Gray Blocks – Sunny Day

I’m up before the chickens this morning.  A fire is blazing in the fireplace gradually running the chill out of the house.  My hot tea is on the table next to me cooling enough for me to sip.  Bella is roaming the house making sure no boogers are hiding in the shadows.  My sweetheart and Emma are still asleep.  It’s a perfect time to share the Crazy Quilting for Newbies gray study round robin blocks I’ve worked on the past two months.

Barbara’s block…Barbara’s block arrived with beautiful stitching already begun.  I’m amazed by her meticulous, tiny stitches.

Check out her work…the next two views.

All the stitching in this picture was done by me.  Barbara is truly a tough act to follow!

The next rotation of the Gray Study belonged to Lori.  I also followed Barbara on this block.  This is an overview shot of the

work I did on Lori’s block.

Close up of spider and web…The spider is made of a tiny silk fabric yo-yo.  I stuffed the yo-yo with a bit of cotton before gathering it closed.  It’s the first I’ve made this way…and the first spider I’ve seen anywhere online made this way.  Is it possible I came up with something original?

This shot shows the beaded dragonfly and ric-rac seam treatment.

I also added a paisley motif, the seam treatment below it and the pretty Venice lace fan.  I added velour thread fly stitch, detached daisy stitch, and bullion stitch texture to the bottom right patch.

My CQJP 2013 July block was also done in gray monotones.  By the time I completed it I wondered what on earth I was thinking choosing gray for a personal project when I’m in a gray monotone color study rr.  (I’m running a bit behind on my CQJP…)

Whole block…

Left upper corner…paisley motif filled with colonial knots, vine with bullion roses.

Right upper corner…

Left Lower Corner…

Right Lower…

Lower center…

Spider web and spider…I liked the yo-yo spider I made on Lori’s block so much I made one on mine.

I finally decided what to do with the All Things Pretty Do Your Block that came home naked.  I used pretty Venice lace motifs painted by Nicki Lee for the focal point of the block and surrounded them with pretty bits of lace and stitching.  I used the buttonhole stitch, feather stitch, stem stitch, bullion stitch, fly stitch, chain stitch and herringbone stitch on this wee block.  Finishing this block completed a set of six, six inch blocks constructed in coordinating fabrics.  I’m not sure I shared the other five so I really need to do an All Things Pretty post.

My final share for the morning is a snowball I received from Kristie.  I love it…her butterfly is Kristie made and so fine.  I love each element.  The anchor fabric has the sweetest little yellow bird.  Kristie overstitched it making it really stand out.  I can almost hear it sing.  Her stitches are even and fine.  I love the way Kristie brought all the colors together in harmony.  In short…I love my new snowball!

Until next time…

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

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A Short Sharing Post – Crazy Patch

Making it around to my blog has been next to impossible for over a month now.  I’m very behind in sharing the crazy quilting things I’ve received or worked on.  This day is not fit for man nor beast outside so maybe I can manage getting a post up when I take a break from pickle making.  Would you believe I found over thirty pounds of pickling cucumbers…fresh and pretty…in December?  You may, but I was amazed.  I believe finding the cucumbers was a huge hug from God.  My pickle stash was almost gone, and He knew I needed the cucumbers to make more.  (God definitely cares about the little things.)  Now back to crazy patch…but I had to praise God for His goodness.

A while back I took part in a three-way heart swap.  One was from Stephanie and the other was made by Cris.  I’ve not yet shared it.  It’s another beauty.

I also swapped a heart with Marianne…she said she loves it, but o how I wish I could make changes to it now.  I’m not at all happy with the work I did on the top portion of the heart.  Still, it was made with love and well received.  I don’t know why I didn’t trim it before I took the picture and mailed it Marianne…

Since my last round robin update I’ve taken my turn on two blocks and mailed them on their way to the next stitcher.  I worked on a Kate Greenaway block and a gray study block.  I’m trying to add something I’ve never done before on any block I work on (after testing it on a doodle cloth).

