Not sure what this is

troubleinthehive, originally uploaded by valr.

But I am absolutely certain that I like it. :-)

It is called 'trouble in the hive'...

Black Category Runner Ups

I really enjoyed judging the black category of the Rainbow of Stitches contest recently, there were just so many excellent entries, everyone certainly made it very hard to choose! You've all shown how exciting 'just' black can be, with some amazingly intricate, beautiful work, thank you.

1. c and h scan, 2. Magician Bunny Take 2, 3. twins, 4. on our backs set (not safe for work), 5.The Flower Thrower, 6. The Spider and the Fly-6, 7. Haunted Mansion Wallpaper Embroidery for Giddy Girlie, 8. Rod Serling piece - finished!, 9. "Kiss Me Deadly" poisoned lipstick

Black Category Winner - Rainbow of Stitches Contest

And the winner in the black category is . . .

Freehand Doodles - Lookin' Good by Jammy Sage

I love how this sweetie's eyes pop out of the fabric at you, she has such an expression-full face.

I had the opportunity to ask Jammy Sage some questions, here's what she said:

Describe yourself in 10 words or less.
I’m a lover of all things colorful, crafty and cool.

What inspired your entry?
I’ve always had a thing for bunnies -- they show up in all pieces of my work in one form or another, but I had never had an embroidery piece that I fell in love with right from the beginning. Until this one. I had been wanting to start a new series of art for my Etsy shop, and the “Feeling Stitchy” contest was the perfect opportunity to get my creative juices flowing!

What is your favourite stitch?
I have to say the basic Back Stitch. It is what I use for all of my embroidery outline pieces, as it allows me to perfectly follow my freehand-drawn doodles. I have also come to love the French knot immensely!


Who or what inspires you to stitch?
I think the “what” that inspires me to stitch would be boredom. Nothing occupies my bored mind better than embroidery! I will sometimes get inspired for a new doodle in the middle of the night and will jump up to draw it before I forget. When I have a new doodle to stitch, my hands are just itching to get started!

How long have you been stitching and how did you get started?
I learned the basics of stitching when I was young. Started off with counted cross stitch, but I found that it was harder for me to follow a set pattern and I would usually continue on making it up as I went, and seeing how it looked best, for me. I still have trouble following a pattern! I decided last year to gather up all of my embroidery notions and start stitching again. I think embroidery has now become a part of who I am and I’m loving it!

Are there any stitchers in the Feeling Stitchy Flickr pool you have noticed?
Most definitely! Just from this Rainbow Of Stitches contest alone, I have seen an amazing and inspiring amount of talent out there! I have completely fallen in love with every colorful and beautiful piece made by carlyandmelissa, the craziness and awesomeness that is davis.Jacque, the classic and spectacular cross-stitching by What Delilah Did, the fabric and floss combinations by Poppy And Lime, and about a billion others whose art and talent make me swoon every single day.

So many congratulations to Jammy Sage!

Black stitching

My take on blackwork embroidery: 1, originally uploaded by JammySage.

Isn't this lovely? Definitely goes to show that using just one colour doesn't have to be boring but can be rather spectacular. Very inspiring, I think!

Black inspirations

Here I am again, with another non-official color of the rainbow. But, after seeing the amazing things you guys do with blackwork, black fabric, and black threads, I must say I'm feeling the black magic. I love black - it goes without saying - but there's something about using the color black in embroidery that makes the work that much bolder and more dramatic...

Are you a fan of the blackwork, too? If it was down to one color for you... out of all the colors you've seen... and maybe one more surprise color... tomorrow - could you pick one?

Enjoy the black magic by the creative stitchers below:
1. Universal GillMan by SheenaRamone
2. Orion Embroidery by piddlipoo
3. wolf by fionabearclaw
4. not good enough by beefranck
5. blossoms by racaire
6. coinpurse by lifepieces
7. Black Rabbit Quilt by badbird
8. Finally finished by Mrs Gibson's Atelier
9. Blackwork Robin by konnykards
10. Vader Drinking a Pop by Mama Sass
11. Elizabethan Cross Stitch by whimsyandcharm
12. because I love you by Sarah Blick

Stitchy diver

Scuba man, originally uploaded by TheWayThingsWere.

Did you hear that loud noise? Yeah, sorry about that, it was me falling off my chair when I saw this. *thus* Ouch.

How amazing is this? I absolutely love everything about it. From the delicate looking stitches to the unusual subject; an old-timey diver and a girl...