CQJP 2015 Registration Notification

Please share this on your blog...and then go to cqjp2015.blogspot.com and register for the challenge. Photo submissions begin in January.

Details are on the CQJP2015 Blog. 

Some CQ Photos and More

What a crazy month! The past two weeks especially have been super busy!  Finished two designs for StitchMAP Hex Challenge for my cyber friend Shari. Well, technically three...but you have already seen the Owl. So the Spider Mums above and the little pair of Mushrooms below were stitched up and written...ready for her to send out to her group.

The CQBC (Crazy Quilt Basic Class) is in full swing...but not without a few problems in getting everyone on to the class blog. Why is technology so aggravating at times? But, all is well now and folks are stitching right along...we started with 74 but 3 had to drop out for medical reasons. And, most likely another six or so will do so this week because of scheduling problems...they are just having too much on their collective plates right now. So, as usual...the final class will be around 60 ladies. A very manageable size for an on-line class (IMHO).  

Finished a Wool Round Robin block and got it into the mail this morning.
I have been also de-stashing and moving a LOT of my bead, charms, and silkie prints collection OUT THE DOOR! Down-sizing and re-organizing takes way too much work! So, it's been super nuts around here of late. I'm sure the ladies in the CQBC think that I'm just a basket case waiting for the little men in white coats by this time! Tonight, I'll be wrapping Birthday presents...because my darling little Aidan turns eleven tomorrow! Can you believe it...she was just in diapers. She is the best grand-daughter and it will be great to share her special day with her and my daughter tomorrow.
ALSO...if you are a member of the HGTV Message Board...they will be shutting down all message boards on 4 November. Our new message board for members (including CQ folks like me) will be at Our Circle of Friends so go register so we can find you again...hugs!

Second Hand Crazy Quilt Supplies

Still de-stashing....working on the "treasures" hidden in the totes under the bed. Aidan is here this weekend...and she pulls them out for me to go through. First treasure...a box of printed silkie images (on poplin). An entire shoebox full. Was sure this got thrown out accidently...so glad to see it! There are about 300 images..and I've grouped them into mostly sets of two to four pieces...some more...some less. Each set is only $1.85 plus S/H. If you need silkies...this is a phenominal deal!  The other ladies that are de-stashing their studios...are offering some wonderful buttons, ribbons, trims, etc. Worth the time to check out the Facebook page for Second Hand Crazy Quilt Supplies. Most everyone accepts PayPal...so you can use your credit card with that if you like. Easy to purchase; just click on the Photo Albums...and check one out...open a photo...and begin to scroll through the album. Each photo has a description of the item and the price. Select what you want...then send a Message to the Sale Person with your email...for invoicing. Payment usually due upon receipt of the invoice. S/H is usually actual cost to mail/package the items you purchased. Most will ship overseas too.

Crazy Quilt Basic Course

Welcome to all who have successfully registered. The Registration is Now Closed. The next course will be offered in late January 2015. Hugs,  

Crazy Quilt Basic Course Registration Open 8-12 October...FREE Class!

Registration for the CQBC is now open! This is a free on-line course.
The Crazy Quilt Basic Class (CQBC) includes detailed instruction on:
-- piecing the class block
-- principles of design
-- creating straight uniform seams with templates
-- stitching several silk ribbon flowers
-- adding lace motifs and charms
-- and using beads

Sounds simple, but there is a lot of information in these modules. You will need a decent printer and a pack of paper.

This class gets great reviews. Even ladies that have been doing crazy quilt round robins for a while tell me that even they learned something new in the class. Everyone is required to finish the CQBC, to include posting a photo of their finished project, BEFORE they can register in any other courses. This is because the other classes do not "re-cover" the material presented in the basic class. So, you have to know how to complete these tasks first. And, for ME to know that you do...you have to finish this Basic Course with me.   Registration will be open until midnight CST on 12 October 2014.   Here are the supplies that you will need for the class...so you can begin to gather supplies:   SUPPLY LIST pdf You can substitute pastel solid or small print fabrics for the neutral if desired. No mediums and no dark fabrics. You can substitute the shades of silk ribbon with

3 yards of 4mm green; 3 yards of 4mm white; 3 yards of 7mm pink; and 3 yards of 7mm purple if you want to save some money...but the block will not be as interesting.

Everyone will get handouts for the class beginning on Monday, after registration has closed. Students will be taking the class at a different blog address, and instructions will be given in the handouts on how to get to that site. You must have a working knowledge of how to read email and view a blog. I'll give you picture instructions on how to do the other tasks needed...and they are not difficult.

So, to register: EMAIL me your name, mailing address, phone (if in USA), and email you wish to use for this class. Send this info to shaw.kathy@yahoo.com...and put CQBC Registration in the subject line please...thank you.

If you have questions, I'd be happy to answer them...and email is the fastest way to reach me.

