UPDATE

Life's completeness and richness depends on the things we share

with our loved ones and friends

Helen Steiner Rice

My thanks for all the messages I have received, I will try and reply  to them shortly but although I am much improved, I am still not comfortable sitting for too long at a time. That should improve now as Paul has bought me a new computor chair......... a really delux executive one,



Among the emails received have been two exciting ones
and I am thrilled to be able to share photos of two finished quadrielles, both from America.
The first is from Annette Navarro, you may have read all Annette's comments on the SAL postings as she kept me informed of all her progress as she stitched it.


and this one below is from Antonina Batalova,  her blog is www.listochek-klena.blogspot.com
Well done both of you. I hope you both enjoyed your stitching, now I would like you to email me your postal addresses as I said I would stitch and send a little something to anyone who sent me photo of their finished quadrielle.

On Thursday December 1st, Paul and I will go across to Napier to spend a few days with my sister and her husband and I am looking forward to visiting my favourite Embroidery Shop Heirlooms. This time of the year Sherelyn has a special Christmas display in her lovely old home where her Gallery/shop is situated. Tell you more when I return next week.

EXCHANGE GIFTS RECEIVED

I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

I have thought for many years that this summed up my day, my needle has given me much pleasure and stitching is a very relaxing pastime.... till just over a week ago when I found myself not able to do the simplest thing... it seems I must have put something out in my lower back. Enough said, I now have even more sympathy for those who suffer pain and hope by tomorrow to pick up my needle again.
No stitching of mine to share at the moment, but I wanted you to see and enjoy these lovely piece I have received in the last two Stitching Friends exchanges.

This delightful pincushion was made for me by my friend Ann in our Stitching Friends recent pin cushion exchange. It is quite petite only 4cm high, stitched on 40 count linen and the cross stitching of all the little animals is  over one thread.  Its  just too lovely to use .... a real treasure.

The pin keep exchange asked everyone to chose 1 shade of DMC Thread and the challenge was any form of stitching using just that one colour.( beads and extras allowed) I chose 3726 a lovely old world pink and here is what Heather produced for me. Its stump work and all so perfect and the suprise is how well the bronze butterfly blends in. The pinkeep is quite tiny only 6cm across. Her finishing method was different to what I have seen before, inside is layers of wool felt to keep pins from rusting and round the edge she has sewn on narrow ribbon using coral knot stitch.

Back again soon and hopefully stitching

SAL 6... FINISHING

Now to the exciting part of making up the Quadrielle.... extra care and time here will make the finish look so much better.

If you have used a backing fabric, pin the layers together before you move on to the next step. The red lines shown here are where you now cut, remember there is no seam allowance at the top or the bottom.

Turn the extra material back behind the points do not cut it off, leaving it makes the finish stronger
Now tack round all the edges to hold every thing in place.
Next step in the fold and iron firmly all the lines that form the sides of the boxes, this pressing makes quite a difference to how the finished piece will look.
Join all the points at the top by whip stitching through your backstitches, adding a loop of narrow ribbon at the top for hanging , dont make this too small as you will be attaching  ribbons to it later
.

Join the points at the bottom the same way, this time adding a length of the same narrow ribbon you will use to finish. Finally before sewing up the side stuff your quadrielle, (avoid overstuffing as that will make the sides bulge.)

Take two lengths of narrow ribbon , dont cut, but make two large loops and two tails, stitch together at the top  to hold in place then stitch them to the tail on your quadrielle near the base.

Next take 2 lengths of organza ribbon and tie them on just above (or on top ) of where you stitched the narrow ribbon on, finish with a generous bow, turn the quadrielle round and tie on 2 further organza ribbons... this make two bows back to back.

Finish by adding to small bows at the top. Feel free to change the ribbons if there is something you like better.

.I look forward to hearing when you have completed your piece and I will stitch a small reward for anyone who sends me a photo of their finished quadrielle.

 If this has been fun, then we might do another SAL next year.

SAL Part 5

The stages  of stitching the centre designs.

1: the circle drawn in the centre form a guideline for the three rows of gold thread that are twined round to represent a willow wreath add one row at a time couching down as you go.




2: Chain stitch (Daisy stitch) leaves in dark green these represent holly leaves.  I work with 3 larger groups with 1 or 2 small groups in between I avoid using 4 large groups as this tends to make the design look square.
Also I dont try and make each of the wreaths inside the 4 squares exactly the same, I like a more natural look, and it makes placing the stitches easier.




