TBCQ progress

Here's the next block completed. I like this one! It is much prettier in person. The brooch is lighter than it has come out in the pic, very 'icy', and sparkly.
Freda asked if I would use tatting in every block, and I think I will attempt to do this. Using tatting is a signature of my work,  and I love the texture it adds to a block, as well as the history.

Here is a progress pic so far.

I haven't quite decided on how to work with the black blocks.  The lower embellished one is effective in the photo, but in reality, blah, don't like the look. To simple , and to add more to the seams would add more colour, which I don't want. The upper block was all black - stitching and beading, and I added some dark green thread. Which I do like. I love the black on  black, and the different type of fabric does create interest, but it needs something to lighten it up, literally, and visually. I am going to do another in just the green thread and see how that moves me.

My only problem now. I am loving the look to this quilt, and I want to make it bigger than originally intended, but I do not have a wall big enough to display it on (except opposite the toilet door, and while it would be a lovely piece to sit and admire, I am not so sure that guests will be excited by this option...)

I am settling into a rhythm with these blocks, and making decisions as I go, like trying to work with mostly 2 colours per block (+ green, cos thats a CQer neutral y'kno), and having one main focal point per block...

which is not what I did here....

I added the red roses, and then needed a very 'strong' element to offset that. I made the stacked herringbone in red...still not enough, so embarked on the SRE posie. The ribbon is more purple than blue (this is my purple and red block).
Once I had the two elements, I thought I'd better add the third - for newbies the general (not) rule (because there are no rules in CQ!!) is to have three visual elements, or motifs, on a block, to help draw, and move your eye around, and the human eye (brain) finds odd numbers more appealing than even. If the numbers are even, the brain perceives symmetry, and doesn't bother to look any further. .... so ends todays lesson!
....so, I added the dragonfly. At this point I decided that I wasn't going to stick to that rule. Each block needs just one "eyecatching" element to draw the eye once the blocks are assembled into a quilt.

And here is the start of block 3 - mauve/blue, and dusky pink

I tried a new seem. It is (as far as I can figure) a zig-zagged, alternating, barred, chain stitch . I see many in my future.

Pics of this block completed tomorrow.

Truckin' along

Lets play spot the difference. Whenever I say a block is done, it is usually never done, and this needed more work.
I notice a new crop of readers commenting, so I will explain my thought process as we go along.
The biggest difference, which is subtle, is the extra stitching added to the half cirles up the top. While effective, there was a lot of 'space' in them , and it needed filling. I used a neutral thread to add texture and 'visual weight' only rather than colour. This helped offset the 'visiual weight' of the tatting on the other side.

And below are some close up of other work on the block

This seam is a variation on chain stitch, with a fly stitch and detached chain. A bullion knot lies within each link.

I also added the turquoise beads down this seam just for continuity with the tendrils coming out form the face.

And finally for today, another block started

"Crazy in a Box"

I have finished the first cream block (light side). Boy, that was a mission. It has actually been a long time since I did CQ. Sitting down with a block in front of me was quite intimidating. I am definitely out of practice. What colour to put where? How to balance the block? Even though each block is a stand alone piece, and doesn't necessarily have to blend or balance with everything else on the quilt, I still want every one to be pretty...and right!

A commentor asked the size of each block. The sides measure 6"(15cm) each  10.5 x 6.25" (27x16cm) from point to point. It is a small block, equivalent to a 6" square block I guess in stitching area.
I struggled with my colours, as usual. Trying to stitch the cream blocks at night will be a no go I think. I frogged a revolting peachy mustard seam this morning. My quirky, rare, hereditary, colour blindness rises its stupid head again. At least I cant go wrong with black on black, and white on grey...

TBCQ - more pieced blocks

I made a few more blocks up today. I think they look great together, far better than I expected. I am really excited about starting this project. You can see the beginning of the stitching on the top gray block.

you can follow the progress of this quilt by clicking the TBCQ label (Tumbling Blocks Crazy Quilt)

TBCQ - 1st 'unit'

Thanks so much for all your ideas and suggestions.

I need you to know that I tried...I really tried, but it had to be black!! I did my cream block, I did my grey block, then I spent an hour and a half searching through ALL my fabric trying to decide what the 'accent' colour would be. It's black!! It works.