The Greenaway block belongs to Nark (Nancy from Arkansas).  It’s from the Kate Greenaway Round Robin going on at WWCQ.  The block is made completely of beautiful silk.   I don’t seem to have a picture of her whole block so I am sharing close-ups of the work I did.  Here is one taken before I started working on the it.

I beaded a grape vine on Nark’s block.  This is the first time I’ve stitched a beaded grape vine on anyone’s rr block.  I love the outcome and hope Nark will, too.  The technique is one I learned from Nancy Eha’s Bead Creative Like Crazy.   I also stitched the scalloped seam treatment with detached chain and bead flowers.

This shot is a close-up of the spider web and spider I added to Nark’s block.  I also stitched the sheaf stitch above the spider web to embellish a tiny seam and the seam treatment below the web.  For it I used the straight stitch, bullion stitch and colonial knot.

The last picture shows an overview of the work done by me.  I also added the pretty Nicki Lee Venice lace butterfly.

What started out to be a short post has ended up being a bit long so I am going to close this one out and share the gray study in another post.  I didn’t realize I’ve completed two gray blocks rr blocks and a one gray one of my own (my July CQJP 2013 block…I’m a wee bit behind) without posting them.

Until next time…

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.  Hebrews 1:3

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CQ Updates

Since my last post I’ve completed my share of two round robin blocks.  Both blocks are from the Kate Greenaway round robin at World Wide Crazy Quilting.  The first block I worked on belongs to Diane.  It winged it’s way on to the next stitcher earlier this month.  The second belongs to Carol.  I enjoyed working on both blocks and tried something new or used a technique I have not used in a long time on each block.

Diane’s block…I was first to stitch on Diane’s block so it was up to me to set the tempo.  Because Diane used a bright fabric as a highlight, I capitalized on that color.

Diane’s block after me…

The theme for this RR is Kate Greenaway, so I transferred a line drawing illustration by Ms. Greenaway and stitched it in redwork style.  I’m not sure why the little girl was jumping in Kate Greenaway’s illustration, but I added a couched jump rope for effect.   I also added a Nicki Lee Venice lace and embellished it with orange seed beads to pick up the orange color in the anchor patch.  One of my favorite stitches is the feather stitch so I used it on the seam above the flower and embellished it with seed beads and colonial knots.  I added a piece of green, cotton lace and worked a line of buttonhole stitch and detached chain stitch along the straight edge.  Seed beads embellish the lace.

I adore spider webs and am fascinated by spiders in real life.  A crazy quilt block is not complete to me without one of each so I added one to Diane’s block.  I also added a stem stitch vine along the left seam and embellished it with tiny silk ribbon flowers and leaves.  It has been a long time since I’ve used silk ribbon, and I enjoyed stitching with it.

The butterfly is another lace piece painted by Nicki Lee.  I hope someone adds some beads to it before it flies home to Diane.  My final addition was the pretty lace piece along the right corner patch seam.  I stitched a row of Cretan stitch along the top.  The lace just seemed to belong to Diane’s block.

That’s a wrap for my work on Diane’s block.  Next up is Carol’s block.

Carol anchored her block with a Kate Greenaway silkie and asked for a theme reminiscent of a gentler time…childhood.  Though I toyed with the idea of embellishing the silkie, I never came up with a plan for it so I left it for someone else.  Diane was the first stitcher and sent Carol’s block on to me.

After Diane…She added lovely feminine touches to the block.

Carol’s block after me…It’s likely feminine blocks are my favorite to work on so I pulled out some pretty laces and pink and powder blue stuff and let my work begin.  It flowed.  I love it when the stitching flows.  🙂

I added more pretty white lace following Diane’s lead and embellished it with blue straight and fly stitches, pink seed beads and pretty oval pearl.  The blue accent beads and sequins were already part of the lace.

Next I added a feather stitch seam and patch treatment and embellished it with more pink seed beads and colonial knots.  This view also focuses on my blue silk ribbon embroidery irises and the chain stitch seam embellished with pretty pearl beads.  The sweet little blue bird is one I bought from Thearica’s Crazy Quilting Supply shop.  It fit perfectly in the tiny triangle that edges the anchor patch.  I also added the blanket stitch along the seam.

