tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362844112024-03-19T14:57:54.949+05:30This and that...my random thoughtsA journal of my creative pursuits...Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-50244316812359330142019-06-14T11:33:00.001+05:302019-06-14T11:33:21.912+05:30The gorgeous Paithani weaves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone,<br />
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How are you all?<br />
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The Indian coast was under severe threat from the cyclone Vayu for the past few days. Here in Bangalore too we could feel the change of climate. Fortunately Vayu has moved on - inflicting only minimal damage.</div>
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On to the craft news...last week I had the opportunity to visit the towns of Aurangabad and Yeola in the state of Maharashtra. A group of 11 ladies with similar interests came together on behalf of Treasured Holidays in the town of Pune and then embarked on a rather adventurous trip. </div>
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We were off to see the very famous Paithani fabrics being handwoven and then to shop for some. A Paithani fabric is made of pure silk and zari of gold and silver.This craft dates back to 2nd century BC and there are records of silks and cotton being exchanged for Roman wines and olive oil. The name originates from the town of Paithan and it means Peacock. True to its name, the peacock is a very important design in Paithani sarees. For a Maharashtrian bride the sari is a must in the bridal trousseau.</div>
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Unfortunately, Paithan has no weavers left and hence our target was Aurangabad and Yeola. At the master weaver's showroom we could observe the weaving of the most difficult design in Paithani - the bangdi mor or peacocks in bangle shape. Here are some pics..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPwAdOApQquGk4nGa6P7hwCdFaJf3VLci4mV6nt7G5WpG0XbgMhAsew6GOraS0LsQwznWi4veb-vn1DJfKpU-IiYzzAkeSD9Qt4dPuYSmc6xy_f4KWkIAPrQ8FmP7jIDvTNSpbA/s1600/IMG_20190608_161847+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPwAdOApQquGk4nGa6P7hwCdFaJf3VLci4mV6nt7G5WpG0XbgMhAsew6GOraS0LsQwznWi4veb-vn1DJfKpU-IiYzzAkeSD9Qt4dPuYSmc6xy_f4KWkIAPrQ8FmP7jIDvTNSpbA/s640/IMG_20190608_161847+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcaESS3Aif-C6D2ZLpihM60MwMRzD0S2nXzBROOASFVbxVwmFfOb7NFv6QU0Wre-qCVlJPR99FCwa-kWg6RU9SzLVxQpTBy4MwWs2YfDY1GH4aG8_n13v-BGbF9oL-ZpiAOr2wQ/s1600/2019-06-09_17-18-14_683+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcaESS3Aif-C6D2ZLpihM60MwMRzD0S2nXzBROOASFVbxVwmFfOb7NFv6QU0Wre-qCVlJPR99FCwa-kWg6RU9SzLVxQpTBy4MwWs2YfDY1GH4aG8_n13v-BGbF9oL-ZpiAOr2wQ/s640/2019-06-09_17-18-14_683+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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In the above pics, the weaver is working on the gold zari portion. In 8 hours he can weave only about half an inch. The above design takes about 18 months to complete and the customer has to wait for two to three years after the order.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8n0n2vWVU5pIpQp2XwxoWcHs62dpWsEo-094DJwOxSFCHVtarHm8wditpGLTO4l7cLDxbpOdNPIjRSW9RmGn67g-AucC_ZKm3VWi2psLrvh13U-ekD-Ulb1cFiwetRLn_9BQCw/s1600/2019-06-09_17-18-13_433+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8n0n2vWVU5pIpQp2XwxoWcHs62dpWsEo-094DJwOxSFCHVtarHm8wditpGLTO4l7cLDxbpOdNPIjRSW9RmGn67g-AucC_ZKm3VWi2psLrvh13U-ekD-Ulb1cFiwetRLn_9BQCw/s640/2019-06-09_17-18-13_433+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is another sari which is totally in gold.Purely hand woven and exorbitantly expensive!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsKu9fwBuyN4P_TG7ERIKR0NInAAcvmO09wSSGL-F_w-pdGpCVqXD-edjIg_9POqWcL0QSlub8VS19cMnmOEA-KQsl25MS90GIQN112TmBhxRxubgGRXEgKEwJHbAGTYVFnKc-A/s1600/2019-06-09_17-18-12_273+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsKu9fwBuyN4P_TG7ERIKR0NInAAcvmO09wSSGL-F_w-pdGpCVqXD-edjIg_9POqWcL0QSlub8VS19cMnmOEA-KQsl25MS90GIQN112TmBhxRxubgGRXEgKEwJHbAGTYVFnKc-A/s640/2019-06-09_17-18-12_273+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can you imagine the amount of time and effort a piece like this takes!!! One meter of this fabric costs more than 20000 Indian rupees!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wYUxrcItPFIuMIzudEkn2X04P64fjSMY_T-Fi6Aum1cC1I7tYsY39VeRoo6MA9P-arnIYBmgDoQCEcAVTouJHEyrw3i0eESSWCVBT6RjBSv2E53-HGQHxnE8rd137jB8zFNHFg/s1600/IMG_20190608_163553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wYUxrcItPFIuMIzudEkn2X04P64fjSMY_T-Fi6Aum1cC1I7tYsY39VeRoo6MA9P-arnIYBmgDoQCEcAVTouJHEyrw3i0eESSWCVBT6RjBSv2E53-HGQHxnE8rd137jB8zFNHFg/s640/IMG_20190608_163553.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZL6nJsD9kb18833EPFu1n8t98hc2c03vOo-QTtwF4jDPnsBcdKRCkce-tXt4Tja0Mmbo5hRqP1rhVxNZcmmyvQ7ZntCx90xwfGnRpuSnEw9DlQunuAMk4X6p7WYoefK_pWeXjA/s1600/IMG_20190608_165503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZL6nJsD9kb18833EPFu1n8t98hc2c03vOo-QTtwF4jDPnsBcdKRCkce-tXt4Tja0Mmbo5hRqP1rhVxNZcmmyvQ7ZntCx90xwfGnRpuSnEw9DlQunuAMk4X6p7WYoefK_pWeXjA/s640/IMG_20190608_165503.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The fabric is priced based on the work on the body and the borders. Each piece is unique and cannot be replicated unlike the power loom productions. Ofcourse, there are fake Paithanis also being sold in markets for as less as 1000 Rs.</div>
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Well, we had a gala time oohing and aaahing over each piece of Paithani that came out of the shelf. And later we ooohed and aaahed at our empty pockets too..<br />
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I hope you enjoyed seeing the pictures...<br />
Till next time,<br />
Love,luck and sunshine!!!<br />
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Deepa<br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-22393328179811634332019-04-25T12:32:00.000+05:302019-04-25T12:32:37.849+05:30Embroidery updates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone,<br />
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How have you all been? I've been dilly-dallying about blogging for a long long time..it was more like let me finish some project and then I'll write a post. But the finish seems to taking forever.</div>
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It's been a year since we returned to India and life has been busy. Imagine the situation where one has been away from all the hustle and bustle for several months and suddenly you're dropped back into the frying pan :) But it's been good :)</div>
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On the embroidery front, I have multiple projects ongoing but none are finished. I am embroidering a saree right now, but the progress is rather slow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9noQDjaPPNF_okuVPcw_IUB0uECq8_BGA2N_nxbtVMFRNl6rvqd_ikCLgGX9AYj7OlF8Zgrn8POBArvKPlqGhK7eHEb5q2tw7sXUOm3EVsTpgf3OfoUJC8RiG7YpF1ChsEnTMCg/s1600/IMG-20190425-WA0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9noQDjaPPNF_okuVPcw_IUB0uECq8_BGA2N_nxbtVMFRNl6rvqd_ikCLgGX9AYj7OlF8Zgrn8POBArvKPlqGhK7eHEb5q2tw7sXUOm3EVsTpgf3OfoUJC8RiG7YpF1ChsEnTMCg/s640/IMG-20190425-WA0004.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This saree is popularly known as "Kerala saree" and is a must have for all Keralites as a festive wear. It is considered suitable for any occasion- from wedding to any celebration.The look and price of sarees vary based on the purity of the gold that's woven into the sari. The basic cream color and the gold border is mandatory , but now a days a lot of new designs are being introduced. Kerala saree is considered so elegant that every sari lover in the country wants one. Infact, I gifted one to our German friends as a farewell gift.</div>
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The one pictured above is a very very inexpensive six and half meter unstitched fabric. I was not sure if I had the patience to embroider on the entire 6.5 metres, so I started with the safest option of embroidering on the end that is draped on the shoulder. It is approx half meter wide and I can stop stitching if I want to once I complete that length.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZEz_Ury9wEmzagyjfi8xo4gomo7OrDQYxFUkaJUuB_8Kp6Pih_5FmVn-NSFoHc5iPu43wxEDMrBl_nm8pTDV6aEednhCv6yhWcu10UOTpMdyPjFVON0SZkI_iT81xF4cEnoQeQ/s1600/IMG-20190425-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZEz_Ury9wEmzagyjfi8xo4gomo7OrDQYxFUkaJUuB_8Kp6Pih_5FmVn-NSFoHc5iPu43wxEDMrBl_nm8pTDV6aEednhCv6yhWcu10UOTpMdyPjFVON0SZkI_iT81xF4cEnoQeQ/s640/IMG-20190425-WA0002.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The above pic is of my wedding attire - which is woven in original gold thread - I am posting just to show you the difference between the inexpensive and the real one. History says that the color and the fabric style was inspired from Graeco-Romans, since Kerala being a coastal state conducted business with them. The merchants used to dump a lot of gold in exchange for the spices - hence the gold border ;)</div>
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<img alt="Photo: Prasanth Chandran/ Alamy Stock Photo" src="https://media.cntraveller.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/keralasari-866x487.jpg?resolution=1366,1" /><br />
Photo: Prasanth Chandran/ Alamy Stock Photo
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I guess, I need not give any description for the above pic :)<br />
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Another project that I started but stalled in the middle is a Viana do Castelo embroidery piece. The pattern is from a Portuguese magazine which was gifted to me by a dear friend. I am trying to be faithful to the stitches mentioned there and I've managed to stitch the outlines.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj0kzd9xtbsM0869x4Gvhx4FlvfE6s1ZJzBoh9Q8stEsgH_9mJfwgm8eVIdo3I79kXRqlrk6ZUiG6cAEyds_-zDB2Wwbjdbl2Wwd20VSHvCiaCV2rTwIKbLnOLN9ziZ1Kh36PLg/s1600/IMG-20190425-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj0kzd9xtbsM0869x4Gvhx4FlvfE6s1ZJzBoh9Q8stEsgH_9mJfwgm8eVIdo3I79kXRqlrk6ZUiG6cAEyds_-zDB2Wwbjdbl2Wwd20VSHvCiaCV2rTwIKbLnOLN9ziZ1Kh36PLg/s640/IMG-20190425-WA0006.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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But now when it has come to the filling part - I'm stuck. I do not know what is Crivo florentino or crivo Fantasia,crivo Quadriculado, zigue-zague or de Grupo. I tried all my google skills but came to nought. Does anyone of you know the stitches? If you are aware, please let me know how these stitches are executed.</div>
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So, that's about it. I'll finish a little more of the saree and come back with an update.<br />
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Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-46387547145488857632018-04-13T02:37:00.000+05:302018-04-13T02:37:23.133+05:30Bullion stitch hits and misses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone,<br />
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Past week was the week of bullion stitch experiments. Some worked out and some didn't. I'll show you the first one which turned out quite good. The design is from the book Embroideries from an English Garden by Carol Andrews that <a href="https://deepashome.blogspot.de/2018/03/embroideries-from-english-garden-book.html" target="_blank">I reviewed last week</a>. Though I made changes to the stitching instructions/techniques for my own convenience, the final result did not disappoint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMIMLJNO_lgMGh3guw-EJ6IKX8UEO8zJYLuVS3h1EjmtrZlRvjA7eYG6maFAweHnshyeaAXT4yBZSYpGJAj19v16klLePMa4JB6STXYGzO9XhLd6B9Mxc5zb5jlE5I0nKoF-6Eg/s1600/WaterMark_2018-04-12-15-55-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMIMLJNO_lgMGh3guw-EJ6IKX8UEO8zJYLuVS3h1EjmtrZlRvjA7eYG6maFAweHnshyeaAXT4yBZSYpGJAj19v16klLePMa4JB6STXYGzO9XhLd6B9Mxc5zb5jlE5I0nKoF-6Eg/s640/WaterMark_2018-04-12-15-55-43.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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While stitching this design, I noticed another fact about the book that I need to add to the review. The pattern, the instructions and the stitched sample in the book - all of them differ from each other to some extent. If you copy the pattern and refer the stitched sample - the shapes of the leaves may differ. The instruction might have asked to stem stitch, but the stitched sample may have some other stitch.This is probably because the core design is by the author, but the stitched samples are by various embroiderers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatpqMDJs3cE2KWK8wD32U262-7FgCDvEBLhET8jWJv84Qu52wbYcz2da2i2cFWJScLoO8JpUJGX0SoQPyUhEpEB3DRGKQUqnQRvhHspW2DWH4JOAxhO6d1uicgpHgHtV7qvzIiQ/s1600/WaterMark_2018-04-12-15-54-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatpqMDJs3cE2KWK8wD32U262-7FgCDvEBLhET8jWJv84Qu52wbYcz2da2i2cFWJScLoO8JpUJGX0SoQPyUhEpEB3DRGKQUqnQRvhHspW2DWH4JOAxhO6d1uicgpHgHtV7qvzIiQ/s640/WaterMark_2018-04-12-15-54-11.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I used about five colors from the 90-100 thread number series from Anchor threads for the flower. The idea was to start with the dark base and move on to the light colors. This piece has been gifted to a friend. Hopefully she'll frame it and send me a pic soon.<br />
