The Queen's Garden

The past few weeks, I have been working on this tote bag. I could not post about it, because it was my entry in the Crazy Quilter's International Yahoo Group purse contest for 2010. But, the contest is now complete, so I can share a few pictures with my followers.

The contest had some super great entries, and it was a great honor to be considered in the running with these pieces of needle art. And, I'm blushing proud of my "lady" because she came home with the 1st Place ribbon. My mom was so proud! She saw the hours and hours of short-long thread work I put into the sleeves and coat. The hundreds of French knots and the bullions in the hair. The beads were a different story altogether...and are too numerous to count. Each was securely stitched because I plan on using this tote! It has already make a couple of trips to town with me!

So, hope you enjoy the photos!

Dying with Friends!

Yesterday, I spend a wonderful day...no babysitting...and just left all my other tasks undone!! I spend time with my friends...Pam and Francis...and my SIL (and friend) Tracy. We got out the rubber gloves, paper towels, and dye! These lovey little bits of lace are the end result.

Pet Jewelry! Who would have thunk it!!!

Yep, you heard me right!

I'm adding pet jewelry to my list of things to do!

Actually, my groomer asked me if I could do some doggie necklaces...and hey, why not! I have a head full of ideas now...and am going to expand my ever growing webpage to include pet jewelry. Well, if I ever get the website design finished and up!! My plate is so full, that I just don't have the time...but I have to, I'm giving myself a couple of more weeks...then I will launch what-ever-condition it is in!! So, look for that.

But, I digress...back to doggie jewelry.

Hey, what about cats! Or cockatoo! or ??? where will this take me!!

Here are a couple of photos of "wedding jewelry"...Buddy is my cocker, and Taco is my brothers little dog. Aren't they both too cute!

Oh, and if anyone would like one...they are $1.20 cents per inch..plus shipping. Measure the neck size of the pet, and I add 1/2 for ease. Several colors are available...just ask me about this. Hugs!

Round Robins

I've been busy lately...but more on all that for another post. These most recent few days I've been working on two round robin blocks. One for a Yahoo group and one for the HGTV group.

 Here are photos for your enjoyment..

Finished Tags

These tags are my entry to a swap on quilting lion's blog!!

It should prove to be fun!

TDiTM Stitch #95

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The chart for this stitch is very simple. So, I decided to use different beads in place of the French knots to show how cute even a very simple stitch can be.

While seed beads are a favorite for use instead of French knots, because of their relative size, other beads can also add more texture. Changing up the shape of the beads within the stitch also adds movement and texture to your patch! Try combining different bead types, sizes, colors and create this really fast little stitch combination!

Also, laces that have scalloped edges could be a good candidate for this kind of stitch (at least one side of it)…to add extension to the lace piece. Let your mind imagine all the possibilities for stitches…and don’t just leave them for seams! Create a practice piece…or strip…and just play! You don’t have to show it to anyone else!! (unless you blog it to the world!; then all see your success and your failures!)…but that’s how we learn.

TDiTM Stitch #94

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Rickrack is a good divider when two fabrics are very different in color. Then you could alternate the color of you thread to mirror the opposite fabric choice! For example, green and yellow with white rickrack could have green stitching on the yellow fabric side, and yellow stitching on the green fabric side! This is a great way to blend patches together…that normally, would not appear to work well in the same area.

Here, I’m using the same thread colors on that fabric because I’m trying to also use up excess threads (specifically perle cottons) in this challenge as well. The French knots have been replaced with seed beads in pink and yellow to show how changes in color add more movement in your design.

 Personally, I will be using this seam again as it really fills the space well! You could continually decrease the “stem” straight stitch to work into triangle shaped patches as well! Very versatile!

TDiTM Stitch #93

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The French knots have been changed to blue seed beads in this stitch. The depth of the rickrack changes the stitch because the straight lines at the base of the detached chain line up instead of staggering.

I think this would be a good seam to use really thin rickrack in, and stitch the detached chains outside of the rickrack, with the straight stitch on the rickrack. Rocailles beads would be a great size to use with the mini rickrack.

I hope you are enjoying working with rickrack…we have several more seams to go!

TDiTM Stitch #92

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

I like this simple little plum seam!

It would be a good one to use and alternate perles and porcelain flowers in place of the French knots!

TDiTM Stitch #91

 

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

As you see by these rickrack sample seams…I’m tired of stitching on white fabric with black lines!

So, my model piece is now a long strip pieced multi colored fabric. I took 5 inch pieces of scrap fabric, cut them in half…and strip pieced them to a long piece of muslin about 6 x 24. The seams have been covered with large white rick rack to allow for these seams.

This little stitch is cute. The yellow is double thread because it is a smaller weight (perle size 12) than the red (perle size 8) so I thought it needed more weight to balance it out. The French knots would be great if changed to seed beads!