UB Progress

I've been working on my "unique Block" mostly these past few days. We had a discussion on CQ4N , these started out being called ugly blocks and we decided that these probably were

done by a lady who had intended to make a quilt and for some reason or other didn't finish it. Don't we all relate to that? Anyway, she probably has passed and her kids found these in a box somewhere and dumped them at a bargin shop.Judyth came up with the name unique and I kind of like that better.

I decided on this part rather then trying to cover it up I would enhance the design by stitching over it. I've used DMC#5 perle and used the detached chain,long and short stitches and some couching to hold the thread in place. I need to find some flower beads to add to this. There is a place near here called "The San Gabriel Bead Co." It's huge and I'm hoping they will some there.I'll have to wait until I can get Karl settled into his chair in the afternoon. I've got him watching Judging Amy and Law and Order. They are on the TV for about 4 hours every afternoon. For those of you who know Karl, he is an avid reader, but now is having trouble with his eyes and can't seem to do too much of it. So he's turned to TV and movies, but if I asked him what the story is about, he can't remember. I think his concentration is not so good anymore.

Anyway back to stitching, sorry got carried away there. If you notice on the right there is a box with a webring site. Susan (desertsky) has invited me to join this ring so if your interested take a peek at it. Well, I better get going. It is a beautiful day here today. I'm sorry for all those who are still snowed in and having such awful weather. Although if we don't see some rain soon, we will probably be in a drought. Have a good day.

TAST - Detached Chain

Here is a picture of one of the "Ugly Blocks" that we are doing. Crazy Judyth purveyor of fabrics and threads found these blocks and some of us decided to see if we could change these ugly ducklings into swans. So here is my start. As I was looking for embellishments I came upon this baggie of "Dress it Up" buttons. Oddly enough it had all the colors that were in my block, and they looked pretty good together. So I put them to use in the white circles.

The TAST stitch for this week was the detached chain and I have been doing that since Iwas 11, so I attempted a variation-the oyster stitch, put couldn't quite get the hang of it. Needs more practice. So I just did one of my favorite ways to tack down rick rack with the detached chain.

I didn't have any perle cotton in the right color so I used 3plys of DMC floss, but I don't like the look and will have to go do some shopping. Pam had mentioned a few days ago about not using yellows very much. I think they are hard to find in the perle. And I don't have any bright greens, just yellow greens. So, anyway that's my blogging for this week.

Rico Tablecloth

This is another project I'm working on. Would really like to get this finished by spring as it is for ME!! The fabric is a Rico tablecloth with 3 1/2 x 3 1/2" cross stitch squares in it. the pattern is also a Rico design. There are 16 squares that need stitching. So far I have 7 done. Of course 3 of my girls want one, so I need to get busy.

You can find the cloth and patterns at www.123stitch.com Under fabrics-Table Toppers.

TAST - Herringbone Stitch

This is my offering for Sharon B's TAST. I didn't do a whole lot,as time is an issue for me. I particularly like the middle example for filling a block. I used DMC #12 for the triangle. I think this is too narrow and would look better with a thicker thread.

I think this stitch is great for tying down a ribbon. I've put beads in between the lines. I used #8 DMC perle for this.

Pam's Pansy

I'm back to my Wooly Flower Sampler. This panel is suppose to have pansys on it and I just didn't like the pattern. So, I've been searching for one that I liked. This one is from Pam Kellogg of "Kitty and Me". She has posted a tutorial on her website. Her's is done with dyed dryer sheets, but I needed to do mine in felt. I need to do some more stitching on the flower, and I have to use the leaves that came with the sampler, because I've already cut those out and used the felt up. So, anyway I think I will like this. Thank you, Pam. If you want to see more of this Sampler go to my Sept. 4 post, I have a picture there of the other blocks I have finished.

I spent pretty much of the last few days watching the Ford Funeral. It was interesting to see all the old guys who's faces I recognize. Don't think I want to hear "Ruffles and Flourishes" or the 21 gun salute again for awhile.

I'm going to work some on Sharon B's. TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) project and get that posted. I need to get another notebook. I have an idea of what I will do with this. I will make a notebook of the stitches and put my samples in there and then I'm waiting on some Valdani Varigated Threads and I will choose one and using that as a color guide make up some blocks of plain co tton to embellish with the different stitches. Sounds good for now anyway.

Dyed Motif

I got out my dyes and for the first time tried to dye a motif. I even mixed a brown color and used that to tone down the colors. I think it came out pretty good. I've started to bead the leaves and put some DMC gold fil in the flower. It's kind of hard to see, but does add a little sparkle. Maybe this afternoon I'll be able to do some more on the ribbon spray.
I was disappointed that the dye ran into the yellow in the center. Maybe I'll have to find some resist to keep it from doing that.

Chance to Stitch

I've finally had a chance to do some thinking about my encrusted block. I've got all the Christmas packaged done and mailed, so now i can think about something else.

I'd remembered I have this piece of lace from my living room windows and thought I could cut it apart and use the motif. So here it is. It's kind of large and haven't decided if I will use it or not.

The little pieces at the top right are from the same piece of lace.

I hope there are still some people interested in reading my blog, since I've been away so long. At any rate I want to tell you about Sharon B's "Take a stitch Tuesdays Challenge" It will start on January 2 and run for the whole year. Sharon will be showing us new stitches each week and we can work with them and try different versions and threads to see how they look. It's a do at your own pace project and you and join at any time. I will be posting more as the year goes by and hopefully encourage some of you to join us.

You can findthe challenge at www.inaminuteago.com/blog. Pop over and take a look at Sharon's site if you haven't already. She give such wonderful information and instructions. June

Just a note

Haven't had much time for stitching or anything else. I really need to get things going for Christmas. I've been trying to post a picture of an idea I have for my encrusted block, but haven't even had time for that.
I've joined Susan's group :Stash for Pounds" It's a group of very nice ladies that do stitching and want to loose weight. Don't I need that. Everyone is so encouraging and helpful. Maybe I can loose some of this weight, Have to get up and start moving.
Trying very hard to not eat when I get frustrated. Today is not a good day. I will try to post a picture tomorrow. June

Encrusted CQ Lessons 4 & 5

I've had a chance to work some on my block this weekend. I have a major mess in my sewing room. the SR is all 4mm some hand-dyed.The yellow seems to split as I use it. I don't remember where I got it. I've had it for awhile. The burgundy ribbon I found at Wal-mart in the scrapbook section. It was on a card with several other colors. I was surprised how the beads on the tatting changed the look of the tatting.

Entire block

After looking at my previous post I decided to post a picture of the emtire block, so you could see what I have done so far. I have not finished some of the treatments yet. And I need to get busy on the right hand side. I do have a few ideas for that area.

Encrusted CQ - Motif

This is a motif I managed to get done over the weekend. The chain stitch is done with a silk floss and the leaves in a hand=dyed silk ribbon. The "flowers" are a design I found on Maureen Greeson's site in one of her newsletters. I'm sorry to say she has deleted her newsletters from her site. There was some wonderful information there. I have an idea for another motif, but I need to practice the stitch and draw a design before I do it on my block.

Seam Treatments

I've added some new seam treatments. On the one with the detached chain I found this multicolored thread in my stash. I think it works pretty well with the colors. These are all perle #8 and 12. The other one is not complete yet. Still playing with what to use for the leaves on the bullion rose. I've used perle #5& 8 and a tatting thread. Also a matte thread I got a a scrapbook store. There are several colors and kinds of threads, so I will probalby be using more of these.

Encrusted CQ - Lesson 2

I've added a few things to my block. having a hard time trying to decide what to do.
I found the piece of gold lace on the right over the weekend. I thought I could embellish that later. I've added just a few beads so you can see where I'm going with that embellishment. Will add more later.

Encrusted CQ - Lesson one

This is lesson one of Sharon's class. I've put together my block and added some trims. I tried to keep the colors and fabrics to a minimum because I want the embellishments to be the focus of the block. I kept adding different fabrics, but they just didn't look right to me. I've done all the stitching by hand (I do have a sewing machine, but really dislike using it.) That's one of the things I like about CQ is that it can be done mostly by hand.
So now that this is done I will spend some time pleasure reading. I bought a book titled "for one more day", by Mitch Albom. I've heard it's a fantastic book and it is just beautiful outside. A little on the warm side, but I will sit on the patio and relax and read for awhile.

Finished Biscornu

I've finished the biscornu. I wanted to get it done before I started Sharon's Encrusted CQ class. This is done on Waterlilly 28 count Jobelan. I used all DMC threads to stitch it.
This morning Yahoo insisted I download Microsoft Explorer 7. Well, It took over and hour to do that. And now I find out I've lost my back button, which I use all the time. Can't find it anywhere. Darn. When I posted this message I only had one picture, so I had to go back and start all over to edit the post and add the second picture. GRRRR!!
Anyway, now I will try to post a picture of my block for Sharon's class

Front of Biscornu

I've been trying to upload this picture for a few days, but blogger just wouldn't let me. I think the picture is here. All I see is a bunch of letters. Anyway, I've finished this and will try to post the finished project tomorrow.

Peachy Biscornu

I haven't posted for awhile. There's some bad family stuff going down around here and I haven't felt like stitching for a while. But my daughter really read me the riot act and said I need to get back to doing my stitching, so here is what I started on today.


I'm working on this biscornu designed by Carol Tinson, Heirloom Embroderies. It's done on 28 ct Jobelan. As I was working this morning I noticed that I was working on the wrong side. I'm usually very careful about this, but you really notice the difference on the Jobelan. The backstitch vine really looks funny. So I will cut another piece and start over. I can do the frog stitch on the back piece and rework it.
I follow a couple of blogs everyday. Sharon Boggins "In a Minute ago" and Pam Kellogg's "Kitty and Me". Also one I really get a lot of inspiration at is "Rose Cottage by the sea" by Lady Laurie. She has such a wonderful outlook on life.

Finished Red, White and Black

Finally finished this. Now to make it into a pillow.

Life gets in the way

I haven't been posting and I hope I haven't lost everyone. Things have just been busy.
This is another panel from the wall hanging. I'm really getting not to like it. I think I have put too much on it. Maybe I'll put it away for a while and just work on some of the UFOs I have. I'm starting a biscornu by Carol Tinson. I love the things she does. I'm only sorry that she is in the UK.

Finished

I finally finished these two letters on the rainbow Gallery project. I started the letter G yesterday. It seems too go much faster than the others. I want to spend some time today finishing a motif on the red, white and black so I can post that.
The weather has finally cooled down around here. Of course my yard is just completely dead. Our water bill doubled this month. Never mind the electric because of the air conditioner. I don't know how the people on fixed income manage. I spent a lot of time today looking at everyone's work. Some of the ladies from down under have posted pictures of their pring flowers. Sonice to see when every thing here is brown. I hope i can remember to do the same when they are in the middle of their winter.
I also watched a movie called "The Road Home" It's a love story about a chinese boy and girl that endures 40 years. Very nice and the scenery was beautiful.
Better get sewing.