apron strings

Still Playing Catch-Up

Judy — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:46:02 +0000

We know where good intentions are said to lead, but I really had hoped to have a follow-up to my last post written much sooner. Time has a way of getting away from me…it stands still for no man or woman. (Historically it did stand still one time. Does anyone know when?) April swept past without a single post, and May is half over with only one. It was my good intention to post pictures of the crazy quilting things of interest from April and pictures of the beautiful blessings of spring around our home very soon after my last post. I’m crossing my fingers the fruition of this post comes to be quickly.

One thing I wanted to share is the beautiful hearts I received in the past Crazy Quilting for Newbies heart swap. To say I love them is an understatement. The first one pictured was created by Beryl. I adore butterflies and bumblebees. Beryl’s stitching is lovely. Her heart won a spot in mine, and I am so glad it’s mine.

The next heart I’m showcasing was created by Stephanie. I had the pleasure of seeing it in stages as it was created. It was my heart’s desire for it to be mine, but there was no was I was going to ask Lesa to make it so. I did ask God. He even cares about little things like heart swaps. Yes, He does! What a wonderful surprise it was when I opened the envelope the day my hearts arrived to find one of the two hearts Stephanie created. I felt blessed beyond words. Because Stephanie does not have a blog I want to share the other heart she made. (I’m sharing without permission with hopes she won’t mind. Sometimes forgiveness is easier to get than permission…so I will take a chance. I don’t remember who received Stephanie’s second, but I know they were as wowed as I was with mine.

Stephanie’s butterfly heart…it’s mine, mine, mine. Is it not beyond gorgeous?

Stephanie’s fan heart…Wow! I understand the fan was constructed of very vintage silk. Exquisite is the word that comes to mind.

Snowballs in Southeast Mississippi are rare any time of the year, but I made two in April. These were crazy quilt snowballs from the snowball fight at Crazy Quilting International. I exchanged snowballs with Kristie and Nicki Lee. Snowballs are a bit of a challenge for me, because the palette is so small. Still I take the challenge when it is issued.

I shared the snowball Nicki Lee sent to me in a past post. It was, as is with all of Nicki’s work, gorgeous. She requested an under the sea theme (UTS). What I did turned out okay, but I didn’t feel like it was anything spectacular. My stash is not very UTS heavy, but I plan on working on that just a bit.

Kristie requested a snowball made from oranges, pinks, turquoise, golds and/or browns. She left the theme up to the stitcher. I guess it goes without saying, I went with pinks and a dragonfly.

The April TAT RR I worked on belonged to Linda. Linda requested a “religious” theme.

Full block with all stitcher’s work to date…

I added a row of sheaf stitch representing wheat, a row of abstract angels, JOY (which should be in every Christian’s heart) and a row of little church houses.

I also added a pretty floral Venice lace motif and stitching.

Last but not least, I worked on Thearica’s block in the ALL THINGS PRETTY RR at World Wide Crazy Quilting. After four block rotations I am finally getting into the swing of working on six-inch blocks. Initially they were a challenge because of the smaller size and the fact that each stitcher in the round robin did one block alone. Thearica’s blocks are all really sweet.

I think that is a wrap. Currently I am working on the last block I will work on in the TAT RR. It belongs to Sue S., and my work should be completed in the next few days. I am trying a technique new to me and am finding it pretty tough on my fingertips. (No, I don’t use a thimble. I lost the only thimble I was able to get used to and have never seen another one like it. All thimbles are not created equally.) I’ve had to give them a rest in between stitching sessions. I’ve also got a couple of World Wide Crazy Quilting Encrusted RR blocks to do angel work on. My May CQJP block is still unconstructed. I’ve selected the fabrics, but finding the time to sit at the machine to put the block together hasn’t happened. In addition, I am mentoring the Color Theory Class at Stitchmap for the first time. Mentoring is a great way to give back what has been given to you.

