TAST and the Death's-head Hawk-moth

The latest two TAST stitches from Pintangle are 138 and 139 Barb stitch and Beaded Barb stitch.

Here is my quick sample.

This is a simple stitch - just two back to back rows of buttonhole which are then whipped together - but with lots of possibilities for variations and decorating.

========

Do you remember my pictures of the Death's-head Hawk-moth?

When she died, which they do at this time of year, we took her to a friend who had volunteered to set her out. Earlier this week we went to collect her and here she is in all her glory.

Beautifully boxed and labelled.

========

We had a sudden storm last weekend and I managed to get some photographs.

This was during the storm with the promise of some sun to come afterwards.

And this one later across the valley looks like smoke from a huge fire!

I have been sewing too - some of it secret stuff though! I have finished this pincushion from the Gail Pan Christmas book which I can show you.

And there will soon be more pictures of my Autumn crazy block which is coming along nicely.

Have you been following the Sew Sisters Canada Blogathon? If not then do go and have a look. There are some fantastic fabric giveaways all of which can be shipped internationally and, of course, lots of lovely blogs to read and new people to meet.

And finally - tomorrow night is Friday Night Sew In!

There is still time to sign up - just pop over and see Wendy to do so.

See you there.

TAST and catching up

First of all the latest two TAST stitches.

Last weeks TAST stitch was 131 Beaded Lock Stitch and I have two versions at the bottom of the picture, aligned and offset.
This weeks TAST stitch is 132 Kikos flower. This pretty stitch can be worked with varying numbers of petals. I have added a stem to it to make it a proper plant.

++++++++++++++

I made good progress with my mini hexagons while I was in UK and have reached the outer edge. I have started adding hexagons to the outside now to turn over to form the edge.

Since I have been back I have received three lovely postcards.

The first to arrive was this one from Judy

depicting birch trees. The foliage is made using some of Judy's lovely dyed wools and is very textural and tactile.

Then came this card from Fiona

with some of her beautiful quilting inside each flower.

Then finally this scrumptious card from Jeannette 

we agreed to swap cards on the theme of poppies. Jeannette has fused organza onto felt and added poppies, seed stitches and beads.

This is the card I sent to Jeannette

Shibori dyed cotton onto which I made a gold Markal rubbing of a poppy seed head and this was emphasised with hand stitch.

===============

In August Philip found this huge caterpillar in our garden

which he identified as being the caterpillar of the Deaths Head Hawk Moth.

The caterpillar was imprisoned and fed and after about a week turned into a chrysalis.

Then today, this is what we found

a Deaths Head Hawk Moth! Isn't it amazing.

Well, if you have made it to the end of this post, thank you for your perseverance!

Hope you all have a great weekend - we are off to Rome next week for a few days and looking forward to our trip very much.