Victorian Lady

I have received the silk ribbons from Vikky Clayton. So I had to try. I pieced a rather romantic block using a siggie lady I got from Judyth. I am not a lace person So here I could use only one narrow little piece no matter how hard I intended LOL.

The block is not quite finished. I'm going to add a cluster of buttons & beads & do some embroidering.

Seam embellishment of the week

I can't tell why ordinary buttonholes are so difficult for me. The result is always uneven. Because I do not like them, I've used them seldom. In my pink block I made small fans out of them adding beads.

I have neglected my block lately because I have had other things in my mind. We live in an old house and we have here a serious clutter issue. That is because my husband wants to keep everything and can't give up anything. Well I have spent 7 whole days now cleaning and sorting our stuff (mainly his). The house is less cluttered now, I am satisfyed. Maybe this situation calls some Zen mood, I hope LOL. - Still we have our carage untouched. It is meant for 2 cars, but now can't take even one. Decluttering the carage will be a BIG job when the weather warms up.

Seam embellishment of the week

Now the stitches used are the chain stitch (or lazy daisy?) and the stem stitch. When embroidering my spring block I made a seam very similar to Lesa's - as if I had anticipated LOL. The stitches are not quite even because I measured by eye only. As to stem stitch, I love it! It is so useful in making waves and curves. On my spring block the tiny flower basket is sewn with stem stitch.

I have to stop embroidering my spring block, even if I don't want to! I have to leave some seams unbellished for my exchange partner as well.

ATC series

In the past few days I have been concentrating in ATCs. I find them very interesting and quick to do. With tiny additions / embellishments they turn out great. And not much in advance planning is needed! I decided to turn the edges under while not being satisfied with buttonhole edges and sewed a piece of felt behind the ATCs.

Seam Embellishment of the Week

In the group CQfor Newbies there is going on 'Seam Embellishment of the week' by Lesa. This week using lazy daisy. I intend to participate also in the group's ATC swap in order to find some use for my scraps. I made this ATC using only lazy dasies & beads. I succeeded in spoiling the small beautifully shiny white pearls: - they melted under the hot iron! Must be more careful in the future. I am not happy with the edges. I have to sew them by hand because my sewing machine is so old.

The cover is now ready

I have sewn the cover ready today. I used dyed hand crocheted lace to join the front and back together. Now my Stitch Diary is ready for use. I intend to make notes on good stitch combinations there, so that they are easily at hand.

Some details

The half circles: Herringbone, stem stitch + SRE leaves + little beads.

The flowery border with feather stitch, SRE, lazy daisy, French knot & beads.

JAN TIF embellished

The Stitch Diary cover is nearly ready. I have loaded lots of stitching & beads. Also did some SRE, mut my stash of silk ribbons & lace is practically zero. Must do some shopping.

The result is not very elegant, but I do like some parts. I like the half circles on the upper right corner and the flowery border in the center. In Judyth's newbie baggie I got the butterfly and the sequin charm in the lower left corner. Now I'll remember her everyday! Thanks Judyth!

My greatest dilemma is that I do not plan in advance. I'll try to learn to plan more in my future works.

TIF Challenge January

When piecing the cover for my stitch diary there were many tiny left over pieces. So I made my first ever ATC out of them. I could not include quite all color scheme colors because ATC is so small. Well, it was fun doing it.

I have not yet dared to start stitching the cover... It is amazing and great to look at the profound planning of some participants. Planning is not my strenght. I usually get right into work. I hope I'll learn to be less hasty during the year LOL.

TIF Challenge

I'm participating in Sharons TIF Challenge. For January we have got a color scheme and/or a concept of admiration. I decided to work on color scheme at first.

I got lovely fabrics from Judyth and think that these fabrics are close enough to January colors. I pieced a big block and intend to use it as a cover for my stitch journal.