Gayle's Finished Block for the Lace & Pearls RR

Today I finished Gayle S's Block for the CQI Lace & Pearls Round Robin. I love these colors, they are my Christmas Colors. But I've said that before.

I just had so much fun working on this block and although I stayed in the block color way, I feel that it turned out very nice. 

Gayle didn't want it to be a Christmas Block, so I tried to make it as Winter as I could. And since I do see deer in my back yard during the Winter months, I thought I'd throw in the Reindeer. 

I took a Reindeer charm that is made of raw brass, painted it with Acrylic paints and then used a non-toxic gloss sealer. I was quite happy with the finished results, as this was only the second time I have attempted this process, and I was following the directions from a class I took years ago.  Good thing I keep all those class handouts. LOL!

I use a Rayon thread from Edmar, for the Feather Stitch and embellished with 6x5mm White heart beads and a small vintage blue pearl bead to accent each heart bead.

The flower cluster is made with satin ribbon and I put pearl beads in the center of the larger flower and a very small crystal cluster in each of the smaller flowers. Blue and white French Knots make up the Lilac type flowers to the Left of the larger flower. I added blue glass AB Leaf beads and finished off with the Silver butterfly charm with Blue crystals.

A  Cretan Stitch in White Silk thread and embellished with Blue 5mm cupped sequins held on with the vintage Blue pearl beads. Small white pearl beads decorate the upper center portion of the stitch and Swarovski crystal beads are at the end of the upper long stitch.

The silver fan is a small charm that is stitched on with silver metallic thread by Krenik and some silver seed beads were added to the base of the fan.

I used a White velvet Ric Rac for the last seam and embellished with silver flower spacer beads that are held on with a small white pearl bead. Silver metallic and Blue rayon threads alternate along the ric rac, with blue bugle beads stitched over the joining of the two threads.

I finished off with a silver flat back button with blue crystals. This button looked like an icy snowflake to me and I just couldn't resist using it on this block.

I hope you enjoy this block as much as I enjoyed working it up.

Gayle's Block

I have received Gayle's block for the Lace and Pearls Round Robin (RR). Although I have enjoyed each of the ladies' blocks, I must admit that I was looking forward to getting this set of blocks.  Why?

Well, they are in my colors. I'm not into Red and Green for Christmas, I'm a blue ice, white snowflakes and Crystal and Silver individual. It just screams Winter!  Besides that, my eyes are blue and that color has always made me look good. Need I say more?

While working on the block, I used one of my favorite seam treatments. Velvet Ric Rac, decorated with silk or metallic threads and beads. I always work it differently for each project, but it always looks rich with detail and is a striking treatment.

I carry this Ric Rac in several different colors in my Etsy shop. It is such a lovely trim and has a multitude of uses. This is NOT your Grandmother's Ric Rac. LOL.

I used the White on Gayle's block and used blue silk thread and silver metallic thread, as well as blue bugle beads and  lovely little (ok, they are tiny) silver daisy spacer beads and size 15/0 white seed beads. 

This may be a technique you would like to try sometime in the future.  You can find my shop at: 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewvictoriancrazy

I'll have Gayle's block finished early next week and I'll post it here for those of you that are interested in seeing the finished block. So far, I'm very pleased with it and rather wishing it was my block. LOL.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 


 

Lace & Pearls Round Robbin Too

I have been busy these past three months working on some Round Robin blocks for ladies at Crazy Quilt International (CQI).  One lady I have know for years now and think of her as a very special friend.

Cathy K. is very special and such a joy to be around. We met in Omaha, NE some ten years ago, at the Crazy Quilt Society Retreat. It has been fun to be her friend since that first day.

There are five of us in this Round Robbin (RR) and we each made our own blocks. So, each individual will work on one block for each person in the RR. Then at the end, we will finish a block for ourselves, to complete the work. What fun this has been.

We have two months to go, so I thought I might share the blocks I've done with those of you who are not members of the Yahoo Groups CQI.

The first was Connie's block, which I have posted earlier. It was the Fan block made with the vintage handkerchief.

The Second block was Andrea's. Andrea lives in India and used some lovely paisley fabric. I could not help myself, I love paisley and I just had to make one for her block. It just called to me. LOL!
I also tatted the orange lace for the block.

 

 

 

I did the feather stitch beaded line across the bottom seam and used orange beads (3) at each point on the feather stitching. I used a flower chenille trim below the tatted lace and placed pearl and gold beads in the center of the flower.

