Birdhouse Blocks

One of the Yahoo groups I belong to is CQ for Newbies; and we're doing a swap of 8.5" blocks with Birdhouse as the theme. Each block had to have a bird or birdhouse in it. So, here's some eyecandy to share!

TDiTM Stitch #21

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

We're still working in my flower power phase; actually, I think the last flower will be about 30 or 32 numbered stitch. I am at stitch 50 for design, and stitch 31 for stitching with thread. So, that means stitches 22-31 are done, I'm just not sharing yet.

Really, I don't want to scare folks off with too many at once...and I need a buffer to post when things happen. Like the pneumonia I've been dealing with these past 2 weeks. Thank goodness I didn't have to "think" and design something! This little stitch was just happily waiting it's turn.

The threads are Perle 8 this time and the beads are gold metallic seed beads.

TDiTM Stitch #20

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This weather lately has been just nuts! One week it's in the high 60's and low 70's. the next week it's 30's and 40's...and now the weather man says might even see some snow on Sunday! What!

I surely hope not...I am soooooo ready for spring! So, here's a little red tulip type flower. The top lazy daisy is done in Perle cotton size 5 and all the rest is done in Perle cotton size 8.

The beads are 4mm Swarovski crystals cause you just can't beat them for bling factor...but I think they would look better turned vertical with a little seed bead on top edge!

Shadow Applique Heart Instructions

Steps to complete shadow appliqué heart:

Step One: Ink the pattern so it will be darker, and can be seen when placed under a piece of light background fabric.

Step Two: Place the pattern under the background fabric, centered…and trace the pattern directly onto the light background using a #2 sharp lead pencil.

Step Three: Create a heart shape using your chose of fusible webbing and fabric (follow manufacturer instructions) Fuse the heart on to the background fabric as the pattern placement indicates. Cut a piece of sheer overlay fabric (polyester chiffon*) at least 2 inches larger on all sides than the proposed finished block size.

Step Four: Place chiffon over the background fabric with the penciled design and fused heart. Iron with medium heat to smooth out chiffon and remove any wrinkles. (*Note: use chiffon because it can be ironed…unlike organza or silks. And, because it is sheerer than other cotton varieties such as batiste)

Step Five: Sandwich the background and sheer overlay into a hoop. (I like to add a layer of thin flannel to the back. This adds more stability to the project, but doesn’t add a lot of bulk)

Step Six: Stitch your embroidery design on top of the chiffon.Finished Heart

Step Seven: When finished with embroidery work, lift the chiffon and bunch it up on top of the heart shape while you trim the background (and flannel) to the size of background shape you want. Do not trim chiffon!

Step Eight. Add sashing to block (if desired) by laying the chiffon flat…stitch the sashing in place. Then, trim the chiffon to ONE INCH of the seam. Do not trim to ¼ standard quilting seam width…or the chiffon will pull out of the seam line as it does unravel when handled a lot. The extra chiffon in the quilt sandwich will not be notices as it is light and does not add bulk.

Hope you try, and that you enjoy this method for your hearts!

TDiTM Stitch #19

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

While stitching the last design, I wondered how it would look doubled. I also found I liked the stitch without the French knots at the ends of the prongs. So, here is a wide stitch sure to fill in any large space beautifully!

TDiTM Stitch #18

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

When I finished these little flowers, they reminded me of those huge feather fans the Nubian slaves used to stir the air around Cleopatra. Okay, now you know how my mind works…scary huh?

I liked the beaded version best for the larger flowers, but like the French knots for the little ground flowers! So when I use it again, I’ll mix it up. 

Used perle 8 cotton for the entire stitch…and tiny seed beads. You’ve got the sequence down by now I’m sure…zigzag, stem, petals, large flower, small flower…bet ya can just look at the photos and stitch now! But, don’t worry…I’ll still post the charts!

Carole Samples Class, Heart #1

I signed up at the Pink Bunny, aka www.valeriebothell.com this week for Carole Samples first on-line teaching adventure! Wow, hearts...and they are wonderful. I got in just under the wire...signing up on Sunday, and class started on Monday! Yikes!

Got my first 15 pages of great information, instruction, templates, pattern and just general good tips and tricks. Couldn't do anything yesterday, cause I had already committed to helping my sister paint (I am the resident family painter you see)...and took my Mom to town for a couple of hours of shopping and lunch...spend the evening reading my class "packet"...almost didn't go to sleep, but was so tired I just had to give in.

