TAST 11/18/2014

This week, I completed two TAST stitches.  (TAST stands for Take A Stitch Tuesday, which is a stitcher's challenge offered by Sharon B. at pintangle.com. To learn more, please check out the FAQ page by clicking HERE.)

TAST #12: Barred Chain Stitch

I used the Barred Chain Stitch to create a row of stems using size 5 green perle cotton.  Detached chain stitched "flowers" were added with size 8 pink perle cotton. This is a seam I can see myself using again and again!

TAST #16: Wheatear Stitch

Sharon showed some beautiful uses for the Wheatear Stitch.  Here, I made a very simple seam using size 12 black perle cotton.  It is a stitch I would like to play around with more; although, I am very slow with this stitch.

To see what others have been up to this week, check out the links in the comments on THIS POST.

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Renee

A "Snowball" for Lori F. in Ontario, Canada!

Winter snowman "snowball" for Lori F. in Ontario, Canada

Earlier this month, I completed a "snowball" to swap with Lori F. in Ontario, Canada.  Lori had requested a snowball theme of my favorite season.  It took me a while to decide, as fall is my favorite season.  I love the crisp cool mornings, the beauty of leaves changing color, and that it is finally pumpkin season!  However, I just love to embroider winter scenes and I was itching to make another button snowman.  Winter won!

Embroidered Winter Tree

This tree was created with size 5 green variegated DMC floss and with size 5 white DMC floss for the snowy evergreen section.  Size 5 brown DMC floss was couched down with a single matching strand of DMC cotton floss to create the tree trunk.  I fell in love with the wonderful texture the size 5 floss gave the tree.

Size 8 and 12 white DMC flosses were used to create the snowy hills and snowflakes.  Mill Hill petite glass beads were added as accents and as additional snowflakes.

Button Snowman

Before I began stitching on the snowball, I used black and orange acrylic paints to create a face on one button and to add buttons to another.  The "twig" arms were couched down, as was the scarf.  I originally planned to add black seed beads to the holes in the large button at the bottom.  However, they were too small.  The larger black beads I found were just too big.  So, I decided this snowman was perfect just the way he was.

Snowman "snowball" from Lori F.

I do hope Lori likes this little winter scene!  If you missed the snowball she sent me, it is pictured above and you may read about it on this post.

What I forgot to mention is that Lori supports the National Inclusion Project.  I had the opportunity to work with some wonderful students in our school district, and I have memories that will last forever from the experience.  However, I was not aware of the National Inclusion Project.  I encourage you to check it out, you may reach their website HERE.

Thank you for stopping by!
Renee

A "Snowball" for Lynne F. in MA!

Winter Themed CQI "Snowball" for Lynne F. by Renee Y.

Yesterday, I mailed this snowball to Lynne F. in MA.  Lynne requested a wintery-themed block using blue, white and silver. 

Button Snowman

I love making these little button snowmen, so I had to add one to this block.  I had the perfect silvery-white button in my stash for this one.  The face and small black buttons were added using acrylic paints.  (I paint them first and allow them to dry while I embroider the block.)  I did opt to use size 5 brown DMC floss for the arms - rather than white or silver.

Embroidered Winter Trees

I just loved the little tree seam and the white tree I added to my Winter Stocking last year, so I incorporated similar ones into this snowball.  (The tree somewhat follows the Easy, Breezy Trees Tutorial on Shawkl Designs.) 

Embroidered Snowflake

Although my sky fabric has snowflakes within the print, a few embroidered snowflakes were the perfect finishing touch.

Wintery "Snowball"

Photographs make it so tricky to capture the texture the embroidery creates.  I tried to capture a bit of that with the photo above. (You may click on any photo for a larger view.)

I had great fun making this snowball for Lynne.  I do hope she likes it!

Thank you for stopping by,
Renee

WIP Wednesday 11/12/2014

I set aside a couple of hours on Tuesday night, to work on my Winter/Christmas Wall Quilt; however, that did not quite work out. This week, I spent the majority of my stitching time working on my Santa and the Mouse cross-stitch and on "snowballs" to swap.

