Crocheting Continued

What happened to my words? Geesh! Lets see, what did I say?
I recently hurt my back. All I did was bend down to pet one of my cats on the head. I cannot put words to what I felt, but anyone who has hurt their back knows exactly what I felt. And it wasn't good!
So, that meant laying around doing nothing as much as possible. So, I was on the couch for a few days. Of course the television was on but there was only so much tv I could watch. I actually do watch tv, but I have to keep my hands busy.
This lead to a discovery about myself that I would never have known. I can crochet while laying on my back! Talk about stretching to find that silver lining!
The previous pictures are of the baby blanket that I crocheted while laying around. It took me about 4 days to finish this. It is a variation on the basic shell stitch. Isn't it pretty?
I now have 2 baby blankets and one baby quilt made. I'm trying to build up a stash of these things for future use. After all, I have 4 children, my sisters have 3 and 4 respectively, and my brother has 1. She is the youngest at 7 but the oldest is 27! Wow, how did that happen? Since I am the only one in the family who can sew, knit, crochet, embroider, quilt, etc.. I figure it is good to start while I have a chance. After all, If I make for one I have to make for 12!!

Crocheting

Photo

postcard
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is the picture of the postcard from Jo. The colors are more green than gray.
Flickr let me put the photo in.

Look what I found in my mailbox...

Isn't it beautiful! A crazy quilted post card from Jo. This survived the postal system all the way from New Zealand to New York with no damage. I'm impressed. I have never seen a fabric postcard and couldn't imagine something like this going through the mail. I have envelopes that didn't survive the trip!

Oh well, sorry for the little tease. Blogger won't let me upload a photo. I will try again later.

crazy quilt atc

crazy quilt atc
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a picture of a crazy quilted atc that I made this evening. You would think that something this small would be faster to make. Decision making isn't my strong point!
I added rick rack, hand dyed lace, beads, and sequins. The three purple flowers along the bottom are actually sequins. Aren't they pretty.
There is an atc swap starting at CQInternational group on yahoo. This is my first atc for that swap. I'll be making more of these. Hopefully lots since I love these little pieces of art.

Quilted Wallhanging

wallhanging
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I finished this wallhanging. What a quick and easy project. As you can see it is much brighter than the previous picture. This was taken with my camera and the previous one was with the scanner. The colors are truer with the camera. I just have to sit down and learn how to take better pictures. And then how to edit them on the computer also. I wanted to remove the part of the picture with the hanger and just couldn't figure it out. One of the kids can show me I'm sure!
Oh, and I do have a dowel and hanging pocket (Is that what they are called?) on the back. I put it on the hanger just to get a photo.

I have another one that I finished the top today. This is an applique one. A traditional pattern using red and green fabrics on a white background. Perhaps I'll get it quilted tomorrow.

Can you tell that I like to make things that finish up fast. If they don't then it seems to take me a long time to finish. And finishing is such a wonderful feeling sometimes!

CQ Wallhanging

CQ Wallhanging
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a picture of small wallhanging I recently finished. This was my very first RR. The theme was "Pink and Cream". While I'm not a big fan of pink I thought the color combination was pretty. That was why I signed up. And it did turn out to be very pretty, I think!
I have more completed RR blocks that I have to do something with. One of these days. ha ha I am a very good procrastinator.
It is a hot and humid day here today, so I'll be indoors in the air conditioning again. And back to the doll that I'm currently working on. I should say struggling with!! It is my own fault though, it is an advanced pattern. I am a lot of things, but advanced certainly isn't one of them! It is a pattern from an older Soft Dolls Magazine and I just had to try it. Pictures will be posted soon.

Under the Sea Wallhanging

Under the Sea Wallhanging
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I haven't blogged in quite some time again.... I seem to do computer time in spurts. At least I have finished some things while not sitting here!

This is a picture of a second Under the Sea block that I made. This one is for me though. It is August 21 and I took down a Christmas decoration to hang this up. How sad is that? Apparently I don't look at the walls in my own home! In my own defense these are hanging on the same wall as the stairs so it is only a partial wall. And next to them is a clock that I never look at. There is still another decoration above this wallhanging too. They are the size of postcards. It would be nice if I made something to hang above this and take the other one down. We shall see.

Nice Matters Award

Wow, I've been nominated for the "Nice Matters Award" by Pat and Jo.
Thank you ladies, you have really made my day. I have to go back and re-read the posts. I think I'm supposed to nominate more people? If so, I'll be back tomorrow with some names.

Comfort Dolls

Comfort Dolls
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

These 2 dolls will be on their way to Pat. I found the charms in Walmart and thought they were perfect additions.

A New Doll

Here is a picture of my lastest doll. Can you tell I am having fun with these dolls? I never would have guessed. Anyway, here she is in her current state of undoneness. And unfortunately, here she will sit/stand for a while. I am the proud owner of three broken sewing machines. Yup, all three broken at the same time.

It is a good thing that I like hand work or I think I'd go batty. So, tonight I'll be working on my under the sea block. The mermaid is almost done. I'll post some more pictures as I get more done.

Angel

Angel
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is another finished doll. I didn't do any crazy quilting on this one. I used a piece of lace and added pearly beads. I think it is a softer look.
I will be sending this doll to one of my Aunts for Christmas. I'm not sure which one though. Lets see, 1 done, at least 6 to go!!

