I was so excited to have finished the Christmas cracker for my CQ Group and the Reticule Bag for my Uncle’s Friend’s daughter, that I have just been relaxing the last couple of days.  So, here they are:

The outside of the Christmas cracker was supposed to be a Hussif. However, I wrapped fabric around the outside, and had to wrap the Cracker in paper, because the Hussif would no longer fit around the paper towel roll. LOL!

Since we do a dirty Santa, my Cracker was chosen and then stolen twice, ending up with the person who drew the last number. I must admit that I was pleased that it was a desired item.

      Front Cover

Inside Front Cover with pocket and Needlebook.

Inside Center with pocket and scissor keep. 

 

Center pocket and scissor keep.

Right Inside cover with pincushion and Thimble Keep.

 

Inside cover and back.

 

Back and front cover.

 

Now! I am so happy with the way the Reticule Bag turned out. I Crazy quilted the four sides and couched a purple and metallic piping along each of the seams. I lined the bag with a pale pink linen fabric, to help stabilize the bag and keep the internal wear & tear to a minimum.  Hope you like how it turned out.  

Open bag with Little girl and butterfly.

 

Open bag with mother reading to daughter.

 

Closed bag, two little girls playing music.

 

Closed bag, little girl with dress skirt full of blossoms.

Today I finished up two sides of the purse I’m making for my Uncle’s friend’s daughter. LOL! A lot of people involved.

I’m trying to keep it pretty simple, as it is for a child. And although it does have beading, she is a responsible little girl and takes pride in her treasures, which is what I hope this will be for her.

A lot of French Knots make up the flowers in her apron/skirt and in the tree to the left, just a hint of flowers.  Some variegated Glorianna (Princess Perle Petit) silk thread in the Creation stitch on the ric rac with size 11 seed beads.  I decided to add some silk ribbon flowers to a fan charm and I think it works well.

 

On the second side of the purse, I decided to follow the interest of the little girl in the photo. I added a butterfly charm to the flowers on the fabric and then added the spider for luck, since they are both insects. Using 2mm silk ribbon, I put a little cumber bun and bow on the print.  Finally, a strip of ric rac with the same Glorianna silk thread as on the first purse side, and added some metallic pink Mill Hill beads.

 

 

I’m pretty happy with the way this is going. Hope you do as well.

I started this project earlier this week and now to finish for Christmas. My wonderful uncle has a friend that lost his home to Sandy and has 4 children. This uncle has been organizing a group of friends and family to help them out. They lost everything!

Anyway, my uncle wants to give the little girl a handmade item for Christmas, and has asked me to make something that the child can use for a couple of years to put her little treasures in.  I decided a Reticule Bag might be nice.  So here is the work in progress:

This little one discovering Insects, gives me a chance to add a well-placed spider web for luck. I think it would be cute in the purple area. Also thinking about adding silk ribbon to the comber bun and bow on her dress.

 

Two lovelies who love music playing and enjoying the Spinet and Mandolin. Hopefully this will give the little girl a sence of growing up and trying new things. Still thinking on this one for a while.

 

Most little, and big girls, have a love of flowers. So, I just couldn't leave this one out of the project. I'm using French Knots for the flowers. Although it is not completed, I think it is taking shape.

 

And what girl doesn't like to have story time with Mommy. I love this picture, it reminds me of when my mother used to read to my sisters and I before bed time. It is what has made me an avid reader. So of course I had to add it to the collection. Also and older child here. Trying for an item that can be used for a longer period than just one year. I want the purse to grow with her. 

 

So, now that I've shared, it's back to work. Got to get it done before Christmas.

 

Well, I finally finished up on the Redwork Course I've been taking. Although it has taken a little over 6 weeks to complete, I'm happy with the results.  I learned a lot and improved my stitching skills as well as getting something out of this course other than just more knowledge.

