CQI Retreat 2010

Can you believe that our retreat was nearly three months ago already? I'm telling you...time is passing way too quickly for me!

Anyway, here are the list moms Hideko, Leslie, Kerry, and Cathy.



Cathy, Ingrid, Kerry, Juli, Hideko, and Josie.



Colleen, Lauri, Leslie, Ilys, Janet, and Freda.



Diane, Claudina, Connie, Shari, and Ilys.



Colleen, Cathy, Jacque, Connie, Freda, Josie, and Ingrid.



Needless to say, the views were just gorgeous!





This is the crazy quilted teddy bear that Lauri made for the Chinese auction. The photos don't even come close to doing it justice. Its about 16 tall (standing) and has jointed arms and legs. The stitching and bead work is to die for!!! But then again, we've come to expect that from Lauri's work. Josie took this little beauty home with here to Texas.



This is the dress form pincushion that I made for the auction. Lauri took her home.

For the dress form and the apron I used free internet patterns and tweaked them a bit. Finished she stands nearly a foot tall.



Because 'she' ended up being so busty, I felt compelled to add an extension/bib to the apron for modesty's sake. I added the cameo necklace to fancy her up and of course, had to make her a set of pretty pins to show off.

The apron was meant to be an adult scalloped apron but I shrunk it down to doll size. Each scallop section is cut and sewn separately. I also added the crossing straps and neck strap, and the scissors hanging from the pocket area. To finish it properly, I lined it.



For the base I stained a wooden dowel and the wooden base. Wrapped thread around some craft spools, used a vintage spool and thread that I had, added a couple of sewing notion charms, as well as a couple buttons and mini clothes pins.



Sadly, I didn't take any other photos of of the auction or of the TONS of wonderful goodies given away. From beautifully crafted needle books, a lovely embroidered tea cozy, stunning Obie's from Japan, darling little rocking chair pincushions, a fabulous 'crazy quilter starter' gift package, and even an Ott light!!!! How cool is that?

As for the give away goodies, these are the gifties that I gave: Bookmarks and matchbook needle books.



Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry

Crazy Quilted Faberge Rabbit

This is a little something that I made just for me. I was so taken with Lauri's crazy quilted bear that she made for our 2010 retreat that I just had to have my own little stuffed CQ something.

Lauri's bear:



My rabbit: (Completed she stands 8 1/2" tall; 10" tall including the bent ears)













This rabbit was made using a free online pattern from Joann's. I followed the pattern fairly closely on this rabbit. Although I did not/have not made the egg yet.

Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry

Christmas Projects

I found myself with a few extra minutes today so I thought I would pop in and post to my poor, neglected blog. I've been making aprons for my four nieces for Christmas. I was originally going to make matching chef's hats but opted instead for matching oven mitts and hot pads.

(Remember to click on the image to enlarge, then click again to "SUPER SIZE" it)

This is Monique's Teapot apron, mitt and pad. For the main fabric I used a Mary Engelbreit's Cup of Kindness, a yellow polka dots on black for the accent pieces and bow, and a solid yellow fabric for the lining. It's difficult to see but I attached an ME Teacup button to the center of the bow.



This is Alyssa's Bistro apron, mitt and pad. For the main fabric I used a vintage reproduction fabric which has an allover kitchen/food motif, a multi-colored, stripped fabric for the accent pieces, and a solid burgundy fabric for the lining and bow. Attached to the bow is another ME button. This one a bowl of cherries.



This is Sydney's Birdhouse apron, mitt and pad. For the main fabric I used an allover birds and birdhouse fabric, a multi-colored stars on red fabric for the accent pieces and bow, and a solid beige for the lining. On this bow I've attached a little bird and birdhouse button.



This is Emily's Fairy apron, mitt and pad. For the main fabric I used an all over purple on white fairy fabric, a purple and red on purple "Hot Mama's" confetti fabric for the accent pieces, pockets, and lining. And of course, added the purple rick-rack trim, and accented the top with an organza and beaded flower.



The first three aprons were made using Simplicity Pattern #3746. However, I did have to modify/resize the pattern for two of these aprons. The last apron was made using Simplicity Pattern #2492. On this apron I merged the "A" and "B" apron to achieve the look I wanted. I also modified the pocket and the ties by eliminating the ties at the back of the neck so that it criss-crosses in the back (like the others).

On all of the aprons I made and added the bows, and the linings, and created my own pattern for the oven mitts and hot pads.

Each one of the girls will receive their ensemble with a package of cookie mix, a gift box of cookie cutters, a small rolling pin, wire whisk, spatula, and wooden spoon.

The only other sewing that I did for Christmas was to make a couple of 12 x 12, button up the back pillows and covers but forgot to take photos - oh well..... I guess I'll just have to make a couple more!

For now though, everything has been mailed and is under the tree where it belongs.

Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry

Life's Motto

I recently found this over at Domestic Witch's blog. I love it!

I googled it to try and determine its origins but alas I could not find it. I did find out that it's been around for approximately 20 years, though. And it comforts me to know that not everything changes from one decade to the next. LOL.

Anyway, here it is:

Life's Motto
The objective is not to arrive safely in an attractive, well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, glass of wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming,
"WOO HOO what a ride!"



Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry

Horse Quilt Finished

I had planned to make this for and give it to my son for his 20th birthday....that didn't pan out, so its on one of the guest beds upstairs for now. Here's how it looks.

(Horse Quilt - Finished Set)



I started this quilt in March and got it finished the first week in October. And while it turned out to be more of a project than I expected I couldn't be more happy with it. It fits nicely on a queen sized bed (which is a lot larger than the original planned twin size. LOL) and I'm very happy that I rounded out the corners, despite the effort and time it took.

In case you missed my previous posts about this quilt, I will give you a quickie review. (See more photos HERE and HERE, and/or search this blog for "Horse Quilt")

The main fabrics (green and brown) and the backing are a very soft ultra suede. There are a number of hand embroidered designs scattered on the quilt, such as the white horses in the squares and circles, the cowboy hats and boots, the saddles, the barbed-wire that runs throughout, and the lassos made of green glittery cording. My personal favorite is the mountain scene with its snow caps, pool of melting snow, and pine trees.

The main horse panels, horse shoes, and stirrups are all part of some vintage cheater fabrics that I have had since before my son was born. I simply cut them apart to place them where they made the most sense (to me).

I added the other cowboy hats, horses, and burnt orange fabric to the quilt just to help tie it all together. And of course, so that the pillow cases would match. The final touch was the burnt orange piping that I added to both the quilt and the pillow cases. Speaking of which...I'm really happy with how the pillow cases turned out. I love the layered effect with all of the accent pieces.

(After having it quilted)



(After rounding corners, adding piping, and border)





(Close up of mountain scene)



This is the label I attached at the bottom on the back. Thanks for helping me with this, mom. I miss you!



I give a very special THANK YOU to Connie for the fabulous job she did in quilting this for me. I asked only for a 'swirl' type pattern, not expecting too much. Yet she chose the perfect pattern to use. I LOVE IT!!!! In addition, she gave me an accurate and reasonable estimate, kept the deadline promised for turn around, and she took the extra time and effort to do hand quilting where appropriate. She is definitely my GO TO PERSON for machine quilting.

Well.............Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry