Block Update

Season to Season - Fall

I had two blocks to work for the swap I'm hosting at CQN. One for Carole, which I posted previously, and the other for Sharon R, which I include in this post. Again, showing a 'before' and 'after' version.



I added the "Harvest", the ribboned flower and leave cluster with charms, and the seam treatments to the right and at the bottom. Also (2nd photo), the lace motif with beads, and the ribbon and seam treatment below it.



I'm just learning how to do SRE (Silk Ribbon Embroider) and it's turning out to be much more complicated than I had expected. I've bought a number of books and lots of ribbon to practice with. So, hopefully it will be a positive learning experience. LOL.

And finally, I added these seam treatments .



On a closing note, I would like to mention that Wendy's block still has not made it into my hands. The USPS has apparently misplaced it. Or misdelivered it and it has not been forwarded on. Hopefully, Wendy will have time to piece and partially work another block for this swap. Fingers crossed :-)

Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

Blocks Finished

Fairy Tale Round Robin:

Yesterday I received my "Good Daughter" block back from the CQN Fairy Tale Round Robin. I am so happy with it. Thank you to everyone who worked on it for me: Ati, Lynn, Candi, Nancy, Leona, and Judi.

My fairy tale blocks were based on the book "Toads and Diamonds" by Charles Perrault Land, which was originally published in 1889. You can find the annotated version on the story at Surlalune Fairy Tales.







Season to Season - Fall:



I was able to complete my portion of Carole's block. She did a wonderful job with the block to begin with. The colors, center piece, and buttons really brought it to life before my needle took after it.

Here's what I added:

The red leaf and the seam treatment combination below it.



The purple metallic spider web, the pink ribbon and white beads, and the spider.



The stem stitch, leaf stitch and beads to the center piece.



The button wheel seam treatment and french knots.



Well, now I'm off to do my domestic goddess duties. Until next time....Happy Needling!!!

Season to Season Swap

FALL

Quick background: For those of you who don't know what's going on here, I'll quickly update you. I am hostessing my first swap with one of my groups, CQForNewbies (CQN). This is a FALL themed swap and will run from now until around the end of November.

This is a one on one partner share project. Participants will work approximately 1/2 of the block they make, then their partner will work the other 1/2. Participants will get their original blocks back.

Partners have been chosen (via 'blind draw') and here's how it panned out:

Ati partners with Carol
Carole partners with Gerry
Charlene partners with Helina
Courtney partners with Connie
(Gerry's) Make it Even Block partners with Sharon R
Ira partners with Rebecca
Judi partners with Janet
Katrien partners with Christy
Lauri partners with JK
Lori partners with Cynthia
Mary partners with Marlene
Norma partners with Sue
Robin partners with Leslie
Sharon G partners with Faith
Susie partners with Pat

I would also like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of the wonderful cards and goodies that have been sent to me as "Hostess" gifts. I will post photos of those at the end of the swap.

For links to the participants sites or to see photos of those without sites, go to this LINK.

The completed blocks are due back to me around the end of October. So, until then....Happy Needling!!!

Fairy Tale RR - Unicorn Group

I just finished working on Ati's block. This will be a wallhanging for her grandson. I bet he will be just tickled with it. Ati, also has another block in rotation in another group, for her granddaughter.

So....what did I do?

I added the red and white doggy paws, the "Twilight Bark", the black paw print fabric, red ribbon, and the seam blue seam treatment with pearl beads, the dog bones, and silver paw print charm on the yellow ribbon.



I added the "Pongo" and "Perdita", the red heart with pearl bead, and stitched Pongo's and Perdita's collars and tags.



I added the "Cruella De Vil" lettering and the salmon colored seam treatment.



I found it interesting that there were things about this story that I had never noticed before. One of them being Cruella's name. I just never noticed it for (basically) Cruel Devil. DUH!!!!

Another thing that I found interesting was that the story summary that Ati sent with her block was much different than the version I grew up with. When I get the time (ha, ha) I'm going to have to do a little more research on this :-)

Until then....Happy Needling!!!

