Crazy Quilting, Collage, Altered Art

Altered Books

2011-09-13T07:19:00.001-05:00

Two Altered Book Round Robins going on, fun fun fun!!! One RR with my AFFs and another with my friend Kathi, her daughter Melissa, and my Mom.

Here are pages from Mom's book, I'm next to work on her book.

Cover

Inside Front Cover Spread

First Page Spread

Second Page Spread

Books for this first round are scheduled to mail to the next person on September 17 - Let the FUN Continue!!!

Happy Creating!

AFF Art Journal

2011-05-21T18:18:00.000-05:00

In February 2010 a group of Artsy Fartsy Friends started an Art Journal Round Robin. We finished our books and returned them to the owners in April at the COF Retreat.

This group is amazing, so much creativity and talent. My book traveled to New York, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

Each person created their own cover and back cover, determined size, theme, and provided blank pages. My theme was inspiration/techniques - who inspired and/or taught you techniques to be creative.

My covers were made from fabric paper and my base pages are lutradur.

Front Cover

Back Cover

Kathi's first page

Kathi's second page

Nicki's first page

Nicki's second page

Colleen's first page

Colleen's second page

Creating space and testing iPad blogger app

2011-05-19T07:38:00.000-05:00

After a bit of waiting and work our house remodel was finished and I have this beautiful space. I've been working in it for a year now. It took several months while working around projects to get it set up. I took these photos in December, but blogger didn't allow photos to be posted via iPad. While yes, I still have my laptop I'm hooked on my iPad. Getting the laptop out seems like such an effort....so is technology helping us or making us lazy? From my experience, have to say a little lazy!

Here are the photos of my space, it no longer looks this tidy, work tables are full of projects and fabric is spilling out of drawers.

Desk, with TV (small mostly for background noise), laptop (wireless doesn't work in this room, use it for printing), printer.

Work station, mostly for stamping, paper projects, assemly. Love my windows!

Tool table: paper cutter, Cricut machine, light box, and small tools in storage drawers.

Sewing, cutting, ironing

STUFF! Storage of supplies, tools, etc.

STUFF! Storage of supplies, other tools, etc.

Ahhh.....the weekend

2011-04-02T20:16:00.000-05:00

Great Friday Night PJ Party on HGTV board, Lynn taught us how to make a CC keyring case. Cute little case to carry your cc, driver's license, and a few $$s when you don't want/need to carry a full size purse. Fun and easy little project, even with the zipper. Great project to use scraps of fabric and batting.

Starting fabrics

Finished CC Keyring Case

I have never made a whole quilt, until this January I had only made 4 or 5 quilt blocks. I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but this year I made sort of a resolution. I decided to participate in the HGTV BOM Challenge and make a quilt out of the finished blocks. The group leaders choose a theme for the year then on the first of each month the challenge leaders post a block pattern. This year is "Closed Barn Door", with a different star block in the center of the "Barn Door". I have made all four blocks so far, except I used practice fabrics for March so I need to make it again to match the rest of my blocks.

Here is March, I'll repost when I make this block again with the fabric I am using for the BOMs.

It is a "Hole in the Barn Door" with a "Folded Star" center block. Not as hard as it looked, just a lot of small pieces.

April BOM - "Hole in the Barn Door" with "Cluster of Stars" block in the center. Much easier than March BOM. I do need to keep practicing, it isn't perfect, but I'm going to live with it.

Happy Rest of the Weekend.....

Agility Day

2011-03-27T21:20:00.000-05:00

Unlike last weekend, not much sewing this weekend but a GREAT day of Agility with my cute furkid, Penne. Best agility day we've had, 6 runs: 2 gamblers, 2 standard agility, and 2 jumpers. We qualified in 5 of the 6!!! WAY TO GO PENNESTER!!!

This is the tired agility pup shortly after we got home. Look at all that GREEN!!! (green = qualifying)

Sewing Weekend

2011-03-20T20:47:00.000-05:00

Lots of sewing this weekend, started Friday with the HGTV PJ party iPad bag project. Just followed along because I didn't have my homework finished to stitch along on Friday.

Saturday morning I made this cute gift bag for Jade, the little girl my daughter babysits for. Found this cute Happy Birthday fabric in the remnant bin at JoAnns. This bag is reversible so after the gift is removed it can be used as a little girl purse.

Happy Birthday gift bag

Reversed little girl purse

Late Saturday afternoon and finished today, another "Twister". This twister was made with 2.5" blocks cut out of 4" blocks and 2" border. Need to finish the binding. A border probably would have made it look nicer, but I just wanted to see what the 2.5" blocks would look like. Made this out of "scraps". The binding is purple, looks black in this photo.

iPad bag, made this today using the instructions from Friday's HGTV PJ party. The original instructions have a strap, but I just wanted a sleeve for my iPad.

Now to finish my CQ one block swap block, need to mail no later than Tuesday!!!

Twister, Practice Quilting, and Binding Added

2011-03-12T18:25:00.002-06:00

I made a small twister so I could practice quilting before attempting to quilt my twister table topper.

I quilted the outline of the twisters using orchid color thread.

Front

Back

Binding Added

Thank you to "TheCraftyGemini" for posting this how to make and attach binding tutorial on YouTube. I have read a few binding tutorials, this one made sense to me.

Off to work on more projects with deadlines - happy creating!!

Borders added to Twister

2011-02-19T12:01:00.000-06:00

Borders added to Twister Table Topper, now how to quilt finish it? Need to do some research on quilting.

Christmas tree skirt was a bigger piece than this one but we "tied" it, I want to machine quilt this one. Simple machine quilt of course.

Plan to use the green print for the back and the red border fabric for binding.

WOW 2 Posts in 1 Day!!!

2011-02-18T22:49:00.000-06:00

Here is my "Twister" table topper, needs borders and finishing. Fun project!

