TAST, Class and More

I'm a little behind in updating my blog for this week but better late than not at all LOL. Anyway, the TAST Challenge is winding down and I will miss the stitch challenges of each week that have been so capably led by Sharon B. of inaminuteago. These two samples illustrate the Pistil Stitch which is the stitch for week 49. The top example is stitched on 14ct. Aida using #3 DMC perle cotton as just random stitches. Then I stitched a blue flower and added gold #5 DMC perle using Colonial Knots for the center.
The bottom example is stitched on 18ct. Aida using #5 DMC perle cotton as stamens for button flowers. The stems and leaves were also stitched with #5 perle cotton using Outline and Detached Chain stitches.

The Encrusted Class of Sharon B's that I'm taking has really added much to my crazy quilting. For this lesson we were given guidelines on adding beads, sequins, buttons, charms, etc. Up to this lesson I've used very few buttons, or sequins and just slightly more beads. So I decided I really wanted a "button trail" and since Sharon suggested buttons and beads could be used effectively together I did just that. I think I still want to add something else in that fabric section. There is a "vine" of "stem stitch-ribbon roses" near the top that also needs some more work. This is the first time I've stitched the "stem stitch-ribbon roses" and I found them delightfully easy to make using 2mm shaded silk ribbon. I also used 2mm green silk ribbon as straight stitch greenery. The upper right corner is still empty of embellishment and I still have another lesson in this class although I may just fill that corner before the last lesson comes my way. There is so much information in Sharon's classes and I highly recommend them. I also learn from others in the classes. Every time I try something Sharon suggests other ideas pop into my mind ...... I think that is one of the purposes of her classes .... to inspire as well as to encourage.

Here is another square to illustrate favorite Bible verses or stories from the Round Robin that I'm participating in through the CrazyQuiltingSisters Yahoo group. You may not be able to see it very clearly but in the lower right hand corner I embroidered a butterfly and added beads to the upper wings. Then in the section above the tatted border (added by another stitcher in the group) I did a combination of chain stitches between two rows of buttonhole stitches. I liked the band so well using some Sassa Lynne threads that I did a second band the same and then added a simple lazy daisy flower with it. This completely filled that piece of fabric. Before taking Sharon's Encrusted Class I wouldn't have put all that on that piece of fabric .... and I do like the end result .... sure hope the owner of this block likes it as well. I did two additional seams on this block .... all worked on the right hand side of the block.

It has been my habit each year (for the past 50 years) to add at least one new hand stitched ornament to our Christmas tree. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue that tradition since this will be the first Christmas without my sweet hubby, but since he always bragged on my tatting I decided to continue. In an earlier post I showed two red ornaments .... one is on the tree and the other was sent to a special friend. As I will not hang our stockings this year I decided to tat a stocking ornament and it is on the tree. I hung it after the photo of the tree was taken so it won't show up on the tree.

This is the photo of this year's tree and with the exception of three ornaments (excluding the candy canes) everything is hand made. I still have about 100 of my hand made ornamaents that I didn't put on the tree.
The three exceptions are at the top. The family heirloom (from hubby's family) Victorian Santa, a dove from the floral arrangement given by Bill's sisters for the funeral and a gold violin. Hubby played both violin and viola and the violin ornament was purchased some years before his illness and became one of his favorite ornaments. Some of the stitched techniques include needlepoint, tatting, petite point, shadow quilting, pulled thread, Hardanger, smocking, blackwork, Assisi work, bagello, knitting, crochet, traditional quilting and of course crazy quilting. I guess that will do for this week ..... talk to you later.

One more thing .... yesterday I received a very special hand made Christmas card from KTJ in Pennsylvania. I'll show it to you next week. Have a wonderful week everyone!