Pretty Fairy Silkies

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.    

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!

A Moment of Silence Please...

My Janome 5700 "may" have stitched it's last stitch this week. She has been making a grinding kind of sound for the past few weeks. The repair guy said it sounded like a bearing was going out perhaps. But, last Saturday...she turned herself off without any warnings or strange sounds...and refused to turn back on. The repair guy said that sounds like a blown board...and that could cost several (as in 7-8) hundred dollars to fix. So, my nephew (Brady's dad) has her now to break-down and see if he can get her to start working again. Even though he is a trained high-voltage electrician...he is the family "electronics" fixit guy. He has worked on several of our televisions and computers that have seen better days...We shall see if he can resuscitate my little sewbaby or not. For now...I've pulled out my old trusty Pfaff 1469 which I purchased at the Post Exchange in Germany way back in 1983-5 when we were stationed overseas. It has been banged around in several military moves...but still has a pretty stitch. The presser foot lever doesn't work perfectly to lower...but I can push it down all the way with my finger...so that will have to do for now.  

  I'm gonna miss my Janome 5700 however...it was a workhorse...and the machine that I taught Aidan to sew on...with the help of several things to bring the foot-petal up to meet her short legs at the time. Hard to believe that she can use the petal flat on the floor now...time sure does fly!    So, a moment of silence please...for my little sewing pal...and all the other great sewing machines that we have had over the years that have been good partners in creativity. Her last task was to piece the four CQ blocks together that I'm still plugging along on. Finishing up the connecting seams and adding more beads, etc to the CQ 4-block wallhanging. Sewing on beads takes some time...But, I'm almost done..and hope to finish the block portion today. The borders will require some lace dying I'm thinking...but not sure yet about them. When the stitching is finished on the center blocks, I'll get some closeup photos for y'all. Also will allow me to test out a new camera gifted to me by my SIL...and hope to get clear close ups with it later on today or tomorrow morning when the last beads go on. So, more on that later...hope y'all are having a great day so far!
Edited to add: If you are looking for a sewing machine, you might be interested in this post from DoYouSew. about a "starter" machine.  

Embroidered Laundry Label

Yesterday, I made more laundry soap. I had give away ALL of the earlier batch I made...and now, my sisters, Mom, nieces can all get into the fun of creating their own (very inexpensive) laundry detergent. The batch I made for me...is stored in a re-cycle container of baby powder formula (these are starting to stack up...and are so neat that I hate to throw them away). So, I decided to use them to organize things...and for detergent etc. But, how to keep them from getting confusing? I decided to use a general idea from my friend Jenny of Elefantz...and create a wrap for the container. Each purpose will have it's on "label".  

  I searched the internet for "laundry embroidery design" and got tons of photos of prior projects and ideas...and liked this little vintage duck. So, I added him to some basic words...and will create my wrap from this basic design.  

When finished...sometime next week probably...I'll show you the final result.  

Finished Block One

The beads have been added...and block one of the four-block set have been completed. Now, to add some beads and stitching to the others to help them "play together" nicely. When, they are joined I'll be back to show you the entire set "re-visited".  

HGTV CQ Project

Last year (has it really been that long?) several ladies joined in a round robin of 6-inch blocks. It was a Do-It-Yourself robin...meaning that we each pieced several blank blocks...and each person stitched on a single block to complete it. Here is the original post.  

This week, I decided to work on the last block for myself and to update/change the other blocks to make sure all would blend together into a single wall hanging. Here is the block with all the seams stitched. The top photo added the silk ribbon flowers to the center. Next, the beading will be done to accent the seams and the silk flowers.  

Embroidery Instructions on your Iphone or Ipad?

My Aussie pal Arlene (and son) have been working diligently these past few months on an Application for the Iphone or Ipad. Embroidery stitches with how-to instructions...isn't that a super cool idea?  And to celebrate the pending launch of her free application (working with Apple right now, so no launch date yet)...she is having a drawing for her blog readers. So, if you are interested in possibly winning her giftee (international shipping is fine with her)...and/or just want to check out the specifics of her Application...please check out Arlene's blog. And, please send along a HUG from Shawkl too when you visit!  