Under the Sea

Under the Sea
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a picture of my completed block. It measures 8 X 6 and it is a charity block for CQInternational. This will be part of a wallhanging that will hang in a childrens cancer center.
This block has threads, lace, funky fibers, beads, sequins,3 different shell beads, charms and whatever else thrown in. Once you start adding things it is hard to stop. In fact, I just might have to add a few more shells at the bottom in the center. I'm just afraid it will be getting too heavy.
I still have many shells left so I have started another block that will be for me. It is pretty similar to this one. The block is pieced and I did the seam treatments already. In fact, the mermaid is half done.
To make the mermaid I drew it on paper first. I really can't draw, but I do like to doodle. Anyway, I then traced it onto muslin and pinned that to the block. Then I beaded over it. Easy! I was afraid that it would pucker too much, but surprisingly it didn't.

Under the Sea

Under the Sea
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Just a quick update on my Under the sea block. I put a lot of "stuff" on this. I think my favorite is the green/blue shells with the pearl in the middle. And what about the curly q thingy in the middle. (It is a snail in case you can't tell.) I wasn't sure what to do for the mermaids hair so I went with some hairy yarn. The fuzzys that went over her head I pulled back and tacked down. The small shell represents a hair clip. I still want to add sequins and beads as air bubbles. And I have some more fishy charms to add.
This block has to sewn with right sides together and turned right side out to be finished. I hope it isn't too far off in shape and size. I just might add more shells to the bottom after it is completed!

Under the Sea CQ Block

Under the Sea CQ Block
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I hand pieced my first CQ block. I just had to try to have curves in there! Sure, some people can do that with a machine, but I'm not one of them! And it wasn't as fidley as I thought it would be. I will definately try this way again.
Leslie (Of CQI fame!) is collecting Under the Sea blocks for a Children's cancer treatment center. These blocks will be put into a wallhanging. Each block measures 8 X 6. I really enjoy working on charity blocks. After all, it is just a block. Not a very hard thing to do. And the time frame isn't too great. Put my block with other peoples blocks and it is amazing what the end result is. And it just makes me feel good doing it!
Many years ago I used to volunteer at the Cancer Society's Annual Childrens Christmas Party. There were a few of us from work that went. We dressed up in costumes and mingled with the kids. Just had fun with them. I remember being Alice in Wonderland. My son had one of those little dogs that barked and stood on its hind legs. I brought that and put it in a basket. My version of Toto was a hit! I think a few years I was either Minnie Mouse or Mickey Mouse. Funny I can't remember who I was and of course I can't tell from the pictures!
Anyway, it is so easy to do a simple thing and how wonderful if that simple thing ends up being a big thing to someone else!

Petals

Here is another picture of my doll Petals. I was going to edit the previous post but decided to play it safe with a new post instead.
I found the link for the challenge from Sherry Goshons elf pattern. It is called "Who Am I Challenge". Some of these are amazing! I think I have found a new addiction. These dolls are a lot of fun to play with. I'm trying to decide what doll to make next. Of course I am still working on the white angels. I finished the one I'll be sending to Pat of Gatherings.
I know that I'll be making more for her also. I have also finished one for the CQ Friendship doll swap at CQI. I am almost done with one I"ll be sending to my Aunt. I'll have a picture of that one pretty soon.

Petals

Petals
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I am such a terrible blogger. It seems that I keep up in spurts. Oh well, at least I have been busy. Besides family life in the summer that is.
I'd like to introduce Petals. I thought that the name "fit" but she may be up for a name change. She is made from a free pattern by Sherry Goshon. This was actually a challenge pattern. (I'll edit this post when I find the link to those dolls. They are just amazing!) This pattern can be found at http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/ with the free patterns.
I had a lot of fun with her!

CQ Friendship doll

CQ Friendship doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Where has the time gone? I haven't posted in a month? I guess I have been busier than I thought.
Here is a picture of my latest cq friendship doll. There will be another swap on CQI for a Christmas Friendship Doll. I have a few of these dolls all in varying stages of completion. These dolls are all of 6 inches! A lot of fun to make.
I don't have pictures of the other dolls yet. My son has gone on vacation and has my camera. When he gets back I should have a few more pictures to share.

Spirit of Friendship Doll

Friendship Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I must be on a roll today. I just finished this doll. All it really needed was the tassel. I was going to add more beading and decided that I liked it just the way it was.
The swap at CQI is over but this doll is for me. There will be another swap coming up though. I have a lot of ideas for that one. But I must wait, I have other things to finish up first.

cloth doll

cltoh doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here she is! The first doll I've made. It was quite a journey. There is a very fine line between fun and frustration. I'm happy to say that the fun stands out more. There are quite a few mistakes I've made along the way too. I hope I remember them so I don't do them again.
I'm not too crazy about her hair but she looks better this way than bald. I think that doing hair will only improve with experience. Oh, and her legs are way too wobbly, I think the thread broke. I'll have to redo them. That was part of the frustrating part. Her arms and legs would get in my way. I felt like I needed an extra hand at times.
For now I'm going to leave her up on the television where she is very visible. I'm waiting for her to tell me her name!