Fitzy - a Finish!

This is the first block finished of the 2nd CQRR. Finished EARLY (I'm adding that for posterity!!). It's called, "April's Shower", and is part of the Crazy Quilt Diva Facebook page, our group is called "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". The block owner created machine embroidered block centers of various piglets for us to embellish. Once again, I had to fight with a thick interfacing, but after nearly killing my fingers with the ribbon I said, "ENUF"! I really wanted a few more daffodils though.☺

On to make up 6 blocks for a private swap I've been asked to join, these will have a Halloween theme. I've yet to print the centers and am still trolling the web for images.

Hope you have a great week!

Fitzy - Present!

(The true "ON AGAIN", "OFF AGAIN" girl!) Unlike many of you, I can go days without a needle and thread. Oh! It makes me so crabby though! I try to keep my pen busy at my desk as I work through a HUGE stack of work.

If you look too long, you'll realize that I don't study bird anatomy. (He needs more of a crook in his neck if he thinks he can stand THAT way!) Such is life, right?

In between our "visits" my daughter and I tried a bit of stump work. I have only trimmed out one top wing, and one lower wing, but me likey!

A little more work on the spacing of the top black line work is needed, but that's what I love most about a photograph, and looking at a piece of work from a different prospective. I will use this to perch atop of one of my exchange pin cushions.

I have gotten the centers printed for my next Round Robin exchange, just need to assemble the blocks. I'm wrestling a bit with my preferences for these blocks as I think I want all white stitching. (My daughter thinks I'm being too restrictive.)

Lastly, I've been shopping in Turkey again. I may have to block my friend Rengin on facebook. I have such futile resistance! She puts all these sets up, and they just scream at me!

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Fitzy - Project completed!

Here are a few of the photos of my completed pin cushion for my pin cushion swap on facebook.

It starts with a 9" embellished circle "block" and is gathered around a CD (with an AMAZING amount of poly stuffing inside. Another CD was covered with a rich wool and sewn together. Some of the stitching had to be redone just at the bottom...I couldn't anticipate how much gathering would be done. I finished the last 3/4" inch with a spiderweb after it was all assembled. It will get mailed out in the next day or so, just as soon as the swap partner info is received. I've arranged 2 other single person swaps for pin cushions so I can start a little collection!

My second round-robin of 6.5" blocks will start soon, so neked blocks will be created this week.

Have a fabulous week!!

Fitzy - has been shopping!

A rather badly taken photo, but unless I arranged my goodies on the floor, it couldn't have been much better. (Then there's getting back up OFF the floor...enough said!) I purchased some special oya beaded trim, charms, sequins and beads from Rengin in Turkey; went to a (small) bead show; and purchased some #12 perle from an online friend. The results of my shopping all arrived within two days of each other. Perhaps I should spread it out a bit?

I am in an online swap of pin cushions, AND I NEED YOUR HELP! I have added a small trim around the edge of the beige box, and the trim has small equidistant eyelet-type rings (both on the inside and the outside of the trim). I'm stuck! The cushion is based on a CD, and begins with a 9" circle. The part that is "outside the box" will have quite a curve, but I cannot imagine what comes next! I tried #15 beads...too small. #11's were better, but my color choices weren't that great. Hoping you have a good thought or two!

I'm still in the lather, rinse, repeat cycle, and life is crazy busy. I apologize for missing my posting - I have the darndest time fitting it all in!

Fitzy - February already!

Time sure has a way of marching on! It's gone in the blink of an eye.

I am showing today my progress on my Vintage Tin pattern. When assembled, this piece will hang above my bed. I've nowhere to photograph it in better light, but it is what it is.

The muslin I chose is a very yellow mottled shade, I just love it. It is SO soft to work with, and is a nice rest for my hands. Not too far to go on this, the largest of the pieces.

I've also signed up for the 2nd round of the CQRR, but the hostess is waiting (and waiting) for all blocks to arrive at their makers. I'm excited to be joining again.

Meanwhile, I joined a one-off pincushion swap (scroll down a bit on the link) - a quick project. I plan to make 2, 1 for the swap, and one as a gift for a dear friend.

I'm managing to keep busy, how about you?

Fitzy - My Round Robin blocks

Wanted you all to see the blocks that are now home from my 6-block CQ round robin exchange. Words cannot express how lovely they are. I think each artist added their own special flair, and stayed well within my suggested parameters, among which were simple, steampunk and retro. I am totally humbled.

Have you done other block exchanges? I have done ones with quilting blocks and charm squares, and have totally been disappointed. I was hesitant to join this project, and now, I just am so excited to sign-up for Round 2! What a change of heart.

I'm currently working on my final block. It's got a gazillion seams and is looking more and more like a stitch sampler. I've got to get it into the mail this week, and have 2 more treatments to go.

Back to the blocks above...what ideas do you have for me regarding finishing? It will be a bell-pull style wallhanging for my office cubicle.

Have a great week!

Fitzy - Whew! Glad that's over!

Hello! I've missed you so!

I'm trying desperately to keep my head above water. It's been a challenge! I apologize that this blog posting has fallen by the wayside of late. I had the darndest time remembering what day it was! (And then it would be Wednesday!)

With your guidance and teaching, I have now been crazy quilting for 1 year. Thank you, to each and every one of you for your part. I couldn't have done it without you.

I think I left off while working on this block for Gerry. You know, the one made all from men's ties. Oh, so not my favorite fabric to work with. Even with the sharpest of needles the threads would lift or separate. Not to mention that a couple of the pieces had stains I had to work with.

The block got a little puckery, but I suspect a good press would help. I didn't see the point of doing that since it had 2 more mailings to travel.

So I loved the fabric SO much, that I did a second block for Gerry. Well, not exactly. The next stitcher in line is terribly behind and is not keeping up with her exchange commitments. I offered to be a Stitch Angel for her, of which she accepted. I still needs LOTS of practice...and this block is rumply too. So maybe it's not ALL my fault, lol.

This is the block I'm currently working on. It's for Claudia, and is the final block in her set. Hmmm...can't IMAGINE why it was left, lol...there are a gazillion seams! I auditioned several doilies and laces to perhaps adorn one corner, but they were all to heavy looking. I am currently trying a Palestinian Lace on the white section at the bottom, I'll add beads in the next row, and probably will do several rows also with beads.

I've joined a Facebook group called Joyful Embellishments, that will highlight a new stitch each week. That should help me broaden my horizon. The feather stitch with lazy-daisy stitch on the picture above was the stitch for the first week.

Can't wait to see what you've been up to! Happy New Year!

Fitzy - Stash enhancement

The photo is turned on its side I see. I'm not sure how that happens!

We were away for the weekend, again in Prescott, AZ. Oh heavens, it's COLD there! The wall heater in our unit (a refurbished retro motor court) wasn't working, but thankfully our fireplace was. My bones weren't ready for THAT kind of cold!

I was anxious to hit the second-hand craft supply store up again, and found these bits pictured. I was worried about my bill until I found that it was "Customer Appreciation" day and it was all 50% off. I had only chosen what I really wanted, but was sorely tempted to revisit those stock drawers again. This haul was a mere $3.87. BAHAHA!

I'm busy on my next block, which I will hold to show next week. I have an important addition to make before I show. I've also offered to do another block in this set as a "stitch angel" for the next person in line who just isn't able to keep up with our scheduled. It could easily happen to me, and I now have a bit of time.

Overtime is done and our business (7,000 employees) has now been converted over to ADP, things should slow down a bit, thankfully.

Hope you're enjoying your week so far!

Fitzy - Another Finish

Whew!

I've completed the 4th of 6 blocks in this CQRR.

This block is for a lady who lives in Istambul, Turkey. Her country is in such turmoil these days, all I wanted to do is to give her a little peaceful scene. Once you look through the pine boughs, you see lightly falling snow and snow covered pines. I added a peace dove with branch, and the word Peace.

After creating the scene, I went back and minimally decorated the seam using a simple blanket stitch, snailtrail stitch, etc. I didn't want them to detract from the message.