I'm Back!!!!

Okay, Saturday night. Hubby watching the Nebraska game and I'm free to play on the computer with my glass of Argentinian Merlot, and radio cranked up. I've had such a wonderful couple of days. I've managed to clean (scrub actually) all 4 of my bathrooms, top to bottom. I just love a clean bathroom!

Anyway, here's my post....

I got another cell phone pouch stitched and ready to assemble. That's all 5 now. Granted it's taken awhile but I made it.


I've also been eBay(ing). I've decided that I'm going to learn how to do SRE. So, I've bought some books and ribbons. Hopefully, I've made the correct choices. Here's what I got so far:


I was shocked to find out that Carole Samples' Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches was so much in demand. Luckily, I have mine. But Amazon has listing for outside vendors, starting at $94. I'm watching, just for fun, two copies on eBay. They are three days out and nearing $40, with 10+ bids. The Buy It Now is over $80. WOW!!!!

I was seriously tempted to look into buying some of the beautiful silk threads that Charlene got on her "Thread Binge" but I had just received these gorgeous threads from Susan. So, I passed.



I did pick up a number of charms for Halloween and Christmas. And yes, I also got in on the 10 cent DMC sale at Wal-Mart. I didn't buy 600 skeins like Lou Anne but I did a goodly amount.

I also came up with a 'recycled' thread center. Meaning I rummaged through my DS's room and found a locker organizer that he wasn't using anymore. Well, I think it makes a great area for my threads, scissors, and misc items. I need to have these things handy and the system I had before was just not working. And while this isn't the absolute solution, it's working.


And finally, new projects... I'm making Crazy Quilted Christmas Stockings, aka Victorian Boot Christmas Stockings. This was Mary's swap idea last year and she's decided to hostess it again this year. I know that I'll get one done for sure but I hoping for two of them. This is a stash building swap. And it was SOOOOO much fun last year.


This is my stocking from last year. It was much larger than these will be. In fact, about 50% larger and embellished on both sides. I just don't think I'll have the time to do that this year. But we'll see.


Well, I better wrap this up. Nebraska's not doing well and the language downstairs is getting pretty colorful. LOL. I also have to start getting things organized for my Season to Season - Fall Swap. Partners get assigned tomorrow. Mail out starts on Monday. I'm still missing a couple of blocks but we're two weeks behind so "the show must go on" and I just can't wait for the rest of them.

Right now, I'm trying to make the best of my time. I'm expecting to get quite a few blocks from a lagging Round Robin here shortly. I also have an 'October' heart to make for the Sharing Our Hearts (SOH) swap on CQN. And I want to do something nice. Not just a rush job.

I guess if I've forgotten anything, I can blog it later. Have a wonderful Sunday and Happy Needling!!!

Happy Labor Day and...

STS - Fall 2 Progress (see updates here. Scroll down to the first post.)

Today I spent some time adding laces, ribbons, and various trim pieces to this block. Later today and tomorrow I will begin working my half of it.


I hope you're all having a safe and fun holiday weekend. We're sticking close to home but will be BBQ'ing later today - rain or shine!



Happy Needling!!!

Catching Up Post

The Season to Season - Fall swap/share is well under way. The remaining blocks should be in the mail and on their way. I have 17 of 31 already. We did have one partner have to back out for personal reasons, which left us with an uneven number of partners. So...I made this 'make it even' block. I will try to work on it later today and tomorrow.

This swap only allows us each to send one block in. So, my extra block will be raffled in some way on the CQN group. That way everyone gets something to work on and I don't have to pull out myself.



Next we have the Sharing Our Hearts (SOH) heart for Jaki, also through CQN. This was my very first attempt at SRE. And while it's only leaves, I'm very happy with it. I would really like to learn how to make flowers. Oh well, baby steps....




I guess, I better get to stitching. 'Til Next Time...Happy Needling!!!