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Now to the next attempt. Over at<a href="http://rosaliewakefield-millefiori.blogspot.de/2017/04/lilies-south-of-border-or-north-or-east.html" target="_blank"> Rosalie Wakefield's blog</a>, I had come across her trials of the bullion blanket stitch. The idea sounded nice and I tried it twice. In the first attempt the flower turned out to be very small and managing bullions inside the previous stitch so that it looks similar to blanket stitch was very difficult. So I tried a larger version. When I completed it, I found that I like the smaller flower more. The bigger one looked ugly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s-tasjF9k60jvv49pd4smmI6rBE1PUJuzS_hlct8PvVwtRqQrzOGstMK53nbQB9IszsmlnyajBBWl2Zx0_aEUGRaghinp2XMSoFgwf4pCXcZsxqe1_FX98TCoX2wMX-Lna2zaQ/s1600/bullion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s-tasjF9k60jvv49pd4smmI6rBE1PUJuzS_hlct8PvVwtRqQrzOGstMK53nbQB9IszsmlnyajBBWl2Zx0_aEUGRaghinp2XMSoFgwf4pCXcZsxqe1_FX98TCoX2wMX-Lna2zaQ/s640/bullion.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Anyway, the idea of bullion blanket stitch is simple. Just stitch bullions in such a way that they are placed like the blanket stitch.<br />
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This weekend we travel back to India. My next post will be from my homeland. Germany has given me a lot of good memories . I will not claim that I am going to terribly miss Deutschland and its people, but I am thankful for the time I got to spend here, to understand the culture, the language and of course for some friendships that I hope will last a life time. <br />
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Till we meet again,<br />
Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa</div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-38235744562048964822018-03-30T14:10:00.000+05:302018-03-30T22:09:59.686+05:30Embroideries from an English Garden - a book review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone!!<br />
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Last year during one of the many online sales, I was lucky to get "Embroideries from an English Garden by Carol Andrews" at a really good price - online deals are a blessing in many ways. At first glance I loved the book!! Anyone who loves flora and fauna embroidery would love it too.<br />
The designs are realistic and the colors are eye-catching. I will not post too many clear pictures for fear of breaching copyrights - sorry!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmYmp6ciJ5MrH9eneqPMmBXRAVbo-upHlkLGdbb_Xh35QtOFIjREE4dbpvN6YlGQxp2MZyDbIBv7tav6WmK2Cta4l61S6k1wp1xEfF_-BstMJcAiOTX_r-Ght50uYo1y7plnmMQ/s1600/design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmYmp6ciJ5MrH9eneqPMmBXRAVbo-upHlkLGdbb_Xh35QtOFIjREE4dbpvN6YlGQxp2MZyDbIBv7tav6WmK2Cta4l61S6k1wp1xEfF_-BstMJcAiOTX_r-Ght50uYo1y7plnmMQ/s640/design.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is a good mix of simple and not so simple designs. And for the non long and short stitch enthusiasts, it is not completely needle painting based. But yes, knowing L&S is a big advantage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEEWJ0YSu5ohThP5HWC3RuXB361EkCIWf1xB41M4fRpsRv93lrmDQ2NiPzpmZrD0wI1WMkf-s-uRsr2cSJyCiU2CDpTkBAZvh0DLdTaQIhyIz_dmBZ0awUN37bfzQNtiDf-MkrQ/s1600/floral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEEWJ0YSu5ohThP5HWC3RuXB361EkCIWf1xB41M4fRpsRv93lrmDQ2NiPzpmZrD0wI1WMkf-s-uRsr2cSJyCiU2CDpTkBAZvh0DLdTaQIhyIz_dmBZ0awUN37bfzQNtiDf-MkrQ/s640/floral.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
There are about <b>25 large and small projects</b> and the larger projects can be broken down and stitched according to preference. I have shown you just couple of pics.<br />
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I wouldn't recommend the book for an absolute beginner - because it is mostly text based with quite a few line drawings. One needs to read through through the project first and then proceed. Requires a lot of patience in this Insta era :) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SETvYov4dUZygJ75AI4cpPSlEfLG4JpaG6SLfVooJTnD743_Tqm-pH5P6KfaTb2wyvXlC-FI6Da49rUN7LAHaXQzTmUGPjEqDk7XB254yH6F16HY5ntkaWcMh-uHS2sWgkbfVw/s1600/page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SETvYov4dUZygJ75AI4cpPSlEfLG4JpaG6SLfVooJTnD743_Tqm-pH5P6KfaTb2wyvXlC-FI6Da49rUN7LAHaXQzTmUGPjEqDk7XB254yH6F16HY5ntkaWcMh-uHS2sWgkbfVw/s640/page.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Read, read, read and understand. There are a lot of notes. Novice or not, the contents need to be read multiple times.</div>
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Every project has been described in detail with the thread colors and stitch methods. No complaints there. The last pages have the patterns in actual size. <br />
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Before I decided to write this post, I started a simple sampler project in this book. I have the patience to sit and read through materials and so the casual description of stitch stem stitch for x,y,z and couch c and d was ok.<br />
But when I came to executing one particular stitch, the stitch tutorial really stumped me. Have a look at the pictures and tell me what do you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtLvHfERNFWrG7CggzV4H7Wb9zctDO84Azl5YvVJGwzESwh2cDUZ2qpP3eOo_QdOGx9AuE5pTgvXhD2w7AAFQXtujKoXjTg347n_FWxXncShLUVaHR2D8HSs48Etihtt4le8i3A/s1600/fishbone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtLvHfERNFWrG7CggzV4H7Wb9zctDO84Azl5YvVJGwzESwh2cDUZ2qpP3eOo_QdOGx9AuE5pTgvXhD2w7AAFQXtujKoXjTg347n_FWxXncShLUVaHR2D8HSs48Etihtt4le8i3A/s640/fishbone.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjtLHUL0QX5bfRXaih8E6Djmvyskmu3QupF-ESdQnlD4-5UEcJ2nwHJEy6Dw5JNcOMG1MPYyzbQHQK2FLbNNb-fSQB_yBGVUlllcjhRZQ_UI1QS-H7581TgKKlPFPxI9ITvrGrA/s1600/openfishbonewrong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjtLHUL0QX5bfRXaih8E6Djmvyskmu3QupF-ESdQnlD4-5UEcJ2nwHJEy6Dw5JNcOMG1MPYyzbQHQK2FLbNNb-fSQB_yBGVUlllcjhRZQ_UI1QS-H7581TgKKlPFPxI9ITvrGrA/s640/openfishbonewrong.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have stitched fishbone variations all these years and these are not how they are done. Of course, I wouldn't doubt the expertise of the writer but two full pages of wrong stitch instructions??? or may be the stitch name got mixed up.<br />
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Anyway this does not change my opinion of the book - it is a wonderful resource and even if you don't stitch any of the projects, just flipping through the pages makes you feel as if in bliss!!!<br />
If you get a chance, do get a copy - and this is not a paid review. Carol Andrews or Ruth Bean publishers don't even know that I exist ;)<br />
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Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-29837791360292904332018-03-23T17:08:00.000+05:302018-03-23T17:08:16.328+05:30Braid stitch experiments and something new<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone!!<br />
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Thank you for the get well soon wishes!!<br />
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All of us have recovered and are back to the daily routine. From today the school is off for two weeks for spring + Easter. Hopefully at least when the holidays begin we'll have some pleasant days. <br />
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This week I tried a new stitch and it came out quite well. And there's something else that I tried too..<br />
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Look what I have got!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiildnCQaURtzdMw5XKYfP1CDMnMG6IH-2yx6o4Gr4dmW4NeM0vMey0PIeXPQRIaXQUED8HWoJ_xq4iHb1NWN7Lccr278gRxAHyiJaU0sY_8PXkCaBKT_yio1XfMvrUVXHUpOgKw/s1600/labels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiildnCQaURtzdMw5XKYfP1CDMnMG6IH-2yx6o4Gr4dmW4NeM0vMey0PIeXPQRIaXQUED8HWoJ_xq4iHb1NWN7Lccr278gRxAHyiJaU0sY_8PXkCaBKT_yio1XfMvrUVXHUpOgKw/s640/labels.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have got my own custom made labels..yoo hoo...</div>
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Some weeks back there was an incident in one of the FB groups, were a crafter's photos were shared shamelessly by another lady as her own on her page. When this was discovered, it was suggested to use labels on the items rather than watermarks since watermarks also could be erased. I am not sure how it'll stop the thieves, but since then I had been considering some means to label my work especially the crocheted wearable.<br />
It was coincidentally at this point I got introduced to <a href="https://www.dutchlabelshop.com/" target="_blank">The Dutch Label Shop</a> and was offered a discount to try out their product. I was hesitant initially - because it involved signing up . But in this case, I took the plunge. Do have a visit to their website and you'll see the various custom made labels ordered by their customers.<br />
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Once I created a login at the website, the rest of the design part was super easy.It just takes a few minutes to decide the text and the color of a basic label and your job is done. They are an online store and have a quick shipping policy - my labels came to me in a little more than a week. They have their presence in 14 countries, so shipping will not take so much of a time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCdDpTZUTeFJJhYQnaIkOEMCp2gBIRoPS_oPNOeNSHmB0MefAX1P4jhioEkjtwEgEoDuvCo1YbaU-UxChgoIw2oc4SIEezw1Zaa2coCZLyB7HlVzBorQBUBQzDJSLiMftYlNzbg/s1600/dutchlabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCdDpTZUTeFJJhYQnaIkOEMCp2gBIRoPS_oPNOeNSHmB0MefAX1P4jhioEkjtwEgEoDuvCo1YbaU-UxChgoIw2oc4SIEezw1Zaa2coCZLyB7HlVzBorQBUBQzDJSLiMftYlNzbg/s320/dutchlabel.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
So in case you're looking for options to get your own labels, clothing tags or wash care tags, I can recommend the Dutch label shop, coz I have tried them :) I have also ordered some clothing tags and will show them off once I make something :) <br />
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Ok, now to the stitching part..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwOLUWbyCOXsp0kRFQjujVGkjmI1EpNcK3icf-mA_hpEpfyJpDcz803lrQ7v9gXRLmSNYbXu0Cp7JTUIe4yHVKRizRdYVfP9up48Oz8RfoI5KH2sBRO9fZcesabTnT_yCzkbldA/s1600/braidstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwOLUWbyCOXsp0kRFQjujVGkjmI1EpNcK3icf-mA_hpEpfyJpDcz803lrQ7v9gXRLmSNYbXu0Cp7JTUIe4yHVKRizRdYVfP9up48Oz8RfoI5KH2sBRO9fZcesabTnT_yCzkbldA/s640/braidstitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What do you think? I wanted to try a stitch different from cast-ons and bullions.When I started this, I was not very confident if the braid stitch idea will work out, but it did :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAk3uWDUPeRwO89s47BNDrlLJbfCUGxDgW_86ZkgoM1zCh6TM5INY_Cz5-Awlu2ULAXnSnIfvXfEV6ZGIvAWLD1Dh0gp5zYqZLunN32QDnU2vPhsnFZ7PvIAMhNQXfPGRfzDHmA/s1600/braidstitch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAk3uWDUPeRwO89s47BNDrlLJbfCUGxDgW_86ZkgoM1zCh6TM5INY_Cz5-Awlu2ULAXnSnIfvXfEV6ZGIvAWLD1Dh0gp5zYqZLunN32QDnU2vPhsnFZ7PvIAMhNQXfPGRfzDHmA/s640/braidstitch1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pink one is the first one I tried by keeping the loop of the stitch loose. It gives a dimensional effect to the flowers. The purple flower loops are pulled a little more tighter - I like both of them.<br />