Finally, I added another piece of white lace and embellished it with (you guessed it!) pink seed beads and Farago silk ribbon roses.  Because Carol wanted her block to be sweet and a reminder of the gentle days of childhood I resisted the urge to add a spider web and spider.  It took a lot of self control…but I managed.  🙂

I hope Diane and Carol will both be pleased with the work I did on their blocks, because I thoroughly enjoyed working on both of them.

Until next time…

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” (1 John 5:6)

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Pam’s Bright Block Complete

What seems like “finally”, I am finished with the pretty bright block I’ve been working on.  It took me a while to be satisfied with the whole picture.  Truth be known, there is still one small change I would make…and still might.  I can’t decide if I like the leaf trim along the lower left triangular patch.  It will be a few more days before I mail the block home so I can still mull that though over in my mind for a little while longer.  If I make a change I will post another picture later.  I’ve already stitched and ripped, stitched and ripped, stitched and ripped enough in an effort to satisfy myself with my work.  I found embellishing the heavy, cotton lace trim and tatting with embroidery was tedious at best and very difficult to stitch accurately on.  I will not likely be using a lot of it in the future.

Here are a few pictures of the block…I find the photos to be VERY unforgiving of stitching flaws with this particular block.  It looks much better in real life to me.  The whole block brings back memories of the 60’s to my hippie heart.  It has the “feel” of embroidered blue jeans and embellished garb.

full block:

left top:

left bottom:

right top:

right bottom:

center:  I used the Sharon B template for the paisley patch.  When I looked at the finished patch I could almost see a bird…I think the shape would translate into a great little tweeter.  Another time I will use it with that in mind.

For my final Pay It Forward commitment, I made another set of needles for my stitching daughter…these really come in handy.  The sharp one is a frogging needle for ripping out stitches.  The blunter needle is used as a stitching awl.

That’s all from me today…

Until next time…

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!   (Psalm 107:21)

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Crazy Quilt Pincushion

This is a very short post to share a pincushion I made for a recent swap.  It is constructed of decorator silk and embellished with stitching, beads and pretty laces.

Until next time…

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 1 John 2:18)

 

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A Memorial Heart

This past December a long-time internet friend’s sweet, great-grandbaby girl passed away.  Even though I never met sweet Violet and never held her in my arms, the final days of her life touched my heart.  Her family’s loss transcended the limits of geography.  I could not imagine the depth of their sorrow and pain.

Last week I completed a small keepsake for Violet’s grandmother…an expression of my sympathy and love.  She received it on Friday and said she loves it.

Made in memory of sweet Violet…with love and heartfelt sympathy.

Until next time…

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?   But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.  2 Samuel 12:22-23

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It’s Not Wednesday Works In Progress

Do you ever get the urge to be different for the sake of being different?  Me neither.  I was just born that way.  🙂  There is a popular me-me amongst blogs featuring Wednesday Works In Progress.  I don’t participate, but I do have works in progress on Thursday.  Today I am sharing two.

The first I will not describe too fully, because it is for a swap, and I don’t want to spoil the surprise.  Being evasive might even add to the intrigue.  The block is made of decorator silks with some pretty cotton laces added for interest.  I think I will keep the stitching fairly simple.  Too much would very likely detract from the elegance of the materials.

The second piece I am working on is the one-on-one block I am swapping with Pam.  I am contemplating removing the blue lace and replacing it with a different blue lace, but I’ve not made up my mind.  Brights are a challenge for me, because I am not especially drawn to them.  Working with this block is a very good exercise in stretching my creative wings.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love the block…I’ve just never been particularly comfortable with brights.  I don’t wear them and rarely work with them.

That’s all the “show and tell” I have for the day, but I do have a burden on my heart for our country…for this world.  If you watch the news, you probably have one, too.  The verse I chose for today is really good news and a promise to hold fast to.

