Ocean - the color of water (book)

OCEAN - the co...

Fiberart works by ...

By Cyra Lewis

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Busy

Hi everyone.

Did ya miss me.... things have gone a bit busy here at Lewis Acres and I'm sorry I've not been popping in here to update you on my stitcheries.

Truth is that I haven't had time to do anything other than my major artwork that is for the IFFFG (International Free Form Fiberart Guild) which goes in a book and an online gallery next month, and once again, I am editing the book.

I will share it with you when it has all 'gone-live' but until then, no one but me sees all the entries.

I can tell you the theme and title of the book though: Ocean - The Color of Water

It's autumn here in New Zealand and farm 'stuff' is also keeping me on my toes, but yesterday I was urgently in need of a little crochet therapy to brush away the stress, and I created this little fluffy scarf/neck warmer made from stitching with four yarns at once and a huge hook.

A Fluffy scarf - (for a fluffy brain)

I might add some tassels or beads to the ends later.

The four yarns used are pictured here.

An eyelash yarn, a 'hairy' yarn, a dishcloth cotton and a wool yarn.

Right then, back to work I go. 

We've been saving some apples on the trees for the birds. This is a Silver-eye enjoying an apple that the Rosella's had started. 

Blue March - CQJP 2015

  Blue March  

Up close and detailed photos of my March block. 

A crochet motif embellished with stitch. 

A Paisley motif. 

 A Mandala motif. 

Random leafy effect. 

Bee-line above the amethyst gems. 

Another crochet motif.

The completed March block.

Yellow February Crazy Quilt Block Finished

Yellow February Crazy Quilt Block is Finished.

I like how these blocks are turning out. Something a bit different from the normal Crazy Quilt blocks.

I am using only thread and stitches to create my crazy blocks, with an occasional little bit of crochet for embellishing to add a bit more dimension.

More on CQJP Yellow February

 CQJP 2015 - Yellow February 

Lots of random 'BITS' have been added to the yellow block this week.

Stitching is dominant in this project, and (as I am a crochet-aholic) I am making an occasional piece of crochet to fit where ever I think I can 'get-away' with it, lol.

So here is the centre of my block.

A slice of lemon for my G & T.

 

A 'sort of' elongated Yin & Yang' design.

A Mandala that needs finishing in the middle, probably with French Knots.

And, last but not least, a Paisley.

I'm still enjoying using yellow threads and creating designs for this block.

Almost finished with the February CQJP now, just a little more stitching to get it to my happy place.

I've been doing a bit of cross-stitching on Stitchmap lately too.

Here are a couple of my designs.

And 'just-for-fun' - here is Fred and Mojo catching the sun by our front door.

And Juliette is looking for her Romeo by the lounge door. Luckily she didn't hop over the sill and poop on my carpet. I kept a close eye on her.

I hope you have had a great week.

Happy Stitching.

February Is Yellow - CQJP

I am LOVING working with yellow.

I think it's a colour that is underrated. 

It's soft.

It's elegant.

It's soothing,

mellow, pleasant, classy, captivating, and, well,

just downright delightful.

What do you think of YELLOW?

.

To Raymond

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone

Happy Valentine's Day

You can QUILT it

You can STITCH it

 

You can COLOUR it 

You can PAINT it

You can COLLAGE it

You can CUT it

Your can CARD it

But 

just 

make 

sure 

that 

you 

SAY 

it

 

February CQJP 2015 block started

CQJP 2015 - February's naked block has been hand pieced in my neutrals fabric colour scheme.  

And some base foundation stitches have been added to a couple of the seams now.

 You will have probably guessed by now that February's block colour is YELLOW.

An Interesting Day

Auckland Anniversary Day was last Monday and it was a beautiful day here in NZ.

 Just right for a day out with my hubby.

 With a fully stocked chilly-bin off we went for trip up North of Auckland.

First stop was Warkworth, a wander round the shops and cafe's (Ginger's is our 'usual' cafe). Then we had a pleasant stroll along the waterside paths, watching the ducks and other water-birds, and children having fun and splashing about in the shallows.