Daisy Monogram - C

The "C" is done in blanket stitch. Frankly, this stitch is probably one of my least favorite stitches...and I need to overcome that by using it more. Therefore, I felt that the gentle curve of the letter "C" would be a best canditate for using this stitch. And, by the end...I was enjoying the stitching a wee bit more...but have not yet "fallen in love" with it yet! Hugs!  

  The daisies are done is double detached chain stitches. Simple as can be!  

  Here's the layout design for you. Enjoy!    

CQJP Blocks - May/June

Today, I finished up two more blocks on my shower curtain project. These, and about a dozen more circles will become a new shower curtain for my bath. Each circle is stitched/beaded based on one of the seams in my Embellishing Crazy Quilts Workbook.

These circles are six inches each. Others are also larger or smaller to create the entire project. Not sure if I'll be done at year's end...as I have a stack of circles still to embroidery...so this year's Crazy Quilt Journal Project might have to encompass next year's project too!
These two circles contain seams #10, #12, #18, #31 and #47. Changes might have been made to the original seam design to fit such a small circle's space limitations. These will be my May and June entries for the CQJP2013 Challenge.

Piddling...

For some reason, this week has just flown by! And, my needlecrafts have been mostly little piddling things while the baby was sleeping. Piddling is just like doodling...except you do it with a needle and thread...instead of pencil and paper! Ha!   

  No pattern, no real design plan, just stitch whatever comes to your mind. I decided to use some scrapes of felt and the threads, beads, ribbon that was just laying on my work table to cover some bits of wood. Not at all sure what to do with these now that they are done. Well, the roses still need a smidge of ribbon glued around the edge to be done....but, close enough for posting.  

  Today, I'm off to clean up my sewing area some...as it is a cluttered mess!

Thanks Kayla, Mary, and Erma

My monochromatic block returned home yesterday from the HGTV Message Board round robin...and the ladies did a really fine job! Isn't it just pretty? Thanks again to Kayla, Erma, and Mary!

Daisy Monogram - B

The "B" is embroidered with Fly-Stitches. The small daisies are bullion knots (eight wraps) done in sz-5 perle cotton. The large daisy is done in Straight Stitches that cross in the center. I then tacked the center a couple of times and added more straight stitches between the pattern layout lines at about 2/3 the length of the main ones. Each Staight Stitch has a French Knot at the end. The leaves are done in Detached Chain Stitch.  

  This is the overall design.  

  This is the layout for tracing.    

This is just too cool for words!

Seriously, it is! Doesn't this just look good enough to just sit down and eat the entire bowl?!?  

  Well, don't.....cause it's not cake icing...it's laundry detergent! Okay, here's the deal "I do not make soap or do any really great "savings" kind of tricks...but, this weekend I found a great website. It is chocked full of wonderful tips and cost busting ideas. The site is Budget101 and I joined just to read about there Super Laundry Sauce which was supposed to be enough to wash 128 loads of laundry...and cost less than $2.00 Seriously, have you seen the cost of laundry detergent!! Outragious! So, I wanted to give this a try...but, also had to make a few changes.  I encourage you to go to the site and check out the original recipe and read all of the comments and chat about the "sauce". It is free to join the site. International folks might not find the exact ingredients that we use in the states...but surely you can find some alternatives. Anyway...here is my recipe and how I put it together to create 2 quarts of creamy laundry detergent...and you only use 1 tablespoon per medium/large load of clothes (or 2 tablespoons for oversize loads or extra oil/grease based laundry). This is a non-suds recipe...so you won't see loads of bubbles...but the soap is doing the job! Don't increase your amount or you might have issues in rinsing all the soap out of your clothes! Hugs!  