Working solid overtime, before work, shortened lunch, and after work. One tired chick here, but glad I could at least meet this deadline! Race last weekend and a getaway next...boy do I need it!

Hope you're off to a stellar start to the week!

Posting this on the weekend, so not to leave you hangin'!

Fitzy - CQRR Block for Turkey

This is the status of my recent stitching. Some of it I love, some of it...meh, not so much.

I'm a little disappointed that my pine boughs on the lower right don't show up as much as I would like, I may trade out the shad of green that occurred on two of the branches, lost in the blue. I used a variegated floss, and those 2 just ended up too dark. The boughs will have tiny beads to suggest snow and ice, I'll wait until the end to add those, and possibly a few more sprigs where needed. I'm glad to have this photo to be able to see the things I'd like to "fix".

There will be more trees to the right of the white one. I tried to make the smaller gray one on the left recede into the back by choosing a darker color perle, but the shape and thread choice isn't right. The gray tree will be replaced, but I'm looking for your suggestions.

As if I wasn't busy enough, we're on overtime at work, before-shortened lunch-and after. Ugh!

Gonna do my best this week, even if that is just getting one foot in front of the other!

Fitzy - Peace for Turkey

Hello all!

This block is the 4th in our series of CQRR, and belong to Rengin in Istanbul, Turkey.

My first wish for this block was to let Rengin know that I wish her "Peace" in these trying times. Her country is going through so much right now, I cannot begin to imagine. I just wanted her to know we think about her, each time she casts her eyes on our RR.

The fabrics are all very slippery, and have quite a grain to them. The grain makes stitching a challenge. The block has been hand-pieced as well - I'm sure learning as I go along!!

My dove was done using a line drawing I found on the net. I adapted the tail and wing feathers since I couldn't replicate the scalloped edges neatly. I've yet to do the olive branch that the dove will carry in her beak.

Next, I am rimming the edges with pine boughs. I am trying to get the viewer to look "into" the block. I've found the pine boughs on Pinterest. I will add green to the branches, and bronze glass beads for pine cones. Perhaps some snow on the boughs like the inspiration, but I'll wait until the end to see if needs it. I have some white trees planned for just right of center, and I'd like to find a small deer to put in the center, next to those white trees. Then off to stitch the seams, very quietly and subtle.

Had dismal timing results in my 1000 Stairclimb, but to me, a finisher is a winner! Already have signed up for next year, and have my accomodation booked. A race in the canyon in 2 weeks, sure hope my knee feels better!

Have an awesome week!

Fitzy - Struggling!

I hope to give you no more excuses. They're true...just a tad trite. Just know, I'm trying like the dickens to get something (anything, really) done. Back into racing season, and the Bisbee 1000 stairclimb (1-mile in altitude) this next weekend.

I'll catch up with everyone's blog posts very soon, I promise! Until then, I've shown above my current CQRR block. I've just to stitch the inside seams with some very simple stitches to finish it up a bit. The vintage table linen's daisy (thank you Debra!) may have been too much, I now feel. The lighting is making it look much more yellow than in natural light. Once it's assembled into her project I don't think it will be so overpowering. Poor little girl looks like she's nervous!

Hope you are all enjoying the change in season, we're THRILLED to have daytime temps out of the 100's finally. Have an awesome week, and know I'm thinking of you.

Fitzy - 3rd CQRR Block

Good day! This is my next block in the Round Robin. I've chosen this one, from the creator's set, a bit differently. I chose not "my favorite colored block", or "my favorite style block", etc. Instead, I chose the block that I felt was going to be the easiest to embellish. (I would NOT have chosen this block at all under previously mentioned criteria!)

I plan to put some beads in the top loops of the "carnation" and perhaps some chips or french knots where the flower meets the green. A smaller second flower will be added to the right, a bit lower and at 45-degree angle to the first.

Lots of potential for this block!

We're back into the thick of racing season, I completed a 4-mile road race Sunday. Recovery time is getting shorter, I can almost walk without a limp now! ☺ It's also gotten cooler finally, I could even open my window to let a bit of fresh air in this morning! Woo-hoo!

Make it a FANTASTIC week ladies!