After a picnic lunch we went Northwards again, and ended up at Wellsford for an ice cream break and window shopping.

Then we headed East on the Whangaripo Valley Road which took us to a lovely beach at Pakiri where we continued with another bit of the picnic from the chilly-bin.

From Pakiri Beach we followed the coast heading South to Matakana, and then back through Warkworth to the Motorway (Highway).

Our last stop was at Puhoi Pub for our evening meal. They do the most delicious fish 'n' chips, nice and crisp batter and chips (not the soggy stuff), and the fish is very flavorsome.

The Puhoi Pub has a large outdoor seating/eating area, and usually put on some form of entertainment. We were treated to a group playing music under a gazebo, and children playing game of bowls on the lawn.

A thoroughly relaxing way to end the day.

CQJP2015 January completed - & some Crochet textures

  Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2015  .  

I had a great week of stitching and this block for January is now finished.

    Red January   

Entirely hand stitched, with a couple of pieces of crochet for embellishment.

To recap my theme:

Embroidery threads will be the predominant form of embellishing.

Crochet lace or embellishing will be made specifically for each block.

I will be experimenting a lot with patterns and the build up of combination seam treatments.

   Texture in Crochet   

Just thought I would share a crochet project with you.

I love texture, and I love crochet..... so put the two together and I am in a happy place.

CQJP 2015 - January's Red Block

Currently, my January block for CQJP 2015 has the composite seam stitching mostly done.

I have been doing some fiberart crochet as well, but I can't share that with you yet until it has been published in it's intended book form later in the year.

Sampler Blanket SAL

I'm going to join in on the 2015 Sampler Blanket SAL 

The guidelines state that you can participate with Knit, Crochet,Quilt, and/or Embroidery, so I'm sure I can plan a blanket to participate with.

I think it's about time I made another sampler block crochet blanket.

To see what others are making, use the hashtag  #2015SamplerBlanket on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry, Flickr, Twitter, Pinterest.

New Year - New Beginnings - New CQJP

  Welcome to the year of change.  

This will be the year that hubby and I finally move into 'real' retirement. I may already be unofficially retired, but it's about time that Tony gets to enjoy more of life without having to work on the farm etc. He's worked hard all his life to provide everything that our family needs, and I know that, for myself and our four kidsies, we really appreciate all he has done for us.

His unselfish sacrifices have been made for the love and well-being of the family group, and now it's time for the family group to make some sacrifices for him. It may include spending a little bit of their inheritance (haha), but hey, he earned it in the first place, so I think he's entitled to enjoy a bit of it to help him retire and do what he wants, for a change.

I think he might have trouble relaxing though because he's not the sort of person who can sit around and do nothing. 

Always 'tinkering' with something.

  CQJP 2015  

My goal for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project for 2015 is to stitch one block a month as per the guideline/requirements.

The fabrics that I shall be using this year for my Crazy Quilt blocks will all be neutrals and whites, with some of the neutrals being my hand-dyed fabrics.

And, because I am expecting to be 'on-the-road' (or at least in the caravan) for most of the year, I am putting some limitations on what I can do, such as:

Embroidery threads will be the predominant form of embellishing.

Each block will have a different colour scheme (I'm hoping this will add interest in the finished quilt).

I will not be following the colour wheel, but will jump to whatever colour appeals at the time.

Beads, sequins & charms will not be used, as I wont be able to travel very well with them.

(I may add beads etc. in one go, at the very end, after ALL the 12 blocks have been made).

Crochet lace or embellishing will be made specifically for each block.

There will be no main overall theme for the blocks.

I will be experimenting more with patterns and the build up of combination seam treatments.

The blocks will be entirely hand-stitched, which includes the piecing of the naked blocks.

My first naked block - January

And the first bit of seam embellishing has begun.

This block is (obviously) going to be a RED colour scheme.

The dark fabrics here are not as dark in real life as they show in the photo.