CQ Block for Pat

This is a round robin block for a swap over on HGTV Message Board. I'm thinking of changing out one of the ribbons...because it seems too dark in the photo. Camera shots have a way of showing you things that just are not so clear when you are looking right at an object.The swap is a set of 6-inch blocks...with each person doing one block. So, this block will travel to the next person in the group...and she will add her own block to the set...before sending them on to the next person.If you want to create crazy quilt blocks...jump into a "newbie" or "beginner" swap...the best place for that is over at Yahoo Groups...Crazy Quilting International...in my humble opinion. CQ for Newbies is another great group to consider too! I belong to both...and many more.

HGTV - Six Inch Block Set - Kathy

The set of blocks is finished for the HGTV 6-inch Block Set Round Robin. One of the six is to be completed by the owner...so I decided to go ahead and start on mine. I already posted about the stitching, and now have finished the beading and silk ribbon work. So, it is ready to go along with the five blank blocks...to the next person in the rotation.Here are some close-ups so you can see the specific beads and silk flowers...and such.

As you can probably see, the block has three primary floral clusters...each made of clay, porcelain, and silk roses...and silk or glass leaves. Some random crystals and pearls are added in. All the seams have also had beads and/or sequins added as well. 

HGTV 6-inch RR Swap - Kathy

I already showed you the size blocks made for the round robin on HGTV...didn't I. Well, here they are again just to remind you.

 And, I could not help but start stitching on one of the set before mailing.  Here is the block after lace and basic embroidery. I'm working on beads now, and will show you that when complete. Here are some closeups of the seams. 

All of the blocks are 6 inches square.

Butterflies & Dragonflies Begins

Got my block pieced today for the CQI Round Robin "Butterflies and Dragonflies" which mails out on March 15th. I love pastels!

Darlene's Wine Continues

I managed to get a little more stitched on the Wine Round Robin this week. A little "D" for Darlene, complete with a Swarvoski crystal bicone grape cluster.

 And added some sequins and bead grapes to the fabric motif already on the block. Next....a few seams!

Midnight Fantasy Finished for Cathy L.

My portion of the Midnight Fantasy Round Robin block for Cathy L. is finished. I've added some ground cover floral at the "foot" of the large purple flowers...and some ants climbing up a stem. Thanks to Allie A. for "how to" on the ants!

And, because no little girl should go out at midnight without a protector...even a fairy...I've sent her along with her little Teddy. (And, if you want to learn how to do Soft Sculpture Applique, I have a class open now over at Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions).

Here's the entire finished section.It's ready to go into the mail.Also, I would like to add...if you want to participate in some really fun Round Robins, you should go to Yahoo Groups...and check out Crazy Quilting International. A great bunch of ladies!This won't mail out until the end of the month...so I can show it off to friends until then!

Roses, Roses, Roses...is back Home!

And isn't it glorious! I just love all of the beautiful stitching and ribbon work the ladies did! Thank you so very much to Cathy L., Meg W., Rita C., and Ruby R. for their beautiful work. Want to see some close ups? Of course you do!!!

So pretty, tiny little sweetheart ribbon roses, delicate lace trims, silk ribbon roses, and perfect bullion rose cluster. 

What a great idea...cross-stitching some roses on top of the fabric! I'm gonna borrow this idea for sure...cause I have some waste canvas around here somewhere! Ingenious...and beautiful!

Delicate little lace trim, fluttery little butterflies, and one is painted with pink nail polish...which I do myself too! Loved that!

Aren't these just stupendous! I love the ribbon work, and the charms...wonderful!

This large rose just proves that you don't have to shy away from large motifs! Just lovely.

Pretty, pretty little ribbon clusters...like walking along a garden path.

A second little fluttery butterfly, Very unique...made from layers of fabric cut to shape. Hope you enjoyed the eye candy...as much as I am. It's even more glorious first-hand of course...photos just never do our work full justice. I'm a happy, happy girl today...after having received this block back home!

Teasing Arlene

The Lace & Pearls round robin at CQI has begun, and Arlene's block arrived last week. I have until the 15th of February to stitch about 1/4th of the block...before passing it along to the next lady in the rotation. BUT, I have not been able to let it rest...immediately upon seeing the fabrics, my muse was thinking! So, I've been stitching a little on it each day....and am almost done. So, thought I'd give Arlene a little tease today...this photo doesn't give too much away....perhaps, she'll get the full picture tomorrow! Ha!

Roses, Roses, Roses for Meg

The Roses, Roses, Roses round robin is coming to a close. This is the finished block for Meg...isn't it just gorgeous! She wanted a Yellow Rose for Texas theme...so we tried to stay true to that request, while working with the fabrics she constructed her block of. The ribbon work by the ladies before me is phenominal! Love every little smidge of this block!Here is my meager contribution...the bottom right corner...

 ...and a yellow rose beaded cabochon.

 My largest ribbon rose is a simple free-form type...roll the center...

...here's a better photo.

Stitch it down to an interfacing base. Gather the remainder of the long end of the ribbon...and wrap around the base.

Add some extra little petals to the base...gathering the bottom of each before stitching down...

And her is the final little rose. After cutting away the excess interfacing and stitching to the block...I added some green leaves around it. Easy, breezy!

Lace & Pearls - Starting Soon!

I told you yesterday that I was addicted to crazy quilt round robins...and here's more proof! I wanted to do a crazy quilt block with tons of lace and beads...and so added that idea to the CQI database. VERY quickly, other's signed up...so we all must be in the mood to Get Girly! So, here's my basic block...ready to get into the mail and be prettied up! You can see that I had to add the first piece of lace...I just was so eager!

Midnight Fantasy Garden - Starting Soon!

You know that I'm hooked on crazy quilt round robins!...They are not only addictive cause they are so much fun to stitch...but also because you get the chance to see other artists (and yes, I think of us as fiber artists)...beautiful stitching too! And, this particular round robin...titled Midnight Fantasy Garden is sure to be an inspiration! Here is my basic block...ready to send off to four of my stitching friends over at Crazy Quilting International (CQI) for their fun too! I'll post photos when it returns home. And, of course, I'll post photos of the blocks I receive to work on...and what I stitch as well! We all need inspiration! Now, a confession...I'm not sure WHAT a midnight fantasy garden would really be...so went with a dark romantic kind of setting. Really....to be completely honest with myself...my present Fantasy Garden would have trees of fried apple pies, rivers of cold sweet milk, and flowers of luscious chocolate truffles! However, I could not figure out how to stitch a basic block for that particular garden...so went with this instead. ROFL!!