Stitch Explorer 2009
Friday, December 12, 2008 at 7:15AM | Sharon B The first challenge is up!
Stitch Explorer for June is a catch up month
Stitch Explorer for September (catch up month)
Stitch Explorer for October
Stitch Explorer for November
Stitch Explorer for December
Link to the flickr Stitch Explorer group
Each month on the 15th of the month I post details of either a slightly unusual or lesser known stitch, or a style of embroidery. Please note I will be looking at embroidery styles as well as stitches. Sometimes it will be both. Sometimes it will be one or the other.
I think anyone who did or watched TAST quickly realised that although a stitch can be worked in a traditional manner if you look at the structure of the stitch and its use the stitch can be changed completely. Looking at how a stitch is constructed and adapting that makes for some interesting discoveries. The same holds true when we look at different embroidery styles. Looking at how and why a style might be worked in a particular manner and investigating that, makes many styles more versatile than people realise.
Each month I will provide readers with enough information to enable them to explore, investigate and or adapt the stitch or style. Readers can use the challenge stitch or style on any project they choose. This means people can adapt the challenge to their needs.
It will run it in the same way as my past challenges. In other words I will post and when people have responded on either a blog, flickr account, or some sort of photo space on the web, they swing back to the challenge page and leave their web address in the comments. This means people can visit, see what was done leave a comment on their blog. Since the idea is to share people really would need a place online to share it.
I want to credit Arlene with the title of the challenge.
If you plan to participate in a comment introduce your self and leave your name and blog/flickr address so people can visit you. Also remember to link back to Pin Tangle !
Note added later: Since the idea is to share what you stitch you will need somewhere to post photos such as a blog, a flickr account, or be on the stitching fingers community to join in. The reason is you need somewhere online to post photos is so people can see them and respond to them. These sorts of sites are free to set up. Of course you can just stitch along but with no interaction or conversation with others its a bit of a lonely way to do it.
Reader Comments (128)
Hi Sharon,
I will join in this challenge . A deadline is always good for motivation!
www.carlseapatch.wordpress.com
I would love to join Stitch Explorer for 2009. My Flickr address is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12889299@N00/?saved=1
Hi! I am going to try very hard to participate. I wanted to participate in your last challenge, but I was overwhelmed with other projects. I am going to try and do more work that's just for me next year, and I'd like to start a sampler, so this fits in perfectly. My website is papaya-palace.com, but I will probably post my work on my flickr account, which is http://www.flickr.com/photos/katxn/ Thanks so much for doing this!
I'm really looking forward to this. TAST kept me stitching for the whole year, it was a great impetus to spend some time on embroidery whatever else I was doing. I'm hoping Stitch Explorer will keep me focussed in the same way!
I am signing up again Sharon I have enjoyed the last 2 years and am looking forward to the next one.
Doreen
http://doreeng.blogspot.com/
I would like to take up this challenge now that I am setted in my new home and country
Sharon, I will be following, or dragging along behind the crowd. I love the idea. I have also put into practice of stepping out, and I will try and post to my blog weekly for sure. Rene in New Orleans and it is SNOWING...
Sounds good! I'd like to participate via my blog, http://margaret-cooter.blogspot.com
Sharon, I'm standing hand on heart here, as I say this sincerely..
"I promise to do my best to keep up with your Stitch Explorer Challenge in 2009. I will post on my personal blog, even if I'm not finished, any and all stitching I do for this challenge "
2008 has been a year of mixed blessings, here's hoping 2009 will be an improvement. Keeping focused is often difficult for me so taking part in your Challenge will go a little way towards that goal.
Thanks for giving us your time and energy for another year,
Hooroo,
Christine, in drizzly Sydney
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/
mmmm 15 days after the New Year to create a blog, website and get ready for a project. That would really be a challenge. Guess I better start thinking.
Oh ! Please count me in ! I didn't keep up with posting all of TIF's but I did most of them and loved the monthly inspiration! Thanks so muc for doing something again !
Season's blessings!
Hi Sharon,
I want to join this challenge. I was not faithful to the monthly challenges last year, but in 2009 my focus is on polishing my stiching skills, and this will go a long way toward that objective! my blog is listed above; I'll post my Flickr address when the challenge begins. Thanks!
I retired from full time teaching today!! Next year I want to spend time on both my hobbies - bushwalking and stitching. I do have some sewing to catch up on, but even though I will be doing some supply teaching, I will have my nights back, so I am looking forward to challenge of Stitch Explorer. I am currently involved with TAST on Stitchinfingers and I am having a great time. With TAST, I am generally being traditional and am making a band sampler (with the addition of some embroidered events that have given me stitching time). With Stitch Explorer, I am hoping to be at least a little creative. I will be posting my work on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stitchingbushwalker/
I would like to sign up for this challenge as I need some clear goals and deadlines to keep me stitching. Work just seems to take over my life and I need to make time for stitching. This is a gift. Thank you.
Carolyn Foley
This sounds interesting! I'll try to keep up. :)
I would like to join too!
http://blog.theflossbox.com
Please count me in for the stitch explorer challenge. I just love doing these embroidery stitches and looking for fresh angles on them.
Hi, Sharon,
Please sign me up! I'm really looking forward to trying this challenge. Things fell apart about halfway through the TIF challenge for me - I just couldn't take anything to fruition - but I love the idea of an open ended exploration - possibly a single project (sampler sort of) that could carry on all year with a new skill each month.
Thanks!
Virginia
G'day Sharon,
As I named it, I guess I should participate in it. I had anyway, but thought I'd let you know anyway. I have very eagerly awaiting this introduction to it, so that I can start my little bit about it on my blog as a new years resolution. Many thanks for your help, courses and friendship in 2008, and look forward to 2009.
Merry Xmas to you and your family Sharon.
Arlene (your aussie friend in snowy Scotland)
Hi Sharon and everyone, I really enjoyed TIF this year even though I didn't do every months. Thank you Sharon for all your effort that you put into these I am really looking forward to joining in next year's challenge. I'm in need of expanding my knowledge of and use of embroidery stitches. The great thing about this challenge is that even in a busy month I should be able to even have a little bit of stitching to show. Can't wait.
My blog is http://www.barbs-spiritsong.blogspot.com and my flickr site is http://www.flickr.com/photos/barbs_creations
Please count me in Sharon, I have done your TAST, TIF and the re-run of 100 Details and enjoyed all of them and benefited from each
The Stitch Explorer Challenge will be another winner. Thanks for the work you put into these challenges for us.
Maureen
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
Count me in too - I will try to keep up! Posting on http://jinny-quodlibet.blogspot.com/
Sharon please include me in the Stitch ExplorerChallenge. I have done TAST, TIF and the re-run of 100 Details and enjoyed them all as well as benefiting from each.
I appreciate the time and effort taken to organize these Challenges on our behalf.
Maureen
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
I am not sure if this has gone twice as the pc froze during the first posting
Hi Sharon. This is one challenge that I really want to take part in - so even if I haven't finished I will try and put something on my blog.
Many thanks
Hugs..Linda in Brisbane, Australia
http://www.lindas-muse.blogspot.com/
I think I can do it....I would like to give an honest to goodness try - and I would love to learn!
www.leadbaby.blogspot.com and flickr -- leadmomma