloading! While you are on her site have a look round as she has some really amazing projects including a Christmas tree made from tuna tins and featuring mermaids!

TAST - Chain Braid stitch

I've never been able to follow instructions for origami like folds or for knots so it's hardly surprising that I had to rip out my first line of stitching for chain braid stitch (TAST challenge). I'd managed to get the thread underneath the needle instead of on top of it and so it was hardly surprising the stitches wouldn't hold together. However eventually I did get the hang of it and I'm glad I persevered as the stitch has a lovely texture and gives good coverage. At least the next stitch looks a bit easier!

Silk Bowl

A few weeks ago I went to a Silk bowl making class with Tanya at Rumpelstiltskin at Broadwindsor Craft Centre. I made 2 bowls like this and they are just gorgeous and I was surprised at how quick and easy they are to make once you've got the ingredients. They had been waiting for me to trim the rim and this I've now done and added gold thread and gold seed beads. I'd like to get one of those artificial tea lights to put inside to really show it off.

Tim Holtz

I've just noticed that Tim Holtz has revamped his website and started a blog. I am a big fan of Tim and love all his products and his style of stamping. Men crafters are rare and it's nice to have a masculine take on things and see how the same products can be used in a non-pretty way to suit all tastes. I was lucky enough to take a class with him back in February and he is a great teacher and we made a gorgeous pendant. He also has some tutorials now on his website including one with the new grungeboard - its amazing to watch him ball it up and then flatten it out and it's still uncreased! I hope it won't be too long before we can buy it here in the UK.

TAST - Pekinese stitch

I loved this stitch! This is Pekinese stitch for TAST and I had good fun doing this and love the possibilities. I also liked finding a use for the lovely fancy knitting wools I buy but don't especially want to knit with.

Words & Big List

Anne of quilt007 left a comment on the previous post saying that the drizzle stitch sample reminded her of a word and now that I look at it again it does, and she's right, it would be interesting to try to write with such a stitch.
Suzi of Suzical has started a list of sewing and craft blogs and has included mine which is very gratifying. Follow the link on the left and if your blog isn't included drop Suzi a line.

TAST - catch up

I've managed 3 stitches for the TAST challenge this week and for a short while I'm again up to date. The first is twisted satin stitch. I didn't really try it as a conventional closely stitched satin stitch but instead as a single stitch in patterns and I like the results.

The second sample is drizzle stitch. It's hard to scan a stitch that stands up proud of the fabric so this sample doesn't really look anything much. Although I've only done a very small sample I really liked this one and loved the dimension of it. I also borrowed Elizabeth of Quieter Moments' idea of catching down the end of the stitch and the stitches in the middle are done like that. It seems to me that would make a very effective (and easier) substitute for bullion stitch which I found a lot harder to push down the needle than this one.

The final sample is Spanish knotted stitch. I liked it but was a bit stuck for ideas so haven't done a great deal with it.