Has it really been so long . . .

. . . since I put anything on this blog?  I've been a bit preoccupied with too many other things, that's the trouble.  Anyway, this mixture of photos will maybe get me going again. 

Its going back a bit now, but here is a very brave little summer marigold, surviving in the December snow and ice.  (The eyes behind the glass are on a paper plane DH made - supposed to be the best flyer of all paper planes.  Didn't notice it when taking the pic.  It looks as surprised to see the flower as I am, considering how cold its been!)

 And this is Alvin, made and names by daughter and grandchildren.

 .. and a winter moon, nice and atmospheric . . .

 . . .  lovely frosty edges . . .

 . . .  and patterns of crystals . . .

 . . .  and a nice little snowman story, bonded appliqué, started at a Quilters' Guild workshop day in November and finished at home in time for Christmas.

 He came to the same end as Alvin, sad to say.

 And we also made this cute bag on that day, from the Omiyage book by Kumiko Sudo.

 And after some talk about couching on the CQ group list I had to have a go.  If only I'd made it bigger i could have used it for a book cover, but I just wanted to get stitching, not spend time thinking!  I never learn.  That's why there are so many bits of samples around that it is hard to find something to do with.

 This collection of hearts and hand-embroidered bags sat waiting to be posted to people for #christmas presents. 

Couching

On the Contemporary Quilt Group's yahoo list recently there was quite a bit of posting about couching threads down, with ideas and advice given about different stitches, machine feet, and methods.  I had a go, producing this sampler.  On my fairly humble Pfaff I don't have to much choice, and find that the piping foot, which has several channels underneath it, big enough for a thread about the size of double knitting yarn to pass  through, is the best for stitching down a single thread at a time.  I can use zigzag, triple zigzag, and another stitch which does several running stitches on one side then zigzags across once then back to the running stitches.  Only one thread can be used as none of my stitches will spread across enough.

I like doing the rows close together, and find that I just love the feel of the whole piece.
The ladder-like yarns at either side  of the work are stitched with the normal foot and a feather stitch, which just catches the side threads in and gives a nice fancy line up the centre.
Another foot I have, which has a bit sticking out forward on one side and a bar across on the other, with 2 notches beneath it, can be used with a thread in each notch, and if I am lucky, one in between them (but no notch), and a wide stitch, like the mesh-like one, or the wide W shape made up of small stitches.  It is hard to control though, not sure what it is really for.
There are gaps of course where I have not steered straight, but I'm in the process of filling them in with fat stem stitch and knots.  With the gadgets I have I shall have to stick to straight or curved lines, and dream about the couching foot with a special thread feed which will take your thread anywhere you choose, and which I can't afford!