Back to an Old Project

My cyber plate is pretty full these days...with Crazy Quilt Project Journal 2012...and other "stuff". So, today...I'm just playing.

Aidan is home with her Mom...so all is quiet. Pay no attention to the fact that the floor in her bedroom looks like a convention of mischievous Leprechauns just partied in there...bits of paper, glitter, and toys everywhere! The sink is full of dirty dishes and the dishwasher is full of clean ones! And, horror of it all...my bed is still un-made! But...still...here I am...having fun! It's glorious to be your own BOSS!

 These photos are of a practice block I constructed while working on my book, Embellishing Crazy Quilts...to try out some herringbone seams.  And photos of the seams were part of the Twelve Dozen in Twelve Months Challenge. 

I decided that since all of the seams are ones from my book...I'd add some motifs from the book as well. That would complete a good example for my lectures that include the book.

Thought ya'll might like to see photos of my progress...from tracking the motifs on tissue paper, placing them where they should go...stitching the outline through the paper. 

 And, then finishing the designs. So, more to follow as I work through the block. The photos don't "line up" with the narrative...but I'm sure you can follow the progress from top to bottom....

on these rose leaves.

Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

Starting this month, we begin an annual challenge...the Crazy Quilt Journal Project. If you have enjoyed eye candy over the past few years from other artistic venues like the Bead Journal Project and the Quilt Project...this is something you don't want to miss out on!Challenge yourself to create 12-blocks next year. Strive to improve your skills and learn new techniques.The rules are simple. All skill levels can participate. You create your own project, no swapping.Go to the website and read all about itCrazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

Well, I Made It Through the Plastic...Jungle...Alive!

 Okay, this is one of those...good ideas...but the execution needs some work! In all, I'm pretty happy with outcome...considering all the trouble I made for myself with the whole idea!! But, if I do another one...it will be planned out a little better because turning plastic "inside out" is a real bear!! Here's the back...it has my reading glasses in the little pocket...and the phone will go into the bigger pocket. But, since I'm taking this photo with my phone...it can't be in the pocket right now, ha! Now, the back is not all that pretty...but looks better in person...all pink and flowery. And it will be against me...not really seen that often. And it won't be "poking me"..a very important feature! Oh, and did you notice the organizer is pink? That's so it will match my glorious BOHO bag that Pat made me...which will hold this little organizer, my Kindle, my Stitch Journal, and other must haves in the car!

Generally here's my story...and yep, I'm sticking to it!! First off, I have a Retreat coming up this month...and I need a name-tag. So, that got me to thinking about past retreats and quilting events I've attended. And, THAT got me to remembering how I am always walking around with bulging pockets full of keys, hotel key cards, money, reading glasses...and such! Mostly because I like to look and touch stuff at these events...so I usually leave my purse in the car, and only carry essentials in my pockets. Sooooo...I was thinking...what if I had a little organizer, that hung around my neck...sturdy enough to hold all of my things...but not too big to get in my way? And, what if the outside pocket was clear plastic...so it could also "double" as my name tag! Yeah, that would be so cool...I wouldn't have to pin anything to my clothing...and when I wanted to go "incognito" I could just turn the thingee over, or remove the name insert from the little plastic pocket! So, that's what started the "hot mess" with the plastic. This little organizer purse is the result of all my trouble, swearing (yep, I did!), and stomping my feet (well, not too much stomping...it's hard to get my leg lifted that high, LOL!)

Here's the main pocket. The flap has a small sterling silver jewelry toggle clasp attached to it...and the other end is attached to the front. It has enough space to let me "stuff" things into the center pocket.

The rings on the sides that hold the detachable strap...are a little large. But since I have reading glasses (i.e. for reading), and computer glasses, and stitching glasses...these serve as a good place to hang these critical tools!

 They also make a great place to hang some bling too!

And of course...can't forget the reason for the entire adventure in the first place. My name tag window!

Wednesday Wine Country Monograms - T

 

Thank You

Thanks for the great support to the new Calendar!These past few days have seemed long...I've been working to get cabochons beaded and loaded on Etsy, calendar completed/edited/published, 2nd book proof reviewed, and so many more "business" things.I just wanted to take a minute and say a big THANK YOU to all of my followers for your great comments...they make me keep creating new things when I'm too tired to even look at a needle! And thanks to all of my loyal customers at ShawklDesigns...and now ShawklDesigns on Etsy...for your continued support over the past couple of years...it has been invaluable to me! 