I now have a lovely set of Fabric Weights. Take a look! Nice, right?  I took the little Flower and Scroll motif and made a scissor fob. The strawberry was made into an emery for my needles and pins.
I'm pleased with the outcome.  But take a look at the next picture-

 

 

You just have to have something to hold those fabric weights. So, we got to make a bag to put them in. I chose the Poppy Motif and tried my hand at some threadwork. I'm pleased with the reslults for a first try on the threadwork. And, I got to use some of my stash. Bonus!! LOL!

 

 

 

Every one of the ladies in this class did beautiful work and I'm happy to have taken part. I learned a lot of new information.  Thanks to the ladies of StitchMap.

Not Enough Time ~ And Now The Holidays~

How do you deal with that lack of time feeling that comes to one who just gets too involved and can't seem to keep up?  Personnally?  I just ignore the feeling. LOL! 

Yes, it does get me into some pretty tight spots, but I'm trying to deal with all the wonderful things going on and work on things when I am able.  It seems to be working. My attitude is "up beat" and things are getting done.

Memory, not so good. I have found myself sending off more emails without attachments lately, but I've been able to correct that now by putting the attachments into the emails first.  That way, when I finish my letters, the computer reminds me I need a subject before sending out the email. Hey! That's better than no attachment. LOL! 

I told you in September that I was working on a Redwork Course with StitchMap and would keep you informed of my progress. Well, that never happened! So, I thought I'd show you some pictures of the motifs I have finished for the course.  They will be made into Fabric Weights.

First we have the lovely BlueBird that was completed using the Outline  and Fly Stitches. Oh yes! We must not forget the Satin Stitch for the Iris of the eye.

 

 

 Next up is the (unfinished) Daisy Motif with lots of  Lazy Daisy Stitches, I'll get to the scrollwork and French Knots later in the course.

 

 

My lovely little tree!  Although it is lacking some leaves, I really like the root system. This was worked in the Stem Stitch and of course, the Lazy Daisy Stitch. I think it has character! LOL!

 

 

 I believe that this is one of my favorites so far, a lovely Red Apple. Yum! Outline Stitch for the stem, outline of apple and center line. Chain Stitch on the Leaf and Running Stitch for the cut line. And last but certainly not the least, the ever present Lazy Daisy Stitch.

 

 

Ok, get ready, because this is my favorite so far!  The Pansy! Ta Da!  I love it. I think it turned out so nice. I have always liked Pansies, because they look like little faces. Mine is done in Purple, as that is one of my favorite colors. Isn't she cute?

 

 

My CQ group is having it's Christmas meeting the first weekend of December and we will be doing a CQ Christmas Cracker swap. I've been working on this project and will post pictures after the event. I don't want anyone to know yet what I'm planning for my Cracker. Shhh! It's a secret. ;-)                     

 

 

I finished Cathy's block and I really had fun with this block.  Cathy and her husband took a trip Europe and the Mediterranean, taking pictures along the way. Cathy has incorporated these pictures into her RR blocks. Lucky for me, The Parthenon in Athens was left for me.

As a retired Army Sergeant First Class, and Former WAC, I felt it was my duty to work on The Parthenon block. Athena being the patron of Athens and the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the Parthenon was built and housed an Ivory and Gold stature of Athena. She was also said to have brought the Olive Tree to Athens, winning the contest with Poseidon for the right of Paton of Athens.

 

As you can see, I have included a picture of the statue of Athena which is said to have stood inside the Parthenon and the Olives of Athens, Greece. And of course, I had to let the viewers of the block know that they are looking at the Parthenon and that it is in Athens.  The large Red Button was placed on the block, because I thought it looked very much like a Greek shield.

Cathy included the Necklace and the “evil eye”, to be used with this block. I wanted the necklace to look as though it is just lying on the block.  The “evil eye”, is placed on the block for protection and to bring the blue from the top of the block to the lower portion of the block, along with the Greek Key pattern.

I’m happy with the block and hope that others enjoy the block as well. I’m going to be pretty busy in October, as I will be taking StitchMAP’s “Pilot” Traditional Redwork Class and Mentoring an Apprentice at the same time.   I think this will be exciting and informative as well as fun!  Will let you know how it’s going.

