CQJP 2013 Blocks 3, 4 and 5 Before Embellishments

I finally carved some time out of my schedule to assemble a few more blocks for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project.

As you can see, I am trying to stick with the landscape theme of the first two blocks.  I am curious to see how these will transform!

CQJP 2013 Block 3 - Bare

CQJP 2013 Block 4 - Bare

CQJP 2013 Block 5 - Bare

I have yet to decide which block I will work on first, but at least I have them mostly assembled for March, April and May.

Although we are entertaining guests this evening (and I have a ton to do), I spent my morning browsing through photos (a.k.a. eye candy) of work other crazy quilters have done.  And, I came to a conclusion.  I may have to attempt an encrusted block sometime soon.  I find myself drawn to encrusted work, but I tend to leave a lot more space and use fewer laces and trims, as fitting them in is a challenge for me.  (Perhaps I am a bit too picky.  I also have a hard time finding laces that I like...)

Stepping outside of my comfort zone always makes me feel a little bit giddy - it must be due to the collision of feeling slightly intimidated by the task I am facing and feeling determined to prove to myself I can do it. 

Thank you for stopping by!
-Renee

Liebster Award

I would like to thank Jill at Crazy for Red for awarding me with the Liebster Award!  The Liebster is a fun award by bloggers to bloggers.  Qualifying blogs are less than 6 months old or have less than 200 followers.  Recipients of the award are to write a post including the following:

1. List 11 random things about yourself.
2. Answer 11 questions posed by the nominator.
3. Choose 11 blogs to pass the award on to and link them to your post.
4. Create 11 questions for those 11 people to answer.

 (My previous attempts to accept this award have encountered serious technical difficulties.  So, I am hoping my laptop does not overheat and shut itself down.  I also hope to avoid another 6 hour power outage - there is not a windstorm today, so my odds are good!)

11 Random facts about me:

 1.       I love pumpkin.  (Pumpkin pie, pumpkin waffles, healthy pumpkin muffins, buckwheat pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cream cheese dip, pumpkin soup, pumpkin candles, etc.)

2.       I completed NaNoWriMo last November.  (My novel is rougher than a rough draft, but I finally made it past chapter two.)

3.       Once, during a power outage, my husband and I spent over 3 hours reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to our boys by candlelight.

4.       I love scented candles. 

5.       Writing this blog and answering Jill’s questions, I realized I am incredibly indecisive!

6.       This Christmas my goal is to give handmade or personalized gifts.

7.       Zurich, Switzerland is my favorite city.

8.       I plan to run a half marathon (once my stress fracture finally heals…)

9.       GMO foods scare me.  (Sadly, this fear is not due to research or statistical facts.  The millions of dollars food corporations spent to avoid telling consumers what they were feeding them scared the crud out of me.)

10.   My favorite color changes at least once a year.  (At the moment, I think it is yellow.)

11.   A wonderful family friend, Diane, introduced me to embroidery (via cross-stitch) and sewing when I was a teenager. I doubt I can ever thank her enough!

Answers to Jill’s Questions:

 1. Cat or Dog?  Dog, I guess.  We do not have pets due to my allergies.

2. What is your favorite TV show?  Do I have one?  I suppose at the moment it would be “Breakout Kings.”

3. What color are the walls in your living room? White.

4. What is the largest quilt you have made?  My largest quilt was a 6’3” x 5’6” rag quilt made for my youngest son.  It sported a variety of colorful fabrics he selected with a Batman theme on one side and a Spider-Man theme on the other.  To tone it down a bit, I alternated between two colors for the outer edges on both sides.

5. What are you listening to right now? I am listening to my 13-year-old is tell me about his favorite snacks.

6. Do you use a mac or a pc? PC

7. How many states/countries have you lived in? I have lived in two states (Oklahoma and Oregon) and three countries (the United States, Germany, and Switzerland.)

8. What is your favorite book?  The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, by William Goldman

9. Who is the teacher who most influenced you and what did he/she teach?  There were SO many teachers that positively influenced my childhood that I smile when I hear the proverb about it taking a village to raise a child.  If I had to choose just one, it would be Mr. Leighton.  He taught science at my middle school.  He and his family also drove well out of their way to take my sister and me to church and youth group every week.  They allowed us to stay with them when my mom went in for eye surgery.   He helped me learn to drive after I received my permit.  And, as an elder of our church, Mr. Leighton baptized my sister and me.  I often hope he and Mrs. Leighton know how many lives they positively influenced. 

10. What is one thing you would stay up late to do?  I stay up late to Crazy quilt.  It is a relaxing way to unwind.

11. Did you play any sports in high school or college? If so, what? No, although a college roommate and I did take aerobics classes together and we went running together.

I have chosen 11 blogs that inspire me.  It is my hope you will enjoy visiting their blogs! 

Blog Nominees for the Liebster Award (In no particular order):

1. Little Orphan Skein

2. Crystal's Crafty Adventures

3. Iris Patchwork

4.  Karrin's Crazy World

5. The Beaded Needle

6. Threads and Patches

7.  Stitching Like Crazy

8. Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting

9. Margreet's Draadjespaleis

10. Fibermaidens Artwork

11. Suztats

11 Questions for the Award Recipients:

1. What is your favorite city?

2. How old were you when you learned to sew?

3. What is your favorite craft book?

4. If you had to guess, how many UFO projects do you think you have?

5. What is your favorite meal to prepare?

6. What is your favorite cookbook?

7. How many siblings do you have?

8. Who is your favorite author?

9. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

10. What is your favorite charity?

11. Of the items you have sewn/created, which one is your favorite and why?

 Have fun!  I would love to thank you all for sharing your creativity.  I cease to be amazed watching fabrics and threads transform into wonderful works of art.