Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Slow Stitch and Avocado Plants

Embroidery is something I've dabbled in since the age of 10, but it's not something I ever consistently worked on or stuck with.  So when I saw a slow stitch sew along on Instagram hosted by Jill Wignall, I decided to join in.  My hoop is filled with muslin and will become a sampler of all the new stitches we learn.  Monday started off the first week with the running stitch.  
I then remembered a kit I purchased last summer while in Leesburg, VA.
It's a stamped dropcloth sampler kit so I figured this was a good time to dig it out and finally work on it, using a running stitch and whatever else I felt like doing.
I'm happy to say I finished it yesterday.

I know a lot of people who say that handstitching is very relaxing for them.  I really love the look of Indian Kantha and Japanese Boro stitching and that may be something I could enjoy.  I think the reason I've never really done embroidery is because of all the fancy stitches and feeling like they have to be done just right.  I prefer to just play around and not necessarily follow any rules or feel like things have to be perfect.  
The striped material above reminds me of ticking.  It used to be a button-up shirt for my husband, but after a big gaping hole developed in the sleeve, it became material for me. So today I played with threads and stitched a little plant scene just for fun.

Speaking of plants, I'm very, very happy that for the first time I've had success with growing plants from avocado pits.  
And not just one, but four.

Wishing you a wonderful day,

12 comments:

crafty cat corner said...

I am loving the embroidery, keep it up Tammy you will be good at it.
Briony
x

Tanna said...

Love all your slow stitching, but your plants on your husband's recycled shirt is my favorite!! Congratulations on a new/old craft AND four avocado plants!! Bravo! blessings ~ tanna

Betsy said...

That looks like a really fun stitch-along. And I love your little plant scene on the ticking material. How clever to use your husbands old shirt. If I ever get a chance, I want to get back to doing more embroidery again. I have so many things planned that need to be done first though..
Blessings, Betsy

Teresa Kasner said...

I love visiting your creative world.. you make something wonderful every day. You're a treasure. All I did was get a few crochet stitches in the baby blanket I'm making. Then off to swim, then home to my cousin and his wife who are visiting from Oklahoma. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Linda said...

I absolutely ADORE your plant stitching!!! That's so cute and love the fabric. :)
And hooray on your plants - it's always exciting when growing things. I'm not a fan of houseplants though you know I love my outdoor gardens. I just don't have the good space for indoor plants with very few window spaces to have them, but the ones I have are doing okay.

Hope you enjoy a nice weekend!
Linda

Maya Kuzman said...

Your slow stitching looks fab dear Tammy! I find embroidery (as crochet) highly meditative and relaxing!

Createology said...

I like your style of embroidery and I am not a fan of perfection because I always feel like a failure when I try to embroider. Shirt fabric is wonderful for embroidery. Avocados are a huge favorite of mine and your little trees are amazing. <3

Amy at love made my home said...

Enjoy your stitching! The piece you finished is very pretty!

Sam I Am...... said...

Love your stitching! Also, I really like the dropcloth samplers and yours and need to research those others you mentioned. I have never had luck with avocado seedlings but I keep trying. I have one right now that is in the toothpick stage as of yesterday. Any tips you can impart? Yours are really big! Congrats!

Mereknits said...

Lovely stitches and why am I not surprised you don't like following the rules? Well done on the avocado pits, I have never had success with growing them into plants.

Angie said...

Tammy - as usual, you make a piece of art from anything you turn your hand to! The plant embroidery on your husband's shirt is darling - I think the bright colors and varied stitches against such a dark, straight background is what makes it pop!

Jodiebodie said...

I love how you re-use old clothing. I have a stash made from the favourite dresses of my girls when they were little. The plan is to make quilts for them both using the fabrics. Not sure whether it will be for their 21sts, weddings or babies or just whenever!

Congratulations on your avocados! I would love to have an avocado tree but the climate in Adelaide is cold. One needs to keep an avocado in a very sheltered position which catches the sun. I have heard that it takes 7 years for them to produce their first fruit. I am not sure how true that is but I am telling you so that you don't get discouraged if it is true. Your plants look very happy and healthy. Well done!

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