Making Memories Breast Cancer Quilt Project!

bc quilt 1a
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

Thought it was time for an update on this project! It has morphed into three quilts! This is the first one. I have just pinned the lace on the interior border and then plan to put some couched rattail on the exterior border in the center. After that, I will just back, bind and call it good! The next pic, I have just pinned the lace over the blue so it isn't centered, etc. yet. I think it will compliment the blocks well! Again...back and bind and it will be done! The third pic is a temporary setting....i'm waiting for 5 more blocks and want to be sure that I have everything placed in complimentary way before stitching! I learned the hard way to do that! LOL! Enjoy the pics and again, THANK YOU one and all that have contributed to this project! YOU are all GREAT!!!

Chili Recipe - Karen South's give away

I decided to jump in on Karen Souths chili give away and .....just to share my version of chili! LOL!! We can't handle a lot of heat but it is flavorful and yummy on a cold day!

I start with the following:

1 can of kidney beans
1 can of black beans
2 pints of homemade tomato sauce
4 pints of water
2 chicken bullion cubes
1 pound of ground beef
1 pound of ground pork
1 large one
1 large clove of garlic
Sea Salt to taste
pepper
Old Bay Seasoning

I start out with combing the tomato sauce, buillion cubes, water and beans in my crock pot. I then saute the onions and the garlic in a bit of olive oil until transluscent and then add them to the pot with the sauce. I then cook up the ground meats, adding them to the pot when done as well. I then season up with the sea salt, pepper and Old Bay to taste and let it simmer ALLLLL DAY til nice and yummy! I then serve with cooked spaghetti. Same as Karen! YUMM! Makes me want to go make a pot now! VBG! Enjoy!

AND.... a little bit about Karen! She is very creative and quite an accomplished crazy quilter. She has a wonderful little biz of preparing crazy-quilting (CQ) packets and she does an awesome job of selecting fabrics with little surprise embellishments. Try ordering a few! You'll not be sorry!

Breast cancer quilt center......cont.

bc center 1
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

I'm not used to working in this large of a format I guess. I've been stitching in various spots for two days and it barely shows! LOL!! Part of that is the cream on cream and keeping this relatively neutral. I've pinned more lace motifs and ribbon on so backto stitching and filling. Hopefully things will "look" different when I visit again! LOL!!

Making Memories B/C Quilt center

bc center
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

As many know, I am working on a rather....ummm.....large project for the Making Memories Foundation. This group sends out bridal dresses (for a fee of $45.00) and then asks that a person or group puts it together in a quilt and they then auction the quilt with the proceeds going to breast cancer. Well...long story short, I put out a call and many, many spectacular folks have answered and sent me their rendition of a block for this quilt. This picture is the center. Its morphed a couple of times, but I think i'm finally beginning to be happy with where its going. The next picture is of the center surrounded by all the blocks i've received so far! This is HUGE and they are ALL gorgeous! I'm scared and proud and honored and...all at the same time! I can't wait to see how this evolves! I'll keep you posted on the center block (36x36) progress!

Pin for Christmas

gail pin
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

Gail Oldegaard is a friend and owner of one of my little face pins from last year. She wrote to me recently and asked if I could make a pin for her mother in law for Christmas! SOOO, this is the result! She wanted burgundies and green. Burgundy is a challenging color to find in beads i've discovered! I think she came out well and sure hope Gail's "Mom" enjoys her for many years to come!

Its My Bag Exchange!

imb full
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

Its official....I can talk about this bag and its owner to my hearts content now! LOL! The recipient, Bonnie Swenson has it in her hot little hands as I type! :_) This is a full shot of the front. I made the pattern with a flap and a TON of pockets on the inside! The yellow flower on the front was some trim that Bonnie had sent with the fabrics and I twisted it in on itself and created a sort of sunflower! The next pic is of the back. Here I did mostly stitching, but there is some beading, double thread, knotted every few stitches for security, etc. I just can't stay away from beads! LOL!! Then the next pic is of the front under the flap and then a close up of the flap. Sequin flowers, lots of beads... one of my trees...LOTS of fun! I enjoy this yearly event and very much appreciate Mona picking up the coordinating of this, this year. Thanks again, Mona! You're awesome!

Magic Moments RR - Cobi

cobi mm block
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

Last, but not least in the overall scheme of things is Cobi's block! (shhhh...the second block stitching is a secret yet....) Cobi had an "India Inspiration" theme. I haven't worked a lot with that theme so this was a stretch for me. I tried to re-create a more stylized flower with a wonderful bunch of beads I got from Lyn! I added a peacock and thought (after seeing Pam Watson's "Rivoli") that maybe a triangle, cabachon type treatment of a rhinestone might work? I had added the center design varying the sequin structures in each and then gave what is "sposed" to be, a stylized bead bush to the beaded peacock. I had trouble with the peacock showing right....so I added the square sequins and the little flower sequins to off set the colors of their patches. HOPEFULLLY this is acceptable for an indian theme and Cobi will enjoy it! Its certainly got more sequins on it than i've ever used in one place before! LOL!

Magic Moments RR - Ati

Ati mm block2
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

I also have finished up two of Ati's blocks. I wanted her to be able to put the wall hanging together when it got home so I asked if I could stitch two blocks for her! This one I liked the sequin flower. Its mostly gold and burgundy and feels very elegant.
On this block, which I stitched first, I created little mop button snow people, ornies and free handed a little bird like I have on some fabric from years ago. This was a fun one and I hope Ati feels that they will all combine well with each other! This one is more light hearted and playful with the snowy pine boughs and snow family!