 

Want a Bargain? Want to De-Stash?

If so, check out this facebook site...   Second Hand Crazy Quilt Supplies What you have excess of can become new stash for someone else. I'm letting go of a lot...and getting new things that I need more. If I could just find a way to actually SORT through all the stuff I have to decide what to sale...my craft room looks like someone turned it upside down and shook it! Shook it hard!

Ribbon Colors

Have you even wondered what a purple ribbon means? We see pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness; Black Ribbons for Mourning; Yellow Ribbon for Missing Loved Ones...but what about other colors. Today, I came across a great piece of information...and it is in a printable version for color printers. (scroll to the bottom of the page). Ribbon Colors Thought you might find this information interesting and want to print a copy for yourself.

Giftee Idea

Wow, where has this week gone!?! My friend Pam asked me for this pattern...it is one of those on my Craftsy page...but thought I'd also post it today as a freebie to my blog followers.  

It's a wee wallet that I carry every day instead of a purse. My cards and money tuck in very nicely so just perfect for a quick run into the store.   

Keys in one blouse pocket and this mini-wallet in the other...and I'm in and out in a flash!  

The pattern also has a checkbook cover included. It usually stays in my purse...back in my office. But, at times...the purse and ALL my "stuff" will make a trip too.   And, when it get's dirty (like mine is now)...just empty the contents and toss it into the wash, if you have used washable fabrics. Here's the link to download the pattern:   Rose and Lilac Wallet &Checkbook Cover
If you don't want to do hand embroidery on the front...use a bit of machine embroidery instead...or just a pretty fabric.

Printing Embroidery Patterns to Fabric

This has been a real work week of writing and editing classes for myself and for StitchMAP...and I'm battling another week of insomnia...so sleeping strange hours. Honestly, not getting much stitching done. But, there are a couple of classes coming up in the next few weeks that I have to get stitched, photographed, and written for StitchMAP. So, thought I'd get one of them traced on to my fabric and started. But, when I taped the pattern to the light table...it has so many tiny little lines, close together...that I just didn't have the energy (motivation) to want to even get started. So, instead...I decided to print the pattern right on the fabric.  

I began by spraying starch on the fabric...getting it good and wet. Pressed it until it was nice and flat and dry. I'm using cotton fine weave linen (...but have used cotton batik in the past with great success too). Then, I cut a piece of Freezer Paper (wax side/paper side) about 10 x 12 and pressed it to the back side of my linen.   

Then, I used my quilter's 12"-square ruler and trimed the linen/paper sandwich...first on the top/side edges...

...then the other two side until it was a perfect 8.5 x 11.0 size for my printer. I loaded it into the ink jet printer paper tray (linen side down...because that's the way my printer works)...and now have a printed fabric sheet to embroidery.

Next, peel off the waxed Freezer paper from the linen fabric.

I added a piece of fusible interfacing to the back to stabilize the thin linen for this project.

And hooped...and am ready to stitch!   So, if you have a decent inkjet printer...and a small enough project to fit a standard size of printer paper...and enough "extra" to sacrifice in trimming...you might like this quick method of getting an electronic pattern to the fabric. If your pattern has Logos or such that you don't want printed...you have to crop those out of the picture...or scan the pattern with these parts covered up with typing paper to get them "off" before you print. Since I created this pattern for the class..I could drop out all of the parts I didn't not need...like the leaves.

Postal Goodies...

Don't you just love the little surprise that come from the postman? I mean the good ones...not the bad ones (like bills due each month). Even if I know something is coming...because I ordered it...it still lifts my spirits a bit when it arrives. Like a tiny little Christmas Morning feeling as I walk back up my steps...anticipating the fun I'm about to have at seeing the contents. That's the way I felt a couple of days this last week. The above pattern and pretties came from Janet at Vintage Vogue. I've been wanting to do this hat for a few years now actually, and it might be a few more before I actually do it...but at least now I'm closer to starting the project because I at least have the pattern.  Also got some glorious ribbons and threads and can't wait to stitch with these. Janet has the best stuff!  

Then, I got a surprise envelope...from my friend NickiLee. Some of her gorgeous hand painted/dyed laces from her shoppe RavioleeDreams! They were send by my secret sister...who contacted Nicki and ordered them. Wasn't that a cool gift idea from her! My secret sis is just the bestest!  

The postman also brought me two international envelopes this week...both from special new friends in my crazy quilt classes. Linda B. is from Canada, and send me some hand-made crochet and tatted pieces that she made!   

She has great talents with the tatting needle (which I don't have) and crochet hook. She is also sent some pretty little beads for me to work with.  

The last little envelope is from Pippa P. in the United Kingdom. She also does beautiful tatting work...and I'm so envious of her talents!   