On Friday, I finished the first page of the Heaven and Earth Designs free Santa and the Mouse Ornament design.  (It is pictured above. You may click on any image for a larger view. ) On Saturday, I made a bit of progress on page 2. (See #4 on my short-term list of goals below.) Even my husband, who shakes his head and grumbles about how insane this project is - due to the number of stitches and time it will take - agrees it is looking pretty cool.

And, I must confess, I could not wait.  I started another project.  I fought the temptation for DAYS (which felt like FOREVER), and lost the battle.  Sunday evening, I caved and spent a couple of hours working on one of the 3 new Heaven and Earth Designs charts I purchased.  QS Red Hearts is a quick stitch (QS) pattern based on artwork by Ching-Chou Kuik.  Every time I see this piece, I picture it as the center of a crazy quilt, surrounded by blocks embroidered with hearts, vines and flowers.  (My hubby suspects I may be certifiable, as this project is larger than the Santa and the Mouse Ornament.  I fear telling him I suspected I would finish this project within 3 years may have confirmed his suspicions...)

Thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,
Renee

Updated 11/14/14 - OOPS!  I posted this just before, literally, running out the door.  In my haste, I forgot to link up with the current Work In Progress (WIP) Wednesday post at pintangle.com.  I encourage you to take a peek at what Sharon is working on - I love it!  Following the links in the comments will lead you to more eye candy.  Just CLICK HERE.  Enjoy!

Last Week's List of Goals:

 Short-term:

1. Complete the wall quilt I plan to create with all of my CQI Winter/Christmas blocks. Complete quilting so it is ready to add the back and bind.
2. Make a TAST post.
   
3. Complete back for May CQJP 2014 block.
4. Freebie Santa and the Mouse Ornament -  Heaven and Earth Designs chart by Michele Sayetta and artwork by Scott Gustafson. (I believe the ornament is a portion of the chart "Santa and the Mouse.") Complete 100 x-stitches by next week. I completed over 400 x-stitches and finished page 1 of the chart. Now, I am working on page 2!
   
5. Embellish snowball for Nicki Lee. Finished and mailed on Monday. 

   

   Under the Sea "Snowball" for Nicki Lee

6. Embellish a snowball for Lynne by November 15th. I have made some progress.
7. Share pictures of the snowball I mailed to Lori after she receives it. (It should reach her by November 14th.)

Long-term: 

1. Make a purse with my April CQJP 2014 block.
2. Make a purse with my May CQJP 2014 block.
3. My CQJP 2013 May block - better late than never?! (It is referred to as Block 4 if you follow this link.)
4. Have a count of at least 50,000 words for my CampNaNoWriMo novel.
5. Embellish July CQJP 2014 block.
6. Piece August CQJP 2014 block. 
7. Embellish August CQJP 2014 block.
8. Piece September CQJP 2014 block. 
9. Embellish September CQJP 2014 block.
10. Embellish October CQJP 2014 block.
11. Piece November CQJP 2014 block.
12. Embellish November CQJP 2014 block.
13. Piece December CQJP 2014 block.
14. Embellish December CQJP 2014 block.
15. Complete back panel and make a sew-in frame purse for my Etsy shop. 
16. Paint guest bathroom.

This Week's List of Goals:

 Short-term:

1. Complete the wall quilt I plan to create with all of my CQI Winter/Christmas blocks. Complete quilting so it is ready to add the back and bind.
2. Make a TAST post. 
3. Complete back for May CQJP 2014 block.
4. Freebie Santa and the Mouse Ornament -  Heaven and Earth Designs chart by Michele Sayetta and artwork by Scott Gustafson. (I believe the ornament is a portion of the chart "Santa and the Mouse.") Complete 100 x-stitches by next week. 
5. Embellish a snowball for Lynne by November 15th.
6. Share pictures of the snowball I mailed to Lori after she receives it. (It should reach her by November 14th.)
7. Make a birthday gift.
8. Create a block in exchange for the sitting fee for my son's senior pictures. (This will stretch my creativity, as the requested topic is out of my comfort zone.  I ordered specific fabric from an Etsy shop to help with the theme.  This should be fun!) 
9. Embellish July CQJP 2014 block.

