The last edge on felt

More experiments in spare moments with the inside out chevron (lower) and the twisted flies, cable chain and feather stitches (upper). I'm going crazy stitching on transparent layers to finish one of last my design class pieces. Definitely off grid work! Perhaps it's fortunate I've been exploring that a bit in SharonB's class.

It's funny how these two classes have worked together to stretch me. I wanted to only do counted thread work on 36- to 40-count linen when I started the design class in mid-January. Now here I am at mid-December and have had to experiment with different fabrics and threads in spite of all my initial intentions to the contrary.

I'm hoping next year will be a good solid year of growth with some of these concepts I've learned and need so much more practice with in my designs. The only new learning challenges planned for next year are color and shape. I want to join in on SharonB's Take a Stitch Tuesday and keep up with the group of people in the PLS class after the close of the Joggles' forum this coming Wednesday.

I've been going through my projects underway. I have so many in various stages of progress that I should finish off the old ones and never start a new one until mid-June. I'm going to try sticking my new designs into a visual journal. I want to see if that will help prevent stitching on anything new until then. I have two ideas that are just eating away at me. One is an abstract that needs colors and stitches determined. The other is a dragon. Of course, the dragon is an abstraction, too, but very recognizable. Thankfully, all my plans for this next year are as last year's, subject to God's providence.

Twisted flys and Inside out chevrons

Still working with the felt to see what I can do on it. Enjoyed doing a twisted fly and feather (inner three lines at the lower right) and the inside out chevrons (two rows outermost upper right). I'm not sure what the name are for these stitches; these are names I use to help me remember what I did. There are four slipped cable chain rows at the lower left. The first has the slip done on top and twisted at the loop before fastening. Then I put a French knot on each side. The second has detached chain stitch on each side, the third one is beaded and the lower chain is laced with a stitch added in the middle and some extra loops on the bottom.

I finished reading SharonB's sixth lesson. The text and the visuals are wonderfully inspiring. It is making it so hard to pull away for a few days and concentrate on my design class. But, of course, once I get working on that I will be just as happy there. Now to work on bringing the two together seamlessly!

Filling in the holes

A few ideas to fill in the page for the single straight feather stitch came up to mind as I had read some of the more recent lessons from SharonB's class. The other night with no thread to do my grid, I finally had an opportunity to try them. I might have pushed the limit too far on the 3rd light blue border and reduced it to nothing more than a fly stitches. But it's too late for, it's stitched!

Latest on lesson 1 from SharonB

These photos are the show the latest on lesson 1. I've got more space on my pages so I can't say that it is finalized. But I have read lesson 2 and must move along to explore there. Sharon's material is so rich!

More on the feather stitch

Here are some more experiments with the feather stitch. I did a few rows with two colors because one of my goals for this year is to test using two differing threads within one stitch. I don't care how they differ--color, texture, size--but that they differ is important to me.

In the last image the contrast is not showing up well. On that line I wrapped a darker peach thread around the outside portion of the feather stitch on both sides. If you're wondering about the blue stitching, I stitched one row over another. I like the nest it makes, I need to try putting a bead or French knot inside. I'm not sure if I will end up liking it or not. I could always weave a ribbon or thick thread through it-- in or out of the openings or entirely behind it. I love alternatives!

The sixth design class lesson was in at the post office last night. My work is cut out for me! I've been busy with it this morning. But last night I got some work done on the chained bars -- the last stitch I set for myself to do in lesson 1 with SharonB. I just haven't had time to snap a picture. And I've got a few more experiments with the feather stitch yet to take, too! I'm so funny! I can hardly wait to download lesson 2 and yet I'm still lingering over lesson 1. For me learning takes time. I want to hurry on but I need patience with myself so that I have time to think and consider. Reading Sharon's notes helps me to do just that. And while I'm stitching I have time to relax and reflect on what I've been learning.

Trouble with a feather...

...with a feather stitch, that is. I had fun playing after a while. It just took time getting from frustration to fun. I still had problems turning the corners as you can see. Thankfully, this stitch is one from SharonB's class on a stitch library. I'm hoping to see some good solutions as classmates keep posting their work. The tall picture is an attempt at hollyhocks, one of my favorite flowers. Too many beads in the second section for my taste but I was too tired of ripping out to tackle any more. Well, there are numerous other problems with that section of the sampler, but sometimes I like to leave my mistakes as reminders of something I've tried, but couldn't accomplish. When I come back to it in a few months or a year or so and find I am able to work the idea out--what an encouragement it is!

I can finally post a link to SharonB's blog for those who may read this and aren't familiar with it. It is http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php Thanks to Linda for helping me with instructions on making links in these posts! Sharon's website and stitch dictionary are worth checking out, too. Links are at the top right corner of the blog.