FFT #22 Block Completed for Lee

Worked some more last night to finish up the crazy patch block for Lee, in the FFT #22 round robin at CQI. Lee's block was "detained" by the postal system by a couple of weeks...causing the group some distress. Thankfully, it finally arrived...and I've been stitching away to try and get it caught up in the timeline so that Lee did not have to wait too long for her block to come home.

 The ladies before me did a wonderful job of filling up the block, not leaving a lot of work for me! I added a couple of seams and some charms...but, must have been really tired last night, because all of the photos of the seams close up are so blurred...the only really decent photo is of the silk ribbon and embroidery area that I added to the block.  So, hopefully, when the block arrives home...Lee will add more photos to her group album! It will go to the post office...with tracking!!...some time this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

FFT#22 - Cathy's Block Finished

Cathy's block is in the mail...headed to Lee for her work next. Here is the block as it left the house...don't all those men's suit fabrics just look wonderful. And, isn't Diane's fan just great (upper right). Mine is in the lower left...and here are some close-ups. Loved working on this block!

Starting at the bottom seam...some straight stitches and detached chain (lazy daisy) to create ovals. These are two sizes...with the direction set horizontal then vertical. I searched and found some silver colored little findings to add to them for some bling. Added another charm of the same style to the upper left corner of the block to provide some harmony.

Next was to finish up my vine of leaves. Added one more leaf...then some bullion flowers and seed beads. Sorry the photo is a bit blurry...must have been "wiggling" when I took this one.

Next to finish off the zigzag seam with some crystals and seed beads. Hoping that this seam helps to unit the two fans as Diane used a lot of gorgeous crystal in her work. The vine stems should also help to harmonize them as Diane also included a vine in the first fan.

Last, to add some seed beads to the white lace and ribbon flower seam. The final piece was some hand dyed lace to the center of the fan. Another tidbit of the same lace was added as a motif to the bottom right hand corner of the block to provide more harmony.

FFT#22 - Diane

Got finished with Diane's block yesterday...and here is the result.

The center is where the most work is. I tried to keep the look and feel of the countryside scene, without overpowering the muted style of the fabric colors. The chickens are partially covered in stitches. Mostly straight stitches with some detached chain (lazy daisy) stitches for the waddles; the tail feathers are fly stitch and straight stitch.

Some straight stitches to outline parts of the farm house, and the fence. The weight of threads is different of course.  Added a little bush along the fence on the left side...with tiny knots for buds/berries...which ever is your personal preference.

The left side had a little apple tree...which was just wrong in scale. It was too little to ever be bearing apples...and the apples that were on it were way too large as well. Really "bugged" me...so I changed it into a rose bush. Added some five angle prawns and french knots to the center to help bring out some color, texture, and frame in the center...without disturbing the seams too much, just in case the next person(s) might want to work there.

Last, added a hand-dyed piece of lace with a gold tone metal rooster...and love the contrast...

And a seam to the top area with lace trim, stitching, beads, and aluminum roses. I enjoyed stitching on the block...and hope that Diane will like the work. It's in the envelope and will be mailed to Lee on Monday!

How Rude Do You Think I Am???

As you know...if you follow my blog...I love to stitch crazy quilt blocks. Especially, when they are part of Round Robin challenges. Of course, in a round robin...you don't have control over the entire block...as it is not yours. But, you do have control over the part you stitch. This is the block I'm working on right now...and I'm the first person to stitch on it.

See that copper metallic jumbo rickrack in the bottom left corner?...the block owner put it there...so was on the block when it arrived. Does she like it so much that she was just jumping up and down at an opportunity to add some to this block? Or, did she just not want to send the block forward with raw edges on this specific motif, and that was the only trim in a color to match her block...so she used it? I don't know.  And, I'm not saying that it looks bad...it doesn't. Just doesn't fit MY idea of a French Countryside like the center fabric does. So...I have asked the owner if I can remove and replace it...and am awaiting for her reply. 

See this lace motif? If cut out the center...leaving only the outside edge trim...it is a perfect fit around this lovely mother hen and chicks. So, I want to swap out something already on the block...for something I think works better to balance the block in theme, color, and style. And, here's a closer look at the center...which I've been stitchin on. See the beautiful French Style country scene? I just think the lace goes better than the metallic trim...but that's my opinon only. And it's not my block. And the OWNER put the trim on there in the first place. So, I asked if I could change it...

So, how rude do you think that is? Would you ask the owner and/or prior stitcher about "removing" or "swapping" something? And, that leads me to a couple of other thoughts... Are you comfortable "adding" to someone else's previously stitched portion of the block? Like stitching some beads or embroidery on top of an unadorned lace motif? Or adding a second "combination" to a plain zigzag seam?  If not, is there an instance when you might consider it? And have you done any addition or removal before? I have...and always ask the stitcher and/or owner if I can before hand. But, am I the only lone stitcher out here that has little qualms about "touching" any part of the block when it gets to be my turn? ESPECIALLY when I'm the last stitcher before the block goes home... So, how rude am I? Go ahead, let me have it...I can take it!
ETA: My portion of the block is complete now. I'll post tomorrow photos of what the end result looks like. The owner did get back with me and she likes her rickrack, so it is staying. This is fine; as it is her block and her preference. Later on, she did say that I could change it if I really wanted too. But, it was already in the envelope ready to be mailed by then...so, the next person might ask the same question. Hugs!