My First Round Robin Post #6

Crystal's block when I received it.

Crystal's block after my additions.

 It will be mailed out a week late, but I finally finished my work on Crystal's beautiful block!  (Click on photos for a larger view.  I apologize, the colors are not true on the first photo.)

The first step was determining how many seams and how many sections I should embellish.  I counted 7 seams and 5 sections remaining. I needed to leave half of these for Shannon, the final person to work on Crystal's block.  (Her work is absolutely amazing!)

I had just purchased a purple flower trim for another project; however, it looked so perfect along the purple seam that I knew that was where I had to begin.  Pink beads were the finishing touch.  (Confession: Trims make me nervous.  I have not used them often, and hoped this one would look okay.  It was actually fun to stitch!)

Gathered Silk Ribbon Roses

Next, I made my first attempt at gathered silk ribbon roses.  I had a few lengths of 4mm and 7mm pink and cream ribbons from a sampler I bought a few years ago.  The colors complimented the colors of the block.  I found a green floss similar to the green patch of the block, and used that for the stem.  For my very first attempt, I was quite pleased with the little bouquet "tied" together with a bow.

It took me nearly a week to decide what to do next.  I had several ideas for the purple patches of the block, but ideas for framing the little cherubs kept flitting through my mind.  In the end, the idea of a frame won.

The picture measured 3-inches by 4-inches.  So, I decided to make stem-stitched rosettes half an inch apart.  (My doodle cloth came in very handy here.  I tested out different colors and different centers until I finally had a plan.) 

First, I couched down a pink metallic floss (DMC Jewel Effects E316).  Next, for the center of each flower, I used a single strand of DMC 762 to attach a Mill Hill Petite Glass Bead (#42010). 

Twenty-eight flowers did not seem too overwhelming... until I began.  I fell in love with the silky, delicate look of DMC rayon flosses #30818 (a pale pink) and # 30211 (a light purple) that complemented the colors of this block beautifully.  However, as I tore the first rosette out for the the third time, I was reminded of a comment I had read on another blog once.  Someone said they found the trick to using rayon floss, was to never use rayon floss.  Thankfully, by the third rosette, I finally found a way to progress without the floss knotting up.  Every time I put the needle through the fabric, I double-checked the back side to make sure I had not caught the thread in the back, and that everything was pulling through evenly.  Two to three rosettes per hour may seem slow; but it was a lot faster than making two to three attempts per rose - like those first two rosettes.

On my doodle cloth, the rosettes looked lovely with tiny green leaves.  However, once I completed the rosettes on the actual block, I worried the additional green simply did not fit.  Everyone in the house agreed.  So, I left the frame with the alternating pink and purple rosettes.

The purple flower trim and the frame embellished 4 of the 7 remaining seams.  This left Shannon only 3 seams to treat and one of those was tiny.  So, I opted to fill only 2 of the 5 sections of the block, and felt I should probably claim one of the smaller sections, so Shannon would have some room to work.  I had a lot of ideas for the small pink section.  However, one of the remaining seams happened to run along that section, so I felt compelled to work on the yellow-print next to the frame I had just completed.  (Confession: I find printed fabrics really tricky to embellish.) 

It took me a while to figure out what to add.  I remembered Crystal liked bullion roses.  Mardeen made a lovely bouquet of bullion roses, so I wanted to try something a little different.  I decided to try a flower made with bullion loops.  I used a variegated yellow floss to make 5 bullion loops (each loop had 30 wraps around the needle.)  Yellow seed beads filled the center.  Next, I used a soft green floss to make a stem-stitched stem and a couple of leaves.  The stem followed a curve of green on the fabric, as did each of the leaves.

I hope Crystal likes it!

Thank you for visiting,
Renee

Halloween Crazy Quilted Glasses Case Progress

Panel of Halloween Glasses Case

My Halloween crazy quilted glasses case is coming along nicely!  It is my hope to have it finished this week. 

There was an ironic moment this morning, when I stepped outside to take pictures to share with you (the lighting on the patio is so much better than the lighting in the house.)  I opened the door to the patio and startled a black cat; he stared at me for a moment and then dashed off.  It still makes me chuckle.  Really, what are the odds of stepping outside to photograph a Halloween themed block and finding a black cat?

