Post Prom Update

Finally!  Prom season is over!  I'm back to working regular hours and theoretically, I'll have more time to keep up with all my projects.  Theoretically.  And, after my step-daughter's wedding this weekend...of course.

Here's my cute Easter bonus block for the Splendid Sampler.  Designed by one of my favorite designers, Bunny Hill Designs.

Isn't this one just adorable!  It might be my favorite so far.  It took me awhile to embroider it but I love how it turned out.

 These stars turned out great.  I love pretty much everything about this block.

Now, you may know my feelings on paper piecing.  I ususally hate it.  This one went together pretty easily.  I even liked the colors I chose.  Then, I measured it.  A full .5" too small, WTH?  It's paper pieced and I can see the .25 seam allowance, so I know I  didn't cut it wrong.  It just NEVER works for me!  I was so proud of myself, too.  Dang it!

And, another disaster.  First, I tried stitching the measuring tape details and it was HORRIBLE so I bought preprinted ribbon.  Then I inked the words so I couldn't destroy it again.

Then, I finally did another one that I liked.  Phew.  I'm still several behind but I'll get to it EVENTUALLY.

 

I did manage to do one block for the Art Nouveau quilt.  Which, I love.  It was such a joy to get back to hand applique.  I'd been trying to cut back to save my forearms.  They're doing much better now so I'll just have to make sure I don't over-do.

And, that's that, my friends.  Thanks for stopping by!

Crazier and Crazier

First, I have some exciting news!  My work was published  in the latest issue of Crazy Quilter's Quarterly!  Isn't that awesome?  Sure, it's Viewer's Submissions but I'm published!  What?!

 I can't believe I'm saying this but I did almost no hand stitching in the months of March and Apirl.  I managed to keep up with the Round Robins that I signed up for but that's about all.  Carpel tunnel sucks, although I have to admit yoga has really helped so much.  This is part of the Batik Me Round Robin.  I tried a woven stitch for these Egyptian like flowers.  They turned out pretty cool but I'd have to admit that my execution needs some improvement.

This block belongs to Carmie A.  The one I did last month got lost in the mail and delayed about 3 weeks.  I felt so bad!  The block owner made a replacement and then the original showed up.  Gees.  These round robins have more drama involved than what I'm used to...

 I tend to do a lot of paisleys, I know.  Can't help it, I love them.  I also did the rick rack below it.

This rose ribbon was given to me by a member of the Yahoo Crazy Quilters Group.  I was rummaging through my lace box and it fell out on to the block and I just loved the colors with the block!  It's almost cheating but not really.  It certainly helped with my carpel tunnel, just a quick slip stitch and it was done.

I've lost track of who this block belongs to.  I'm pretty sure it was part of the Novice Round Robin that is just finishing up.  These pictures are terrrible but you'll get the idea.  I did a zigzag chain with bugle beads in the center.  Then along this great velvet striped fabric, I did orange stars with green  colonial knots in the open area.

I did a metalic gold herringbone stitch with gold beads and the button cluster in the middle.  I really didn't know what else to do with the wild focal fabric.

This is the whole block with everyone's work.

 This is my most recent contribution.  It's also part of the Batik Me round robin.  The block belongs to Pat F.  I did  the leaves and white baby's breath over a printed fabric that was brown sketch.  I love how it looks like the dragonfly is part of the same motif.  But, the dragonfly was done before I got to it.

Then I added  the threaded linked chain leading up to the tatted butterfly that someone else did.  It's super wonky but kind of appropriate for a butterfly trail.

  I also added this ribbon wheat stalk.  Not bad for a first time, I guess.   

And, this is my May Crazy Quilt Journal Project.  I love the little duckling but I fear it gets a little lost.  I'm still working on keeping things balanced.  My ribbon work often over takes the block.  We'll have to see what next month brings.

I realize how ridiculous it is that this is me, giving up stitching for prom season... What can I say?  I'm a bit crazy.

Thanks for stopping by!

Where Did Apirl Go?

Hello friends!  Well, it's been a long time since I've had a free moment to keep in touch with you.  Prom season.  Yikes.

I haven't done a lot of hand work but I have (mostly) kept up with the Splendid Sampler.  There's a couple embroidered blocks that I haven't had time to finish.  And, I haven't had time to do the most recent week.  But, really, I'm not that far behind.  Nothing a day off couldn't solve.

I love the fabrics in this first one but they probably weren't the best suited for the design.  The center candy shape doesn't show up enough.  But, now that I've used my favorite red florals, I don't want it to go to waste them.

 This one is pretty cool.  Even if it was paper pieced...

I loved this Earth Day block but I don't think I did it justice.  I used a satin machine stitch and the whole think got a little wavy.  I love my machine but the satin stitch doesn't go dense enough.  I could certainly be doing it wrong.

Some people have stitched earth maps on their's, which is perfect.

 

 My birds are a little on the orange side, but we'll see how it looks in the end.

This is the Easter block.  The little bunnies are so cute.  I gave them little french knot butts.

 

This one could be my favorite.  I do love pink.

And, this one.  Love it, too.  I thought the colors made it look really classic.  And, it's so tiny at 6".