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Mary Corbet has a very good tutorial on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWpKAdTwbbM" target="_blank">Braid stitch here</a>. To make this flower, just don't pull the stitch loop too tight.<br />
Here's another pic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwFb3L3SAhJT0QSQgOl90WBFopEosxDp5e9XGX-TSPu7MNQm6xm6W1a4CpB7qb1uIjtUztQtt_tCXCGR7dAMwkIh-6nMqQCY_AsM1182pcarNvqCfe6uG7hP2zDJqqSetdqrAYA/s1600/braidstitch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwFb3L3SAhJT0QSQgOl90WBFopEosxDp5e9XGX-TSPu7MNQm6xm6W1a4CpB7qb1uIjtUztQtt_tCXCGR7dAMwkIh-6nMqQCY_AsM1182pcarNvqCfe6uG7hP2zDJqqSetdqrAYA/s640/braidstitch2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's it for now. I am going to try another flower idea :)<br />
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Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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<br /></div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-66230529954068584112018-03-17T02:17:00.003+05:302018-03-17T02:18:26.034+05:30Pistil stitch and fake pistil stitch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy Friday, friends!!<br />
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Days have been busy with packing,disposing and donating stuff for the impending move. But the last couple of weeks we had to take a break owing to all of us falling prey to the notorious flu going around throughout the town. We had managed to keep ourselves relatively healthy during the past two years over here ;but the walls crumbled in the last stage :)<br />
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One of the main factors that motivated us to return from here is the healthcare system. There are long waiting times for doctor's appointments. And many times new patients are mercilessly rejected.When one is young and in the prime of health it is easier to tackle the system, but at the stage where the middle-aged body is experiencing pains, it doesn't make sense to go around visiting multiple doctors and getting a waiting period of 1 to 6 months. For even the simple eye checkup there's a six month wait and the baby would be born before one gets to the gynecologist. Of course , a private insurance would put you ahead in the waiting list. Money matters !!<br />
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Anyway, in between all this, I finished a simple pattern from JDR which had been with me for a long time.It called for Pistil stitch or long tailed french knot or lavangam stitch as known in some parts of India.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK0zZJrGGTMwkXt3yVitXEOQCN0DHV_63q_tf1oWwHe3ECFpCwEUxNFwCOsrLzpkTNV9fwQMWI7YGZnZoYE1N9I5IlRTPhwxtQtGFMHVRsRa941PO0P0dhKdtObbzU8lL9w0raw/s1600/pistilstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK0zZJrGGTMwkXt3yVitXEOQCN0DHV_63q_tf1oWwHe3ECFpCwEUxNFwCOsrLzpkTNV9fwQMWI7YGZnZoYE1N9I5IlRTPhwxtQtGFMHVRsRa941PO0P0dhKdtObbzU8lL9w0raw/s640/pistilstitch.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Though I like Pistil stitch, sometimes I go wrong with the tension of the tail and the knot and I have to discard the whole bunch of stitches because of one mistake. It was at one such stage I decided to try out this idea of faking it :)<br />
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Below is the pic of my fake pistil stitch flower. It is not a very neatly stitched one, but I think you'll get the idea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_496dIhlcx_KdHGO0ARXXsUzUtH_9HsCWWmsR7bfFA-rNi0N6coalvGjLvTh-qckc3kqj4wE9LDfpnq2JqH_l7OvdDGuquSWPBrCGBUEYQMYvAOmizg6wVDqMxwt70PuWuSMtsA/s1600/fakepistilstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="973" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_496dIhlcx_KdHGO0ARXXsUzUtH_9HsCWWmsR7bfFA-rNi0N6coalvGjLvTh-qckc3kqj4wE9LDfpnq2JqH_l7OvdDGuquSWPBrCGBUEYQMYvAOmizg6wVDqMxwt70PuWuSMtsA/s400/fakepistilstitch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I just made french knots all around and then inserted straight stitches from the center into the knots. This way one doesn't need to bother about all that keeping the tail taut while inserting the needle into the cloth. You can use this method if you're not comfortable with the regular Pistil stitch.<br />
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Alternately,you can also stitch a line and then make a french knot on top of the line very close to the tip. But it will not be an exact replica of Pistil stitch. In the picture the petal marked with oval is stitched in the second manner. But the placement of french knot in this case should be exactly at the tip, unlike mine which is slightly afar.<br />
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So, that's the post for today. This piece too will go as a gift but this time without framing :)<br />
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March is midway but there have been only a few sunny days. Next week is also expected to be cold.We have requested some friends who're coming on official visit to bring along some sunlight from India ;)<br />
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Have a great weekend,everyone!!!<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa</div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-44064382129649022592018-02-23T17:57:00.000+05:302018-02-23T17:57:02.718+05:30Completed embroidery and crochet pieces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone..<br />
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Hope your Friday is going on well :)<br />
February has been unusually cold this time, we're expecting a -11 degree next week. Some of you may disagree and call this normal - but my time range of comparison is the past two years and those years were much better than what we're experiencing right now.<br />
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Now for an update from my end..<br />
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In a few months, our stay in Erlangen is coming to an end. The project which DH is overseeing right now is going to be completed and we're packing our bags back to India..Yooohoooo..<br />
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When I convey this piece of news to our acquaintances here - a question that is commonly asked is - aren't you sad to leave? And that surprises me. Why would I be sad to go back to my homeland? We came here for an experience and we enjoyed it while it lasted, but we are not desperate to stay here. I am aware of many expats who're trying very hard to land a job here and continue with their lives here. We did have an option to go for permanent residency, but we decided against it. It is purely a matter of choice.<br />
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Of course, this place is beautiful, peaceful and clean ; but our hearts are happiest when we are in our own home. Thus the last month has been one of taking stock of what to take back and what not. We still have a couple of months here but our apartment here has already been booked by the next tenant - there appears to be a severe shortage of residences for people who're new to this place.<br />
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So, that's the bit of news. Now for the completed projects..<br />
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I stitched up roses again, this time a little more elaborately.<br />
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I know - you may be exclaiming - What, roses again??!!<br />
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Well, one has to try many times to get a hang of something new ;)<br />
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It did turn out as I had imagined, except for the fabric. I tried embroidering on Malkha - which is a mix of Mal-mal and Khadi and is popular as a wearable and is excellent for summers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgnlU1wWbLNhrQ9V1dygtK9W-fKWobvfdWIAg2Y8TlOCtZEWr0FK5bel2yT6Krd0L_OPD2GpndpMPXcHKRUPeYepirKXaRUwgFaXazjW7-fVJkNoBKO7dLjSqA_ZSJj4kUEeetQ/s1600/framed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgnlU1wWbLNhrQ9V1dygtK9W-fKWobvfdWIAg2Y8TlOCtZEWr0FK5bel2yT6Krd0L_OPD2GpndpMPXcHKRUPeYepirKXaRUwgFaXazjW7-fVJkNoBKO7dLjSqA_ZSJj4kUEeetQ/s640/framed1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And here's my attempt at framing. The region inside the floral loop looks so because of the thinness of the fabric - but otherwise it is framed tight.<br />
Do you think a darker, plain frame would've been better? I have not used glue or tape and changing the frame would be very easy.<br />
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I am planning to give this as a parting gift to one of our friends . Hopefully it'll be liked and appreciated.<br />
The next one is a crochet skirt made for my one and half year old niece. My husband's younger brothers had their first daughters born during our stay here - we need to reconnect and introduce ourselves to the little ones as soon as we go back :) My daughter has to takeover her position as the big sister of two little girls. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGQYrCK8_DG9_scgGvesdVW9zdvtaXRN6dK2rk0mk-_9JNfC9sYgID2wJJO42oIQblS2ACtX4hOA41aqDw1ie_H_rgLl5alOcz9JSrWpYcXmegOoanm1hmC8N3bD438UUDhcKQQ/s1600/skirt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGQYrCK8_DG9_scgGvesdVW9zdvtaXRN6dK2rk0mk-_9JNfC9sYgID2wJJO42oIQblS2ACtX4hOA41aqDw1ie_H_rgLl5alOcz9JSrWpYcXmegOoanm1hmC8N3bD438UUDhcKQQ/s640/skirt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The older one for whom I crocheted the skirt is chubby for her age and I am hoping it'll fit. If not her, then it'll go to the second one . But she's born with a minor heart defect and is too tiny for her 8 months. It'll take a while for her to wear it. Let's see who gets it :)<br />
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So, that's my post for today. I am all smiles!!! :) :)<br />
Have a great weekend!!<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa <br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-65762016053477613032018-02-07T15:00:00.000+05:302018-02-07T15:01:04.963+05:30Bruges Lace Doily and New WIPs <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Since my last post contained the tutorial link to the Bruges Lace Doily, most of you would have got a glimpse of how it is meant to look like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPleAfKuNJlJrBppjYVa_lmvxN2aPfkkd6k4_1G8iCCo_KKFk6Gs65fGdWgmLqet99zSTF6_5piW5fGmeO8x-i9tHBcVjEYQ49en8SbzR_i2taJ4h1n_Jw50AQgkwyeU1vIy1dg/s1600/BrugesLace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPleAfKuNJlJrBppjYVa_lmvxN2aPfkkd6k4_1G8iCCo_KKFk6Gs65fGdWgmLqet99zSTF6_5piW5fGmeO8x-i9tHBcVjEYQ49en8SbzR_i2taJ4h1n_Jw50AQgkwyeU1vIy1dg/s640/BrugesLace.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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I would not claim that I enjoyed making it - our relationship is "complicated". There are couple more patterns to made as part of the crochet along, but I'll skip for now.<br />
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Now for the WIPs.Here they are...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUfMwL85d55jqXfeImFHQ2lEvYnLtX7I0FCuNGFG61FYkPMb2CT_lGcxAVBQ5dU9wZlbTkBXRWi9k5mQ95IP5iEWZtw48qfQUHQc-RWYFOqnceThjl8si3nZ443EbFqDRz_9gXQ/s1600/wip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUfMwL85d55jqXfeImFHQ2lEvYnLtX7I0FCuNGFG61FYkPMb2CT_lGcxAVBQ5dU9wZlbTkBXRWi9k5mQ95IP5iEWZtw48qfQUHQc-RWYFOqnceThjl8si3nZ443EbFqDRz_9gXQ/s640/wip.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This year I joined Instagram after much deliberation. I am not much of a mobile person - I consciously avoid Facebook, games and other so called fun apps in my mobile. I personally feel that there are so many other ways in which one can use one's time instead of staring at the mobile for the whole day. But very few seem to read blogs of late - pictures are what matters.</div>
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Anyways, the story goes like this - I joined Instagram and two days later I received a mail stating that my email in my account has been changed to some Russian id. I visited my profile and lo and behold, I was now a p**n star :) A week earlier DH's Netflix account id had also been changed in a similar manner. </div>
