Earth and Twigs Finished

Well I spent last week quilting, by hand, my Sue Spargo BOM.  Over the weekend I attached the binding.

Now waiting for this years

I used Valdani perle for the quilting and just outlined the applique.  Now just to add a pole sleeve and it will be ready for hanging.

And now November!

I believe this month sees the end of adding birds onto my Sue Spargo block of the month. Next month we receive the backing and label.

This has been an enjoyable quilt to work on and I have now signed up for next year.

Sue has also now written a book on stitches for embellishment that is available through her web site.

Now onto a Jim Wurth octagon ornament. I have done the first in the series a while ago and now have Monrovia and one other that at this moment I can't remember the name of to work on. I wish I'd been able to do these as monthly pieces as intended. I would like to obtain all 12 but fear my purse will not stretch to them as they go for silly prices on eBay.

Eyeless bird

Not as frightening as it seems. This months block from Sue Spargo includes the first bird, however for reasons unknown the eye is done next month.

It may be noticed by some that I have placed the wing in the opposite direction to that suggested. The inner part of the wing is partly surrounded by drizzle stitches and back stitch.

Have to love the brightness of his plumes.

Progress....

 Half way through and it is beginning to look like a quilt.

On this center blossom I did change things a bit.  I decided it deserved a bit fancier stitching.  So from a distance this one looks like its brothers and sisters but seeing as how it has the very fancy detached petals is just need more.  So threw in some pistal stitches and french knots.

Drizzling again, love this stitch, I just wish I could be more random in the lengths.

It's in the Bag

 I have adapted the handle from being two front and back to one side to side.  This allows me better stuffing ability!

 Just for fun I decided to do drizzle stitches on the closure button.

There is something about this leaf that just worked for me in it's simple form.

Tea berry sac continued

The main front is now complete. I found it hard not to do more embellishment but as this is to be a bag that will be used I really don't need too many bits sticking out.

Now I will have to get myself in gear and cutout the rest of the pieces.

Sue Spargo BOM Block 5

 This one has been like a double block.

The centre flower head is not yet sewn in place as we have been told to wait.

 The stems are looking better with the addition of their french knots.

 The drizzle stitches have been worked on whilst it was drizzling outside.  What else does on do on such a day?










I have moved the Owl Needlepoint into my sun room to work on so that is where I am headed after this.   I should have about two weeks before my next BOM arrives from Sue Spargo.

Back from Williamsburg, VA

This was our third visit to Williamsburg.  There is something about the history and beauty that just keep drawing me back.

As always we go for Spring break but this time we hit the beauty motherloade.  The flowers and trees were amazing.

Driving around the area was just a picture with cherry blossom and dogwood trees.

 Here are my two girls in the gardens at Williamsburg.  I first made these dresses two years ago so I had to lengthen them.  Also a certain little lady wanted a bit of fuss on hers now so I added some lace around the neckline to match her sister's.  Don't you just love the Colonial foot wear?

 Tulips, bluebells anemone etc just my idea of perfection.  I will have to work on the bulbs in my own garden.

 Might just have to use this one as a Christmas card I love the setting with the little cottage to the rear.

 Some of these pictures may have to find a place on the walls of my house.

 The beach at Jamestown on a cool day.

 I will build a sandcastle!

 This was at Busch gardens and is just right for these two criminals!

 This was part of an amazing playground near the condos that we stay in.

 Oh and I did find time to finish the third block of my Sue Spargo BOM

 Checkout the woven picots, I just love the look for the center of the flower and even more of Sue's beloved bullions.

It is cool how a simple backstitch can make such a difference to a piece.

More Sue Spargo Stuff

 This the start of my Teaberry Sac by Sue Spargo.  My first change was the use of an upholstery fabric for the background.  This is part of my year long attempt to use what I have in my studio.

I have wanted to do this bag for years since seeing it done by a good friend.

Also aiming at making it more spring/summer like than the original. Hence the lime green.

 A naked block 3 from Sue's block of the month.

Just wait to see what she has us doing around the centre of the flower this month.

I think I will try it out on my new sampler cloth first. It is a stitch I've done before but not in multiples around the edge of a piece.

 Some of our merry band are not sure about appliqueing the inner curves on the cotton fabric.

I my case I have always snipped to the curve and when I get there take a few satin stitches.  This is why it is important to have a matching thread.

Love the use of the ribbons this month.  If like me they are going to have a cut end laying around for awhile there is a chance of unraveling so I used nail polish as it was hand. Otherwise Fray Check is the way to go.

Earth 'n Twigs Block 2

Leaf finished, as always I love the look that Sea Grass has when back stitched.

Now onto the flower head.

In the instructions it has us doing drizzle stitch first.  I chose to do the bullions first as otherwise I can see myself catching on the drizzle stitches all the time.

You may also notice that I'm missing one circle.  Mary who is in charge of this BOM for Sue Spargo is putting me a piece in the March package.

At the moment I'm torn between projects as I've started on the Cyberstitchers Halloween Treat today but also want to finish the heart.

Oh and before I forget Amanda and I went and got the Ultra Suede for the finishing of the Pretty Petals pin.

Yes and then there's the Lee kimono for Fiona's newly redecorated and floored bedroom.

Not Seen Before

 This is the start of Block 2 in the Earth and Twigs BOM by Sue Spargo.   The colours are just singing to be in this.  There are 6 blocks that are similar to this and the previous block so hopefully Sue will keep things interesting for us.  So far so good as I think you will agree that the spotted background adds a certain something to the feel of this piece.  Fresh, and modern is my thought.

This particular canvas is one of many that has been lerking in my stash for many years.  I have decided this is the year that I will try to attack some of those canvases.

My local ANG group has set a competition this year that involves making 5 resolutions.  One of mine (I stole this idea from a fellow member) is to go though my stash and either decide to attempt or sell in our destashing moments at meetings.

Having seen several pieces out in the real world that involve strips of different stitches I thought I'd like to try the same thing on this heart.

Yes I changed the colour, this is sangria in Trio.  Before I started I copied the canvas so that when I've finished the stripes I can couch the spirals in something like DMC's memory thread.  When I got this canvas down in Tucson I also purchased two buttons that may get on as well.

Another one of my resolutions is to encourage Fiona to work on her UFO which is a cat canvas.  To that end this morning I brought her stand upstairs, pleased to say this had the desired effect and she put down the DS Lite game system in favor of stitching.  Happy Mum.

Just When you Think.....

Just when you think you have finished a block Sue Spargo sends the next and with it instructions for a stitch addition to the previous month's block.

This time I am couching chenille down around the edge with wool.  Have to say it is very effective. 

I have pieced the background for this months block and traced my bits and bobs onto freezer paper so later when I finish my ironing I will get the bits ready.

Pomegranete Runner Finished

Binding done and now this is ready to take pride of place on my dining table.  Loved working on this both in the class last fall and then here and there whilst my girls do their various activities. 

It has produced many ohs and ars leaving me in danger of getting a very large head.  The other effect is that I have two new wool stitchers and a possible other who has never even seen my work.  I have decided to have a small group meeting at my house once a month.  My wish is to have both new and experienced stitchers so that more people learn the pleasure and relaxation that this type of project allows.