Red Block Final and Giveaway Reminder

A week ago today I ran into a floor fan and took a flying dive over it.   Two days later I went to the doctor per my husband’s demand and was deemed unbroken.  While there I had my doctor listen to my lungs.  He confirmed my diagnosis.  I had/have bronchitis.  His recommendation was to take it easy for at least a week.  As a result I’ve had time to finish working on my red block. 

Here are the results…click images for larger view.

Full block…I cut the top off just a wee bit.

Blue Bird – not a bluebird…

Two crazy friends helped tweak my bird.  One thought he needed a worm in his mouth and one more claw…so I gave him one a juicy worm and another claw.  The other thought his legs were too thick.  She was right, so I painstakingly picked out the thread and restitched thinner legs.

Butterfly, button cluster and  flower motif seam treatment…

Tree with an owl and a pussy cat…

Feather stitch and bullion stitch buds…

That’s it for the changes in my red block.  If you have not entered my coconut oil giveaway, take a minute and check it out. It’s for an amazing gallon of premium coconut oil. You really don’t want to miss the chance to win this wonderful gift. You can find it here…A Gallon Of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway…O Yeah!

Until next time…

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Until next time…

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AG#5 RR – Sheila’s Block Is Ready To Fly

My work on Sheila’s block in the Anything Goes #5 Round Robin for Novices is complete. Her block completes my participation. It’s been fun, and I’ve already signed up for another one.  In the meantime, I’ll have plenty of time to work on blocks just for me. 

Here is the work I did on Sheila’s block…click on images for enlarged view

Everyone who stitched before me chose something to do with hats…I figured every pretty hat needed nice shoes to go with it so I chose old-timey, high-top shoes.

A Venice lace motif…

Seam treatment

Overall block…

That’s it for this time…f you have not entered my latest coconut oil giveaway, be sure to check it out. It’s for an amazing gallon of premium coconut oil. You really don’t want to miss the chance to win this wonderful gift. You can find it here…A Gallon Of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway…O Yeah!

Until next time…

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25

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Susan’s AG#5 RR Block Is Ready To Fly And Red Block Update

On the first day of May I received Susan’s beautiful, round robin crazy quilt block to add my stitching to.  I love the rich colors of the fabrics Susan used in the construction of her block.  It was a pleasure to work on.  The picture below shows the work I did.  (Calling something so pleasurable “work” seems just wrong…but I guess “it is what it is”.)

Hollie’s stitching was added before my turn. Look at the sweet bird and bird’s nest she embroidered.  The row of tiny catepillars represent those that eat her dill before turning into butterflies each year.  In my book both are very special.  I can hardly wait to see what Hollie stitches on my block…but wait I will have to, because she is last to stitch on it before it is returned to me.

Speaking of Hollie, a couple of days ago she asked me about the red block I posted a naked picture of a few posts back. As most of my own stitching does when I receive someone else’s to work on, it went on the back burner. After I completed the embellishing I did on Susan’s block, I started embellishing my red block. The main color I’ve chosen for embellishing is gold.  The red crocheted rose (Irish rose, I believe) in the center was sent to me by Pat when she downsized her stash last year.  It seems perfectly at home on this block.  To this point some blue and gold thread has been used and a bit of green beading.  As you can see, there is much  embellishing to come, because  I’ve only just begun.  Here is the progress I’ve made so far…

I’ve got one final picture to share today. One of the crazy quilting groups I belong to have a secret sister swap in progress. It’s one I am taking part in. This morning I received a squishy package from my secret sister. Look at all the wonderful eye candy she sent to me to play with. There is a small pair of golden-colored dragonfly wings in these goodies that I was especially happy to find in this secret sister stash. I saw some worked into a block of a friend and have been looking for them locally ever since…to no avail. I hope the lady who receives my package will be as pleased with hers as I am with mine. Such fun!

One last thing before I go…you have today and tomorrow to throw your name into the Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway. You could win a quart of this wonderful product. It’s such good stuff…don’t miss out.

Until next time…

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. . . . Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:42,44

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Naked and Green

Just a short post to share my newest naked block…

Earlier in the week I spent a couple of hours thrifting and found a lime green silk skirt.  It had “crazy quilt” written all over it.  I brought it home and cut it into pieces the same day.  This afternoon pieces of both the skirt and lining were sewn into my next block.  It’s a seven-inch block constructed of silk, cotton, the “wrong side” of a piece of brocade, and even a piece of polyester (one of my least favorite fabrics, but even it has a place in crazy quilting). As soon as I put the finishing touches on the purple block I was working on before the class I started five or so weeks ago, it is next in line for embellishing.