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Though I am smiling about it now, all my panic buttons were activated at that point - luckily I could retrieve my id. Now I ensure that I log out of my account everytime and log in only when I need it.</div>
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The story doesn't end there - last week in my FB account, I received a message from a relative saying she found a video of mine online - and there was a link to a video with my photograph and 67000 views!! I clicked on the link - which was a very foolish thing to do - but my panic level was at its peak. The link did not work - I assume my antivirus software prevented it. </div>
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I asked her about it and only then she realized that she had been hacked and the messages were being sent unknown to her. These incidents have reinforced my belief that it is not safe to be on social media 24/7 especially via mobile. Login when you want to and log out when you are done and if possible use your laptops/desktops with antivirus. </div>
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I'll be back with the completed pieces and then I'll share some more important and soon to be happening events with you :)</div>
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Love, luck and sunshine,</div>
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Deepa</div>
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-42169505862240585622018-01-23T17:15:00.000+05:302018-01-23T17:15:36.641+05:30My Dishoom Dishoom with Bruges lace making <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For the uninitiated, dishoom dishoom is used in the Indian context to represent struggle or fight. It is uttered by children trying to show themselves as heroes fighting the villains. The usage originated from the Indian movies where a background "Dishoom" sound was played when the hero lands a punch on the bad guy. :) Google told me that there are some other meanings too..but that's not our point of interest.<br />
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Our topic today is Bruges lace. Have you heard of it?<br />
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Bruges is a place in Belgium and famed for its Bobbin lace and Bruges lace. In Bruges lace method tapes or ribbons are woven which are linked together to form pretty patterns. This is a loom based method, but some clever crocheters have devised ways to imitate the Bruges lace style using crochet.<br />
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I first heard of it in the Passionate about Crochet group in FB. Some of the links provided in the CAL helped me get some idea. It looked so easy and I was tempted to try. Lesson learnt - Never judge a book by its cover. I have lost count of the number of times I watched the video, because of the twists and turns. The video being in Spanish also contributed a bit to the dishoom dishoom.<br />
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Anyways, here's my work in progress. This doily is not crocheted in rounds but as a single tape of four DCs with a loop of 7 on either side. The thread is mercerized cotton and has a nice sheen to it. Unfortunately the light outside is not sufficient for a bright and sunny pic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZQB34DlV5jR4bUZ8KwUoclpJL4UpXvI-VHaprqkmZ6aHNlJ0RRCTWMSreugey5_ciFp8M_JslIRenmQyDoASCx5NfXBnwLW3JCT0DqM-AH1PzJRSxXoRNMpv1ObtCQT40YAbeQ/s1600/bruges+lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZQB34DlV5jR4bUZ8KwUoclpJL4UpXvI-VHaprqkmZ6aHNlJ0RRCTWMSreugey5_ciFp8M_JslIRenmQyDoASCx5NfXBnwLW3JCT0DqM-AH1PzJRSxXoRNMpv1ObtCQT40YAbeQ/s640/bruges+lace.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have completed almost 75% but there is still some more work left. The doily is made in three parts - the center, the ribbon and then the outer layer.<br />
Here's the video tutorial in case some of you would like to try. I cannot understand anything that she says, except unos,dos,tres,quatro.. and the word motivo :) . But the video is very detailed.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZCpHYAn-1k" target="_blank">Bruges Lace Doily in Spanish</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/GillysCraftWorld/search?query=Bruges" target="_blank">GillysCraftworld also has some simple basic videos of Bruges Lace Crochet in English </a><br />
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Usually I always make changes to a pattern to my liking. But I have still not figured this method out so I cannot improvise.<br />
On the other hand, with crochet I can do what I want. A couple of weeks back I completed a top for my daughter. Here it is..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW33o8_c0yXAYedBtyHviLayz4Zvuz5mt1wqtDxf9Af5vSbyGkUYUXV_rGO5nyNlR7pHF-zk0MyVTLQqcqkdcMwk8jaZRtJPXRjQ4vO-P0jrW_KBP2FPwE_152brnShv4FbqIbXA/s1600/crochettop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW33o8_c0yXAYedBtyHviLayz4Zvuz5mt1wqtDxf9Af5vSbyGkUYUXV_rGO5nyNlR7pHF-zk0MyVTLQqcqkdcMwk8jaZRtJPXRjQ4vO-P0jrW_KBP2FPwE_152brnShv4FbqIbXA/s640/crochettop.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
It is a seamless piece crocheted from bottom to top. The inspiration came from <a href="http://www.croydencrochet.com/shore-points-crochet-top/" target="_blank">this pattern here</a> . But I did not copy anything other than the chest portion in Triangle stitch. Mine was worked in rounds , starting with a ribbed bottom and using herringbone double crochet and doubled crochet alternately.<br />
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The little lady loved it and has worn it quite a few times already.<br />
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Now let me complete the doily and I'll be back with the completed piece soon. Though difficult, it feels good to have attempted something new. How about you? Do you enjoy the learning process? Have you planned to try something new this year?<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-33746218153943300342017-12-23T18:42:00.001+05:302017-12-23T18:42:40.656+05:30Happy holidays!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone,<br />
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Its Christmas time!! People are frantically shopping and trying to get as much as they can of the Christmas markets.<br />
Though the feeling is of a happy one around, we're also mentally preparing for the three days of absolutely vacant streets and silence. It is as if the entire town will go into hibernation for three whole days. Is it this way every where else?<br />
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I know for sure this never happens in India. My country never goes quiet ,well, except for nation wide strike or protest known as Bandh (meaning "closed"). Be it Diwali, Dussehra, Christmas or Ramzan, it is always business as usual. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZZgk4_-3yGIA1GTviV3Wz5144dIfyBnQPj3VoKMNp3XC2wZ6mVam_EzA6BbOvAa-Iv9ee4wANFSgw4J5WYlFw4MLBt_mD-my9PDcks7R8lFY7zj8xi2H3_X981MP59Mx-P1_eQ/s1600/yellowrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZZgk4_-3yGIA1GTviV3Wz5144dIfyBnQPj3VoKMNp3XC2wZ6mVam_EzA6BbOvAa-Iv9ee4wANFSgw4J5WYlFw4MLBt_mD-my9PDcks7R8lFY7zj8xi2H3_X981MP59Mx-P1_eQ/s640/yellowrose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am continuing with my cast on stitch experiments. This was just a trial piece where I tried to stitch the rose without any borrowed patterns from books. It worked ; but needs to be polished up.<br />
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For the next year, I have plans for multiple Brazilian embroidery project as gifts for my friends. More about it in the next post.<br />
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Wishing all my dear blogland friends a wonderful Christmas,<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa</div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-66906459961439267852017-12-08T15:30:00.000+05:302017-12-08T15:30:07.609+05:30Roses & Roses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone,<br />
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It's Christmas time and the city center in Erlangen is all decked up.Christmas markets are in full swing and the hot mulled wine is flowing..<br />
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I've had my quota of KinderPunsch (children's drink) and Hungarian Langos. What I find really strange is that there is absolutely no change from last year's market - the stalls are the same, the people are the same and even the location of the stalls are the same. Nothing new at all. It is all so predictable.<br />
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Back to stitching, then..<br />
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I have tried something new :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfkJ-OQsY2Ue-Rn7_byJ-Ue68GKi7YDZMxIG6tIFdpdDBqDxUOfJ_B3eCQdr2owgIXCaabfUXAuRyIORcn1JNOkGL50Wp3Hdh0Pauurtz0rure3Whyphenhyphen8JFCwP9rZION0WvQFDdVw/s1600/Roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfkJ-OQsY2Ue-Rn7_byJ-Ue68GKi7YDZMxIG6tIFdpdDBqDxUOfJ_B3eCQdr2owgIXCaabfUXAuRyIORcn1JNOkGL50Wp3Hdh0Pauurtz0rure3Whyphenhyphen8JFCwP9rZION0WvQFDdVw/s640/Roses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finishing an embroidery piece has not been my forte. But I have admired those who frame their pieces in hoops or frames. And I love the little fancy frames. While embroidering these roses, I had imagined them framed in the pretty little frames . But I had no idea how to go about it.<br />
Last week I paid a visit to the 1 Euro shop in Erlangen and found these frames. Not what I had envisioned, but was good enough for a trial. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fj9HdwQB2y9LnycToUf40-gfHj_Q9EL2qTfn5QFqmHGWkbUT1h5mFLdcjwmxVGiPtyDp9lpdKi-M6c0GLsv9YsEgpjxEhPQuSGHd3Oqm8WQDBuVT9aG81FHK6Km2xIx88w4Bvw/s1600/Redrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fj9HdwQB2y9LnycToUf40-gfHj_Q9EL2qTfn5QFqmHGWkbUT1h5mFLdcjwmxVGiPtyDp9lpdKi-M6c0GLsv9YsEgpjxEhPQuSGHd3Oqm8WQDBuVT9aG81FHK6Km2xIx88w4Bvw/s640/Redrose.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Most framing tutorials ask for mounting board/foam board. I have no idea what it is called in German and where to get it. So I used cardboard cut off from Amazon packaging [grin]. I guess since the pieces were very small, the cardboard worked fine. <br />
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I like this red rose. Cast on stitch is a little more versatile when compared to bullions for making roses. We can use it to create flowers in different angles.<br />
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Right now, I am enjoying embroidering roses and of course framing them. The only worry I have is that the embroidery is not covered and is bound to get dirty...what then?? Remove, wash and reframe?<br />
Has anyone among you done that?<br />
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Till the next bunch of flowers,<br />
Wishing you and yours a lovely festive season,<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-1496624083089833012017-10-25T21:25:00.003+05:302017-10-25T21:33:04.542+05:30Here it is..all done..and a tiny book review too<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Phew!! It is done, at last !! When I started this project in <a href="http://deepashome.blogspot.de/2016/07/stitching-randomly-some-brazilian.html" target="_blank">June-July 2016</a> , the idea was to stitch just a few bunch of flowers..<br />
A big thank you and hugs to all who chipped in with their comments ,suggestions and helpful advice. Love you all!!<br />
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I had a miserable time trying to capture a good pic.This is all I got. You can click on the pictures for a better view. Last week, with the help of a good friend who shares similar interests, I visited Ikea and got a piece of backing cloth and she stitched it up with her machine. Hers is the most precious friendship I made after coming to Erlangen :)<br />
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Before sewing the sides, I washed it and as expected the reds and purples started bleeding. I had to soak it overnight with regular changes of water until it stopped. Still, the color variation can be seen around the red flowers.<br />