Speaking of time and it not happening…my time has been consumed with a new puppy. Because our other dogs are older, mature dogs, I had forgotten what an enormous demander of time and energy a puppy is. I do crate train her, so I get a break in between the time she is socializing and exercising to rejuvenate. Meet Bella the newest member of our family…she is an almost ten week old German Shepherd. This picture was taken last Thursday shortly before we left the breeder’s house. Look at the feet on this puppy! Today her ears are much more erect than they were when the picture was taken…and there is no doubt she is bigger. The little stinker weighed 17 1/2 pounds yesterday. Bella is very smart and though she is quite absent of manners, she is learning quickly. I believe she will make a fine dog/companion when she’s settled down and has a bit of training under her belt. AND I plan on surviving the puppy stage.

Okay, that’s a wrap. The pretty spring flowers will have to wait until next time. I might even manage another post before May has slipped past.

Until next time…

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you. Mark 13:5

April…The Month That Was…Crazy (Quilting That Is)

Judy — Sat, 04 May 2013 16:37:21 +0000

When I looked in on my blog this morning I could hardly believe over a month had come and gone without a single post. Looking back on the month of April, it is much easier to believe. I started April out with my second bout with the flu…Strain B. Because it was reported to be milder than Strain A, I opted not to go to the doctor in time to take Tamiflu…I pray I never feel the need to take that nasty stuff again! Strain B may be milder, but it still landed in my lungs, and I ended up with a granddaddy case of bronchitis…if not pneumonia. It took me a full month to get over it. BUT thank God I am finally over it!

My Crazy Quilt Journal block for April is completed. It is monochromatic pink. Like the three blocks before it, a spider and spider web are part of the embellishment. This block has more beading than the other three, so the final project may be made into a wall hanging or be displayed over the back of a chair instead of becoming the lap quilt I originally planned. I’m afraid a trip through the washing machine would be its doom.

Here are a few pictures of April in the pink…

The full block…

Left upper corner…

Left lower corner…

Right upper corner…

Right lower corner…

Spider close-up…

My friend Hollie suggested it would be nice to see all four completed blocks together…so this is for you, Hollie. Of course, the blocks will have sashing in between them when they are actually put together.

The TAT RR I am in hit a snag, and I had no block to work on in April. (That was probably God’s way of taking care of me, because there were very few days in April when I felt well enough to stitch for more than a few minutes at a time.) I did stitch on one of Janie’s All Things Pretty blocks. All Things Pretty is a “do your own block” 6″ block round robin. Each participant embellishes a 6″ block.

Here is a picture of the work I did for Janie…

I have more to share, but I think I’ll save that for another post. I’ve got spring flower pictures and snowballs thrown and a snowball caught. The beginning of April brought the close to a heart swap I participated in. I sent two and received two. I will share the wonderful hearts I received in my next post…maybe even today. Who knows.

Until next time…

I will go in the strength of the LORD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. Psalm 71:16

Heart Two and March CQJP 2013

Judy — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:28:10 +0000

This morning I finished embellishing the blue heart I made for the Crazy Quilting for Newbies swap. One of my daughters saw it, and asked why I put spiders on EVERYTHING? Which I don’t. But I told her spider webs were a symbol of good luck on Victorian crazy quilts. Since these heart-shaped quilt blocks are swapped as a token of friendship, and I wish all my friends nothing but good things, a spider web and fantasy spider seem perfectly at home on my block.

Here’s a closeup of my harmless little spider…He wouldn’t bite anyone.

I’ve also completed my March CQJP 2013 block.

And a few shots of detail…

Right upper corner…

Right Lower Corner…another harmless spider.

Left Upper Corner…

Left Lower Corner..

Inner…

Another…

And last…beautiful lichens…

Thank you for looking. Your feedback is welcome.

Until next time…

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! John 1:36

Let It Snow and A Purple Heart

Judy — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:46:59 +0000

There is a snowball fight at Crazy Quilting International, and living in Southeast Mississippi, the only way I’m likely to see a snowball is to join in this friendly swap.

