TDiTM Stitch 45

Here's the next stitch...a long time coming. It is a simple variation using my favorite 5 point fan stitch (my name for it)...and the chain stitch zig zag base.

And...after looking at the posted stitch...I realize I didn't stitch all the french knots!! Oh bother!...Well, you'll just have to do better than I did...cause it would take another week for me to redo the photo again!!

It is taking me a while to get accustomed to this new laptop...and VISTA operating system. And my camera software is not compatible...so it has been a real effort to try and find a work around to getting my photos loaded. Even then, they are way too large...and I'm trying to manipulate them in my scanning software to get them at a reduced pixel count that will load on web sites and message boards. What a chore! I'm not totally comfortable with the process yet...hopefully it will get better as I go along.

Sorry to be so long in posting this stitch, LIFE really happened for me these past few weeks....

Coral Reef

I've been working lately on a round robin "mermaid" swap block.

I'm the first to touch the block (well, after the owner). She added some lace and a large starfish to the center.

Upon it's arrival, my head was immediately filled with a definite idea for a coral reef filled with fish...but I was nervous because it is not a traditional CQ effort (but I just love the artsy blocks so much more!).

This swap is not a hidden swap, as we are posting photos and such for inspiration...so I talked to the block owner to describe my idea and she was very accommodating to my vision. For which, I am so very thankful!

Here is the whole reef, and three closeups for your enjoyment.

Now, I'm going to play around with that sea chest in the block center, and get ready to pass this along in a week or so.

TDiTM Stitch #44

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Here's a little combination of Stitch #43 and #41. It is a little more visually complex because the design keeps changing, but is very simple to stitch.

TDiTM Stitch #43

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is a very simple stitch. It is good to use on smaller projects like CQ hearts, to cover ribbon. The ribbon is placed first, and the zigzag is stitched over the top. If you use a straight stitch zigzag, the ribbon can be woven under the stitching.

TDiTM Stitch #42

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

If you liked (and understood) my stitch directions at Stitch #40, then you'll really like doing this stitch as well! It is made of two "rays"; one smaller and one larger...with a french knot in between. I stitched all the smaller rays then came back and stitched the larger ones, leaving space for the knot between them.

TDiTM Stitch #41

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

If you've been stitching along with me, then you surely already know that I just love this little five ray fan. It just looks so good with so many combinations!

And, it's so easy to stitch! I do the center vertical stitch first, making sure it is the height I want. Then, I imaging a base line at the bottom, so I can visualize a 90 degree angle. Next I stitch the outside rays...at 45 degrees of the center vertical and this imaginary base line...and make it about one quarter to one third the length of the center vertical. Lastly, I look at the tip of the center vertical and the tip of the 45 degree angle...and imagine a line between these two. The last stitch is started on this imaginary line and ends at the base of the other two stitches...and is placed halfway between them. Hope you can figure out what I'm doing by these directions!

TDiTM Stitch #40

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

All of the Easter eggs on blog posts make me happy, as I love pastels! So, the next few continue along those colors. We're still using the medium zigzag template.

This stitch give plenty of room between the peaks of the zigzag and straight stitch area. It would be super to add a silk ribbon rose or larger bead there.

TDiTM Stitch #39

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The large teardrop should be stitched a little longer I think, but I'm sure you'll get the idea.

TDiTM Stitch #38

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

I had intended to have the straight stitches taller, but somehow forgot that when I was actually stitching. These chain zigzags are easy to do if you strive to make the side of the zigzag the same as 4 stitches...two will get you to the middle, and two will get you to the top/bottom...making the zigzag uniform.

TDiTM Stitch #37

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Stitch the straight zigzag before the chain zigzag. This is a good stitch to use a variety of colors in.

TDiTM Stitch #36

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The medium template is the best to use for the chain stitch, as it has more width than the small template.

The large teardrop could be easily replace with a large bead for a beaded version.

TDiTM Stitch #35

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch is a little more open and I like that better. Still just straight stitch, lazy daisy, French knot...using the chained zig zag as our base stitch.

I like this light varigated thread, but a mix of red, white, blue would also be neat for a patriotic block. What colors will you use?

Get comfortable with the chain stitch, we're going to be doing a few more of these in the stitches coming up next.

TDiTM Stitch #34

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

We've been using the zig zag as our base stitch, and now let's change it up a little bit. Instead of straight stitch...we're going to us a chain stitch. It is a very simple stitch...close to a lazy daisy...so you should not have any problems doing one.

I like to anchor my chain at the top and bottom of the zigzag to keep it looking neat.

