Saturday, May 11, 2013

Crazy Quilt Class at Huntsville in July - Part One

Of late, I've been working on a crazy quilt class and lecture for the Madison Quilt Guild, near Huntsville, Alabama in mid July.  The lecture has a slide presentation, and I'm cutting down my normal about 3-4 hours of things to one hour to accommodate their normal meeting times. It's hard to reduce! And, even though that has taken some time, it's not something easily shared here...so, I've been absent a little.
On the Saturday after their meeting, we're having a "normal" crazy quilt class. I thought a new block was in order...so, I'm working on a neutral cotton block that measures about 8 x 11. 
Above, the embroidery portion is complete. Below, the lace and charms have been added.

Next, I'm working on the silk ribbon...then comes the beads/sequins. So, I'll be back when more is accomplished to share photos.

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Monday, May 6, 2013

Monochromatic Round Robin - Mary's Block Update 2 - Plus Free Designs


It is a rainy (still) day and Aidan just left to go back home. School is out in two weeks, and I'm so looking forward to her return for a few days. I managed to get a little stitching done yesterday on Mary's block...so now, you can at least see the dolphin amongst the other fabrics. I decided to go with traditional applique...then outlined the dolphin in stem stitch...and added some swirls on the inside in back stitch. The embroidery work helps to add more contrast and interest since the fabric color has to match the background block...for the monochromatic theme.
 
Here's the design if you's like to download and keep for your possible future use.
 
And, here's the same idea in the form of a cat. Just for fun!
I think these would be good worked in beads too. Of course, you know I'd think that!
 
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Saturday, May 4, 2013

How High Can You Count?


Apparently, for me...it is some number LESS than 100! Why? Because I needed exactly 100 blocks for the center of my brother's king size Double Layer Cake quilt...and I counted these blocks more than once. Then, I took them to retreat so that I could finish the quilt top...ONLY to find that I only had 98!
 
Geez! I'm telling you...I Need A Keeper!
 
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Friday, May 3, 2013

Monochromatic Round Robin - Mary's Block Update 1

Today, I took off the lace/bead trim that Mary has placed on the block (with her approval), so I would have more room to put my sailboat...lace water waves...and dolphin. All of these will get some embroidery accents to help increase the texture and contrast.
 
The little dolphin is almost invisible right now, but...he won't be when I'm done.
Hugs....the fun is beginning!
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Merry Merry Snowmen - Block Eight

This is the last block to be appliqued while I was gone last week. The riders have some goofy smiles on their faces...guess they are having fun! One more block to go...and I can start to assemble the quilt. Then the long tedious job of quilting it begins. I've decided to hand quilt it...instead of sending it off to the long-arm quilter for machine stitching.
I have also decided to do a second version...in pastels. I know, that sounds strange...BUT...one of the ladies in my group is using pastels and it is just gorgeous. I'll leave off the "JOY" and "NOEL" or change that to read SNoW or something...so it can be used all winter if I want.
 
Edited to Add: the BIG eyes drove me crazy...so I took them off and went back to the little style instead.
 
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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Monochromatic Round Robin - Mary's Block Begins

My friend Colleen, is hostess for a monochromatic round robin over at the HGTV Message Board group. I'm in a group with three other lovely ladies...and Mary's block is the first one I have received to work on. It's an interesting blank block...which doesn't exactly fit the monochromatic style perfectly since some of the blue/green fabrics have some very obvious yellow in them.
My first step on working a robin is to gather ideas and supplies. Mary has requested a beachy type of block...so I hunted the internet for simple ideas that could be good inspirations for embroidery work. I found a starfish, sand dollar, sail boat, and surf board/palm tree. These are not the correct scale or the final idea...but are enough to get my muse a thinking!
So, stay tuned and see what my muse and I finally decide to do...because right now, I'm not sure at all what that will be. The block and the supplies need to sit and mingle and see what the final combination brings.
 
