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.