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Showing posts from January, 2020

Another Finish

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I am on a roll!  It feels so good.  It is fun to use up some of my button stash to create a frame on my mandala pieces.  I think it works quite well.  It is also a good project to do while I am at work as it doesn't take a lot of thought. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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So I persevered on this and added some more beads.  Stitching through the canvas was a bit difficult so I worked with smaller beads and therefore a smaller needle.  That made things easier.  I also added some dimensional fabric paint.  I am pleased with the results and consider the embellishments finished.  I am not completely sure how I will finish this project, as usual.  I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Taking it Further

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I was happy with this piece but decided to take it further.  While I had out my hotfix crystals I decided to add some to this piece.  I like it even better now.  I still need to quilt/bind it but that shouldn't take too long.  I am linking to https://acrosstheblvd.com

I heart Macro

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I am pleased to say that today I am installing my Kaleidoscope show at the Art$Pay Gallery in Waterloo.  The show will be running for three weeks.  I got a lot of help from my technology proficient sons and I am so grateful.  I feel confident that I can set up the computer and projector because of them! I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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This Dresden plate started with my Aunt Pat.  I love the idea of collaborating with her by using the pieces that I inherited from her.  I started embroidering the seams a number of years ago.  At the time I called it finished but wasn't truly happy with it.  I have decided to resurrect it to include in my mandala series.  I added a fair amount of stitching to it this week but there is still more to do. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

A bit further

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I have been trying to concentrate on finishes.  I have a number of mandalas that need something a little more.  This one is paper-based and could only take so much stitching and beading. I did not want to perforate the paper so much that it fell apart.   I wasn't overly pleased with it but couldn't think of what else to do until this week.  I decided to add hot fix crystals to it.  No stitching needed.  Definitely a mixed media approach and that makes me happy. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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This is my bead journal project for January.  First I printed one of my photos onto canvas.  I then started stitching into it.  Yikes!  Not fun.  The canvas has a coating on it so that the printer ink doesn't sink into it.  It helps the colour stay more vibrant which is good.  However, it does make the stitching rather unpleasant.  Lesson learned.  I will not be doing that again but I did need to figure out a way to keep working on this piece.  I decided to take a more mixed media approach.  I have used heat-set crystals, dimensional fabric paint and glass gems.  I am not finished yet and may still add a bit more stitching.  I am not quite sure what the next step it at this moment. I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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I love the  Reversed Buttonhole Bar Stitch  that Sharon B shows us the week.  I created a flower with it but it does look kind of spindly.  I think I need to add another stitch in between the spokes. 

I heart Macro

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I think of my life as a unity of circles. Some are concentric, others overlap, but they all connect in some way. Sometimes the connections don't happen for years. But when they do, I marvel. As in a shimmering kaleidoscope, familiar patterns keep unfolding Dorothy Height I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/ https://mysoultalks.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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This piece is truly a slow stitching piece.  There is no deadline to finish it.  I can work at it as I please.  I love the way it is progressing.  I have started stitching on the left-hand side of the piece and will continue to work towards the right.  I have only photographed where there is stitching.  There is a lot more to do but no rush.  Working on something so bright and cheerful feels good in the thick of winter. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Another Finish

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Once the embellishing and stitching is done I call the project finished.  In truth, it is not finished.  The not-fun part for me still needs to be done.   A backing and edge still need to be done.  If I worked like a regular quilter that wouldn't be a big deal.  Just do the same old same old.  But for me, I always have to figure out a way to finish.  That can be a challenge.  This time I used seam binding to 'frame' this piece.  I knotted and twisted and crumpled it as I stitched.  I quite like the results.  It also feels really good to have another mandala piece completely finished. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/ https://www.simply-crafting.co.

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I have been quite keenly working on this piece since I have figured out what I want to do.  It is coming together and I am pleased.  There is still a fair amount of stitching to do but I feel like I am making progress and that is a good thing. I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Take a StitchTuesday

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Thanks to Sharon B for showing us the  Italian Border Stitch  this week.  Such a good stitch!  I tried it with beads and love the way it turned out.  I probably should have added seed beads to each end of the bugle beads to prevent breakage.  I found it a bit difficult to get things lined up with the beads as it was though.  I will definitely be using this stitch again!

I heart Macro

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At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. Jean Houston I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com https://natashamusing.com

Slow Stitching

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I am loving the way this piece is coming along.  I am mainly just using up the last bit of thread on my needle from other projects for this piece.  This piece is pretty cheerful.  I love bright colours but especially at this time of year! I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Working at Finishes

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I have had these four blocks stitched together for a while.  I had been thinking I would add more blocks to them and make a bigger quilt.  Nothing was working for me though.  I have decided that these four are enough.  I am having fun further embellishing them.  I love it when I figure it out.  I have a plan and that makes me eager to get it done.  I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/ https://quiltinglearningcombo.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I did this mandala a while back but wasn't completely satisfied with it.  I had already hand quilted so I didn't want to add more stitching and make the back a big mess.  Yes, the backs of my pieces are generally pretty messy until I add the quilted layers.  Anyway, I decided to glue on some rhinestones.  Yes, glue.  I am such a rebel!  I used a heavy body gem type glue so they should not be going anywhere.  I am much happier with the piece now.  I still need to finish with a border trim of some sort.  I haven't decided what that will be.  Any ideas? I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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So good to start the new year off with being able to participate in Take a Stitch Tuesday.  I am so grateful for Sharon B and her commitment to stitching.  I really enjoyed doing the  Linked Chain Stitch .  I tried to use it in unusual ways.  I think the pink wasn't all that unusual but an interesting way to make flower petals.  The purple stitches I added a pistil stitch to end it and like the combination.

Slow Stitching Sunday

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It feels good to have the holidays done and get back to a more normal routine.  I was able to get some stitching done on this piece this week.  I have photographed a small section where I have added my embroidery.  The piece is more than double the size shown but this is the only section where I have added some stitching.  So far that is.  It is such a cheerful piece to working on in the winter! I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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I worked on this altered book steadily in 2019.  It feels good to have it complete.  I put the final touches on it yesterday.  Starting off the new year with a finish feels really good.  Of course, I have new projects that I want to start this year.  That goes without saying and most people start new things at the beginning of the year.  Starting new is easy.  It takes discipline to finish things.  Starting the new year with a finish feels like more of an accomplishment to me. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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My December crazy quilt block is what I am calling done.  I think it could use a bit more stitching but not right now.  I will likely return to it at some point in the New Year.  I have had a lot of joy stitching on this.  The texture the painted lace adds is quite interesting to me.  This technique definitely requires more exploration.  I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/