Putting this block together was less frustrating than any I’ve made so far.  Maybe that means I’m getting the hang of it.  Not feeling encumbered and overwhelmed while constructing a block definitely makes it more fun.  Ooorah.

Here is my naked, green block in all its glory.  I can hardly wait to start dolling it up.

Until next time…

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Galatians 1:11-12

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Hollie’s AGRR Block Ready To Fly

Since the second day of April I’ve had in my possession a Round Robin crazy quilt block belonging to Hollie.  A few moments ago I made my final embellishing stitches.  I hope Hollie will be pleased.  Here it is…

View 1:  This shot shows the upper portion of the work I did.  I believe the only changes I made since my last “Hollie block” post is the pink, beaded motif at the top.

View 2:  The lower portion of the work I did is shown in this shot.  The placement of the butterfly may be slightly different than it was in the previous “Hollie Block” post, and a small dragonfly charm has been added.

View 3:  Overall shot of the work I did.

Now to work on one for myself until the next RR block arrives!

Until next time…

Your outer life is your reputation with people, but your inner life is your reputation with God.  ~ unknown

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Anything Goes Novice Round Robin…Hollie’s Block

Earlier this month I received my first Round Robin crazy quilt block to work on.  This block was naked when I received it.  It belongs to Hollie, a very sweet, crazy lady who lives in Arkansas.  The colors and fabric Hollie chose for her block are among my favorites, though  you wouldn’t know it by looking at my Round Robin naked block.  After spending some time looking at the block and thinking of how to embellish it, I finally took the plunge and made my first stitch.  It’s funny, but that first stitch felt almost scary.  The block is not mine and is precious to someone else.  It was unembellished; crisp; unsullied.  I don’t want to be “the one” to mess it up.

Here’s Hollie’s lovely block…naked and untouched:

I’m not certain I am finished with my part, but for the moment I’m at a standstill and am waiting for inspiration before making more changes.  There’s no hurry, because  it can stay with me the remainder of April.  Hopefully I’ll get a bright idea for embellishing the empty spaces within the seams I stitched.

Here is the embellishing work I’ve done on Hollie’s block so far.  Please keep in mind I am still learning…learning is what this Round Robin is all about…the word “novice” is a comfortable umbrella to me at this point in my crazy quilting journey.

Overall block…overall views are so forgiving. 

This view shows the petite roses and detached chain leaves made with silk ribbon adorning the feather stitch along the seam on the left side.  Seed beads have been added to the center of each rose. 

One of Hollie’s “likes” is mother of pearl buttons.  I just happened to have a few in my button stash.  Each button is embellished with pink, glass, seed beads.  Looking at the picture, I see a couple more of the tiny pink beads need to be added around the buttons.

The second seam is embellished with daisy trim.  Each daisy is embellished with a lavender seed bead…a color pulled from the ever-so-romantic, calico fabric.  Along the left side of the trim I’ve added a row of tiny “flowers” using a fern stitch and more lavender seed beads.

This shot shows the silk ribbon spider roses and pierced roses within the calico fabric to the right of the daisy trim.  Each rose has seed bead centers.  I’ve spotted a couple of roses that need an additional seed bead or two added.  They look just a little wonky.  

To the right of the roses is part of the seam embellished with two rows of the  Chevron stitch forming diamonds.  (They are a “girl’s best friend so such a romantic flavoured block needs diamonds.)  Along the left side of the Chevron stitch diamonds are “little flowers” made using the fern stitch and french knots.

The final shot shows the sweet, lace motif butterfly and concludes the work I’ve completed on Hollie’s beautiful block.  I hope (and pray) she likes it…it has been a pleasure to work on…and such a learning experience.  Before sending it on its way to the next stitcher in our group (Mikki from Iowa), I’ll take more pictures and post again. 

Until next time…

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.  Romans 14:12 

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A Block From Lisa A and An Upcoming Review

The day I received the wonderful box of stash-building goodies from Lisa, I also became the new owner of a crazy quilt block made by her.  Between my amazement of the abundance of the crazy quilting pieces parts Lisa shared and the WordPress glitch that prevented updates, I completely forgot to share the beautiful block.  Here it is…a little late but not forgotten!

