IT'S TIME FOR THE "STITCH ME UP" BLOG HOP

STITCH ME UP BLOG HOP--DAY 2


Madam Samm @ SewWeQuilt and Jane  @ Janes Fabrics and Quilts have done such an awesome job setting up the Blog Hops of late.  Haven't they been great???!!! sTITCH ME UP means that now it's my turn to participate. 

The Threads and patterns sent by Jane were so lovely!



I chose what I call a curly cue design and stitched in two different colorways.  Simple stitches in colors you love make for some happy happy stitching days.   I chose wool for the flowers as stitching with wool just does it for me if you know what I mean! (smile)~  Button centers also make me smile~~  Enjoy the view and visit every other blog listed below to oooh and aaah at all the great projects that have happened the last few weeks.  HAPPY STITCHING!!

 

Please visit all these blogs to see their creations!!  Your creative juices will begin to flow and secreet out all over!!  Hey!  This is a good thing!!  Remember where you are--- Molly's Place --.

THURSDAY March 21st

Janice@ That Other Blog

Angela@ That Other Blog

piece peace

Stitchin’ By The Lake

Phoenix Heirlooms

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Mamaccessories

Molly's Place

Kath's Creations

Get More Done Today

Sew Many Yarns

The Distracted Domestic

Sheila's Quilt World

UK City Crafter

BOOT BASH BLOCK OF THE MONTH #11

Well, kids--we are getting close to the end.  I have to say that it has truly been a roller coaster ride for me.  I don't work well under pressure and towards the end, that is truly what I have been working under.  This is usually a wonderful outlet for me, but when I don't have the time, it becomes a stress issue. 
Block 11 is now almost stitched, but as last month, I am giving you the pattern before my stitching is quite through.  I wish, like the big designers, that I had some little stitching elves to help me stay on top of this, but with pay being zip, that ain't gonna happen.  Love to all of you who have stuck with me. 

Here are three western pillowcases that I have made in an attempt to decorate my back bedrooms for my two grandsons.

So fun and quick--You should try one.  Here is a link to LITTLE BIRDIE SECRETS and there is also a video on You Tube.

BOOT BASH BLOCK 10

Long time waiting, I know.  I am so sorry.  I hope the new block will be worth the wait.  I promise you that the next will not be this late.  It is already in the making.  It is designed, but not stitched.  I hope that will happen beginning today. 

Block 9 is now stitched

I think it needed a little more contrast between the boot fabric and the flower fabric, but it will have to do for now.  Keep this in mind when you chose your fabrics.  Your choice of thread can fix this problem.  Too bad I didn't do that--HA--.  A contrasting thread instead of a flower matching thread would have helped.  I still might just do an outline in --uh--maybe red!  or cream!  or gold!  Oh ell, you get the picture.  Just a note.  My two year old DGS needed something to do  hile  atching  innie the Pooh on my compouter.  SO--he picked off my W key and chewed it up!!!  Needless to say, he  ill not be  atching  innie on MY computer anytime soon.  I ask him, Cullen, what did you do to my W.  He said, " Me cew it up".  How can you get mad at that????  Precious.  It will work, but I have to hit it extra hard, so sometimes it doesn't show up.  HAHA  One of the many perils of my life as a Nana.
OK--On with the next block--you know--the late one--BLOCK 10.
TA DAAAA

It's another well worn boot, a work boot, I think.  It has sloshed around in the mud, blood, and poop until it's color has changed and the leather is soft and wavy.  I know you must have had a pair like this before.  The fall leaf gives an added touch of the Fall Flavor.  Hope you enjoy and GET BUSY because I am and the November will be up in time--i hope--don't hold me to it--PLEASE!  Just be patient.  Love you guys!  Stay cool--in all ways you can!!

One more thing.  I  ant to show you a pic of a block I decided not to use.  I just didn't like it in the quilt.  It didn't fit, but some of you might like it.  If you do, e me and I will send you the pattern or maybe even post it.

I hate to ask, but I really ould like to k now if you are using/enjoying/collecting my blocks.  Remember these are FREE for your personal use and if you let me know by way of a comment if you are enjoying them in some way, it kinda just keeps me pumped up to provide them for you.  I love blogging, but sometimes it is hard to get around to doing it.  Thanks for your support.

