Birth announcement block

This was a joy to work on because I love pink and because it is for my first granddaughter Brynn, born just 6 weeks ago in Quebec. We were introduced to each other at Christmas and she is the sweetest little bundle.It's a 14" inch block. Most of the seams are part of the 100 details in 200 days which I participated in to the very end. The photo is on very fine cotton, which I provided to a copy shop, and they transferred the photocopy onto the fabric. I have tried to use the special liquid and do it myself, but I haven't had great success. I'm going to persevere because this is only the second of several that I will have to do.

Tea Cosy

The shape isn't the greatest, it should have been a bit higher at the middle. I didn't have a pattern and just made it to cover the teapot without thinking of making a pretty shape. Mum loves it, and it's hers now. This was another project to provide seams for the 100details.

The end of the Details

The 100 details in 200 days challenge has come to a close. I'm pretty amazed that I stayed the course, sometimes I was running to catch up! Here are the last few. This is detail 96.Detail 97. Detail 98aDetail 98bDetail 99 was about a million french knots, so I passed on that one! Detail 100 was lots of different stitches, all packed together. This section from an old under the sea block covered most of the stitches.

You can see everyone's version of the 100 details in Flickr and there's more information on Stitching Fingers (there's a link on the right). It's quite an inspiration to see how creative some of the stitchers are, you can get loads of ideas for your own projects. I've signed up for a new Challenge, it's called "Creative Every Day".

Lots more Details

We are getting close to the end of the "100 Details in 200 days" created by SharonB, and although it will be a relief when it is over, it has been a wonderful learning experience. It has made me try, try and try again at the bullion stitch. I've learned new ones too: the cast on stitch, the up and down buttonhole stitch, alternating barred chain, palestrina stitch and the oyster stitch. Many of these repeated during the 100 details, so each time I would look up my books, or check out Needle n' Threads' video and keep trying until I got it for the 2nd or 3rd or 4th time. I've worked through many projects, some created just to get more seams to work on. There are "details" on at least seven blocks or projects. Here are the latest details that I have completed.

Detail 84 - I can see that my stitching is improving. These little cast on stitch flowers are quite neat. I used Caron Wildflower variegated thread which is very effective here.

Detail 85 Details 87 a & b Detail 88 Detail 89 Detail 90a - Palestrina stitch.

Detail 90 b - SharonB's example used running stitches. I covered the running stitches with the cast on stitch to give it more substance.

Detail 90 c Detail 91 Detail 92 a

Detail 92 b Detail 92 c

Detail 93 a, b, c & d - a is the button group, b is the alternating barred chan, c the laced herringbone and d is the palestrina stitch, on the left.

This is a close up of 93b Underneath in orange thread is a row of herringbone. The green thread is wrapped in and out of the herringbone. Small pearl beads were added.

Detail 94a - This is my best oyster stitch to date.

Detail 94 b

Detail 95a - This gorgeous thread is my first experience with Sassa Lynne. I begrudge every little bit that ends up on the back of my work.

Detail 95 b

Only a few more to go!

Moving right along...Details 70, 74b, 76a, 76b/1 & /2, 77a & b

We're at the three-quarter mark of our 100 details in 200 days. I don't know how the first group, a couple of years ago, did the 100 details in 100 days! Here are the latest. This is detail 70, totally in gold.

Detail 74b

Detail 76a, 4mm silk ribbon embroidery

Detail 76b/1

Detail 76b/2

Detail 77a

Detail 77b

Details 71 & 72.....

Details 71 and 72 are done. For 71, Sharonb's example showed a heavy textured yarn. I substituted organza ribbon.

This is Detail 72. The shiny thread is a rayon made by Stef Francis. I found it quite difficult to work with, but the colour is lovely. I'm a little behind the schedule of "100 details in 200 days", Detail 78 is due tomorrow! Even so, it's amazing to me how a group of us have managed to keep going three quarters of the way to the finish line. We are posting our details on Flickr, and you can compare the different ways the details look as we use different threads, beads and braid. Just click on Flickr in the sidebar, and then in Flickr click on 100 details in 200days (pool).

Some more details - #64, 65b, 65c and 73

I seem to be playing catch-up these days! I'm a bit behind again, and not only that, I've run out of seams to embelish as both sides of this blue tea cosy are almost full up! This first photo is Detail 64 and seemed to go on forever! This is detail 65b And this is 65c. Those beautiful little irridescent beads I bought at the CreativFestival. They came on a strange stiff necklace at $1.00!I jumped to Detail 73 for some reason, but it is pretty I have to say.

Details 63, 65a, 66 to 69

A few more details done! I'm really enjoying working on these blues. I have a bunch of new threads too which I am trying out. It's 15th Oct. and detail 69 is due today (which I have done, but I missed out Detail 64 and 65 b & c, and I will do those soon).

Detail 63

Detail 65a

Detail 66 Detail 67 - The aqua and blue thread is silk. It's lovely to work with.

Detail 68 Detail 69

100 details in 200 days - Details 56 to 62

I realized I hadn't posted any details for a while because I was busy with other things. I was also pretty bored with working on the maroon wall hanging. So....I am making a blue tea cosy, for practical reasons because I do need a tea cosy, and for motivational reasons to get my interest going again.

Detail 56

Detail 57 - My first attempt at a spider and web. More practice needed on the web for sure. But I was quite pleased with the spider, even though his head is off to the side a bit.

Detail 58 - I just love this one because I got to use some new thread. The chain is one of NeedleNecessities overdyed perle#5. I love variegated thread, and this one variegates quickly, some almost take a whole row to change colour.

Detail 59a and b

Detail 60 - I don't know how many times I had both the bullion and the cast on stitches unpicked. In the end I used a perle #8 instead of a thicker cotton or a shiny rayon.

Detail 61 - This was another of my new threads.

Detail 62 - The row of stitching above the lace is called "Pekinese Stitch". It's made up of a row of back stitches (white), laced with a second thread (dark green).

I'm still behind on the details, tomorrow, October 11, Detail 67 is due!