Category Archives: applique

Snorkels and Masks

Posted on April 28, 2015 by playfulstitching

So far, all the swimmers in Swimming with the Stingrays have been faceless. Their blank heads have been taunting me from the beginning. As a doll maker, I should be able to draw the faces. It’s just that I didn’t … Continue reading →

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Embroidered Stingrays

Posted on April 24, 2015 by playfulstitching

Our stingray adventure took place at Stingray City off Grand Cayman island twelve years ago. This snorkeling expedition was the highlight of our cruise.  The water was crystal clear. The weather was warm and not too hot. The snorkeling was good. … Continue reading →

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An Embroidered Turtle

Posted on April 19, 2015 by playfulstitching

Sea turtles are majestic creatures of the oceans. Sighting one from a boat is exciting. Spotting one swimming above you when you are snorkeling is a treasured moment. They glide through the water will little apparent effort. They look as … Continue reading →

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One Fish Two Fish

Posted on April 7, 2015 by playfulstitching

Two more fish swimming in my sea. One in pink.  And one in purple. I like the French knots on this one. The magenta stitching around his fins is called Italian border stitch. It’s basically a fly stitch with a French … Continue reading →

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Back to Embroidery

Posted on April 3, 2015 by playfulstitching

Begun many months ago, my Swimming with the Stingrays is back on my sewing table. I hadn’t intended to embroider right now, yet there it is. After last month’s doll, Diane the Bride, I had wanted to make another one. This … Continue reading →

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Diane the Bride

Posted on March 14, 2015 by playfulstitching

A generous gift deserves a heartfelt thank you. A dear friend of mine offered her wedding dress to my daughter Martha. She knows that Martha loves to wear vintage and retro clothing. She knows that Martha designs and sews what … Continue reading →

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Back to Doll Making

Posted on March 8, 2015 by playfulstitching

Can you believe it’s been 18 months since I’ve last made a doll? I’ve had so much fun in the last year with embroidery and felt, but lately I’ve been itching to create a doll. It’s been in the back … Continue reading →

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Stitching Fishes

Posted on October 16, 2014 by playfulstitching

I’ve started again with the stitching on Swimming With the Stingrays. It is good to finally be back with the simple stitching again. I have ripped out the offending parts of the fish in my last post. He hasn’t been reworked … Continue reading →

Posted in applique, beading, embroidery | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Disappointments in Stitching

Posted on October 12, 2014 by playfulstitching

It has been so long since my last post. I’ll start my catching up with one of my disappointments, the embroidery that I call Swimming With the Stingrays. I last stitched on it during our vacation in the Smoky Mountains … Continue reading →

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Backstitch Family of Stitches

Posted on June 6, 2014 by playfulstitching

This family of stitches is similar to the running stitches. Although I like the look of backstitch for linear elements, I tend to rely more on the running stitch in most of my work. For edging in applique, the backstitch … Continue reading →

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