Needlelace sampler

While visiting Molly, I worked on hand embroidery. It is an area where I could really use some help and Molly is an expert! I decided to work on Needlelace which I think is one of the greatest textures in fibers. This is one of the samples that I made. It also fits into the latest Stitch Explorer challenge. Instead of using the traditional stitches to create the stitch I used needlelace to work the negative areas.

Trellis Stitch - Stitch Explorer

February's stitch from Sharon B. is the trellis stitch. I did it square first because I thought it would be easier. Also, the video tutorial did it square, which made it easier to follow. I started it earlier tonight while I sat in my car waiting for my son at soccer practice. After I did it square, I wanted to try circular. The first one is small but very messy. I switched threads and did the green one and it turned out a little more even. I am not sure if it was that I am getting the hang of it or if the thread made a difference!

Chicken Scratch Embroidery

I am TRYING to keep up with Sharon Boggins' Stitch Explorer 2009. This is my second playtime using this month's (actually now last month's) stitch, chicken scratch. I really do like it. It looks a lot better in person, as there is a variety of textures. I painted the fabric with Stewart Gill paints, and then bonded the fabric to deco bond, so that I wouldn't need to hoop it. I used gold tape for the double crosses, wool tapestry yarn for the running stitches and Carron's Watercolor cotton threads for the woven parts. I am doing a Spring flower swap at the end of the month and am trying to figure out how to incorporate this into it. I am thinking this might end up being a fence??? I hate that it will end up in the giant piles of fabric samples that sits in the every corner of my studio.