CQJP 2015 March Block - Study in Chicken Scratch Embroidery

I am finally caught up for CQJP 2015 after having a slow start and then with the blocks being a little more detailed than originally planned.  Here is my block for March.  Each month I am doing a sort of study on different techniques etc.  January was use of metallic threads and February was familiarizing myself with ways to stitch on sequins.  As you can probably guess, March is a study in 'chicken scratch' embroidery.  To me aprons go hand-in-hand with this type of embroidery so I created a tiny apron for my block.  This seemed like a 40s thing too, so I tried to convey a 40s feel by adding the clothespins, buttons, lots of stitchery and not much glitz and glamour.

Connie Eyberg - completed March CQJP Block for 2015

Originally I was planning to add a pocket in the center of each block so I used a smoother fabric so items would slide in and out easier.   After playing with that idea I tabled it, at least for the time being.  The bright yellow was throwing me off, so I went shopping and chose a different fabric.  I replaced the bright, shiny yellow pieces with a more 'comfortable' fabric.  I am showing you both versions (above is the after; below is the before) of the naked block. 

This is my block with just the treated seams.  Below are some 'chicken scratch' scraps I did.

The little dress shown below is one I made for my daughter when she was around three years old.  My grandmother embroidered it.  My daughter is now in her 40s.  This border is the inspiration for the design on the apron on my CQ block.

Finally, below is a very small apron I made just a few years ago.  It was my first and only attempt at chicken scratch.  I was pretty pleased with it and always meant to try more of this embroidery.  It is fascinating seeing how changing the color of the embroidery can totally change the look of the design.  I found a photo of this heart design somewhere and wish I would have recorded where or who it came from so I could give credit where credit is due.  Same with the heart design shown above in green.

Chicken scratch has been around for a long, long time.  I have some aprons my grandmother stitched and remember her always working on her stitching.  Never did I imagine I would enjoy embroidery as much as she did.  I often wish she was still around so we could stitch together and I could learn from her mastery of the process.

I haven't decided what I am going to do for my CQJP 2015 April block.  I have a couple of projects that I have to get done before I start, so I can be thinking about it in the meantime.  We are heading a little south for the next few days, hoping for better weather although it is unseasonably warm for the next couple of days in Iowa - in the 60s.  I'm ready for spring!

Mini Block Round Robin Beginning

When I attended my first ever Crazy Quilt International CQ Retreat last fall in KC I also signed up for my first ever round robin.  There are five of us participating.  The rules are very general and about the only requirement is that the blocks be 2" to 3" for general size but any shape is acceptable.

What do you do with that small of a block?  Banner, broach, ornaments...  I am choosing to create a doll-sized fabric book oozing with lace and soft colors.  Above are my mini blocks which will make the rounds.  When they return to me four should be completed and one will remain for me to finish.  The following blocks will be the covers.  They are slightly larger and I will finish them when the others are complete also.  I'm waiting to see what I want to do with them until after I see what the others have done with the blocks.

This is the palette I've chosen for stitching.  I asked that they choose one pastel 'family' to stitch with for the block they decide to work on.  I love these colors.

Below are cropped close-ups of the blocks.

Block 1

Block 2 (there is no yellow here, it just photographed that way)

Block 3

Block 4

Block 5

Cover 1

Cover 2

I am super excited about this round robin, not only because it is my first and not only because it is a super nice group of ladies that I got to meet and get to know at the retreat, but also because I love small sized things as you know.  I also love lace, soft colors and lots of texture and I've seen the beautiful items the participants have made.

I sent mine off in November and received Lisa Boni's triangle shaped blocks.  I've finished hers and waiting to send it on January 15 at which time I will receive another group...Connie Kalina's I believe.

Here is what I did with Lisa's block:

I think it is OK to share it?  Someone needs to let me know if I shouldn't for some reason and I will remove it.  The naked blocks are shown in the photo she included and the block I worked on is directly next to the completed block I did.  I have to laugh because I am just not a planner.  I sketched out what I wanted to do and it didn't look anything at all like this!  There were deer and pine trees and, well, as you can see my muse took control.  I hope she likes it.  She wanted a wintry feel, icons (including birds, snowflakes, deer, pine etc.) and to stay in the green/white color family.

Christmas Ornament Exchange and Doll Trunk Addition

This is an ornament I received in my exchange with Tahlia.  As you recall from my last post I had sent her the peacock ornament.  The photo here is a bit bright.  The little ornament is so nicely stitched on all three sides and on the bottom using lots of metallic thread in gold, copper and silver.  The bag of beads was thrown in as a little birthday surprise.  Love the colors and all the sparkle.

