A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
Here is a little design for you!
I worked it up last night, while chatting away with my retreat buddies. I also worked on a blackberry bush....but, didn't save it...and after two hours, the computer ate it all. I know better, but forgot to save often.
Today, I'm at a mini-retreat...and they just called for "breakfast"...so this post will be short. Ha!
But, "Paris" is ready...and will be in the mail to Wilma on Monday.
Thought you might like to see the center section finished. Just click to see closeup.
Hugs to all!
...that's what I'm trying to do today! Hectic pace all day so far...and last night! Yeah, I know...what else is new!
Working on two round robin blocks...Paris and the last block for FFT#22. The flower cart is done, will add some butterfly beads in the area of it...but the stitching is complete.
One seam is finished.
One more is in the works...
and the middle area floral/lace/trim frame is about 80% complete.
Only some basic work done on the FFT so far...but it has begun...so won't take long to finish.
Also got another embroidery motif design drawing finished in Illustrator last night, but more about on that later on.
Oh, talking about embroidery motifs...the calendar sales are going pretty well. I got a call from my littlest sister today. She purchased a calendar for herself and one for a friend...they arrived in the mail today. And, she loved it! Loved the embroidery designs and the cq pattern. How cool is that! She really called to see what I was cooking as my part of Thanksgiving dinner with the family (I'm doing the turkey BTW)...but began her call with "Hey sis...I got my calendar today...and love it!!"
My family usually just has a big fat yawn when I talk about stitching...so it was a really cool thing that she make a point to tell me she liked the calendar. Made me feel like a proud big sister!
Tomorrow, I leave for a few days...and I am not yet packed! So, best run and get some clothes selected and make a list...and then double check it!
Today has been busy...took Mom and voted this morning. Had coffee and a visit from my middle brother...who is just finishing a house (2BR, 2Bath)...and is "needing my help in making some curtains". Of course, he has no idea what that involves...and in a few days, we'll go measure and talk. Hopefully, I'll talk him into valances for most of the windows...as he is going with wood blinds already anyway. But, that is another day...another adventure...another story.
School was half day...so got Aidan early and went to lunch...then she came back this afternoon to spend the night...so, loads of interruptions to my working on crazy quilt blocks that are due to be mailed by the 15th.
I've gotten one seam started...
and one embroidery motif.
Not much to share yet...but...I'm stitching like crazy...ha!
However, even so...I did get the baby quilt top done for Wesley. Doesn't the redwork blocks look so cute! I just love them.
Thursday, I'm heading off for a mini-retreat for three days. (I'm taking the laptop, so you'll hardly miss me!)
I'm also taking the Benji's Pockets and the Betsy's Closet quilt with me as show'n'tell...and to drop them off for machine quilting. There just is not enough time to hand quilt them and work on finishing the christening gown.
I'm also running behind on three of my Block of the Months...CQJP, Funky Chicken, and HGTV Challenges...so it just would not be possible to add hand quilting to this mix!
These two new babies in the family sure have thrown off my "plans" for stitching this summer/fall...but they are both so cuddly it is worth it! And, there is one more due in a few months in the family! Not sure yet if my nephew is waiting for a boy or girl...but will be planning another quilt...once I find out!
I managed to get the last blocks finished yesterday. Today, I'll be trimming and putting the quilt top together. I'm hoping to get it dropped off on Thursday for quilting, then have until Christmas to get the binding completed.
I'll be back tomorrow with a photo of the finished quilt top (hopefully)!
This really is a cute little quilt...and if you have a boy quilt to do...of any size it would be a good choice.
My quilt sashing will not be like the pattern...but even so, I highly recommend the pattern!. Of course Brenda Riddle has other equally cute quilt patterns too, over at Acorn Quilt and Gift Company.
Including an applique version of this same quilt!
The Crazy Quilt Journal Project for 2012 is drawing to a close...only two more months to go. So, it's time to start thinking about next year's challenge!
Registration is now open...and will close in mid December...
so...
If you want to participate in next years challenge...now is the time to register!
Go to the CQJP2013 blog for all of the information!
After you register...remember to click the blog's "follow" button so
you'll get the feed of all of the blocks for next year's challenge!
I'd to publicly thank the CQJP2012 Committee and our Honorary
Chairperson J.M. Michler for making our first year of the CQJP Challenge
such a great year!
But mostly...THANKS to all of the participants for such inspiring
stitching! Without your work, the rest of us would not have such great inspiration for our viewing. But, don't stop, you've still got until the
end of the year to get the 2012 blocks completed! And...jump in for next year too!
Help keep the needle arts alive through your participation and your promotion!
Kathy Shaw
Founder, CQJP
When I saw this image, I thought it was of work done in the 17th or 18th century perhaps...just gorgeous! But no, it is a current artist! The image was uploaded to Wikipedia by Oleg Blazhko with permission to re-use, so I'm borrowing it here. If you would like to see more, here is his blog address: http://blazhko-oleg.livejournal.com/
Isn't his work breath-taking!
I've gotten three more blocks redwork embroidery blocks completed for Wesley's little blanket. I'm hoping to get the last four blocks (of nine) stitched during this next week, so I can get the quilt assembled and dropped off at the machine quilter!
Seems that lately, I'm always pushed for time...and it has been this way since the middle of summer! I was hoping things would slow down in the winter...but so far...it's not looking that way!
And yesterday...was Aidan's birthday...she is now nine years old!
I think it affected me more than her!
When I've had a minute this past month, I've been working on some little stitcheries. These are pattern weights, and are part of the Redwork Course over at StitchMAP that I've been helping to mentor...along with a few other ladies.
Finally got my little pile of work completed, and like them a lot!
I put a little lady bug on top of a tin and the weights all fit just inside. I finished the lady bug with colored pencil and she is super cute! The tin is handy to keep next to my sewing table for use.
Aidan...as a "fashion designer". This is not her Halloween costume...just her goofing around! She kept saying, "and WHO are you again?"....and I have no idea why!
Hugs!