 

The pearl strip across the upper seam just seemed a little plain, so I trimmed it with Gold Delica Beads.  While the center was bordered on the left side with Blanket Stitch Fans. The fans have beading along their tops made in clusters of 3 white beads, to look like lace.

 

I worked the paisley before I added anything else. It was the image that came to me based on the fabric that borders the center fabric. I drew the paisley, stitched the lace down, worked the green sequins with small white seed beads and finished off with the orange Delica seed beads. I knew the oval MOP (mother of pearl) beads and the pearl button would be the center point of the paisley.

 

Although I'm not real happy with the overall look of the block, I'm pleased with what I have done. This block was finished in September.

 

I finished Cathy K's block two days ago and I have to admit, I am really happy with the way it turned out. Cathy placed a lovely metallic lace on each block. I chose the block, because I thought that I would use the lace as a headdress for an embroidered lady's face.

 

However, as I spent time with the block and lace, it suddenly came to me. Oh my! It just has to be a Peacock!   So, I drew the peacock on a sheet of paper, reduced it on my printer until it fit with the lace. Traced it onto a separate piece of fabric (because I didn't want to damage the block) and started with the satin stitch on the face and body of the peacock.

 

 

 

The peacock's comb is done in Fly Stitch. The crown of the head is in pink bullion stitches, to give it dimension. I appliqued the peacock body to the block once the lace was placed and then added bullion stitches to the back and rear of peacock in the colors of the lace tail, to try to blend the peacock in with the lace. The half circle where the peacock body is, was a flower spray. I cut that from the lace before I started working, thinking I would use it elsewhere on the block.

 

When I finished with the peacock body, I realized I had open space and needed to find a want to make it look natural.  I took that floral spray I had removed from the lace, cut it in half and put it on either side of the peacock body. This make the whole thing come together.

 

Stem Stitch and pink & white seed beads make up the vine. Stem stitch and flat back buttons where used for the three flowers.  While gold spacer beads and pearl bead and seed beads were used in the design at the top. Laces and three metallic lace butterflies complete the look.

 

Here is a close up of the peacock for those of you who have waited. LOL! Enjoy!

 

 



 

 

Crazy Quilt International Round Robin

I have joined a Round Robin with 4 other ladies that is called Lace & Pearls. It is a Do Your Own Block (DYB), where we each make 5 blocks of our choosing and the other ladies Crazy Quilt a block for each individual in the RR.

I received Connie's block in early August and worked on it until I was happy with the way it turned out. Sent the finished block and her other blocks on to the next person in line, and promptly for got to post any pictures here, or to say anything about them.  Go figure!

Well, today I received word that the Crazy Quilt International Owner, has chosen new pictures on individual works for the Covers of their Galleries on CQI at Yahoo.  Well, I just had to see who's work was chosen.

To my surprise, the block I made for Connie was chosen for Gallery 3. Wow! I am so honored to have my work chosen and I just had to post this blog and include a picture of the block.

I am just Stunned! But so happy.

Here is a closer look:

Visitors today

I was sitting at my computer this morning and saw the most wonderful sight out the window.  You see, my desk is in my Studio and faces the window to the back yard. This way I get to see all the goings on in the woods behind the house.

My visitors were unexpected, but not unwelcome. And it was refreshing to see the little ones with Mom.

I believe that this is Mom with last years daughter and this year's twins.

 

Here you can see the difference in the size of the Doe.

 

 

 

Cute as a button!

 

 



A 1/2 hour of fun and serenity.

CQI Purse Challenge

Well, I took the time to make a purse for the Crazy Quilt International Purse Challenge. No, I couldn't say anything or post pictures prior to the membership vote.  However, now that the voting is over and the winner has been named, I can let you see my purse.

The winner was Cathy Kizarian with a beautiful Blue & Green purse with Pink and Purple embellishments. You'll have to go to the CQI Blog to see the photos.

I was fourth, but I love my purse and I went Steam punk!

I used a Creamy beige upholstery fabric with a blue diamond design and the used beige, copper and blue satin fabrics in a chevron design.  I tatted the Copper Motif on the upper right side of the purse. I also braided the leather strap with 3 different colors of leather strips and then hand beaded the strap as well.  The challenge was to be judged on construction, so I went all out.  I loved every minute I spent on this project.

Here are some close up pictures. Hope you like.

Back of bag (micro suede) and  shoulder strap.

 

Close up of the Center Front - Notice the CQ outfit of the Lady in the Picture! 

I did the photo by combining several portions of character & PNG items to the background.

