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."

Finished Valentine Stitch Along

I finally completed my Valentine Mystery Stitch along and am excitedly purchasing supplies (floss and fabric) for my next SAL project.

Does it feel good to be completely finished! Now I have to decide where to have picture framed, then I will take a picture when complete. I saw a beautiful pictures of roses today with the saying 'Roses Mean Remembrance' as I mentioned I am framing these roses in loving memory of my Dad. Coincidentally, the beautiful rich color happened to be identical to the roses in his floral arrangement.
I am now doing some volunteer work for our local Art Gallery and hope to have work complete in time for Part One of the new 'spring' mystery stitch along. I have an idea one of Pam's design may be of a robin as the embroidery floss I purchased seem to be those shades of a robin's breast. Very pretty colors! I am anticipating this project, mainly because I LOVE spring so much! This winter has definitely been the coldest on record! These projects certainly do help pass the time.
I went to a church rummage today and did I find some beautiful little treasures - some sparkly jewelry pins, vintage buttons (3 packages for twenty cents) and beads that will work very nicely with my elegant stitches from Pam's new book. Please be watching...to be added to my next crazy patch project SOON!

Quote for today:

Sew much fabric, sew little time.

.

Pam Kellogg's Valentine Mystery Stitch Along Almost Complete!

Just this week, February 18th Pam Kellogg announced a new First Robin of Spring Mystery Stitch-Along, starting in March, therefore I am busy finishing Part Four of the Valentine SAL before I begin a new project. Although I have started another crocheted outfit for one of my Barbies as I find it easier to crochet while watching TV. Our Scott Tournament of Hearts Curling championships are on and I am trying to watch the games with my husband, one 'sport' we BOTH enjoy!
For 2008, I am sincerely trying to complete projects before starting any more new ones. However, since I am really happy with the way my Valentine project looks (despite the blackwork being my 'initial work' using this celtic stitching technique), I am tempted to try another mystery stitch along and have been collecting my materials hopefully being organized for Part One. I definitely did not complete by Valentine's Day, but I will complete the last half of Part Four this week. I am planning on having this completed cross stitch framed dedicating the picture in Loving Memory of my Father who passed away February 6th, 2008 after a lengthy illness the entire month of January. The hearts and roses in the picture seem to portray my love and devotion to him.
I am also excited to start another Crazy Patch using seam treatments from Pam's "Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments".
The LINK to Spring SAL is:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9654377
Please see my other WIP's and completed projects here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22417689@N03/

A WARM THOUGHT ON A BITTERLY COLD DAY

Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

This is a photo of a partially complete Valentine Stitch Along project I signed up with online. Pamela does beautiful work and I admiringly visit her blog daily for inspiration and motivation. I hope to begin working on Part Three of the SAL shortly and will update this blog. Please find find more photos of my work here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22417689@N03/page2/

Now I will take a break from my WIP to visit my Dad in the hospital. He was 93 on December 3 and is having a difficult time. I have been praying God be merciful to him. It is very stressful watching Dad deteriorate. Working on my hobbies helps keep away negative thoughts. Nothing can take away my strong respect and love for my Dad.

An Email I received Touched Me

COPY:
QUILT OF HOLES
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries.. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."

YELLOW SINGS 'SPRING' - NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE COLORS

The outfit is finished and I can honestly say I do love the color yellow NOW. I crocheted this entire outfit for this doll using these bright (and I do mean BRIGHT) beads my friend gave me. I was already doing a project and really would no thave selected the color, however when I tried crocheting a couple of rows using black thread I LOVED the effect and knew that I would have no problem completing the outfit.

I have many other hobbies but find crocheting these dresses very therapeutic and convenient to do whenever and almost wherever I go. Now this project is complete I am working on another project that is in my WIP stash. I had taken a crazy patch course in August and am HOOKED! Love it. I almost finished four eighteen inch blocks however ran out of ideas and silk ribbon. While I was waiting for my ebay order of silk ribbon order to arrive from Australia, I visited my local quilt store and discovered a lady selecting beautiful fabrics for a 'mystery' quilt. The 'mystery' idea captivate me and one of the sales clerks selected five gorgeous fabrics...need I say more! My husband just picked up the sixth and last set of instructions to assemble the quilt so I will be able to finish this probably right after Christmas. My table where I normally sew has Christmas presents waiting to be wrapped.

Now, my puppy must have heard me typing away and wants some attention...will go for now...until my next idea pops up.."Merry Christmas Everyone" and I do like to keep the word Christ in Christmas.