CQ 2012 Journal update...

...A quick update on my Feb block... Like many well laid plans mine were foiled - with some nasty virus over the last week. I had intended spending last weekend getting my Feb block almost to the finish line - unfortunately I was too busy feeling very under the weather to bother about anything... I spent most of the weekend either on the couch or in bed sleeping...

I felt so bad that I have ended up having a couple of days off work - yesterday was much the same as the weekend but today I felt a whole lot brighter and spent most of the day stitching in a vain attempt to try and catch up... I got quite a bit done but again not finished - but I have laid down the foundations to the direction that the block is travelling so unless there is a major hiccup I should have it finished  shortly...

You may have noticed straightaway that I have used the same motif as I did on my Jan block... I wanted something to link all 12 blocks together and since I have lots of ideas but nothing which is a continuing theme  I thought I would use the motif... So on each block somewhere will be my 'wheel' - it may be the whole shape or even just a hint of it...

fractured flower block

I am, as I have said before not a natural embroiderer, so every stitch or combination of stitches takes me far longer than someone who is 'born to the needle'. I find that - using the Cretan stitch as the example - once I get into a rhythm I am right - however if I am interrupted it takes me a while to regain momentum... Still while I find it a challenge I am also enjoying the challenge in putting these blocks together. In fact I think my ideas exceed the number of blocks that are needed - one idea I have  for a future block by using one of my daughter's cartoon characters as a feature..

As most of you know I work in a bookshop - constantly I am tempted!!! This book unfortunately for the paying public came into the store from the supplier damaged - as it couldn't be put on the shelf for sale I was lucky enough to get it... A fabulous book full of ideas and examples for creating patterns in all sorts of mediums...This will be well thumbed through and well used - especially with this challenge  :))

Well, until later take care...

Sharon x x

Feb Block - CQ Journal Project 2012

fractured flower

... a running update tonight... I have finally put together my  Feb block... I will give more of an explanation next time around...  But as you can probably see a lot different to my Jan block. Quite a few little problems I am going to have to clean up as I go along. But I think I will have fun as I go... I have made a paper frame so I can keep an eye on the construction...

Enough from me  - the hour grows late and I shall turn into a pumpkin if I don't go to bed soon - but I did want to show you what I have done so far....

Take care now

Sharon x x

a pile of possibilities...

 ...for my February block... Too many ideas and not enough time - common problem for many of us methinks...

... and my new improved sewing room... It is about the size of a postage stamp but it does the job... E's cat Louis of course had to make the final inspection...

Until later, take care

Sharon x x

Finally...

Block 1 -Circles - January  - Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

...the end. Well, the end of the January block at least - only 11 more to go... Am I pleased with it... Reasonably - I am aware of the largish very bright lime green area. But in its own way because of its vibrant colour and being mostly unadorned - it almost balances out the busyness of the darkish mauve on the opposite side of the block. Perhaps the only thing I was considering was to embroider the month and year on the lime green. If this is going to be a sampler then a date would not be out of place. However, I was thinking I would wait until I have a couple more blocks completed before I make a final decision.

My daughter E, -  observed that I have a circle theme happening.. The main motifs, the buttons and mirrors - are all round.. That wasn't the intention when I started it was something that just evolved as I stitched and added. So I shall  call the block  'Circles'...

What I had planned to do with the mirrors was teach my self shisha stitch but like what sometimes happens it didn't quite go to plan... After I had initially stitched the mirrors to the block I had left them overnight - in the morning and looking at them with fresh eyes - I saw that the stitching  on the mirrors in part echoed the stitching of the large purple motif - I rather liked that idea  and thought that I would leave it and 'play' around the outside edge instead with fly stitch.

 As with luck the fly stitch and the feather stitch on the seam line were a happy marriage... I then added the little silver beads and the coloured glass beads to give it a more continuity.

What I am coming to realize though as I stitch my way through this project - it is amazing what you can do with a needle and thread and a few simple stitches...

Now to pack up all my bits from January and start the selection for Feb. - I like to have a clean and clear work space when I start something new... It helps me choose another palette without the influence of the last...It also helps clean and clear the mind for the next thought process.

Because I am running so far behind with my Febuary block I have rethought about its composition and have decided to keep it simple - perhaps with a flower or garden theme. Decisions, decisions, decisions...


Until later, take care

Sharon x x

Another seam closer to the end...

Not much to show this weekend - I have been too busy 'being social' and having a lovely time 'catching up'... So here are my 'doings'...

As you can see I have used a repeated herringbone stitch taken from TAST and combined it with a lazy daisy stitch with a small bead... I deliberately swung the lazy daisy to the side as I wanted the eye to follow along with the rhythm created by the herringbone stitch... It took me a while to catch onto the herringbone stitch... I am not a natural embroiderer - there is a lot of holding my tongue the right way,tangled threads and dropped needles. Our house is constantly on 'needle alert'! And if I was being marked for these pieces I am quite sure I would get a 'P +' for persistence and perseverance...

As you can see also I made a departure from a largely tone on tone and introduced the red thread to the green... This has 'linked' it to the red next to it and offered some continuity.  I am more or less happy with it with just a few more bits to add before I call it finished. I have intentionally left large areas unstitched as I wanted to give the block a feeling of freshness and space - but that may change after I have set it aside for awhile.  Now my thoughts are turning towards the next one which will be a bit of a departure from a traditional crazy block if all goes to plan...

With each block I am pushing myself to try something new... I am also finding it refreshing that I haven't  felt 'stampeded' into rushing but rather taking my time to create something that pleases me and I will look back on with a sense of achievement..

I have taken and will continue to do so - a photo copy of each 'naked block' - so that I can write down each stitch  as I go... It will be good to be able to look back and see how each stitch group was constructed...Sometimes I think it is the thoughts and scribbling behind the pieces which intrigue me rather than the completed items...

Until later, take care...

Sharon x x - from rainy, grey (with thunder and lightening) Melbourne