First Snow of Winter 2014

It snowed last night, our first snow of the 2014 Winter. It is just a little over an inch of snow, and that may seem minor to some, but for a gal that grew up in the Los Angeles California area, it is major to see the snow fall and have it laying on the ground. LOL!

It is still snowing, but will end soon and then I will have to go back to knitting and working on Crazy Quilt Blocks. I just never get enough of watching it snow. Guess I'm just a kid at heart. Lucky me!

CQI Retreat - Steampunk Round Robin Blocks

While at the September 2014, CQI Retreat in Kansas City, several Round Robing groups were formed by the attending Ladies, that wanted to participate in with New Friends.

I chose the Steampunk Round Robin, and we Started on November 15th, 2014, with a short break for the Holiday Season.  I thought I would share the "naked blocks" I made for the RR.

I used a pinkish brown fabric and Lace, as well as Lavender, Light Gray, Dark Gray, Dark Brown and a Golden Cream fabrics for the blocks.  Liking the combinations laid out, I went for it and I like the results. 

Here is the Lot:

They are now in the capable hands of Lonna H. Will be interesting to see the results when the blocks return home in 6 months.

Retreat Christmas Ornament

Well, I was finally able to finish the Christmas Ornament for Donna D. We both participated in the Christmas Swap at the CQI (Crazy Quilt International) Retreat in September 2014, and agreed that we would do an Ornament for each other.

Donna chose Pink, Burgundy and Green for her colors, I chose the Star Shape.  This is a two sided ornament.

Ornament Side 1

 

 

 

Ornament Side 2

 

 

So, now I notify Donna that the package will be in the mail tomorrow morning! 

 



Holiday season again!

Where does the time go? Seems the older I get the faster time passes. Bummer!  I was hoping that with retirement, I would have more time to do things, but for some reason, it just seems to elude me.

Now we are in the Holiday Season and I'm already behind on several projects. I need to finish my Christmas Ornament Swap project by November 30th and then finish up the New Zealand Block for the CQI (Crazy Quilt International) Flag Quilt. Not to be forgotten, there are 5 ladies in a Steampunk Round Robin and I received some lovely blocks from Colleen A., and I'm going to have to have that finished to send off by January 15, 2015.

In between those projects, I must finish two pair of knit socks (almost finished) and a Afghan (only 1/3 is done), so I have to hurry and get things moving. LOL!

I do enjoy this time of year! Winter is coming and I am looking forward to Thanksgiving with family, as well as Christmas Day with my family. It is a wonderful time.

As one who was raised in a warm climate, I now enjoy the snow and long to see it on the ground. I know it is a hassle for those who live farther North, but for me, it is a wonder and makes me smile. It is like having my own giant Snow Globe to live in. 

I just received confirmation for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project for 2015, so I must get busy on the Christmas Ornament Swap and the Flag Block projects, so that I may get my CQJP2015 blocks made. 

So, I guess that means I'm Back to Work!   See ya!

Garden & Flowers DYB RR

Another "do your own block" Round Robin. This time, it is all about Gardens & Flowers. What fun! This is the second month, and I finished working on Dana's block, but I should show you the April block, which was for Arlene.

Arlene sent me a lovely block with printed fabrics. Not what I'm used to, but it was fun to try something different.

 

A little on the sparse side, but Arlene is making a quilt of some 20 blocks, and plans to wash the quilt. I did add some charms, but was afraid to add any beads for fear they would fall off during multiple washings.  

I added the three Vintage laces and the vintage tatting. Because of the red in the upper right corner, I added the red flowers on the tatting circle. Added the basket charm then started adding the Silk Ribbon Roses and other flowers and leaves.

I then added the embroidered scrollwork and charm tools. The silk ribbon flowers were next, followed by the pink rhinestone dragonfly.

The feather stitch vine with lazy daisy leaves and bullion stitch flowers, was added last. I thought I was done, and then I decided to add the Cast-on stitch flowers with black centers and lazy daisy leaves on the vintage lace in the lower left corner. I used a Princess Perle Petite silk thread by Gloriana, the color was #084, Laura's Garden. I thought they came out quite nicely. Ok, that pat on the back was a little much!
    

Dana's block, which is the May block, just "grabbed" me, and I had to work on it. LOL! The greens were so vivid and exciting.

I started with the two vintage laces and added the roses using a 2mm silk ribbon, as I thought this particular lace looked like a trellis.

The feather stitch vine in a princess perle petite silk with 4mm silk ribbon purple roses and sage green leaves added a color pop.  Speaking of pop, I did the Vivid blue roses with a 4mm turquoise silk ribbon and the same sage green leaves.

Below the turquoise roses was a fabric that has a floral motif, so I used an outline stitch on the motif and placed a 4mm blue rose montees stitched on crystal. Dana likes bling!

Next came the Silver (Japanese silver wrapped silk) thread for the web and added two small white beads for the spider.  The Spider head is a 4mm white Cat's eye bead and a 2mm frosted white bead.  

The Yellow glass flower beads and leaves were added and then came the Dragonfly. I saved that spot on the block just for the dragonfly. Head is the same Cat's eye bead as spider, followed by three 3mm frosted beads, 6 2mm frosted beads and finished off with white seed beads to add length to support the frosted Dagger bead wings.

