Maire's Outlander block

Maire's Outlander block, a photo by Pinyon Creek Stitchin' on Flickr.

Busy stitching! This is Maire's Outlander block from our rr based on the Outlander series.

Viv's tree skirt

ts viv, a photo by Pinyon Creek Stitchin' on Flickr.

I am in a rr with Vivienne in Australia! This is a second tree skirt wedge that I did some stitching on as an angel. Viv will complete it with what she wants. I hope you like what i've added Viv!

Sew It Is Christmas - Jacqui's block

sic jacqui, a photo by Pinyon Creek Stitchin' on Flickr.

This is Jacqui's block in a rr at WWCQ. I did all the work on the left hand side of the block, along with the poinsettia, the green striped ribbon and gold trim on the right hand side. All were beaded up! I'm having lots of fun with all this christmas stitching! Enjoy Jacqui!

Jacque's tree skirt wedge

jacque ts wedge, a photo by Pinyon Creek Stitchin' on Flickr.

I am making progress getting through the tree skirt wedges in the rr at WWCQ! This is Jacque's. I beaded and embroidered over all the trims, added beaded snowflakes and some ornaments! I also did some fancy seam treatments and a filigree cross on the fan portion that came with the wedge! Enjoy Jacque!!

Jacque's Outlander block

Jacque's Outlander block, a photo by Pinyon Creek Stitchin' on Flickr.

I have finished Jacque's Outlander block! :) Yeahhh! I did some fancy seam treatments and added an antique clock (for time travel), Claire's pearls, gloves and an emerald ring. I hope you like what i've done Jacque!

Crazy Quilts Are Quilts Too!

Its a new year and I have plans to do what I can to promote crazy quilting this year!  Thearica at Pigtales and Quilts has a cyber show that features nothing but crazy quilts!  Can you imagine??  Sooo, in the spirit of thinking "outside the box", I decided to create some cq jewelry. This is just the beginning with more shapes coming! I used many batiks in the piecing along with dupioni silk. I hand dyed lace, used some silk ribbon on some pieces and used vintage buttons along with adding hand embroidery and a border of  beaded picot stitching on the edge of all the items to give them some extra pizazz! These items are light and fun to wear, quick to create and are wonderful accessories in your wardrobe! Here is a peek of one of the neckalaces! 

To participate in this contest, I needed to share a little about me.....  I live in Windsor in the beautiful state of Colorado!  I am in the northern portion of the state with wonderful views of the mountain range.  I can often see all the way south to Pikes Peak!!  Anyway,  I have been stitching since I was approximately 5 or 6.  I dabbled in many types of needlework, always LOVING embroidery, was a member of EGA for several years and then saw Judith Baker Montano's work and was hooked on cq and have been "crazy" ever since!  VBG!! I entered my first contest at a local quilt store with my art bra and won!!  I created an online cq group for Colorado residents, helped found a cq group, Rocky Mountain Crazy Quilters in Denver and was a co-owner of a large international crazy quilt cyber group for many years!

At CQI, I participated in round robins, swaps, coordinated the yearly retreat along with charity work for breast cancer and later for Japan  In reflection,.  I have done quite a bit of charity work, with first venture being to create a block for the "All That Jazz" project.  Quilts were created from donated blocks and auctioned off with the proceeds going to helping those affected in New Orleans by the hurricane.

I also created several blocks for the Art Bra Quilts that were placed in breast cancer facilities to pay homage to our "sisters" battling with this awful disease.

The very first actual large bed size crazy quilts I have ever made were for the Making Memories organization and were displayed in the International Quilt Festival in Houston.  For this, a number of memvbers of an online crazy quilting group CQI, created a block with wedding dress materials and then embellished them within the specified color parameters.   

In the following years, I made several more collaborative, smaller quilts that were auctioned off for breast cancer and then this past year completed 20 quilts for the Hearts and Hands For Sendai project.  A few are featured here!!

I have completed several wall hanging size quilts comprised of blocks from round robin's.  This one being a favorite of mine!

So, my passion continues as I develop my embroidery and design skills!  I have moved on to create my own international cq group and am entering four quilt shows this year and hope that in this small way I will help to further exposure for crazy quilting!!  Be sure to stop by Pigtales and Quilts to see what others are up to!  I hope you enjoyed your visit!

UFO Complete

joeys tie quilt, a photo by Pinyon Creek Stitchin' on Flickr.

I have just completed this quilt, approx 50 x 70, for my grandson. It is made entirely of ties. My children had received similar quilts made by a great grandmother so I thought I would continue the tradition! It will be winging its way to Florida tomorrow!