Happy Weekend!!!!

2011-02-18T15:47:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday - Happy Weekend....hoping for a very creative and productive weekend.

Beginning tonight with the HGTV board PJ party - Twister project. Here is my starting piece waiting for instruction tonight about cutting pieces using the "Lil Twister" template and sewing the blocks back together to make a "pinwheel" table topper.

Then working on AFF pages and One Block Swap.

Sneak Peek of the One Block Swap - Blue & White

Happy Stitching

Valentines

2011-02-06T15:10:00.000-06:00

Fun Friday night with friends in the craft room. My "swim mom" friends came over to see and play in my craft room. We get together to assemble treat boxes for our college kids. For valentines I invited everyone over to my house to assemble the boxes and make valentines. Lots of fun stamping, cutting paper, embossing, and glitter on all!

Here are my valentines

2011 and a new project

2011-01-06T08:06:00.002-06:00

In 2010 I finally made some "art" quilts. Are they really art? Not sure but I made them and I like them. Thanks to my HGTV friends that invited me to be part of "The Bakers Dozen". A group of 13 women with a variety of quilting and creative styles making art quilts based on themes. This group started in May 2010 and will continue through 2011, every six weeks or so the group posts their quilt for the current theme.

First Theme "Freedom" posted in July

Bangles Bubbles and Beads

Symbol

Currently working on "Hardware Store" - was due in Dec. but the holidays took over now due next week.

Along with "The Bakers Dozen" I'm creating Round Robin Books with some "Artsy Farsty Friends".

2010 was an awesome year for creating, I was flattered to be invited to join the creative ladies in these two groups.

Challenge for 2011, BOM - Block of the Month. I tried last year and only made one of the 12 blocks. I've set the goal of making all 12 this year. This could be a challenge since I'm not a "quilter" and haven't made many blocks and never a whole quilt. It would be nice to make all 12 so that I could have a quilt at the end of the year.

Starting out on schedule with a practice block, but, need to unsew and fix the corners.

Opps!!!! I'll get the corners turned around this weekend!!! Got to it this evening, all fixed.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-26T08:39:00.000-06:00

A Merry Christmas here! Fun with family and lots of good food.
Posting with my iPad! Still learning all the functions, but it is cool!

Mug Rug

2010-12-13T21:29:00.001-06:00

Ladies on the HGTV message board have been posting "mug rugs"-small quilt for your cup of tea/coffee/hot chocolate and a couple of cookies. Had to give it a try, here is my first attempt. Used tutorial by: I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2010-12-04T08:28:00.000-06:00

First snow about an inch, continuing through the day. Good day to do house work and holiday things.

Trying to be ahead of things this holiday season. I started on my holiday projects in October.

My favorite swap, HGTV Secret Santa Stocking Swap (SSSS) is in full swing. Each person received the name of her SS mid October. Each person makes and fills a stocking for their SS, the completed stocking needs to be shipped to SS so that they receive it by Dec. 18th. My stocking is finished I have most of the items to fill it. Working on a couple handmade items but will be ready to ship by Dec. 13th. This is the crazy quilted stocking I made for my SS, hope she likes it.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas. Enjoy time with family and friends celebrating and preparing to celebrate the holidays.

Craft Room Ready

2010-09-07T20:43:00.001-05:00

My craft room space is ready!! Yesterday I started moving things in and organizing the space. Took all day to get the storage area set up. Lots of cleaning to do on the shelving/storage containers.

This is the view from the doorway to the left side of the room. Note, a bit of organizing to do! This will be the paper crafting area. Two tables one for tools: Cricut, paper cutter, Xron sticker machine, and embossing gun. Other table for work space.

Desk area, dog bed will be move to the side and Ott light will be moved to the other side of the room by the sewing are.

Sewing area: sewing machine and cutting table will be in this area. View out the slider into the backyard.

Storage area, still need to put the fabric and paper storage shelves/containers in here.

I'm sure things will change before I'm completely moved in but for now this is my plan.

Happy Friday!!!

2010-06-18T07:28:00.000-05:00

Love the weekends. Last weekend was very productive, hoping this weekend will be too. Along with the clutches and needle case I posted last weekend, I also tried something new. Tried making a fabric background with bits of fabric placed between solvy. Found this technique in Fabric Art Collage -40+ Mixed Media Techniques.

Not as successful as I hoped, but not bad for a first try. I'll be trying this again this weekend, my friend Kathi gave me some good suggestions on how to do this technique.

Happy Friday, wishing everyone a WONDERFUL Weekend.

Made a few things

2010-06-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

Sunday night already? Where did the weekend go? Stained door casings, made a couple sample clutches, finished my last "Ugly" Swap gift, and did a little crazy quilting.

I'm going to make a clutch for Emily, my daughter, to use on her wedding day. I've made a couple samples to determine what size she would like. I have a yard of Champagne Dupioni Silk on order. I made these two this weekend.

This one is about 7" wide Sarah choose the fabric for this sample.

This one is about 6" wide, made out of Ivory dupioni silk, great find in the remnant bin at JoAnn's.

I'll be trying another style next week.

I participated in an "Ugly" swap with the HGTV group. My swap partner was Dyed Grey, she made me this beautiful quilted table topper. Amazing what she did with the ugly FQ I sent to her.

I'm not a tradational quilter, I made a couple crazy quilted pieces and one quilt block zipper pouch. I need to mail this last piece, needle case.

Happy Creating, wishing everyone a Great Week.

FFT #10 RR finished

2010-05-12T20:04:00.002-05:00

I have finished stitching on the last block for the Crazy Quilting International Fabulous First Timers Round Robin. To participate in CQI swaps or round robins every new member is required to complete a FFT RR. My FFT RR started back in October. A little setback but the RR is back on track. I have had the pleasure of stitching on the blocks of four very talented women.

