Tea Block Number 3

This block was not easily inspired as my end result turned out very differently from my original design. I had actually envisioned a grouping of cupcakes so please tell me why I ended up with a teapot! However, I found this floral heart motif in my stash. I had paid ten cents for it; I thought it would be appropriate for my Valentine theme teapot block. Using a contrasting heart-designed pink fabric, I hand appliqued the spout, handle and lid, but the teapot is fused then I embroidered around the edge, using a blanket stitch.

After I completed this block I sewed a block for my next CQ...so guess what I hope to be doing this week...please drop by to see my progress. I had anticipated making a pin cushion, however when it was not working out, I gave up and started to sew scraps together. I can't wait as there is something about CQ and hand embroidery that I absolutely love! Is this why people call this type of work 'crazy patchwork'?

I think I love CQ as it gives one a chance to incorporate many different techniques in one project, for example - silk ribbon embroidery, applique, tatting, crocheting, lace, different fabrics, hand embroidery, trims, beading, embellishing, Brazilian embroidery, cross stitch, etc! The combinations are limitless! Now on with my stitching.

Take care. Happy Valentine's Day!
Cheryl


Some thoughts of the day:
1. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God.. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. The best is yet to come
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything.. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back..

TAT'S Finished...well maybe?

Please NOTE the dark blue border at the top is our wallpaper border, not the quilt; I purposely used the short form TAT for "A Tisket A Tasket" .

I entitled this WIP 'finished', however, I am still not sure about this border fabric and quilting may be delayed for a bit. Fabric is from my 'stash' and I love the fabric, especially those roses, and the color. However, when I first posted this photo to Flickr someone suggested the large flowers competed with the baskets. In fact, I have had second thoughts about the sashing also as would you believe my first sashing was in a pretty green that really looked nice, I thought. I thought the green really pulled out the greens in my individual blocks, but what about my other colors, tha tis my rich burgundies and pinks? Of course I also needed my DH's opinion as I sewed. DH assured me the green sashing really looked nice.

However, I couldn't sleep the day I had added the green, waking up at three in the morning, turning on the lights to check IF I really had accomplished that much. Well, have you ever had nights like this when you wake up, not feeling 100% well emotionally then tend to relate the pukey feeling to something that happened during the day? Well, believe me, this pretty green sashing did not look 'pretty' at three o'clock in the morning and almost made me sick to my stomach.

One remedy came to mind! What time is it? All the fabric stores in the immediate area did not open until nine or even ten! Could I wait that long? I hurriedly pack up my car with my WIP, and extra blocks, etc. and head out of town to a quilt shop just half an hour out of town! I was going for HELP or at least for another opinion! I was keeping my fingers crossed the shop would be 'open'. It was! The ladies starting pulling out fabrics that were workable, had 'punch'...and I was feeling elated, relieved, and excited about this new shopping experience. Well, a quilter can never legitimize her trip to a LQS without exiting with a bag of fabric, can they? I had used about a quarter of a tank of gas, therefore it was my responsiblity to make my trip worthwhile. After, all my shopping, I felt I was in heaven as I now had not one, but two bags of goodies! I couldn't wait to return home with my 'new' purchases, RIP off the now 'sickly' green, replacing the green with the new pretty pink. I was so excited! It took me two whole hours to rip, but I was loving every minute as I could already envision this pretty pink sashing doing the trick! Pink is my favorite color any ways..besides blue...well 'one' of my favorite colors!

I sewed the entire day...then couldn't wait to post my photo to Flickr for viewers critiques...however, something was not quite right yet! Now that I reflect, perhaps that nauseated feeling was my coming down with the dreaded stomach flu.

I wait in front of my monitor for my first HIT! Three hits, and nothing, then it comes...a viewer leaves a comment...she thinks the roses compete with my baskets. That did it!!!...but didn't I ask for suggestions from other experienced quilters? I soon delete the photo from any more critiques. Now what do I do?

My stomach is feeling nauseated again!!! I considered replacing the border with a smaller print..however I still LOVE these roses and just could not imagine my wasting all that lovely fabric. After all I can almost smell these roses! Perhaps the fabric being sentimental to me as 'roses mean remembrance' and I did sew this quilt in memory of my Dad. My love for roses is another story as I think I have roses in most of my blocks. I had spent SEW much time hand appliqueing all those blocks. Needless to realize, this entire sashing was or should I say IS now my first 'saga' of 2010. In the meantime, I will work on my other WIP's. Hmmm...and I just realize perhaps this is why I may be notorious for having more than one WIP. I asked my DH if he thinks I have OCD, (which thankfully I do NOT have)...I just know I like 'nice' things and if I do something, I am very conscientious and will excel. I feel God has blessed me with my love to work with my hands.

Back to my quilt top...I hung the top in my room and I must have looked at it one hundred times, trying to figure out what I am going to do. I squinted at it, smiled at it, peeked at it, ignored it, poked at it, wrote about, asked several friends about it and even cried at it. Alas, I never realized this quilting is serious stuff! I have also purchased MORE fabric for that border, but when I hold my 'possible purchase up to the border, it does nothing for me. So for now I am a basket case! I almost feel ill about all this, but a lesson is learned, or has it? I now vow, if I ever tackle another major year long project...well to be truthful many of my projects have been works in progress (WIPs) for more than a year, I VOW, and promise myself to select my border first, then pull my colors from the border. However I really 'bonded' with this BOM (block of the month). I have met so many wonderful, talented friends on Flickr! These freinds have become such a part of my life now. I check my NEW groups DAILY to view the new additions to our happy little family...yes we are expanding! I now belong to three Flickr groups and projects: 2010 Tea and Coffee Quilt Along, Snowbound and A Tisket a Tasket group.

And this reminds, I missed posting Ms Snowlady with her

'B * L * I * N * G *', as I stitched some lettering and beads on this block.

And now please tag along for a virtual tour...grab your coffee and see what us quilters are up to.

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

...I have more than one come to mind


"When in doubt, just take the next small step."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Have a wonderful day, my friends.
(C:

My First Block for 2010 Tea and Coffee Quilt Along

I forgot to add the button before taking this picture without button. Yes, I designed this...even did the writing. It was't that easy to do everything with needle turn applique, but I really started enjoying it after my 'mystery' quilt I sewed New Year's Day was finished. I first intended a bird to be sitting on top of the gift teapot, with the bird tying the ribbon, but when I enlarged my original pattern for the teapot, I also enlarged the bow, and did not leave enough room for the bird...of course I had to rip and make new smaller bow. My husband liked the 'Christmas' bird, so I chose a dove to fly instead of sit on the package..(C:....but then there was not enough room above the teapot but I added the 'peace' writing. Now I have found a theme for my blocks as each month will have a different 'theme'...guess what the theme for February will be? January's block is a surprise...still need to be inpsired but ideas are starting. I have lots of ideas for 'summer' blocks so may do summer block next, but then who knows how many times I may change my mind.