I actually did some crazy quilting

Been a while, but yes, I actually did a bit of crazy quilting recently.

I wrote about our secret project recently and tomorrow is revealing day.

It has finally progressed from quilt top to being machine quilted, bound and label in place.

Embellishments have also been added where appropriate.

We are amazed and pleased with the outcome and feel sure you will be impressed to when we let you see more images.

This is a group project and participants were asked to make this particular block in colours of their choice.

No surprise that I should have made one in autumn colours.  I pieced it crazy quilt style and Linda did stitch in the ditch for me when she machine quilted the block to give it texture.  I added stitching, sequins, hand dyed motifs and a cameo I just happened to find in my stash.

Been a while since I have done some crazy quilting and I'm happy to say I was pleased with the outcome.

I am looking forward to posting the image of the finished quilt once it has been presented to the recipient.

Needle Book Results

Last week the group of ladies from Tokoroa came for the revealing of the finished needle book blocks from our round robin.

The image on the left is my finished block.  I made the block but all of the embellishments were done by this lovely group of ladies.

I took photos of all of the finished blocks and have created a gallery page for your viewing.

One round robin finished and one to go.

Needle Books from Tokoroa

My recent sojourn in Australia meant that I have fallen behind somewhat in my contribution to the two needle book groups I am involved with.

By the time I returned there was more than on needle book needing my attention.

After working on this one I was able to mail it on Friday, but I still have needle books in hand.

This is a close up of my work for this block.

I used a hand dyed floral motif and then worked around it with purple sequin flowers, gold beading and french knots in cotton and silk threads.

I also added a row of blanket stitch to the left in variegated silk thread.

Now to the next challenge, I am sure I will catch up - real soon.

Taking the plunge

Part of participating in a needle book round robin is the challenge of making the first imprint on the naked block that arrives in your letter box.

It is a bit like a blank canvas for the artist to contemplate - where to start, will the first mark be right or wrong - you just have to get on with it and take the plunge.

This block is the first I have received from my Blog Round Robin.  Lorraine sent it and it is all in purples, a colour that I do like working with.

In the end I decided to do this floral spray which incorporates a floral motif, feather stitch in gold metallic thread, sequin flowers, grub roses, beading, an iridescent butterfly and french knot stitching.

The block is on its way to Cherie, in Australia.

I look forward to sharing more as other blocks come my way.

Needle books - again

Last week I posted this image of Michelle's needlebook.

It already had work on it by two other people and now it was my turn..............

I couldn't resist adding a couple of green beaded flowers to the ones on the right but then I turned my attention to the left side of the block.

I attached a hand dyed motif and added floral silk ribbon embroidery.

There was already another hand dyed motif and I added some silk ribbon work and cotton thread french knots.

I must have taken these photos at different times of day - the second image is more true to life.

My time with this block has come to an end so it is time to move it along with the previous one I mentioned a couple of days ago.

I still have another block to do before I am all up to date once again.

More about needle books

Last week I shared with you what Win's block looked like when it arrived.

That is Rayna's beautiful silk ribbon work on the right.

With other needle books in the pipeline I thought I had better get moving along so I have added to the left of the block.

Some feather stitch work in gold metallic thread with dark red beading and to the left of that some scrolling work in chain stitch in blue finished with pretty pink sequin flowers with gold beads at the centre.

A close up of my work just in case you want a closer peek.

Time to move on to the next one now so I can keep things moving along just like I should.

Needle Book Progress

Having set two groups of needle book round robins into motion I was very keen to have a block to work on and then this one arrived last week.

Rayna forwarded it from our Tokoroa group and the silk ribbon work she has done on it is just beautiful.

She has hand dyed the silk ribbon and the tonings of the pinks and greens are so nice.

Silk ribbon work is such a lovely craft once you have mastered a few basic techniques and if you have the opportunity to dye your own silk ribbon you have another dimension altogether.

My challenge now is to add to what Rayna has started.  I have done some but my work is not completed yet.  I will share when it is ready to be on its way.

I need to move along now, because, after waiting and waiting for one block I now have three to work on - two more arrived in the post today.  More images for me to be sharing with you.

Twelve months ago I thought that my crazy quilting days were over because my wrists were not in good shape.

I pulled back from doing a lot of hand work and I have been attending bowen therapy once a fortnight and I am happy to say that my wrists have improved a great deal and I am enjoying participating in this form of hand work again.

More needle booking

Yesterday I started working on Rhena's needle book block.

I had some variegated silk thread which I stitched across two blocks in stem stitch.

I wanted to add some green silk leaves but upon searching my stash found I had none so what is a girl to do?

I hunted through my stash for some undyed 4mm silk ribbon.

I got out my favourite Olive green dye, diluted it with 50% water and wet the ribbon using an eye dropper.

I popped the ribbon in the microwave for 1 minute on high.

Checked it and popped it back for another 20 seconds.

 I took the dry silk ribbon and steam pressed it with my iron and, as a result, have the most lovely variegated olive green silk ribbon to do my stitching with.

Back to the block I went and added ribbon leaves to the stem stitch I did yesterday - did some loose french stitching at the base of each leaf in soft pink thread.

To the right of the block I then added a soft green velvet leaf that I bought in a craft shop in London about five years ago.  I decided it was about time I used it instead of just keeping it to look at.

A couple of grub roses, a little bit of silk ribbon work and some more loose French knots and I am all done.

Rhena's block is ready to move on to the next person in the round robin.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my request to begin a round robin through this blog.  I now have enough participants and so, over the coming weeks, I should have lots of different bits and pieces to share as various blocks come and go from the two different round robin groups.  I hope you will find this to be as interesting as I do.

More Free Form Embroidery

My latest favourite thing to do is to make these little blocks of free form embroidery.

The other day we had our quilting group, Sweet Peas, here and my intention was to make a quilt block. When I discovered that I did not have enough of the necessary fabric it seemed a much easier thing to do to make one of these.

The background lavender silk is approximately 5 x 3 inches. I backed it with fusible webbing and quilters muslin.

I found a strip of hand dyed lace that I had been carrying around in my stash for years and used that for the foundation. I then got out my silk ribbon scraps and threads and with a bit of stitching, mainly french knots and a few silk flowers my little picture was complete. Did not take too long at all really.

These finished blocks can be incorporated into crazy quilting, could be an embellishment for a handbag or framed for enjoyment.

A lot of fun and achievable. I am really enjoying making them.