First block I stitched on was Aida's, second block Colleen's, third block, Alice's, and finally Kathi's block. Everyone different but all beautiful and a lot of fun to stitch on. (click on the images to see enlarged)

Blogging...

2010-04-27T07:23:00.000-05:00

Rainy, Windy, Chilly Day at Lake Michigan

Sunday we took our pups to the beach, Lake Michigan, for a little walk/run. It was a windy, dreary, misty day but the pups loved it. Look at Penne smiling. The waves were 3-4 feet. Penne is the only one that went into the water. We played a little frisbee until the wind caught it and it got stuck in a tree!

I found some mermaid tears, mostly green and a couple clear ones.

Did a little creating this weekend and learned a lesson about fabric paper and freezer paper. Here are the two pieces of fabric paper I made.

I liked how they looked better when they were wet, rather dull now that they are dry. May try to remove a layer of tissue on the red & green paper.

Lesson learned, check twice and make sure the shinny side of the freezer paper is up before you start applying the glue water. If not you will find, when your fabric paper is dry, it will not peel off the freezer paper!

Making fabric paper is still a new technique to me, I will keep experimenting. These two sheets will be fun to play with.

Two good books - The Dark Tide, by Andrew Gross. Finished, it was good, sort of predictable but some good twists. And Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani, still reading and enjoying it. Adriana Trigiani is the author of Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler, two books I read a few years ago. May have to read them again.

Merry Christmas to All!!!

2009-12-16T20:27:00.000-06:00

Just had to post this photo. Yes we are those kind of people that dress our dogs up and take holiday photos. This one made me laugh out loud when I saw it. Santa (Sydney) is such a good model, the reindeer (Penne) not such a good model or her nose was running because it was so cold outside today.

Happy Birthday to Penne, Dec. 17, she will be four years old. We can't imagine our home without her. She is a rescue but we are the lucky ones for getting to adopt her. Still remember the day a cute little 19 lb bundle of fluff came to our house.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

hope everyone gets what they want

and especially what they need.

Halloween Primitive Pumpkin Give Away

2009-10-29T07:39:00.003-05:00

Great Halloween Give Away from Primitive Pumpkin. Found this give away on Donna's blog Everythingquilts.

Beautiful fabrics!!!

House Progress

2009-10-26T09:53:00.006-05:00

This was our house!!

House last winter

House remodeling is progress, here is the front.
Waiting for the front door to finish the front. They are working on the sides today.

Electricians have started on the inside.

Craftroom view and space.

Quite a bit of rain last week, most of the leaves have fallen to the ground.

A few projects

2009-10-05T19:20:00.015-05:00

Had a little creating time the past two weekends. I know the word should be "creative" but "creative time" doesn't mean actually creating to me. I have a lot of "creative time" just thinking of ideas, it is the "creating time" I need more of. I have several projects going right now: Mermaid RR, Self Portrait ATC Swap, CQ Ornament Swap, CQ for Me Challenge, and Artys Fartsy Book RR. Good thing the deadlines are all at least a month apart.

The Mermaid RR doesn't have specific deadlines. I am working on my third mermaid block, I have Kathi's block right now. I've done some work on it, but I have more ideas and stitching to do before sending it off to Carolyn. Here is a very very small sneak peek, just a teaser.

ATCs are so much fun, the theme for this swap is "Self Portrait". I didn't want to use a photo of myself, tried to convey my self portrait of having so many ideas and techniques that I want to try and never enough time. Fun creative time always seems to "Fly" by.

I haven't started my CQ for Me Challenge block yet, hopefully this weekend.

I do have my CQ Ornaments pieced and one started. I made mittens last year and really liked the mitten shape, so I'm making mittens again this year.

"Artsy Fartsy RR Book", only an idea written on paper. I have a Feb. 1, 2010 deadline to mail my "Artsy Fartsy RR Book" cover to one of my "Artsy Fartsy" friends. This is a group of 6 women, I'm honored to be invited to "play" with them. I'm hoping to make some "fabric paper" to use for my cover.

For a little diversion I made a Halloween CQ block for a friend. I'll finish this with peltex so it is like a postcard.

Tried something new, on the HGTV message board there is a BOM (Block of the Month) posted at the beginning of each month. I am not a "quilter", but I look at the post most months. This month I really liked the BOM so I decided to give it a try. I have only made a couple of quilt blocks, so this was a challenge for me. I did it!!! It took me about an hour and a half, the seams aren't perfect but I do like the block.

I also made something with my County Fair entry block. It was good practice sewing a zipper.

I WON I WON!!!

2009-08-23T20:21:00.011-05:00

WOW!

I won one of Pat Winters "Bird Nests" from her blog give away. She creates beautiful, delicate, wire bird nests with pearl eggs (beads). Thank you Pat for your generous give away and for sharing your creativity. Take a look at Pat's Crazy Gatherings upcoming crazy quilting classes. I'll be watching for upcoming classes, maybe something in Spring 2010.

Stitching Weekend - I had some good stitching time this weekend. I have finished my work on Therica's Mermaid block, for the Mermaid RR. I stitched in two areas. One mostly stitching the other beading.

Seahorse, pattern is from the issue 63 of Inspirations magazine.

Beaded Fish

I attempted to create two crazy quilt blocks for our county fair. I only finished one in time for the fair, but wanted to finish the second one because I like the colors. It is a work in progress, I'll be adding some beads and embellishing the lace motifs.

Pat Winters Blog Giveaway

2009-08-16T19:49:00.003-05:00

Pat Winters of Gatherings blog is having a small giveaway, one of her bird nests with blue pearls in it. Very pretty, check it out: Pat Winters Gatherings. Take a look at her blog, very creative and inspiring.

Summer Stitching and County Fair

2009-08-09T19:29:00.022-05:00

Pretty in Pink - my deck garden - Pink Cosmos and Bee Balm
We've had humming birds and this beautiful butterfly visiting our deck.

