August Finish A New Quilt for Riddick

I finally finished Riddicks quilt for my August finish and made some pics after washing and drying. It turned out really cute. I am so used to hand quilting and doing this one by machine has been a real learning curve for me. It was a lot harder to move around than I thought it would be. It seemed to drag from the weight I guess. Anyhow, I finally got it finished and now my arms are really sore! But it was worth it as it was a great practice piece for me. I have been doing mini quilts on the machine but this one is baby size and took more effort on my part. I think I did pretty good. I am working my way up to full size by machine. Although there will be some that I will always do by hand, I do want to be able to machine quilt really well. That way I can quilt quickly if need be and still have one in the frames as a slow work in progress. I love to hand quilt as it is so relaxing. Anyhow, here are a couple of pics.
For those of you who do not know who Riddick is here is a pic of him being studious!lol He is such a sweet, sweet boy. My constant companion and joyful little friend.

Anyhow, he was very happy to get his new quilt. Dachshunds love to tunnel and hide themselves in cover. Now he can be all cozy with his quilt.

New Swap

Hi everyone, I have joined a new swap over at Jenny's you can find her here http://elefantz.blogspot.com to join. Sign ups will close on Sep. 4th will a mail out date of Sep. 25th. You are making a small mug mat and a mug hug. They are small and simple to make. So go on over and sign up if you want to join in on some more fun. I am already making mine. Also these would make great gifts.

Later,
Wendy

Nina in Norway is having a blogversary

Hi everyone, Nina over at www.ninainnorway.blogspot.com is having her third yr. blogversary. Go on over and wish her a happy one and sign up for her giveaway. While there have a look see at her blog and all she has to offer.
Happy Stitching,
Wendy

WIP

This post may look hodge podge to everyone, but I promise it was blogger and not me!!!!lol. I sometimes hate to try and post because it is such a chore. Today is one of those times. Maybe I will have better luck tomorrow. I am now through with my rant!!!!!! On to the good stuff......

Below is the flannel fabric that I am working on a raggy quilt for the new baby that my daughter Frostie is expecting Feb. 12th. We could have a Valentine baby if it comes around her due date. Her birthday is the 5th of Feb, so I hope she misses that date so they can have separate birthdays. She is high risk, so we are praying for a healthy and on time baby.

These are the first four blocks put together on the first raggy quilt for the new baby. I am trying to do non-gender specific quilts for now. And do one specifically for the baby when we find out if Frostie is having a girl or boy.

Are these not lovely! I love the tee pee as it reminds me of my 5th great-grandmother she was an Blackfoot Indian princess. These are some recent acquisitions from swaps that I have been in. I love to collect post cards. If anyone would like to swap one to one just email me at stitchduchess2@yahoo.com and I will swap with you.



I decided to post some pics of the post cards that are in progress. These will be sent out at the end of the week. Also I am having to redo two that never arrived to their destinations. That happens sometimes, more often believe it or not it is when I mail to Canada. Of course I have had it to happen to other places, but Canada is the one most often to not reach its destination. So, that leads me to believe that someone on this side or that side of the border likes the post cards that I send. Anyhow, these are the ones that are on my work table at the moment. The fuzzy thread will go around the edge when finished. These first two are the remakes. The thread to the side will go around the outer edge of the finished card.

The bear starts the new sets of post cards that are in process. I just love this bear.

These are going to be so cool when finished. I am going to put black eyelash yarn for the mane and around the finished edge of these.

Another set of zebra.....I love the way these look on this fabric. I actually cut the image out of a different fabric and then zigzagged around the edge.
The last of the zebras. Although I am going to have to make one for me to keep since I like them so much

I get so irritated with blogger sometimes. I can't get my pics to move like I want them today!Arg..................Anyhow, these are some post cards that I have received lately the rest are at the top of the post because blogger would not let me move them down here. These are also very lovely cards.

I have more that I need to post but will wait for another day since blogger does not want to be nice today! Anyhow, I need to get back to work on some more projects.Will be posting pics soon of those. One is the mini summer quilt, but with blogger messing with me today I will wait to post those.

Happy Stitching Everyone,

Wendy

A Fun Drawing

Pat Winters is having a fun drawing for this cute little bird nest necklace. Go on over to her blog and leave a comment on that particular post. You have to scroll down to find it, but she will be drawing the winner on this coming Sat. So you still have time to enter. You can go here: http://www.gatherings100.blogspot.com/ and leave her a comment. Please do not copy this photo as it belongs to Pat Winter.

Edited: I don't know what happened with the link above but it was not working properly. I have now fixed the problem and am so sorry for the inconvenience it may have caused anyone. It now works like it should.

Wendy

Another Project In My Future

Well I have finally gotten around to actually making a Dear Jane quilt. This one is being done as a block of the month. The thing I really like about it is it is going to be in bright rainbow colors! Colors that I really like. And it being a block of the month makes it doable for me. I will receive fabric and directions for 10 blocks each month starting in October and it is a 24 month bom. Which is good for me, surely I will be able to do 10 blocks a month. Then at the end of 24 months I will have a completed Dear Jane quilt. I am so excited about this. If anyone wants to make this rainbow Jane you need to go on over to www.twiddletails.com and sign up. Sign ups for this particular bom is very limited due to the color scheme. Or you can click the button on my sidebar to go and sign up. This is going to be a fun and wonderful quilt when finished. I just wanted to give those who have been sitting on the fence like me a chance to sign up and go for it. I have wanted to do one of these for the longest time so I am going to take the plunge.