BOOT BASH BLOCK OF THE MONTH, BLOCK #4

PATTERN IS NOW POSTED ON THE RIGHT SIDEBAR!
Right over there-------------RIGHT HERE----See it????  Yah~
UPDATE---
Thanks to all  who have given me their humble opinion.  Maybe I am too hard on myself, but when you have a look in mind and it doesn't work out--well, let's just say that I am so glad you like it.  I will post the pattern sometime tonight or tomorrow morning and post a second block as soon as I can find time to get one done.  THANKS SO MUCH.  I just can't believe that people you don't even know can be so kind and nice.  I hope you are all being honest and I know you are.  You couldn't be anything else.  All my love you, my blogger friends. 
I'm finished, but not happy.   This boot block is just not what I expected.  I think it is not only my choice of fabrics, but the stitch choices.  I have been very busy with Grandsons, --my DH has been in the hospital and is still not well.  This morning, my sister and I put my mother with Alziemers in the local Nursing Home.  Maybe I am making excuses, but I think Ijust hurried through this block without my ususal time to make sure it is what I wanted it to be.  I am two months ahead  with blocks, but the other blocks were not what I wanted for the month of April.
Here is the deal.  I am going to post the picture and start working on another April Block.  If you like the block, post a comment.   If I get enough comments, I will post the pattern.  If not, then I will post the new pattern as soon as I finish it.  Sorry--designing is a bitch---

ONE MORE BLOCK OF THE MONTH ON MY LIST FOR 2011

Bunny Hill Designs has done a Free Block of the Month for the last few years.  In 2009, I finished it and it was the most enjoyable year that I can remember.  Each month I looked so forward to the new basket block.  I  chose to use vintage rick rack for the handles and each month was a personal challenge to find an inventive way to make a new handle.  I have a complete page on my blog devoted to how I made each one.  You will find a link at the top of my blog  Here is a picture of my finished quilt.

Last years free BOM was snowmen and I intended to get it done, but never started.  I am sure if I had I would have enjoyed it just as much.  I visited the web site and printed the pattern each month but December.  Now I am lacking just the one pattern.  December just was such a busy month

This new Block of the Month is called Henrietta's Whiskers.  It includes patchwork and really has touched my heart.  I finished the piecing and have my block ready for the hand embroidery.  With my Boot Bash BOM in the making for this year I will be hardpressed to get it, along with Barbara Brackmans block of the week done, but with your help, maybe I can.  Keep me pumped now, ya'll.  I am depending on you.  Here is my first block.

The hardest part for me is the fabric selection.  It takes ma a long time, it seems.  I love all scrappy (I love how Sandra Bullock says this in Ya Ya Sisterhood) , but even scrappy has to have a rhyme or a reason, as they say.  I use to need a focus fabric to help me along, but I have learned to use a color scheme and stay with the same shade or tint.  Here are the fabrics I ended up chosing for this quilt.

The kicker is the yellow in middle and used in the first block as the scarf.  I wasn't sure that it wasn't a mistake, but after I tried it out, I was sure that it was just what I needed.  Remember that your quilt does not need to please anyone but you.  You are your most important critic.

One more little tip I want to share.  You know when you are using a fusible web for applique and you have to trace in reverse to make the pieces face the right direction?  Well, I get confused everytime.  I hate to admit it, but it is true.  This is what I have begun to do and actually enjoy the process now instead of dreading it.  I fuse the web to the back of my fabric and trace the pieces the actual direction they need to go on freezer paper and press to the top of the fabric.

 Freezer paper on top.

Fusible web on back.

When I use this method, it works everytime. 

Maybe this will work for you too.  That's what it is all about--finding what works for you.

Until next time---

BOOT BASH BLOCK OF THE MONTH is Finally Here!!

Well, it's been a long time coming, I think.  I hope you all are ready.  I am not COMPLETELY ready, but  I am ready enough to start (I hope).  This is why I do free patterns--you can't charge people when stuff might go wrong!  Well, enough of the negative.  The Tree Time BOM of 2010 went really well, I think, for my first, so I am going to try again.  I hope you will join me in 2011 to make a quilt that represents a TEXAS ICON, THE COWBOY BOOT! 
Simple stitches made by hand or machine are used with cotton and some wool for my 8 inch finished blocks.  They are designed to be month appropriate and include the embroidered month, but you can easily leave it off and change the additions and colors so that they are not month appropriate.  Please "Make them Your Own", as I have preached before so that yours will not look exactly like mine.  Let the designer in you shine.  I am just giving you a head start.

Sew and I MEAN SEW--get started and when you are done, let me have it!!  Literally!! and I will blog them on a special Boot Bash page on my blog.  If there are enough, I will set up a Flickr group.

Remember--no bitchin, only stitchin!!
(My new motto!)

TIME FOR "TREE TIME" --BLOCK 8

PATTERN IS NOW UP AND HOPEFULLY WORKING!  LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS DOWNLOADING.

