January Block for CQJP 2016

This year, my challenge to myself it so "simplify". My goal is to get blocks finished that could be easily washed as a traditional quilt might be. I hope to get these assembled and given to my Mom this Christmas...to put across the foot of her bed. She does wash her quilts, so this one can be no different. Any silk ribbon work has to be tacked securely in place. Beading is another issue, as a washing machine can "beat up" glass beads badly...and plastic ones are not my favorite. So, NOT beading is the best solution...which is SOOOOOooooooo difficult for me to do!   We shall see how these go!   If you want to see the start of the basic piecing...check out my earlier blog post about the construction of these blocks.   Hugs,    

Registration for ICQC-103 (Embroidery Motifs) is OPEN for Registration

This class is open to those individuals that FINISHED the ICQC-101 or the BCQC Course last year. This is the LAST offering of the ICQC-103 Course.
 REGISTRATION will remain open until midnight (CST) on Saturday, January 30th   ICQC-103 Embellishing with Threads   This class covers Surface Embroidery Motifs to include beaded and silk ribbon monograms. Additional seam treatments are also part of the course.    The class is FREE, you will not be charged anything for the instructions.
  If you are interested in taking this course, please email me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com and provide me this information: Your first name Your last name You country of residence Your state of residence IF you live in the USA The email address you wish me to send class instructional handouts to.   After you register, I will send you a Welcome Email and Google/Blogger will send you (at my request) an Invitation to join the Class Blog where the class will be held. Watch for BOTH of these emails, check your spam folder. If you do not receive by Friday afternoon , email me to let me know.   Supplies needed for this course include various colors of embroidery floss and/or perle cotton thread. A pattern will be provided for the creation of a series of pieced blocks; or you can use plain fabric and work the items as technique samples only.    Hopefully you have completed the ICQC-101 class before this one...but it is no longer a "requirement". You do however need to have finished the BASIC Course.   Hugs to all,  

Round Robin Block Completed for this month...

Still have to write in my little booklet for the owner (Pat Freeman), then it is on it's way to the next lady in our Robin. I asked Pat if there was anything special she might like, and a ribbon lady was desired...so here she is.

Here is the total block to date, only Cathy Glover and I have had our hands on it so far...but Carmie Anderson and Marcy Wyatt are going to add their beautiful stitching to the block as well before it mails back to Pat Freeman. Here are some seams for you to view as well...

And, here is the total block to date...

Hope everyone is enjoying some Stitching Time today! Hugs!

Basic CQ Course - Free - (January BCQC)

EDITED TO ADD (1/16/16): This registration is not now closed. the next registration for BCQC will be 16-18 March.

 

OPEN Registration for Basic Crazy Quilt Course (BCQC)

January 2016

 REGISTRATION will remain open until midnight on January 15th (CST)   The class is self-paced, and expected to take 4-8 weeks, depending on the time you have available to complete the 12 assigned Tasks. This is the first class for 2016 registration. If you miss this registration window...the next Basic Course will be available in March.   

  These 12-Tasks include:   1 - How to Use the Class Blog 2 - Selecting Supplies 3- Design Principles of CQ 4 - Sewing the Block 5 - Surface Beading Techniques 6 - Template Seams 7 - Shape Seams 8 - 11 Various Silk Ribbon Flowers 12 - Finishing (lace, charms, etc.)   The class is FREE, you will not be charged anything for the instructions.   Link to the Basic Supply List    You WILL be required to get your own supplies to complete the about 8 x 10 size block. Basic CQ supplies include silk ribbon, pearl cotton threads, tiny beads, etc. as the photo above indicates. None of these are in large quantity for a single block.   You will be required to use a quilting hoop (Q-snap is fine). You WILL be required to access the private class blog (upon an invitation sent to you) and post photos of your work as you progress through the class.
  If you are interested in taking this course, please email me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com and provide me this information: Your first name Your last name You country of residence Your state of residence IF you live in the USA The email address you wish me to send class instructional handouts to.   After you register, I will send you a Welcome Email and Google/Blogger will send you (at my request) an Invitation to join the Class Blog where the class will be held. Watch for BOTH of these emails, check your spam folder. If you do not receive by Thursday morning, email me to let me know.   This is an ON-LINE internet class.    You will need to follow some simple instructions to register and gain access to the private class blog. Your name and email will need to be entered; but NO social security or credit card information is required. Just basic information to "recognize" you as a class participant.   You will need to be able to take a photo of your work, and upload it to the class blog. You will get instructions on "blogging" so don't worry if you don't currently do that now; you will learn. But, you DO NEED to have an operating camera and be able to take photos. You do need a basic understanding of how to save these photos and then retrieve those picture files   NOTE: You will be given class handouts/instruction in the form of emails and pdf documents.  The pdf files can be opened with Adobe Reader (free software on the Adobe.com site)
 You need to be able to open these handouts/instructions and save them. You can also print as you desire. In total, the course contains over 200 pages of information...so paper/printer will be required if you want to retain a hard copy of this information.   Hugs, and I hope to see you in the class!    This class is REQUIRED before you can sign up to any of the other courses offered this year.  

Strutt your Stuff for Summer!

The cold winds of Winter are blowing...BUT, we at Crazy Quilt Quarterly Magazine are thinking of Summertime!
We're looking for submissions for the Summer issue of Crazy Quilt Quarterly magazine.  Anything with a Summer theme like butterflies, birds, fruit, sunflowers.....because that upcoming issue is being created, and we'd love to see your versions of crazy quilt motifs for summer themes! So, share your work by sending us photos. A single motif or an entire block would be fine!
What is a Summertime Theme? Well...think birds, birdhouses, butterflies, dragonflies, fruit (grapes/watermelon/cherries), cottages - (Ah...warm beaches and bathing suits!) anything that reminds you of the season of SUMMER!   If it feels like Summer, we want to see it!  Send your submissions to Pam's email address!  

Cathy's Block

It has been a few months since I signed up to participate in a round robin, but I just could not pass up the traditional "Batik Me" one at Crazy Quilters International FaceBook group this past fall. Here is my work on Cathy Glover's block...my first round to be received.    

 Being the first to work on a Round Robin means you are also "setting the tone" for that block. I loved the pinks (of course) and purples that Cathy chose and the patches were large enough for some nice motifs in the center. So, I went with that...and added some lace just so there would be a bit there in case the other ladies wanted to include some small pieces in their rounds.

 This ribbon lady is done in thread embroidery for the top, and the skirt and accents are done in silk ribbon. She is one of the patterns in my next book: Crazy Quilting Volume II - Working with Ribbon that is in the "writing stage" now.

 Here is my hedge row of roses. I just could not stop myself! It IS busy, but looks great on the block and balances nicely with the other seams so far.

This darker rosebud seam anchors the lace pieces and adds some depth to the colors of pink throughout the block.

This little purple plum tree really is so cute! Since this tree (with different leaves) was on the cover of my first book (Embellishing Crazy Quilts workbook)...it has become a sort of "signature" for me...so I include it in a lot of works. I do try to change up the types of leaves however.
Are you stitching on something today? I hope so...it's a great way to begin the new year!