All Things Pretty

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

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

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

 

A Bit Crazy…

The past week was a crazy, busy one.  There was no slowing down time until nightfall, so stitching was at a minimum.  I was hoping for the new week to start off slower and pan out to be less demanding of my time.  There hasn’t been a lot of time demanding going on, but a slow beginning was far from what happened. 

Sunday started out like most any Sunday.  I got up and got ready for church.  It was a rainy morning, and severe weather was predicted in the afternoon.  Some time between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM a tornado twisted its way through our city.  Thankfully it skipped to the north as it passed over I59 and did not affect our home.  Still, my dogs and I sought shelter in a closet waiting for the beast to pass. 

Many were not so fortunate and suffered great property destruction.  There were some injuries requiring medical attention, but there were no deaths.  Early warning is attributed to that good fortune…I personally thank God and give Him the glory for bringing us through a frightening time safely. 

Last week I finished February’s work on the round robins in my possession.  I’m working on my CQJP for this month.

Here are a few pictures…

This is from the “ALL THINGS PRETTY” round robin through World Wide Crazy Quilting.  The little sweetie in the center of the block is Lee’s great-granddaughter.

This block is from the Blue/Green Color Study aka TAT (turquoise and Teal) hosted by Crazy Quilting for Newbies.  It belongs to Angie who welcomes spider webs and spiders on her block.

This is the block I made for the Blue/Green Study:

Finally, here is a picture of my February CQJP before any work has been done on it. My theme for the year is monochromatic…I’m not using silk ribbon or anything else that may be damaged when washed because I plan to make a lap quilt when all twelve blocks are completed.

That about does it for this time…

Until next time…

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  John 15:2

Daybook – February 8, 2013

For Today…Friday, February 8, 2013

Outside My Window…there are overcast skies.  Early morning fog is beginning to burn off.  All is quiet.

I am thinking…how fortunate I am to have a stay at home day…a day without hustle and bustle…a solitary day. 

From the learning room…Over the past couple of weeks I have been exploring color theory through a class at Stitchmap.  I’ve always seen color, but now I know what I am seeing.  It’s kind of like seeing a person and knowing who that person is. 

I am thankful for…a day of rest.  This week has been far busier than I like my days to be.  There has been little time for relaxation and renewal.

From the kitchen…breakfast will be prepared in a few minutes.  Later today the aroma of rutabaga will permeate the entire house.

I am wearing…my pajamas.  I may keep them on most of the day just because I can.

I am creating requirements for my color theory class and my February CQJP block. 

I am going…absolutely nowhere today unless there is a major emergency.

I am reading…my Bible, Wheat Belly and Crazy Quilting – A Complete Guide by J. Martha Michler.

I am hoping…my husband is having a good day at work…that is always my hope when he is working.

I am hearing…John Hagee on the television.  He’s preaching on Bible prophesy this morning.  It’s past time for America to wake up…it’s time for people to look unto the God of salvation.

I’m praying…for our men and women in the armed forces…especially those in harm’s way.

Around the house…it looks like a Monday.  My sweetheart was off work for two days, and little housework was done beyond keeping the dishes washed and the kitchen sink clean.  Laundry has mutated and clutter has accumulated.  It’s time for a clean sweep.

One of my favorite things…good surprises in the mailbox…happy mail!

A quote for today…”Rest and be thankful.”  William Wordsworth

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Today I plan to work on my current Color Theory lesson, work on my February CQJP block, catch up on laundry, and relax within the confines of my home until I go to church on Sunday. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…

Until next time…

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing,
…But Only God keeps you Going.

- anonymous

My Stephanie Swap Block Came Home!!!

And what a beauty it is!  The one-on-one swap block I sent to Stephanie is her first-ever block to embellish.  She did an amazing job!   I love each and every element she added to the naked block I sent to her.  Her work turned my plain block into a treasure.  Without further ado, here are pictures of the beautiful work Stephanie added to my block. 

Here is a picture of my block before Stephanie began working on it.  (Click on any picture for a larger view.)

This picture shows the finished block…isn’t it gorgeous?

The buttons and beads in the button cluster are beautiful…being a lover of buttons, I find it to be a very fine addition to the block.  The silk rose positioned at the top of the cluster was made by Stephanie.  She used the singe around the edge method…I’ve got to try it soon.  It makes a very elegant flower.  Just to the right of the flower is a small snowflake pin.  It is a special piece Stephanie added to my block…special and very pretty.

I absolutely love the silkie tag Stephanie placed on the block. Not that I would ever forget who did the beautiful embellishing, but it is a wonderful reminder and a very sweet touch.  She chose the pine cone theme, because it is the state flower of her home state of Maine. The pin just below it works perfectly.

The fan and tassel are made of vintage silk…so luxurious. I love the rich colors.

Her beaded snowflake is beautiful…so perfect.

Finally, Stephanie used beautiful vintage laces and lovely stitching throughout the block.

Needless to say, but I will anyway, I am well pleased with my block. Stephanie had been shy about joining in a round robin and working on someone else’s block. After seeing what she did with my block I must say, she has no reason to be shy!  Her work is beautiful, and I believe anyone would be pleased to have her stitching on their block.

I’ve not decided how I will use my beautiful block…but I am thinking about it. I appreciate Stephanie taking my one-on-one block swap challenge and look forward to seeing her future work.

Until next time…

For we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

January Down And Eleven Blocks To Go

This afternoon I put the final stitches in my January block for my 2013 Crazy Quilt Journal Project.  I have no particular theme.  My blocks will all be primarily stitching with a few beads, trims and laces.  My plan for the project blocks when completed is a lap quilt so I want it to be gentle cycle friendly.  Each block will be made and embellished with shades of one color.  January is blue…

Here is a picture of the completed block…for closer view click on the picture.

 

Below are some shots of different sections of the block for closer view…

I added a spider web and bead spider.  The web is stitched with blue metallic thread to make it show up better than it would with a flat finished floss. 

This view shows a Cretan stitch seam treatment and a fly stitch vine.

This shot shows a button hole stitch and sequin flower seam treatment, a lace seam treatment and a feather stitch seam treatment. 

This picture shows a rick-rack seam treatment, simple sequin and seed bead motifs, and a seam treatment make of straight stitches and detached chains.

Another seam treatment and embroidered over print…

The simple flower motif made of detached chains was the final thing I did on the block…by the time I reached this space I was fresh out of ideas and trying to figure out what to do next gave me a brain cramp. 

I haven’t decided on the color of my February block…but I need to get hopping so I can construct the block and start stitching.  I would love to stay on or ahead of schedule throughout the year. 

All feedback is welcome…thank you for looking.

Until next time…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9