CQJP 2016 March Block Seam 1

If you follow my blog regularly, you know it has been a while since my last update on a Crazy Quilt Journal Project block.

This seam was created using Sharon B.'s Crazy Quilt Templates Set 2 as part of the product review published in the Summer 2016 issue of the Crazy Quilt Quarterly. (Note: I received the templates in exchange for an honest review. I am not associated with the templates or with the Crazy Quilt Quarterly magazine, but I do love them both.)

Using size 8 green pearl cotton and a buttonhole stitch, I created the flower stems along the lines I traced (in light pencil) from the template pictured above.

Next, I used size 8 red pearl cotton and straight stitches to create flowers on the tall stems. Colonial knots were used to create flowers on the short stems.

Detached chain stitches made pairs of leaves on each flower stem using the same shade of green.

This was a fun seam to embroider!

You may see my completed CQJP 2016 blocks here.

Now... if you are wondering what CQJP is, it stands for Crazy Quilt Journal Project. 

It is a challenge to create a crazy quilt block each month. (Obviously, I am W-A-Y behind!) You may see the work of others participating this year here.

Sign-ups are now open for CQJP 2017! The minimum block size is 8-inches next year. You may read more about the rules here. The deadline to sign-up is December 28, 2016.





Exciting news: You may know Sharon Boggon has a book being published in 2017. She shared a photo of the cover on her blog today! You may check it out here.

More exciting news: Katie Bock has started a new quilting magazine - it includes all types of quilts. You may learn more about Our Quilting Journey Magazine here.

Submissions needed: The summer 2017 edition of the Crazy Quilt Quarterly will focus on buttons. Pamela Kellogg is seeking submissions of photos, articles, tutorials, or projects with buttons. Content must be new and not previously shared on-line. I believe submissions must be received by February 1st. You may learn more about submitting your work here.

On a more somber note: Pamela Kellogg's husband has been diagnosed with cancer. She has started a Go Fund Me account to assist with financial hardship from the cost of treatment. She is sharing updates on her blog. You may read more here. 

(Please note: I am not associated with the magazines or products mentioned within this post.)

Thank you for stopping by!
Renee

TAST 2016 Stitch 57

TAST Stitch 57: Feathered Chain Stitch

I worked this stitch with 3 strands of #207 Bermuda Reef 

Waterlilies by Caron silk floss.

Next time I work it, I would like to try using pearl cotton. I think the stitches would be more defined that way.

I do love the color and sheen of this floss, though!

After adding a few more details to the block this seam is on, I dressed it up with a few flower-shaped sequins 
with clear beads in the centers.

TAST stands for Take a Stitch Tuesday.

It is a personal stitching challenge.

Sharon B. introduces a new stitch to learn each week on her blog, Pintangle.com.

You may learn more about TAST here.

There is also a TAST Facebook group and the members share amazing and inspiring examples of the stitches.

Thank you for stopping by!

-Renee

HAED QS Red Hearts Update - December 2016

Wow. It has been 5 months since I worked on this beauty. 

I fell in love with the Heaven and Earth Designs chart of QS Red Hearts based on artwork by Ching-Chou Kuik and have truly missed working on it.

I have had so little time to stitch recently. When an opportunity arose, I decided to work on something for me for a bit. 

In almost 4 hours, I added about 330 stitches.

The top row of the chart is fully complete now - across all 3 pages. Only 9 more rows and pages 1 through 3 will be finished!

The project is 37.86% complete. 

Page 1 - 100% complete
Page 2 - 100% complete
Page 3 - 43.22% complete
Page 4 - 13.93% complete
Page 5 - 2.17% complete

I am linking with the Monday Stitchery Link Party #87 at Super Mom - No Cape!

If you do hand embroidery, I invite you to join the link party. Please stop by to see what others have shared this week!

Thank you for stopping by. -Renee

Fractal White Tiger November 2016 Update

563 stitches were added to my Charting Creations Fractal White Tiger cross stitch in November. 

Almost all of the stitches I added were the same color, so I managed this progress in less than 2 hours this morning. (It's been a crazier than normal month...)

Most of those stitches were also a shade of white, making them difficult to spot.

This was my progress last month. 

The colors in this photo are more true. (This winter lighting makes it difficult to get a good picture!)

I am linking with A New Stitchy Start.

Thank you for stopping by!
Renee

Twilight Duel Update 15 November 2016

The 2nd Monday of November has arrived. There will only be one more update on this piece this year. I hope to have more progress by then, but it seems very unlikely with my schedule the way it is.

Here is my bit of progress on the Heaven and Earth Designs chart of Ruth Thompson's "Twilight Duel" artwork.

Just over 200 stitches were added to page 3 in October and I have barely had time to touch a needle this month. 

(If you look REALLY closely, you might note the blue along the far left edge filled in a tiny bit.)









Percent Complete:
Project: 22.06%  (It was 21.91%)
Page 1: 100%
Page 2: 100%
Page 3: 16%        (It was 14.14%)
Page 4: 100%
Page 5: 1.83%     (Same)
Page 6: 0%
Page 7: 7.08%     (Same)
Page 8: 100%
Page 9: 2.08%     (Same)
Page 10: 0.25%   (Same)
Page 14: 2.9%     (It was 1.83%)

I am linking up with the Monday Stitchery Link Party #84 at Super Mom - No Cape!

Please stop by to see the free vintage Christmas embroidery patterns and to see what others are sharing today. 

If you do hand embroidery and have a blog, I encourage you to link up!