Nicki's Mermaid Block

Isn't this a pretty block! Well, it is not mine...although I did help stitch on it. The block belongs to NickiLee (lucky gal!) and was worked on by several pals over on the HGTV Message Board group. It's been in the works for many, many months...but is finally back home and looking gorgeous. Want to see some closeups? Of course you do!  

You might recognize the two beaded mermaids (left and right sides of the block)...  

  as those are my own contribution to the block...and you've seen them before.  Did you notice the beaded cabochon? Really, it's a beaded...chandelier crystal. The silkies have been painted by Carolyn, she did the center one too.  

I don't know why these photos are flipping sideways...very annoying. Here are some more closeups of the block for you to enjoy.

Pretty huh? Yep, I agree!

More CQ Round Robins begin...

Last week, I got some crazy quilt basic blocks constructed and mailed off for two new round robins.

Fans will be a do-it-yourself-block of 6" size. There are five ladies in the robin, with me making six. I created six blocks, and each of the ladies will embellish one block all by themselves. Can't wait to see what they do with the "fan" theme!

Encrusted is the next block theme. For it, I created a large block of different upholstery weight fabrics. I'm thinking that the block needs to be extra sturdy to hold all of the stitching and 'stuff' that encrusting a block entails. It's a bit different than my usual blocks, but I really love it. After all the stitching, I'm also thinking that bits of the upholstery designs will 'peek out' and just increase the movement of the block design. Hope I'm right.

Second Winter/Christmas Block Done

The center of this little six inch block is so large, it didn't take much time to complete the embellishments for this block. It is obvious that the block's owner liked the poinsettia fabric well enough to want the entire flower bloom showing on the block...therefore, I decided not to cover it up with any thing else. Instead, I (hopefully) enhanced it by over-stitching the petals and adding beads to the center.  

  After that, the three seams were stitched and beaded. Echoing the theme of the block meant using silk ribbon poinsettias as one of the seam treatments.  

Center of CQ Piece Done...maybe

Okay, I know that when you look at this...you are most likely gonna say "what does she mean, Maybe?...you couldn't fit anything else in this!". Yes, this is an encrusted piece...so it has a lot going on in it. But, well, my muse wants to add some snails and ants and who knows what else. I'm resisting...but in the end...I usually give in...so maybe there will be other changes. If so, they will be minor.   

  Also, the blocks are still in the frame because I have yet to decide what type of border to put on them. I'm leaning towards framing the piece...but my muse wants a dyed lace border. Either (or some other idea entirely) will take more time...so, for now...the project will be put aside until I/We make up our minds.  

If you've been following along...you might remember that the very, very beginning of this project was not a project really at all. It was a 6" block round robin over at HGTV Message Board. The ladies did a very nice job of completing four blocks. One of the blocks I have kept aside as a label for a different project. Three of the blocks are included here, or at least parts of them. And a blank block that had not been worked was completed entirely (the upper right one above).

 

  Now, you might be someone that "doesn't touch" other folks work...but, I'm not that way. While I certainly appreciate very much what someone else stitches for me...it is not always a good "fit" for a project once I decide what to do with my returned round robin blocks. Especially, when I decide to combine several blocks into one single block...then, what looks great on a single block might not work well with the other "partner blocks"...and has to be removed or altered. That is what happened here.  

  So many additional elements are included in this project...that the three ladies that helped by stitching the upper left, lower left, and lower right blocks might not even recognize their original seams or motifs.   

  I've included the Full Block, the Upper Left, Upper Right, Lower Left, and Lower Right in this post in that order.   

  And the remaining photos are some closeups for your enjoyment (hopefully).   

So, here's a question for you: "When you receive round robin blocks back...do you ever alter them to suit your own taste or project needs? Or do you keep them 'as-is' even though you would rather have something different on them? Or do you leave them 'as-is' and stack them back somewhere...because you don't want to alter someone else's stitching?  

As the owner of the block...I have no qualms about changing any block received. Obviously, as you can see from these photos. My personal feeling is that the person creating the stitching put their best effort to it, and I enjoyed seeing what their vision was and how they approached the block. Often, I'm even inspired by what others have done. But, if I'm going to put the blocks to use...and I own them...and I am the person to view them for years to come...then I want them to fit my style, vision, purpose, etc. So, I change whatever I want. That doesn't mean I didn't appreciate the blocks beginnings...just that I want it to evolve to something I'd enjoy even more.  

How do you feel and treat round robin blocks you receive?  

  Sending hugs out to you today!

Erma's Block is Ready for the Mailman

My portion of this block for Erma is the center tree and the left bottom corner seams and silk ribbon work. I also added a few butterflies and beads here and there to finish out some areas. It has been a fun monochromatic round robin over at HGTV Message Boards and I hope we do another robin soon.  

