Work in Progress Wednesday 05/13/2015 - Camera Block is Done!

This week, I finished the camera block I was making for a dear friend of mine. She is one of three amazing photographers I am blessed to have in my life. Our community is lucky to have her. She makes a point of attending our high school events to take her amazing photographs. She's also one of the sweetest people I know.

(This will be another photo heavy post. Feel free to click on any image for a larger view!)

I must admit, when she said she would like a black and white camera theme for her block, I knew I would be stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new. I don't know about you, but when I think of having my picture taken I can almost here someone saying, "Smile," or "Say cheese!"  So, I thought it would be fun to include the word "Smile".

Searching on-line, I discovered a Vintage Camera Yardage fabric at Panda Sewing Boutique on Etsy. I fussy cut a camera for the center of the block and surrounded it with black fabrics from my stash. After I pieced the block, I learned my friend also liked royal blue. Getting the blue to show up on the black was a bit tricky. I do hope she likes the way it turned out!

Then, I found a set of 5 Blue Moon Beads Metal Camera Charms. (I believe I bought them at JoAnn Fabric.) The colors of the two above matched the colors of the block.

The center was framed with a royal blue size 8 perle cotton and blue Toho size 11/0 seed beads using the beaded linked chain stitch. The seams were embellished with white perle cotton in sizes 5, 8 and 12. Several were accented with Mill Hill Petite Glass Seed Beads in Royal Blue #40020 and in Ice #42010. A Swarovski crystal butterfly (purchased in a package at JoAnn Fabric) also adorns the top.

Using 2 sizes of these faceted blue beads purchased on strands from JoAnn Fabric, I created the body of a dragonfly. The silk ribbon wings I planned to create did not work out. I did not have a royal blue ribbon and the lighter shade of blue did not go well on the block. So, these wings were created with a single strand of metallic white DMC floss couched around the edges and filled with tiny fly stitches.

I really hope my friend likes her block! It was a new adventure for me and I enjoyed making it with her in mind.

Last Friday night, I saw how close page 2 was to being complete on my Freebie Santa and the Mouse chart (now retired) from Heaven and Earth Designs and felt compelled to finish it up. I was so excited, I had to share this picture on Monday for the Stitchery Link Party at Super Mom - No Cape! With my goal of 250 stitches per week, Santa and the Mouse was on track to be completed by October 27, 2015. Now, it should be done by October 13th. I hope to finish it sooner. 

Last week, this project was 66% complete. Now it is 70% done.

Last Week's Goals:

1. Complete 250 x-stitches on the HAED Santa & the Mouse chart (which is no longer available, but it is a part of this chart at Heaven and Earth Designs.) Over 580 stitches were added! Photos seen above.

2. Complete the block requested in exchange for my son's senior pictures. Done - see photos above
3. Work on my Beginner's block from Kathy Shaw's FREE Crazy Quilt Basic Class. I added a few more beads along one seam. It's a bit too overcast to get a decent picture to share though. Next week...

4. Link up with the Monday Stitchery Link Party at Super Mom No Cape on May 11th. Done! If you missed the post, it is here.

5. Put together a raised bed for our garden with my husband. Done! We have one more to make, but this was finished on Saturday. Inspired by this pin on Pinterest, we used cinder blocks and spray painted them blue (to match our house.)

This Week's Goals:

1. Complete 250 x-stitches on the HAED Santa & the Mouse chart (which is no longer available, but it is a part of this chart at Heaven and Earth Designs.) 

2. Complete Sandra's Under the Sea block for the CQI Round Robin.
3. Work on my Beginner's block from Kathy Shaw's FREE Crazy Quilt Basic Class.

4. Link up with the Monday Stitchery Link Party at Super Mom No Cape on May 18th. (If you missed the party on the 11th, you may check it out here!)

5. Put together a 2nd raised bed for our garden with my husband.