A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
Got my white block done for April, although it looks gray...hard to photograph white with a cellphone I guess.My challenge to myself for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project is to work ONLY in white. And, it is really getting to be a bore for my muse...so, the challenge is also to just keep stitching! I pieced all of my blocks at the beginning of the year, with a lot of lace pieces...and am wishing that I had not done that now. It's hard to incorporate so much lace in such a small space...but, then...that too is a challenge. And, that's the "name of the game" for this...to challenge ourselves in different ways...while completing twelve crazy quilt blocks throughout the year. So, I'll keep plugging away...and learning new things each month...even if those new things are about my self...and not new stitches! 
Admittedly it is not my favorite thing to do. But, sometimes...it is necessary. Here is a star block completed yesterday It is one of Carol Doak's 50 Fabulous Stars.
But, what I really wanted to share with you is the idea/fact that these stars can be used as "portions" and not just as whole blocks. They are pieced in 4 units...which can be treated as individual elements. Here is the same block...or half-block really...with alternating directions. It makes a pretty effective border treatment I think.
Some day, perhaps, I'll get around to completing the paper pieced Indian Orange Peel quilt that I bought foundation papers for...years ago!
The pattern is by Karen K. Stone...who has a new book out too...and it is on my wish list!
Here's my funky chicken for April. I'll start putting these together into rows soon.
GIVE-A-WAYCheck out this Fabulous Give-a-Way. But, don't enter...I don't need the competition! Seriously, I want to win! Okay, what are friends for...go ahead...enter. And, check out the website too!You might have noticed that I'm not carrying Czech Glass Buttons on my Etsy site any more...or my beaded cabochons. Well, that's because Crazy Quilting Supplies is now carrying them. This has freed up a lot of time for me to design classes, teach, and stitch...and I'm so thankful for that.Now, if they will only carry my lovely little clay/porcelain roses...I would be so content! Perhaps, I should start a petition?
so, we just spent the last two hours covering all of the new plants in the garden. It looks like some sort of tent city along the fence...with the sheets and extra fence posts making cover for the row of corn. And, extra plastic bags and newspaper make cover for the okra, tomatoes, beans, squash, and cucumber plants.Every year...it seems...we do this. It's almost become a family tradition!
Here are the roses in bloom...
thought you might like to see them too.
Aidan's garden needs some work...so I'm not showing the bottom...but she in out of school next week, so Nana has plans! Ssshhh...she doesn't know about that yet.
Okay, a few things... 1) Don't sent me yours...I'm sure to collect enough all on my own. Thanks.2) Yes, I am weird...and believe me I already know that...so please don't remind me, cause reminders just give my muse something to talk about..and she already has enough to wag her tongue about. 3) The really strange thing is...I woke up from a little nap with THIS idea...yes, I know...this is what my brain thinks of when I'm sleeping! How scarey is THAT!
Here is the newly designed paper roll...now with a piece of contact paper attached...and beautiful silk ribbon! See the tub of ribbon that needs organizing...THIS will be my method.And, in case you are wondering how long this will take...I also collect cardboard sleeves from wrapping paper and paper towels. Yes, it is true...I am truly mad! Wahaahaahhahah!Do you use old cardboard sleeves for anything?Just wondering...as I might have a lot and need to do something with them?No, I'm not going to show you my gift wrapping rolls in the hall closet...just imagine them....hugs!
The set of blocks is finished for the HGTV 6-inch Block Set Round Robin. One of the six is to be completed by the owner...so I decided to go ahead and start on mine. I already posted about the stitching, and now have finished the beading and silk ribbon work. So, it is ready to go along with the five blank blocks...to the next person in the rotation.Here are some close-ups so you can see the specific beads and silk flowers...and such.
As you can probably see, the block has three primary floral clusters...each made of clay, porcelain, and silk roses...and silk or glass leaves. Some random crystals and pearls are added in. All the seams have also had beads and/or sequins added as well.
Yea! Look what came yesterday! The Stitch Journals!Some of these will be going out in the mail today...thanks for your patience! I'm sending them all priority mail...so you don't have to wait any longer.Hugs to all!
I already showed you the size blocks made for the round robin on HGTV...didn't I. Well, here they are again just to remind you.
And, I could not help but start stitching on one of the set before mailing. Here is the block after lace and basic embroidery. I'm working on beads now, and will show you that when complete. Here are some closeups of the seams.
All of the blocks are 6 inches square.
We don't see much fuchsia around here...but I love to look at pictures. Such a delicate and pretty flower. Here is my rendition...as my second Silk Ribbon Embroidery journal page.
So, it joins the Rose...and I'm loving this process. I can really concentrate on a single flower...and can use glorious 13mm size ribbon...which I love!
Hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday today...mine was great! Breakfast with my daughter and granddaughter and spend a good part of the day with Mom. I stitched and she cooked...she wanted to do chicken and dressing...and I did not argue with her! It was tasty!Then, she asked me to go back to Family Dollar and get her two boxes..."like you got yesterday". Ha! I knew she could not resist!So, off I went in search...and got the last two! AND, look what else I found while there! The little chests are just adorable, and I love the trash can too. There was a larger one, which would be great with towels rolled up inside...or fabric! But, I settled on the smaller one. I'm thinking that it is small enough to fit behind my machine, and catch all of my strings and such.Treasures...just treasures!
Well, first off...my muse and I actually agreed on something today! Two things....first, we hate yard sales!...not going to them, Having Them! And, actually WE didn't have one...my sister and sister-in-law did...in my (Mom's) front yard. I didn't even help out...and I'm just tired from walking around all day! My muse is just upset because she didn't get anything done..and none of the clothes fit her!Second thing we agreed on, is that we love sales!
And especially when they are sales on cardboard boxes...pretty cardboard boxes and cardboard trays!
Wanted to share...if y'all have a Family Dollar store near you...then, RUN, do not walk...and get some of these! (sorry to all the ladies that don't have this store near you...especially you international girls. But, you can drool over these and then reciprocate by sending me photos of all the luscious lace and pretties you can get that I can't....hugs!!) I went looking for Easter Candy sales...but got little of that. Found these boxes in four sizes...and got the smallest two sizes only. Then when I went to check-out...saw this lovely matching trays...got four of them!
Smallest Lid Box is 8 x 10 inches. ($4)
Medium Lid Box is 10 x 12 inches. ($5)
Trays are 9 x 12 inches ($2)and DID YOU SEE THE PRICES!
Run before these are all gone!These are so pretty holding your threads, ribbons, and fibers...and keep them together.(they also are good to stash candy in; so hubby (or granddaughter) can't find it...just saying!)Oh, and if you have a desk...these trays would make lovely IN and OUT boxes!