 

 

Lower Center Motif and Silk Ribbon Embroidery

 

 

 

I used an Alligator clasp and satin Rat Tail string for the clasp of the purse

 

 

 

Close up of Right side of front with Metal flower, Silk Ribbon Floral design, Beaded Blue Ric Rac and the Color combination of fabrics.  

 

 

 

 

My hand Tatted Circular Motif with light green beads, a metallic trim of blue & gold, that I beaded, so that it looks like dragonflies. I took a velvet ric rac, and beaded it with copper heart beads. 

 

 

 

 

The final picture is of the Shoulder strap and how I braided it and added the beading.

 



 

One Busy Month

Well, it has been one busy month for me. I have worked on and finished two Snowballs for CQI and had a lot of fun with these.

This is Nicki Lee's Snowball: Ocean theme

Lots of waves, fish, coral, seahorse and a sand dollar in the water. Oh yes! Lets not forget the lovely octopus. LOL!

Ruby's Snowball is next.  She wanted romance.

 



 





I started with the lovely couple in the center, sitting in the middle of a patch of flowers. It just took off from there. I added (in a cast on stitch) some Purple and Yellow pansies in the lower right pink portion, but they are really small and hard to see.

 

 

I went to a wonderful CQ Sit-n-stitch in O'Fallon, Il in late June and then two weeks later, I was in Oklahoma City, OK for a lovely Retreat with Sherrill Lewis of the Bead Ranch. I have worked on a purse challenge for CQI (which I cannot show, because the voting has yet to start).

Finally, I picked up my Needle Tatting again, and have been having the time of my life. Why I quit, I don't know. But I'm going to town and have even starting putting beads into the work.

Here are some examples:

 

 

This is the Valentine Heart from a book by Tina Newdorf for Handy Hands, Inc. The book is titled Needle Tatting From the Heart.

 

 

 

This is the little 2"x2" Christmas Wreath, and I have added beads to the pattern. I've added 10 of them to my Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewvictoriancrazy/.

 

Next are pictures of two hearts. This is the same pattern, just different threads, one Red and one variegated  white/purple.  These hearts measure 2 1/4" x 2 1/2". I do not have the hearts at my Etsy shop at this time.

 

RED HEART

 

PURPLE HEART

 

 

 

Now, I must work on two more Snowballs and put together my RR Quilt for the Nighttime Needlers' Quilt Show in September in Kansas City, MO.   Well, that's it! I need to get everything completed by September, so I will be able to attend the CQI Retreat in September as well.  So, it's Back to Work!  LOL! I love it!

 

 

 

 

 

May Arts Ribbons - Nautical Craft Challange

Well, today they posted the entries for the Nautical Craft Challenge by May Arts Ribbon.  I worked a long time on mine, but it is unlike any of the other projects. LOL!

There are some really lovely items, so great ideas as well. We will see who wins, but my bet is on the Ship Ahoy memory box.

For this challenge, I chose the 1/2" Woven Chevron Wire Ribbon - White for the Sails, 1/4" blue with white diagonal stripe for the accent on Ship. Used the 2" satin edge ribbon for the Ship's Hull and the Burlap cord for the wood posts and masts.

Here are pictures to show how it was done.

The 16 1/2" block was pieced on Muslin, Sky above, ocean below. The ship's hull has already been added.

Then I added the poles and masts on the ship made from the burlap cord.

 

 

 

The Sails were a little tricky, as some had to look like they were rolled and others fully unfurled.  I cut the wire woven chevron ribbon to the lengths I wanted, and stitched 4-5 sections together. I rolled the Sails over the Mast poles and stitched to the burlap cord.  Bottom three were partially rolled and the others were left unfurled. I curved the ribbon with my fingers, to make them look like they were billowed from the wind.

 

 



After adding the sails, I concentrated on the ocean floor. I used #8 Perle Cotton in various colors for the coral under the water and the birds in the sky.  With a section of sheer rayon fabric in ocean colors, I stitched the fabric down with perle cotton and added curved stitching for waves and added 11/0 white seed beads, for the foam.

Used a beach/ocean themed  fabric for the backing and binding. Then added sleeve for hanging. Here is the result.

If you want to see the other entries, you can click on the link below. Enjoy!

http://www.mayarts.com/blog/nautical-craft-challenge-entries-and-a-giveaway/

It's Been too Long!

I decided that it has been far too long since my last post. I need to find time at least once a week, to sit down in front of the computer and just say what has been going on.  Yea, like I'm going to remember that one!

