A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
I've had Lorrie's block at my house for over a month. It is a bit larger than normal, but I like large blocks...so I'm okay with that. She asked for several things...and the hardest was to use some provided fabric to create 3-D butterflies out of. Since I was the last in the robin...and the other ladies smartly opted out of this request...it was up to me to give it a try.
Lorrie, I did my best...but feel free to redo every one of them if you like. It was not my "cup of tea"; even so, they do seem to be happy on the block.
I added a couple of seams...a featherstitch to echo the same style that Cathy L. put down...
and my favorite fan stitch.Mostly, I added several florals in hand dyed lace to bring tons of texture and color to the block.Then, butterflies by the bucketful...and crystals/beads for some magic.
Last was a tiny spider and her web... 
and isn't it just wonderful! Just gorgeous!Thanks go to the talented stitchers in the round robin...not to me.Huge thanks to Lorrie R., Lyn G., Meg W., and Cathy L.These ladies really did a super job with this block.Want to see some close up photos?Of course you do!
Lyn sent along two blocks for the group to work on in the Midnight Fantasy Round Robin; but, she only required that we choose one to work on.
But, you know that when I have a CQ Block in my hands...I really NEED to stitch on it! So, I decided that both blocks should be "tied together" so that they would be a unit. Well, not literally tied together..no ropes involved...just having some of the same elements.
So, large machine embroidery butterflies, large sprays of pink rose buds, tiny cloisonne' butterflies, larger plum wire ribbon roses and seams with a touch of orange was my choice.
The blocks are headed to the last person in the group to finish up before going home to Lyn in Texas.
This block also has a spray of smaller rose buds with beads below my colorful seam.
My portion of the Midnight Fantasy Round Robin block for Cathy L. is finished. I've added some ground cover floral at the "foot" of the large purple flowers...and some ants climbing up a stem. Thanks to Allie A. for "how to" on the ants!
And, because no little girl should go out at midnight without a protector...even a fairy...I've sent her along with her little Teddy. (And, if you want to learn how to do Soft Sculpture Applique, I have a class open now over at Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions).
Here's the entire finished section.It's ready to go into the mail.Also, I would like to add...if you want to participate in some really fun Round Robins, you should go to Yahoo Groups...and check out Crazy Quilting International. A great bunch of ladies!This won't mail out until the end of the month...so I can show it off to friends until then!
I'm almost done with my work on Cathy L.'s block in the round robin, Midnight Fantasy. I have a couple of little "surprises" to include...then will be ready to mail it out.Cathy included this guidance in her instructions..."...this block, along with other blocks, will be part of a wall-hanging that will glow in the dark, have leaves to lift, etc...interactive for the grand-kids..."Well, Cathy...I think that this is a great idea! And it takes the block into a whole new realm...away from traditional CQ into the ArtQuilt venue...and I love that!!Hopefully, the grand-children will spend countless hours searching for little hidden treasures all over the wall-hanging...Oh, BTW...isn't the little fairy so beautiful! Cathy stitched that area herself, before sending her block around. Didn't want ya'll to think that I stitched her...even though I'd LOVE to claim such whimsical work! Just so pretty!
This has been a quiet blog for a few days...and that's how life is sometimes. My niece has been relocating, setting up house, and just needing extra help with her little ones while all of this was happening. So, Auntie Kathy has been lucky to be snuggling with a little 4 month old for the past few days. DMIL took on the care of the 2 year old. We have both been enjoying every minute! But, little time was left for stitching...or blogging...or much else! Babies take loads of time! Now, the house is quiet again...and I'm trying to catch up!I managed to get up to speed on my TAST weeks...and will post them shortly.And, have started on the Midnight Fantasy Garden...and thought you might to like to see the start.Here is the corner I'm working on...
I like the moon!It's hard to photograph black...but my idea is to have a beaded black seam...in the background. The covered wire will become stems for a group of fantasy flowers...
Here are the leaves that I've been beading on black felt. I tried twice to get a decent photo...so, you'll just have to use your imagination some!
You know that I'm hooked on crazy quilt round robins!...They are not only addictive cause they are so much fun to stitch...but also because you get the chance to see other artists (and yes, I think of us as fiber artists)...beautiful stitching too! And, this particular round robin...titled Midnight Fantasy Garden is sure to be an inspiration! Here is my basic block...ready to send off to four of my stitching friends over at Crazy Quilting International (CQI) for their fun too! I'll post photos when it returns home. And, of course, I'll post photos of the blocks I receive to work on...and what I stitch as well! We all need inspiration! Now, a confession...I'm not sure WHAT a midnight fantasy garden would really be...so went with a dark romantic kind of setting. Really....to be completely honest with myself...my present Fantasy Garden would have trees of fried apple pies, rivers of cold sweet milk, and flowers of luscious chocolate truffles! However, I could not figure out how to stitch a basic block for that particular garden...so went with this instead. ROFL!!