  RECIPE 1/2 bar of Fels Napha Soap 1 1/2 cups of boiling hot water 1/2 cup of hot water 1 cup of Twenty MuleTeam Borax 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda   You will need two quart size jars with tight fitting lids. It is okay to recycle old spagetti sauce or mayonnaise jars...or use canning jars with lids/rings.   STEP ONE: Grait or finely chop up the Soap. (I just cut mine into about 1/4 inch chunks...but think that grading would be even better.) Put soap into one of the jars and cover with the boiling water. Let this set for at least ten hours...longer is fine. Here's how it looks after ten hours.  

  STEP TWO: Loosen the soap mixture from the bottom of the jar by breaking it up with a spoon/fork/etc and pour the mixture into your stand mixing bowl. Using the wire wisk attachment (or beaters for a standard mixer) and low speed...begin to cream the soap/water solution. Once it starts to combine well (looks like cream cheese) then increas the mixer speed to medium.   STEP THREE: Add the cup of Borax and continue to mix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on medium high for about 3 minutes or until creamy without any noticable lumps.   STEP FOUR: Add the cup of Washing Soda and continue to mix.    STEP FIVE: Slowly add the 1/2 cup of hot water (just let the tap run for a few minutes) and whip until fluffy like whipped cream....about 3 minutes.   STEP SIX: Spoon the finished "Laundry Cream" into two quart jars. If you have extra and I had about a cup too much for the jars...just put that into a bowl for the next few loads of wash this week (cover the bowl with plastic wrap). Keep the jars sealed tight and the laundry cream will last for months!

  STEP SEVEN: Use an old Tablespoon measuring spoon and place a level scoop of the Laundry Cream into your load of wash. Do not put into the dispenser...put directly on the clothes. (I just load my washer (top load) and start the water...then the spoon of laundry cream goes under the water and it washes out my spoon. Dry off the spoon on some dry laundry and put it away)) Think I'll tie a ribbon around my spoon and jar to keep them together. :)   You will have enough ingredients to make two batches with the purchase of one bar of soap. I decided to purchase 3 bars of soap because I didn't want a lot of extra Washing Soda and Borax on hand. So, with 3 bars...I didn't want to make an extra trip just for soap for a long time! These will be enough for me to create soap for my family as well. I have enough supplies to make the recipe six times (Thats 12 quarts of laundry cream)!! Here is my cost yesterday at Walmart for enough laundry soda for about 350 loads of laundry...   3 bars of Fels Naptha - $2.91 (.97 each) Washing Soda - $3.24 Borax - 3.38 TOTAL: $9.53   OR about 3-Cents per load of laundry!   Woot! Woot!    Edited to Add: Well, I've done laundry all day...and everything looks and smells wonderful! I even threw in the dog's bedding and blankets...and they are clean and fresh! So, I can earnestly say that this mixture works at cleaning laundry really well and does not leave any kind of "yucky" smell behind. Just fresh and clean smelling! And, my laundry is caught up for the week!    

Beaded Hat Pins

To relax last night...I got out some glorious Swarvoski crystal elements and other beads and made these hatpins. I love working on beaded objects as it satisfies the need for bling in my life! These will be a beautiful addition to a velvet pin cushion...but, I'll have to make one as all of my current PCs are full of sewing pins! Do you ever make hatpins?   Updated to add: I went and looked...and Firemountain Gems does still carry hatpins (search for stickpins). The closure at the bottom are seperate so you have to order those too. They also have the "sweater pins" discussed in one of the comments as well. Just info for you...just in case you want to try these beauties yourself!   Edited to add: The beads are placed on the hatpin and a drop of E-6000 glue holds them in place. Hugs!  p.s. I've also done this with straight pins...and they make a great little addition to special pin cushions. Especially when I make the pin cushion as a gift for someone...just adds that extra touch! If you want to learn more about the different types of straight pins available check out this post on DoYouSew.