A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
This past weekend, my muse just wanted to let her mind wander...and day dream.Nothing of any real significance got accomplished as a result. We did spend some time "piddle patting" and came up with this little blue tassel. Thought y'all might like to see it.
It starts out simply as most any tassel might. We cut a piece of cardboard about nine inches long; then wrapped some perle cotton around the cardboard...over and over again...longways. When we had enough, we cut one end of the "circle of thread". Then we took a length of the same kind/color of thread and tied the top section to create a loop area.
Next, we did a cast on stitch around the loop section....many times...to hold all of the loose loops together. This creates a nice little "button hole" area.
Then, we added some bugle beads and 4mm round glass bead...just stitched them right to the tassle, through the cast on stitches.
Added some more round beads and 6mm bicone crystals by weaving these through the previous 4mm round beads. Then, we went back through all of the beads a second time, just to make sure they were nice and tightly secure.
My muse wants to use this tassel as some sort of purse closure...and created a bead-dangle thingy to act as the button for the closure. She is quite proud of herself...but, I have many things that need to be worked on...so she had better "get with it" today...or we're gonna have WORDS! 
Here is my little photo of the running stitch. Notice anything funny? Yep, it's the Back Side! I put the glue on the wrong side of the fabric...i.e. the FRONT! Geez! But, the odd thing about a running stitch...is that on the back, it still is a running stitch! So, hey...it's not as pretty as the front was...but I still know what it is...so, I'm not re-doing these stitches. AND, hey...now you have something to tease me about too! Ha! And this little stitch got me to thinking about a project that was done some time ago, and the style could be suited to a running stitch, or a straight stitch, or a wrap stitch since it is on canvas. Thought I'd ask "forgiveness" by sharing this photo as well!
There, that a much better inspirational picture!
This is a little stitch that I sometimes forget about. And it would be so easy to add more movement and interest to crazy quilt blocks with just some simple cording couched down. I really have to remember this more often. Perhaps, my little books of TAST stitches will be a good reminder...since I'm entering my "old age" era!
Trying to play a little "catch up" after two very busy weeks!Here is my chain stitch. A little chain stitch rose, and a couple of rows.I use the chain stitch often as my base row for crazy quilt seams.
But, I'm trying...I've had EQ6 (Electric Quilt, version 6.0) software for years...seriously...years. Not long after getting it...I changed jobs. And, well you probably get the idea...no time to even learn it. After the job, I had a different computer...with Vista this time...and was convinced (how I don't remember)...but, still...convinced that my EQ6 worked with only XP and would not work on my laptop. Today...this ole dog got the box down...and geez...it works with Vista and XP!So, I played around a little...and designed this little sampler quilt.I'm hooked...and there is another TO DO to add to my list...and I just purchased the upgrade to EQ7. What wonders are in store for me next?We just never stop learning...hope I've not bitten off more than this old dog can chew!!
My Funky Chick block for the HGTV Block of the Month is complete for March. We are using the BOM Patterns over at FatCat.com as our challenge. The button eye makes him look a little wild..and the background too...but that just fine with me!
I just had a wonderful weekend...with the Magnolia Quilters of Meridian, Mississippi and some of their friends. No photos (hoping that someone will send me some to share)...but we all had a great time. These ladies were so gracious and kind to me during the visit...and I had a real blast sharing with them about crazy quilting. And, they put on a great spread of food too!!!....of which I was "wearing" almost immediately! Geez, you just can't take me anywhere! So, a huge cyber thanks to Charlyn for hosting me...and for all of the ladies for giving me such a warm welcome to Mississippi!
I finished these cross stitch projects MANY years ago...and have had them packed away.
So long ago, that I had forgotten them! They were "unearthed" this week while I was searching for some linen to stitch on. Perhaps I need to consider searching the boxes in the garage....NOT!
But, it's nice when you do find a project that is finished....and not another one that needs to be completed!
