Embroidery Sampler

I'm taking a class at Joggles. Personal Library of Stitches with Sharon Boggon. This is a picture of my sampler so far. I am making them small to start. If I'm not happy with it I can just toss it. No stress here.
I've started with the Guilloche Stitch. I am using all green threads for this sample. The right and bottom border is started with DMC pearl #5.These are then woven with a very shiny (and slippery) ribbon. The french knots are done with DMC wool. The stem stitch is done with 6 ply DMC floss. Now, the opposite of these are done with the same threads, just in different places. These are woven with the DMC wool and the french knots are done with the ribbon.
The vertical row is started with DMC wool and woven with DMC #4 cotton. The stem stitch is done with pearl #5 and then I whipped around it with Pearl #8. I'm thinking of putting beads in the center this one instead of french knots.
I am really enjoying this! I should be back soon with an update.

Wallhanging 3

Wallhanging 3
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I should never say "just a quick project"!! This one is turning into a time comsuming one. I never found the safety pins in my daughters room. So, I had to hand baste it. It has been years since I had to do that.
I did try some free motion quilting on the flowers and leaves. Well, all I kept thinking was thank goodness that the sewing machine wasn't closer to the window. It would have gone flying! And now I remember why I really do enjoy handwork. Since I am done with free motion work I wanted to finish the quilt and use my walking foot. This is no where to be found. I am now in the midst of tearing apart my sewing room looking for this foot. I know it will show up when I stop looking but I have to continue because I made a mess. I do love to do handquilting and if I had thought of that, this wallhanging would have been done already. I just might have to do that this weekend.

Wallhanging Continued

Wallhanging 002
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is an update on my wallhanging. The flowers are fused on. Now, the "quilt police" will just have to get over it, lol, because I have a plan! I am going to be making my quilt sandwich and then use free motion quilting to sew down the flowers. Put swirlies inside the flowers etc.. I wanted to put some green floss fly stitches on the leaves. I'll wait till the end and see if I can do it. Then will come my favorite part, beads! Oh, and perhaps buttons for the centers of the little yellow flowers. I'll have to see what I can find. Which reminds me I have to go search for my safety pins. DD "borrowed" them!! They are in her room somewhere.

I put together the printout from Sharons class at Joggles. I can't believe I forgot to get a binder. I found a small one that I can use temporarily. I read it last night and have started to gather my "supplies". Just not sure on what colors I want to use. Thats what happens when you love all colors!

I am posting this from Flickr and just noticed there is no spellcheck here. I didn't catch any errors so I hope no one else does too.

Wallhanging

Wallhanging
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I have been gone for a long time but I have not been idle! I have quite a few pictures to share, just not sure when that will happen.
I have been having a bit of technical problems lately. My computer is broken and just not worth fixing cost wise. Unfortunately it itsn't in the budget right now. It is going to have to come out of the Christmas budget and of course that means waiting till Christmas!! Our TV broke at the same time. When it rains, it pours here! However we now have a new 50" plasma tv. Actually it is my husbands new toy! He's allowed I guess.
This is a test post using my sons computer. I had to use my camera to get a picture. (I'm used to my scanner.) This computer doesn't have the same photo program so I'm not sure how to edit a picture yet. I'm glad I tried not to get too much of the mess in the picture.
I was in Joanns yesterday and of course just had to walk around. I saw this floral print and just had to get some. And then I picked up some coordinating fabrics. This will be the background for I'm not sure what yet! ha ha I know it will be flowers. I love applique but I will fuse these unknown flowers down. I want to get this on the wall quick. That means something simple. I'm hoping to try for today, but we shall see.
I'm in Sharons class at Joggles. I printed the first lesson and I'm trying not to read it yet..... I know that won't last!!! Off to do some sketching to see what I can do with this.
My fingers are crossed that this works...

Scarecrow stitchery

Scarecrow stitchery
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Look at this cute little scarecrow. This was a free design found here: http://www.fiodameada.com.br/graficos.asp This scarecrow is #13. I guess I will make a little wallhanging out of this. We shall see!
I have been enjoying baseball again this year. "Lets go Mets" . Anyway, it is great to do handwork while watching baseball. If you miss something worthwhile they do replays! Many years ago I always did some crocheting and this year I've done handwork.

Unfortunately summer is over now. Time to clean out the garden and hopefully remember what I thought needed moving! I picked up a few spring bulbs and I found a few loose ones laying in the dirt. I guess the squirrells were having fun!!

There is another baseball game tonight. I have to get something ready to work on tonight. Wonder what will catch my eye today....

Chain of Hearts

Heart #16
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

This is heart #16. I must admit that it is my favorite of the recent 3 which have the ladies on them. I had been playing with using more stitching and different combinations. And of course have added some beads. I love beads!
This heart went to Alison in Australia.

Chain of Hearts

Heart #15
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

This is heart #15. This heart went to Rosemary in Australia.