 

 Another favorite.  I love the little basket of flowers.  I'm sorry I didn't  include the names and designers of the blocks but you can check everyting out at Splendid Sampler . It's been a lot of fun so far!

Now, to do some yoga and then I'm off to work again.  Hope to see you soon!

Splendid Sampler, This & That

Time to check in with a few more Splendid Sampler blocks.  These are turning out to be really fun to make.  In no particular order; Friends Around the Square.

 Iowa.  I thought this was a great block to include since Rich and Bethany were both born in Iowa.  Not to mention, my in-laws still live there.  A state near and dear to our hearts.

This was a bonus block.  I ended up  using felt for the petals and center.  It may be the type I bought but the adhesive I used wouldn't release on the petals.  The cotton completely shredded.  But, was fine on the pot.  Not my favorite method of applique.

 This will eventually say Quilt Shop on the lightest pink space.  I promise the block isn't as wonky as the photo makes it appear...

I almost didn't do this one but when I realized I could make it be my daughter Sierra, I got pretty excited about it.  She has green hair, this week.  She sleeps with a white bunny named Little Susie and an orange bear named Patrick.  And, the first quilt I ever made for her was  covered in strawberries.

 Most people did this embroidered motif in chain stitches but I did it mostly using lazy daisy/ fly stitches.  Not sure how sturdy it will be on a quilt but I really dig the delicate look.

I worked on my local RR crazy quilt block.  I think this is Marsha's block.  I did the Fancy Bobbin Stitch that is barely visible in the upper right corner in 2 shades of blue.  Then I tried doing the Raised Cross Stitch with ribbon to make the 5 larger roses in the bouquet.

Lastly, I finished another block in the Vintage Valentine quilt.  I used a different bird in it than the pattern called for but I kept the flowers the same.  I think it turned out really sweet.

So, that's all I have to show for myself.  Thanks for stopping by!

Batik Me Round Robin

I thought I'd show my work on  Cindi Renaldo's block.  She didn't have any suggestions on what direction to go in, so I went with what I thought was obvious.  The colors just screamed tropical to me.

 My first motif was this koi fish and did a beaded wheat stitch above it.

 Then, I followed the fabric design and did a green and coral feather stitch with little sea horses for the next area.

 For my final motif and seam, I did a herringbone stitch with star beads and coral clam shells.  The fish are made with fly stitches.

Finally, my step daughter is getting married in June and I got to make the garters.  I chose one for the ceremony and one for the party.  Her dad and I eloped to Vegas, so I've never really been involved with a real wedding.  It was pretty fun!

Plugging Along

Hello friends, seems like it's been a while since I checked in.  Going back to work slowed my stitching down considerably but I'm still plugging away.  I did cave and start a new project!  This is block 1 from Vintage Spool's Vintage Valentine.  I bought the pattern with my birthday coupon back in May and immediately regretted it.  First off, it was not cheap, even with a coupon.  Secondly, upon closer inspection, I wasn't happy with some of the birds and flowers on a few of the blocks.  My first thought was to only do a few of my favorite blocks and make a wall hanging.  But, now that I started, I've decided to change things to make it more my own.  My first change was a completely different color pallette.  That's really to be expected, though.  On block 1, the birds' tail feathers were rounded.  I just squared them off.  I've started block 2 and replaced a bird with one I had from a different pattern.  Her birds are VERY vintagy...the new ones are only slightly more modern.  I'll show that later.  So far, I like what I'm doing!

My final block for our BOM at the guild.  This is pretty
outdated.  I've embroidered a beak and legs.  And, put the whole quilt together.  I took it to Show and Tell last night at guild because I don't think I'll be there next month when they're due.  Anyways, as I stared at it for few hours during the meeting, I realized that I don't like my border choices.  So, that'll have to change.  As is, the blocks and borders just kind of melt into eachother.

 I did 1 motif and 1 seam treatment on Alice's cq block.  This is for my local RR.  I did the music note and vine next to it.

I've been keeping up with the Splended Sampler.  The blocks are so quick and easy.  So far, anyways. This pattern is supposed to have circle flowers but I found my little flower buttons to use instead.  The background fabric should have been less busy but I love it...

 Sorry about the crappy pics.  I was sewing in the middle of the night and just used my cell phone.  Again.  I'm not thrilled with my fabric choice on the dots for this one.

And, this one might have been better off with the red and pale pink fabrics flip flopping.  Or changing out the small print.  But it was so cute.  So far, I'm really doing much more red than pink.

That's all I've got for now!  See you soon.

Novice Round Robin Update

It's been a few weeks but I forgot to do a blog post about Sarma's block!

Sarma asked for an asian themed block with no lace or plastic.  I think she plans on doing a bed quilt.

I did a very simple feather stitch with lazy daisy stitches on one seam.

 Then, I added a rose vine to the spider web that Lynda made.

Not a great picture, I really need to stop being lazy and grab the camera.  Not my phone.  But, I love the paisley.

My favorite is the golden feather.  I interwove metallic gold through the back stitches.  Then used perle cotton and gold beads to couch the black rick rack down.

The whole block, including the beautiful tree and flower cluster that Lynda stitched.  I'm excited to get the next one but have to admit as we get further in, it's harder to mesh with the last person's vision.  It's a challenge, for sure.