Outlandish Stitching

I have finally finished Janets Outlander block!  I tried to re-create Craig Na Dunh (sp?) from the book!  I hope you like what i've done Janet!  This rr is definately challenging me!!  :)

FFT 18

This is Susan Richards block in the FFT 18 rr.  I have again done the work of two on the block.  I was allllll over the place trying to fill in spots!  I hope you enjoy, Susan!

January CQJP

This is my TAST for the first week of January 2012 along with my block for CQJP for January!  It is fun to play around with the variations on the fly stitch!!  Here is another pic for TAST as well.

And Sew It Is Christmas

I have been busy stitching away!  This is Lorries block from the And Sew It Is Christmas rr at wwcq.  I was the first person and stitched for myself and another in the rr who is working through some problems at the moment.  Enjoy, Lorrie!!

Thoughts

Ramblings....  If reading about my thoughts sounds too depressing, please just go on to the next blog.  I'm sharing my feelings.  Thats all.   These last few years have been a struggle for my husband and I.  One employer choose to not pay its employees (we've not ever recouped those funds despite pursuing them through legal channels) another employer went into bankruptcy owing salaries, the courts paid the attorneys instead...then  16 months of no employment.  Hard times,  but hopefully things will begin to ease now that he has a permanent job.  It is a wicked economy, made very difficult for his field of expertise, which is construction.   Anyway.......that on top of some other losses this last year  has put me into a strange funk, aka as depression, not unlike many other folks I know.  I wanted to chat about some of my feelings here.

 I coordinated the Hearts and Hands for Sendai project which resulted in 20 quilts being donated to Hideko Ishida so that she could utilize them for fund raising purposes for the children affected by the tsunami and earth quake along with showing the worldwide friendship we have with her through crazy quilting. An article was even written up on this project in the Grand Junction, CO newspaper thanks to Janet Popish sending a tip!!  I had thought that this was a wonderful testament to cq and friendship......now I don't know.

Why the funk, you ask?  (probably not....but I am rambling on my own blog.....)  :)  I have been accused of  mishandling funds within ICQA, which is an unincorporated non-profit, created by myself with the hopes that it would some day rival AQS.  This puts the "business" in a privately held status.  It  has no public reporting responisibilities/obligations and is considered a private company as  no non-profit paperwork has been generated.  It is my understanding that it needs to have income to move forward with filings?  I don't know.   Anyway,back to the story,  these accusations have hurt more deeply than anyone can know and friendships have been sadly affected. Yes, I understand that i'm not the only one hurting so I don't need reminding. I read that one CQI member was so upset that she thought she would give up cq altogether. That would have been a HUGE loss as she is very talented and it hurt my heart to think of her pain caused by all this. All that said.....back to the story again....no fund raising, specifically for ICQA has occurred and the funds that were in the account were obtained through small silent auctions of donated items and were designated as scholarship monies for members of CQI to attend the annual retreat. $1600 had accumulated. The bank acxount itself,was also used as a clearing house to offer group buys for lace, charms, silk ribbon, etc. for members of CQI.   I had received no complaints whatsoever.   I put together the annual retreat for 2011 in Estes Park, CO.    It was the best yet as far as facility, organization, etc. and I was unable to participate as much as planned due to last minute family obligations. Apparently folks were unhappy with something at the retreat and felt overcharged or something. I have no clue.  The cost for the retreat for five days, was $540.00 for five nights and four days. We had two teachers, one of national repute, a HUGE facility and food a plenty that I had prepared in advance (the remaining food was taken home by some CQI members).  Three attendees were paid for by the scholarship fund.  Based on the figures stated above, anyone can do the math.  Once everyone got home, accusations began.  I was completely blind sided.   I was not ever consulted privately and had NO idea anything was wrong.  Everything happened in a very public way and I have felt completely humiliated.  My instincts have been to crawl back into myself and go into protection mode.  I had a childhood that has colored my responses as an adult and this is my way of coping. Its not the best way to handle things maybe....but it is the only way I know how to cope.  Anyway.....I have been completely quiet as there is nothing more to say.  I am mourning the losses of friends and much more.   I have done nothing wrong except give my heart and soul to a group that has ripped me apart.  The group experienced damage as well, I am well aware of that.  Nothing happens in this world that doesn't have an effect on something else.  The bank account was closed after forwarding the remaining funds comprised of left over retreat monies and  donations  that came in with the H & H blocks in the amount of $1500.00 to Hideko Ishida for her use for the tsunami victims. There are no other monies.  I've wondered, privately, if folks for some odd reason, think there is money enough that i've taken a trip to Tahaiti or something!!  LOL!!  I'm trying to lighten things up by saying this even though I don't feel it in my heart of hearts. I feel nothing but sadness right now.  I am not an accountant.  I cannot produce certified, financial documents even if there was income to produce one for. I cannot personally afford an accountant to conjure up some records to satisfy people. I have given a basic "accounting" of balances to no avail. It was considered a joke, but is all I am able to do.   Some folks continue to spread vitriol.  All I can ask, is why wasn't I questioned privately??  Why?  What has been gained from all of this besides hurt feelings?  I wrote this only to clarify my position.  I do not wish to stir up bad feelings and certainly do not want a continuance of vitriolic accusations.  I would like to simply disappear from the face of the earth.....yes.....that is the depression talking. This too shall pass.  Until next time....... maybe.....maybe not.

