Tag Archives: canvas work

Blackwork – Triangles

Blackwork Triangles

I have done a bit more work – a tiny bit – on my blackwork sampler.

The new stitch is waffle (that’s what Becky Hogg calls it). I am struggling a bit with this stitch – working out what to do at the edges and just how to follow the pattern properly.  Class starts again tomorrow though so I need to get going. I thought my eyes were part of the problem, but my optometrist says not yet – she suggested better lighting.

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Filed under Blackwork, Canvas Work

Little Houses – 3D Cross Stitch

Little Houses from Family Circle magazine 2016

I looked at these little houses and thought they would make a great school holiday project. I would whip one up as an example and then set the girls to it – you can see how much of my example I finished (school starts again tomorrow!).

I’m using a plastic canvas I found at Spotlight. There was no count on it, but I am using 6 strands of DMC embroidery floss. I strip the floss and then put it back together – Mary Corbet writes about it here.

Little Houses Progress

I anchor my thread with a waste knot (more Mary Corbet) and secure the thread with my first few stitches. Once I have been going a while I just use the existing stitches to anchor my new thread.

This is counted cross stitch, so requires a bit of concentration at first, but once you get going you can use your existing stitches as reference points. When I get to that point I listen to pod casts – BBC World Book Club. Dan Snow’s History Hit are two of my current favourites.

If you want to make your own Little Houses you can download the pattern here – you will have to provide an email address, but you can always unsubscribe later.

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A Finished Object Plus Some New Projects

Little Houses, Favourite Scarf and Nowhere Cowl

I finished my favourite scarf – it is currently blocking on my outdoor table. I am not too happy with the kitchener join – I think I should have had the pieces abutting each other rather than wrong sides together when I did it.

On the left of the image is the start of one of my Little Houses – I have to say working on the plastic canvas is surprisingly fun.

On the right of the image is my Nowhere Cowl – I don’t know if you can read it in the image, but there is quite a nice message about how the chart seems daunting, but is really quite easy. So far that does seem to be the case – it is quite easy to remember each row as I am doing it.

Craftsy – In the Hoop Gifts

I have also been watching my In the Hoop Gifts craftsy class – just the lesson on making zipper pouches. I do like the instructor – Sue O’Very -I am going to have to go and buy labels! I like how she has constructed her zipper bag and there a lots of little hints and tips I can use for other projects. Now to just get onto making one.

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Filed under Canvas Work, Christmas Decorations, Machine Embroidery

Resting Birds are Ongoing

Resting Birds - The Background

Resting Birds – The Background

I am still working on the background – diagonal cashmere stitch – it is much quicker than the tent stitch and I have got myself into quite a nice rhythm, so even the tricky edge bits aren’t so bad.

I have been listening to Tess of the D’Urbervilles while stitching (read by Anna Bentinck) – damn you Alec D’Urberville and Angel Clare!

 

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Comparisons

Birds_04

It’s like watching grass grow – not that that is a bad thing. There is definitely a place for slow stitching. It is quite mesmerising – pulling the needle through the canvas.

Comparison is the thief of joy

I have been doing a lot of this lately  – stealing joy.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

And this as well – although I think (or hope) that I have had the fall. Sometimes I think I should not leave the house and socialise with people as I do it very badly.

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Birds …

Birds - look they match my flowers

Birds – look they match my flowers

Miss A has been unwell – headache, sore throat, cough (usual winter ailment), but it means we have been sticking close to home. So there has been a bit of canvas work done (and a lot of television viewing – 800 Words, Pitch Perfect 2). I am enjoying the process – very calming, although I suspect the back ground will be extremely annoying (do I do a different stitch to make it more interesting?)

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Journal Cover Finished

 

Front Cover!

Front Cover!

Inside

Inside

I finished my journal cover-I used a silk dupion (has a beautiful lustre). It frayed like made though and I didn’t want to trim the corners in case it just frays away (I did zig-zag all of the raw edges).

I think the embroidery it too large for the cover, but that is what I made it for and realistically I am not going to use a bigger journal.

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Filed under Canvas Work, Sewing Machine

Finished Journal Cover – Embroidery

Embroidery for Journal Cover

Embroidery for Journal Cover

I finished the embroidery for my journal cover – now I need to make it into the cover. This will, of course, involve a trip to the fabric store. I had a quick look in my stash, but nothing suited.

This was a relaxing piece to work – it is all one stitch (an elongated cushion stitch). Definitely fullfilled my need for something meditative to do while watching television – the congress cloth might be the finest form of canvas I can do. I noticed I struggled to see it ocassionally and even felt a bit cross-eyed at times.

Next up is this

Resting Birds Cushion - from Fine Cell Works

Resting Birds Cushion – from Fine Cell Works

I bought it from Mosman Needlecraft, while in Sydney. The shop assistant was very helpful and I am hoping for another relaxing T.V watching project.

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Canvas Work Progress

Canvas Work Progress

Canvas Work Progress

I have continued with my canvas work class. This term I am working on a journal cover.  This term I have been very busy – extra students for tutoring and I have joined a running group, so I can improve my times (well it is really so I can stay fit and eat more!). All this means is that there is not a lot of extra time for embroidery, so I wanted something simple to do. This design only has cushion stitch and I find I can get into a rhythm and time just vanishes.

Photo_01

While working on this I have been watching series 6 of Downton Abbey (I pre-ordered from amazon.co.uk and it arrived unexpectedly one day). The costumes are spectacular – well worth watching just for that.

 

 

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Filed under Canvas Work, miscellaneous

More Canvas Work Embroidery

Threads from the DMC Whimsical Collection

Threads from the DMC Whimsical Collection

New Project

New Project

My Canvas Work embroidery class has re-started and I needed a new project (after finishing this one).

As much as I find the process of embroidering wonderful, I am never sure what to do with the finished project. Just how many framed pieces, bags and covered boxes does one person need?

This piece is destined to be a journal cover, which should get a bit of use. I currently use an A5 notebook (along with my google calendar) to keep myself organised.

I’m just using the one stitch – cushion stitch (but it is elongated). I wanted to stitch something simple that didn’t require too much concentration so I can use it to relax or when watching T.V.

 

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Filed under Canvas Work