 I am going to try darker threads to embellish the seams on the black (did I mention "it's black") side - thanks Willa for that suggestion/thought/spark of an idea -to make it more 'lively'. The grey side is pretty much done for now ( pic to come later). I used white and a light beige-ish sassalynne thread to break the white. I am going to stick with just stitching for now until I am sure this is the colour scheme ( I am pretty sure it is).

I wanted to say a belated thankyou to those who suggested windows live writer as well...unfortunately, my computer won't download it, I have tried several times. Blogger and the pics seem to be behaving, but I much preferred uploading all the pics I wanted to use in one go, then clicking and selecting what I wanted, this "new and improved" way is rather labourious and slow.

New project - T(umbling) B(locks) C(razy) Q(uilt)

I am posting this in hopes that it will actually spur me on to acheiving something in the needlework department.
Planning for a new quilt - a wallhanging actually. I don't think I have another double bed quilt in my at the moment, and while I enjoyed the Black CQ, it was a strictly "thread only" affair, and I want to EMBELLISH with beads, and ribbons, and buttons and doo-dads.

So here is the plan. Input from you is wanted (and expected!!)

You may think this looks familiar...you are right. Sharon Bs Crazy Diamonds was a really inspiring piece for me, so that is the plan.
The top diamond will be pieced in creams, and embellished with my lovely sassalynne threads, beading, SRE, and anything else I can think of ( a-la Pam Kelloggs flower wallhanging - two inspirations for the price of one!!)

The other two sides I haven't decided. I was thinking grey, embellished with white stitching only, and then black, embellished with black stitching only. I want to keep these sides more simple, for a couple of reasons, the main one being that they will stitch up the same as my postcards, so they will be portable for  the weekend conferences that I attend.

That sounds a bit boring doesn't it??

Other thoughts were to have the 'dark' side in hues of grey, with black embellishment, and the 'light' side in a colour, maybe shades of green, or maybe I could manage to do them all different.... Although I am not a rainbow-y type of gal... and that side would still be embellished with white stitching to ensure that the light and shade of the tumbling blocks pattern is maintained. I do prefer "muddy" colours, so maybe it won't look rainbow-y. I would also use the graduated dyed cottons I favour for the 'coloured' sides. I guess if I do colour, and don't like it, I will be giving away a whole lot of diamond shaped postcards!!

So , there are my thoughts. What are yours?? I am excited about getting started on this, but I need my mum to get home and make me a template, and some of my special online buds are helping me out with cream fabrics...so i sit, and wait.

I'm Back.....

I am back from holiday. We had a lovely break, and we did heaps this year too.
I have posted quite a few pictures to Facebook. I think you can view them without being a member.
Kawau Island trip
Goat Island
Round the Rocks
Bush Walk

there is also a whole lot of randomness over on flickr in the "Textile Inspirations" set.

No stitching done AT ALL - I need to find a long term project I can sink my teeth into this year, and I have been mulling over Sharon Bs tumbling blocks quilt quite a lot.  I have also been mulling over Pam Kelloggs handkerchief flower quilt..... who wants to bet right here and now, that I get absolutely nothing done this year! Now that's not to be negative about myself, but I have a new job, and bigger responsibilities, and while I love to stitch, I may have to stick to 'no stress' stuff. Though having said that i am not terribly excited by doing postcards at the moment either. I think a quilt, I can stitch away on as I feel so inclined may be just the thing. The tumbling blocks I am thinking of doing in black and white and ??? one colour? a mixture of colours? a graduation of colour? random colour? (all monotone, but overall just random. Oh, just the thought of random sends me into a sweat. It wont be random!!). I love batiks, but I love my Sassalynne threads and want to use those.

I purchased some of Kay Susan's (S'mockeryS'mart) fabulous Frakenfish. They were waiting for me when we got home. I will post pics later.
Sorry for the lack of links but they are all in the sidebar....

