Macro shot

 
.....of Flannel flowers 

Needleturn : a work in progress(?)

Needleturn WiP, originally uploaded by curli.

The other online discussion which featured Needleturn applique,prompted me to dig in my "hope chest"(I hope that one day I'll finish the project) and unearth this one:
It was planned that I'd use it as a medallion with possibly panels of a trellis effect framing it.
As yet I have tried my hand at constructing the trellises required

UFOs or WiPs?

 

A couple of current online discussions prompted me to delve into my unfinished projects.
One discussion was commenting on the difference between Colonial Knots and French Knots and I think the majority felt Colonial were a tad difficult.
I must confess that I love Colonial knots for the amount of texture and dimension I can achieve by changing the number of strands of thread.
Case in point: the Wattle blossoms in this four foot diameter piece I periodically pull out when I just want to stitch and dream of other things! 

Frog stitching

 

Today I plan on a stint of Frog-stitching!
I completed this segment for a RR last night and I'm not happy with the result,so I'm going to sit on the patio in the sun and rippit,rippit,rippit!
Then back to the drawing board for another idea.........probably BDE or SRE in an effort to camoflage any minor damage.
(I did warn you that you get 'warts and all' with my blogging didnt I!) 

Dividing my time

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At the moment I'm attempting several diverse projects:

One is a blue worked Mother Goose theme----the blocks were planned to be 12 inches finished,but I've decided that leaves too large an area of'white' in each block.
I then thought to recut the blocks on point.....didn't work because of the differing sizing of each character;
So now,I'm thinking of cutting the blocks down to a 9 inch (finished) square and frame each block with one inch of a dark blue then a two inch sash......I'll still have a twelve inch finished block,but a minimum 'white" expanse.

The next project,is a twelve person Round Robin......my second round arrived yesterday.More about this can be seen over on my other Blog CQCrazywhere the team members can display their current rounds.

I'm also working on three Fabric & fibre Postcard Swaps.........as one is a Challenge(in more ways than one VBG) Pandora/Pandora's Box I'm not saying anything!
The other two are "my Backyard" and "Cats".......must start DOINGinstead of just planning.

Finally(I think) my Art Journal quilts......are two months behind schedule.
Think I'll blame that on waiting for mail from New Zealand.........plenty of ideas,just don't know how to implement them.

Oh yes!!
I owe someone some diagrams of some left handed stitching.
I haven't forgotten,just haven't stitched the various stages yet.Apologies for that,but I think it may have to wait until the weekend.

Stitching for Lefties

 
Stem Stitch


Not the best of pics to illustrate what I'm attempting to explain;I'll try to set up clearer ones tomorrow when I'm less rushed.
This is 'meant to illustrate how I tackle stem stitch as a left hander.
(I'll admit that it is not what stitchery judges like,but it works well for me)

I stitch from RIGHT to LEFT along a line representing the stem line,and most times I stitch with the thread ABOVE the needle.
I initially come up through the fabric above the stem line and then across the line,down through the fabric,coming up again about half the length of the previous stitch 

Welcome.........

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to the new blogger on the block: Helen aka Geminista has finally succumbed to the insistent singing of the blogging sirens.
Helen is among other interests, a Crazy Quilter(the nicest kind....the one that indulges her passion for needlework via CQ)
please go visit her East Lynne Cottage blog and enjoy!

Another angle.....

 
...of the quilt show car! 

S.E.X.

 

Some of the goodies that came home with me today........the opportunity to increase my thread stash with Rajmahal Art silk threads at 50c a skein was too good to miss out on.
My husband thought the rotary cutting board was the bees knees,so who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? 

Mountain Quilters

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Mountain Quilters


When you're going to a quilt show,and you're not quite sure "where",a quilted car is a good sign!
Ken and I drove up to Peachester (in the Sunshine Coast hinterland) today for the second day of the Mountain Quilters biennial show.
Even Ken could not miss this sort of signage!
Although equipped with my trusty digital I have no pics to share,because some are being prepared for commercial patterns and some are yet to be exhibited at juried shows shortly.
It was one show where there were many and varied styles....some the result of work-shops and experimentation;some of the BOM genre and others, adaptions of commercial patterns.

One quilt that particularly took my eye had been five years in the making: commencing with fabric paint palmprints of two children done annually, surrounding two fabric painted masterpieces done by each of the kids and then set in fabrics dyed by their mother.
The two blocks the kids did were of a knight battling a dragon,and a girl riding a horse in a paddock.
The backing of the quilt was also pieced with fabrics dyed by Bernadine and the whole stipple quilted.
Bernadine told me she had planned the entire quilt layout with her EQ5.Hopefully come August I can share a pic with you.

Then there was the Q/S Applique/machine embroidered quilt in shades of burgandy by LynH..........This was a floral masterpiece embroidery and rich velvets in the roses.

