TAST...The Ones That Were Not

Hi everyone! I bet you thought I was gone. Well...no, not yet. I leave tomorrow for a two week trip to the States. I've had a storage unit there for over 20 years...it's time to clean it out. I have no idea what is even in it anymore. I'm sure it's all junk. So, it's work time in Slippery Rock. Oh, I'm sure it won't all be work....plenty of play as well!!! I've been enjoying the last few days of summer and the beginning of fall. I can never tell which is which so I just enjoy them all! I achieved my bicycle goal....I've ridden over 2000 kilometers this season. I am hoping for a few more good days of riding when I get back but will have to see how the weather is. I've also been very busy with TAST. Actually, the challenge is done. I think I heard that I get extra credit for finishing so early! ha ha I have to say though, I changed things around a bit. It took me awhile to catch on (like almost a year) but I finally realized that TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday...a new stitch a week for a year for those of you who are not familiar with the program) is MY challenge. So I replaced some of the original challenge stitches with stitches that fit my style of embroidery. And I don't feel guilty!!! So....here's some examples of the TAST stitches that were NOT on the original list...


I enjoy couching alot. There are so many different couching stitches. This one can be done with so many different type threads! It's a neat look.


I couldn't get enough of this one!


Another really neat stitch and very easy to do. I worked it with several different threads including nylon ribbon.



OK...I think this is actually on the original TAST list but it is a great stitch! I love it! I learned through TAST that I really like the knotted stitches. And pretty much don't like the chain stitches.


This is just one example of canvas stitching. I like working on canvas and need to explore the possibilities further.

Probably my favorite from all the stitches I did. I've always wanted to do cutwork but never thought I was good enough. So where better to practice than by TAST?! This sample is wonderful....it shows what NOT to do as well as what to do. The count is very important. The correct fabric is very important too (I learned the hard way on this example!). I have wonderful books that are very good with cutwork explanations and I think that I really can do it!!

Another fun stitch. I think this one works best with yarns. This is a great one for flowers!

Well, there's a walk through of a few of my stitches that were not. I hope you enjoy them. My hubby came up with a great idea for a book for my TAST samples. I have one now but I don't like anything about it except that they are all together. So that's another project for fall and winter.

What's New

Hi everyone! Lots to show and tell today. I'm happy to be able to say that we've actually eaten 4 of our tomatoes! They are really good. We'll never get enough at the same time to even make a salad but that's okay, we only have two plants. So we enjoy them as they ripen.


They taste very good. I don't even need to put salt and pepper on them!

I've started a new canvas embroidery project. It's really fun.


This is just the start, of course. This is two evening's worth of work. I love working with the different threads. I hope I have some left over as well for TAST and other things.

Speaking of TAST, I think I'm several weeks ahead of schedule but that's okay since I am doing it as an "independent study" (can you tell I'm the daughter of a professor?!)

This is my sample of the cast on stitch. It was pretty fun and...wiggly!

My rock tumbling project is going very well. I enjoy the heck out of doing this. The rocks are really shaping up.

As you can see, although, the crevices and "veins" are not quite smoothed out. I still have the rocks in the most abrasive powder stage. Today is the 8th day in this first stage. I'm going to leave them in there for a while more. I don't necessarily want totally smooth and flaw-free stones but a little more can be done with specimens like the above.


Once again proving my ties to a professor, I keep a detailed journal of the entire process, down to how many milliliters of water I add and when! It's come in handy for references. I guess that's why one keeps a journal. I will not be copying this journal onto my blog....no one in their right mind would want to read it. It is quite boring, actually. But I AM photographing the entire process and will have those pictures on my photoblog The Camera Lenz once it's complete.

As far as my teeth problems go...yes, I am still having problems. But it IS getting better. If disgusting tasting medicine is the answer, I should be all better any day now!