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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Still Playing Catch-Up

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

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Let It Snow and A Purple Heart

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

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Roses And Dragonflies

Last week I shared a crazy quilt snowball I made to swap with Rita.  Thankfully before mailing it, I discovered I misunderstood her preferences, and I made a new one for her.  Rita requested a hexagon shaped snowball embellished with roses and/or dragonflies.  That was a far cry from the “Under the Sea” theme of the round one I almost sent to her…not to mention the shape.   I appreciate Rita’s patience while waiting for her snowball.  It was due by the end of July, but life got in the way. 

Rita’s hexagon snowball…roses and dragonflies:  (for a larger view click on the picture)

 

I made a hexagon template before cutting Rita’s snowball.  For safekeeping I’m uploading a copy in .pdf format.  Feel free to print it out and use it if you’d like to try your hand at making a hexagon snowball.

A new home has been found for the round snowball I made orginally…Hollie claimed it, so I’ll be throwing it her way. 

Until next time…

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.  Proverbs 26:1

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A Snowball In August

There is a snowball fight going on at Crazy Quilt International, and I resisted throwing one as long as I could.  In my last post I shared the snowball Rita made and sent to me.  Last night I finished my share to her.  It’s my first, but it likely won’t be my last.  I’ve got another project in progress or two that need my attention, but when I clear my plate a bit all will be fair in love and snowball fights!

My friend Nicki Lee from Nicki Lee’s RavioLee Dreams reminded me how exciting it is to tackle a new stitch when she told me she learned the bullion stitch.  I decided to learn a new one for Rita’s snowball.  A five-spoked, ribbed spider web stitch looks enough like a star fish I decided to add that stitch this time around.  Using Mary Corbet’s video learning this stitch was a breeze.

I hope Rita likes it…I enjoyed making it for her.  Click on the picture for a larger view.

Thank you for looking.

Until next time…

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.   They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

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Heart To Heart And A Snowball And Blocks

It’s been a while since I shared any crazy quilting.  July has been a tough month for stitching.  My creative juices have been almost as dry as the soil outside.  Thankfully that disappointing trend seems to be changing.  I feel like stitching again.  I guess we all hit dry spells, but I’m always thankful to see mine pass…there’s always an underlying fear that it won’t.

Today I am sharing what Hollie did with the heart I sent her.  It touched my heart…I hope it will yours, too.

Hollie wrote,

I took your heart and framed it as it is. This is what I “see” when I look at it. The black background is the world/sin trying to crowd in on our life. The frayed edges are my heart feeling torn with the struggle. But there is the reminder that I can still praise the Lord and find peace with him and the wonderful friends he has brought into my life.   I hung it on the wall facing my bed. I see it when I get up and when I go to bed.

The heart Hollie sent to me was perfect for me.  It was very obvious she spent much thought on how to embellish it.  Needless to say, I love it.  (For close up view click on any picture)

This morning I put the finishing touch on a heart for Pam G.  It’s completion is timely, because she recently received news of the loss of her favorite aunt.  I hope the heart offers her a little measure of comfort.

One of the crazy quilt groups I belong to swaps snowballs.  Rita was/is my first-ever snowball swap partner.  I say was/is, because we set a mailing date of the end of the month, and I’ve already received Rita’s lovely piece.  I am still working on hers.  Rita does extraordinary work…her snowball is beautiful!  Rita knows little about me, but she could not have suited my taste better.   Snowballs on these 100 degree temperature days are welcome change!   Take a look…

Here’s an update on the Brown Study RR I am taking part in.  The first block I received in the rotation belongs to Pam C. from Australia.  Here’s the work I did on her block…I have mixed feelings about it.  Working all in shades of brown is a bit tougher than I thought it would be.

My final share of the day is the block I made for the Butterflies and Dragonflies Round Robin that begins soon.  I’ll mail mine out tomorrow to the first stitcher.  

That’s it for now.  I’ve spent far too long sitting and housework is calling my name.  I hope anyone reading this post has a wonderful day.  I appreciate you looking. 

Until next time…this is one of the saddest verses in the Word of God to me.  Those who knew of Him best rejected Jesus…

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.  Mark 6:3

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