Long-term: 

1. Make a purse with my April CQJP 2014 block.
2. Make a purse with my May CQJP 2014 block.
3. My CQJP 2013 May block - better late than never?! (It is referred to as Block 4 if you follow this link.)
4. Have a count of at least 50,000 words for my CampNaNoWriMo novel.
5. Piece August CQJP 2014 block. 
6. Embellish August CQJP 2014 block.
7. Piece September CQJP 2014 block. 
8. Embellish September CQJP 2014 block.
9. Embellish October CQJP 2014 block.
10. Piece November CQJP 2014 block.
11. Embellish November CQJP 2014 block.
12. Piece December CQJP 2014 block.
13. Embellish December CQJP 2014 block.
14. Complete back panel and make a sew-in frame purse for my Etsy shop. 
15. Paint guest bathroom.
16. Make a thank you gift.
17. Make a get well gift.
18. Work on Christmas gifts.

CQI Heart DYB RR 2014 - My blocks are home!

My blocks from the Crazy Quilting International Heart Do Your Block Round Robin made their way home a few days ago and they are WONDERFUL!  I do not generally brag (in fact, I have a hard time accepting compliments), but I must admit I am one lucky lady.

Tahlia H. in Washington was the first to receive my blocks and she chose to embellish the heart block pictured above. (You can click on a picture for a larger image.) I wish my camera could catch the beauty of her silk ribbon roses better.  They are gorgeous! The charms and dangling hearts are so much fun, and I just LOVE the way she emphasized the swirls of the fabric with white stitching.  Thank you, Tahlia!  I just love it!  (You may view more of Tahlia's beautiful work on her blog at another-hobby.blogspot.com.)
 

Tahlia mailed my blocks to Alexandra H. in Texas.  Alexandra chose to embellish the "V" block.  The seam work is fabulous, the charms are darling, and I just love the tatted heart.  I adore the little white heart beads.  It is hard to tell from the picture, but several of the seams are worked with metallic floss.  That stuff is not easy to stitch with, but adds a beautiful shimmer.  I just love this block!  (Alexandra has a pattern store on Craftsy.com.  I just may have to try making the pumpkin mug rug pattern she offers for free.  You may check out her patterns here.)

Alexandra mailed the blocks to Barbara W. in Missouri.  Barbara chose to work on the heart block pictured above.  This was my second round robin with Barbara, and I just love that the embellishments she uses have a story of their own. This block will forever pull on my heart-strings. The pearl beads on this block were recycled from a wedding gown and gifted to Barbara from a sweet friend of hers that uses the fabrics of unwanted wedding gowns to make shrouds for stillborn infants.  Such a sweet thing to do...  The silvery pearly white thread is a new one from Japan. And, the vintage pearl button with the ladybug was painted by Gerry Krueger.  (You may know of Gerry through her amazing blog with wonderful tutorials at olderrose.blogspot.com and/or through her Etsy shop.)  While Gerry was working on her Suffrage Quilt, she and Barbara swapped buttons. Many of the buttons on the second lace heart are vintage pearl buttons, too.  This block is a treasure with a story of its own. I see it and think of love, loss, and passion.  Thank you, Barbara - for your lovely work and for sharing the stories of these lovely treasures.

Barbara mailed my blocks to Kathy S. in Maryland.  Kathy chose the "L" block.  I love the seam work, and the sequin trim.  Her heart is fabulous - you should see the way both the floss and the beads play with the light!  The lace heart with the heart button (that she found in Rhode Island) is darling.  And the flowers in the heart are just amazing!  Thank you, Kathy! I love it!

Kathy mailed my blocks to Lisa B. in Colorado.  Lisa chose the "O" block.  Her love and talent for fancy seam work is obvious on this block.  I cannot pick a favorite part.  I love that she added a few white silk ribbon roses that tie in perfectly with the ones Tahlia stitched.  The heart charm and heart beads are wonderful. And, I love the way the silver threads swirl along the lower-left seam, much like the swirls in the fabric in that corner.  Thank you, Lisa!  It is wonderful!  (You may see more of Lisa's lovely work on her blog at ivoryblushroses.blogpot.com.)

This leaves me with the "E" block to complete, but that will be a project for the year 2015.

Thank you so much for stopping by and seeing the lovely work everyone completed on my blocks.

Hugs,
Renee