Our County Fair was the last week in July. I entered a small CQ block, winning first place by default. I do like the block, fun colors to work with.

The HGTV Annual One Block Swap ended on Aug. 1st. Completed blocks were mailed to arrive on Aug. 1st. This is the block I made for LadyJ66.

Gonesewin made my favorite things block. She is new to CQing but you wouldn't know it looking at this block.

The completed blocks are posted on the CQ Wiki: HGTV Favorite Things One Block Swap. Enjoy the "Eye Candy". Forty-Nine "Crazy Ladies" out did themselves creating these blocks.

Finishing my stitching on Therica's mermaid block, should have photos to post this week.

New Blog!!! I found this very cool blog "Shabby chic Papirskatter". The creator posts downloadable vintage images to be used for scrapbooking, card making, collage, etc. Everyday she posts a new image. I've downloaded all that she has posted so far, can't wait to print some on silk for crazy quilting or use Digital Grounds and print on other fabric/paper.

Mermaids

2009-07-08T09:55:00.003-05:00

WOW....awesome talent stitching on the Mermaid CQ blocks. Here is a photo of Therica's work on Kathi's mermaid.

Finishing up my "One Block Swap" block this week and then on the Therica's mermaid block.

Fun weekend and my handsome pup

2009-06-30T22:04:00.006-05:00

We finally had a great weather weekend. On Sunday I went with friends to the Elkhorn Flea and Antiques Market in Wisconsin. A beautiful day to be outside, sunny, warm, with a nice breeze. Enjoyed looking at the antiques, but the greenhouse/farms there had awesome deals on flowers. I got this pretty planter from Kathy's Blooming Creations, LLC, Burlington, WI.

I also found some good CQ embellishments. My friend Karen gave me 4 hankies to use in CQ blocks.

In my last post I showed a picture of my dog Penne at the beach playing frisbee. Here is a picture of our other dog, Sydney or "Velvet Face" as we call him. He is the sweetest puppy boy.

Still working on my "One Block Swap" crazy quilt block, may finish it this weekend but I can mail it until July 27th.

Happy 4th of July to all. Have a happy and safe holiday.

Reading and One Block Swap

2009-06-24T20:23:00.017-05:00

Still getting settled back in the house. Weather was finally nice enough to plant the deck planters and containers. So our deck is in pretty good shape, of course now we are having "heat advisory" weather and it is too hot to sit out on the deck.

Our pups have been enjoying some walks on the beach, playing frisbee, tennis ball, and a little swimming. Penne loves to play frisbee, she barks to say "Throw it again".

This is the shore of Lake Michigan on the Illinois side. Having grown up in Michigan, I think the Lake Michigan shore is sandier/less rocky then the Illinois side. Both shores are beautiful views.

I have been working on a "Favorite Things One Block" Swap. I am making a CQ block for someone that choose: Pink, pale green, cream, angels, flowers, and hearts as her "Favorite Things". We are only allowed to show two sneak peeks, the blocks have to be finished and delivered by Aug. 1. Here is my progress so far, hope the owner isn't reading my blog. I have quite a bit more to do before shipping it.

Reading two books, both recommended by my COF friend Kathi, Art Quilt Workbook: Exercises & Techniques to Ignite Your Creativity and City of Light.

In January I started reading about and planning an "Art Journal Quilt". I have some of the pieces cut out and a layout planned, just need several hours to assemble it.

Mermaid Block

2009-05-27T21:07:00.010-05:00

We had Chinese Food for Dinner this was my fortune:
"More art in your life at this time will help you feel better"

Hope this means stitching creative time for me.

We did move back into our house, last weekend. It is good to be back here, even though the house isn't finished. Sydney and Penne, our pups are very happy to be back home, running around in their yard and chewing sticks. We still have moving to do and lots of work to be done on the house, but we're HERE.

I'm very busy at work getting books to press and preparing for the launch of the 2nd level of our NEW Latin Textbook.

Stitching time?? What's that? hopefully this weekend as things settle down a bit here. In my last post I showed a photo of Kathy's mermaid block. Hopefully Carolyn doesn't mind, I am posting her photos of my block. Carolyn was the first person to stitch on my mermaid block, here are the photos she posted.
I printed the treasure chest on fabric, added the beads, sea shells, and silk roving around the treasure chest. Carolyn painted, did I mention she is an Artist "Painter", the background around the treasure chest. Her painting blended the treasure chest into my pieced block.

Another view of Carolyn's work. Along with painting around the treasure chest, she stitched the "net" over the appliqued seashell.

After adding beauty to the treasure chest, Carolyn painted my mermaid's tail. I used my mermaid image as the center of my block. In the image I chose the mermaid's tail was cropped out of the photo. But thank you Carolyn, my pretty young mermaid has a tail. She also added some seaweed, a fish, and a seahorse.

I did get to see my block in person at the COF retreat. My block is now with Kathi, can't wait to see a photo of her work. Kathi, like myself, works outside her home M-F so creative time is limited. Some much to create so little time!!!

Along with the Mermaid RR, I'm in a "Favorite Things" One Block Swap. I'm working on a block for LadyJ66, from HGTV, her favorite things are pink, pale green, angels, hearts, and flowers. She wants a very girly block. I have the fabrics gathered and will piece her block this weekend.

I did do a little stitching last weekend. I worked on my "CQ Encrusted" class block. Will take and post photos this weekend.

Happy Stitching

Mermaid progress and moving back to the house

2009-05-21T22:08:00.004-05:00

I am finished with my round of Kathy's mermaid block. I will be mailing it on to Carolyn.

I used silk roving to create seaweed mermaid hair. Used silk ribbon to embroider flowers with bead centers. Then added sea shells and pearls.

To the right of the mermaid I couched seaweed fibers and stitched beaded feather stitches.

