Well, as you see I have neglected my blog. I just got so caught up in life that everything that was fun just seems to have fallen apart. I ended up the round robin on a sour note. I had a bit of trouble keeping on schedule toward the end, never mind that I was ahead of time (getting a nice telling you off note about waiting) so I caused some delays in the last round of the robin. Then, forget that for weeks I would try to get some reply from members with very sporadic success, just know that when my computers went down and I was not able to reply quickly enough I was called on the carpet about it. Now, I admit that I probably could have handled things a little better, but there was some personal things going on at the time (having nothing to do with the round robins, exchanges or even the hobby) that just seem to really gum up the workings of things. However, I do think that spouting off half truths and threatening me with legal action was a bit much over an embroidered quilt square. I never said anything when mine was lost in the universe for quite some time. At any rate, I sent all the blocks I had on to the appropriate new homes, did end up receiving my original blocks back, so in the end all is well. Except for the bitter taste I have and the loss of any enjoyment from a hobby I truly did love.

But, I did it to myself. After all, no one forced me to join the round robin exchange to begin with. I am however quite willing to accept that about 80% of my negative experience was all of my own making. However, that being said, I doubt I will post more to this blog in the future.

Stopping in

Just stopping in a moment in between the laundry and the little flood problem in the house. I haven't posted the progress on the blocks for the round robins so thought I would do that.

This is Judy's block for the avocado group in the green study. The photo looks like there are other colors, but it really is all green. I saw the wonderful detailed work that was already on this block and couldn't figure out what to do, but ended up making a design and seam treatments on the top right corner. We had been to the beach and as usual there was a kelp type plant all over the place. It is a long vine that has these little ball shaped bulbs on the ends. If you pinch them between your fingers, it pops pretty loud. They are fun to mess with and at any rate, that was my attempt to recreate the plant on here for Judy. The treatments don't show up much but they turned out pretty cool looking.

This is what I did on Rebecca's block for the Purple Passion round robin. I really loved the way this turned out in the end. Was really fun to work with.

Our local delivery guy just dropped off supper, so will close out and go eat. Hoping to get in some DVD time and crocheting tonight, if the Nascar and other races ever finish.

What A Week

This was spring break week for the school kids. Hubby took off the whole week, but I only took the last three days. Have been so far behind at work due to various changes that I just couldn't take off more time. Besides, that was all the paid time off I had.

Thursday we went to the beach. I took my crocheting along, but it was so cold and windy that I ended up putting it away. It was actually quite miserable due to the wind. But, it was fun to get out of town for the day. We went on home a little early and got things ready for the camping trip.

Friday, we loaded up and headed up the canyon to a place called Keyesville. Primitive camping, as in no hook ups, but how I love those mountains. Friday was actually a bit miserable due to high winds, but at least I was in the motorhome and was able to finish up one block for the green color study.

I feel it turned out well. It was pretty time consuming with all the little beads, but hopefully she will be able to see it is a potted plant.

Now to finish up the next purple block, the spring block, and I think I will be back on track with the crazy quilt embroidery projects.

Of course I still have my crochet exchanges to catch up though, really must get my hands moving on those.

Making Head Way

At least a little bit anyway. Will keep this short though, still have a few things to do yet.

I finally finished my purple block and have it off on its way to the UK.

It has been made for a while, packaged for a while, just haven't made it to the post office, but I did yesterday so it is now on its way. This is Erin Fairy.
I think she is just absolutely adorable. I wanted to give her reddish brown hair, but seem to be missing several of my threads. Am sure I put them some where while working on something, just have no clue as to where.

If you haven't figured it out, like the green block, this color study block round robin is to be done in all purple. WHICH I JUST LOVE, and my daughter is hooked on it as well. I am in the Purple Passion group. Like I said, late to be sure, she is now headed to the next member that will work on her, she lives in the UK, but they said it should arrive in about 5 days.

I am embarrassingly far behind on several of my exchanges, but am making great strides toward catching up. I will post photos as I finish of course.

I have been sick again, allergies this time, and putting in hard hours at work. Am behind on housework and such as well. My computer was a little under the weather as well, lost all my info I had stored, couldn't get it to add a printer, Office running incorrectly as well. I ended up just dumping the system and reloading completely. Successfully done, now have my Office running smoothly, a printer that is added - printing - scanning (BIG YEAH), mail that works, and am able to download from my camera once again. Have organized my group files and exchanges as well.
Now, at least I have all the info printed out and in some order so I can tell what is done and what needs to be done.

I have several crochet exchanges that I need to finish up and mail out. As for crazy quilting, I have three blocks in progress that are for exchange and round robins (Spring, green, & purple) and get caught up with getting them on their way.

Today however, I just kind of blew everything off and took youngest DD 11 for a girls day out. Went shopping and found her two dresses and two swim suits, bought her a basketball for Easter, then went and had my nails done - had them manicure hers. This is the first time I have just done something so...much for me. Got a hair cut this morning, then the nails. Had tips put on, but not very long, with a french tip manicure.

It is spring break here and tomorrow we are going to the beach for the day and am taking some crocheting to work on. Then, a camping trip up to the mountains, am taking some embroidery to work on while the rest of the bunch goes riding (dirt bikes). Will be nice to just relax up in the trees. I still have to pack up the motor home, but hubby and I are going to go try a new cafe close to the house. I did get my hanging baskets all planted this afternoon as well, so did do a little work.

Well, said I was keeping this short. Time to go eat.

Thrift Store Buys - Recycled For Projects

I have to admit here first of all that I have never been a fan of hitting the thrift stores and garage sales for clothing items and jewelry to use in craft projects. I know it is a personal kind of hang up of mine, but it just seems so very wrong to buy a pair of trashed up jeans to cut up and make potholders. Don't start in on me, I am also one of those people that thinks there is something very wrong with finding joy in jumping out of a perfectly good airplane and calling it skydiving. Back to the recycled clothing angle.

On one of my crazy quilt groups there as been some lively discussion about the thrift store finds of some wedding dresses and cutting them up to use for crazy quilt blocks. This is not a new concept, that is however how many quilts were made in pioneer days. It was essential to keep the family warm, the only available fabric was from worn out or out grown clothing or flour and feed sacks. My own mom tells me of her father letting her pick out the chicken feed sacks so she could have the bags. I didn't really believe this until Mom gave me some old dresden plate blocks that my aunt had made, all original 30's fabric along with scraps of grampa's shirts, they are pieced on old Pillsbury Flour sacks.

Once again I drift. After reading some of the postings, and remembering how I once bought some old prom dresses for my oldest daughter (now 25) to play dress up in for a very small amount of money (we had nothing to spare back then) I decided to hit the local Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. I was all excited at the prospect of finding a cheap old worn out wedding dress to harvest the lace and beading off of for my "Crazy Quilt" replica that I am planning, even though I have been planning it for...oh my...twenty years or so. GOOD GRIEF! I found only one dress between the two stores, not much embellishment on it either, and they wanted $65.00 for it. I was in shock to say the least. So, my plans ended quickly. I just refuse to pay that much money for something I am going to tear up. YES, I KNOW, I am in reality just down right cheap. My purse chirps when I open it...unless I am buying chocolate and soda that is. At any rate, I did discover some rather interesting jewelry, which DD 11, promptly lost out of the bag somewhere. My trip was not in vain though, I found a very interesting item to feed my "join in the with the crowd" project.

This is a peasant style blouse. The picture is obviously not the best of quality, but the shirt is brown guaze type fabric with aqua blue and orange beading in the motifs. The heart shapes have turqouise stones in the center. This is a closer look at the beaded areas. The photo really doesn't do it justice. Only wish I had found this shirt in Gigantic Size to fit me. Already have a few ideas of what I am going to do with this, just kind of holding off doing anything until I know exactly what I am going to do so I don't waste any of it. This shirt was only $3.50 and there is more than that in the turqouise alone.

I borrowed hubby's camera to try and get a shot of the double image of the moon as it went through the lunar eclipse, am going to see if I can get a little better shot of this top in the morning before he figures out I have it.

I did come across some pretty good bargains though. Some great blouses for myself, a couple of pairs of dress slacks (one still had the tags on it) and the absolutely cutest Calvin Klein brand denim jacket for DD 11 for less than $10 and with this new winter storm that hit overnight (well storm for central California) it is very needed. I have not given up on the idea of finding some beaded and lace items to turn in to CQ blocks. Plan on going downtown to some off beat little thrift shops that are known for being less pricey. I had no idea that the Salvation Army Store would be so proud of their donated items.

Now, hubby cleaned out the hot tub and it is warming up, there are cold Amber Bock's in the fridge, it is about mid 40's outside and clouds roaming about with buckets of rain in them, so I am going to get a bottle, get my hubby, and enjoy some warm soothing water and what ever else may come up while I am in there.

Green Garden Round Robin

Well here it is the middle of February and I have not done much of anything lately. I am not as sick as I was, but still seem to have a nagging cough and tire out so easy.

At any rate, just wanted to post a quick note about the green garden round robin I am in through my Yahoo group. I am getting Karen's block ready to mail off so snapped a photo of my part of the wardrobe, so to speak, for her nakid block. I do hope she likes what I did. This round robin is called a color study. It is both challenging and frustrating. Challenging because it has to all be done in green, trying new stitches and techniques as well. Frustrating because it has to all be done in green, trying new stitches and techniques. It is so hard to find the supplies I want, when I want them. I have been to several craft shops in town and have finally gathered together a bit of a working stash. Not the most ideal, but an acceptable one. Especially after being very disappointed to find that the rather large collection of what I thought was silk ribbon is actually organza ribbon. I worked with some of it anyway however to make a rose out of, believe you would call it a spider web rose. I wasn't thrown in to orbit by the results, but am mildly pleased.

The patch or motif that I stitched is supposed to look like an archway in a garden. Beads were used to make the arch. It seems that at least locally, only two shades of green are used to make beads. Christmas green, and a bit darker green. The leaves on the arch are made of silk ribbon and done using a ribbon stitch. My first use of this (besides the practice piece) and I probably should have added a few more. One set of flowers was done using a looped straight stitch, another first for me, and french knots done in floss worked in the middles. I really liked the way these turned out, but they were very time extensive. Here is closer look, although for some reason the camera lost some green along the way.

One thing that I really do like is the little flying critter. Supposed to be a butterfly, not really quite there. Is definately not a bird, but I really do like it and will make this more. The wings are just a large chain stitch with a smaller one inside, straight stitched body, legs and antanea, french knot head. In person he is what you would call a kelly green. If I ever get this camera situation worked out, there will be better photos in time.

First, my new little camera takes great over all shots, very good color. Just don't even think about a close up. I just can't figure out how to focus the thing. Hubby's camera takes good close up shots, but lousy color, and now the batteries have died. I even thought about scanning the block, but of course for some reason I cannot make my new printer scan anything. Pretty much the story of my life actually. If I could get a better close up, the wider seam treatment turned out just awesome. It is a series of straight stitches and stem stitches along with chain stitched flowers. The last seam treatment is a butterfly done with chain stitches on either end of a line of angels.

The next color in the study is purple. I am all stoked up for that one, as I have learned alot from the green. Purple is my second favorite color, right next to blue. Like the green however, I can already forsee a problem with supplies, but have actually figured a way to work around that. Like I said, I learned a lot from the green study already. Lots of ideas would come to mind for seam treatments, motifs, and such but unless you can use different colors to off set them they just don't work. Oh how I struggled with my huge craving to insert some yellow and red centers in to those flowers and seams. I did however emerge triumphant and stayed all green. Have also discovered a few online sources that I will be ordering from this weekend as well. I may grumble a bit about the challenge of only working in one color, but I am getting a lot out of it. I love to do one color embroidery, also known as redwork, and am thinking of doing more of that for these color study groups. Redwork has a fascinating history by the way, which will not be explored in this post, but highly recommend you doing your own research in to that subject.

The group is also doing a swap called Food Fight and I am going to work on that one this weekend. This will be a bit different as it is a centralized swap and I complete the block, so get to do all the dressing up for it. The block is to reflect a food and we include the recipe as well. Think I mentioned it in an earlier post. At least with it I can feed my need for color, all colors. Okay, I know I was headed somewhere with all this, just totally lost where, so know it is time to call it a night.

Moday

It is Monday morning, while I am feeling a shade better, I am home with two sick children. Well, one isn't missing school, his school has a day off for teacher's work day, but they are both sick, so am missing work...again. Was getting some nice sleep time until the neighbor's son, kindergarten age, decided to have his own concert. I had a few words with him at the door, at least the kids are getting some sleep.

Anyway, the weather here is just plain nasty. So windy, and this part of the country does not handle wind well, so I just stayed in as much as possible. Hubby, who is feeling better now (since he is the one that started all this crud) did the cooking yesterday and was sweet enough to leave me to my own devices so to speak. I thought I would post my Crazy quilt block progress.

I think this is about all I am going to do to it. This block is for the STS (season to season) Spring swap. It is a combination swap round robin actually. I am so looking forward to this. I make a block, reflective of what spring is to me. Then I embellish approximately half of it, send it to the hostess, she sends our blocks to our partners, we then finish the other half of the block we receive, then send it back. I know I have posted about this before, just doing a recap in case some one is seeing this for the first time. At any rate, this is what I did to mine.
This is a bit closer view. My camera seems to blur on things when I try to get a close up. The top set of flowers is a purchased applique that I just fell in love with when I saw it, had no idea what I would do with it, but now I do. Then, I did a feather stitch as a vine, then added two shades of purple SRE flowers along it. The dragon fly was another one of those appliques I fell in love with, several came in the package. The three is free form embroidery. I stitched the trunk and branches in using a brown with a red tone. Supposed to be a redwood. Okay, give me a break, I am new at this. The needles are made by using fun fur which I crocheted a length of chain stitch and then cut it and couched it in place. It looks much cooler in person. It probably isn't really half of the block, but I will send a little note with it explaining that I can do more when I get it back. I just wanted to be sure and leave a decent amount of seams and patches to work on.

Today, I am going to do a little work on Karen's Green block. Everything in green. I had a couple of things in mind, eyelash yarn would have been great, can't find any in just green. So, having to improvise on things a bit. I am going to head out to JoAnn's today to see if I can find some green beads. Not sure if they even make what I am looking for, but will give it my best shot. At any rate, had to boast about my creative impulse here.

I know that most of you have probably already thought of this, so is nothing new, but I am pretty proud of myself for thinking of it on my own. This is a crocheted butterfly, actually the top part of a bookmark (that story is on my other blog) but it happens to work great. I was looking at the green crochet thread I had, a sick kind of pea green, and after making the bookmarks knew I would not get the results I was looking for. While looking through my absurd number of plastic boxes full of this and that for what I may need to make for the next 50 years (have had the boxes going for 20 already) a spool of silk ribbon fell out, bright green. It hit me, wondered if I could crochet with it. Well, there you go. Here it is. It is so cute and comes really close to just what I had in mind.