The Topiary came last. I used my thimble to make a circle, after finding center of circle, added a line for the center trunk and finished with the planter.

I used my favorite thread, the Princess Perle Petite in brown for the three trunks (two twisting around the center), in an outline stitch. The ball is a #12 Perle Cotton with Red Princess Perle Petite Colonial Knots. I seem to have more control over the Colonial knot than I do with the French knot.

The planter is stitched in seed beads and antique gold 4mm Daisy spacer beads.  

 

That's it, all done. Now I can work on a secret project the last week of May, while I wait for the June RR block, which I think will be Flora's block.  Thanks for stopping by!

What a Nice Surprise

I have been so busy with different tasks, that I have not had time to Blog. However, my news today was such a surprise, that I just had to let everyone know about my nice little news.

I ordered a 2014 Spring Challenge Kit from Crazy Quilting Supplies. This store is located at http://www.crazyquiltingsupplies.com/ , which is owned by a CQ acquaintance, Thearica. I had high hopes for the Challenge and started working out a plan. That's what I did last year too, but never got around to finishing the Challenge. LOL!

Here is the picture of all the supplies in the kit, that had to be used in the project. The kit also included Perle Cotton (4) balls and Silk Ribbon (4) Bobbins, all of which were in Greens, pinks and blues. I knew this was going to be fun.

So, this year I was determined to complete the task. I finally finished the project the day before the deadline date, and started taking pictures.  Emailed the pictures in and kept my fingers crossed for at least top 4.

But I Won First Place in the Experienced category! It is a big deal to me and I'm so happy to have met the challenge and faced my fears and entered the finished project. I'm pleased that the judges thought enough about my work, that the liked my idea and work.  I am thrilled, surprised and over the moon.

Here is the little guy/gal that won for me: I was to create a finished project that reminded me of Spring. Well, to me, nothing says Spring like a Bunny. So I took  the

 

Close ups of the different parts of Bunny.

Right side of head.

 

Upper Right Leg (outside)

 

Inside of Left arm.

 

Inside of Left Leg.

 

Inside Left arm

 

 

Inside Right Leg 

 

 

Inside Left Ear

 

 

Left side of Head 

 

Body Back

 

 

 Inside Right Arm

 

 

 Outside right Leg

 

 

 Outside right arm

 

Outside right leg

 

Right side of belly

 

Right side of Top of Head

 

Top of Head

New Round Robin for 2014

Well, I finally finished up the Lace and Pearl Round Robin and waiting for one more block to get home. While I wait, I've been working on My block of the Lace and Pearl RR.

No pictures yet, but will post when the block is finished.  I did, however, sign up for an new Round Robin for 2014, that starts April 1st, Garden & Flower DYB. Excited to get started, but will wait for April. LOL! 

I have finished creating my blocks for the ladies in the RR to embellish for me. I fell in love with some Garden pictures, and printed them on a Satin/Cotton blend fabric for the blocks.  I'm happy with the blocks so far, and look forward to seeing how they will be embellished.

I received the Blue/Green/Purple Flower fabric from a CQ friend at a Christmas Cracker Swap. The dark Purple fabrics and Greens were also a part of that same Christmas Cracker, Thanks Marci!

I think the colors work well with the Floral Linen fabric and the lovely Dark brown and floral silk tie, as well as the beige micro suede.  I had the lovely little lace and just had to use it on this set of blocks. I'm currently working out the final layout of the project. We'll see how it goes.
Thanks for stopping by.

Now that Holidays are over

With the Holidays over, I received Barbara's blocks for the Lace & Pearls Round Robin (RR) and have been working on the block all of January. Finally finished up the block tonight and decided to share photos.
I figured it was about time I finally got something posted to my blog.  LOL!

Ok, Barbara's blocks are based on a Vintage Silky she has of two bugs walking into the "Lace Shop" operated by Spider & Spider Co. (I'm smiling, because I've seen the Silky and I think it is a cute idea.)

Barbara's Block

I placed the Lace on the upper left corner, right corner with spider, and the brown lace on lower left corner.  Right lower corner has lace that Barbara put on the block. I beaded that lace with pearls and gold seed beads.

On the Upper left lace, which has two types of flowers, is vintage. I cleaned the lace and it suddenly matched the fabric beneath. So, I outlined the leaves and one flower. The upper flower is stitched with Bullion stitches surrounding pearl seed beads. The Treads of the Bullion Stitches and the Foxglove flowers in the Floral Spray, is hand dyed by Loraine. A CQ friend of mine, who has an Etsy shop called Color Compliments. Beautiful hand dyed fibers.

I used Silk Ribbon for my Floral Spray. The yellow/orange, green and purple were hand dyed by Gretchen who owns the Florilegium in Parkville, Missouri. Wonderful woman who has a shop that Crazy Quilters would die for. LOL!  It is wonderful to have something so close to home.

My last picture is of the Spider on the upper right corner of the block. I have to admit, that I enjoy doing cute and special things on blocks for my CQ friends. I decided that since this was for the Spider & Spider Co., who make lace, why not show a spider working. So, that's what I did. Red arrow shows you that the "silk" is coming out the back of the spider, and that she is making the lace on which she clings.   Thanks for checking out my blog, and I hope you enjoyed the eye candy and picked up some inspiration and information.