Fitzy - It's who I am

Yeah, a little late. I have such good intention, and such poor results, lol. I just kinda laugh and shake my head. I'm OK with it. I refuse to get my panties in a knot about other folks expectations. That could get me uninvited I suppose. It all works out in the end. I think you know I try, really I do.

With that off my chest...here is my block I've completed for my round robin group on facebook. Of course as I was packing it up to mail, I found the beads I purchased for the block. Why did I think I needed to put them with the rest of the blocks??? (Liked the ones I re-purchased "more better".) Had my block all in the storage bag, and half-way in the box, and I realize I'm supposed to write a little bit in the owner's journal. THEN I see I'm supposed to put my initials on the face of the block. Out comes the block...mind you it's 3:30am and I'm trying to get this ready to mail before work, lol. Get my initials on it, etc. BTW, the petals on the lower right corner are floating, they won't get in the way of the attaching seam! ☺

On to the next set of blocks which are already waiting in the wings!

Have a wonderful week, and hope I don't get drenched by what's left of hurricane Odile today, we're expecting a doozy of a day!

Fitzy - ONWARD-HO!

Whew! That's all I really have to say is, "WHEW!

We're finishing up our Monsoon season with a bang, Phoenix recorded their highest one-day rainfall total yesterday. All the rivers and washes were "running", and we found ourselves gazing at the water rushing, in hopes to remember what that river is supposed to look like. Any other time it is a dry wash, otherwise known as the Santa Cruz River! Here in Tucson, we didn't get great rain totals, but it rained for hours. A rain shower here generally lasts 10-15 minutes, so it was pretty darned exciting!

Since I completed the sashiko on my RR block, things are progressing. I manage to get a seam done here and there. This last weekend, I decided a cherry blossom branch would be good. The bottom of the block had a very straight horizon, and it needed breaking up. I think the branch is still a bit dark, but I'll wait until I've gotten closer to finishing the block to check the overall balance. A few more blossoms here and there should soften it up a bit.

I have yet to sew the lace on, but I will chose something to overcast the edge. I see a couple of the connections of the lace don't have their act together, which needs a remedy. I think sequins with beads will anchor the circular patterns on the lace.

Weekend before last, I purchased 3 asian themed beads and a patina'd Japanese coin to add as a medallion. I can't find them for the life of me, I've "organized" since then. I'm not alone, right?

Have a fabulous week!

Fitzy - Sashiko (and she doesn't even know what day it is!!)

Oh my! I got my entire post done, and looked to see who else already had their's "scheduled". Then, being me...realized that TODAY IS WEDNESDAY! I've been WAITING to post today, I finished my stitching on SUNDAY! Such an airhead.

I beat it. Or maybe, just maybe it beat me!

I've completed the section where I wanted to do Sashiko. I'll take it under advisement that it was a "learning experience" since I spat out so many nasties in the process, they were justified, RIGHT?

First, I tried the light box. The light wasn't bright enough to penetrate the satin and the muslin layers. Couple that with my white chalk pencil refusing to mark the satin. Then I traced the pattern onto a piece of transparency plastic with a Sharpie.

Still wasn't dark enough for the light box. Next, I tried piercing the plastic with a large needle, hoping to pounce the pattern. O.M.G. #1 it took forever, and made a horrible screeeeeching sound, and #2...the pounce made a huge mess, and I was seriously afraid I'd made a terminal mistake. Crisis averted, it cleaned up well. After poking all the holes however, I realized that some of the Sharpie was transferring to the foam underneath, and I didn't want it to transfer to the fabric during the next trial. My daughter advised that hand sanitizer removed Sharpie, and it worked wonderfully.

After taping the block to the window for our terrifically bright AZ sunshine, I rubbed chalk all over the holes. Another blurry mess. I had also transferred one strip of the pattern to the plastic and cut one strip off. Back to the design table, and this is what I finally used with an air soluable marker.

This didn't even begin to address the thread! I had a skein of (what I think was) actual Sashiko thread in my collection. No matter which end I used it knotted constantly. Gave that up and went to the standard perle cotton.