She also sent my trunk doll a wonderful stitched gift.  It is so tiny and perfect!  At the CQI retreat she gave me the tiny spool of thread.  Love it all!

Below is my little vignette with some small oil lamps, hats, teapot and the pieces from Tahlia setting on top of the trunk and flanked by my CQJP 2013 mini quilt.  I need to get a dress and some accessories made for the doll so she can come out of hiding.

 

I love getting special gifts from my creative friends.  They are always so special.  Trunk doll is happy too.

Doll Trunk Purchase and WIP!

I finally found a doll trunk that is sturdy, a good size and has good bones.  It was a bargain price too which makes it even sweeter.  It doesn't need much but I will do a little modifying to it such as adding some wood slats and hardware on the outside and a trunk tray for inside.  Proportionately I suppose it is a bit large for the doll I have but felt it was more important it hold all the goodies.

I still need to make a Victorian wardrobe for the doll, but first on my list (after I catch up on UFOs) is to make a stereoscope and family album.  So much to do, so little time.  Well it feels that way anyway.  I will share some of the goodies I already have collected later.

Here is a peek at the outside.  I'm not sure yet, but the wood 'feet' may have to go and be replaced with corner protectors and/or wheels.  Not too worried about that yet.  

Here is a sneak look at a CQ project I am currently working on.  Hopefully it will become a pillow soon.

Off to celebrate December birthdays with some friends soon, including my own.  It is tough to get together during that busy month.  Three out of five of us have December birthdays so we can't pass that unnoticed!

Small Quilt - Block 2 and TAST

I have just a small amount left to do on this block which I will finish up later on.  I am a bit undecided as to how I want to finish up the plant.  What are your first thoughts?

Part of me thinks a pot would detract.  A small vase with an added couple of rose buds might fight with the roses on the tea set.  I'm leaning toward just adding more leaves below what I already have, leaving a pot or vase to the imagination of the viewer.  Thoughts? 

I was going to add a small tea bag, but decided against it.  I think silver tea strainers would fit the early 1900s theme better.  The lace edged napkin was an afterthought that adds some nice dimension.  The little teaspoon with attached heart is a pin that I had in my stash.  A few of the green stones and pearls along the edge are missing, but I'm not too worried about that.  I simply pinned this piece on and it can easily be removed if I choose to do so later on.

I am going to mull this over and get started on the next block.  I'm sure something will come to mind or maybe one of you will have an idea I can run with.

I had totally forgotten about the TAST challenge until Thursday.  It was fortunate it was just a variation of the chain stitch we had done earlier, so I added it to the chain stitch tag as a variation.

I had already created two trees for the Chain stitch and decided another wasn't necessary, especially since I was in the middle of another project.   You may need to click on the photo(s) to see that I actually did use two different threads since one of them is very close to the color of the tag itself.



More of the Small Stuff

I finished my first block for my mini crazy quilt.  It will be approximately 6" x 6".  I plan to create twelve blocks, each with a different theme and based on the life of an early 1900s Victorian lady.  I am really excited about this project as I love anything Victorian.  I was going to keep the blocks pretty simple but when it comes to lace I just can't seem to stop myself.

The Bible is a photograph of a really large Bible my MIL gave to me.  I reduced the photo size and printed it onto fabric.  If you enlarge this photo you can even see the texture.  I added the little cross charm to ribbon, stitching it in place to look like a bookmark.

The cross was done in raised Cretan stitching (photos reveal all and I can see I didn't make sure the stitches were in place for the photo).  I added lazy daisies to the center and outlined it with chain stitching.

I may add more stitching later on.  The finished blocks will be pieced together to create a mini quilt for my doll trunk.  Also for my doll trunk are these original oil and acrylic paintings I did a few years ago.  One as you can see is unframed.  I placed a quarter by them so you could get an idea of the size which will work nicely in the trunk.

On a totally different note, I had to share my finds from Michaels.  Yes, I am becoming one of their regular customers ~ lol.  They are holding more bead storage containers for me which I shared on my "organizing blog" recently.  Of course I would find these keys after I scoured antique shops to find enough for my CQJP 2012.  This is where I go overboard, I have a bunch of keys now and need to put them to use. 

The tiny crosses I bought so I could use the smallest one on my mini cq shown above.  I now have four extra pieces to use as you can see.  I had to buy these beautiful cloth lace butterfly "stickers" found in the scrapbooking section along with the crosses and metal keys.  Don't overlook that area if you are needing something in particular.  You never know what you will find!

I have begun the "tea" block for my mini quilt and will share it when I get it finished.  You can't have tea without lace, so of course...  Actually, I'm pretty much thinking lace is perfect with Victorian!