Banner block2

Banner block2,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

I thought I had posted this pic...and just discovered I had not. This is going to be the second block for the banner that is being made for our regional cq group; RMCQA. We are planning on using it to advertise "US" and draw in more membership. Anyway...got to get busy on these things and get em done! Course, right this minute i'm feeling a bit insecure about whether or not they are bright enough to catch anyones eye. Hopefully with the embellishment! :_)

NO Block

NO Block,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

Do you ever have to just laugh atyourself? And does anyone else out there dislike making blocks as much as I do?? Gracious!!! This attempt at doing a block for the New Orleans Australian project has been quite an experience! To say the least! As I posted earlier...I had started one block, set it aside because the patches were too small and I didn't feel like they would be good for this project and what I wanted to accomplish. THEN, I changed directions entirely, forgetting everything I had read and created a block that spoke of the flavor of the south to me. Wellllllllllll.....lets just say, that after I say Sharon B's block on her blog, I figured I better take another look at the directions and am darned glad I did!!! gggg The colors were sooooo far wrong it's just hysterical! I don't know what I was thinking!!! Guess thats the problem, eh?? I wasn't thinking. Wellll....I then whipped up another block yesterday, in the proper colors. You're not going to see that one, don't like it either! Onto to the FOURTH block in the show! :_) This one I hope will meet with everyones approval. If not...it will still work into something pretty! PLUS, I finally figured out how to make the fan blades look decent and I haven't put the medallion on it yet! I've just pinned it in the corner with some trim that I may or may not use to see how everything looks. TONS better and I will likely proceed with this one, but.....my little inner critic is chatting me up right now so I guess i'll let this one sit while I turn on the embroidery machine and get an order out of here! Soooo, Sharon???? Whatcha think??? Is it a possibility? Even without the embellishment? GRIN!!!

Banner block 1

Banner block 1,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

This is the other block that will be incorporated into the banner for our group. It will be really fun to see what everyone else does for this project and how the end product looks! More later!

NO block

NO block,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

This is a random block I pieced before I really sat down and looked at the guideliness, etc. for the New Orleans cq project that is going on. PHEW!!! Glad I read them or I would have been beyond embarrassed when the block got disqualified! The size is an easy one to work with tho so i'll just include it with some others at a later date! Now...to get a pic of what WILL be submitted for the project! :_)

Spring Fling block

Spring Fling block,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

Thanks to LouAnne's reminder (of Getting To Crazy) here is the completed block....well, mostly completed. :_) I may do some work on the silk piece at the top that has the dragonfly woven into it. I enjoyed this round robin and it is, as always, neat to see the great work everyone does. I was THRILLED when LouAnne gave me one of her terrific spider webs and spiders! She truly does an awesome job with them. She added some super seam treatments as well! I was also the lucky recipient of a silk ribbon basket by Ronni a fellow RMCQ member...she can be heard lurking on many a cq list! PLUS, I am the benefactor of a gorgeous moth by a CCQ friend! The colors are great and help coordinate the others in this block. I made the block when I wasn't feeling very color coordinated, but....it actually looks pretty good now that it's home! I have some other wonderful SRE and embroidery on this block and truly appreciate the effort of everyone in the group! I hope you enjoy the little bit of eye candy! I will from now on! LOL!!!

Angies UTS block

Angies UTS block,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

I'm on the "winding down" part of several rr's! Woohoo!!! This is a pic of the work I did on an under the
sea block. Admittedly I was sort of low on inspiration when the block got here and I finally decided that I would do a little mermaid to take care of the turtle, seahorse and fishies! :_) I did a little bit of brazillian embroidery for her coral belt and bracelet as well as on her tail to give it some waviness. Then I added the flowers and assorted seaweed beside her. The face is one I made with sculpey and then applied some gold and copper leaf for an ethereal look. Hopefully she doesn't just look like an alien! LOL!!! I will be adding some more pics tomorrow. I have gotten the actual blocks made for my contribution to our local groups logo banner. I also have made a block for the NO project....not sure if this is one that I will REALLY do or if i'll make another one. I'm sort of stuck between what I want to express with this particular block. Anywhoo...more later!

Alis FFPC2

Alis FFPC2,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

I belong to the Fairie Goddess Mothers group....a sane quilting group that has recently been experimenting with fiber postcards and ATC's. This is my version for the Fairie Forest Fiber Postcard swap! It will be winging it's way to England tomorrow. I did pretty much all hand stitching...which is probably NOT the idea with this art form, but I enjoy it, so I did! :_)

DS Postcard 2

DS Postcard 2,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

Just a quick note on this little quilt/ postcard! I made it for a swap with a friend in a stitch group I am a part of. I'm trying to convert her to cq sooooo....this is my contribution to her education in all things CRAZY!! :_)

mended hrt 1

mended hrt 1,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

This is the first heart I completed today for the Mended Heart project! I did a 4 pass combo of stitches over the maroon seam...cretan stitch, herringbone, chain stitch and pearl knots. I also added some BE sork in the middle of the light pink square..a little bullion rose. There is an SRE butterfly and folded sre roses on the white satin patch and then there are some buttonhole fans with chain stitches on the brighter pink blok along with a chain stitched heart filled with pearl knots. Easy to do and makes ya feel good to finish something along with doing it for a good cause! :_)

mended hrt 2

mended hrt 2,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

This is one of two little hearts I whipped up today to contribute to a "Mended Heart" quilt that will ultimately be donated to a hospital for auction. I'm liking these little projects, cuz I feel like i'm actually getting some things done!! I pretty much maintained one colorway for the stitching....I find it lends itself to more consistency thru the block. But that really depends on the project too. Anywhoo, enjoy!

bird pincushion

bird pincushion,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

This is the other pincushion that I completed....was sposed to be for a swap...but decided against...for a variety of reasons. Anywhoo....this little birdie is roosted on top of a little wooden pedestal with some silk ribbon loops beneath him to create the appearance of a nest. I also did a detached buttonhole type fringe on his back wings and tail to add to the appearance of feathers. I liked the fabric on the wings...it rather appears to be feathers as well. This little guy was originally patterned to be a purse, but I altered it a bit and made the pincushion. Came out ok for "winging" it, I think!

pincushion

pincushion,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

Soooooo many choices and possibilities and soooooooooo little time!!! I entered a pincushion swap and have started about three total pincushions....finally decided at least ONE needed to be completed all the way thru....and this is it. I made individual leaves with some pretty cotton batik fabric I have. The center is more of a purpley hue while the outside leaves are lighter. I also cut a circle out of the darker color, stitched a running stitch around the outer perimeter, gathered it and stuffed it. I then placed it on the little wood pedestal I had made and glued it on along with sort of tying it in place. Then to the petals themselves...I had stitched them with a layer of peltex to give them some texture and then added some machine embroidery on the outside edges with some variegated rayon thread. The method of attaching the petals was cumbersome and I really need to figure out a better way if I make another. I used a combo of glue and stitching to hold them in place then put some lace and ribbon over the lower edges to disguise it. THEN.....I added a little brazilian bumble bee to add a finishing touch. I think this idea would be cute maybe with a cq'ed flower or a pansy or.....the possibilities are actually endless. I have another on the brink of being complete so i'll be posting that pic within a day or two. It's a completely different one and was rather fun to do. I have to laugh at myself, as thru this whole process I find that I just "wing" my way thru instead of using tried and true methods. This has been good in a TON of ways for me as it's allowing me to get back in the swing of thinking and being more creative. The down side is it can be REALLLLLY frustrating if something doesn't work out quite the way I first envisioned it. In the end tho, everything seems to miraculously come together! :_) Enjoy the little pic! I sure hope its future owner will enjoy it!

Clairees block

Clairees block,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

Just finished up on another round robin block. The owner wanted a BE tree but someone beat me to it so I gave her some SRE tree limbs that hopefully are springy and offset the fall tree nicely. Also added the heart, the flystitch lace and some buttonhole fans on the seam! I can't wait to see how this block turns out!!! Its shaping up to be very pretty!

Alis ATC

Alis ATC,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

The Fairie Goddess Mother quilting I belong to is currently having a lot of exchanges of what we are calling FTC's! They are great fun and way to share a bit of oneself with others! This only shows a friend I am thinking of her on her special day and hopefully will also bring some loving support to her thru her tough times with work! It's nice to think about anywhoo!

Alis Needlebook

Alis Needlebook,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

Ths s a little needlebook I stitched up for a friend that is new to quilting and hand work! She is a lover of Halloween and animals, both of hers are represented here! I included her name done in various holiday type items and basically had a great time coming up with something a bit different for her to enjoy!

Tracies ATC

Tracies ATC,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

I've been on a bit of an ATC binge of late....and made one for a friend in an online group that I belong to that is going thru a tough time. These are a neat way to express yourself and send positive energies, I think! I'm hoping the "mother bear" will help provide protection and love when she is feeling a bit low! And the oak I hope will provide some strength to face the troubles ahead....or...be a shady spot for her to rest and look at the sunset after some strenuous fly fishing! :_) Enjoy!

cq1

cq1,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

I am sooooo excited! Hopefully this quilt will look as good in person....I just got it thru auction. Sposedly circa 1890 out of Boston, MA. There is well known appraiser close to me, Cindy Brick that i'll have to consult on this puppy and see if it is actually worth the little I paid for it and can repair it or if I am lucky enough to have made a good investment!!! More on THIS topic later! :_)

angelas block

angelas block,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

This is a pic of some work I just finished....I did the usual seam treatment with the stitch combo of cretin/herringbone and fly stitch. Then I added beads. I also decorated the doily fan with bullion roses, sre roses and sre leaves the I added an antique metal flower button and a bouquet of sre roses trailing down from it. SRE is challenging for me...does it make big difference in the brand of ribbon used? I really struggled to get it to work...but I haven't done a lot of it either so maybe practice is the issue. I'd like to hear from others on this and what their favorite techniques are!!

swan

swan,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

This is a close up of the BE swan on the rr block. This is the second one i've done and I dedided to change my methodology on this one. I first did the outline for it in a stem/outline stitch. I then did a curved line in a light grey to pull out the direction of the wing then did the chest in one direction and the wing onto the tail in another...this one came out looking more realistic. It's just a bunch of cast on stitches and easy to do....just tough to make realistic! For me anyway! Enjoy!

ronni spring2

ronni spring2,
originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'.

Here I am!!! Been stitching away...trying to get caught up! Just about there! Wahoo!! This is a phot of a rr block I did with a group of ladies here in Colorado! I did a BE swan under a flowering branch, a BE bluebird, a couple of seam treatments..one being a fav stitch combo of mine using a cretan/herringbone stitch for the first round and a flystitch with a lazy daisy stitch at the end. Creates a nice lacy effect I like even though I still have to practice more to get the stitches more even! I also added some old mop's, an old metal flower bead held on with an overlay of cast on stitches (came out kind of cool) and the dragonfly charm! Phew!!! I hope she likes it! It was fun to do regardless! Smiles!