Kayla's Block

I've been working these past few days (when time allowed) on a round robin block for Kayla. Here are the photos. I'm trying to get used to this new phone from Verizon...and uploading the pictures. The phone is an iPhone4 and has some great features, and takes great photos...but, it does not accept a micro card like my last phone...so I'm having to connect the phone via a cable and download one at a time...it is cumbersome. I'm sure that there is a faster way..and I'll find it...but, for now...I'm struggling!  

  Mary stitched before me. She included the spiderweb, feather stitch plant, some seam trim, and cute little seams as well. My seams tend to be larger, but I think that things are "melting together" pretty nicely so far. Next, Erma works her magic to finish up the block.

There were more images...but they are too blurry to make out. I have to get "re-trained" on this phone camera! Hugs!

 

HGTV Round Robin - First Round Completed

All of the buttons and beads are now sewn on Mary's block...the first of a Round of Robins I'll be working on over the next couple of months. Mary wanted a nautical type theme...so the cluster of buttons, beads, and charms were something I knew that I wanted to do. To balance all of that "stuff" the seam opposite the cluster has large glass flower beads added...except, these beads are up-side-down. Why? Because they look a bit like starfish when they are turned over, and fit the theme pretty well...and were the perfect color. The applique sailboat and dolphin were done first...then I added a second smaller little applique sailboat to look like a distant image...and it filled in a little blank space very nicely. The little seaturtle charm makes a transition for the eye to travel from all those buttons/beads over to the seam treatment...and hopefully around the block once the other ladies have had a chance to stitch more seams and motifs as the block travels around. Here are some closeups for you...as I know how important it is for us to really be able to see the work done on these crazy quilt projects. I hope a little something will help or inspire you in your work as well. And, if you don't like something...that's okay...we all have different tastes and ideas. Hugs!

HGTV Round Robin Continues - Sailboats & Dolphin Finished

A little tiny sailboat was also added to the mix of applique & embroidery sailboat and dolphin. The seams are almost done and the mermaid cabochon added. Next, I'm adding shells, buttons, and beads clustered and trailed long the bottom of the block. I'm thinking "sea floor" so there might be a little anchor in the mix as well! It might take a couple of days to get all those beads stitched down, but...here is where I am right now.  I like the applique with embroidery accents more and more when I look at this block, and think that I'll be doing some other blocks with this technique too!   You can click the photo to enlarge it so you can see the stitching around the dolphin and boat. Now, doesn't that add some more interest to the monochromatic type theme? I'm thinking so.....
   

Monochromatic Round Robin - Mary's Block Update 2 - Plus Free Designs

It is a rainy (still) day and Aidan just left to go back home. School is out in two weeks, and I'm so looking forward to her return for a few days. I managed to get a little stitching done yesterday on Mary's block...so now, you can at least see the dolphin amongst the other fabrics. I decided to go with traditional applique...then outlined the dolphin in stem stitch...and added some swirls on the inside in back stitch. The embroidery work helps to add more contrast and interest since the fabric color has to match the background block...for the monochromatic theme.  

Here's the design if you's like to download and keep for your possible future use.  

And, here's the same idea in the form of a cat. Just for fun! I think these would be good worked in beads too. Of course, you know I'd think that!  

Monochromatic Round Robin - Mary's Block Update 1

Today, I took off the lace/bead trim that Mary has placed on the block (with her approval), so I would have more room to put my sailboat...lace water waves...and dolphin. All of these will get some embroidery accents to help increase the texture and contrast.  

The little dolphin is almost invisible right now, but...he won't be when I'm done. Hugs....the fun is beginning!

Monochromatic Round Robin - Mary's Block Begins

My friend Colleen, is hostess for a monochromatic round robin over at the HGTV Message Board group. I'm in a group with three other lovely ladies...and Mary's block is the first one I have received to work on. It's an interesting blank block...which doesn't exactly fit the monochromatic style perfectly since some of the blue/green fabrics have some very obvious yellow in them. My first step on working a robin is to gather ideas and supplies. Mary has requested a beachy type of block...so I hunted the internet for simple ideas that could be good inspirations for embroidery work. I found a starfish, sand dollar, sail boat, and surf board/palm tree. These are not the correct scale or the final idea...but are enough to get my muse a thinking! So, stay tuned and see what my muse and I finally decide to do...because right now, I'm not sure at all what that will be. The block and the supplies need to sit and mingle and see what the final combination brings.  

Edited to Add: Here's an updated photo with beads added to the design "pile of stuff". And...pay no attention to the cream/pink strawberry pincushion...it was in my hand with I started pulling beads and charms. I laid it down and forgot about it...until I saw it in my photo! Geez...where is THAT Keeper!!