So now on to the rest of the block! I'm thinking it needs a cherry blossom branch across the bottom, and I have a patina'd Japanese coin and some beads with Chinese characters on the, for an accent. Need to add a bit of ribbon and lace and get this show on the road!

Thanks for being on the bumpy road ride!

Many of the photos appear out of phase, what's the trick to getting them right side up? Nonetheless, the light green kimono silk is the bottom of the block!

Fitzy - My turn for computer woes!

Yes, it was my turn last week for computer problems. Thankfully my technician is also my husband, and he was able to replace the monitor on my laptop for a mere $45. That would have likely cost $200 anywhere else.

I have completed and prepared for mailing my first block of the CQRR that I am in. I had a little story spinning in my head about a little faerie who lived in an old potting shed. Here, she's peeking around the back of the shed, tip-toeing through the long-forgotten garden.

I added a little piece of home to my signature; I live 5 minutes from Saguaro National Park.

This block has been a good experience for me; now on to the next person's blocks which are waiting in the wings.

Make it a beautiful week!

Cy - Building Blocks & Forthcoming Absence

Just a few more 'building blocks' put together. More blues but lighter than the last ones.

Love those paisley fabrics.

And here is a sneak preview for you.

This is a photo montage of the crochet project I am working on at the moment. 

I won't show you the whole thing until it is finished, but thought you might like to see the colours I am working with this week. 

No surprise there!

We (Tony & I) are off to our mountain view retreat again in a day or two, and we shall be gone for about 2 weeks. 

I won't be able to post any updates here again until we get back home because there is very poor (mostly none) cell phone reception, and no internet available there, unless I get to spend some time at the library in the closest town about half an hour away. But with all the visits we have made to the retreat so far I have still not found the time (or the inclination) to sit in the library for communication purposes.

I really enjoy being 'off-grid' and in my own little world there. Such peace can be found when you only have yourself and your thoughts to deal with.

I am, of course, taking lots of sewing and crochet projects, and will be working on some writing projects as well (hoping for some 'quiet time' for that one).

I also have to help erect a fence, remove a fallen tree that came down in the last storm, re-roof the concrete shed, and set up a system to collect fresh water from the elevated water holding tank.

Great that Tony repaired and renovated the pump for the bore-water last time we were there and erected the pump shed, so we can now get water direct from the underground reservoir instead of having to fill up our tanks every time we went out to town. 

I wonder if I will actually have time to chill out and enjoy the scenery.

Anyway, I will update you with all my new creations in a couple of weeks.

Take care, be good, and keep stitching.

Cy

Fitzy - Better late than never!

I understand I'm my own worst critic. Maybe with LOTS of practice, it will get easier? Here's my addition to my round robin block.

I can see I need to add some more stitches inside the unopened bud, funny how the photo let's you see more than the eye. I thinking of of a dragon fly in the left upper corner, a nice silk ribbon on the stem and perhaps a caterpiller climbing up. Of course the seams are still "in need". All in good time.

Kind of creepy, I took the close-up and the camera said, "blink detected". REALLY?

Hope you have a fabulous week. I've added in some race training into the mix. I seriously need a few more hours in each day!!

Fitzy - Shisha!

I am in the "Crazy Quilting Divas" group on Facebook. I know many of you choose not to participate in fb activities, so I'll risk showing my contributions here. Hope you don't mind.

We created a Round Robin exchange, whereas we made 6 blocks to pass around on a monthly basis. The one shown below is the one I have chose to decorate for Annette. I tried the new-to-me stitch Shisha...and I love it! I used 1/4" mirrors, similar to unpressed sequins. They came from that secondhand crafting store I visited a few months ago.

Now I'm looking for suggestions for something else on the block. I'm totally not into faeries, and have hit a bit of a block regarding what comes next! I was possibly thinking of a large Queen Anne's Lace up the left side, running thru all 3 colors, and perhaps a butterfly or dragonfly on the Lace's stem...dunno, what do you think?

I apologize for being MIA last week. Something about lying on a beautiful sandy beach turned my brain cells into a relaxed mush! I really needed it! It was our annual family reunion that we celebrated in Destin, FL.

Have a wonderful week!