Her family has done needlework for generations...and she sent me three pieces of lace done by her Great Aunt...can you imagine! 

  These are so delicate and the thread is teensy like sewing thread...just outstanding work. Not what we see today...and I'm just flabbergasted and honored that she would entrust me with a bit of this. It is just gorgeous lace.  AND, just after first writing this post...the mailman delivered some pretty charms and seed beads from my friend Mary B. in Texas. I'm going to have fun with these too! So, I've had a wonderful week of surprises from the postman. Oh, and also got my 2015 CQ Calendar this week..and two new books..so, am going to be enjoying some eye candy in print too this weekend! Hope you had some good news and little surprises in the mail this week too.

CQJP 2015 is around the corner....

It's time for It's time for me to begin the planning for the next Crazy Quilt Journal Project Challenge.... Registration will open this November...and I'm open to any idea you might have to "tweek the challenge".   I have some ideas of my own.... -- changing the block size -- requireing a specific shape --including patterns to use as an option   So I'd love to hear your ideas before establishing the rules for this next year.   Just email your ideas to me...or include a comment below if you prefer.   I can't promise I will use all of them...but I will consider all of them in my final decisions.   Hugs!  

Thank You to Phyllis and Anna

The postman delivered this beauties to me yesterday afternoon...aren't they so pretty!  

My pal Phyllis sent them to me...and she did them in all these colors! Wow...she really surprised me. She told me she was sending me a few butterfies...and I thought "Oh, I love butterflies...expecting to get a card with 4 or 5 butterflies...not an entire field full of butterfles. I was doing the happy dance when I opened her envelope! Had to phone and tell her how happy they made me.  

Then, my sister showed up this morning with these ribbons. Spools and spools of satin, growgrain, cotton, and some poly too I think. Hundreds and hundreds of yards!  

These were obvious ends from a mill run...as they are on wooden spools. One says "Talbott" on the end...so perhaps from past clothing items for the Talbot brand.  

Here are some of the bunched up ends that came off the spools...They will need a pressing with the iron before use...but that is for another day. And, the best part...they were free to me! It sure is nice to have friends and family that help support my "habit". Ha!  

More Organization...and Bargains Too...

Last week, I shared the tapestry pill box (bead organizer) I received from Miles Kimball. I had also ordered a tapestry zipper double eyeglass case...that was backordered.  

 It arrived this week and I'm so happy with it. Look at all the room! The cost is very reasonable at 12.99 for a zippered case. My sunglasses are huge...and the other side holds two reading glasses. I like the elastic bands that hold things in place...and there is a mirror (yikes, scared myself!)...and a little net pocket on the divider. And, I tested it...it closes completely with all of these in there.

Think organizer...and you could pack a few things into this little case! I also think that eyeglasses on one side, keys on the other...credit card and drivers license in the pocket....Viola...mini purse!   

Look at all the supplies that were in there!   

THEN...as if organization was not enough this week...I got some cool bargains at my Dollar General store today!  

 These dish towels were 4 for $5...a great buy. One brown one will be "saved" to be used for teddy bear fur...and look at the ribbon that the bundle was tied with! It is so soft...and all cotton. I'm thinking I can make woven roses with this!      These are men's handkerchiefs...not fancy, but wonderful cotton linen fabric. The size is huge at 16 x 16...and being cotton I can dye them any color I want! I'm using these for embroidery backgrounds...and at $2.50 for FOUR of them...I got four packages...16 handkerchiefs. I wanted them all but then thought of that poor man who really might need a handkerchief but could not find one...because I bought all 20 packages!...so left with four...might go back tomorrow. I mean, he only needs one package...so I could get 15 more packages...ha!  

 Lastly, I needed pony tail holders...these were also $2.50 and I got ten in the package...a good deal in itself. But I can only use nine of them because one will be cut to remove this wonderful black crystal filled rose slide! It belongs on a CQ Block...not in my hair. Again, I should have bought them all...and that's a second reason to go back tomorrow! Ha!
So, walk around your local "dime store" and look at everything...you'd be surprised what you might find!

Coming up roses...

 

  This might be a rose you remember...as it is a couple of years old. This was done for an SRE journal. The ribbon for the rose is 13mm bias cut silk ribbon with 7mm silk ribbon for the leaves.  

  Yesterday I stitched it again with 7mm silk ribbon for the rose and 4mm for th leaves. It is one of the silk ribbon flowers in my Intermediate CQ Class...and I needed to re-write that module. Thought all of you might enjoy the photos.   The turning shades of the grass and leaves (getting a bit "yellow" looking around here) have reminded me that roses are soon to be a thing of the past for this year...as more rain and cold weather begins to drop down into the southern states soon. Some years, it's freezing to go out at Halloween! Roses are my favorite flower to photograph and admire...and I miss them every year beginning about now. Good think we can stitch up a reminder whenever we want!