I love my Lisa block and thank her for it from the bottom of my heart!

While I’m feeling “crazy” I’ll share the quiltie I made for Barbara to show her she is loved and thought of during this time of healing and refurbishment as she recovers from surgery.  It is similar but not just like the quiltie I made for the Fruit of the Spirit swap at Art4Mail.  Barbara headed up the swap and chose the theme…Love seemed like the perfect get well card theme.  I hope she can feel the love. 

side two…

In the very near future I will be reviewing a super special product…Tropical Traditions, Gold Label, Virgin Coconut Oil.  Coconut Oil has been used in my kitchen for a number of years for a variety of purposes.  This is a brand new to me.  Over the next week or so I will be using it and reporting my thoughts back here.  I’m looking forward to reviewing Tropical Traditions’ product.

 Check out this video to learn more…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h6eycjf29M

Until the next time…

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Philippians 4:5

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Icing On The Cake

If the package I received from my bloggy/Art4Mail friend Lisa was the cake…the Fruit Of The Spirit quiltie that arrived in the same mail run was the icing.   In a previous post I shared the naked blocks I made for my first-ever quiltie.  The 9-part theme “Fruit of the Spirit” was one I could not resist.  Yesterday the postman delivered the “love” quiltie made for me by Donna.  After opening the parcel I had no doubt Donna knows the true meaning of love.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  John 3:16-18

Here’s side one of the ”Love” quiltie Donna made.

Side Two…

I love my quiltie…thank you for swapping, Donna.

Last night I put the finishing touches on the quiltie I made for this swap.  Sadly it does not go to Donna, because we had an uneven number of people sign up.  I love the one on one swaps best.

Here’s the one I made for my swap partner…

and the back…

I hope she likes hers as much as I like mine. 

All the talk about cake and icing made me hungry for something sweet.  I opted for homemade peanut butter cookies.  I wish I could share them with you.  They are just the right…soft in the center and mmm mmm good to the last bite.

Until next time…

 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

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Christmas In March

Yes, I know Christmas is in December, but for just a few minutes after the postman made today’s delivery I was sure Christmas had arrived again.  My bloggy/Art4Mail friend Lisa sent me a stash-building care package filled with wonderful pretties to help wile away my crazy quilting hours in fanciful style.  The box was filled with laces and trims, shiny-fancy fabrics, beads and baubles, motifs and more.  I was enamored and enchanted…wowed by Lisa’s generosity.  Not long ago, she said something along the line of “we make such good friends through the computer”.  And it is true.  (Yes…I know sentences don’t begin with “and”…just call me a grammar rebel.)

I took pictures of all the treasures.  The pictures turned out a bit dark, but you can still get the gist of all the package held.

Fabulous beaded trims…

Shiny Fancy Fabrics…

Trims and lace and Kreinik thread…

A pile of pretty silk ribbon…

And these lovely pictures…In my novice ignorance I’m not sure exactly how to use them.  They may be iron on transfers.  I’ll definitely be looking into it.  I’ve seen lots of beautiful work where they’ve been used within a block.

The pictures only show a bit of what sweet Lisa shared.  Thank you, Lisa.  I appreciate you.

Until next time…

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  These things I command you, that ye love one another.  John 15:13-17

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A First Time For Everything

This is a really quick post to share a first-time project I committed to in Art4Mail.  (Art4Mail is a fabric art swap group I belong to.  It’s open to sewers (pronounced so weres  for anyone who has their mind on plumbing:))  The theme of this sweet project is what prompted me to join in.  We are making quilties (6 inch quilts) based on the fruit of the Spirit.  Loving the Lord and His wonderful Word, there was no way I could resist.  We will make a separate quiltie for each of the 9 fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Our first quiltie will reflect how we interpret “love”.  Because of my new love of  crazy quilting, I’ve chosen to make crazy patch quilties.  Moments ago I finished making my naked blocks.  Here they are.

Block front:

Block Back:

Now the fun part begins…I’ll share again when the embellishing is completed.

The lady who thought of and set this quiltie theme up just had major heart surgery.  Art4Mail and her family would appreciate it if you would remember Barbara in your prayers.

Until next time…

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have love you, that ye also love one another.  John 13:34

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