Until next time…

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.  (2 Timothy 2:19)

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“Rip It, Rip It”

I wish I could say I never produce work that needs to be ripped out.  I can’t.  This past week my friend Hollie added a bead tail to the needles she uses when she is removing stitches and working too close to her machine needle for comfort.  After seeing a picture of them, I just had to make myself a couple of them.  The added bling makes keeping track of their whereabouts so much simpler.  Needles used to rip out seams are affectionately referred to as “froggin’ needles”…”rip-it, rip-it”.  🙂

Speaking of Hollie, I received the block she made in our quilt block sampler swap in the Art 4 Mail group.  The first block is a simple four-patch.  Her fabrics are gorgeous.  I’m a big fan of paisley from way back.  Our first theme color was blue with a complimentary fabric.

Tomorrow I will mail the ones I made out to the ladies in my group. Did I mention I am a big fan of paisley?  I guess I should have repressed my block before taking a picture.  It was already folded neatly in quarters, ready for the envelope.

This is how I’ve spent all my sitting time this afternoon.  It look like I’ll be cutting tiny stitches for a while.  This was a collar I picked up at a thrift store for a dollar a while back.  It’s high time I remove the beautiful lace and start using it in CQ projects.  I’ll use the muslin, too…

That’s a wrap for this time.

Until next time…

And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  (1 John 2:1)

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June – CQJP 2013 and a BIG Ugly

When I first set out to accomplish the Crazy Quilt Journal Project of 2013 I was determined not to get behind.  Well…the best laid plans go astray, and we’ve all heard where the road of good intentions leads.  This morning I finally put the finishing stitches on my June block.  Too many things got in the way of timely stitching and completion of this block.  To say I am glad to call it finished is an understatement.

Here are some pictures…

Full block…

Left top…

Right top…

Left bottom…

Right bottom…

Center…

Late yesterday afternoon my dear husband went to the chicken house to pick up eggs, and this is what he found nestled in one of the laying boxes.  Yikes!  I am so thankful I was not the one picking up eggs, because with my cataracts, seeing into those dark, little openings is iffy at best.  I would very likely have been bitten…and this big ugly is a “bad” snake. I know some of you are thinking “there is no such thing as a good snake”, but I am not of that school of thought.  I’m so thankful my husband has better eyesight than me, and that he was the one to pick up eggs when that big ugly was filling its belly.

As if one picture is not enough…here is a second, closer one.

Seeing it dead with its head crushed reminded me of the scripture I will close with today…

Until next time…

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.  Genesis 3:15

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Gray Two (CQ)

Making my gray block for the upcoming Newbie Gray/Grey Study was so much fun, and I had so much nice gray fabric left, I had to make another block…just because.  I’ll use this one for my July CQJP block.  (I’m almost finished with my June block.)  Yes, I know.  I’m a little behind. 

Earlier this week I got a new crazy quilting book in the mail.  It’s J. Marsha Michler’s Motifs for Crazy Quilting.  I LOVE her books!   In it she shared one of her techniques for putting a block together.  I used her method of hand-basting the patches to the muslin to make my second gray block.  On the upside of this method, I was able to sit in my comfy chair most of the time while making it, and I didn’t get the screaming back and neck ache I usually get when I sit at my sewing machine.  The only downside was the added length of time it took to make my block.  This is a method I’ve wanted to try for a while but never took the time to do it.  I’m sure it won’t be the last time I use it.  The method sounded tedious, but the illustrations in the book made it look so simple.   I think before I piece another block by this hand-basting method I will buy one of those nifty miniature crafting irons and mark that off my wish list.  It would really come in handy for pressing all those turned under edges and eliminate the need to get up and go to the ironing board.

Motifs for Crazy Quilting is loaded with really great motif patterns, but the inspiration to try something new alone was worth the price of the book.  I think my favorite motifs are the trees, but there is a bit of everything.  I would render a guess there is something for every taste.  J. Marsha Michler did a nice job of putting this book together.  Good for us!

Here is my first hand-pieced crazy block.  All in all…I’m happy with it which is always nice.

That’s all for this time…

Until next time…

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.   (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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