A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
Saturday, the postman brought me these beautiful little silkie mermaids...I'm going to have loads of fun creating with these as my inspiration! Thank you Annette for such a delightful surprise. If you have not seen Annette's work before, check out her website...she is a very talented artist!
Her gift inspired me to finishe up a little giftee for a friend. Four little pillows to adorn a shelf, fill a basket, or sprinkle over a bedspread. The words are from my Aussie pal Jenny's blog...Elefantz.
I'm still working on my blocks from Jenny's newsletter. If you get the Elefantz newletter and have not yet begun this project, you really should consider it...it is really very sweet and quiet nice to stitch. I still have to add the white embroidery (running stitch, stem stitch, blanket stitch) to the fusible pieces...but, it is almost done.
The little bird is looking a slight bit dark. But, I think the addition of the white stitching will help to balance him out. The thread color is a gray/brown and is the same as the words in the center block...so, I'm hoping that all will be fine when the blocks are together.
Hugs,
Wow, this week has just been tiring!
Of course the baby was here each day...and Aidan...and every evening, I just fell into bed! I think the heat has something to do with my "zapped energy level".
A good part of the week was spent measuring lengths of pearl thread and silk ribbon...as I'm making up 30 kits for a basic crazy quilt class next month in Huntsville.
The remainder of my "free" time was starting on the second block of my Elefantz little quiltee, and I'm still just loving this design.
There are plums in my fridge...that MUST be made into jelly tomorrow...so, come on over and I'll put you to work!
Block One of Shabby Roses Beauty, the BOM by Jenny of Elefantz is done. It has even been washed, dryed, and ironed! And a good thing too...because Jenny just published this month's newsletter with Block Two inside...so I have another project to work on soon! This little quilt will have only five squares and will be a cute little girl's quilt when completed. Hmmm, perhaps little Ely would enjoy it...as she has quickly outgrown the christening gown I made for her. Another giftee would be appreciated I'm sure.
This was a good week at my house...Aidan had a nice visit. I looked forward to a quiet Saturday where I could get a lot done...but, the rest of the family had other ideas. We had a family yard sale on Saturday...and it was just hot and muggy outside too! By late that afternoon, I was drained and not in the mood for much of anything that required me lifting my arms!! Ha!
Heat and I do not get along well.
So, that day...nothing much got accomplished.
Today, I finished up a flannel blanket for Brady. It's a simply little coverlet...no batting. The front is pieced flannel blocks (leftover flannels from other projects) and the back is a solid piece of striped blue flannel.
I just needed something that would be cool...not like a heavy quilt or fleece. The purchased flannel baby blankets are just too small to carry him down to Mother's house in...his feet keep coming out the bottom.
Yesterday, I got a little further along on stitching Jenny's Block-of-the-Month from her E-Zine.
Here are the fabrics I'll be using in mine. Jenny is using a smaller print rose...but I've got about six yards of this and want to use what's in my stash as best as I can.
She is also using a gingham...where I'm using a small polka dot. But, I like polka dots and could not find a pink gingham anywhere that was pretty. Hugs!
These fabrics aren't a perfect color match...but will work well I'm thinking with the design as Jenny has created it because they are not right next to each other...being separated by the embroidery which is on white Kona cotton. I'm excited about where Jenny will be taking her little mystery quilt and hope to keep up each month... after I catch up that is! Plus, I've ordered another pattern from her...in print...so it has to travel all the way from Australia before I can begin that! I'll show you that when it gets here!
Hugs!
Morning all! Thought you might want to see my progress on the center block from Jenny's Elefantz Newsletter. I'm done with the roses and leaves...and am working on the words. Next comes the applique then finishing stitches.
This has been a great project to work on during the day when I only have a few moments to spare.
I'm enjoying this process.
If you have not yet checked out Elefantz, or have been wondering about getting Jenny's monthly electronic magazine...please just do it! Her designs are just too cute...and she's a pretty nice pal from "down-under" too!
Sorry that the pic is a little blurry...but, at 0500 in the morning my hands are a little unsteady...think my system is still asleep! It's always hard to get used to a new routine...hugs!
School is out for the summer...and Aidan is here this week. She wanted to do some embroidery work since I was working on this quilt design by Jenny of Elefantz (above). So, I gave her the rose floral design I did last week. It is in draft...but would be cute done as a colored pencil item for a pillow on her bed. So we started by me ironing some freezer paper to a piece of linen fabric, then I taped the pattern to the back of the freezer paper. Aidan used the light table to trace the design on to the fabric. The freezer paper helped to keep the fabric flat so she could trace easily. Here is the design after she had traced it, and after she completed the color pencil work.
Next, she is stitching the outline of the leaves in green perle size 8. This will take a few days, then she'll do the flower petals next.
She knows that it will take her a while to get it done, but she's still stitching this morning...so I have high hopes that she'll get it done eventually! She is doing a back-stitch..like I'm using on Jenny's design above.
If you have not heard...my pal Jenny is having a super celebration every Monday for the next 26 weeks! And she is sharing a free hand embroidery pattern. So, please go check it out. And, if you don't follow her Elefantz Blog...you really, really should! Not only is she a great designer...she is a very nice lady too!
You'll enjoy your visits!
Hugs,
Jenny over at Elefantz has been publishing a magazine with great embroidery/quilt designs for the home. She has done this for some months now...but I just got on the train. Why I not more observant!? I got my first E-issue this month and am in love with several projects! Most are waiting for delivery of just the right cheery fabrics to make them spectacular.She also had a guest designer this issue, Wendy Bertello of SugarlandQuilts. Wendy contributed this cute little bookworm design. I thought it would make a nice bag for crayons and coloring books. So, in about 3 hours, it was done...and Aidan just loves it!Thought I'd spread the word...in cause y'all need some extra projects. Hugs!So, if you don't follow Jenny's blog (or get her magazine)...check it out...she is alwaysposting something cool! And check out Wendy's blog too!