Well, I am a little bit early, boys and girls.  Next month may be a different story.  I don't even have a design for next month.  You know I am new at this designing thing.  I DID NOT have a  months done when I started this Block of the Month.  Each month is as new to me as it is to you!! haha  This one has been fun.  I am a little confused with the Turkey Work.  Last month I used a stitch I found named

Turkey Work (click for Tutorial) for the ground and this month I have used one named the same, but the result is a plush pile, perfect for this month's squirrel tail.  As I stitched this tail, I did not feel that I was following the tutorial as it was intended.  I did make the stitches around the edge as taught, but then stitched a Chain Stitch row.  I then filled the middle of the tail with random Turkey Work.  I was trying for a sparse hair look as the squirrel's tail has in our area of the world.  I feel I should go back a put a few more stitches at the base of the tail and possibly at the tip.  I did find another Tutorial that might help you keep stitches in the "right place" and the pile uniform HERE.

There are no other new stitches, I don't think.  If I missed one, please comment about it.  I am continuing the Stem Stitch to define the wool applique after the Buttonhole stitch.  I simply think it looks better.

.........Thanks for keep up with TREE TIME.

And don't forget the Flickr Group--not many are participating, but I wish you would.  It's a great way to stay motivated to stitch the blocks.  I have a couple who are very dedicated and they are doing so great.!

Way to go girls.  I love the changes you have made to my blocks.  I also love the fact that you are making them to suit yourself.  That is the first step to designing. 

EMBROIDERY RETREAT 2010

This was not our first, but the first in a long time.  I have to admit that I have not spent time embroidering with my 10001 Janome Embroidery Machine for over a year, maybe longer.  The place?--
-A NIMBLE THIMBLE-- Tyler, Texas.  This is a wonderful quilt shop.  If you are ever in the area, it is a "MUST STOP AND SHOP" place.  Let me start with a few pics of the shop (now that I have your attention in that area).  You will see that Katie (shop owner) has created a place where you can learn and purchase supplies for just about all crafts.  I have recently developed a love for wool (see "Tree Time" free BOM on my right side bar).  Nimble Thimble has the most wonderful collection of wool that I have seen.

EYE CANDY FOR WOOL LOVERS

FABRICS, FABRICS, AND MORE FABRICS

ALL BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED

THREADS???   ALL KINDS OF HAND AND MACHINE

MY FAVORITE--THE WESTERN FABRICS!

MORE MORE MORE

MORE MORE

REPRODUCTION FABS

MORE MORE MORE

MORE MORE!

CUTE CUTE CUTE SAMPLES!

KITS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE!

BACK TO THE TRIP!  ALL FIVE OF US PACK OUR CRAP AND RODE IN ONE CAR.  KATHLEEN IS OUR PACKER.  JUST TELL HER WHAT YOU WANT HER TO DO AND LEAVE HER ALONE!!! 

We got there and unpacked.  Don't the Wackies look serious?  NOT!

Lots of makes and models of machines

Not long until lunch--  DELICIOUS drinks at CHILI'S!

No pic, but Rhonda and I shared an Avacado Hamburger and it was great!

ANNIE SPORTED HER NEW GLASSES AS SHE DRANK HER PINA COLADA!

Back at the Retreat, Kathy decided on brown and blue for her hearts.

Rhonda worked on these praying hands--Gorgeous!

Kathleens Christmas Redwork!  Love that background fabric!

Annie was praticing transferring to the Gigihoop and stitched out this great birdhouse complete with birds and flowers.

Show and Tell!  Great embroidered horses.

Piece from the teach--, Brenda Jeschke.  Great designs.

Mercado's for dinner--our favorite Tex-Mex food place.  Of course they also have great---------------------------------------------------------------------MARGARITA'S!!

The reason Kathleen's eyes are shining have nothing to do with the Margaritas--she is wearing her new lighted glasses!  hahahahaha

I ordered a salad.  Most of the time salad's are a light meal--NOT AT MERCADO'S!

A night of laughing and talking, a breakfast at I-HOP and then back home.  Just a peak from the rear of the vehicle as we arrived home.  The driver of this vehicle did not have a clue of the view from the rear, did she?

Now--if you visit A Nimble Thimble Quilt Shop, be sure to mention to Katie that "THE WACKYS sent you.  We are hoping for a few extra points for it.  Katie is a delightfully friendly person.  I took a pic of her visiting in the shop but she made me promise not to post the pic as she did not feel she looked her best.  But you will know her smile when you walk in the door. 
For more info on our trip and more pics visit The Humble Quilts and Ravelly.