 

Finally! These Are Done!

My eyes are tired! But, these are now all loaded on the Etsy Shoppe, and I'm on to other projects now. Already, I'm having second thoughts about listing a couple of these...and that always happens to me! 

 After spending so much time beading them, it's hard to let them go! 

 But, I know that the new owners will enjoy them!

One Hot Mess...!!!!

Ever tried to do CQ on plastic? Well, it's not easy...and it's not pretty! I really got myself into one hot mess today. 

 At first, I thought I'd stitch with the machine...then use those needle 'holes' to re-stitch by hand...but that just did not work well. 

So, now, I'm putting trims and such down to cover my little holes...and hope to have something usable to show in a couple of days! For now, I'm taking a break!  

Free Design Booklet

Do you like to design you own CQ Seams? Here is a little design booklet that you might find helpful. It is in pdf format...and contains grids for doodling your seams. This is the cover.

And these are two of the four inside page options. 

 You can print as many of each page as you like after downloading the pdf file.Enjoy and be creative!

Free Frames

Here are some frames you might like to use in your embroidery work. Get the pdf file here.

Crazy Quilt Embellishments Calendar 2012---Available Now!!

Look what just came in the mail!! The proof for my new 2012 Calendar! It's on sale at MagCloud right now! It's very reasonably priced, especially for a 28 page calendar! Each month has a full page...so writing notes on each date is no problem! Each month has a gorgeous full-color photo or photos of crazy quilt embellishments to inspire your stitching...and I've included three additional pages of photos too. The proof looks great...the photos are large clear prints, and every stitch is detailed enough for you to clearly see (please don't point out any of my mistakes...LOL!)! Here's how the page layout appears. 

 Each month reflects all of the major U.S. holidays and the federal holidays are marked in red!  So please hop on over to MagCloud and preview your copy today!

Solution for Printing Photos...

I have not tried this...but thought you'd enjoy reading about it.  A recipe for bubblejet type solution! If it works, it could save us hundreds in special fabric print paper. (pay no attention to the fact that the post is about making bean bags...just read on).  If you try it, please post a comment and let me know what you thought of it. It might be weeks before I can get to this! LOL!

Wire Ribbon Rose Tutorial

There are several ways to do wire ribbon roses...and here is one of my methods.

Step One: Cut about 30 inches of wire ribbon. Any width ribbon will work, the wider the ribbon...the larger the rose. The photos are of wire ribbon that is about 1 3/4 inches wide. 

Step Two: Remove the wire from one side of the ribbon.

Step Three: Fold one short end of the ribbon about 1/2 inches, and roll that same end several turns to form the center of the rose. With needle and thread, take a few stitches at the non-wire side of the roll to hold the center of the flower together.

Step Four: Anchor your thread with a couple of tiny stitches. Don't cut the thread. Stitch a running stitch down the entire length of the ribbon...on the side without the wire.

Step Five: Pull the thread to gather up the rose. It will naturally start to curl and twist because of the side with the wire still intact. Fold the end of the ribbon and stitch across it. Take a few small stitches to hold the gathers in place. You can now trim your thread.

When you hold it by the end, it will look a bit like a loose Slinky style spring.

Step Six: This step is a little tricky. Hold on to the center of the rose (the rolls) and wrap the gathered part around and around the center. Don't let go of it...When you have wrapped the rose "petals" to your liking (loose or tight is a personal preference). Take a few stitches on the under-side to hold all of it into place temporarily.

Step Seven: Determine if you want any leaves around your blossum. Ribbon,velvet, or lace ones are good candidates. 

 

Step Eight: Using a small piece of foundation fabric...(I used a square of needlepoint canvas because it is coarse and will hold it's shape) place the flower and leaves on the fabric and stitch them in place. Hide your stitches within the gathers on the flower, and under it's petals for the leaves. The canvas size is about 2 inches square to begin with. This photo shows it leaning against the flower...not stitched.

 Step Nine: After stitching, trim the foundation fabric close to the stitching...so as to remove the excess.

 Step Ten: (Optional) Add artificial flower stamens by folding them and inserting them around the center fold and stitching in place. Or, include them around the center fold before you start to wrap your gathered petals around the center.

Also: Tiny flowers can be created by using about 2 ft of ribbon. Fold both ends to hide the raw edges. Stitch a running stitch down the center and gather.

These are fun to create and easy too!

I like flowers placed on lace to add even more texture. Hope you enjoy trying these!