I was very good girl this summer, and I did walk regularly. Not every day, but regularly. The aquarobics is great for cardio fitness, but it doesn't build muscle mass in your legs because your body is supported by the water, so walking is not a fun thing for me to do. I did the small bush walk to the bay. I set a goal of doing the "perimeter track" before we went home, and I did it! It wasn't easy, but I did it, AND I could still walk the next day. Good job too as our nice relaxing ferry trip to a local island turned into a bit of a mammoth hike when we took a wrong path. I was fucked! and I even cried I was so tired, but I did that too, AND could still walk the next day. So all in all I am feeling very proud of myself. I am pretty sure that there was no weight gain over the holidays.

This is Waiwera, where we stay for our holidays. You see the large tree in the middle of the picture(up the top) and the tree to the right of it, you can just see a house in front of that tree, well our place is just in front of that house. It is such a great spot, and the kids love it.

I have rattled on enough. Time for bed.

Postcard for Lynn

So, being totally inspried by Allies latest creation of the beach scene, AND at the same time asked by a friend to create something "Kiwi" with the red flowers, I did a kinda abstract beach scene.

Being abstract-ish, I will explain..

First, we have the piecing - the sea, beach and the bush (forest....you know, lots of trees...)

Then the stitching. I wanted the pohutukawa flowers to be the focal point, so instead of a whole lot of tiny red dots , which would of been perspectively better, and more true to what out bush looks like in summer, they are big and lovely!

Added a few beads and 'white horses', and we are done. This is already in the post, for a special event.

on a final , jolly, christmas note, I wish blogger would get their shit together and stop upgrading to useless functions that dont work!!
"BLOGGER" I DO NOT LIKE THE NEW PHOTO UPLOADING TOOL! IT IS CRAP! ARE YOU LISTENING??"

Merry Christmas, in case i am not back before then!

The Spirit of Chirstmas??

I had a meeting tonight, so I told Rob to wrap up my christmas prezzies with the kids (you know the ones mums, that we buy for ourselves, and then pretend we are thrilled to get them, and "oh , I never expected that!")
Well, I came home and the prezzies are duly wrapped and I noticed that my Brooke had put a few cards on her presents. the first one I read was to her friend

Then her sisters

Her Dad

and then I got to this...

I nearly wet myself!! I was a bit scared to read mine, but I came thru OK. Even Ben didn't harsh criticism such as this.
Bless your little heart Brookie, and way to go with that Christmas Spirit!!

Great Gooseberries Batman...a blog post

I have been making stuff, in between keeping my house VERY TIDY!! because real estate agents are frequenting the property.

Anyway, this is new stuff, and I will be upfront and say these are a blatant rip off attempt to recreate out of sheer adoration, this this womans wonderful work - SolDelSur -  But mine are made from polar fleece and polyester fancy yarns. A poor mans version shall we say.  They were fun and quite easy to make. Of course making these at the moment is just madness for me as it is SO FREAKIN HOT!! I know y'all are freezing your arses off over there in the north, but here, not a cloud in the sky, a beautiful breeze, and humidity is low (unlike last week where humidity reached 100%). Needless to say, taking pics with this on was pushing it a little....

Blog Flog - giveaway

My Fab Friend, Cathy, over at Crazy By Design is having an awesome giveaway. I am not entering because I have stash coming out my'ear-balls', but you should go on over and  take a punt. Draw will be done on 5th Dec.
She has something to suit everyone, not just crazy quilters.

tiny stockings

I am having to play the "lets publish an empty post so we can go back and edit it to be able to post pics game" again. Blogger, be warned. I have a wordpress blog, I WILL use it if this carries on. Ridiculous!

Anyways, this is what I have been working on this week. I wanted to make some wee giftees for the team I work with, and I am so in looooove with felt and heatnbond at the moment...

I wanted something distinctively kiwi. So we have the pohutukawa flower again - a simplified version, and I used the black to represent the quintessential black gumboot (wellington boot, goulashes, not sure what Americans call them...rubber, waterproof, wear them on the farm or in the garden). Whatever you call them, they are fairly iconic in NZ. So black (for the All Blacks too of course), and red trim.

These are very small. Probably only about 2in long. One of my Aussie readers mentioned the similarity to the bottle brush flower. We have that too here. Bottle brush are more elongated like, well, a bottle brush!! Pohutukawa are smaller and rounder. I noticed a few trees already in full flower ( quite early). My nana will tell you what that means - either a short wet summer, or a long dry one. Although picking NZ I am thinking a long , wet summer...
The pic below will give you a size comparison.