Well, September has been really hectic and I'm glad that it is almost over.  I know, someone my age should not be glad that anything is over, but What a Month!

I have finished Anne's block for the RR and I'm pleased with the way it came out.  Anne chose the Far East/Asia as her theme, and I love the cultures of that part of the world, so I ran with the theme.

I embroidered the Geisha outline and put flowers on the Kimono, Anne wanted gold on her block, so I added the two gold trims, one with faux pearls and the other with the silver braid. I've gotten to be a Ric Rac person and love working with all colors and types of Ric Rac. This was embellished with a chain sticj with a sequin and blue seed bead on the bottom and placed Hyacinth above the Ric Rac.

The Gold and faux pearl item in the center is an old clip earring. I used a varigated Silk Ribbon for the flowers, which hold the earring in place the faux pearls on gold chain actually drape, but not for this picture.  And then of course, I had to use the Fly stitch to put in the vine of blue flowers.  The flowers a made with two, four wrap Bullion knots.

I'm currently working on Cathy's block and almost completed, so it should be up soon. 

I'm playing "catch up" now. I finished the Color Theory Class a little early, as I'm trying to get back to the Round Robin that my CQ Group is working on.  And I'm running a little behind. LOL!

The last couple of classes were interesting and I had a wonderful time. The last class was one that really intregued me.

Start with a picture:   Ok, I started with a picture of a garden pond and chose the fabrics for a block background. Then added threads and beads to the combination for a CQ Block.  I like the combinations.

Make do with what you have:  You know how you start something and you don't like it. Well, my first choice on this one was a pink block I made for another project, but since I'm not a fan of pink, I put aside and didn't use the block.  Big surprise here! I didn't use it for this either. I picked up that pink block and then said, "No. I can't get inspired with this thing".

So, I pulled a piece of fabric I had left from a finished project and was inspired by the purples and oranges.  This is what I came up with to make another block.

 
I really like this combination. I've not worked with this color combo before, and I think I'm going to enjoy the process of puting this project together. But, for now. The Round Robin.

I have printed out these pictures, dated them and put them in my Idea Jar.  Ok, it's a huge vase that sits on my desk!  However, I use it to keep me on track with my projects. When I finish one, I go to the jar and put the ideas in date order and pull the next project. LOL!

Hey! It keeps me going. But yeah, the jar never gets empty. I've got some great ideas in that jar. 

Got to get back to the RR. Working on Anne's block. Will post picture when I have it finished.

Well, you know I've been working on a color class, and I have gotten to a point where I'm starting to use threads to make examples for the class.  I love stitching, and I'm happy to have gotten to this point.

I'm posting the stitching of flowers I have stitched to meet the class requirement. I was to stitch one design in Cool colors of the color wheel, one using the Warm colors and the third using both warm and cool colors.

I chose cross stitch flowers. I struggled to get a good picture, until I though about the magnifying glass I use to stitch the the flowers on 28 count linen.  I think I liked the way they came out.

I've been working on a color class and I've made some interesting finds. I find that I am reevaluating the colors in my stash.  I find that I am lacking in some color values while I have an abundance of other colors.

I'm discovering that I, and probably most others, prefer to work with colors we like and shy away from those that are too intense or that we don't care to have around us.

So, during this class, I've decided to add some different colors to my stash, like adding more yellows, oranges and greens to my stash. While I do that, I'm also looking for more high intensity fabrics, as I tend to lean toward the cool and/or pastel colors. I'm thinking this will add variety and maybe some interesting things will come from this change.  

I am really enjoying this class and I would encourage any Crazy Quilter or Needlework individual to check out the StitchMap Yahoo Group. Their link is on the right of this post.

As you can see from the above picture, I love a good picture of a lovely lady and like to make BOHO bags.  I've made three, and have started on a fourth.

This was my first and is mine. I started with the photo and when from there.