Edited to Add: Here's an updated photo with beads added to the design "pile of stuff". And...pay no attention to the cream/pink strawberry pincushion...it was in my hand with I started pulling beads and charms. I laid it down and forgot about it...until I saw it in my photo! Geez...where is THAT Keeper!!
 
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Before the Rain....

We are expecting rain showers this afternoon...and for the next five days! Now dreary will that be. So, this morning I enjoyed the flowers in the yard...which will most likely be drowned this week!






 
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Merry Merry Snowmen - Block Seven

Block Seven is a simple enough little block. I'm really liking the skinny snowman. The extra snow-people heads that are poking "around the corner" throughout the quilt are as the pattern requires. But, I'm thinking of going back and adding ear muffs, scarfs, and/or hats to these as well. What do you think of that idea? Will it make them too busy?
 
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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Merry Merry Snowmen - Block Six


Last week, I worked on my Merry Merry Snowmen quilt blocks a lot. Yesterday, the arms were embroidered and the buttons sewn on. So, now...I have 3 more blocks to share with you this week.
This Number Six block still needs a bow for the stack of packages. And, I'm not entirely happy with the ribbon being the same color...so that might change too I'm thinking. It is finished as far as the pattern calls for...but, I'm still thinking.
Also, these last few blocks all have the snow-people with coal mouths...which are done in perle cotton French Knots. However, the first few snow-people did not have these smiles...and I might go back and add them to those blocks..just to make the blocks a bit more consistent. 

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Sunday, April 28, 2013

Have You Missed Me? I've Missed You!

My little mini-vacation to join some good friends on the HGTV Message Board for a mini-retreat in Alabama...was such a good time. But, I did miss my daily posts with you! I tried to talk to you on Thursday, but the wireless connection was so slow...I could not get a single photo to upload.
Now, I'm back home...and tired...and can't wait until I can see my dear friends again!
 
 
Part of the time we worked hard!
 

 
Part of the time we partied hard!
 
 
There was a lot of stitches put into my Merry Merry Snowman quilt (yep, this is me!), and I only have one more block to go and it will be all appliqued! I'll share some photos of the finished blocks when I get a moment to put the button eyes on and embroider the arms of the snow-people.
 
 
We shopped at the Ashland Quilt House and the Heart to Heart Quilt Shop...and look at part of the stash I purchased. Can you tell that I like this fabric? I had no idea that I had purchased the same package of 5" squares at each shop!! Do you ever do that?
 While at the quilt shop in Asland, a man/woman delivered a beautiful rocking horse to the owner. Her mother was so pleased that she had to take a little ride herself...she is 97 years old!
I had to have a photo...hope I have half the energy she has when I'm 79...much less at 97!!!
 

Time to start unpacking all of my dirty clothes, fabric, projects, and such!
See y'all again soon.
 
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Sunday, April 21, 2013

What Where You Doing...


in 1993...sewing wise? I was apparently cross-stitching...as these two were found in one of my many boxes "under the bed" today as Aidan and I were searching for some 28count linen that "I know I have". 
 
Actually, I'm surprised that these are still here...you just would not believe the number of finished projects that I have lost in moves or given away...and "forgot to whom"...over these past 10-15 years. As a result, I really try NOT to get too attached to things.
 
Both of these were completed on 1993...and I find it interesting that each of them also included beading. 

Hmmmmm...guess I have liked adding beads for a while now. I just forgot that!...and so much more!
 
Hugs!
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CQJP2013 - April Block Completed


My challenge to myself this year for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project is to create a large panel with many circles with crazy quilt seams only. The seams will document the designs in Embellishing Crazy Quilts, and provide me a way to showcase those seams...other than the long linear sampler I first stitched as the seams were designed. Some seams have additional beads, or changes to fit the space of the circle. Eventually, the project will be a shower curtain cover in my bath I'm thinking....in front of the plastic liner so it won't get wet of course.
 
Here are the seams by number used in this block:
 
 Seam #41
 
Seam #63
 
Seam #64
 
Seam #73
 
Seam #74
 
Seam #77
 
Seam #79
 
Seam #80
 
Seam #98
 
 
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