CQJP race to get it finished

CQJP

Would you believe I have just this week started my October block.

My trip to UK helped me to get a bit behind with this project, but I hope to play 'catch-up' over the next couple of weeks. 

Later today all my kids will be home for Christmas, staying here on the farm for as long as they are able to.

They pretty much fend for themselves and enjoy the company of each other, and have a great laugh. I'm looking forward to it too.

We have declared that this Christmas will be a 'home-made' Christmas. No bought presents.

It will be so much fun to see what they have all created for each other.

I'm expecting a few surprises along the way from the 'not-so-creative' son. I'm sure we will all be laughing till our jaws ache by the end of the day.

It will be an interesting Christmas Day.

So, on to the CQJP and TAST.

My naked block for October

TAST stitches follow:

The first is a variation of the Portuguese Border Stitch. 

I threaded a bead onto the 'ladder' part before stitching the wrapped bits up each side.

I'm not sure I got the side bits right for a Portuguese border, but hey, I'm in experimental mode.

 Next is the  Knotted Cable Stitch.

And then I added the Arrowhead Stitch in a combined lime green and blue metallic thread.

Next is the Berry Stitch, or I think I might call mine the 'Triple Berry', as my variation has 3 chains stacked together. I like this effect but wish I'd used a better contrast for the centre chain as it doesn't show up very much on the grey fabric.

And..... just in case you are missing my crochet (lol)...... here is a piece I made yesterday as part of a 'home-made' Christmas present. The flowers aren't attached yet as I need to make some leaves and arrange them before I stitch them all in their final places on this wrist-band.

I love the coffee & cream colour scheme. It needs blocking yet.

  Seasons Greetings   

to all my friends, followers and co-stitchers here.

I wish you all a very 

  Happy Christmas