A couple or so weeks ago I received this snowball from Hollie. I neglected to post a picture of it when it first arrived, so it’s a really good thing these snowballs are stable, and they don’t melt! She and I swapped snowballs with an Under The Sea theme. I love the creative under water creatures and bright colors Hollie used in this seascape. I’ve got to take the time to learn the drizzle stitch she used. It creates such a cool 3D effect. Hollie left a generous margin so I could trim her snowball to the size I collect. (Her picture was so clear I snagged it and used it…thank you for the use of your picture of my snowball, Hollie. I hope you don’t mind me using it.)

Hollie received this snowball from me…

Yesterday I received a beautiful, girly-girl snowball created by Nicki Lee. It’s made in a garden theme and features her hand-dyed lace motifs. Nicki Lee’s snowball fits me to a “t”. I love the colors and lovely laces she used. I have not fulfilled my end of this swap yet…but I will.

Finally, I am sharing the first of the hearts I made for the heart swap hosted by Crazy Quilting for Newbies. I decided to embellish it using one color of floss, some beads for a bit of bling and a few buttons. I kept it simple.

I’m still working on the green heart I constructed and will share it when it is finished. I’ve enjoyed working on the hearts so much, I might even make another one before the mailing deadline. I appreciate you looking and hope you will leave a comment to let me know you were here. I welcome your feedback.

Until next time…

A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Song of Solomon 4:15

Naked Hearts and Postcards

Judy — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:13:20 +0000

A crazy quilt heart swap is being hosted by Crazy Quilting for Newbies with a mailing date of April 1. Until today I teetered on whether or not to join in. Getting the hearts constructed was my only hold up in deciding, and today I took a few minutes to put a couple of naked hearts together. My March CQJP block is nearing completion so I’ll have plenty time to embellish these and get them in the mail on time. I might even make a couple more.

A few days ago I made a couple of fabric postcards. This time I used Peltex, an extra stiff interfacing that is fusible on both sides. It worked much better than the Pellon I used to make the first few I made. I found centering and finishing them to be much easier with the Peltex.

Friends really do make life blossom…this one went to a very special friend…she is a bright flower in my friendship garden.

This one was made for a faithful blog visitor who never fails to make me smile when she leaves a comment. I hope it made her smile when she found it in her mailbox.

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are always welcome.

Until next time…

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Psalm 96:5

Green Is The Word (March CQJP 2013) And Some Vintage Finds

Judy — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:03:18 +0000

Night before last I made the final stitches in the round robin blocks in my possession. Last night I had NOTHING ready to work on. I felt like a fish out of water. All month I’ve tried to get my March CQJP block constructed. My fabrics were selected and prewashed and laying in a wrinkled pile on top of my work space. On the first day of March I designed the layout of this month’s block and traced it on my muslin. Today I finally took the time to press my fabrics and stitch my block. Yea me! Tonight the embellishing will begin. This block is the third of a monochromatic theme. It is shades of green, and all the materials used to embellish will also be green.

Here is a picture of the naked block…

Yesterday my husband and I ran errands. While we were out we stopped by one of my favorite thrift stores. I found a few framed vintage handwork pieces, a pretty little tea bag holder, and a choker necklace that will be taken apart and used for embellishing crazy quilt blocks.

Framed tatting (I think this is tatting. I cannot tell the difference between tatting and fine, cotton crochet) The shadows on the matting are in the photo only. The piece is pristine, and I love it! It is hanging near the chair where I sit and stitch and is a sweet inspiration…

I grew up in Virginia and have visited historic Williamsburg several times. Finding the next two pieces was almost like going home. The cross stitch samplers are circa 1950′s. I don’t know where I will hang them, but I couldn’t resist bringing them home. A lot of care and time went into both pieces, and I always feel a strange connection with the unknown person who spent her time working on them. I feel a sadness that no one who loved her wanted to hang on to the pieces.

The Raleigh Tavern…

Brutan Parish Church…

I assume this pretty little piece is a tea bag holder (I am drawn to blue glassware and china. I don’t know if this is a replica or vintage. It’s pretty, and I will use it. It’s hand decorated in the USA (a BIG plus in my book) by CC Fine China…Morgana Collection. I found nothing about it online, but that matters not, because I like it.