On to Therica's mermaid block. I will be the second person to stitch on Therica's block, Kathy started it off with some amazing stitching/embellishing. I'll post a photo when I do some work on it.

We are planning on moving back to our house this weekend. The remodel is not finished but the bedrooms are finished so we can live in the house. We will have bedrooms, kitchen, and family room for living space. It will be good to be back in the house, our Pups will have their back yard to play in and we will have a little more living space then we have in the townhouse.

Happy Memioral Day weekend to everyone.

How Time Flys!!!!

2009-05-11T21:58:00.009-05:00

COF was WONDERFUL all that I hoped it would be and more. I had the honor of spending 5 days in the company of 69 VERY talented and creative women. It is a wonder the committee was able to find a room large enough to hold all of that talent. I met and made some wonderful friends.

Along with the COF Retreat activities the Mermaid group got together for a little bit to share our work so far. I have been working on Kathy's Mermaid block. I have a bit more to do, but I made progress this past weekend.

I couched slik roving to create seaweed/hair and added treasures from the Sea. I will be adding some stitching and beads before sending Kathy's block off to Carolyn

Carolyn was the first person to work on my block. She painted a beautiful tail on my mermaid. Kathi posted a photo of my block on her blog - Thank You.

I finished the last round of the HGTV CQ RR. I will be mailing the finished block off to MsBananas/Tammy, tomorrow. She should have it by the end of the week. I've done a little more work on my CQ Encrusted Class block. I hope to get back to it in the next few weeks.

Along with my Crazy Quilting projects, I am trying to finish my first Art Journal Quilt by the end of May. I have the idea, fabric pressed and ready to sew. I have some images etc. ready. I am trying to print on fabric using Golden's "Digital Grounds" product. I did try printing an image on fabric after treating it with "Digital Grounds". It worked, but I should have printed it on lighter colored fabric. I quickly rinsed the fabric, most of the ink washed out I have a plan to reprint the image. I will post photos as soon as I have something printed.

I read about Digital Grounds on Gail Schmidt's blog. She is offering a workshop on using Digital Grounds.

I should have some good stitching time in the next couple of weeks - the Red Wings and the Blackhawks are both still in the Stanley Cup playoffs - I have to say "GO WINGS"!!!!!

HGTV COF Retreat

2009-04-22T20:35:00.002-05:00

It is finally time...I am off tomorrow a.m. for the HGTV Circle of Friends Retreat - 5 days of stitching, learning, fun, and meeting new friends.

I'll post photos when I return.

Happy Stitching

Making Progress...One Step Forward...Two Steps Back

2009-04-07T22:26:00.003-05:00

How can that be progress? In 16 days I leave for my first ever Stitching/Quilting Retreat. On April 23rd I will be attending the HGTV COF Retreat in Manchester, NH. There are a few projects, challenges, and some pre retreat homework.

I have started my FQ Challenge, will finish it this weekend. Have ideas for my "What State You Are From" T-Shirt. I'll start assembling it this week. I have collected and bagged my FQs for Bingo. My retreat group project "Homework" is finished. I've started packing supplies for the classes I will be taking at the retreat.

Two Steps Backward....well I am making progress on my COF stuff, but have fallen way behind on the 6th Round of the HGTV CQ RR. Need to finish my stitching so I am ready to send Alex's block on to Ms Bananas on April 15th. Good thing my taxes are done!!!

Mermaid block, I've had for three weeks now. I have started stitching on Kathy's mermaid block. Lots of ideas just need some time to stitch.

Ok...getting away from this computer to do a little more stitching tonight.

Happy Stitching

Tried new stitches

2009-03-26T07:10:00.005-05:00

Working on my CQ Encrusted Class I have tried some new stitches/motifs.

I don't mind stitching seam treatments "free hand", but I have a hard time getting the outlines to embroider motifs, flowers, butterflies, images, etc onto my fabric. I have tried using "Solvey", tracing/chalk paper, and iron on transfer pencil. "Solvey" has worked the best, but even using pernanent sharpie to draw on the "Solvey" I've had it bleed on to my project when put water on it to disolve it. Tracing/chalk paper the image brushes off before I finish stitching and the iron on transfer pencil didn't work at all.

I really wanted to try to embroider some of the flower motifs from Teach Yourself to Embroider book. So I tried a technique that Shawkl had mentioned, "tissue paper"!! Yes, it worked like a charm!!! I traced the image onto white tissue paper, actually leftover tissue paper from Christmas. Pinned it in place on my block and started stitching.

CQEncrusted Class block so far. I am going to start adding beads/buttons etc. next. I think it needs a little more stitching, but I need to add some beads/buttons to be sure, may be a few days before I get to it. I need to get going on my COF projects, I do have an idea for my FQ Challenge fabric.

Happy Stitching

Creative Slacker

2009-03-13T07:29:00.002-05:00

Looking through all the blogs that I follow and clicking through to other blogs listed on their blogs...wow..lots of creativity. Looks like everyone is exploding with creativity and I'm just watching. So my question; When does everyone find the time to create all of this beauty?

Happy Friday, YEAH the weekend, my two days of the week to create.

CQ Lesson 2 Stitching

2009-03-11T18:55:00.004-05:00

I have completed the basic seam stitching on one of my CQ Encrusted class blocks.

Lesson 3 arrived today, I have yet to read it.

I plan to add a few more stitches to this block and then on to my 2nd block and lesson 3 "Motifs".

Round 5 of the HGTV CQ Round Robin ends this week. I need to write in the journal and I'll be ready to send it on to the next person. Two more rounds and our CQ Beauties will be on their way home. I am very excited to see mine. Along the way we have only been allowed to see two small "sneak peeks" per round. Only seeing very small areas doesn't give a very good idea of what the whole block looks like.

I'll also be mailing my Mermaid block out this week. Again, need to write in the journal and package it up.