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While making the fine growth I was absolutely sure that I do not want the symmetric and absolutely orderly leaves and stems seen in some patterns. The style here was more inspired by the gardening seen in my apartment garden. Plants are just allowed to flourish and spread - no trimming ,shaping or confining.<br />
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The above one is the last bunch of flowers. I tried turkey stitch for the first time. It looks difficult , but it is not. The trimming should be precise though.<br />
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This project is also a sort of book review . All the flowers are from the book The Art of Dimensional Embroidery by Maria Freitas.I think I've stitched up almost all the flowers except three or four.<br />
If you've some experience in embroidery and are good at following written instructions, then this book is for you.If you're more of a visual learner, then you may find some stitch instructions a little difficult. One will need patience to read through the instructions and execute it. Most stitches described in the book are well known, but there are some not so commonly used stitches especially in the cast on stitch section.<br />
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So that's it, then..<br />
I had also planned to crochet a lace around the table runner , but right now I am feeling too lazy to go about it. A couple more small Brazilian embroidery pieces are planned next - just a flower or two, not more ;)<br />
The days have turned dull..I want some bright light for better photographs ..<br />
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Wishing you all bright and sunny days in your hearts and life, wherever you are,<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa <br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-15994692531219620502017-09-29T23:18:00.004+05:302017-09-30T00:56:58.964+05:30lots of lazy daisies and some fancy flowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
I've almost at the last stage of my table runner. Though at this point, I am really wondering if I'll use it as a runner for the fear of stains. I am dilly dallying between runner and framed piece now. Not sure if framing such a long piece is practical.<br />
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I have added a lot of green vines to the border. Initially I started with simple lazy daisy stitch for leaves. The look was ok, but then I wanted some more sharpness to the shape of the leaves. For that look, I tried the reverse lazy daisy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptjM8GiSpJ3lJXQ-byV1v3SZvj5L1nxbAne3yagDJsNlVJn7giaeAEkKF9l3wRW1dyUX-JuhMaep5xeTmoXaV3sEUYDs9_P5axBxoUDfh7uPASKOXVVRsW6W9A1CG9ryRRP3Lew/s1600/Lazydaisy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptjM8GiSpJ3lJXQ-byV1v3SZvj5L1nxbAne3yagDJsNlVJn7giaeAEkKF9l3wRW1dyUX-JuhMaep5xeTmoXaV3sEUYDs9_P5axBxoUDfh7uPASKOXVVRsW6W9A1CG9ryRRP3Lew/s640/Lazydaisy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's how the looks differ.</div>
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I love the reverse lazy daisy!! Now the piece is full of them [smile].<br />
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Have you tried this stitch?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7si3YzWktsiqG-zTwAhEBNW3hcvmhm5QPxqc_xXvuTE5i9i63PA5yiWpl7kEf4yKTnZUtovJ-pMtfFIoJaev95i3ABNwg_LierxpCg50H8TuEQVO0LJItZqP-N594sK9K7B5Ug/s1600/castonflwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7si3YzWktsiqG-zTwAhEBNW3hcvmhm5QPxqc_xXvuTE5i9i63PA5yiWpl7kEf4yKTnZUtovJ-pMtfFIoJaev95i3ABNwg_LierxpCg50H8TuEQVO0LJItZqP-N594sK9K7B5Ug/s640/castonflwr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also added a couple more flowers. The one below is called fancy daisy. I did not like the look or the color of it in the instructions and I skipped some fancy additions that were supposed to be stitched to the flower - like pistils projecting from between the petals. I like the one I made though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM-I2RxF5WnskrVNCEiP-9qYqZ9xAEBWI2RZ8QruKXFhvSZqgM_qhgGt_QnHz5Bgk4Se3l7kcpaa6ZKIgeslCwSjyt97ceaYo5YHXQoFjANVCgv5hUmlSduiuYZAt7HfThWOU2Q/s1600/fancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM-I2RxF5WnskrVNCEiP-9qYqZ9xAEBWI2RZ8QruKXFhvSZqgM_qhgGt_QnHz5Bgk4Se3l7kcpaa6ZKIgeslCwSjyt97ceaYo5YHXQoFjANVCgv5hUmlSduiuYZAt7HfThWOU2Q/s640/fancy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fancy daisy</div>
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This one below is called wild rose. I have tried a stitch which I have never used before. The original instructions had only five petals. I hated it. But I wanted to try the technique. So I increased the number of petals to 7 thus making the petals smaller. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A2dmDn8BcpVQt7uwD8_mvx6WgoYER1zYmaoWkHKt87ZyxKd0PPOCiu0c6KJ-pI_gR2Mffkaappm1BuLpkvEaFWTVUZ1LQl7dYAjs_Tcys8rSfMpnHDzAy7Ut25awB4C-f-yH6A/s1600/wildrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A2dmDn8BcpVQt7uwD8_mvx6WgoYER1zYmaoWkHKt87ZyxKd0PPOCiu0c6KJ-pI_gR2Mffkaappm1BuLpkvEaFWTVUZ1LQl7dYAjs_Tcys8rSfMpnHDzAy7Ut25awB4C-f-yH6A/s640/wildrose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am all out of dark green threads now. The next set of flowers will all be with pale green leaves and fine growth.The last set of flowers have been started. The piece then needs to be washed and backed up. Next post will be the completed piece for sure!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp46TPmMYHFJaHUNMd7BUBMSRwlbgfX71lTq6NbfzhrTEI6EnMeh3_hz8hnGZf10S8jHQrv02lJnxd-Fz7Jfkxp_PgDBbTc4rgkJdFpq1jPuBO0TUGe0K1sGrTN3iM7tGdnhxEg/s1600/wildrose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp46TPmMYHFJaHUNMd7BUBMSRwlbgfX71lTq6NbfzhrTEI6EnMeh3_hz8hnGZf10S8jHQrv02lJnxd-Fz7Jfkxp_PgDBbTc4rgkJdFpq1jPuBO0TUGe0K1sGrTN3iM7tGdnhxEg/s640/wildrose1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The weather outside has turned slightly colder and the leaves have all turned into the beautiful fall color.<br />
The life of the leaves always fills me with awe..when they are born, they give joy to all . They nurture and feed and soothe everyone during their lifetime and when they are about to fall, they do so with so much color and grace.<br />
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What has begun once must always end,<br />
Go down not with a whimper,<br />
but with a bang.<br />
Burn bright till the end and let it be known<br />
That you've lived well..<br />
<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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<br /></div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-38942903540579437392017-09-17T19:10:00.000+05:302017-09-17T19:10:52.264+05:30The lonely rose - braziilan embroidery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
Tried a different angle in embroidering a rose today. Usually the circle forms the base for BE and that creates a perfectly round flower. For this one, I tried ...ummm...don't know to describe the shape..<br />
Have a look yourself..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJKkwuHL0kt-i7cqDczxDYfYbUw3nekSJVmG30DXa6oWNykidMk9lWhHhaV8_PlRaau8fvIK7LgHY0kr6kQAkio7CYqDLi6tTg6wXjyoTo_XHHSoBh9EzyxyyokeJhyphenhyphenhJasytPw/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJKkwuHL0kt-i7cqDczxDYfYbUw3nekSJVmG30DXa6oWNykidMk9lWhHhaV8_PlRaau8fvIK7LgHY0kr6kQAkio7CYqDLi6tTg6wXjyoTo_XHHSoBh9EzyxyyokeJhyphenhyphenhJasytPw/s640/rose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I have used bullion stitches as well as cast on stitches for the petals and of course Lola Edmar rayon threads. Does it require one more petal on the lower right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAof2s4jt4d47Hpnrpm6W58crnqLgDX-Mk6vNQ3_bP11TktkSGTmV812K8mypW7xkj1GPGbwfZgB_5vyJkNCA5r9cFyIj0Ggn7UzsPbHmBipBNNwu90yzLmMkTyo5XwGtJHNehdA/s1600/rose_closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAof2s4jt4d47Hpnrpm6W58crnqLgDX-Mk6vNQ3_bP11TktkSGTmV812K8mypW7xkj1GPGbwfZgB_5vyJkNCA5r9cFyIj0Ggn7UzsPbHmBipBNNwu90yzLmMkTyo5XwGtJHNehdA/s640/rose_closeup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This, my dear friends, is dedicated to all those who still visit this blog. Love to you all..<br />
<br />
Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-88886872835675745782017-09-13T01:56:00.001+05:302017-09-13T01:56:19.247+05:30Stitching more flowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Brazilian embroidery table runner (supposedly) should've been completed by this time.<br />
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But my plans have changed..<br />
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After my last post about being unhappy about the "look" , I received quite a few suggestions - and most of them asked me to add more flowers. A blog friend even mailed me a picture to give me an idea. Thank you all !!<br />
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This was how it looked last month. My idea was to stitch four different bunch of flowers on either side with another few in the middle. Yes, it looked pathetic.. <br />
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I have now added a border line with brown to connect the flowers. The border looked empty, so vines and fine growth were added. Some more new flowers joined the party.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPqaSocm-0HLNwPU-f7v7PEC1p365KRu1WzQ6Vq4Ds5XFIa201yFh29E4q5AFcwA2PYc4KBlHwSTm3HdOVR3eK9vch3Nut3P46-XfGaD_JtHthyEnsv2fJGF-ZFjoZnydrchB7w/s1600/Maria%2527srose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1195" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPqaSocm-0HLNwPU-f7v7PEC1p365KRu1WzQ6Vq4Ds5XFIa201yFh29E4q5AFcwA2PYc4KBlHwSTm3HdOVR3eK9vch3Nut3P46-XfGaD_JtHthyEnsv2fJGF-ZFjoZnydrchB7w/s400/Maria%2527srose.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Maria's rose. I tried this one with the Frost Edmar thread.</div>
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Creeping flowers</div>
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Rolled roses. This one was a totally different color choice. </div>
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and finally a tiny Peach blossom using detached buttonhole stitch.</div>
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There's still some more work to be done. I'll post the full view once I am finished with my remaining set of flowers. </div>
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Love, luck and sunshine,</div>
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Deepa</div>
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-77368022469800779092017-08-27T18:30:00.000+05:302017-08-28T00:50:23.077+05:30A crocheted dress for the little lady<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone!!<br />
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The school has reopened and I am a relieved mother - relieved because there would be some other activities apart from watching YouTube in my daughter's life. I love her school way more than she does.. :)<br />
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Most of my time was spent on trying to think up of something to keep her off the iPad or making her use the internet for some useful things. This dress is also a result of that. The end-of-summer sales is going on in most places and I came across the Lana Gross Basics mercerized cotton yarn being sold for 1 Euro each. Well, I could not let go and grabbed a few. My plan was to make a dress - a very simple dress.<br />
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Here cropped up the next problem - and this is one which most mothers with daughters will identify with - of late, my daughter does not like most of my choices. And if I crocheted a dress without checking with her, I was absolutely sure she'll most probably relegate it to the deep dark corners of her wardrobe. So, I gave her the responsibility to search for a dress pattern she liked.<br />
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After quite a bit of search , when she showed me the style she wanted , I almost had a fit !! A boat neck bodice with a fitted waist and a flaired skirt - and this was going to be my first time making a dress..sigh!!<br />