If the Zodiac is your "thing" you would have positively drooled over the 'small' quilt (also made by Bernadine) each Zodiac sign was a block 8 to 10 inch square(I'd guesstimate) and each was free machine embroidered.
This lady's work is incredible and I'm totally in awe of her diverse talents.
You ought to visit Bernadine's Blog Fabric Dye and Threads

On a more prosaic note,I really must take my DH to quilt shows MORE OFTEN!!
I came home with a new rotating cutting board,a good supply of Rajmahal art silk threads,bead containers x3 and some pottery buttons.
(Shirley's buttons are to die for!)
Today I limited myself to 2 windmills, 1 wheelbarrow and another pair of thongs(flip-flops to our US cousins....not underwear!)


There was also a section of dolls.........glorious dragons, fabulous frilled lizards ladies with personality.
A fund raising section was stocked with cushions and bags of different styles,crafty little pin cushions,little weights looking like pincushions,but designed to stop the pages of your book flipping over;
Turned timber needle cases and doovers for lace making.

Time to go fondle my new threads...........

# posted by Maureen @ Sunday, May 21, 2006 0 comments links to this post

Quilting

 I spent the morning with a group of quilting friends and after the social chit-chat,it was down to work for Robyn!
The Gamill is actually owned by Lyn,but as she has had hand surgery recently she is unable to hand on to the controls ,so R gave some of us a demo and permitted me to take pics.

Me? I do a little quilting with my trusty Janome and a little by hand;To watch R in action was intriguing to say the least. 

Jan & me

 
Just to prove we did actually meet! 

CQ Crazy: Meeting an online friend

CQ Crazy: Meeting an online friend

Mother's day

 Or as my dear man has said for years
..every day is Mother's Day!

Not much stitching accomplished......about three silk ribbon leaves on a CQ Round Robin block has been the sum total,but our daughter and her husband spent the day with us;they did the catering,and the cleanup after,and courtesy of Colleen I'll introduce myself with this pic!
(It will be interesting to see how many readers are scared away!)


and I hope that those of you that celebrated Mother's Day this weekend had an enjoyable family day.

Tschuss! 

 

Yesterday I was given a wonderful present by a very dear friend........my own haori:

(Haori being the mid length coats originally worn by men over their kimono to prtotect their kimono from the elements)

This one is 30 inches long and fifty inches wide with the short sleeves proclaiming married woman status.
G purchased this when she was living in Japan,and it is she who has introduced me to Japanese Kimono fabrics for my CQ....)See Feb 28 posting)

There is no waythat this garment will be "destructed" for my quilting.
I still have to find the courage to do that to the slightly damaged ones I blogged about back on February 28 this year. 

Not a stitch in sight

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Today was baking day for the week:So far I've managed one crusty loaf of bread;
Two French sticks sliced and spread with garlic butter,ready to be reheated when required;
a sourcream apple slice;
a Raspberry Bar;
and a large pot of Beef and green pepper is bubbling away gently in the crockpot.

The laundry is off the line and folded;there's some ironing waiting........but!!
Now I should tidy up before tomorrow's visitors,and then...............?
A few more stitches on Margaret's block, and watch a bit more of "Supersize me" (which I think should be compulsory veiwing for families who think "Food to go" is wonderful!
then bed and a new book.

Hurricane Katrina survivor quilts

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I see that SharonB of inaminuteago blog is doing a happy dance today at the news that on Wednesday (U.S. time) the quilts will be listed for auction on Ebay.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about,do go visit inaminuteago and see what I'm on about.
Sharon also gives links to photo albums of the blocks and to AnnieW's Loopylace blog where Annie blogs the actual construction of the three quilts

Remember the old ad?

"Which twin has the.............?""

Here's another slant on the theme:two Tote bags( aka "The Smart Handbag") http://sew-happy.com/ that I wrote of a week or so back;

One bag,and the number of " personality changes" is limited only by the number of covers one makes!

Another project completed

Another project was completed today..........stress levels are lower as a result!

I wont reveal any details,because as yet as the recipient is (I hope) un aware of it.
Team members involved have seen the results and I've been overwhelmed with the support they gave to this project.
My sincere thanks to you all(you know who you are)

On a less optimistic note: I made a difficult decision today and removed myself from a group I have been a member of for five years.
I cannot and will not tolerate self opiniated bullies inflicting themselves on others.
I probably hurt myself more than I did them,but my conscience is clear.

Don't expect any frothiness for a while..............I'm going beach days to recharge my batteries.

Things I'm thankful for...........
A wonderful caring husband
Wonderful caring friends..........some of whom I'll probably never meet vis a vis.
One lady who has taught me to count my blessings out loud (Waves to D and Tigger)
Other friends who stood up and were counted!
May God/Allah/whoever Supreme Being you believe in..........bless you all

One project completed

One "Smart Bag"!
Made with longer handles than pattern suggests,because C prefers a bag that can be utilised as shoulder bag for better security.
Closure is a magnetic clasp.
So, apart from constructing a couple of slip covers,so personality changes can happen,this is ready for delivery to its owner.
Now,to quilt and bind "that" project;
Construct a naked block or three;
and start sashing the Mother Goose quilt. 

Digging in my UFOs

Because I've been busy panicking over a Round Robin for the CraftClub/CQCrazy combination I'm resorting to a quick fix for today's posting:
The first pic is of my attempts today at sashing a certain project!
(Where's Annie W when I NEED her!!)
The lower pic was pulled out for inspiration...........I should be constructing naked blocks instead of sitting here pecking at the keyboard.