Off to put my Encrusted CQ lessons in a binder and get organized to read lesson 3.

Happy Stitching

CQ Encrusted block 2, lesson 2, and Mermaid Block

2009-03-04T19:46:00.005-06:00

Continuing to make progress, I finished piecing my 2nd CQ Encrusted class block.

I'm calling this my "Sunshine" block, a little more yellow than I originally planned.

Lesson 2 was emailed to the class today, seam embellishments. I am ready to stitch!!

I also finished piecing my Mermaid block, need to do a little embellishing.

Making Progress

2009-03-02T18:47:00.003-06:00

I am making some progress on my swaps, challenges, classes etc. Wed., Feb. 25 was the start of Sharon Boggon's CQ Encrusted class offered through Joggles.

Lesson one was about color and piecing a CQ block. I hope to piece two blocks for the class, I have one finished. The lace and heart are just pinned in place for now, may change my mind as we start embellishing the seams.

I really like the print fabric but didn't have fabric in the correct shade of blue, so I dyed a piece of white dupioni silk to the shade of blue I needed for this block. I think it worked well.

I found a nice size piece of white dupioni silk in the remnant bin at JoAnn's. I check out the bin every time I'm at JoAnn's and often find pieces of dupioni silk in the remnant bin.

I finished piecing my Mermaid block, I need to applique a couple of seashells silkies onto it and maybe a few stitches before I send it off on it's RR adventure.

Still haven't started on my COF FQ or t-Shirt Challenge...soon!!!

YEAH!!! It is the weekend.

2009-02-21T07:07:00.003-06:00

It is the weekend and it is snowing here in IL. Not that I want any more snow, but it will keep me in the house this weekend and I'll get to my projects. The list is long...need to figure out what to do with my COF FQ for the FQ challenge, decorate my COF "state" t-shirt, piece a CQ swap block, round 4 of RR, and gather my supplies for the CQ Encrusted class.

Off to stitch!!! Stay warm and dry.

Personality Rainbow

2009-02-05T07:10:00.003-06:00

Tisme posted this on her blog and the HGTV boards, so I thought I'd give it a try. Interesting little quiz. Give it a try, takes two mins or so to do the quiz.

Your rainbow is intensely shaded green, indigo, and brown.

What is says about you: You are a proud person. You feel strong ties to nature and your mood changes with its cycles. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality. You feel closer to people when you understand their imperfections.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Happy Stitching

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Oh wait....

2009-01-23T07:09:00.002-06:00

Yes the new year is a couple of weeks old, but it is a happy new year. Shawkl (Kathy) has written an awesome lesson on how to stitch "Bullion Roses" and it is posted on the Crazy Quilting Wiki (link to the lessons and challenge page, scroll down to Lesson 12).

Along with the new lesson on the wiki, Shawkl has continued her 12 dozen in 12 months stitch challenge, posted on her blog: shawkl.com

Two great stitching opportunities for this new year, enjoy.

Happy Stitching
TGIF!!
Jody

It's Official!!!

2009-01-12T08:05:00.002-06:00

I'm going to the COF Retreat in New Hampshire in April. I booked my flight yesterday. I have never attended a stitching/crafting retreat and I can't WAIT!!!!

So far in 2009 I'm doing two things I've wanted to do for many years. In Feb. I am taking my first online Crazy Quilting Class and going to a Stitching/Crafting Retreat in April!!!

Happy 2009!!!

4 stitches

2009-01-04T13:14:00.005-06:00

Four stitches have been posted on Kathy's blog www.skawkl.com. I have stitched all four stitches. Only hope I can keep up as the weeks/months go on. I happen to have an open weekend and plenty of time to stitch.

Here are stitches #2, #3, and #4:

Stitch #4 photo isn't very clear, but it is pretty in person.

If you would like to participate in this stitch challenge visit: www.shawkl.com. Awesome creativity by Kathy.

Happy Stitching

Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

2008-12-30T08:02:00.003-06:00

I've signed up for Shawkl's CQ Stitch Challenge - Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months!!! Shawkl has started this challenge and is generously writing the stitch combinations. These stitch combinations are being posted on her blog shawkl.com. Check it out.

I did complete the first stitch. This is only a portion of the completed seam. I used it on Kate's RR block and we are only allowed to show a "sneak peek" not the whole thing.

Shawkl has also created stitching templates. Word is out on these templates. 30 some people have requested membership to the Crazy Quilting Wiki, so that they can access her template. Here is the link to Shawkl's stitching template.

I know that Carol Samples has stitching templates. And there is another set of templates available: Success Strips. DecPainter wrote a great tutorial on how to use and where to purchase the Success Strips (scroll down to the link to the PDF).

WOW...must be the start of a new year. Lots of excitement about a new year learning new techniques and starting new projects.

Happy Stitching
Jody

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T19:40:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas to all and wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

It has been a very quiet and relaxing Christmas, so I guess I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas. We had a very nice family dinner on Christmas Eve and spent Christmas Day "chillin". We are still in PJs and watching our 4th movie of the day.

Hope everyone had a good day. Tomorrow will be another fun day with my daughters and then stitching time for me on Sat. and Sun. before heading back to work on Mon.

Happy Stitching

CQ Give Away

2008-12-15T07:00:00.003-06:00

My CQing friend Nickilee is having a CQ Goodie Bag give away. Check out her blog for a chance to win this beautiful bag of CQ bling, glitz, and treasures.

Having been in a few CQ swaps with Nickilee, her work is very pretty and creative. I KNOW the contents of this give away will be just amazing. Her hand dyed lace is so beautiful you just want to pet it. Check out her blog, not only for a chance at the give away but also look at her dyed laces and cq work.

Nicki Lee's RaviolLee Dreams

Happy Stitching.