This is the pattern she picked out.<br />
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After a lot of trials, I managed the top part in my own way and thankfully she was happy with it. A friend in one of the Facebook groups helped me a lot with her suggestions.<br />
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Each section was a challenge - but in the end thankfully she liked the dress even though it did not look anywhere near to the original inspiration :)<br />
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With the yarn I had, I made four panels for the skirt . The last panel was a torture - it never seemed to end. I now know why most crochet dresses are A line. In fact, I wanted to make totally five panels, but I ran out of the pink yarn - I used up 12 * 50 gms of pink yarn and one 50 gm of the purple.<br />
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She's happy and that makes me happy too :)</div>
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Warning : never attempt this dress if your child is tall. Meghna wanted a knee length dress, but this one ended a few centimeters above. I ran out of steam... :)<br />
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She has already found another tunic pattern for me to crochet. But I want to crochet a dress - one that looks exactly like the black one above - though I am not sure if it would look good when worn. I have seen it only draped on mannequin. That fitted waist is a dream - I am more suitable for balloon tops now a days ;)<br />
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Will be back soon with my usual embroidery post - there is plenty to post and tell :)<br />
Till then,<br />
Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa</div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-80099687257225688542017-07-10T19:25:00.000+05:302017-07-10T19:25:47.564+05:30Bullions & Knotted lazy daisies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone!!<br />
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Hope all of you are enjoying a wonderful summer wherever summer is meant to be :)<br />
Summer is at its peak and the plants in our garden appear to be in a hurry to get their responsibilities done with for the year.<br />
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Today is the third day of summer vacations and the little lady has already started the aimless wanderings around the house. I need to keep finding more activities to keep her occupied!!<br />
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On the stitching front, the week was a good one. I crocheted a frock for the 2 year old daughter of a friend. It was a first attempt and thankfully she fit into it :) <br />
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I then touched up the bullion rose a bit ...<br />
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I added some fine growth and lavenders..<br />
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The lonely rose looks happy now.<br />
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And finally stitched a simple knotted lazy daisy flower on the opposite end.<br />
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The piece of cloth which I planned as a table runner is now turning into a sampler of Brazilian embroidery flowers.<br />
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This is how it looks now. It is not exactly a wow piece. There's something lacking which I am unable to pin point. Is it because of too much blank space?<br />
Of course, the bottom end needs a couple more flowers just like the top . What can I do to make it look better? Do I need an element to link all the flowers together? What do you think?<br />
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Waiting to hear your opinions,<br />
Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-77589370325709265352017-06-14T13:12:00.000+05:302017-06-14T13:13:46.674+05:30Bullion rose and some repair work..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone!!<br />
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Remember the jinxed Brazilian embroidery flower <a href="http://deepashome.blogspot.de/2017/04/the-jinxed-brazilan-embroidery-flower.html" target="_blank">from this post</a> ?<br />
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I tried to make it look better..<br />
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I still don't like it though..<br />
But this new one, I am quite happy about..<br />
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This flower has about 20 bullions in 10,12,14 ,20 and 24 wraps..Some of the wraps are not so perfect,but I am not bothered too much about them. It does look a little lonely and tiny in one corner, so I may add some fine growth and french knot flowers.<br />
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The annual Erlangen beer festival concluded yesterday. This year we visited the place just once ,but I wore the "Dirndl" for the first time. Dirndl is the traditional dress of Bavaria. It is an easy to wear dress when compared to a sari, but a terribly expensive one. I wonder why. Isn't it just a simple frock? Unlike the Indian fabrics, it does not require complicated stitching and the fabric is either polyester or cotton. <br />
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Mid June...sigh!! The school holidays are around the corner and we're not looking forward to it . "We" means us parents, not the kid :)<br />
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Will come back with some more embroidery,<br />
Till then... <br />
Love,luck and lots and lots of sunshine,<br />
Deepa </div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-40096946149888606022017-05-07T19:11:00.002+05:302020-03-04T11:17:15.589+05:30Chamba rumals - A stitch analysis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am back!! :)<br />
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Today we look at the stitching technique used in <a href="http://deepashome.blogspot.de/2017/05/chamba-rumals-indian-embroidery.html" target="_blank">Chamba rumal embroidery.</a><br />
Before that, a disclaimer - I am not an authority on Chamba rumals. If anyone knows better about this method please feel free to correct me.<br />
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Ok, let us continue..<br />
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If we look closely at the stitches samples of Chamba, we'll come across different styles of filling -such as the long and short stitch , encroaching stitch and brick stitch. But technically, if you use these stitches, the back of the embroidery will not be an exact replica of the front which is essential in the case of Chamba rumals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1ENkh9NnfxQgN6iQe_Ixtv6VqRM2F_vZnZ3GTrFcHF0Ps1RpHinkwxcpm4Am0dW_ZqFTrrqRQyv7a_E0bPFpLjUGsQVI-Fc9Pbr67nHd3NJ4riOs1YvZqUy2vpMYmaxPtMxQfA/s1600/chambarumalstitches.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1ENkh9NnfxQgN6iQe_Ixtv6VqRM2F_vZnZ3GTrFcHF0Ps1RpHinkwxcpm4Am0dW_ZqFTrrqRQyv7a_E0bPFpLjUGsQVI-Fc9Pbr67nHd3NJ4riOs1YvZqUy2vpMYmaxPtMxQfA/s640/chambarumalstitches.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit : http://www.isca.in/FAMILY_SCI/Archive/v2/i7/1.ISCA-RJFCCS-2014-012.pdf</td></tr>
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So, one needs to stitch in such a way that it looks like satin, long & short,encroaching or brick on both sides. And the only stitch that can do it is the Darning stitch.<br />
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The above stitched samples represent the different ways the darning stitch can be used to fill patterns. The style of filling is the choice of the embroiderer. Vertical, horizontal or even random directions!!<br />
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Now, let us look at my not so perfect sample. It took me a while to get used to the fact that I should be concerned about the design at the back too. <br />
Except for one petal which is just the normal long and short filling, all others are with darning stitch.Can you guess??<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65QoxyRoJMME80QT2aenXPt5FcBo8AyWfVn6z32zdqArlFoGmWVDY1_1QwXMkaD9PSp1b38P01FkDPeyOiBUZN6jnkFESRvsO6F4V404vNaNELHhFsNnkLmYvCvwfACd3xUfNNg/s1600/Chamba_flwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65QoxyRoJMME80QT2aenXPt5FcBo8AyWfVn6z32zdqArlFoGmWVDY1_1QwXMkaD9PSp1b38P01FkDPeyOiBUZN6jnkFESRvsO6F4V404vNaNELHhFsNnkLmYvCvwfACd3xUfNNg/s640/Chamba_flwr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the picture again and an arrow shows the normal long and short one !! :) Just across that awfully pointed horizontally filled petal.All other petals are filled in the Chamba rumal style.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrH7MtdB4ZNlcRInIz10ry3iO_dnchoF4-7otHqGwHWYnIr-PZY83IJoFozZWH5SYi752-smQgJTcjSEgVto3uRAq17Vgg2LlINIB2T3MWYc3iPyI3aS18BqRU5rIn9FGWId6UA/s1600/Chamba_flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrH7MtdB4ZNlcRInIz10ry3iO_dnchoF4-7otHqGwHWYnIr-PZY83IJoFozZWH5SYi752-smQgJTcjSEgVto3uRAq17Vgg2LlINIB2T3MWYc3iPyI3aS18BqRU5rIn9FGWId6UA/s640/Chamba_flower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now for the stitching technique. I am sure everyone knows the darning stitch. In this case, all you have to do is not to knot in the beginning or in the end and always remember to keep an eye on the reverse side too. We are not experts, so this may take a little practice and the lack of it shows on my piece here. My daughter is not too impressed with it and doesn't want me to post such an ugly flower :) <br />
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Start with a waste knot and a tiny back stitch and then use the running stitch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXcssiO-xEYVNsNAZwl4V4B4TZbjztRyQZNmTUx4JajgzuGoTArqXaqhAnor-8fluGCBKJBkAWoRndgu8eZWC8bEm4MAbED8MMR_s-M0cODBLoKdj7Q85kNgWH5qzxLuPJMax5A/s1600/chamba+stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXcssiO-xEYVNsNAZwl4V4B4TZbjztRyQZNmTUx4JajgzuGoTArqXaqhAnor-8fluGCBKJBkAWoRndgu8eZWC8bEm4MAbED8MMR_s-M0cODBLoKdj7Q85kNgWH5qzxLuPJMax5A/s640/chamba+stitch.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Return to the base along the same line filling the gaps with another series of running stitches.The first back stitch will be covered by the subsequent darning stitches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqzoIlr9clLA_Mw9-oSMVr0Y9CfbglgpniR1FtyTEwuJA1XvowwPDZ_UZzvE8XLv1bdom-RkZJdhjRPG1EHpDP763CseE1VnYUHuEYoM1R6165iPkLM4_8PozcmDfxX_y1lYjow/s1600/Chamba_darning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqzoIlr9clLA_Mw9-oSMVr0Y9CfbglgpniR1FtyTEwuJA1XvowwPDZ_UZzvE8XLv1bdom-RkZJdhjRPG1EHpDP763CseE1VnYUHuEYoM1R6165iPkLM4_8PozcmDfxX_y1lYjow/s640/Chamba_darning.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
So, here is the completed trial flower. It's not an exquisitely embroidered piece - but will suffice for a sampler.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmDpFqfgLRQFVbfd6P9nI_IBAMMYER2MkSwoMAOGq52b7BStlvPyUTeWYWMl4be-a5VJHBugQBzH0-V863OBF_qdLfhnnvHfKd9xRJN_MBUbqqk0wFfBKyrx60r-II7ltIpfqpA/s1600/Chamba_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmDpFqfgLRQFVbfd6P9nI_IBAMMYER2MkSwoMAOGq52b7BStlvPyUTeWYWMl4be-a5VJHBugQBzH0-V863OBF_qdLfhnnvHfKd9xRJN_MBUbqqk0wFfBKyrx60r-II7ltIpfqpA/s640/Chamba_front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The front..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYGPqcgamrSKGAc3HaUd-8hYVQ4GW7B1Giovx55it5NJ00BMqnFv4ZJvGU_kzW3Lv6PvGQcKA5ZTyLRRsxToP7lTX3lsqDQ_g6xFww_fthaOLSMpxjge2EjV5t929QHNAEpJh-g/s1600/Chamba_reverse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYGPqcgamrSKGAc3HaUd-8hYVQ4GW7B1Giovx55it5NJ00BMqnFv4ZJvGU_kzW3Lv6PvGQcKA5ZTyLRRsxToP7lTX3lsqDQ_g6xFww_fthaOLSMpxjge2EjV5t929QHNAEpJh-g/s640/Chamba_reverse.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
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The other side...</div>
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So, that's it from my end. </div>
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I'll see you around,</div>
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Love,luck and sunshine,</div>
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Deepa</div>
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<b>Note to YouTubers</b> - I've discovered that some of you have copied my tutorials and
