Playing with paint

Playing with paint
abstract art

03 May 2012

Tast week 18 Crossed Buttonhole Stitch

I have been very slack with my blogging of late.  When I say a lot has been happening, dont think I have this wonderful social life...because I dont.  My main social life seems to involve medical appointments.   I have been busy though and this week has been not exception.

Sharon's Tast latest challenge is Crossed Buttonhole stitch which immediately bought a reaction of yuk! what can I do with that!

Anyway I drew some curves (yes I always do things the hard way, and they began to look like bridge arches, and reminded me of the Sydney Harbour Bridge so then, because Sydney is renowned for its beaches this work in progress became 'Bridge to Beach".....
WIP Bridge to beach
As I was painting the background ...yes...after I did the embroidery but you know how it is one thing leads to another..... I noticed that the right hand arch reminded me of a feather.....which led me on another tangent.....

 Feathers!   well they are not perfect feathers, I call them impressionistic feathers from exotic birds.

I had purchased the Caron watercolour thread I used on the bottom feather the previous day because it reminded me of the colours of the kookaburra so this worked in nicely. The red and blue thread is a stef francis overdyed  stranded cotton. Dont you just love variegated threads.

The background fabric is the remnant of a fatquarter I purchased at the textile fair last year, but alas cant remember the name of the stall.

If you go to here you will find lots more wonderful and interesting ways to use this stitch.

13 comments:

  1. Shirley I too felt the same when I first saw the stitch..:)
    your idea of using the stitch for feathers is wonderful..top left feather looks perfect...

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  2. Love your "bridges". The painting sets the scene nicely. The feathers are gorgeous. I am fond of variegated yarn too.

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  3. Shirley, I haven't even looked at starting this TAST stitch yet. I love your bridges and your feathers! ( is that a fish I see swimming under your 'feather bridge? This will be wonderful!)
    I think variegated threads are fabulous, and just ordered a few more today. I can't get enough.
    Great stitching, my friend, and thanks for the link.

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  4. Well, Shirley, both examples look exactly what you say they are supposed to be!!! For a stitch that I have considered boring, you've given it a kick in the pants and made it dance, congratulations. And, yes, I do know how one thing leads to another - don't even start me on that one. Now I know why the housework here doesn't get done on time. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  5. Your design is again beautiful, the Harbour Bridges, I went over it on foot some years ago. I love the idea of many bridges in your design. And your feather ar so real, looking like they have long flights behind them.

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  6. Shirley, I loved the feathers! I can imagine the owner birds! Very nice way to use this stitch. hugs, Lv

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  7. I love the idea of using thsi stitch for feathers. thanks for sharing.

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  8. Good Day Shirley, Love your bridges. Your designs are always so imaginative. Of course your feather stitches are always so creative and perfect. I also really love how you paint your background fabrics. I have not gotten brave enough to try this. LOL Hugs Judy

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  9. Hi Shirley,nice to see your blog and the feathers looks really great. You have used the stitch very beautifully. I wish you good health and wpray to god for that..thanks

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  10. the bridge is coming along well Shirley, looking forward to seeing it complete.
    Yes the stitch works really well for the kookaburra and the colour is spot on, remember seeing these birds when I was up river somewhere in your vast country with my sister but can`t remember where.

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  11. Once again Shirley, you have come up with great samples. Love the feathers and all of the colours used.

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  12. What a creative use of the stitch! I love the feathers!!

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