My kids are having an "art" sale in the garage tomorrow. They have been colouring in like demons all week. I really do hope a couple of neighbours swing by and part with a dollar or two. Brooke told me she would be upset on the inside if no-one came, but she wouldn't cry...I'm telling you now, if no-one comes, she's gonna cry! I don't think my neighbours read my blog, but if you do, get your asses over here in the morning would you. PLEASE!

exciting stuff !?

What a complete bloody drama to get pictures posted to my blog. I have been trying for days. Blogger has instigated another new picture uploading to and it DOES NOT WORK FOR ME!!
Luckily, if i edit a post from my blog, I still get the old version, which doesn't allow me to place pics, but does at least allow me to upload without crashing my browser.

So this is what I have been working on. These are Pohutukawa flowers. We call it the New Zealand Christmas tree as the trees flower these gorgeous red blooms in Dec and January. I had a custom order for two pouches for a friend to send to overseas relatives. These would also look fantastic on stockings or postcards. Real Kiwiana.



The necklace above I won in a blog giveaway. How cool is that!! I don't actually read the blog, but a link on another blog sent me off to donate $10 for breast cancer research via paypal, and for that I apparently got two entries into the draw. I did look up the blog later, and what a fantastically , well organised, fundraising event this was. There was a ton of prizes donated by other various bloggers. This was one of the Monica Magness Pink causes.
I am very happy with my Laura Krasinski necklace.

I have a had a couple of sales today - thank goodness - it has been so slow.
If you have been eyeing something up as a christmas gift in my ETSY shop, please don't dilly-dally, as I would like to avoid any delays for you, and mail as soon as possible .
How about I offer a deal. Free shipping as long as you enter my blog name in the "message to seller" box. I will refund the shipping to you. It may not seem like a lot, but it sure adds up at christmas time! (this will run thru to Dec 10)

Felt Snowflake Ornies - partie deux

Part II of this tutorial for you. Part I can be found here.

These have been so much fun to design and stitch. Have knocked out the 13 family ornies this week, and will start working on friends. So, here is how to complete your snowflake ornaments.

You will need some kind of fusible, double-sided  interfacing (adhesive medium). Use your original template to cut out as many as you need. I cut mine well inside the line (2mm), so they are slightly smaller than your stitched front. I like HeatnBond. I use it for my postcards to. When it cools it is really sturdy and stiff, great for this kind of thing. I have no experience of anything else, so can't do comparisons. From my knowledge of vlsioflex (sp) that is a far more softer finish for adding applique to quilts, so I am sure it would still work, but your ornie may curl or bend with time. With the Heatnbond I would expect an ornie that will sit and hang nicely for years to come.

Iron your fusible on. I ironed mine to the front. I have beads and sequins on the front and didn't want to give them to much "iron time + it will be easier to line up the names I stitched on the backs later (totally optional, so may not be an issue for you)

Here are all my fronts ready to go. I also used baking paper when ironing this on, just to protect the iron.

Peel off the backing....

I added in a hanging loop at this point (actually, the pic shows it added in under the first layer of fusiable webbing. Either way is fine.) This is where lining up the back was important to me. I wanted to make sure the loop was at the top of the name. How the front sits does not really matter as they are all symmetrical.
So put your hanging loop in -  I had hoped for something a little fancier, but this worked. I did try knotting the cord, but it didn't sit right, and this did. Place your back on, the right way up if necessary. Put your pressing cloth/baking paper down over everything, including the loop cording (you never know how it will react to heat), and press until the webbing has taken.

And Wa la! Finished. I had quite a little production line going.

 

You may find that the front is a little smaller due to the stitching (like the top ornie in the pic below). or your template is not 100% symmetrical, and the lining up is a little off. The beauty of felt is that you just trim it up all neat and tidy.

 

Have fun. And do let me know if you make any ornies. I would love to see them.

I bought some great metallic thread on the weekend, so I am doing the next lot with those. I could of finished these ones with it, but seeing as they are all for family, there would of been raised eyebrows about why they got sparkles and I didn't....