Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 1

I chose tea for the subject of my April slow stitching square.

I chose a mottle blue piece of cotton fabric which I invisible basted to a thin cotton foundation layer.

I chose to create a tea bag and tag which adds a border around my square.

The tea bag has been running stitch around the edge of it with seed stitches towards the bottom to represent the tea.  

The green tag is at the other end onto which I added TEA lettered in turquoise.

The string was embroidery with stem stitch in a grey floss. 

Slow Stitching - No. 049 - Stitching by Chance

 It's week 49 of the K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching 2024 Challenge.

This week's prompt was Stitch by Chance.

I put 6 prompts in a box and then pull one by one by chance and executed the technique.

1. Leaf (1)

2. Seam (2)

3. Color (1)

4. Applique (1)

5. Couching (5)

6. Patch

I pull 6 prompts and was lucky to get seam so I could add a bit to my piece to make it square.

This was fun!

Slow Stitching - No. 045 - Kantha Stitches

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024.

Week 45 - Kantha Stitches

I made a sandwich of thin linen, gauze in the middle and cotton on the back. I did invisible basting around the edge and down the middle.

I chose heavier thread for all of these and it made it harder at times.

I liked the double running stitch in blue and pink thread. 

I was familiar with the stem stitch though I made my stitches too long. In deep pink thread.

The cable stitch = French Knot and a chain stitch. I several several and had a heck of a time taking them out with all those knots.  I just settled for the chain stitch in yellow thread.

The Mala Stitch I did not even attempt.  I have been packing boxes today and this one was just too challenging.

Patterned Darning was really cool. I did three rows so I could alternate the stitches in each row.  Done in blue thread.  Again, pretty physically and mentally tired so I skipped the wheel/swirl pattern.

Convent Stitch which is a fill in stitch. Here done in greens. Basically couching which is familiar. Lovely stitch.

Jali Stitch - Creating diamonds which was great. Done here in turquoise thread.

I am not likely to have time to practice my stitches with the packing that needs to be done.  We shall see.

Inktober 2024 - 15 Be Free

Inktober 2024 Challenge

15 - Be Free

Micron Black Marker on Mixed Media 154lb paper with Watercolor.

I created a textured background that worked out well.

Three different butterflies, some with defined parts and the last one is just dropped watercolor into it.  That one worked out really well.

Inktober 2024 - 09 Cattails

Inktober 2024 Challenge

09 Cattails

Micron Fine Black Marker & Watercolor

I got up this morning with no idea what I was going to sketch.

With my photography I see cattails/bulrushes all the time. I know these quite well.

I chose a fine marker .005 today. I did a pencil drawing in grid paper in my sketch book, then transferred that to my 5x7 Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper.

I washed the whole surface in a very light rough wash.

I then watercolored the cattails and added some extra color and then some extra lines with the marker. I then added more watercolor in the background as needed.

Slow Stitching - No. 041 - Scrapplique - Odd circles

 K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge.

Week 41 - Scrapplique

I did an odd number of circles which were cut by hand with no template.

I dug in the stash and found my background fabric and selected a foundation layer. 

Then I chose 5 cloths and made the circle to match the size of the scrap. Folded in quarters and just cut from edge to edge. I did a bit of extra trimming as needed.

I love the colors. 

Now, Kathryn had indiciated we should cut out the back of the image to reduced bulk but I just was on rote and had blind basted before I knew it. I was not prepared to undo that. It did make stitching a bit tough towards the end.

Just thinking about it just this morning I could have cut out the middle before I stitched the next circle. It is what it is.

Inktober 2024 - 03 Sailboat

Inktober 2024 Challenge

03 Sailboat

My third piece is a sailboat at sunset.

Sketched in a small format. I had to make it taller so when I translated onto my 5x7 mixed media paper I added height. Penciled with a Staedatler 4H.

Drawn with a Pigma Micron black marker then watercolored.

This one was pretty challenging but I am happy with the effort.