Chain of Hearts

Heart #14
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

This was a hard heart to scan. The white fabrics and white stitching just wouldn't show up well. This heart was sent to Norma.

Peacock stitchery

Peacock stitchery,
originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I am trying to post this from my flickr account. I hope that this works!

This is a picture of a peacock that I have been working on. This is now calling out for some beads. I'll have to sit and play with it for a while. I'm thinking of using the very tiny petite beads just to outline and add sparkle. Of course I don't have any petite beads in a good color for this. Michaels here I come!!!

This pattern is from Pamela Kelloggs blog. There are a few peacock patterns she has generously put up for use. I'd love to see if anyone else has done any of these?

DYB RR

Another completed block from this RR. This one is Maryas block. Three of Maryas blocks were already completed so I tried to "match" those. All three were sparkly and 2 of the three had button clusters.
It took me days to get this button cluster the way I was happy with. I would add a button, remove a button, rearrange the buttons. You get the picture. Yet, I can say I had fun with this block.
The green ribbon was already decorated with the gold trim. I just put some lace under it and using Edmar Frost gold thread I added the edges. This thread is definately not easy to work with. I did "snap" it by pulling at both ends. This made a big difference! But the thread did fray where it went through the needle. I'll have to try this again and see if it was because the block was thick or if I was pulling too hard.
Oh, and of course I added a butterfly. This seems to have been my signature with this RR. I have one more block to work on in this round and then I'm done. It sure is going fast!

DYB RR

Here is a picture of Debbies block in the DYB RR.

I don't think you can tell but I beaded the rose in the center and used rayon thread to outline the leaves. It is very pretty fabric. I really wanted that to be the focal point in the block so kept the rest simple.

And of course I added a lavender butterfly charm. These butterfly charms are from "Pure Allure" and have a swarovski crystal in the center. I put one on each block that I have done so far in this RR.

Heart from Maire

Finally! Here is a picture of the heart that I received from Maire.

I think I should start finishing these up so I can show them off instead of them sitting on my sewing room table. I was planning on a wall hanging, then changed my mind to a swag of some sort, now I'm not too sure again! But that's me. Fickle!

Another Heart

I received another heart on Saturday that I didn't post a picture of. This one is from Maire. Isn't it a beauty! And what a great parasol!!

Well this is a bit of a tease. Blogger won't let me put a picture in the post. I hope I get a chance later in the day to try again.

More Chain of Hearts

Here is another heart that I received. This one is from Wilma in Holland. What great stitches!! And who can't love a rose!

I think I need to do more work in blues. My Aunt gave me some sparkly blue thread that is beautiful! It would be great to weave through some stitches.

Chain of Hearts

I received a few more hearts with the chain of hearts group. Since I have been having a problem loading pictures and words at the same time I am going to put up each individually. Lets see if this helps.

This heart is from Gayle. It is a Christmas heart. Great seam treatment and there are beads all around the label. Isn't that a cute kitty?

DYB RR

I mentioned quite some time ago that I was participating in a DYB RR. This is where you embellish an entire block and pass it on. These are 6 inch blocks. I've already posted a picture of the block I did for Leslie. This block is the one I did for Hideko.
I think these are actually easier to work on than an ordinary RR where you work a few seams or motif. Sometimes it is hard to add on to someone elses work.

More Hearts

I spoke too soon before. As I clicked on "publish post" there was that familiar voice over my shoulder "Can I go on?". But I'm back for a few minutes.

Here are a few more pictures of hearts that I have made. These hearts have already been sent to their new homes.

The top heart (#13) went to Candji.

The bottom heart (#12) went to Maire.

These heart are still a lot of fun to make and trade!

Christmas in July

I have not posted anything in such a long time. The kids are home from school for the summer and then one computer wasn't working for quite a while. That meant that 5 of us were "sharing" one computer! Not fun.

I have done some cq work. I have made a few more hearts for the chain of hearts group. These 2 pictures are of the Christmas ones. I have made a few more that aren't embellished yet.

The first heart has already found a new home with Gayle.

Hopefully I'll be back with more photos before the teens wake up!

More Hearts

I received more hearts from the chain of hearts group. I love getting these in the mail! They are all beautiful and each is different.

This heart is from Susie. The butterfly is 3 dimentional! I just love it and have to try this.

This second heart is from Maureen. Lots of wonderful wonders in the bottom motif.

Freckles and Pepper

I'm still here! I haven't done much but I have done a few little things. I just keep putting off posting until I know I won't be interupted part way through. You would think by now that I would know better. I will always be interupted!

Todays project was rearranging the family room. There was a love seat under the windows that face the front of the house. The dogs would go up there and bark at everyone and everything that would pass by. And now that the windows are open they hear everything! While I am not totally happy with the new setup I must admit that the tv is now viewable from every part of the room. That makes for more seating room and hopefully less arguing amongst the kids.

Here is a not so good picture of the noisy girls during a much needed nap. Freckles is the tan and white one and Pepper is the black and white one. Can't you just see their halos!