patterns and reproduced them on your channels as your own. These are the
results of hours of hard-work and research.I cannot stop you from remaking the stitch or technique tutorials, but please give credit where credit is due. <br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-52567802351972546482017-05-05T14:07:00.003+05:302017-05-05T14:09:22.852+05:30Chamba rumals - Indian embroidery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In the north of India, there is a state known by the name "Himachal Pradesh". The town of Chamba is a part of this state. Himachal pradesh is a "Pahari" region - which means mountainous - because of its proximity to The Himalayas. Like every other region of India, this region too has its unique arts and crafts. One among them is the embroidered Chamba rumal - the most important claim to fame for the town of Chamba.<br />
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Rumal means handkerchief . It also means a square cloth. In the case of Chamba rumals, the second interpretation is more apt. These pieces cloth were embroidered and used as covers of gifts to royalty by royalty , to deities, to groom's family by the bride's family and so on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGXyI4xx2R-YiIpXhA9PKftiVPIc0-MymeBAPdZYicHIMSvOfqqsnwaQlHFxOQg5OSmkrI5LaFkir3heNUQpm_LEPbHvimbYTGGC_0UEpsCEX5OxMo3L075WJg_AhDSL-tezj3Q/s1600/chamba_floral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGXyI4xx2R-YiIpXhA9PKftiVPIc0-MymeBAPdZYicHIMSvOfqqsnwaQlHFxOQg5OSmkrI5LaFkir3heNUQpm_LEPbHvimbYTGGC_0UEpsCEX5OxMo3L075WJg_AhDSL-tezj3Q/s640/chamba_floral.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, what's so special about these rumals?<br />
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The embroidery in Chamba rumals are double sided. You cannot distinguish between the front and the back. So the style of embroidery is called "Do-rukha" which means two sided. Moreover, no embroidery frame is used through out. Earlier, untwisted silk threads were used to embroider on unbleached muslin cloth.<br />
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<a href="https://niftcd.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/untitled-154.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://niftcd.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/untitled-154.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The front and back of Chamba rumal. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Source niftcd.wordpress.com</span></div>
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You can see plenty of pictures and description <a href="https://niftcd.wordpress.com/chamba-rumal/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://sudhagee.com/2016/02/24/chamba-rumals-painted-embroideries-or-embroidered-paintings/" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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Several months back, I received a mail from one of the readers asking about Chamba rumals and the stitch associated with it. I had studied the stitch some time back, but never executed it.Here's a video showing the embroidery up and close.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rCMNXXQXSPc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCMNXXQXSPc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Most of the sources state that the stitch is double sided satin stitch with no knots. What do you think?<br />
Have a look at the video and let me know your thoughts. In the next post, I'll show you my trials with this style of embroidery. It'll not take very long - may be tomorrow.. :)<br />
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The first week of May is already about to end and Sonny boy is playing games with us. He refuses to shine for more than a day in a week. Hopefully next week he'll be back in form.<br />
To brighten your day, here are a few pics from the Tulip Garden in Amsterdam taken during our trip there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg_DxM7A-S_xQAQWcm8EZPZ_EUoyNmiC-RVZkTVixQvrjdVS58x61-rqgko-vz6gaL6uuFyi8TQKQubrdW19PZQ8LFleIjFYBLP-fteJIhcXmJU2dQItTES74OubqBDHvAXItsA/s1600/tulipgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg_DxM7A-S_xQAQWcm8EZPZ_EUoyNmiC-RVZkTVixQvrjdVS58x61-rqgko-vz6gaL6uuFyi8TQKQubrdW19PZQ8LFleIjFYBLP-fteJIhcXmJU2dQItTES74OubqBDHvAXItsA/s640/tulipgarden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8E8Mwhef-rYsB_qBhSUDIkJNOhkMwbTlSVQedU7MuNrcaOiDL3KJTrFv-WBJWUiHjESEXzwCanA4a7-2em16l7S9sLOJZgSOX2ZCl63IEKtTut2Uog1Ccih4VdaQ4cDB0Hry3g/s1600/tulip3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8E8Mwhef-rYsB_qBhSUDIkJNOhkMwbTlSVQedU7MuNrcaOiDL3KJTrFv-WBJWUiHjESEXzwCanA4a7-2em16l7S9sLOJZgSOX2ZCl63IEKtTut2Uog1Ccih4VdaQ4cDB0Hry3g/s640/tulip3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gx9J7uJ1OsTvSc0J-TTa5NilCq2edquyUMLzHvesCxezfz7GeOtyPWLGroARA6Lw0RxtOkuJwvHieb1evnHQpH_PJ0peNJgzQ1ZTnbu2kpaQFBYre9AvpKxVP4MnrfuSF8qq8g/s1600/tulip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gx9J7uJ1OsTvSc0J-TTa5NilCq2edquyUMLzHvesCxezfz7GeOtyPWLGroARA6Lw0RxtOkuJwvHieb1evnHQpH_PJ0peNJgzQ1ZTnbu2kpaQFBYre9AvpKxVP4MnrfuSF8qq8g/s640/tulip2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The picture below is the actual Tulip fields.Not many colors though and they do not let public in there. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OSYSj_axqUE6gWi6omHbD7ifj6RnB2FA2N-UVX6Z1RRM-K6Cr5XjxgYKN9es1N7WfLvJqpvPjmyJoS4x0Bockanb8STAA0b3LQ1-jjintEtkhPFyY0RsFoGf9176SalXf719YA/s1600/tulipgardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OSYSj_axqUE6gWi6omHbD7ifj6RnB2FA2N-UVX6Z1RRM-K6Cr5XjxgYKN9es1N7WfLvJqpvPjmyJoS4x0Bockanb8STAA0b3LQ1-jjintEtkhPFyY0RsFoGf9176SalXf719YA/s640/tulipgardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have a great friday!!<br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa<br />
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-42706976782415657712017-04-07T13:37:00.001+05:302017-04-07T13:38:54.699+05:30French knot number 999..the Spring jute project is complete!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
No whining this time!! ( big,big smile). All's good!!<br />
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I hope you still remember the embroidery on jute. If not, at the end of the post, I'll link back to the older posts in this project. You could give it a try if you like it :)<br />
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So, I've stitched up 1000 or more french knots. I feel that I've reached a stage where I can stop knotting..<br />
There she is...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLa_l-xw0XhSBZhskxkDsnkTdL0F-noxHymRxtGxoQ5qyyxtkS_CC7rmzsJgTrS0LxqxShkp6-pi6sBvtQLMOW00TKZI43CJ6PZIuBzRiJcD9VqXj4p5PvN0caKjqW3L8iW7XNw/s1600/Spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLa_l-xw0XhSBZhskxkDsnkTdL0F-noxHymRxtGxoQ5qyyxtkS_CC7rmzsJgTrS0LxqxShkp6-pi6sBvtQLMOW00TKZI43CJ6PZIuBzRiJcD9VqXj4p5PvN0caKjqW3L8iW7XNw/s640/Spring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The idea was to just feel the joy of spring and the flowers floating down...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvWy-1kS4jxfxd511AhR3XBEsgE5hCPUYVfRu6ZYjl5tQHvxWc2U1zjYg_REQqk8TfrBaWxIqx0cRQXt6MZF_euQ7AndvI6uEA8DLu6rRNG2y_ZjLhbzs5LAZRp2IToETeukhMw/s1600/SpringView.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvWy-1kS4jxfxd511AhR3XBEsgE5hCPUYVfRu6ZYjl5tQHvxWc2U1zjYg_REQqk8TfrBaWxIqx0cRQXt6MZF_euQ7AndvI6uEA8DLu6rRNG2y_ZjLhbzs5LAZRp2IToETeukhMw/s640/SpringView.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This will go back to Simone who gifted me this fabric. Hopefully it'll either be framed on stitched on to a bag. If framed, I am envisioning this piece in an oval frame. What do you think?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83yFRLwvLO8n0fz2AmPDCpjD8clntuv1mhANNGj8foXFkRzoCO8EBarYudCunFnT284jLCbAUHZrNErTjLGc0qYgY6q6aq7TOQW7bnsRSv-UL52xbsKaLL76Efsdd3xRnUW8E4A/s1600/Spring2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83yFRLwvLO8n0fz2AmPDCpjD8clntuv1mhANNGj8foXFkRzoCO8EBarYudCunFnT284jLCbAUHZrNErTjLGc0qYgY6q6aq7TOQW7bnsRSv-UL52xbsKaLL76Efsdd3xRnUW8E4A/s640/Spring2.jpg" width="409" /></a></div>
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The flowers were stitched with Anchor variegated Perl cotton.With some planning I was able to keep the yellow flowers together and the whites at the bottom. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWxVu6hG2qwnFKhi8T4xTP5MKDikdd5mWsXT8jeH6cMPIRbhoYIF_QQ_WQ3rOwG0-HXtfqlNW2KBrwofo_pWgi-zPDQw12W2LwutqOh1Zv8ugtYTsCReINJItPV2rmGXgptbRYA/s1600/Spring3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWxVu6hG2qwnFKhi8T4xTP5MKDikdd5mWsXT8jeH6cMPIRbhoYIF_QQ_WQ3rOwG0-HXtfqlNW2KBrwofo_pWgi-zPDQw12W2LwutqOh1Zv8ugtYTsCReINJItPV2rmGXgptbRYA/s640/Spring3.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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Whenever I see the pictures I click, I feel the need to take up a photography course. More so when I see some of the Instagram pictures and blog posts of my fellow embroiderers. What should I do to take better pictures? I'll have to google and learn a bit. That's another item in the to-learn list.</div>
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Anyways, now its back to the Brazilian embroidery piece. <br />
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And oh, forgot to tell you..next week we are visiting Amsterdam and the very famous Tulip gardens!! Flowers everywhere..yoohooo!!!<br />
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Wishing you all a wonderful Easter and an amazing Spring!!! <br />
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Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa</div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-74542288956052941592017-04-04T13:13:00.000+05:302017-04-04T13:37:30.712+05:30The Jinxed Brazilan embroidery flower <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, that's what I call it..it does have another name though - with a lot of letters. I don't even want to look it up to type it here.<br />
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This pattern was a flop (for me) from the word "go".<br />
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Not the flower's fault.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86lB0IywfmUGvAUL5g7PBfHLBYFVT1jj_60AYv2XW_P1u9r3FuyNvxVy0fNbNPL-_FZRfE-W2ITK7zRjS8R-oBqN-OtGn3F5KnpgSs6B8GZIxZ9lTti_wOUUtoYfK5wGPCc2w3w/s1600/BE2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86lB0IywfmUGvAUL5g7PBfHLBYFVT1jj_60AYv2XW_P1u9r3FuyNvxVy0fNbNPL-_FZRfE-W2ITK7zRjS8R-oBqN-OtGn3F5KnpgSs6B8GZIxZ9lTti_wOUUtoYfK5wGPCc2w3w/s640/BE2.jpg" width="537" /></a></div>
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I went wrong with the sketch , the color choice , the stitch - then had to redraw, change the thread color and change the stitch .At that point it looked decent enough, but had eaten up a lot of my time.<br />
<br />
I didn't click the earlier pic, but the flower looked something like this.. a humongous pinwheel lollipop!!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIelAMPTH3byDYI7QUI5KpbVb7MF0jfZdPk0olxlr5KtjrUkXdYYsXk53iwWtZi0-xaH8tUrgEdXcUuUCy7-EPHY6JGmqpFuTrY6mTokjtghyFd7IV77zLONRznvgrVQfrRy0wYA/s1600/LollipopPinwheels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIelAMPTH3byDYI7QUI5KpbVb7MF0jfZdPk0olxlr5KtjrUkXdYYsXk53iwWtZi0-xaH8tUrgEdXcUuUCy7-EPHY6JGmqpFuTrY6mTokjtghyFd7IV77zLONRznvgrVQfrRy0wYA/s200/LollipopPinwheels.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.de/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwim8IXvoIrTAhVBPxoKHcQ7Ah0QjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhappytownapplique.com%2Flollipops-with-pinheels-machine-applique-design&psig=AFQjCNGnrR5-AvVKFX67V_D5zRPgRinSow&ust=1491376522921045" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
Come to think of it, it still does look the same , doesn't it? <br />
<br />
Then the drama with bullion stitches started.<br />
<br />
Es war einfach schrecklich. It was simply terrible!!<br />
<br />
I went wrong multiple times with the number of wraps that would cover the edge of the petals - all because the petals were not the exact same size. Some needed 25 wraps, some needed 30.<br />
<br />
Do, undo, redo..sigh!!<br />
<br />
On top of it the bullions wouldn't lie flat - so had to tack them down and that clearly shows. There are also gaps between bullions, which shouldn't be the case. I was desperate to finish by this time.<br />
