Cross Stitch Magic

A continuation of all the wonderful things I'm learning in Karen's class...

cross stitch on cloth using waste canvas

cross stitch on a vintage hanky that was dyed with avocado skins

damp stretching my sampler piece to remove all the wrinkles

My sampler piece will be turned into a small pillow. It measures about 9" x 10".  I'm anxious to try the cross stitching on some of the silk velvet that is on the next piece I prepared.

a new background piece prepared...

Since I decided to use my first piece in Karen's class as a sampler, I prepared a new piece ready for stitching. I will continue to use the sampler piece to try new things. The new piece is made up of linen, lace and silk velvet. The linen and silk velvet were initially white but were dyed with the left over liquid from the avocado bundling I did over a week ago. That pink liquid sure did go a long way. I have used it 3 times for dying small pieces of cotton, silk and linen.

new background piece with silk velvet, linen and lace. the linen is a pale pink and the silk velvet a dusty pink. couldn't get the true color in the photo. it measures 10" x10".

Here are some more pictures of the sampler piece with all the techniques learned so far.

measures 6" x 8".

that web stitch has become my favorite. I have placed a bead at the center of each web stitch.

I think you can see the center bead in the web stitch here.

I used a variegated pink and white perle thread here for the web stitch.

a thoughtful gift and...

Back here I posted a video on the Cosmati Pavements at Westminster Abbey. Lots of you  became interested in doing more research. Karen T. actually went to Westminster Abbey and saw them in person. Unfortunately no picture taking was allowed. She purchased some beautiful cards that were being sold in the shop and sent some to me since I was the one who peeked her interest on this topic. I was so surprised and so appreciative. Thank you so much Karen T. for your thoughtfulness.

postcards, puzzle card and info from Westminster Abbey

wanted you to see that one of the cards is a puzzle

Last Monday, I posted about my experiment with avocado bundling. The liquid remaining in the pot was pink so I dropped a few pieces of white cloth in the pot. The silk organza turned brown and the linen pieces and the lace did turn a pale pink. The pink is not showing up in this picture.

silk turned brown; linen and lace a light pink

 I've been enjoying Karen's embroidery class and worked on one section of the piece I posted last time. I'm pleased with the netted lace look, that is just a blanket stitch done through the loops, and with the french knots but not really pleased with the whole look. I need to plan better next time. I'm going to try and run a ribbon through the loops on the pink strip because it really doesn't blend with the pink in the checkerboard. It only measures 3" x 5" so it's just a tiny section of the whole piece.

And just did another section. Much happier with this than the one above.

web stitch, french knots, buttons

Saturday update:  I've decided to do this piece as a sampler since I'm learning new things and am not ready to design a piece that will please me. Once I experiment with all these new techniques and stitches, it will be easier to put something together.

vulnerability...

I just watched this video that Linda Mathew's posted on her blog and would like to share it with all of you. I think all of us can relate to some of what Brene Brown says. If you agree, why not pass it on.

and I found Peggy's post this morning very interesting. A unique way to dye cloth with an avocado. Check it out here.