Fiber Artist
I am happy to be sharing four new 1-inch circles with you. Three of them are keepers for me — one has the jury out just now. Click on images for a larger view. This particular design had me flummoxed when I first read through the directions. So much so that I skipped over it […]
I have completed three more 1″-circles on my Sue Spargo sampler. I admit that I’ve been picking up this project only during the evenings when I’m up for the level of concentration that it takes to do the work well. I do not like taking work out! And since I am almost done with the […]
I am working on the Toned Down Sampler again and enjoying it quite a bit. More new stitches have appeared in these next few gems which means more challenges. And that translates into spending at least two evenings working on one one-inch circle. They are worth it though — don’t think I am complaining at […]
I’ve shared an image of a Great Grey Heron that perched on top of the building next to us for an entire morning. It’s always wonderful to see these majestic birds! But on to the Toned Down Sampler and the 3 1″-circles I’ve just completed. The first circle is grounded by the Pistil Stitch in […]
We have managed to get through an ice storm which did a lot of damage in Portland and the surrounding areas and are back to having mild, light rain. We feel quite fortunate in not experiencing the loss of power or any damage to our property that so many others have. We were only inconvenienced […]
In the past I have come to designs that I felt were too difficult for me. After much hesitation, I passed over them and worked on designs I was confident about. Seeing the unworked circles that I had passed over each time I picked up this project was a blow to my confidence. Eventually, I […]
A while ago I shared an update on the Sue Spargo Tone-Down Sampler that I am working on. See here for a refresher. I complained about one of the one-inch wool circles that I shared with you. I didn’t feel I had enough information from the pattern to make an educated guess about where exactly […]
As a preface to this posting I’d like to mention that the link for sending my posts out to subscribers has been disconnected for many months. I have just managed to get the link enabled again. That said, you have probably missed a few of my posts so you may want to check out older […]
I am thrilled to share that my work Eucalyptus has been selected for the juried regional exhibition Printed & Stitched. Eucalyptus uses three botanical prints of eucalyptus leaves on silk fabric pieced together with botanical-dyed cotton fabric. Each print is roughly 5” x 3”. Machine quilting and hand embroidery complete the design. The […]
Here are a few more of the one-inch felted wool circles in the Toned Downed Sampler. I am closing in on the end of the fourth row now. This circle has a border of alternating Italian Knotted Border Stitch and Colonial Knots. At first glance, the Italian Knotted stitch looks like a Fly Stitch. A […]
I was away last week with friends for a needed change of scenery. As busy as I was kicking the sand and inspecting sand dollars, I did manage to stitch a few of the one-inch circles. For some reason not clear to me, the next circle makes me think of a layer cake with lots […]
Wha-hoo! Coming to the end of the third row. I did a bit of editing on this next circle. The pattern shows 19 Fly Stitch creating the inner circle. I knew right off the bat that I was not going to be able to stitch that many Fly Stitch and have them recognizable. I felt […]
Instead of the cat face design on Sue Spargo’s pattern, I chose a simple treatment using the Open Buttonhole Filler Stitch surrounded by Cast on Bullion Knot. The Buttonhole filler was very effectively used to create a basket for the second circle in the posting here. And I like it by itself filling the whole […]
I’ve been busy with a few other ‘extras’ this week so have just three of the circles to share with you this time. The first circle in the third row was a lot of fun, once I figured out sizing. The pattern illustrates 23 Tete de Boeuf stitches circling the outer edge with Bullion Knot […]
Oh my goodness! More cuteness abounds on this little circle of grey wool. Palestrina Knot surrounds the circle. Bullion Knot Stitch in alternating brown and yellow rows create the body of the bee; wings are created with Cast On Bullion Knot Stitch; Pistil Stitch provides antennae. Colonial Knots finish the circle. The wings are attached […]
Oh my! Give me some Very Berry wool, lime green pearl cotton couched down with matching berry pearl cotton, add some Double Cast On Stitch and, violà, a snail. Pretty darn cute. Click on images for a larger view. Next up: a basket brimming with flowers. I’ve had Spring on my mind now […]
There are just two stitches used on Circle #9: The Cast On Bullion Knot and the Colonial Knot. The pattern calls for 8 rows of the Cast On Bullion Knot but I could only squeeze on 6 rows and even with fewer rows you cannot see a smidge of the wool circle beneath. I like […]
Progress is happening, one circle at a time. Another new stitch for me which I like quite a bit. The Cast On Bullion Knot lends some serious panache as it circles a tight cluster of Colonial Knots. I love the depth created by these two stitches as well. Click on images for a larger view. […]
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been here sharing what I’m doing. I had begun to slow my pace of posting and then in September I tried to post but my website was in trouble. I have been working since then with a website designer to revamp my site and move it to a […]
Another leaf design and some felted wool have called me. Selecting the materials is always the first thing. I selected the perle cotton threads that I wanted to use first. I was tempted to go with a strong color background but ultimately chose the very soft green on the right, even though the difference between […]
I decided to have the oak leaf embroidery piece framed. And I’m glad I did. Click on an image for a larger view. The piece is double matted with a spacer to create depth. The frame is carved such that it reminds me of a pie crust when you push your finger into the rounded […]
I have been taking my time on the project. In fact, I worked at a couple other projects in between stitching on this one. It gave me some variety and the time I needed to make decisions. To see the beginnings of this project, go here. I had done part of the beading on this […]
I’m stepping out on my own with this piece, using the oak leaf as inspiration. I’ve used this design before here, so it feels like returning to an old friend. I am using two #8 Perle Cotton threads — both part of the Painters Threads Collection by Tentakulum — and beads on the hand-dyed felted […]
I completed the top left section of the leaf with Needle Weaving stitch. Then I couldn’t help myself, I dove right in to doing the scattered Seed Stitch. It was quite satisfying. While I completed the final stitches I was contemplating what I would stitch next. Happily, retail therapy is just a few keystrokes away. […]
The compartments in the leaf are getting smaller and I’m familiar with the stitches in the next few compartments, so the project is steaming right along. The next section is stitched with Blanket Stitch and Colonial Knots. Laura calls for French Knots but I’ve always been a fan of the Colonial Knot because they won’t […]
I am thoroughly enjoying this small hand-stitching project. The piece of felted wool is about 6″ square so it is easy to handle. I also see grand progress each time I sit down and pick up the needle. I’m using hand-dyed #8 pearl cotton from Laura Wasilowski. The first compartment of the leaf was stitched […]
Last night I shared a Happy Hour drink and catch-up chat with friends from the Bay Area. With all the negative things that the virus has brought to our lives, this is one big positive. I got onto Zoom earlier this week and will remain on to stay in closer contact with distant friends. It’s […]
I have been wanting to do some hand stitching for some time. Ten days into Oregon’s stay-at-home order became my tipping point for finding something fun and easy that would allow me to create something in my lap. I went to Laura Wasilowski’s website and checked out her tutorials. There are quite a few fun […]
