Quilting & Embroidery Update

Well, just because I haven't posted, doesn't mean I haven't been busy - LOL.

I went to an awesome three-day embroidery retreat where I worked  Claudia's Baltimore design. It still needs to be quilted, but all of the embroidery is done.

Then there was a trapunto class with Paula Reid where I learned a bunch of new tips and trips about trapunto and stippling. Thanks Paula for a fantastic day of quilting! I have done another 18" block just for grins and to make sure I've got the technique in my head.

After that was a great rainy afternoon spent embroidering my first Magic In The Air block.

On top of all of that, I've also completed four blocks and will begin two more blocks this week so I can get through a block-of-the-month (well, two blocks a month) quilt project.

I'll post pictures later - now back to quilting!

Crazy Quilt Blocks

As always, this has been a crazy, busy month. I fixed the super hero capes that I made for Christmas so that they fit the boys better. Then I created some crazy quilt blocks for a round robin and some quilt sandwiches for FMQ practice.

My portion of work on two crazy quilt blocks is completed. Years ago I did hand embroidery and only just last year started it again. Needless to say, I don't feel that my stitching is up to par with many others in the group, but we all have to start (or begin again) somewhere so I jumped in with both feet and am doing my best.

 

I've been collecting different threads, ribbons, and other embellishments whenever I see them in local stores and trying out new stitches and new techniques.

Working with very narrow silk ribbon is something I really want to get better at so I am practicing every chance I have. In my stitching library at home, I have some how-to hand embroidery stitching books from years ago and there is a ton of online tutorials and information which I find absolutely invaluable. Thanks to everyone who contributes their time and talents online so that we can all learn and feel more confident in our skills.

A Busy Start in 2012

Wow! It's not quite the middle of January, and I don't think I've slowed down from the holidays yet.

There were a couple of things I didn't finish before Christmas, one of which I'll finish tonight. It's an apron for my daughter's BFF and it turn out really cute. I'll post a picture once it's done and ironed.

I made a couple of superhero capes for some super grandsons and the closure at the neck was a little loose so I need to fix those too. Maybe I'll have time to finish them tonight after the apron is done.

I've made some 6x6 quilt blocks to use for my CQJP and I need to make some practice quilt sandwiches for my free motion quilting.

There's a serger class coming up soon so I can learn all about the extra feet that came with my Babylock and I can't wait to experiment with them.

With all this going on, I'm also trying to unclutter my house and my mind and get rid of some of the excess I really don't need. I found a blog through the Proverbs 31 Ministries blog about being clutter-free by Glynnis Whitwer and I'm following it in the hopes that I can eliminate some of the extra "stuff" in my life that keeps following me around.

Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

I just signed up for the 2012 Crazy Quilt Journal Project and I can't wait to get started.

Years ago, I was an avid hand embroiderer but sort of lost touch with it somewhere along the way. I just recently began hand stitching again and even joined my first Crazy Quilt Round Robin.

I'm so excited to be doing this again. There are so many beautiful threads, fibers, motifs, and ribbons available to play with.

Keep watching for pictures and progress posts as the CQJP 2012 begins!

Crazy Quilt Round Robin

I just got involved in a crazy quilt round robin. This is the very first one I've done and I'm super excited about it. I finished my naked block and am mailing it out tomorrow. There are five of us in the group and we'll each mail a block to a person; work on it for a month; mail it to the next person who will work on, etc., until it ends up back with the original owner.

I'm am looking forward to receiving my first block. There's no telling what colors it will be or what I'll be inspired to stitch and that's why it will be so much fun.

Here's my blank block:

I decided with my blocks that I would make them very neutral (black/white/grey) hoping that everyone will be as creative as possible. Only one block is sent to the others in the group but I made three altogether so that I can make a wall hanging to put in my sewing room.

More pics to follow as our round robin gets underway!