Sunday, January 31, 2021

One step forward...

One step forward, two steps back, then maybe three steps forward...  Sparing you the details, that's what my life is at the moment.  The movement of settling an estate is always forward (there is no stopping or truly going backwards - at least not in my case), but unexpected things make it seem slower than it should really need to be.  That said, the week ended well, and resulted in moving into a new phase in the process - a phase where unknowns may lurk, but still I press forward.

And now, on to more enjoyable things...

Today's offering in my weekly Year Of Projects update is a simple tag.  The #52Tags challenge host made the theme of Week 4's tag the Fly Stitch.  I'd never encountered this stitch before, so I made my stitches the way the challenge host made hers. It was only when looking for a link to a tutorial for just this stitch did I realize that the designer (and I) made our fly stitches upside down.  

To be clear, I knew we were making them upside down (from the way we'd want them to appear when the tag was finished), but I didn't realize upside down isn't the typical way to make this stitch.   The host of the challenge is left-handed, so I wonder if that is why she stitches it the way she does.  Regardless, lesson learned...  I may want to seek out a separate tutorial for a new-to-me embroidery stitch when making future tags.  Here's the hostess's video for this challenge.  And here is a different video that is a tutorial for just making the Fly Stitch.   

All that aside, I did enjoy making the fly stitch, even upside down.  😅  It's a bit of a mesmerizing stitch.  The first sample I made (just below) was way overdone, but it was well worth having done it for what I learned - that, and it was just enjoyable to stitch:

While what I did above created a too-dense design that doesn't make a lot of sense to look at, I enjoyed meandering around the piece and crossing over earlier sections to create some depth to the "picture"  To be sure, there is a time and place for doing this, but I clearly need to learn some control.  😉

In my second attempt I didn't cross over previously laid stitches, but I did still enjoy meandering a bit and joining sections together.  I also enjoyed working with a variegated thread that had completely different colors in it - as opposed to the more subtly variegated threads above.


And since I haven't shown what the backs look like, here's a picture that shows more or less what the back sides of my tags will all look like:

Some people are writing short notes on the backs of theirs.  I'm just keeping mine plain - for now, anyway.  

And that's a wrap for this week!  


Even with several snows, we're continuing to have an exceptionally mild winter here - for which I am truly grateful.   How are things in your corner of the world?

The view down the street from my front door


~~~~~





35 comments:

  1. I had never heard of a fly stitch. It looks so cool. I like how it can give depth to a project just by overlapping it. Lovely snowfall you have there. We have had lots of rain this month and it was needed. We are in an extreme drought again so any moisture is welcomed.

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    1. What makes the snow so pretty is knowing it won't likely be hanging around for very long. More snow tonight, though, so I don't know what I'll be waking up to. =/

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  2. Thanks for sharing your tags. It is such a pretty project. It has been colder than normal down here in south Florida but still much warmer, and drier, than home. Very glad to be missing the ice and snow back home even if I'm wearing a sweatshirt.

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    1. Glad we've had very little ice this winter ourselves.

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  3. I love fly stitch. It's so satisfying, to get different effects by stitching closely or with spaces. Then you find yourself in feather stitch before you know it. Very glad you're enjoying it.

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    1. Yes, I enjoyed how changeable this fly stitch is. Looking forward to using it more in the future. :)

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  4. I think the tags are lovely. I really like the colors in the first one. I loved seeing the snow down your street. I find that fascinating.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. I suppose the colors in the first one are common "sea" colors. Hmmm... it occurs to me that the densely stitched fly stitches are sort of reminiscent of coral.

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    2. Coral is exactly what they made me think of!

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    3. The tags are so lovely. Still dreaming of finding time to do some of them.

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  5. I like your snowy scene. We haven't really had any snow to speak of ....yet. Sometimes February can bring a good snow for a week or two. I have to admit I am looking forward to it. We have had a lot of rainy days and snow would be a welcome change.

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    1. February is sort of a wild card month here in central Indiana, weather-wise. The only thing that seems consistent is the brown. February is a brown, muddy month - unless it's frozen solid, in which case, it's just brown. It looks like we're going to have some frigid weather by early next week, but then back into the 40's by the end of the same week. I'll take it!

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  6. Very nice! I think both are beautiful I have never tried fly stitch I will have to look it up. It's been freezing here but very little snow in my part of the UK, that could change though as it's forecasted for tomorrow. I'm pleased things are moving on with the legal stuff it always seems to take forever. Have a great week.

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    1. Up until now the timeline of getting things done was dictated by where we were in the legal system. Now that I have freedom and authority to actually make decisions, it's both a relief and, at the same time, feels kind of daunting because what was previously just theoretical, now is reality. But one step at a time, it will get done as I move forward through the process.

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  7. These tags are so very lovely!!!! I can't wait to see all 52 lined up together!

    I'm experiencing a snowstorm now but can say the same ... it's been a mild winter despite what's going on outside my window now. I want to craft but I guess I should get to work now. LOL!

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    1. Oh, that's an idea - a group photo! Some people seem to have a color theme going on with their tags, so for them a group photo will be lovely. Mine will probably be a little all over the place and corralled together it may look like a wild, blended family reunion.

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  8. Good for you for pressing forward in this necessary but (I am imagining) draining work. I have not heard of fly stitch either, but it is very pretty!

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  9. Fly stitch - I must remember that, it looks very nice. Your tag is so lovely. Here's hoping that you'll get some peace of mind even if the settling of the estate is still going on.

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    1. Having moments of quiet craftiness has certainly been helpful when the brain wants to simply ruminate. For me, there's something about doing handwork that eventually quiets the mind. At least for a bit.

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  10. So lovely!! I love your finished tag. I've never actually embroidered anything, so I would have NEVER (in a million years) thought it was constructed incorrectly!

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  11. They are very pretty, especially the 2nd one you did. I can’t tell if the colour is what is making me think that or the simplicity of the design, anyway it’s lovely. They remind me of those plants you see when you go snorkelling that are on the sea floor waving about with the tide. We had the coldest January in 10 years apparently. We are getting new snowfall every time the previous snow melts, so I am loving this winter so far.

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    1. I like the second one better, too. Quite a few people thought as you did because they made tags with an underwater theme. Glad you're enjoying your winter. :)

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  12. The tags are lovely and I like the one with the cross overs. Those tags are keepers!

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    1. I'm glad the first one is getting some love. :) I didn't like it enough to turn it into a tag, but it's sitting here waiting for its purpose to reveal itself. ;^)

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  13. You had me wondering if I make the fly stitch upside down too but it seems I don't. I checked out the videos and it appears that the first lady is left-handed so that might have something to do with it. That sent me off to a book I have that gives left-handed instructions and nope, that's not the reason. Interesting! Oh well, as long as it looks good, who cares about the technical aspects of the doing. Hope your life soon settles back into your comfort zone.

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    1. I agree - it doesn't seem like it should really matter which direction a person makes a particular stitch, but I was always aware I was working upside down from how I wanted the stitch to appear, so when I saw it being done "right side up", it was both an Aha! moment where I realized there is a way to work the stitch as you will finally see it, but also that way now looks more difficult to me. I feel like I'm going to have to overcome something if I make it the "right" way. ;^)

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  14. I love snow! How fun! I remember when we were responsible for a friend's estate, it was a lot of work and not easy at all. God be with you!

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  15. Wow! I am eager to try the fly stitch now. I don't think it's overdone, but gorgeous.

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  16. Your stitched tags are a work of art Becki! :) Our weather is like yours right now, some snow and pretty mild out there! Happy for that! :)

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    1. Thank you, Rain. I've missed checking in on your creative and culinary pursuits! Heading over there now. :)

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  17. Wow, look at that snow. Your stitching looks great; for some reason, it reminds me of sea coral.

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