3: Next add groups of red beads to represent the berries. I stitch each bead on twice, it does take more time but  it is worth while as they do sit so much better... and use red thread to stitch them on with.
 On my first one I added a few gold beads but there are none on this present one I hope to find more when we shop this friday.




4: groups of straight stitches using one strand of blue green floss is now added to finish the wreaths... these hopefully look like sprays of pine needle.

Finish by adding some gold paillettes or tiny sequins.




Now all that is left is the construction to finish........ Posting again soon.

SAL Part 4

The next stage is to add the heavier Gold thread to create the circle for the christmas wreath design in the centre of each square.  A few couching stitches are used to hold it in place. This is done in 3 stages. the first time round use, the pencil drawn circle as a guide line and try to cover it.

 Dont worry if at this stage it does not look like a perfect circle as the shape will alter as you add two more rows. let these rows twist a little rather than have 3 straight row. Don't try and make all four circles the same,  the thread often has a mind of its own and this can add to your design. I think it adds  to the look if all the circles look quite natural and not to stiff and exact.

I hope this will be enough to keep you working, as tomorrow we go quite some distance to collect son after he finishes a mountain bike race and bring him back here, we will then have just under 24 hours of his company..... so after he leaves on sunday I will post the rest of the stitching instructions.

Annette, I am enjoying your comments that are keeping me up to date with your progress, can you email me groatieburn@xtra.co.nz as I would love to send a private message in return.
 Happy stitching

SAL Part 3

We now come to the exciting part of adding the design. Stitch the motifs on the top and bottom sections first.



These motif are form by first stitching four long armed chain stitch
 also known as Daisy stitch. (my choice was a soft green thread as I did not want the motifs to dominate and catch the eye.)

 Make the centre of these stitches 1cm from the centre square. 

 The straight stitches are added using a fine gold thread, then add  a gold bead in the centre and a few paillettes or small sequins to finish. Stitch all these parts the same.

Before moving on the the centre squares add a backing of calico or light cotton fabric, this is to support the weight of the beads, a few invisible tacking stitch will hold this in place.  To make the stitches, invisible use sewing thread the same colour as your fabric and stitch and slide your stitches under the back stitch lines. It does not take a lot of stitches to hold the backing fabric in place and it will be anchored further as you stitch the centre design

I will be back tomorrow  to continue, meanwhile happy stitching

SAL PART 2

All the lines shown here in green need to be backstitched. I backed stitched over 4 threads using the same colour for all of this and when it came to the second inner row on the squares I left a space of 4 threads.... but remember the choice is yours.
I am now stitching one that has deep yellow for the main outlining and then the inner squares are stitched in red and green alternating. the colours, will look very festive I think finished.. will keep you posted on the result.

Here is the easy method I used to make the points top and bottom,  

I found the centre of each by counting my back stitches and then carefully drew pencil lines which I stitched over- try to make the stitches  an even size as it is not possible to count threads here.
Don't make these stitches too big,  smaller stitches will make the construction finish neater.
 In the centre of each square I   drew a circle approx 2.5cm or 1inch across.  I found an empty plastic spool that DMC Perle 8 threads come on excellent to trace arround these pencil lines will be covered later.


 Will be back tomorrow with the next part  till then happy stitching

SAL PART 1.

 

You may use any count fabric you wish, it does  need to be an even weave to make stitching the outlines neater.
My sample is worked on 40 count permin  linen but it would work equally as well on 28, 32, or 36 count.

 The finished size of the stitching before it is made up is- 22 x 12cm (approx 9 x 5 inches) but it is easier to work on a slightly larger piece of fabric. The same size piece is needed which ever count you decide to use.

You will also need-
Threads colour of your own choice for all the outlines.
(I used some scraps I had of DMC  Flower thread 2725)
2 shades of green dark and light bluegreen.
gold thread in 2 thicknesses-
fine for adding paillettes   and beads and couching the heavier thread.
gold and red beads.
gold paillettes (flat sequins) or tiny sequins.( here in NZ I can buy tiny ones on a long thread.)
calico or cotton for backing and a selection of ribbons.
Tacking thread.

Do feel free to make changes to colours of threads, ribbons and beads, you may have something you would rather use.

Preparation
Select your material and tack up ready as shown here.
There is 1cm  seam allowance at each end (none top and bottom)
The centre squares are 5 x5 cm ( 2x2 inches) and the top and bottom ones are 5 x 3.5cm (2 x1 1/2 inches)

I will continue to post the parts of the SAL at intervals over the week, it is quite quick to make once the preparation is done.

