Some Cards

Running stitch into holes on card, with detached button hole etc

Managed to make some cards after months of working towards it and accidentally sending off for card blanks several times. 

The initial ideas I had didn't work cos I still have difficulty with counted stuff cos of the memory difficulties - I have to recite everything, I don't retain the shapes. But am pleased with what I eventually managed. Am enjoying using the perlé threads I got off internet and using some bling. :-)

Especially chuffed with this idea of making holes in a circle, filling them with running stitch which is then the only bit which shows at the back so could be tidied up with a bit of whipped ribbon or drawing a string at the bottom like it's a balloon. Then detatched buttonhole stitch on the surface all the way round. Infact I did just one up and down detached bh on the inner and normal detached bh on the outside. The outer gives the neat edge and the inner gives a loop to be able to stitch into. All ends are hidden inside the bh. Lots of potential for fillings using needlelace and hedebo. Need to remember to have to have the threads which lace into the loops go in and out from the top of the loop not underneath - looks neater. Also for future ref useful to fix the threads in and out of loops with little knots like in lattice stitch or an up and down bh as it keeps the work more stable. Tho it does mean less tweakability later.

one up and down detached bh on the inner making a loop to thread into and normal detached bh on the outside

Basque Stitch, Detached chain, Fly Stitch, French Knots.

Basque Stitch, Detached chain,

Fly Stitch, French Knots

Herringbone Square, Detached Buttonhole

Herringbone Square, Detached Buttonhole

Beaded Detached Buttonhole

Sailors edge, Woven detached chain stitch

'Good Morning' TAST Stitch 57: Sailors edge
Stitch 58: Woven detached chain stitch

'Good Morning' 
Fancied sewing some cheerfulness :-) Got some Anchor threads cheap off internet so felt free to lay it on thick. Bit under the weather so allowed myself to use all 6 strands non separated and to use knots. Am pleased with the result. The leaves are just how I saw them in my head. The flower was going to be 3 flowers but it grew a laced basque stitch edge instead :-)

TAST Stitch 57: Beaded Sailors edge, bullion stitch, Stitch 58: Woven detached chain stitch, Whipped and Beaded Buttonhole Wheel, Laced Basque stitch,

Beaded Sailors edge, Woven detached chain stitch

Stitch 58: Woven detached chain stitch

 Whipped and Beaded Buttonhole Wheel,

 Laced Basque stitch,

bullion stitch

Basque Stitch looped with Chain stitch and Multiple Stitches

It wasn't right. Needed less weight in the leaves. I couldn't leave it be. :-) Learning curve : lot of light reflected in the thread. Need to chose the stitches to give priority to the bit of the pic that needs to be the most important, not just what stitch I fancied using. Balance. Border a bit wiggly but I was doing it for medicinal purposes and it worked. I am not allowed to unpick anything else on this pic. I'm playing and learning. The photo doesn't do justice to the shading on the leaves which I am just a little rather pleased with. Design learning curve. So many stitches the tag says it's too full :-) Nice that the stiches I've learned this last year have memories with them of what was happening and enjoying making the pics. But Must NOT make myself poorly having fun. Stitching a bit like eating chocolate :-) Used Basque Stitch for first time. Much prettier than I expected. Makes these droplet like loops. Will definitely use it again. Wasn't heavy enough to do justice to the pic so did chain stitch edge with loops round the base of the basque stitch line. It softened the straight line too making it more lacy. TAST 27: Basque stitch.

I'm stitching again :-) Only 6 weeks not being able to. Really chuffed. Done a doodle to use some stitches I've learned this year and others.

Chain Stitch, Detached Chain Stitch, Split Stitch, Straight Stitch, Stem Stitch, French Knot, Knotted Loop Stitch, Trellis Stitch, Fly Stitch, Sheaf Stitch, Buttonhole Wheel, Butterfly Chain, Pistil Stitch, Leaf Stitch, Buttonhole Stitch, Satin Stitch,

Learning Curve, a) leaves - however close together they are the stitches with a knot in will always leave a little hole so don't make a satin type cover.
                      b) design - Using solid stitches for some things and not for others means the solid ones reflect the light more and attract more attention so the leaves detract attention from the flower. I like all the elements, but I'll put them together differently another time.
                     c) it's so obvious now I say it but different textured stitches give different light and shadow.  Useful to take into account when planning the pic. Well, I thought I had, but there are nuances - the flat stitches on the petals give different light than the lumpy ones so I had to change the left hand petal from half chevron which is flat, even though the lines looked good, to the butterfly chain which stands up a bit more. The half chevron didn't seem flat till I outlined it.  Used the flatter stitches for the under petals to contrast with the lumpier main ones.

°Tone on tone, - I rather like.