Yep...Shari is the lady in the last post! She came to spend a couple of days in my neck of the woods...after leaving the Texas Relief Effort donations in Bastrop...and before heading off to dear hubby's homestead north of here. I certainly don't mind being a "stop over"...as it gives us a chance to meet (other than over the internet) and we are spending our time wisely...working on more StitchMAP courses! I know that those ladies will be GLAD to hear that!Sssshhh....don't tell Shari that I took her picture!
Who is this? ...and What is she doing?
Got my block pieced today for the CQI Round Robin "Butterflies and Dragonflies" which mails out on March 15th. I love pastels!
Just in time to start next weeks...I finished this week! Edited: Okay I screwed up some..."detached" means just that. and the bottom two rows of stitching are NOT detached. But, hey...that's okay.
Got my white block for February CQJP 2012 completed AND got all those little strings tied in on my beaded butterfly submission for BJP 2012 as well. Whew!
There have been a ton of Dresden Plate Quilt posts flooding the internet lately...and I'm itching to do some blocks myself. So, thought some of you might be in the mood to. Let's swap some fabrics...so we all have a great selection.
This is a centralized swap. Everything comes to me...and I sort and swap and mail back to you.We will have FOUR COLOR CATEGORIES FOR SWAPPING... You can swap in one, two, three, or all four of these categories:
LIGHT (light prints or solids, some could read medium)
BRIGHTS (need sunglasses to view! prints or solids)
DARKS (dark prints or solids, some could read medium)
UGLIES (whatever color or style you consider ugly)
We are swapping ONE SET of TEN DIFFERENT 5-inch squares...otherwise known as "nickles"...hence the "50-cent Worth" title...get it?...10 nickles = 50 cents...okay, whatever....hugs! Every square must be a different fabric in the set. You can send as many sets as you want to receive back. BUT, if they do not fit the rules...you'll get your OWN back!!! ALL FABRICS MUST BE GOOD QUALITY 100% COTTON(Good Quality means that you can's see through it...and the weave is nice and tight)100% Cotton means just that...no poly blends or other types Fabrics do not have to be washed...so we can use pre-cut nickles TO JOIN:Send me an email letting me know you will be playingEmail must include your NAME, MAILING ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBERThis information will not be shared with anyone! THENFOLLOW THESE RULES: 1. Determine what Categories you want to swap in 1. Cut one 5" square of 100% Good Quality Cotton Fabric from TEN DIFFERENT fabrics in your chosen category (lights, brights, darks, or ugly style fabric colors) 2. Put the 10 squares into a baggie (sandwich baggie is fine) and include a piece of paper with your name and the category written on it. (Example: Kathy Shaw PASTEL) 3. You can prepare as many "baggies" as you want to swap 4. If your baggies do not follow the rules they will be returned. If we do not have enough folks swapping for the number of baggies you send, you might get some of your own back. I MUST RECEIVE YOUR BAGGIES FOR SWAPPING BY 20 MARCH 2012 I will sort and re-send baggies of 5" squares back to you.THEN, we'll get busy making some wonderful Dresden Plate Quilt Blocks...or you can use the "nickles" any way you want! Donations for Return Postage are appreciated...but not mandatory. Want to play...send me an email!(shaw dot kathy at yahoo dot mail)
If this BLOG Swap works out well...we will do some more of them. If you have any ideas...I'd be happy to hear those as well.HUGS to YOU ALL!
That's what I've got! Really, this little gal is fresh off of the bead loom...my first attempt! Now, I have to weave all of these threads back into the beads and trim.Here's a closeup...she will be my post for BJP February when completed.
Finished piecing Section #2 of the HGTV Message Board Group's BOM. And here is how it looks along side of Section #1.
Thinking that I'm going to like it when done...even though I have no ideas right now of the pattern. It's allowing me to use up a lot of my scraps however, and that's a good thing!
What if I show you a smaller one too?
Yep, bead looms! I can't wait to get some time to work with the larger one..but for now, I'm helping Aidan learn..so the baby loom is busy!
She's starting to get it...and about 1/3 of this work is hers! It takes a lot of patience for her! BTW, these particular looms are made in the USA by BeadandBeadLooms. I found their prices to be reasonable and their workmanship is just great!
