Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

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.

Monday, February 14, 2011

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!
 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

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.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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!

Friday, February 11, 2011

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!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

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!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

TDiTM Stitch #134

Here is the next little cretan seam...hope you enjoy it! The little swirls could be silk ribbon spider-web roses! Or, if you are in a hurry...substitute beads or sequins!...or buttons!
And, after stitching the button down...add beads to the center to jazz it up some! Even the "empty" cretan stitches could have smaller beads added to them...to change it up again!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

TDiTM Stitch #133

 We are nearing the completion of the Twelve Dozen in Twelve Months challenge. At times, I have wondered if it was actually possible to get to 144 simple stitches...but now find that the finish line is coming up fast! So, in honor of this last dozen steps...let's get in a few stitches that have a different in base. These are also simple enough...but, not my first choice as a base...so, I am challenging myself in a few of these.

The Cretan stitch is familiar to lot's of folks...I know this because I see it used a lot by other stitcher's. However, I am still very uncomfortable with it. So, I rely heavily on my templates to keep the seam line neat and straight. In my mind...I think of this as a ladder. Not the kind you use around the house...but the ones seen sometimes on telephone poles...with the steps staggered instead of straight across. And so, I turn my seam so it is vertical to my body when I stitch it. I take little bites of the fabric with my needle always pointing to the center of my ladder...which causes me to change the direction of my needle. First it's pointing left, then it's pointing right, and then repeat. I always keep my thread in the center...and that causes it to get "captured" under the needle with each stitch...making this feel a bit like the blanket stitch as well.
Isn't it scary to see a glimpse inside my head! I'm sure I am the only person in the world that thinks like this! Thank goodness for the little dots to follow...or this would be one hot mess!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Great Shabby Chic!!

Jenny of Elefantz has some wonderful Shabby Chic patterns...here is one of latest blocks.
This is from a full quilt she has posted on her blog at http://www.elefantz.com that I recently ordered. The patterns arrived today in electronic pdf format...and I have printed each out. I love them all!I had already begun a shabby chic project when I saw Jenny's blocks...so I will be incorporating some of them into my original project. And, since it's a surprise...I will not be posting any photos. I hope you go over to Jenny's site and check out all of her great patterns on Etsy too!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Raylan's Blankies...

Working on odds and ends today (trying not to think about cleaning house!)...so wanted to put together a few little blankets for Raylan. He is the newest addition to the family...arrived early...and weighs in at less than 3 lbs. These blankets are super fast since they are so small...lime green fleece (soft as a cloud) on one side and fun cotton plaids and frogs on the other. Each is only 18 inches square, and I rounded the corners...nothing "pokey" to bother his sensitive skin...

There is no time to think about sewing any clothes for him...as much as I'd like to. So, I ordered three gowns...and they came with adorable hats too. So small...amazing!
Now, Aidan and I are heading to the grocery store for "baby washing powder"...so I can get all of these in the laundry. My sister is heading up to the hospital again on Tuesday and these will go to Raylan then. I'm hoping to ride along too...if my life isn't "crazy" that day!

Friday, February 4, 2011

CIJ - Round #2

The patterns for Christmas In July...Round #2 are loaded on the Yahoo site in files. Here is a preview of one of the three blocks in this round:

If you want more information on this BOM...or to see a photo of the entire quilt...check out the first post on CIJ in the menu bar on the right. The quilt is done and designed for shadow applique quilt technique...but the patterns are line-drawings so could be done in red work or standard embroidery. Some pattern pieces might be too small for traditional or machine applique...but the design could be adapted or substituted for those specific blocks.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Free Online Quilt Magazine

Check out this FREE Online Quilt Magazine...just starting. I have no affiliation with this magazine, but hope it goes well! We quilters love inspiration!

Books Have Arrived!