My husbands sister-in-law saw a picture of my bag and wanted one. She has gone through treatment for breast cancer twice. How do you turn down someone like that? You don't. So, I found out she likes blue and purple and butterflies. I added a pink ribbon charm for her as well.

She cried when it was given to her. I love her so much!

I also worked on a Steampunk bag at a Sit-&-stitch. I was really enjoying this project and ladies kept stopping by to see how it was comming along. However, everytime someone stoped, the lady sitting next to me told them it was her bag.  It became a joke. Someone would stop and look and she say, "Mine"!

Well, I finished the bag and my stitching friend asked what I wanted for the bag. Thinking she was joking, I gave her a price. The next morning, she gave me the money and walked away with the bag. I couldn't believe it. It is the first item I have sold and I was pleased and stunned at the same time.

The body of the bag is micro suede. After the week end ended, I called my husband to tell him I was on my way home. He asked if I had finished the bag and I confirmed that I had. He said "I can't wait to see it". I told him he was going to have to rely on photos, because it had been purchased. I told him "I didn't even get out of the building with it!"  He laughed and said, "I told you you were good."

I'm still surprised by the situation, but pleased that someone liked the item enough to purchase it from me.

A closer look:

I digital print I designed from multiple items, some ribbon embroidered roses on Irish Lace, beading, tatting as well as Silk Ribbon Embroidered and beaded Sequin waste. I also added a copper chain at the top with a little copper bell. You really want to know if someone picks up your purse. LOL! 

I belong to a Crazy Quilt group with 20 wonderful women. We have a lot of fun together. Lots of stitching, laughing and talking.  But most of all, we help one another. We have some individuals who are new to the group and it has been fun helping them learn about this craft and watching them grow in their technique and confidence.
We started a Round Robin in January 2012 with 14 participants. Each participant made a block for each individual in the RR. Yes, I made 14 CQ blocks for this RR. Each month, the blocks are passed to another person in the RR and they complete the entire block.

So far, I have finished and turned in the following blocks:

My Example block for my packet of blocks. Each a different mermaid.
I added the Shibori Ribbon as fins and tail.

Lisa wanted hidden gardens. So, I did a bunny hiding under the flowers eating lettuce, while sitting in the strawberry patch. Lisa asked that we hide our name on the block. My name is in the strawberries.

OK! I'll give you a closer look.

Jackie wanted a block built around the ribbon flowers she made for the center. So, I added some leaves to the roses, placed them in the center and then let my imagination run with what I thought Jackie would like to have on her block.

Next was Hazel. She is new and had lots of Velvet. So guess what her block was made of.  Yep! All velvet. Oh I struggled with this fabric.

However, she wants to combine her blocks into a lap quilt, so that she can enjoy it's warmth while stitching durning the winter months.  My thought was to give her a garden to enjoy each winter.

The way the block was pieced made me think of two planters on a patio. Ta da!  I enjoyed working on this block (even with all the velvet). LOL! Topiaries are made from #5 perle varigated cotton. The bench is satin Rat Tail and the patio stones are oval beads. Hazel says she's going to frame it. I'm glad she likes it.

I did not get a pictur of Victoria's finished block, but I have one while I was working on the block. Victoria wanted a block about hot air balloons. It made me think of the balloons in the Phenix AZ.  I found a cabochon for the character of the balloon, and it just went from there.

I'll post a picture of the final block next month after our CQ meeting.

This last month I have been working on Gwen's block. She chose one of my favorite projects, under the sea. The fabric in the center was a batik with a fish print, so I embellished the fish with satin stitch and french knots. She also wanted different stitching on the seams, so I pulled out a book and gave her the following:  Lower Right - pearl stitch on seam, Back stitch spider web

Lower Left - Interlaced Band stitch in white/pink/blue threads

Above the fish print - A beaded Hedebo Edge (I thought it looked like waves)

Upper Left - Herringbone Ladder Filling stitch

Upper Right - Deerfield Herringbone stitch

Here's a closer look at the center of the block and the sea floor.

Well, that finished up for today. Hope everyone enjoyed the eye candy. Stay safe!