TDiTM Stitch #137

Here's the second of the feather stitch base seams...this time, let's add some detached chain stitches and beads!

Time to Bake some Cookies!!!

These are so easy, a seven-year old can do them!

[Wow, that photo makes it look like I actually have some counter space...but no, it's an illusion. I have a spot that is 13" wide by 35" long to create any food magic!]
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 egg
1 container whipped topping (Cool-whip, reg size)
1 box cake mix (your choice of flavor) Chocolate works great, but we didn't have one...so we used basic yellow cake mix by Duncan Hines (any brand should do)
1 box powdered sugar
I'm not sure if there is a substitutes for the Cool-whip for you international folks...so here is a photo. Perhaps you can figure how to create these cookies with different brands of items.

Mixing: Beat the egg slightly with a whisk or fork. Add the Cool-whip and stir. Add the cake mix and stir until well blended. Put the powdered sugar in a seperate bowl. Take a spoon full of batter and drop it into the powered sugar bowl...Coat well.

 This was Aidan's job!

Shake of excess sugar and place on the cookie sheet for baking...slightly flatten. Bake at 350F degrees for about 12-15 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from the cookie sheet.

 They are a little messy...but fun!

And they taste great!

OWOH FOOTNOTE: I have not forgotten that today is the day to "draw" the winner for the OWOH prize...I will let the Random Generator pick a number and send that person an email. When they respond...(and I'll wait only 3 days)...I'll post the winner at the bottom of the original OWOH Post.

TDiTM Stitch #136

Feather stitch is one of my favorite stitches to use...and you've seen it a lot on any Under the Sea style of crazy quilt patch. Just about any sort of button, bead, sequin, or even straight stitches can be added to dress it up!

The straight stitches on the red fabric don't show very well...guess I should have used yellow there!

TDiTM Stitch #135

This is the last little Cretan stitch. The photo is not as clear as I'd like, but the chart is very simple so I know you'll do just fine!

The only thing to watch out for...is stitch the Cretan long enough to give you room for the triple lazy daisy stitches.

Happy Valentines Day!

More great graphics from the Graphics Fairy! I'm hoping that each of you will have a great day...get out and smell the roses! Even if they are virtual ones!
 

Thearica's block

Over on HGTV Message Boards Nickilee of Ravioli Dreams is hosting a crazy quilt swap called "One Block Swap".

 This will be my third year to participate and my block will be created for Thearica (Quiltaholic) of Pigtales and Quilts. Thearica lives in North Carolina, on a beautiful tobacco farm and she collects pigs...in honor of her grandfather who raised them during her childhood. We are allowed to give little sneak peeks along in the challenge...but not so much that you ruin the surprise when the blocks are sent. My first peek was posted yesterday...and I thought you might like to see it too.

The tree and pig are not finished. And I"m not showing the completed version because I want them to be a surprise to Thearica...and she follows the blog. However, they are close enough that if I explain how to do the tree, you can finish it off without problem. I also like this "unfinished" version as well...and will use it in the future too.

If you have purchased my book, the tree trunk motif is on page 143...the one with the stars! As you can see, the tree is very adaptable. If you don't have the book (and you're really truly missing out!) then just sketch out a simple tree trunk with limbs to begin. You can see from the photo that the trunk is embroidered in a simple back-stitch. This could be wrapped...or the area could even be filled in with straight stitches or chain stitches if you wanted a solid trunk.

Obviously, the "foliage" is done in French Knots...but where to place them? That's the part of the process I want to share. It involves something sticky...and in my case I used labels. You could use duct tape, shelf paper, masking tape...anything that would allow you to draw on it and then "stick-it" to your CQ block. For me, office file labels about 1" x 4" were handy. I began by drawing floppy little cloud shapes on them...and cutting them out. I placed these...and then moved them around...and moved them again...LOL!...until I had them where I thought they would make a realistic looking tree. I also made sure to cover the ends of all of the branches, so each one would have foliage.

These are the positions for the groups of French knots. Now, don't stitch on top of the labels! You'd never get them removed from your CQ block if you did! Instead, stitch enough of the French knots around the outside of each "cloud" so that you will be able to determine your "stitching border" when the sticky tape/labels are removed. If you are stitching all of one color, you might want to stitch more than I have shown here...so you don't loose your place. Since, I'm using different colors for my Autumn tree, this medium orange color will be easy to distinguish from the other shades of orange, yellow, red, and green I'll be using. You might also notice that I also "repositioned" yet again...even when I had begun to stitch...the "clouds" are different in the two photos!

Then, just continue to fill in each "cloud" with the amount of French knots you desire...and the tree will start to form! The pig is a simple embroidery in wrapped back-stitch...just find a photo of a pig, trace the shape and then stitch it in back stitch (just like the tree). Go back and wrap each back stitch...and you have the outline of the pig. If desired, you could fill in the pig with long-short stitches as well.

Thank You Melissa!

Look at the beautiful block I just received in the mail!

If you have been reading some of the more recent posts...you have seen me post a few photos of a block that I was working on for Melissa. Now, I have my swap block back from her! And, isn't it gorgeous! Check out the silkie of the lady, surrounded by lovely hand-dyed laces!

And, did you notice that the block is just full of tatted pieces of lace! Glorious tatted pieces! Wonderful!

See this little bee...doesn't he look vintage. I have to get Melissa to tell me where she got that!
Thank you Melissa...I just love the block!

Woot! Woot! It's Here Early...

Pat Winters new CQ Magazine "Crazy Quilt Gatherings" came out yesterday!

I already have mine...and could not wait for the paper version to be mailed, so I got the pdf e-file version! Really, for only $5 how could I resist! Now, I think I'll go back and also order the print version...just so I'll have a good quality hard copy magazine...and I plan on collecting each edition! The magazine will be published quarterly. Go to Pat's blog and check out the details!
http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/2011/02/early-releasefeedback-welcome.html

Got some rick-rack?

Make some of these..

Here's the size of rick-rack I'm using. It happens to be orange...so these could be artsy pumpkins, persimmons, or fantasy flowers. Do them in green for artichokes...turn the outside "leaves" down slightly, for cabbages. Do them in white, yellow, peach, pink, red....and you have flowers!

 Here's a close up of the finished back.

 The longer the piece of rick-rack...the larger the flower. A 16" long piece makes a flower about the size of a thread bobbin. A 9" long piece made the two smaller flowers at the bottom of this photo...

Cut your piece of rick-rack and fold it in half. Pinch the folded end in one hand (I use my left), and start to"fit" the rick-rack together with your opposite hand. Making this always makes me think of those "scissors" exercises in gym class..."open the legs wide...now close...now open...now close". The difference is that I'm crossing one rick-rack "let" in front of the other. So...OPEN the rick-rack wide...then slightly wiggle the rick-rack as you CLOSE the rick-rack "blades" with the left piece of rick-rack on top. Then repeat, only this time with the right piece of rick-rack being on top. Repeat...until you reach the end.

 The end result will want to twist...but that's not a problem. If you can MAKE it lay flat on the table...without any twists...then it is correct.

Now, trim the raw edges end slightly. Start rolling from that end, and keep the flower as tight as possible.

 Once you have rolled the entire length...take your needle/thread and make a few anchoring stitches to hold everything together. You can also stitch the folded edge down or let it be slightly open. Try folding down some of the "petals" and see if you like that look too!

Incredible! Inspiring!

Wow, after seeing this lady and her accomplishments...makes me feel like getting up and stitching something!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ
I hope her video inspires you too!