Look what the UPS man just delivered!
Woot! Woot!
For those of you that have ordered autographed copies...I'll get busy writing...and get them in the mail to ya'll just as soon as I can! Of course, you'll get an email with your delivery confirmation tracking number when your book go's in the mail.
Some will go out today...and I  hope to get the rest of them in the mail by tomorrow! For the international ones, I'll get postage estimates for you...and email you about that soon too.
Oh, I'm just so excited!!

Welcome Little Raylan!


Raylan is the newest addition to our family. He is my grand-nephew...my little sister Jan's son/DIL first child. He is 2 1/2 months early...and weighs 2 lbs 12 oz. He will be in the Neonatal ICU for 4 to 6 weeks until he gains enough weigh to go home. Mom is doing good...Dad is a nervous mess, but doing fine too!

Photo is a little blurry...but it is from Jan's phone...and I pulled it from Facebook...so that's even worse!

A bit of trivia for you...I was also a preemie. Born at 1 1/2 pounds...then lost weight! Had pheumonia when I was 3 days old. But, I certainly made up for it. Hey, perhaps that explains my love of food!! I HAD TO EAT...so it ingrained in my brain! Yeah, that's the story I'm going with!!

Hugs to all!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

TDiTM Stitch #132

Buttons make a good embellishment when you have enough room for them. After stitching a couple of times...add some seed beads to hide your thread.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

TDiTM Stitch #131


Next is another herringbone...with a little sequin magic!

Monday, January 31, 2011

One World One Heart 2011

 Hi, my name is Kathy...and I'm a Needle Artist. My love is anything stitched...quilts, crazy quilts, crochet, cross-stitch, beads, embroidery,...you get the idea I'm sure. If this is your first visit, it is probably because of OWOH 2011...and if not, read on and I'll tell you all about it...and give away a gorgeous Swarvoski perle and crystal necklace that I created.

I am proud to participate in the 2011 One World One Heart Event!!

One World One Heart is a worldwide event for bloggers only. It gives all those who blog a chance to meet and mingle and form connections with those they may not have otherwise met from all over the world. In the past 4 years this event has grown to over 1,000 participants with lasting friendships (and even one love connection) formed along the way.  Think of it as a GIGANTIC open house allowing you to travel without ever leaving your home........going from blog to blog(in various countries) seeing the wonder each one has created and meeting all the fabulous people behind those blogs. As a bonus each blogger participant will offer up a "door prize or prizes"....just for dropping by, saying hello and seeing their world.  It's really that easy.
And here is our door prize at Shawkl!!! A stunningly gorgeous pearl and crystal necklace!
The pendant is a vintage drop, and is spectacular! My blog reflects my current passion for beading in jewelry and in crazy quilt embellishments...and my constant needle-art adventures.While you are here...look around...I post a lot! And many of those posts are of the How-to nature...in some type of stitching or beading. So, hope you enjoy your visit!

THEN, leave a comment to this post so you will be entered in the drawing!...and at the end of the event (Feb.17) I will choose the winner of my necklace by use of a random number generator. The winner will be announced on my blog on the 18th of February...and I will attempt to email the person or persons to let them know they have won (so make sure your profile is up to date so your email is accessible)...I will also ask for a mailing address in that winner email. All bloggers are eligible...this is open internationally!!

The door prize will be mailed out within 3 days AFTER the event ends. So, happy One World One Heart!!!

We have a WINNER...Congrats to Naomi of Beeshebags! And she has replied to her notice email and I'll be sending the necklace off to Australia! For those that did not win...and I'm sorry (I didn't win anything this year either)...but stick around, my daughter's birthday is the 4th of March...and I'll be having a give-a-way to celebrate! So check back then!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

TDiTM Stitch #130


This stitch continues the herringbone base stitch...and is simple to execute.

The templates help keep the stitch base straight and neat...although, I'm sure some of ya'll are much better at embroidery than me...and could do this without the templates. Perhaps, one day...I can too...but right now, they help me out immensely.