Anyway, I have been busy working on projects, and I am able to show you the completed item I have made for a CQ friend of mine.

Some of you have already seen it, but maybe there are those that have not, so, here it is.


A Thread and Ribbon Roll for my CQ Friend's fancy threads and all that silk ribbon.

This is the outside of the Roll. I used two cotton fabrics with the lovely pink designs, and accented them with blue and gray solid satins. The pink is a nice crape.

I hand stitched and beaded the dragonfly and seams. The lovely flower Motif, is something I got from NickiLee at https://www.etsy.com/shop/RavioleeDreams her hand dyed laces are beautiful and I love every piece and it has become hard to use them for something that is going to leave me. LOL!

This pattern is from a class I took on StitchMap and I modified it by adding the entire Silk Ribbon side.  If you want this pattern, I suggest that you take the Beginner's Crazy Quilt Class. You will finish the course with not only the completed Thread Roll, but also a Needle book and a pincushion. Not to shabby for Free. LOL!
 

 

 

After you unroll the thread/ribbon roll, it looks like this on the inside. I did an inside cover, so that the beads and stitching would not snag on the threads.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the thread side of the Inside portion of the Roll. I used small plastic rings that I purchased at Joann's.  I used some of my own thread to show how it all works.

 

 

 



 Ok, this is the portion that I added to the original pattern. I had some Keychain rings and thought they would be great to hold the ribbon. I left the tag on the ribbon because, when I get to a point where I have to buy new, I want to know what to order. My memory is not good enough to remember all the colors and where I purchased the ribbon.

 

 

 

 

All right! Now that you have see the Roll, this is what it looks like when you get ready to go to that next retreat. Threads and Ribbons all rolled up and ready to travel.

Last of the 2012 Round Robin Blocks

Well, the 18 month 2012 Round Robin came to an end yesterday. Whew, I was starting to get behind and more than ready for this thing to end. LOL!

I had so much going on, that I was getting burnt out. However, now that all projects are completed, I'm going full steam ahead on a new project. Something for a friend that is going to be filled with love, as I'll be remembering all the crazy times we have had together, as I stitch.

But, that is for later. Today, I'm posting the blocks I finished for the Round Robin. Here are the final 3 blocks.

Marci's block : She made 20 blocks so that her blocks would make an underwater scene, with light blue and the top, med blue in the middle and of course, the dark blue at the bottom. Very effective.
My block was at the top, second row actually.

Full Block

 

Fish close-up

 

Jelly fish close-up

 

 

Seaweed raft & fish school close-up

I purchased some turtle charms, painted and clear coated them, so that I could have baby sea turtles. LOL!  I think they came out pretty good.  These are things that are found in the higher levels of the sea.

 

Next is Kerri's block: Kerri was working with black, cream, gold and brown fabrics and wanted all the embellishments to be in earth tones. So, I pulled all of the beads and fibers I had in earth tones, and this is what I came up with.

 

Full block:

 

 

Dragonfly & Flower close-up:

 

Wheat and flowers close-up:

 

Mr. Spider, here's your close-up:

 

And lastly, but the biggest of the three, is Pattie's block. Patty's theme was Knights in shining armor. So, I started looking for Medieval embroidery designs and items to complement the block's theme.

 

Full block:

 

 

Upper Left Corner Close-up:

Upper Right Corner close-up:

 

Center of block close-up:

 

Lower left corner close-up (my monogram):

 

Lower right corner close-up:

 

 

 

So, now that the hectic time in my life is over, I'm going to sit back and do some slow easy stitching. And, I'm going to enjoy ever boring moment of this time. LOL!



Another year another project

Well, I made it to the end or start of another year. I finished the project I was working on with Stitchmap, and now I'm working on a sew-a-long with SewSheCan, which is a blogger of sane quilts, but the past two weeks have been a Crazy Quilt block, so I thought I'd join in the fun. LOL!

This is the block I'm working on for SewCanShe:

 

Think I'm going to make it into a thread keep for a friend of mine. Speaking of thread keeps, here is the set I made in the Stitchmap class.

 

 

A nice Thread Keep, a Needle Keep and a pincushion. The class required particular items to be added to the projects, but I had a choice with the stitching and beading. Turned out really nicely, I think.

 

Here is a picture of the Thread Keep laid out flat so you can see the entire block:

 

 

I really like the Lady motif and my spider. (Smiling) And I'm pleased with the fabric choices I made. I hope everyone else like it too.