Little Golden Treasures

Introducing Kara!  Our newest addition!  We had to find another home for Sophie (aka Zipper) as there were serious personality problems with the other four leggeds.  Once gone, Mairin was missing a playmate so after thought.....we came home with Ms. Kara.  She is a little golden red spitfire that keeps ALL of us on our toes!!  She and Mairin will be tremendous friends! 

TAST

I decided to try out TAST this year!  I will work it into a project that will serve several purposes I hope!!!  This will be a fun year!  :)

Hearts and Hanjds For Sendai

The project for Hideko Ishida, a friend in Sendai, Japan, is now complete.  I have confirmation that the 20 quilts made from blocks contributed by friends all around the world, have arrived safe and sound to Hideko.  A dontaion has also been made to Hideko for use in a charity of her choosing in the amount of $1500.00 after expenses.  Thanks go out to all who have contributed.  I am looking forward to hearing about their showing in the Tagawa Internation Quilt Festival!  It is my hope that they create quite a stir for crazy quilting as well as showing the love and friendship that are stitched in each quilt.  Now I will move onto to new projects with my group, World Wide Crazy Quilters.  Thank you everyone for sharing yourself with this project

PHEW!!!!

A HUGE relief to have all of the quilts from the Hearts and Hands for Sendai project DONE!!!!  YEAHHH.    This is one of twenty quilts that I put together.  All of the quilts can be viewed here.  Enjoy the eyecandy!

Tatting Kit Tookit

Tatted Treasures is having a wonderful give away for a beginners tatting
toolkit!  Check it out here to enter!!
http://www.tattedtreasures.com/2011/08/tatting-toolkit-giveaway/

Good luck!  :)

Hugs.....Leslie

UFO completions!

I haven't posted in a veryyyy long time.  I have been busy stitching and

trying to get some things accomplished on top of the usual warm weather   

activities! Without further delay....... here they are!!!

This project was started last year when I took a class with Cindy Brick!  I "HAD" to have one of my trees on it!!  LOL!! 

This is from a Jewels on Black rr years ago.  The stitchers were Hideko, Jo, Sossity and Lou Anne!  Isn't it GORGEOUS?

This is a monthly challenge from a group now gone.... Fairy Goddess Mothers.  This one is for the month of January! 
The next two items were made by my grandmother in law years ago for my daughter.  There were areas that needed repairing, etc.  This is the projess with them.  There is still some embroidery to be done and adding fans in the corners.  Hopefully they will look good when i'm done!  :)

I hope you enjoyed my little cq contribution for the month!  :)

I am re-posting a reminder about our 4th Annual Sept. Stitch Shenanigans crazy quilt retreat! We are accepting deposits now to hold your spot!!! This promises to be a very fun time! 

2011 September Stitch Shenanigans

Where: Estes Park, Colorado

When: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 5:00 PM to Monday, September 26 at 11:00 AM

Please join us for our FOURTH ANNUAL CQI crazy quilted gathering!! This year is jam packed with

teachers Martha Green (Carny Roadside Attraction School of Crazy Quilting) and Gerry Krueger, a

vendor mall, mini tutorials and CQ fun! A sampling of past activities includes Chinese Auction, Stash

dash, Ugly Tie Swap along with a variety of mini tutorials and LOTS of technique shared amongst the

members!! Approximate costs are $255 for lodging, $100 for food and $100 for our teachers and of

course shopping funds! Spaces are limited, so be sure to make YOUR reservation now!!! Day rates are

available for those wishing to attend a class only.

For more information, please contact Leslie Ehrlich at pinyoncreekq@q.com

Hearts and Hands For Sendai

As a refresher to folks, as we are a little over a month away from our deadline.  I have started a project, named Hearts and Hands For Sendai! The purpose is to open this project up to the quilting community at large and have blocks made in any quilting medium. These blocks will then be assembled into wall hangings and sent to Japan to be displayed in the International Quilt Show in coordination with Patchwork Tsushin as a fund raiser when viewed. I have created a logo, such as my first attempt with photoshop goes, and anyone is welcome to use the logo to advertise this project on their own blog or in their own quilt organization. I greatly appreciate everyones participation in this event! If you have any questions about this project or would like to participate, please contact me at pinyoncreekq@q.com .