Preparing for Christmas

2008-12-11T21:07:00.005-06:00

Well as some people know we are remodeling our house. We have been living in a townhouse since Mid. Aug. The exterior of our house is in pretty good shape, but the interior is another story. Here are pics of our house before and our house now.

Our House before remodeling started

Our house now during remodeling.

What does this have to do with getting ready for Christmas? For the past several years I have switched from making Cookies to making candy. I really do enjoy making candy for the holiday: English Toffee, peanut brittle, caramels, chocolate covered cherries, and more!!!

Well, instead of working in my big kitchen with stainless steel counters and all of my kitchen tools, I am working in a small kitchen, very limited counter space and minimal kitchen tools. I plan to do what I can in my limited space, just hope everything turns out. If not my excuse will be my house is under construction!!!

Merry Christmas to all that celebrate this holiday. May all of your wishes come true this magical season.

Happy After Thanksgiving and Preparing for a Merry Christmas

2008-12-03T07:39:00.004-06:00

WOW!!! Thanksgiving is over...it was a BLAST. Spent the weekend with my family, we had a 45 person sit down Thanksgiving Dinner. On Sat. we had a 50th Wedding Anniversary party for my parents. It was a wonderful party, great seeing family and friends. Back home on Sun. completely exhausted, finally feeling rested today.

A first for me I put my Christmas tree up last night. I have never had my Christmas tree up by Dec. 2nd. It is very cute, decorated with lights, gold/pearl garland (need a couple more strands), and my 6 ornaments from Nickilee's CQ ornament swap.

This week, better get going it is Wed. already, stitching on OJM CQ RR block, updating the cqwiki with two NEW lessons and RR Photos, AND my own CQ Ornaments that I need to make for gifts.

Enjoy the rest of the week, I'm off to work...this day job business really disrupts my crafting/blogging time.

Happy Stitching

Over Extended

2008-11-20T07:36:00.003-06:00

I have found myself "craft" overextended. I could not get my 12 Days of Christmas gifts finished and have dropped out of the swap.

Why is it that crafting time is so limited compared to day job time?

Round 2 of the CQ Round Robin has begun. All the blocks were mailed to the 2nd round stitcher on Nov. 15. I received mine yesterday, it is just beautiful. I hope to do some stitching on it this weekend but might have to wait until after Thanksgiving. Lots to do to get ready for holiday travel.

Happy Stitching

Jody

Crazy Quilting Round Robin

2008-11-15T20:00:00.004-06:00

Round 1 of the HGTV Crazy Quilting Round Robin ended today. All blocks have been sent on to the next person. I have never participated in a Round Robin until this one. So far it has been great fun, great way to get your creativity going.

Each person created a blank crazy quilt block at least 18" wide/long but not more than 24" wide/long. Lots of "Creative" space to stitch/embellish. I'm wondering if it gets easier as the blocks have more on them or harder coming up with embellishments/stitches that go with the other people's work.

The HGTV CQ group is GREAT!!! This group encourages every one to participate, no matter what you skill level. Everyone that signs up knows there will be a range of skill level stitching on their block. I find this very inspiring, you can always learn from seeing someone elses work.

In the rules you are only allowed to post two sneak peeks of the block you are working on. So there will be lots of surprises when the finished block returns to its owner.

Here is one of my sneek peaks from the block I was working on. This block was pieced/belongs to Nickilee - CQer and Lace Dyeing Expert.

I'll be getting my second block sometime next week.

Back to finishing my 12 Days of Christmas swap gifts. I have the weekend to finish them, deadline is next Friday (have to be received) so I need to allow some shipping time.

Happy Stitching
Jody

New Magazine!!!!

2008-11-04T21:37:00.007-06:00

Where Women Create
Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women

Last weekend I discovered this new magazine. It is a new magazine but not a new publisher, Stampington & Company's Sumerset Studio. I always look at the Stampington & Company's Sumerset Studio magazines but had never purchased one until I saw this issue.

It is WAY Cool!!!! Very inspiring premier issue. This magazine will be published quarterly, it is rather pricy and no discount per issue with a subscription. $14.99 per issue or $59.99 for the year (4 issues). I will be looking for the next issue, check it out and then decide if I want to subscribe or not.

As in other Stampington & Company's Sumerset Studio publications the photos, color, and layout is just beautiful and very inviting.

This issue has articles about several women and their creative spaces. Check it out, I found this magazine at Borders Books. There are links to their web sites and/or blogs. Hope to have some time this week to check out the web sites and blogs. Of course there many ads, but most have links to web sites.

Happy Stitching and Creative Time
Jody

Sparkling Elegance!!!

2008-10-22T12:26:00.003-05:00

WOW, a friend just finished her etsy site "sparklingelegance". Her name is Lynn, she makes beautiful beaded jewelry, check it out.

(Lynn hope you don't mind I posted a photo from your site).

Congratulations Lynn, wishing you much success.
Jody

CQ Ornament Swap Pic.

2008-10-07T22:36:00.002-05:00

I made 6 CQ Mitten Ornaments for a swap. 5 of them are the usual Christmas colors, this one is a bit different, but I like it.

CQ Ornaments finished!!

2008-10-06T04:19:00.002-05:00

I finished my CQ Mitten Ornaments this weekend. Just need to take photos, post, and mail them in for the Swap. Good news is the deadline isn't until Nov. But I have a LOT to do between now and Nov. so I'm glad these are finished.

Will add photos, hopefully tomorrow...but wait it is tomorrow. So later tomorrow!!!

My CQ News

2008-10-02T22:20:00.002-05:00

I have finished embellishing my CQ Mitten Ornaments, for the HGTV CQ Ornament Swap. Just need to "finish finish" them. Backing, hanger, and fur cuff.

