Crazy Quilt block update

Work on the crazy quilt is ongoing.

Trying hard to catch-up and get the last couple of blocks completed during the first half of January, so that I can then stitch them together into my wall hanging before the end of January.

Progress has been made on the October block over the last two days.

Here is where I am at the moment - almost complete. 

Freestyle Rhodes Stitch

Dice - inspiration for this came from the silver dice that was in my Christmas cracker.

The Crochet piece for this block. With a row of Chain Stitch at the base.

An Invented Stitch - probably been invented before I created it, but it is not in any book of instructions that I know of. Starts as a 'sort of' ladder stitch but with a knot on each side that 'pulls the stitch into a 'blocky' looking zig-zag.

Cast-On Stitch in a variegated mercerized cotton.

Royal blue ribbon couched down with thinner black ribbon. (beads have been added since this photo).

The central butterfly needs finishing. Then on to the next block. 

I'm hoping to get both blocks completed in the next one or two weeks.

Got to give myself this goal so that I can bite away at it and finish it in time to start the next one.

Here are the (almost) complete block pics.

I might add a little more bling after I've done the next two blocks.

Wahoo! the end is in sight now.

Happy Stitching

CQJP race to get it finished

CQJP

Would you believe I have just this week started my October block.

My trip to UK helped me to get a bit behind with this project, but I hope to play 'catch-up' over the next couple of weeks. 

Later today all my kids will be home for Christmas, staying here on the farm for as long as they are able to.

They pretty much fend for themselves and enjoy the company of each other, and have a great laugh. I'm looking forward to it too.

We have declared that this Christmas will be a 'home-made' Christmas. No bought presents.

It will be so much fun to see what they have all created for each other.

I'm expecting a few surprises along the way from the 'not-so-creative' son. I'm sure we will all be laughing till our jaws ache by the end of the day.

It will be an interesting Christmas Day.

So, on to the CQJP and TAST.

My naked block for October

TAST stitches follow:

The first is a variation of the Portuguese Border Stitch. 

I threaded a bead onto the 'ladder' part before stitching the wrapped bits up each side.

I'm not sure I got the side bits right for a Portuguese border, but hey, I'm in experimental mode.

 Next is the  Knotted Cable Stitch.

And then I added the Arrowhead Stitch in a combined lime green and blue metallic thread.

Next is the Berry Stitch, or I think I might call mine the 'Triple Berry', as my variation has 3 chains stacked together. I like this effect but wish I'd used a better contrast for the centre chain as it doesn't show up very much on the grey fabric.

And..... just in case you are missing my crochet (lol)...... here is a piece I made yesterday as part of a 'home-made' Christmas present. The flowers aren't attached yet as I need to make some leaves and arrange them before I stitch them all in their final places on this wrist-band.

I love the coffee & cream colour scheme. It needs blocking yet.

  Seasons Greetings   

to all my friends, followers and co-stitchers here.

I wish you all a very 

  Happy Christmas  

CQJP latest block

I'll update this post title later with whatever number (or month) block this is. 

At the moment I cannot remember which block this is as I have been away from stitching too long while I was visiting my UK family.

I've been back home in New Zealand now for three days, and I have finally finished the block.

And here are some close-up pics of the stitching and beading.

And now I must see if I can find the time to catch up on the couple more blocks needed for my CQJP challenge to be completed before 2013 arrives.

I have some very lovely things to add to my December block. 
Very special things from my mum. I'm really looking forward to doing that block in memory of mum who sadly passed away on Dec 1st 2012.

Happy Stitching

Sad update - No Stitching

Some of you may know that I am in England at the moment.

It was my mum's 90th birthday on the 19th Nov.

We had a brilliant party for her, with family coming from all over UK for the party.

I had a wonderful time catching up with family members and seeing all the new babies and children that I haven't met before.

I am so happy that I had that 'spur-of-the-moment' decision to fly all the way from New Zealand to be with her for that joyous occasion.

But, mum's health has deteriorated rapidly in just the space of a weekend.

Last Friday she was fine, laughing and joking with me, and so happy that I was still able to visit her in the rest home.

Monday when I visited, she was very poorly with a chest infection and other painful complications.

I have been to see her every day this week, and she is slowly getting worse.

Too weak to eat or drink, and can hardly talk.

Her doctor is preparing us for the worst case scenario.

She is on the downward slope with no energy to fight back.

 We are all in shock at how quick this has taken a hold of her.

Prayers welcomed and appreciated.