This first stitch is a little tight. If you want it to have more space, use the medium zigzag template and/or size 12 perle cotton. I used size 8, and IMHO it takes up too much room.

TDiTM Stitch 33

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Here's a little garden of daisy flowers. Some have lost petals, while others are just starting to grow.

Start by stitching the zigzag, then the stems. Pay attention that each flower has a different stem height and two have smaller stems angled from the main stem.

No beads are added, but if you've been following along...you know by now to add them to flower centers or to replace the French knots if you like.

Changing the color of each flower or using variegated threads could be fun for these!

TDiTM Stitch 32

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The basic dandilion flower at Stitch #31 was the starting point for this flower. It's a little different from the others we've been doing because the last step is to wrap the "spokes" to create the flower head.

Stitch the base flower according to instructions in stitch 31 post...and the end result should look a little like a wagon wheel. Here's a photo of what I mean. Please note that there is a even number of spokes, which is not conducive with wraping...as any basket weaver will tell you. However, we'll overcome that.

Once the base flower has been stitched, bring you needle up near the center...use the eye of the needle first instead of the tip when wrapping and you will not prick the thread. (in other words...back into the wraps). So, working in a clockwise direction: start with the nearest spoke...and go under it, then over the next spoke, under, over, under, over...until you get back to the beginning point. This is one round. Wrap you thread once around the starting spoke...and do the next round in the COUNTER-clockwise direction. Pay attention for each round that you are going over stitchs you went under at on the last round...and under stitches you went over on the last round. In other words, opposite TOP and BOTTOM threads will build as you finish the rounds.

Use as many rounds of the over-under stitches as necessary to fill in the space of the spokes. After you stitch a couple..it gets easier, and makes a really cute little flower.

TDiTM Stitch 31

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

My granddaughter is a great fan of flowers. She is five and comes to me often with a little budding treasure she has found. However, as most of them are dandilion flowers (usually just the head, as she sees no need to pick the stem...just the flower) they get a treasured spot on the kitchen counter ...for later disposal.

One of these little treasures got me to thinking about creating a stitched version of the dandilion seed pod and bright yellow flower. So, I stitched them both side-by-side and hope you enjoy the result.

The seed pod sits on top of the stem, so make sure you leave room for it when putting your row of stems in. Begin the pod by stitching a vertical and a horizonal line intersecting the middle of both. (Each line should be about an inch long (1/2 inch top and 1/2 inch bottom). Heres a chart of what I mean. Now stitch two more lines in the shape of an X also intersecting at the middle. Lastly, stitch another "wheel spoke" between the spokes already made my the first two steps. Now that all the spokes are made for the seed pod, add two tiny straight stitchs to the end of each spoke.

Complete the row of stitching with the lasy daisy stitched dandilion flower as the stitch chart indicates.

These have no beads, but certainly one could be added to the dandilion flower center nicely.

Some RR eyecandy

Have been busy with round robin blocks lately. Currently, I'm stitching in four round robins (HGTV Forever Crazy, CQ International, CQ Sisters, CQ for novices)...and taking a class with Sharon B...and getting class handouts and supplies ready for two classes (CQ and shadow applique) I'll teach at our quilt retreat in April. And countless other things...like a special mermaid QC block just between a few friends!

So, in a few words...I'm busy!

Thought I'd share my CQ Sisters round robin efforts. The swap is a Jewel on Black (JOB) block. I was the first to work on Ardella block...and thought a be-jeweled Garden of Eden would be cool.

TDiTM Stitch #30

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is a little upside down thinking...as you have to do the daisy stitches from the outside into the stem. Add a little straight stitch to the "point" of the daisy to elongate the petals even more.

Although this isn't like any flower I can think of...it reminds me of Spring somehow, and that makes me smile! Enjoy stitching it!

TDiTM Stitch #29

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

We're not singing the blues with this little flower...but it is cute done up in such a cheerful color! I like French knots (yeah, I know...that's pretty obvious by the amount I use)...but the crystals make nice little tops to this flower as well.

If you want to change it up, put the petals closer together, and add two more right down the center over the stem. The result looks like a little mop head!

TDiTM Stitch #28

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

If you elongate the stem and leaves of this little flower, to about 3 times the length...you would have a very effective rendition of a cattail plant found in marshy areas. As it is, you still have a wonderful little border flower...not as "pointed" as Stitch #12 was, but very similar in style.

TDiTM Stitch #27

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Here's a little stitch that is a good candidate for over-stitching ribbon. It is small enough to fit into tight spaces, but is still very special. Replacing the French knots with tiny seed beads adds to the delicate nature of this stitch.