Sampler Catch-up & Crochet Block

I've been busy on my genealogy work over the last couple of weeks, hence not much happening on the stitching side here. I have made a great headway on one particular small branch of my tree, and I always get a lump in my throat when certain discoveries pop up in my research. It is so interesting to discover new people in my tree.

But now I've actually got some stitching things done again I can show you what I've been up to.

The Embroidery Sampler has two small simple stitch bands added.

(sorry the photo seems blurred)

....and here is the full sampler so far.

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BAMCAL 2017

The12" Block Seven for my Blues Blanket is That One Sister

Again, I have adapted the pattern to suit my personal preference (the freeformer in me always wants to take over, lol).

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And....... tada!!!!

This is a sneak preview of a pattern that will be released soon.

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So the only 'finish' that I can add to my YOP (Year Of Projects) is the 12" crochet square.

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Tony & I have been out for a couple of coastal walks, all close to our home.

The first photo is Opunake beach from the cliff top (looking north across to Middleton Bay), and the second photo is the walk past Opunake lake and heading south to the next bay.

Two very different coast views and an enjoyable couple of days adventures.

See you next week when I hope to have more of the sampler done, and another 12" square, 

plus whatever else takes my fancy.

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

Crazy Quilt Journal Project - July Block

Warning - Photo intensive post

...Crazy Quilt Journal Project.. - ..My July Block...

I am very happy to have the seventh block finished. 

And here are some of the highlights from this block.

Silk Ribbon embroidered flowers with leaves and beads.

A Mandala Motif .

Detached Chains with a French Knot to anchor it. Pistil Stitch (purple).

Chains have been added to my 'flower pots' from last week.

Tubular petals for this half flower.

Silver Scrolls.

I added beads to this oyster stitch seam from last week.

Love this simple seam.

The blue is Buttonhole bars and then added the white beads.

A very small amount of Algerian Eye stitch.

This is the TAST stitch for this week, and I shall have to play some more with it on my August block as I haven't really done it justice this week, but I still like this little 'starburst' shown here.

And not forgetting my butterfly of the month in the central patch.

And here are some extra eye-candy views to show the texture at different angles.

Well, that was quite a lot of work for the month.

Seven blocks down.....five to go.

Slowly getting there.

Happy Stitching

CQJP February WIP & TAST Week 7

CQJP - February - WIP

Updates on the February block and a few close-up pics of some stitch embellishments so far on this block.

The needle-weaving seam, that was extremely "slow going" last week, has now been completed thanks mostly to my darling "Dooman" hubby who made new legs for my Posilock frame stand so that I could pop the embroidery hoop in it and work with both hands on the stitching. Phew!!!. It is great to be working without having to hold the hoop in one hand now. That Posilock stand has not been able to stand up on it's own for about 10 years, and I really missed it.

Last weekend Dooman was meant to be building a shed to house his new farm equipment. It started raining quite heavily and I wandered out to the barn (where he was hiding) and presented him with the Posilock stand and told him what the legs should look like. Less than half an hour later he gave it back to me complete with new legs, oh yeah, and the biggest smile on his face.

Lots of brownie points for Dooman.

The double row of Cretan stitch.

 The Crocheted Lace piece.

 

 

Lots more embellishing to do on this block yet.

 

 and the following TAST close-up pics are worked on this block too.

TAST week 7 - Detached Chain Stitch

Detached chain in lilac thread stitched closely side-by-side, and the pale green silk ribbon is detached chain as well.

 

Isn't this a great detached chain stitch "wheel" in variegated  thread.

The centre is a woven spider wheel, and there will eventually be something else in the middle, but I haven't decided if it will be a bead, French knots, or something else.

My Other Project Updates

No update for February BJP as I haven't even started it yet. It is all "In-My-Head" for now.

I have made the fabric choices for Counties Quilters - February BOM due at next meeting in March.

I have fused the Kiwifruit applique block for Prostate Cancer Charity Quilt fundraiser. The block is now ready for blanket stitch and embellishing.

 And the 2012 Freeform Crochet Challenge work is well under way, but I'm not allowed to post any pictures until the challenge book is published with all the entries in. This keeps it a wonderful surprise so that everyone can see all the challenge pieces at the same moment, and not get influenced (or intimidated) by anyone else's work.

So it has been another busy, busy week. 

Next week has the potential to explode for me. 

I want to make a brightly coloured, highly textured cushion for my mum, who has very poor eyesight (hence the bright colours and textures). She is almost totally deaf now too, and to top it off, she has recently had another fall and broken a couple of ribs.

As a very active person in the past, she is now suffering a bit. She loved her garden and spent all her spare time there when she wasn't working, stitching, or crocheting. So that is why I want to send her a flower cushion. To help bring a bit of that love back into her life, and to remind her that I love her even though I am half way around the world from her.