Slow Stitching - No. 035 - Thread Sampler - ORTS - Satin Stitch

Week 35 of the K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024 - Hanging by a Thread - Thread Sampler and Satin Stitch. 

Somewhere in the video Kathryn said "think of your thread as paint" or words to that effect.  

For me a paint palette came to mind. So I found a line drawing of a palette online and traced it onto my orange fabric and cut it out. It was appliqued with the blanket stitch. 

Then I pulled out the ORTS tin and started satin stitching bits of paint onto the palette.  My paint brush was next.  This was all done on the fly so all in all I am happy with the final result.

Slow Stitching - No. 029 - Mandala

Getting caught up on my slow stitching challenge.

K3N Cloth Tales slow stitch challenge - week 29 - Mandala.

With many things packed away due to renovations I chose felt for this challenge. I added a white cotton foundation piece behind a 5" square of white felt.

I cut a turquoise circle then a yellow medium sized one and then a smaller green one. Felt allowed me not to worry about raw edges.

I started with the yellow lines on the green, then the white blanket stitch around its edge. The turquoise points on the yellow followed then the triple bird foot stitches in pink and purple thread on the yellow. The green back stitch outline along the outside edge of the turquoise circle. Followed with the long white stitches on the turquoise then the French Knots in the green wedges. Finally, the purple short and long stitches around the outside edge. 

Slow Stitching - No. 027 - Stitching a Leaf

Week 27 of the slow stitching challenge on K3N Cloth Tales.

Prompt: Stitching on a real leaf (pressing and waxing leaves)

It was designed to help us be mixed media artist and have the experience of stitching on material which is not fabric.  

I did not create a hole in mine though I could have but after putting the time I decided against it.

Kelly green felt one layer.  I chose matching thread for the veins, darker for the central rib and blanket stitch in the same kelly green around the edge.  The French Knots the same color.

I stitched my patterned cotton fabric strips onto a navy square with navy thread. The leaf was stitched with leaf green thread so they would be more visible.

K3N had posted on Instagram last week that she would be using a pressed real leaf in her piece this week. She recommended we press one if we did not have one at hand.

I knew that a real leaf was not going to work for my end project so I decided to create myself a felt one. It was designed with no idea what the final challenge would be.

I regret not having a hole in it but I did not want to cut the thread for my knots.

It is supposed to be an Aspen Leaf.

Slow Stitching - No. 21 - Boro and Sashiko Stitching

This piece is for the K3N Cloth Tales slow stitching challenge.  

This is Week 21 and the prompt is Mending is healing. Japanese Boro and Sashiko stitching. The stitching was to keep garments in wearable order for peasants. They made use of every usable scrap.

I chose the light blue fabric in the center which had holes in it. I stitched around to stabilize those. I then continued to stitch pieces around. I used white, red, and blue thread.  

I added several patches in the form of the white square, navy ribbon and the red heart.  In some places I stitched in both directions. 

Slow Stitching - No. 020 - Desert Island Stitching

Here is my piece for Week 20 of the slow stitching challenge hosted by Kathryn at K3N Cloth Tales.
This week we took a trip to a special place on a magic carpet.  We could only take 8 things with us so we had to choose wisely.

I did choose my pieces before I watched the rest of the video so it was interesting how things went.

Check the picture below for my items.

I did iron my fabric before I boarded the carpet. 

I was able to tear several pieces to create layers.

I chose 4 different stitches on the solid green fabric, a set for each corner.

I chose 

• 1) foundation cotton layer
• 2) scissors
• 3) a lipstick pin cushion with 3 applique pins and one needle to fit the baggage limits.
• 4) a skein of purple thread
• 5) yellow printed fabric
• 6) solid purple fabric
• 70 solid green fabric
• 8) patterned purple fabric

You can see my eight pieces on the right.

On hindsight I would have appreciated a bit of darker thread for contrast.

I am glad I bought my scissors.

