Pages

I love it all: embroidery, canvaswork, quilting, crochet. So much to do, so little time.





Monday, April 23, 2012

The April IHSW: One Almost-Finish and A "Finish"

Hey Blog Buddies,

I ran around a little this weekend (International Hermit & Stitch Weekend, for those of you who may be wondering what IHSW is), but I did get some stitching done--more stitching, in fact, than either of these two projects might lead you to believe.

First is Grandma's Roses, the canvaswork project from the Nordic Needle Retreat:


(the "before" photo)

I got everything finished except for
the bullion-stitch roses in the corners.
(I can't figure them out.)
A member of our Guild, moonsilk stitches,
is going to give me a short bullion-stitch tutorial
after the next Guild meeting.
Isn't it wonderful to have talented friends?
That large, flashy, silk-ribbon rose in the center
is a woven spider web stitch
and was actually pretty easy to do!
I wasn't muttering to myself while doing it
the way I was while doing the "twirled" rosebuds
on the outer border.  Oy!

Next is my "finish":



(the "before" photo)

This is the Naversom project from the Retreat.
I've finished everything but the ground stitch--
those are the 'shaded' areas you see between
the purple arrowheads and the borders on the narrow ends.
It's worked in a linen thread that's
extremely close in color to the ground.
It is supposed to be stitched in all unworked
areas of the ground! 
(I guess that's why they call it the ground stitch!!)
As I was stitching these areas,
it was next to impossible for me to figure out
what I had already stitched and what I hadn't.
(I was highlighting every 3 or 4 stitches in the instructions.)
The two small ground-stitch areas on either end
add a nice symmetry to the piece!
Therefore, this project is "finished"!
(Please don't tell Debi...)

Go to Joyce's blog for the links to the
121 other Hermitters
to see what they've been up to the past few days.

Hope you all had a fun weekend!
Thanks for visiting!

12 comments:

geeky Heather said...

Good work!! I'm with you...my projects are finished when *I* say they are! ;)

Mouse said...

ooo well done on the stitching front and so glad you have got some one to show you how to do the bullion roses :) love mouse xxxx

lesli said...

Beautiful finish!!
Your silk ribbon rose looks perfect!

Lelia said...

She taught me how to make bullions, too. One hint, watch which way you wrap the fiber around the needle. If it doesn't work well wrapping clock wise, try counter clockwise. I don't know what fiber you are using -- i have pretty good luck with perle cottons over flosses. And, use a straw needle if you have one.

Otherwise, sit next to MoonSilk Stitches + soak in her knowledge!!!

McKenna C. said...

Beautiful stitching! Congrats on the finish!

Joysze said...

WHOAH!!!! I love Grandma's Roses!!!! Awwwwwwww. It's so puuuuuurdy!

Awesome finish!! Hey... I learnt a new word today, and yup, I don't see why you needed the ground stitch. The fabbie looks 'grounded' enough. :D

Bea said...

The rose piece is awesome. Great job!

And I'm with you - a pattern is finished when you say you're done with it!

Anne said...

Grandma's Roses is so intricate and lovely!! Love your new little finish too!!

♥ Nia said...

Beautiful rose!! :)
Congrats on your finish!!

Anonymous said...

Hello

I'm new to your blog.

Your stitching is beautiful especially Grandma's Roses.

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

gorgeous stitching :D

Elfie said...

Grandma's Roses is just gorgeous - love the colours. In fact, I like all your projects!