Robert Rose Faux Pearl Choker (I can’t imagine wearing anything like this around my neck, but the parts will be perfect for embellishing CQ blocks…too bad there are no green pieces!)

That’s my thrifty finds from yesterday…thank you for stopping by. I welcome your comments.

Until next time…

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally. . . . But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:5-6

Stitching For Marianne – TAT RR

Judy — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:20:09 +0000

Last night I completed my stitching on Marianne’s turquoise and Teal round robin block. Marianne requested a cheerful block, and hopefully the work I did hit the mark.

I added a fly stitch and beaded fringe stitch seam treatment along one seam, and a blanket stitch frames the right side of the patch where I placed the lace butterfly motif. The seam and patch to the left of the butterfly is embellished with a fern stitch vine and sequin flowers. The seam treatment along the lower portion of the picture is a combination of the arrow stitch, fly stitch, straight stitch, french knots and bugle beads. I hope Marianne will be pleased.

Now I need to get moving on my March CQJP 2013 block. It’s still laying in a pile of wrinkled fabrics waiting to be constructed.

Until next time…

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1

All Things Pretty

Judy — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:39:58 +0000

Last night I completed my work on Nicki Lee’s All Things Pretty round robin block. It is a six-inch block and part of a “do your block round robin” hosted by World Wide Crazy Quilting. I love the colors Nicki Lee used which added to the pleasure of working on the block. There are a couple of things I tried with this round robin that are new to me. I’ve never embellished a silkie (the picture in the center). I laid aside my fear of messing it up and just did it. All in all…what I did worked. I also used the beaded fringe stitch for the first time. The fringe gives the block a bit of a 1920′s flavor.

Nicki Lee’s block…

Last month I went to my mailbox and found a delightful surprise when I looked inside. My friend Pam sent me a cheerful, fabric postcard for Valentine’s Day. It made me smile all the way back to the house. I tried to post a picture last month, but WordPress did not cooperate.

Receiving Pam’s card inspired me to make one to send to her…it’s my first.

That’s it for today…thank you for stopping by. I hope you let me know you’ve been here, and do come again.

Until next time…

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

CQJP 2013 – February Complete

Judy — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:22:12 +0000

The last day of February rolled around yesterday. I made my final stitches on my Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2013 February block just a couple of hours before March rolled in. My theme is monochromatic blocks…twelve blocks, twelve colors. Purple was the color for February. February is “heart month”, and there is no nobler heart than a purple heart.

All my stitching on this block is free form so it is less than perfect…just like me. Though I am tempted to use templates to make each stitch uniform, I have resisted.

I am sharing several pictures…some close-ups so you can see the detail better.

Full block:

Left upper corner: A button cluster with a dyed Venice lace motif and assorted beads highlights the left upper corner. This block is my first piece to use the Victorian Fringe stitch as a seam treatment. I love the look and will definitely use the stitch again.

Upper Right Corner: The flower sequins are shades of purple. They look pink in the pictures, but they are not.

Lower Left Corner: I used this block to practice my vine-stitching technique, so all quadrants feature one.

Lower Right Corner: Trees are beginning to bud and bloom in Southeast Mississippi and the right corner seemed the perfect place for a budding tree.

Center: My husband thought my spider was a fly…:)

Thank you for looking. Your comments are most welcome.

Until next time…

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

Anything Goes and Mailbox Cheer

Judy — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:21:25 +0000

In April 2012 I signed up for my first crazy quilting round robin. My block took “the road less traveled” or “the long and winding road”. It experienced an unexpected delay here and there, and even took a detour or two, but today it came home. The wait was worth it. The ladies who stitched on my block did outstanding work. I could feel the love as I read the notes they wrote in the little booklet that accompanied my block on its way. I celebrate its arrival. Here are a few pictures of the lovely work the ladies from around the country did on my block.

To all who worked on my block…I thank you. I appreciate every stitch. Your work is beautiful, and I feel blessed to have it embellishing my block.

Until next time…

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. Mark 1:41