Slow Stitching - No. 017 - Back Story

It`s week 17 with K3N.  This week`s challenge is Back Story.

We slow stitch a piece of fabric then look at the back.

I chose a floral piece in yellow, black, grey and a bit of mint green.

It is very interesting how you can see the leaves and the flower outlines. The mint green was small berries.

I put white seed stitches in the open spaces of the pattern.

Another great evening of stitching.

Slow Stitching - No. 016 - Planet Earth

This piece of slow stitching for the challenge Kathryn is hosting on K3NClothTales.  The prompt for week 16 was Planet Earth.  Our home in the cosmos and the Blue Dot in the vastness of space.

I learned that the earth is approximately 1/3 land and 2/3 water hence the proportions of my colors patches this week.  

For the land I chose earth colors in brown, oranges, yellows and the fabric scraps are aligned vertically.  

For the bottom I chose blue for water and the pieces run horizontally.

I placed a line of green thread where these meet because generally on earth there is green near the water line.

I chose a simple running stitch going horizontally. This pieces was a little rushed with life happening here.

Slow Stitching - No. 010 - Feather, Hope and Poem

This is piece number 10 for the slow stitch challenge with Kathryn at K3N Cloth Tales.

The prompt this week was feathers based on the poem by Emily Dickinson. Hope is the thing with Feathers.

I chose a turquoise cotton base fabric as well as my white cotton one underneath.  After a bit of inspiration looking at black and white drawings of feathers, I drew my own.

I cut the pieces out from the paper then applied them to small pieces of fabric in the turquoise color family.

I started with the dark blue center quill and added the top one.  Then the pieces on the right then those on the left.  I did have to adjust some angles as I stitched to keep the overall outline I wanted for the feather.

I wanted them offset somewhat and that turned out well.

These are such tiny pieces.  

I stitched the word hope from the poem on the left bottom corner which helps to balance the composition.

I really like this one.
 

Slow Stitching - No. 009 - Nine Patch & Poem

It has been a bit of a tough week for no particular reason.

I just had to get my piece for the K3N Cloth Tales challenge before Monday. The challenge was a Nine Patch and possibly a poem you can read left to right and top to bottom. Nine patch is a traditional quilting pattern so that may have put me off.

I was not inspired at all so I had to just do something. 

I cut a piece of blue cotton fabric as my base fabric.  I chose several pieces of cotton fabric in blues with a yellow for the center. I just finger pressed these pieces the iron may have been a better choice. I did intentionally choose white thread but not sure about that being the best. 

I am happy with my color choices.  I will applique this piece to my grey square blocks so I left the outside edges unstitched.

I did not write poem but some participants did.

2022 Christmas Card Challenge - Watercolor

I have decided that I so enjoyed making the few watercolors Christmas cards I made in 2021 that I will concentrate on watercolor for my 2022 ones.  Of course, the medium allows for simple to complex compositions. My drawing skills are not great but there are tons of videos available on every skill level that I will manage to produce ones I am happy with.

Dig out the Crayola Box, the watercolor pencils, the watercolor pans, or the professional grade, whatever you have and put it onto paper.  I would recommend good paper though, a 140 lb paper would be great. Use watercolor however you choose and add whatever other elements you are led to use. If you are following feel free to mix and match as you feel inspired.

The only goal is to get our Christmas cards made by December 1st.

If you are inspired to make Christmas Cards, please leave a comment below with a link to your cards.  I look forward to sharing this creative journey with you.

Photo Blogging Challenge - Whatcha eatin’?

Breakfast generally has bananas and some sort of cereal. 

Here I have rolled oats, wheat bran, yogurt, cranberry syrup for a bit of vitamin C.

I have added a bit of soy milk and a cup of tea.

I made mushroom sauce for my green fettuccine noodles.  Basically a white sauce with fresh mushrooms, garlic and onions.

I have added some KimChi and some chutney as condiments.  

A big cup of tea rounds out the meal.

I made some of these for guys who worked on the renovation at my house.  Of course, there was a bit of the puffed wheat left so I have to make half a batch for myself.

