Thursday, June 18, 2009

Nature Journal: Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicas)

Beach pea plants grow with wild abandon all over the yard. I love these flowers!


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Interwoven Diagonal Cross Stitch

I found this cross stitch flower in Judith Baker Montano’s lovely book, Elegant Stitches (page 41). It’s very easy and fun to do. As you can see, it starts as a simple cross stitch. Subsequent cross stitches are added into the same holes, making sure to weave the thread through the stitches.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Geeky Star Trek Fun...

Here's Binky.


Here's Binky as a Vulcan cat. Turn up volume. Click arrow to play.


You can upload any portrait, here, to create your very own Vulcan - and even put words in his mouth.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Needleweaving

I finally got a chance to work on this month’s Stitch Explorer challenge. I had a great time learning these woven stitches! I used raised needle weaving for the flower petals. For the leaves, I followed Sharon B’s wonderful tutorial on the closed needlewoven picot leaf stitch. These stitches are simple and quick and substantial. I will definitely be using them in the future! The background is a piece of upholstery fabric with wool roving felted onto the surface. Free machine stitching was added with variegated thread. Underneath, I used Peltex for support – no need to hoop!