Lavender and Green CQ Christmas Pillow Completed

I've been having those moments where I ask myself "Why didn't I do this as soon as I finished my block(s)".  I can put these together in just a few hours and the more I do the quicker they go.  This block and the block on the last post have been sitting around since 2011.  They were created for Pat Winter's Crazy Quilt Gatherings publication (Issue 4, WI 2011).  I know many (if not all) of you interested in CQ are familiar with Pat.  If not, you must link to her HERE!  She is so talented and so sharing in her knowledge.  Pat was a huge inspiration to me when I began my journey in CQ.  Warning:  Lots of photos below.

This block is dripping in sequins, pearls and lots of sparkle.  I wish I could convey it in the photos.

I wanted to go for a non-traditional Christmas color and this postcard was my inspiration.  Lavender being my favorite color also made it easy to decide.  I also loved that this postcard had holly and violets together.

My mother-in-law had given me some Christmas fabrics when she moved into an apartment and I found these three small scraps of purple poinsettias.  I literally used all there was on this block and as you can see that wasn't much.

I pulled some other related colors and wanted to add a contrasting color but not yellow.  This is more of a subtle amber contrast color, fabric left over from my fall pillow.

I know most of us like close-up photos, so following are lots of photos showing close-ups and before, during and afters.

I do want to mention that the beautiful snowflake shown directly below is a blog prize I won from Marie Alton.  It was perfect for this block which has a snowflake theme.  Her blog is sredeluxe.blogspot.com.  

See...2011!  Maybe I should change my ways ~ lol.

Some of my snowflakes came from scrapbooking embellishments.  There were beads that are lightly wired and I simply stitched them on.

I am happy to announce I only have one more pillow to complete for my finished blocks.  I am going to be doing some more mini blocks for two reasons: (1) I want to finish my CQJP2013 commitment and (2) we are planning a trip soon to Arizona and New Mexico and these are super 'take along' pieces to work on while travelling.  We are hoping the weather in Arizona and New Mexico is warmer and more pleasant than here in Iowa!  We are ready for a break from this as are most others I know.

A New WIP and Blog Prize Received

One step forward, two steps back.  I was determined to finish my WIPs (works in progress) before starting new projects.  How is that working out you ask?  Not so well.  I have a new WIP.

While browsing through some of my bead magazines recently I came across this necklace I had tagged as a future project.  I thought maybe I would go through my stash of beads and see if I had what I needed on hand.  I pulled a combination of one of my favorite color combinations - turquoise and copper/brown - and selected beads I could substitute for some listed. We all do that, right?

I even had some back-up options.  I followed the first three steps.  I didn't have any bead tips (wasn't even sure what they were?) for the ends so I decided to just supplement an 8mm gold bead and try to figure out attaching the closure later.  I finished the 16" length for the base of the necklace.  The colors and beads worked beautifully together!

Then it was time for the dangles.  It was then that I realized I had drops in a nice color but the holes went across instead of down through the center.  I would prefer the latter and now also decided I would like a turquoise drop rather than brown like I have, so I am in search of the perfect teardrop bead leaving me with a WIP until I find exactly what I want.  Do any of you do that? 

I have been anxiously awaiting a blog prize I won from Annamaria over at her blog (http://manya72.blogspot.com).  I have been a huge fan of her beautiful work for quite some time but her stitching is even more stunning in person.  Everything about this eyeglass case is sheer perfection.  I feel so fortunate to own one of her stitched pieces.  Among other things she also does some lovely (gorgeous!) Hardanger embroidery as well as some very charming pendants with tiny ribbon embroidery flowers.  Some of these are offered in her Etsy shop.  Thank you Annamaria.  I love it!

Finally, I am convinced this is an eternal UFO, my genealogy project.  My dining room table looks like an explosion of notes and papers no matter how hard I have tried to keep it simple and under control.  Like I would assume most of you, our ancestors had a bunch of kids.  I even have one family that had so many kids, when he married his second wife their offspring were given the same names as a couple of children from the first (wife) marriage!  I've noticed too that when a baby passed on, a later child was given that baby's name as well.  Also confusing the issue, my great grandfather married a woman with the same first name as his sister leaving two Adelheid's to distinguish who were born in the same area of Germany and born about the same year.  Don't forget also the offspring given the same name as their father's and their father's father and their brother's children and...well, you get the picture.

We are heading back to the KC area soon and spending some time with our daughter and her family at a condo in the Ozarks.  Unfortunately it appears the weather is not going to be very warm while we are there, but we will at least be in good company.  I'll be taking some of my naked blocks to work on during the wee early morning hours before the rest of them wake up.  Stitching and a cup pot of coffee lakeside.  Ahhh!