(Not so) Spooky Tree

 The spooky tree (which, sadly, is not all that spooky) was made with DMC 801 size 5 perle cotton.  I went by memory to replicate the tree I made on my sister's glasses case using the Easy, Breezy Trees tutorial from Shaw K L Designs Blog.

I LOVE the way the black and orange beaded seam looks.  That being said, if I ever decide to embellish a seam with beads again, it will be a SHORT seam.  I secure every bead with a single strand of floss by looping it through the bead three times.  Then, I make three tiny knots on the back before moving on to the next bead.  I am also alternating between a needle threaded with orange floss, and one with black floss; so, I have to be careful not to catch the thread I am not using while securing each bead.  I think about 10 more beads ought to finish this seam up.

My first beaded spider.

The spider consists of two pearl beads and white straight stitches for the legs.

My broom

For the broom, the handle was chain stitched with 2 strands of DMC 801 embroidery floss.  Long lazy daisy stitches using 1 strand each of DMC 743 and 745 made the bristles of the broom.  A couple loops of DMC 801 tied the bristles to the broomstick.  (This case will be for me.  I told my husband, "I'm a witch, so I need my broom!"  His reply?  "Yep."  I love that man.)

My next seam is going to be fun - if it turns out the way I see it in my head, anyway.  It will be a seam treatment created by my own imagination, so I am excited to give it a try!


Thanks so much for stopping by,
Renee

My First Round Robin Post #5

It is time for a happy dance!  Crystal's block arrived in the mail today.  She made such a romantic block with the loveliest shades of yellows, purples, greens and pinks.  The stitching at the top was done by Hazel and the stitching in the lower-left corner was done by Mardeen. 

Crystal's block after Hazel and Mardeen

Unfortunately, my photo does not do this block justice.  It fails to capture the sparkles from the beads, the metallic flosses and the silvery shimmer of the bow.  The stitches on this block are exquisite.

Ideas for embellishing are rolling through my mind already!

Have a fantastic day,
Renee

Crazy Quilt Day 37

March Naked Block

Yesterday, I kept myself quite busy!  It was time to make my next crazy quilt block.  As there will be 3 blocks per row, and January and February were already finished, I decided to work on March next.

While I was at it, I decided to piece the blocks for a couple more glasses cases I planned to make.  It is safe to say, I will not be lacking items to stitch while unwinding in the evening!

In addition to future gift items I am not posting (as I am not sure if the recipients check my blog or not), I made the following items.

Halloween Glasses Case Panels

October is nearly here, and I could really use a new case for my glasses.  So, this will be for me.  The eyes on the right actually glow in the dark.  Oh!  I also found DMC glow-in-the-dark embroidery floss at Jo-Ann Fabric this weekend.  This will be a fun one!

Black and White Glasses Case Panels

I also plan to make a crazy quilt purse at some point in the future.  I am toying with the idea of using black and white fabrics, so decided to  make a glasses case first.  Whether the embellishments will also be only black and white has yet to be determined.  I think I am leaning toward color with the embellishments.

Blue and purple panels for my niece.

This one will be for my niece.  (I do not think she knows about my blog, so it should be safe to post pictures here.)  Her favorite colors are blue and purple.  I found a few adorable embellishments for this one.  Of all the projects I have, this is the one I am longing to work on.  Having two boys, girly projects are a rare treat.





Thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,
Renee

Crazy Quilt Days 35 and 36

It took longer than I had hoped, but the January block for my first crazy quilt is finally finished!

After using two strands of white to finish the tassels, it was time to finish up the house scene in the lower-right corner.

I used two strands of DMC 3024 to make a sidewalk leading away from the house.  Next, I combined one strand each of DMC 640 and 642 to make the tree.  The trunk was made with small chain stitches.  Straight stitches were used for the bare branches.  The last step was adding Mill Hill Petite Glass Beads (#42010) with a single strand of DMC 762.  The tiny, clear beads made delicate, shimmering snowflakes.

The final touch was the addition of snowflake buttons (Favorite Findings Snow Reflections) to cover the corners of the rick rack border in the center.

Now, I just need to decide which block to work on next.  Oh... and I need to piece blocks for a couple more birthday gifts.  Should be fun!

Have a wonderful week!
Renee