It was so good!

I can't have these in the house regularly but sure was a great treat!

Of course a wonderful cup of tea.  I am adjusting to caffeine free tea so that is a slow adjustment.

A hearty meal with lots of protein.  Cheese melted on the one half of the multi grain bagel.

A fried slice of ham and a sunny side up egg for the other half.  The yolk just the right consistency to drip out and cover the rest as I cut it into 4 pieces.   Yummy!

This is frozen mushroom pizza.  I generally add fresh tomatoes but there were none available this day so I check the fridge and there was broccoli. 

Broccoli it was which added some great color to the pizza.

I am sharing with PJ who hosts the Photo Blogging Challenge.  The November prompt was Whatcha eatin’?

Looking forward to some yummy shots.

Photo Blogging Challenge - Liquids

I'm joining the challenge for October which is liquid.

This was a shot taken this month for one of my challenges on Flickr.

I placed some water and a bit of blue color into a pretty clear glass jug. 

I then added a mirror and chose netting to provide a soft background.

I love the oval stopper in this jug.  The movement of the color in the water was interesting. 

I went on a photo taking afternoon with my aunt.  We headed for the river that afternoon. 

The leaves were yellow and red, the animals were enjoying time near the water, and the weather was really wonderful.  We spent several hours with our cameras and walked a good portion of the river downtown.

This is a reflection of a reed in the water with the ripple produced by a muskrat very close nearby.  I missed him because I was focused on the reflection.

I love the cream creating a pattern in the Roobois Chai Tea held in a Chines tea vessel.

This was breakfast one morning this the month.   This is whole wheat cereal, yogurt, bananas and milk.

I am working on a caffeine free tea since my doctor has recommended this approach.

I will have more on a Masala Chai Rooibos tea later.

I use liquid honey was the sweetener in my tea each day. 

I buy it from an apiary which is located in the small town in which I grew up as a kid.  I find the price in grocery stores is very expensive and I rather spent my money support local businesses.

I have known these folks for years and trust their product.

I warmed it up a little to get it to run smoothly. 

It is yummy!

Water is a regular part of my daily routine.  I down a glass of warm water first thing in the morning before eating anything.

I try to have several 8 oz glasses of water a day. 

I decided to include an orange straw as a nod to Halloween today.

It is held in a crystal glass with straight cuts along the outside.  I love how the line of the straw is offset by the pattern in the glass

Sharing PJ's LilHooHaa Photo Blogging Challenge

Photo Blogging Challenge - Nature

Nature is the challenge for September at the Photo Blogging Challenge.

I chose 5 photos taken in recent days.  This rose was found on a bush which must be one of the final ones as we move into autumn.

It is a bright spot in the park as nature turns to more quiet colors.


Love the bright deep pink color of the layered blossom.  A domestic variety planted planted in a park.









Of course, another fall activity in nature is the gathering of the birds who are preparing for their migratory journeys.

This pond in the park had many Canada Geese as they rally to migrate south.

They are eating and gaining energy for the long flight to winter grounds in California and Northern Mexico.

There were a few ducks but mostly geese in this pond.

This was taken on one of the last days that we have seen wonderful sunlight late in the day. 

The leaves turn color as nature adjusts to the less light and cooler temperatures.   The color was there all along and as chlorophyll disappears the color is revealed.

Most leaves here in the west turn yellow with not much red or orange. 

I believe this is "River Birch" tree leaves.

The leaf was backlit by the late afternoon sun.

As the growing season runs down the plants are making seeds to ensure their continued propagation  next year.

This is a Canada Thistle seed head ready to release thousands of seeds in hopes of making more plants in the spring. 

It is considered a weed in our area.

As fall returns the sun sets earlier each week. 

I caught this grass seed head against the setting sun.   I am amazed at how fast to comes.

Sharing with P.J. at A Lil Hoo Haa who hosts the Photo Blogging Challenge.