Book Report - "Fabric Photo Memories"

Many of you probably are familiar with Lovey at http://fabricphotomemories.blogspot.com and her absolutely gorgeous creations. You may have also noticed her giveaway which I had posted on my sidebar.  She gave away two of her books as a thank you to her followers which now number over 500!  I am one of the very lucky followers and a winner of her giveaway! I recently received my book, signed by Lovey.  

Her book is loaded with eye candy which I personally enjoy.  But, more than that Lovey shares what inspires her as well as a tips on aging fabric and laces, transferring photos onto fabric, tips for building layers, and more.  One word of caution though...if you don't already have this obsession, you will be out scouring flea markets, garage sales and auctions for vintage images, fabrics, trims, laces and sparkly jewelry so you can create some of your own "Fabric Photo Memories"!

There is a link on her blog which will take you to MagCloud where you can purchase your copy!  

Yard Sale Saturday Linky Party - New!

There is a new linky party where you can find links to other bloggers that want to sell their no longer needed items. If you have something to sell or are looking to buy, check out this site!

Giveaway!

I hope you are all having a good week and good weather. We still have rising Missouri River waters here and Interstate 29 both to the north and to the south is under water. The airport has the potential of being flooded as well which would cause some major flight problems. This is indeed going to be a long summer!

What the heck have I been doing? I am getting ready to begin a new CQ project and have my fabrics all laid out and ready to piece together. I can't wait to get started. My necklace is nearly complete. I just have to add a closure and then I will share that. I am also itching to get back to my painting! I have so many ideas tossing around in my head. I consider that a good problem. I keep a little journal with me all the time so I can jot them down as they surface. Let's just say it's almost time to start a new journal. So little time!!!

The reason I stopped in is to let you know about a new blog a friend of mine has started. She is having a giveaway of one of her original creations right now and the link follows:

http://michellekildowdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/win-this.html?showComment=1308244568037#c7705394414080122166

I worked with Michelle several years in the design business. She is a fantastic person and a dynamite designer...well, she doesn't actually design dynamite, she is just really, really good. You may even have seen some of her more current designs at Gordmans and other such places - there are links on her blog. She is a young mother, a super sweet person, a good friend, energetic and a very talented artist. Be sure to look around her blog while you are there and let her know I sent you.

I have a sewing machine calling my name, so bye for now...

Great Weekend!

Why is Ms. Tweety so happy you ask? She saw what came in the mail and has been singing ever since!

She wants to show you the gorgeous surprise that we won...a beautiful and exclusive new nest!

Complete with two tiny blue eggs...

She is so excited and can't wait to find the perfect spot in the studio for it.

Perhaps in front of this bright sunny window? The view is nice, but it is 90º F today, so by July she may be getting too warm and the nest may lose it's luster.

This window sill would be nice too, but again, that afternoon sun can get awfully warm and there is a cat wandering around here somewhere.

I think the perfect spot is on this stand sitting on top of the bookcase (she thinks it makes her look smarter). She can see everything going on in the office, is out of the cat's reach, not so close to the window that she is hit with the hot sun, but close enough that she can see the other birds outside. The best part for her is that they can see her new digs and will be so jealous!

Thank you so much Vicki!!! It is even more lovely in person. Vicki sells these on her web site! Also, any of you photo buffs out there, she started making large ones that are perfect for photographing that sweet little baby. Her nests are truly amazing and so unique. They feel so soft and what I wasn't expecting is how sweet it smelled when I opened the box. Be sure to check out her site.

http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/2011/05/maddy-picks-winners-and-shows-you.html

I've had such a nice weekend. The entire family got together to celebrate my mom's 87th birthday! Doesn't she look great! She hasn't grown up yet and acts like a 60 year old kid. She still mows her own lawn, drives all over, fixes plumbing, paints walls and about any other handyman project one person can handle. The men in her neighborhood say she makes them look bad ~ tee hee!

My granddaughters are spending Fridays with me this month. I finally have crafting buddies! Here they are holding some projects they just completed. We painted and glittered the ornaments all morning. It also appears we painted and glittered the studio too. The ornament on the far right is one they made for my mom - their great grandma. The second from the left is one they each decorated for their mom - my daughter. The rest are theirs to keep. It was a fun, inexpensive and easy project. The paper mache ornaments are reasonably priced. Just add acrylic paints and/or sparkles and let them decorate them however they want.

This is my budding artist Gracie. She carefully picked out each flower for a bouquet for her mom and then added a special note.