Magic Moments RR - Simona

simona mm block2
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

This is the first block I stitched up for Simona. She is going to combine all the squares into a quilt for her new little girl! I fell in LOVE with the rabbit fabric!! Peter Cottontail keep flitting thru my mind as I stitched. On this block I added little sheep for "Mary Had A Little Lamb" too! The next block I wanted to capture some of the specialness of having a little girl come into the family so I stitched "Love, Laughter, Joy" along with "Baby". When I was born, as the tale has it, my father went around singing that he had "The Wholeeeee Worldddd, In My Hands...I've got the...."! LOL! Yes....Songs seem to be rolling with these pretty blocks!

CQI Retreat Goodies!

goodies
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

I'm slowly getting myself sort of caught up! I have needed VERY badly to share the goodies that I was blessed with by the wonderful ladies that came to the retreat! I was sooo very surprised that everyone brought a little hostess gifty..... I truly wasn't expecting it and am soooo very appreciative! As to the details... Debbie Q. gave me a great little bag for embroidery schtuff that you can see is PACKED FULL! I love it! Gerry K gave me one of her awesome pincushions! A definate treasure! :_) Lauri B gave me a bag she had made..... yummmm! Gerry H gave a REALLY pretty scissors fob and bottle of fairy dust! SOOOO CUTE!!! Then Cathy K gave me the Willow Tree figurine in the next pic. Just beautimous! Janet P brought peach wine and Palisade peaches for our taste buds enjoyment! (Don't have a
pic cuz they are ALL long gone!) LOL!

Thank you EVERYONE from the bottom of my heart! You are all sooo very special to me!

But....what about the cq box, you ask??? That is what I was lucky enough to choose for the Chinese Auction!! Janet Popish made it and its just WONDERFUL, isn't it??? I LOVE it!! Finally i'm beginning to feel like a cquer lives in this house! ROFLOL!!

Its My Bag Swap

IMB F & B
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

I seem to do most everything backwards...from making something to loading pics, etc.! LOL!! This is the front and back of the bag I just finished for............... can't name the name just cuz yet! LOL!! I had lots of fun creating with this gem and have more "detail" shots if you follow this pic and then continue with my photo stream at Flickr! Enjoy!

Thank you!

I am still in catch em up mode after the retreat here this month.... but wanted to thank Rengin for the Creative Blogger nomination and Gail for the Brillian Weblog award! I greatly appreciate all of you visiting and know I cannot BEGIN to name all the wonderful folks that inspire me! You ALL are awesome artists and I thank you for sharing with me!

Retreat Teaser Piccies

Colorado Toast to CQI Friends
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

We are all just settling back in from a busy week! We had our very first CQI retreat and it was GREAT! Here from left to right is Gerry K, Debbie Q, Cathy K, ME and Janet P! Lauri and Gerry H had to head home early! (VERY SAD FACE here). If you click on this pic it will take you to my flickr account where the beginning pics are located. We are all in the process of consolidating our phots and will soon inundate the CQI blog with tales of our adventures and fun! It is sooooo very quiet here now I don't know quite what to do with myself! LOL!!!

beaded bell pull

beaded bell pull
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

Beads, beads, beads...... i'm crazy for beads! LOL!!! I am getting ready to teach a beaded embroidery class at the retreat this month and wanted to have a sample of stitch variations and such so I came up with a bell pull sampler and something for my wall all at the same time!! :_) Enjoy!!

Replacement Block

Lindas replacement
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

This is a block I stitched up for a friend in Nova Scotia whose first block for her rr with CQI decided to take a scenic trip.....somewhere! I wanted her to get something back home, so I decided to do this for her.

Beaded wall hanging

Beaded wall hanging
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

Another project finished up.....I am using this as a sampler for beaded embroidery! I am working on another piece now that will incorporate more stitch variations. I also did a beaded tree here which I thought came out rather kewl! Finding a new medium for myself here! LOL!!!

Thank you!

I haven't been keeping up with this blog this summer. Between taking care of the garden, preparing for the retreat to be held here in September and refinishing floors that put me off line for several weeks... I've gotten behind in responses and feel terribly that I haven't gotten back to everyone that has been so very kind and generous to visit! I have finally posted another block that has been completed. One more pic to get taken and then i'll have to start another rr AND complete some wall hangings (primary goal at the mo) before theres much eye candy. VBG!

Regardless, this post is for all of you that have stopped by and have not heard back from me! I greatly appreciate your generous comments and appreciate all your wonderful support! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Leslie

Fab Fan Block - Cathy

fan - cat
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

I'm FINALLY back!! Wooohooo!!! We have been refinishing the floors in our home and its been a month long "camping trip" from... well...you know! LOL!! Anyway, this is a pic of the block that I did for Cathy in the Fabulous Fans DYB round robin! Her colors were challenging for me as I'm not used to the pinks but it was great to stretch myself a bit! This was a lot of fun and is my final block in the rr! Enjoy!

Fabulous Fan RR block

Fabulous Fan RR block
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

I am in a rr at Crazy Quilting International, and this is my completed work on a block for Gerry! She wanted a Moulin Rouge type feel....lots of gold and glitz.....hopefully I gave her enough! LOL!! Enjoy Gerry!

Debbie's block

Debbie's block
Originally uploaded by Pinyon Creek Stitchin'

Getting projects done! YEAH!!! This is the work I did on a block of a friend in Maine! Isn't this little girl great??? I love this pic! I kept my work fairly subdued and even managed to not encrust...(I think)! I dyed the lace bits then highlighted them with beads.... there is SRE on the fan blades...a button trail of some of my g'ma's old vintage buttons and...fly stitch lace, etc! I hope Debbie enjoys it!