Sunday, October 19, 2014

CQI Heart Round Robin Set 5 - Completed!

CQI Heart DYB Round Robin - Tahlia's block embellished by Renee
This evening, I completed my work on Tahlia's lovely sea turtle block!  Coral reefs and an ocean theme were a few ideas on a list of things Tahlia pictured for this block.

Schools of fish in two variegated shades of DMC floss created a bit more movement within the block.  A small jellyfish and some coral - created with French knots in a third shade of variegated DMC floss - completed the motifs within the heart.  The seams were created with a buttonhole stitch on one side and a feather stitch on the other.  Mill Hill Petite Glass Beads dressed up the seams.

The heart was framed using light blue size 10/0 seed beads, a size 26 tapestry needle, and size 8 blue perle cotton for a beaded linked chain stitch.

Tahlia mentioned her blocks would be used in a friendship quilt and she would love a signature block.  I tried to stitch my name in black along the bottom, but it simply did not show up at all - even in great lighting.  So, I tore that out and started over.  I decided to try to make a snail trail along the ocean floor with my name and the city I live in.  (The snail was inspired by directions in Diana Lampe's book, Embroidery for All Seasons.)

I added more coral (using the 2 shades of floss used for the fish in the heart), a sandy ocean floor and a variety of starfish to complete the block.  I contemplated adding more fish on the black fabric for a more encrusted look, and adding waves along the top section, but I feared it would detract too much from the central heart.

I do hope Tahlia likes her block!  I truly enjoyed working on it.


It is so hard to believe this is the last rotation of our round robin.  The next set of blocks I will receive will be my blocks returning home.  Tomorrow, these are the lovely blocks I will be mailing home to Tahlia.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love it!!!!!! You did an excellent job. :) The snail trail coming from your name is awesome. What a great idea.

Queeniepatch said...

The coral is great and the small blue seed beads are like bubbles. Great block, Renee!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

It looks great! The way you did your name was inspired!

Barb said...

What a beautiful block!!

Renee said...

Thank you! It was the best idea I could come up with to incorporate my name.

Renee said...

Thank you so much! It was my first attempt at making coral with French knots, so I was a bit nervous. I do love the way it turned out. I am very thankful for learning the Beaded Link Chain Stitch through TAST for the heart border, too!

Renee said...

Thank you! I was more than a little nervous about how that would turn out. The addition of the starfish made it fun.

Renee said...

Thank you, Barb! It was so pretty, even before adding any additional stitching, that I just had to choose this one to work on.

Mii Stitch said...

Beautiful!!
Sorry, can't resist saying "Cool Dude" when looking at the sea turtle :)
Watching to many Pixar movies :P

Renee said...

Thank you! I had to think for a minute, but I think that was from "Finding Nemo"? Pixar movies are fun!