SHARING and a S.A.L

This year the our two Daphne birkwoodii bushes  have been a mass of blooms, this later flowering Daphne has a softer perfume and I have enjoyed sharing these lovely sprays with others. Caitlin and  I managed to make 44 little posies over several days,  before the rain came ( yet again!)

 One of our church members is a hospital chaplain at one of the local rest homes, she took away the first basket of posies with her on her weekly visit. The others took them to folk we knew in the other two rest homes and the final basket full went with me to church last Sunday and there were shared with those present.  I feel very blessed that I was given such an abundance of blooms and through others have been able to share them.

Now I have something I would like to share with you all.

My stitching friends group have had a Mystery SAL  We were given the instructions for making the shape and from there the choice of design was our own.  This is my finished one.... a  Christmas Quadrielle  and I am delighted with how easy it was to make and how it turned out, so I have decided to share how to make one like this as a SAL. on this blog. I am now on my second one and have ideas for others, these are fun to make.      The stitching is very simple it includes back stitch, chain stitch some couching and lots of beads!  so if you are interested in making one drop by tomorrow for the first of the instructions

.

HALLOWEEN EXCHANGE

I have just learnt that the halloween ornament exchange piece I sent has arrived, I am always nerves till I know the postman has made the delivery, although only once has a piece gone astray, sometimes they take simply ages to get to their destination. The design I stitched is a Sue Hillis design called Best Witches and was a freebie from hancockfabrics.com.  I have since found another version of the design of this witch design at http://www.suehillisdesigns.net/ look under freebies.

Along with the witch ornament , I sent a tiny " trick or treat bag" with a tiny felt owl inside.
I have been making some of these small owls, they are about 6cm tall and a handy project to have, to stitch in the car. I started making them,  to go on the bags for our junior stitchers, then I came up with the idea of a Halloween Owl, the first Halloween Owl has arrived in its new home in Canada, the next one is ready to fly to its new home and if you visit my other blog there is a third one waiting to find a new home.

It must be today's weather, the light is not good for photography and this photo does not show
 the true colours of the biscornu I  received from Sandrine in France,  in the Halloween exchange. the fabric is soft apple green and I just love the smiling faces of the little witches. I have it hanging by my computor so I can enjoy it.

WESSEX STITCHERY NEWS

Wessex Stitchery news and a good book!

 I often get enquiries as to where one can find out more about Wessex Stitchery, so its good that I can share with you, about a new publication that has a really good write up on Mrs Margaret Foster and her work, Wessex Stitchery. My friend Lyn in Christchurch alerted me first, Lyn had been in the very first Wessex workshop I had taught way back in the early 1990's and  continues today to stitch and share her love of Wessex Stitchery. Having borrowed a new embroidery book from the library she was delighted to find quite a large section inside on her favourite work and promptly email the news to me. Just when I had decided I would have to request it on inter loan, Ann from Whitianga arrived to visit and had brought THE BOOK down for me to read.
 The book is.......

Early 20th Century Embroidery Techniques by Gail Marsh and it was published in UK in 2011. Ann also brought with her the other books in the series 18th Century Embroidery Techniques and 19th Century Embroidery Techniques. I had a wonderful time just looking at the books there was so much to take in, and although the work many of the embroiderers written up in the 20th Century book  was known to me through previous research I was constantly finding new things. Another one who is mention is Louisa Pesel I have a copy of a very old book of her designs and have used it so many times when designing samplers.    Yes I have now bought myself a copy (and delighted to get it for almost half price) I have since bought the other two and are now waiting their arrival.

 Anyone interested in Wessex Embroidery, I do recommend you see if your library has a copy, just to be able to see more of Mrs Foster's work and to read about the embroiderer herself.

OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN

I have just launched a new blog   "Other side of the mountain" I invite you to drop by sometime,
 you will find it at-http://othersideofthemountain-lee.blogspot.com/

 I will still be here writing NOTES FROM UNDER THE MOUNTAIN as usual... meanwhile its back to the stitching I am putting together a wall hanging from blocks that the children at Jan's school have made.
 I'm over the hard part, using the sewing machine... I am a hand stitcher and I am sure the machine knows it!!!!  and so I have problems with tension etc etc. Now I am handstitching the binding down and its heaven, reminds me I must finish my quilt sometime ( I wont say how many years ago it was started)