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<br />
Yes.... it was a miserable day, which ended at 11 PM .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeFXUjBpeENknqZkt9oVTRmjGm_NFgeBzprNbLNqd5ZqIwdxeen0jv1ahQqZpugOJG8pelS-TZdGqj_8t5gwzodDG7GN7jrapfJe5zF9V7jkNNdbNr8q6gotMZXrkTrCNun6rGw/s1600/BE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeFXUjBpeENknqZkt9oVTRmjGm_NFgeBzprNbLNqd5ZqIwdxeen0jv1ahQqZpugOJG8pelS-TZdGqj_8t5gwzodDG7GN7jrapfJe5zF9V7jkNNdbNr8q6gotMZXrkTrCNun6rGw/s640/BE.jpg" width="611" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Yuck!! This is an embarrassment!! I am going to redo the bullions!! </div>
<br />
But not today. I need a few days to recover from this debacle.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile , the weather continues to be pleasant and a lot of wildflowers have popped up all over the place. Happiness is in the air!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's hoping that the sunshine will brighten up your days too..<br />
and oh yes..I will come back with a better embroidery next time..<br />
<br />
Love, luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa <br />
<br />
Update:<br />
I have removed the bullions!! It still looks pathetic :) The pencil marks will show how huge the earlier flower was :)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5B7vT7ODCKWUzTr8YrTZmhR3jHIgbiAaMKNzu-o8JneCTatvJjlV-CxaTFEI8txFoaN1alJPyZPhwigAzTY8jfxLBMCXFBj_z23FDGvDMA9SAMeKNlGMAZdHvbjH_BSOBUfQfQ/s1600/be3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5B7vT7ODCKWUzTr8YrTZmhR3jHIgbiAaMKNzu-o8JneCTatvJjlV-CxaTFEI8txFoaN1alJPyZPhwigAzTY8jfxLBMCXFBj_z23FDGvDMA9SAMeKNlGMAZdHvbjH_BSOBUfQfQ/s640/be3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-83058643867186753762017-03-16T21:58:00.000+05:302017-03-16T21:58:11.597+05:30My Poncho...ta da...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
The trip to Rome was wonderful except for one incident where a
wayfarer ran away from us when we approached her to ask directions. :)
The Pizzas were yum and we found Italians to be very friendly - a
welcome change ;) After first couple of days, many of the monuments
were a blur, though.<br />
<br />
History overload, I guess...<br />
<br />
Now for the the <a href="http://deepashome.blogspot.de/2017/02/the-tale-of-crocheted-poncho.html" target="_blank">lovely Poncho</a> which squeezed out almost every ounce of patience I had..<br />
<br />
Here she is...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKIDV3aqLR6-kZa1h9m09FFNlzdZ33yxeV6N6EuL_2Ei3ErQJ7z3D6HyHvFzDG_reXkG60egz6y3NvcbxL1NuYEV2OIPLYjoT61pLWkm-d9Ymn2QDcaM_1dG_mBVv4U3AG4nWuw/s1600/Poncho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKIDV3aqLR6-kZa1h9m09FFNlzdZ33yxeV6N6EuL_2Ei3ErQJ7z3D6HyHvFzDG_reXkG60egz6y3NvcbxL1NuYEV2OIPLYjoT61pLWkm-d9Ymn2QDcaM_1dG_mBVv4U3AG4nWuw/s640/Poncho.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And I wanted to show it worn too..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpHABOUH0PzoexKEqsf15jjPHrFAGfxGXdoLE95U3A-6J31Woe4vSFWJmVzuA1eWXq1Uvw5u0IRTSbjSyAqXaLrd6EPaukz8-Lc_y4vJQWYBf9De59eND1aQdE8jIjy61fXRBRA/s1600/Poncho%2526me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpHABOUH0PzoexKEqsf15jjPHrFAGfxGXdoLE95U3A-6J31Woe4vSFWJmVzuA1eWXq1Uvw5u0IRTSbjSyAqXaLrd6EPaukz8-Lc_y4vJQWYBf9De59eND1aQdE8jIjy61fXRBRA/s640/Poncho%2526me.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The above was my effort at taking selfie. The colors didn't show too well, so the little lady helped me out with the below pic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwKnno8FE3sv1ZNEvGOhr84EagBXQprGq7APsRPifWnDODoB6CJIoE_us9wS_rGoyrAxJfByXB8LTdCkxVUvLewzVRAm885pxOyReuEQm8dPENr85D7H6Efi9OBaZC5zoihy1Sg/s1600/Poncho%2526me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwKnno8FE3sv1ZNEvGOhr84EagBXQprGq7APsRPifWnDODoB6CJIoE_us9wS_rGoyrAxJfByXB8LTdCkxVUvLewzVRAm885pxOyReuEQm8dPENr85D7H6Efi9OBaZC5zoihy1Sg/s640/Poncho%2526me.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I think I can take credit for the pattern because I started visualizing a cowl neck warm Poncho and ended up with a Cowl neck lacy Poncho. So it's a mix of two patterns with additional twists by yours truly.<br />
<br />
There was exactly one ball of the above yarn left and with that I made a Cell Cozy. I made two infact. The first one I made and took to the German class to give to a friend, another class mate too wanted one - so I gifted her one too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsbOCVbaGWRSBNHTSYPGvRWXBME8FqWMopEAkZu3x_NI6zP_eJMG10LqEca_pSomtGatAo2NCaiZVhbbbr1asBk-4eejoWTnVVRuyGPxWZ9oJqgmjJISFcOavLfi7k_UHI1DfHQ/s1600/cellCozy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsbOCVbaGWRSBNHTSYPGvRWXBME8FqWMopEAkZu3x_NI6zP_eJMG10LqEca_pSomtGatAo2NCaiZVhbbbr1asBk-4eejoWTnVVRuyGPxWZ9oJqgmjJISFcOavLfi7k_UHI1DfHQ/s400/cellCozy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This cozy is a quick make and needs barely a little more than half an hour. I made it on a whim and was surprised when my classmates loved it. The pattern is from <a href="http://knitaly.blogspot.de/2010/06/cell-cozy.html.">http://knitaly.blogspot.de/2010/06/cell-cozy.html.</a><br /> If you scroll down the above link ,the English version of the pattern is available.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflahRglc54NWN94KWpAbkVSLOeCTKZ70YN3jWSIMH-Fb29HSB27MJmK32DnkE1sx57GWQ_MnzpDJLXyNpucX__afQVd6LXngh4XU73iwjFEVHxSTkDXaM2cyLpGeAxMyXCY2plw/s1600/CellCozy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflahRglc54NWN94KWpAbkVSLOeCTKZ70YN3jWSIMH-Fb29HSB27MJmK32DnkE1sx57GWQ_MnzpDJLXyNpucX__afQVd6LXngh4XU73iwjFEVHxSTkDXaM2cyLpGeAxMyXCY2plw/s640/CellCozy2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now I move my focus back to embroidery. I've done some flowers in the jute fabric, but I am not ready to show it yet.<br />
<br />
May be in the next post,<br />
<br />
Love,luck and sunshine!! (yippee..its warm again)<br />
Deepa<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-18257888766090991492017-02-24T17:55:00.000+05:302017-02-24T17:55:20.870+05:30The tale of a crocheted Poncho<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've never worn a Poncho till this point in my life. But now I want to try.<br />
<br />
I don't want to buy one. I want to make one..<br />
<br />
Thus started the Poncho.. sigh!!!<br />
<br />
I started crocheting a V-stitch Poncho. The cowl neck took me three attempts to get right. The term right is relative - to get right means good enough to satisfy me or make me happy. I was so happy with the ribbed cowl neck that I put it on several times just to see myself wearing it - my first ever crocheted cowl neck ,you see :)<br />
<br />
Then started the body. I followed the pattern to the 'T'. The pattern had repeated V stitches with the front and back center tip increase. After several rounds, it began to look really like a V.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6JRdxTDoX6DHfe9SSY0U2DQckMeO1ZlebMHYCWqklsOWSj7AsWMhQIhTkVzolOMp8Ok9qhnWaPd259WMK2kBrT4XrHGEhZX7aobZU01zVj7GYWUWF9ssPOwkeKYCWHvtTVp1FQ/s1600/poncho1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6JRdxTDoX6DHfe9SSY0U2DQckMeO1ZlebMHYCWqklsOWSj7AsWMhQIhTkVzolOMp8Ok9qhnWaPd259WMK2kBrT4XrHGEhZX7aobZU01zVj7GYWUWF9ssPOwkeKYCWHvtTVp1FQ/s640/poncho1.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
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With every round my apprehension started to grow..the shoulders were slow to increase, but the tip was getting longer and longer. The poncho did look good, but I was afraid - by the time it reached my elbows, the tip would reach my knee. Well, for a tall person, it wouldn't matter - but I didn't want front and back tails. I should've stopped the crocheting then and there.</div>
<br />
Did I??<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No, I didn't. I tried to adjust because I didn't want all my effort and time go waste. I tried increasing the sides so that it becomes broader and not so stiff. I kept on crocheting more and more rounds hoping it'll look better. But it turned out to be worst - all wavy and twisted...yuck!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
I've not taken a pic, but believe me - it was bad. <br />
My daughter probably didn't want to criticize and kept on saying - it looks good, ma.<br />
<br />
Finally , after spending so many hours crocheting and being unhappy , I decided to end it..<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdkU8sFmchyphenhyphen9BqMWHhhW-jsbfxcyw7fTK9jLFdt1krkS_fM2wFQ_BIBkOoqk9JAE7knRXJgqL5h5n7sTE-h7yuQrAVeq4RaEld5k_HzCQd5s7_26qLCsgkJjtYePkucuogh3Cew/s1600/yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdkU8sFmchyphenhyphen9BqMWHhhW-jsbfxcyw7fTK9jLFdt1krkS_fM2wFQ_BIBkOoqk9JAE7knRXJgqL5h5n7sTE-h7yuQrAVeq4RaEld5k_HzCQd5s7_26qLCsgkJjtYePkucuogh3Cew/s320/yarn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The yarn too looks tired, doesn't it ? And now, I am trying again..but no more V stitch. I've had enough of it for the time being..<br />
<br />
The dream Poncho looks like this now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQItQAqQDpkhrYbyH8WDP9xNJCINkq33UWjb_3vbZKUvC17kX-CQcAmWPhUWE35C-B-jrkTSNsYucQGMzO9cTG2zdlhvDI9OsyJCfXyT65iYmMU7XcLpVYgC4dtJlm8WsVDgUVQ/s1600/Poncho2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQItQAqQDpkhrYbyH8WDP9xNJCINkq33UWjb_3vbZKUvC17kX-CQcAmWPhUWE35C-B-jrkTSNsYucQGMzO9cTG2zdlhvDI9OsyJCfXyT65iYmMU7XcLpVYgC4dtJlm8WsVDgUVQ/s640/Poncho2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
My friend who has been following the progress of THE poncho - after seeing, hearing and seeing again the developments-
exclaimed -"you could have just bought one!! Crazy!!!"<br />
<br />
Well..I think so too..sometimes..<br />
<br />
The variegated yarn is a German product from the "Kik" store -It is 45% Cotton as shown in the label. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwtN5jvbDNyZHnXfVmf1FmJInCy18PGdjVewgB7thnc7LWunuX0pYqP0E6QDBGyVPD9JZxLcqERei7oAznRZoLgrRA6eIOJHn8aoL0cG38Zx2f9p5XenJK62fbOHvQSZCVAwCgA/s1600/yarn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwtN5jvbDNyZHnXfVmf1FmJInCy18PGdjVewgB7thnc7LWunuX0pYqP0E6QDBGyVPD9JZxLcqERei7oAznRZoLgrRA6eIOJHn8aoL0cG38Zx2f9p5XenJK62fbOHvQSZCVAwCgA/s320/yarn2.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
I love variegated yarns and have always wanted to buy them all when I see them in
stores. I grabbed this one when these appeared in Kik. <br />
Then I realized that these
yarns look good when they are yarns - and may not necessarily look that
good when made into a wearable - because of the color changes and stuff. So, from now on - I'll be in control when I see variegated.<br />
<br />
Hopefully, a few more hours of work and my Poncho should be ready to wear. The Fasching holidays begin today and we're off to a trip to Rome tomorrow. Its been a dream to see the Colosseum and the Pantheon.<br />
After the trip, I'll be back with the Poncho and also show you how my jute embroidery looks ...<br />
<br />
Love,luck and sunshine..<br />
Deepa<br />
<br /></div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36284411.post-19660739522051452872017-01-28T16:47:00.002+05:302017-01-28T16:47:44.223+05:30Double colored leaves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been trying to vary the colors of the leaves in <a href="http://deepashome.blogspot.de/2017/01/embroidery-on-jute.html" target="_blank">my latest jute project</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbM1giv9PWrCSRoquWgqBx0tjF1OwiWC7i6dtzJoq5T2qha3iLsSyLCwlaWSW38nJi9ajHmr4svjuETdwGl7GEtdoHD-5TSRqiaNVMRLk8YsNztavNQegAlG3t2UveAgMl3tLPA/s1600/doublecolored+leaves1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbM1giv9PWrCSRoquWgqBx0tjF1OwiWC7i6dtzJoq5T2qha3iLsSyLCwlaWSW38nJi9ajHmr4svjuETdwGl7GEtdoHD-5TSRqiaNVMRLk8YsNztavNQegAlG3t2UveAgMl3tLPA/s640/doublecolored+leaves1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beginning with two strands of green, I changed to one strand each of the two colors. For the smaller leaf, I stitched only the tip with the golden olive shade. Which colors have you used for double colored leaves - bright yellow? browns?<br />
<br />
I will be back after stitching up a few more of these..<br />
<br />
Love,luck and sunshine,<br />
Deepa</div>
Deepa http://www.blogger.com/profile/14196651887074374890noreply@blogger.com5