Regarding the pansies

As Colleen is a pro photographer,I'll ask her to do a closeup of one of the blocks, so it may take a "while"..........

I'm sure you all know the old story of the cobbler's family going barefoot..............

kurliskottage: A postcard from..........

kurliskottage: A postcard from..........

Pansy wreath for Colleen

Hand worked Shadow appliqued Pansy wreaths.....Q/S Doona cover made for Colleen.
The only machine work is is the joining of the blocks and the piping down the side panels.
Pillow slip to match!
I won't say how long it took to complete these 18 inch blocks.Suffice to say,I'd NEVER attempt it again 

Starry,starry skies

Q/S machine pieced and quilted Star sampler 

kurliskottage: Don't you love it when...........

kurliskottage: Don't you love it when...........

Will I or wont I?

">LinkFrom someone who works in a sewing machine store:
"I just read your comment about men helping their wives buy sewing machines. I work at a store that sells sewing machines and one day a woman came to shop for a new machine. While I was showing her our top-of-the-line embroidery machine, she decided to buy it for her husband for his birthday. The reason? He had bought her a fishing pole for her birthday and an outboard motor for their anniversary. Sounds fair to me."

Well,my DH said "If you want it,if you'll use it.....get it!"

So today I've been attempting to research needle punching/felting machines ....
I've seen the Babylock embellisher
and the Berninas that a $300 punch needle adaptor fits(I'm happy with my 17 y.o. Janome,thank you)
I've tried to find if Pierrot machines are available in Australia.....the Links wont work! Grrrr.
Then there's the little machine at Feltcraft http://feltcrafts.com/needle-felting-machines.htm

Is there anybody" out there" who can give advice from experience?

Close up of the vintage German button...............my conscience would only let me buy one!
Price?? Dont ask!The most I've ever paid for ONE button is all I'll admit to.
Will take a closer look tomorrow and see if I can do/wrap something similar. 

Buttons and threads

Two brass fans and a dragonfly and the embroidery threads AND some bling buttons 

Bootie!

Today I went with several stitching friends To the Brisbane Stitches and Craft Show .www.stitchesandcraft.com.au
Although I must admit to being a little disappointed because I found NO Wool Rovings or Heat guns, I was happy to find that one of my favourites, Button Barn had heaps more goodies than I had cash,so a "few' dollars changed hands....I won't see them again until next April/May,but I HAD to have at least one of their German vintage hand wrapped buttons..the one on the left!
I'll attempt better pics and editing over the weekend.
Naturally I also visited the Lace Cottage and bought several metres of tatting.............much better than my attempts!
I was really disappointed that no Needle felters were there--and now I'm very tempted to purchase a Babylock Embellisher! Less painful and a heap faster than hand/needle felting.
I'll go sleep on it!(Who needs food!!) 

Welcoming a new blogger

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Just a quick post to say go meet Katie at Katie's Place.
I met up with Katie after she added a comment on CQCrazy and hopefully we'll be seeing her as a member of Chain of Hearts also.

Tropical Screamer & Tropical Dreamer: Knitted item requested

Tropical Screamer & Tropical Dreamer: Knitted item requested


I thought that this was too cute not to share.Thanks Darilyn!

More about Straddie!

More about Straddie!, originally uploaded by curli.

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Moreton Bay islands

Moreton Bay islands, originally uploaded by curli.

I used a page from a tourist blurb for this journal: Moreton Bay Islands......(North) Stradbroke Island.Affectionately known as Straddie ,the island has white beaches and on one side,good surfing;On the inland side are oyster beds,quiet waters and remnants of sand mining ventures of the 70s

Interior of two journals

Interior of two journals, originally uploaded by curli.

Showing a little of the pages of two of the Journals.

1000 Journals

 
Showing the covers of my five (mini)journals before they left today to SusanL in Germany.I first blogged about them back in February after reading about them on SharonB's "inaminuteago".
One of the several new challenges I have accepted this year.
(I wonder how many Susan has now?) 

A Frangipani from Belle

 
Today's mail delivery disclosed this needle felted postcard from Belle.The lady in question has only been needlefelting for a month or so......
so imagine what the results will be with more practice!
I think I'll just give her my supplies and send commissions direct to her!
The way she has blended the rovings in the petals gives a really life-like effect.Can you see the crystal dewdrop glistening just above the darker shade on the upper central petal?
Thank you Belle! 

Finished at last!

 
The March AJQ,which was originally planned as being the February project is as complete as I can manage!
This is the "mark two" version;hopefully I'll complete the "markone" in a day or so,and publish it for comparison.

This one,I'm calling "Stagnation"------

As you may remember from earlier postings I'm attempting a series based on various aspects of the Murray River which is accepted as an Australian icon.
Unfortunately the river is not too healthy in parts these days,due to irrigation demands,climatic conditions and encroaching civilisation;so this was my attempt at portraying the patches of blue-green algae that occur sometimes in the Summer season.

Has it worked??