This morning...more painting...but around noon I announced (to Mom mostly) that I was spending the afternoon stitching...before getting the dear granddaughter (DGD) from daycare at 4:00 that is.

And here is my completed first heart! I love it! My choice of applique method was shadow applique, cause I love it!

I did not follow the pattern exactly...yeah, I know...that's no great surprise to anyone who knows me. Actually, I stitched some on Mom's back porch cause the sunshine was so good...and didn't bring the pattern sketch down with me. I had already marked the pattern on my background fabric in light lead pencil...but found I couldn't interpret my own "dots" for the center bottom section and stitched a teardrop inverted. Seemed that was right cause it would end the heart in a point...WRONG...it was opposite of the pattern. I left it, the pattern is actually prettier...but I'm not taking it out! Carole uses colonial knots...and I use french knots...and beads. I also use chain stitch to outline the heart as I thought it helped the illusion of lace around the heart...and the shadow work had to be stitched around with something. The loops are stem stitch (at least my beginner version of that)...

So, I'm very happy with it. All you expert embroidery queens could find plenty to criticize I'm sure...but, I'm not planning on entering any contests...so am quite pleased with the end results. Patting myself on the back for a job complete! Now, it's on to heart number one...variation! Woo Hoo!

TDiTM Stitch #17

The daffodils are beginning to bloom! I'm so excited!

Even though my sinus troubles are not over, I'm sleeping almost through the night again..so feel like a new woman! Must think I have endless energy, since I signed up for Carol Samples Heart class at Pink Bunny...and Sharon B's encrusted class starts in one week!! I must think I'm super woman!!

Here's the next little flower to keep pushing Spring forward!

Done all in perle 8 cotton...and a few seed beads. It would be good in any color, since it is just an imaginary type!

TDiTM Stitch #16

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is a very cute little stitch, and I decided to use heart buttons in place of the four little French knots for the beaded variety.

I really like the purple color too. All stitching was done in perle 8 cotton. This little stitch really worked up fast. It would be very nice with four little crystal beads in place of the French knots, can't you just see that center sparkle!

The stitching sequence is zigzag base, stem, leaves, French knots, and lazy daisy.

TDiTM Stitch #15

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The idea for this little stitch is a stack of snowballs. Not real ones, thank goodness! I love snow, but not when I'm sick and can't get outside to enjoy the beauty.

I'm not happy with the execution of this little stitch, as the little French knots would not behave and cluster together as I wished...even the seed beads didn't want to play nice! Hmmmm...perhaps it was all the cough medicine I was taking?

In any case, I hope the chart is enough for you to see the intend of the stitch. And, I hope you have better luck in getting your stitch to behave correctly!

I did not add the little straight stitches to the beaded version because I didn't think that they added to the design very much.

TDiTM Stitch #14

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This past week has been unusually nice weather for us here in east Alabama. It has been in the high 60's and low 70's; just like spring. But as I look out my window this morning and see frost on the mailbox, I know it is ending. Wish I could have enjoyed it more, but have been battling this sinus/coughing crud for almost two weeks now..hopefully it will be gone in a couple of days as I am starting to feel better.

The good side of being sick, is that I've been stitching! Here is a cute little Black Eyed Susan to warm your day!

Stitched totally in perle cotton (sz 8). The black French knot has four wraps to make it rather fat to sit on top. I did the zigzag base in white so it would not show up well against the background fabric, as I wanted the flowers to stand out. For the beaded version, I replaced the French knot with a large bead.

Stitching sequence is zigzag base, stem, leaves, lazy daisy, and then the French knot.

TDiTM Stitch #13

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is a little combination floral seam of one tall flower and one tiny little ground cover flower. It is quick and easy…especially if you use flower cap beads instead of the French knots for the tiny ground cover flowers.

Stitched in perle cotton (sz 5); light green for stems and center French knot, lilac daisy stitches and French knots. The beaded version has flower beads, tiger eyes in lime green, and seed beads.

The sequence of stitching is:
1. Stitch the zigzag
2. Stitch the Straight stitches for stem.
3. Stitch the lazy daisies for the large flower.
4. Stitch the French knots at the top of the large flower, and for the tiny flower.

Pink Flower Bed

I've been working on some round robin blocks lately. And, put TDiTM Stitch #12 on one of them. A little pink flower bed...