I received my CQ Embellishments Swap package today. WOW WOW WOW!!! This is the first time I have participated in this swap. I passed on this swap last Nov. because I didn't think I could meet the deadline. When I saw all the pictures I was "kicking" myself to not playing. So when the signups were posted I JUMPED RIGHT IN!!! I created 10 baggies to swap and 17 surprises, in return I received 10 different baggies and 17 different surprises. The box was HUGE and the baggies "stuffed". I won't have to CQ supply shop for a LONG time.

Leading up to perfect timing for the CQ RR that begins on Oct. 15 when a group of 40 women each send their "naked" cq block to another person in their group who begin embellishing the CQ block. Another CQ Event FIRST for me. I have never been in a round robin but I can't wait to see the beautiful work as it progresses. Photos are being posted on CQwiki.

Need to get my CQ RR block pieced, need to be ready to mail on Oct. 15.

bad blogger!!!

2008-09-14T08:03:00.006-05:00

I am so bad about posting on my blog. Time just seems to get away from me, with family, work, stitching, and the CQwiki.

Current Crazy Quilting Stitching project is cq ornament swap. The ornaments are 6" tall, I have 6 pieced and 3 1/2 embellished.

One of my Mitten Ornaments

Next CQ project is a crazy quilting round robin. I have never participated in a round robin, so I am very curious to give this a try. I've been in a couple "One Block Swaps", creating a block for someone based on their description of their favorite things. And receiving a block someone created for me based on my favorite things. Both times the experience has been AWESOME!!!

The 2008 One Block Swap was completed on Aug. 30th. I created this block for Lori, her favorite things are "water, ocean, sea, river, blue". Have to say at first I couldn't think of anything, then my "brain" kicked in:

Ithinksew created this amazing block for me. My favorite things: rich summer colors, dragonflies, altered art

Link to all of the blocks created in the "2008 One Block Swap - Favorite Things" This page is a list of all the participants, each person has a page with pics of the block they created.

Follow the 2008-2009 Crazy Quilting Round Robin progress.

Back to my CQ Ornaments!!! Happy Stitching to all. Stay dry - I do hope this rain ends soon.

Jody

CQ Heart Swap

2008-05-04T18:50:00.003-05:00

I'm so pleased, I have my 6 CQ Hearts finished before the deadline!!! Yeah, this is a first, for me, in my limited swapping experiences. I always try to finish before the deadline and always end up shipping on the last possible day to meet the deadline.
The CQ Hearts swap deadline is June 1st and I will be sending my 6 this WEEK!!!!

I even stitched one to keep for myself.

Crazy Quilting Hearts

2008-04-09T06:41:00.003-05:00

Latest project, Crazy Quilting Hearts! Lots of fun and amazing what you can come up with in a 6 1/2" heart shape.

I am working 6 of these hearts for a swap. Would love to do 12, but with the deadline of June 1st, will probably only finish 6.

Happy Stitching.

Crazy Quilting PB Wiki

2008-03-06T22:22:00.002-06:00

My latest work in progress. Several months ago I started a pb wiki: crazyquilting.pbwiki.com. I started it as a way to learn new technology for my day job.

I finally found a reason to make the crazyquilting.pbwiki.com functional. I am participating in the HGTV Board CQ Lesson and Challenge group. This group is teaching each other Crazy Quilting techniques.

Great group of people sharing ideas. There are over 100 participants from all over the world and it was getting difficult to keep all the lessons/information organized in one place where everyone in the group could access it at any time. The light bulb turned on....pbwiki!!!! With the permission of the HGTV CQ Lessons and Challenge Group I am posting the lessons and information on www.crazyquilting.pbwiki.com

"Crazy" Stitching to all!!!

Crazy Quilting

2006-09-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

My newest hobby: Crazy Quilting. I enjoy doing needlework, most of my stitching has been cross stitching. Five years ago I took a class "Counted Threads", combination counted cross stitching and counted needlepoint and lots of stitches and fibers that I had no idea existed.

Last year I picked up a copy of "ClothPaperScissors" magazine. There were so many great ideas and fun projects. They had a booth/area at the International Quilt Festival, Chicago, April 2006. I went to the festival and participated in their "Make It University". This sparked an interest in quilting. Knowing that I do not have the time for create a HUGE quilt I started small with our county fairs "Domestic Challange."

The challenge was to create a table runner incorporating the piece of fabric onto the table runner. This was my first attempt at quilting and embelished with crazy quilting stitches. I did not win a ribbon for my table runner but it was fun.

Knowing that I needed to expand my "Crazy Quilting" knowledge I purchased "The Crazy Quilting Handbook" revised 2nd ed. by Judith Baker Montano. Great book!!! Good explanation of the stitches, process of piecing a Crazy Quilt and tips for "Lefties" (that includes me!).

I am currently making the "Heart Shaped" purses one of the projects in "The Crazy Quilting Handbook". I will post a photo when I'm finished.

Penny Rugs

2006-09-10T08:20:00.000-05:00

Last month a friend showed me a craft magazine, there was a beautiful picture of a
"Ring of Posies". Reading the article, it was called a "Penny Rug". I do a lot of crafting but had never heard of a Penny Rug.

Curiosity got the better of me and I started searching the internet.
"Penny rug" is a name given to a folk art style of appliqué. Dating from the mid 19th century, they were traditionally made from felted wool (i.e. the wool was washed to shrink it). And despite their name, they were not used on the floor,
but as decorative table rugs or wall hangings. Fabric was just too
precious then. The "penny" comes from the coins that were used as
templates for the circles. Most of the penny rugs had simple shapes of
flowers or animals, usually layered and appliquéd on the rug with
blanket stitch embroidery in contrasting colors. Their simple,
primitive style gives them a charm that has continued through the
years. (http://www.patchpieces.com/pennyruginfo.html)

The pattern called for "Felted Wool", being too anxious to get started I
used a double thickness of wool felt for the base and wool felt for the
flower and leave pieces. This project was so much fun, cutting
everything out was the most time consuming but once everything was in
place the stitching was a "breeze".