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..

More Close Up Photos of My Crazy Patch Embroidery

This is Button Cluster of some Victorian buttons...I love cameos...The verticl seam on the left is the Double Herringbone Stitch. Check here: http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/herringdouble1.html

for a wonderful Stitch Library by Sharon B.

So pretty...
Intricately and beautifully designed just the other day. This block took me approximately three hours to sew together. Now once I start the hand embroidery on it, it may take dozens more hours work before completion. However the weather outside looks frightful, so this project looks delightful...

I also visited three thrift stores today and found lots of little treasure including some Perle Cotton which I love to embroider.

Check back to see my progress.

I am also wondering if I should start a Crazy patch exchange with others. Anyone interested in Crazy patch Exchange...plmk. I think it would be fun.

I had FUN embellishing my new blocks!

Once I started, there was no stopping me. The weather was too windy to go for a walk so I was happy to continue with my present WIP...and if one did not have to sleep I would still be stitching...lol. I will still be adding more beads, etc, but thought I would update you all. I know how I love checking other blog sites FREQUENTLY, so here goes my day number 2 results. Hopefully there will be more 'rainy' days this summer for me to complete. Have a HAPPY everyone!

Three more seam treatments from Pam's Ebook

I absolutely LOVE stitching these seam treatments from Pam Kellogg's ebook:

Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments Volume 1 EBOOK

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9421393

A complete guide to working Crazy Quilt seam treatments with waste canvas. Create perfectly spaced and sized stitches every time!

I actually sat outside in the sun and really enjoyed stitching these three seams. Lighting was perfect, hubby and puppy were very happy to be outside in the sunshine with me and I thoroughly enjoyed my day (especially when refreshments were served too)! Too bad I had to stop and do some errands. Have a happy day everyone. I can't wait to stitch another seam and complete this block.

More seams before embellishment added

TRYING TO COMPLETE CRAZY QUILTING BLOCK

The bottom seam is something I just 'made up' ...was very confused what design to do - as usual, so just used some straight stitches for now. Sometimes I think I am too 'anal retentive' or fussy to do this free style work...(C:
After asking for hubby's 'approval', I added the beads to the TOP lace seam just this morning and am quite pleased so far...I must have tried 20 different beads before I felt these burgundy beads looked okay. (I guess). Any comments about what to do would be appreciated. Perhaps I should sign up for Sharon B's online course about crazy quilting as I LOVE stitching these blocks, however find ideas for properly embellishing can be over whelming at times. I see so many BEAUTIFUL and ELEGANT blocks you ladies stitch..

Crazy Patch Anticipation

Since I have been consumed in completing my last Mystery Stitch Along I have been excitedly collecting embellishments for my next project. I am convinced 'hunting' for these crazy patch items is absolutely the most FUN! However I have also found some wonderful 'treasures' for my next 'million' projects. I will have to live to be one hundred to complete all these projects I dream of!

Quite a few wintery Saturday evenings ago, I sewed three blocks with these blue and pink themed fabrics. Hopefully they will be my next project. The colors are definitely different from natural light, and I imagine my next photos will display differently.

Waking up with more fresh snow on the ground I have decided I will spend more time stitching instead of working in my garden...back to complete my spring robin stitch along...only one day or so to go...yippee!!

...please stay posted for my next update.

HAPPY Spring Everyone.

Quote:

We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.The elderly usually don't have re- grets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."It's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

My Second Seam Treatment Waiting for Embellishment

I loved the appearance of this fan stitch on Pamela's Band Sampler! And it was fun to stitch. However I now realize printed fabrics do not work too well in CP. I also used Perle cotton, now realizing embroidery floss may have given a nicer effect, but once I add my beads, this treatment will look better. I can hardly wait to complete this crazy patch but am concentrating work on Part One of Pamela's Mystery SAL. I seem to be much slower stitching than the other participants, but I promised myself to concentrate on completing each 'new' project I start this year.

My favorite quote for today:

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."-- Mother Teresa

More WIP's Finished

I have also started some new stitches on my crazy patch block #4, however I am not too happy with my 'initial' waste canvas technique ..hopefully my stitching will improve with practice as I think the larger size WC would have worked better! Now I will do the other seams. Please check back later to see the embellishments. I also learned from this (my very first CP) to use plain fabric so my stitching is not 'lost'!

I have almost completed the other three squares. These squares are 18 inches square and I have learned this is too large a size for a beginner like me! Because I loved the embellishing part, my poor husband is disappointed as he thought I was making a large 'QUILT' to keep him warm...alas this may be a wall hanging instead!

Yes, my Mystery Quilt is almost finished as I had set sewing aside before Christmas anticipating and my Dad's hospital stay. Remaining work on my quilt is sewing the five rows of blocks together and adding the inner/outer borders. Then I will post a picture. The fabrics are all batiks and I am quite pleased with the end result even though I had an unfortunate dilema with the background fabric. Would you believe the color of the dyes looked PEACHY...ALMOST ORANGE in my home lighting instead of the blue/green shades in the quilt shop! This mystery quilt is quite an invesment as I selected different fabric for background!

I feel very good today as I also completed a crocheted outfit for another one of my naked Barbie dolls. I find crocheting can be done much easier than other crafts. I will photo once accessories are done.

I also have supplies ready to start Pamela's Spring SAL. I am participating in the robin-spring themed project because my Dad, who passed away February 6th, 2008 loves robins and most other birds. His favorite hobby was building all sizes and shapes of birdhouses for their cottage at Clear lake.

Please see my other WIP's and completed projects here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/22417689@N03/

"When I count my stitches I count all my BLESSINGS too."