Challenges

I've been doing the challenge presented by Shelagh at http://www.shelaghfolgate.blogspot.com/ and learning new techniques and approaches from her. She is starting a new one in June, so go to her site and sign up this month. These buttons are one of the things I made with the fabrics I created from her instructions. They are sheer fabric with machine stitches on them using tension changes to bring up the bobbin thread and create an interesting edge. I also distressed the fabric on the embellisher.

This week stitch for Sharonb at http://www.pintangle.com/ is Cloud Filling. After I stitched the vertical section, I realized that not only did it make a nice border, but it could couch a braid, so I threaded one through. The lower sample is what happens when you change the spacing.

Challenges

This year I've been doing a lot of challenges-probably to counteract winter. Sharon at

http://www.pintangle.com/ has started Take a Stitch Tuesday again. I didn't officially join but will do most of the stitches. I love to hand stitch. This week's stitch is Diamond stitch. On the right is the traditional way to work it. The other I prefer-random and freer.

This is some fabric painted with metallic paints. It saved an ugly piece and shimmers nicely in person. It is the Technique of the month on http://www.threecreativestudios.com/

All year Shelagh at http://shelaghfolgate.blogspot.com/ will be giving us directions for a piece using unusual techniques. The is a detail of February's work. The granite stitch on the machine was one I hadn't worked, but it gives great texture.