On another note, thank you to all who have commented on my back with well wishes. It is getting better. I am doing some yoga and pilates and it is helping. Also, thank each of you for your kind words about my work. I don't always take the time to answer all the comments, but I do read them and thank each of you in turn for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit here and leave such nice comments. If you ask a question I do try and answer so come back and check it out often to find your answer.

I don't have any pics today but I am working on a few things. I found out I was going to be a gran again from my oldest daughter with her due date being 12th of Feb. I am working on a baby quilt for her now as I want to make more than one. I will post pics soon of the one I am working on. It is a raggy quilt (the first one I have made like this) and is Winnie the Pooh theme since that is what she is doing for the nursery. This one is made of all flanels of some pooh fabric that I have had for a few yrs. The next one will be Pooh themed also, but out of 100% cotton fabrics. I am trying to decide on a design for this one. I am thinking on fussy cutting the characters so I may use stars or churn dash to showcase them. I will try and post pics of the fabric later on today if I have time.
Happy Stitching Everyone,
Wendy

A little updating

OK so everyone knows that when you sign up for a swap you never know what you are going to receive. Especially if it is a secret swap. Well I am in the Good Ol Summertime Mini Quilt Swap over on http://www.quiltinggallery.com/ . My swap partner has finished and sent my quilt out. It arrived in yesterdays mail! Talk about being surprised. WOW, I was so happy when I opened the package and pulled out this little quilt. It is absolutely gorgeous! Its a mermaid quilt! I love mermaids (so does my dd Bliss)......I will probably have to keep an eye on this one as she will want to take it from me!lol. Anyhow, my partner is Ann from WV and she has done an absolute wonderful job on this little quilt. I had looked at the flicker site just yesterday morning and seen this little quilt and thought what a beautiful and fun quilt. Now its all mine and I am absolutely in love with! Thank you very much Ann you have gave me a treasure! Now I just need to hang it.




Now I must finish up my little quilt. The deadline to have them made and in the mail is September 21st, 2009. I should have mine completed over this next week or so and will post pics of my work then.

I have been in a couple of pc swaps and these are some of the post cards that I have sent out. These are for a separate swap:

This is set 1:

This is set 2:

This is set 3:

I love making and sending out post cards. They are quick little pieces of art and are so much fun to send out in the mail. I will post pics of my received cars when camera battery is charged again.

I feel like I am forgetting something but if I am I will post about it next time. Until next time Happy Stitching,

Wendy

Jo's having a giveaway!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to tell you about a great giveaway that is going on right now. Jo over on her blog which is found here www.nzjo.blogspot.com . I have been following her for a couple of yrs. now and I enjoy seeing all her fabulous work. She is a very talented needle artist. She makes the most amazing bags and pin cushions. You should go on over and check out her blog.

She also has an etsy shop that you should check out. She sells bags, stockings and of course her fabulous pin cushions. Go here: www.nzjo.etsy.com


She also has an etsy shop for vinatage goodies that are oh so yummy! You can find all of them here: www.VintageVices.etsy.com

Go on over and check out her sites and while there you may decide to buy one of her creations or maybe her book of seam treatments.

Wendy

The Next Block In The Black/White RR and Some Sad News

First my sad news, a friend of mine in TX passed away on Tuesday evening leaving behind a 16yr. old son and loving family. For all who knew Gail, she will be missed deeply. She was an inspiration and blessing to all those whom she knew. My life was touched by knowing her. Please keep the White family in your prayers during this hard time.

The next block I had was Nancy's block in the Black/White RR over on CQI. This little block had 10 seams and the patches were small so I decided to do seam treatments only. I think it turned out nicely as the patches were too small for motifs to look good with all the seams completed. I did however do one black ribbon rose on one center patch. I hope Nancy will like what I have done.

1. Diamond shape done in outline stitch with beading and sequins with straight stitch fans
2. Cretan stitch with detached chain 3. Double herringbone 4. Ribbon Flowers on white lace 5. Detached chain 6. Buttonhole stitch with beading 7. Sheaf stitch 8. Zig Zag chain stitch with straight stitch and french knots 9. Beaded feather stitch 10. Ric Rac seam with beading and sequins on upper seam. Lower seam detached chain 11. Black silk ribbon flower on patch

This block was a challenge as it was wonky, but I think it turned out really nice for Nancy. There is a lot of seams for such a small block and I think it works with just the seams being embellished and not patches. Hope you like it Nancy.

Now to work on my next Flower Fairy block which is one of my favorites as it is the Apple Blossom Fairy! I already have in mind how I will do this next block.

On another note, my back is better but I am not pain free. I am trying to lay down several times during the day when possible to help. It seems to be better when I do this. It is the nerve in my lower back that runs down the side of your hip. So I am learning to be careful and rest more. Which is very hard for me. Other than that I am getting along and trying to get my projects out as they come due. I have sent out a pin cushion swap and am getting a little concerned as I have not seen my partner post that she has received it as of yet. It went to Germany and I don't know how long that takes as I have not mailed there before. I am contacting the swap mom to see if she can find out since this is a secret swap. Hopefully I will know in a few days. Hope everyone is getting plenty of stitching time in. Happy Stitching, Wendy

A Quilt Giveaway

Marie over at http://marie-madelinestudio.typepad.com is having a drawing for a quilt. Today is the last day to sign up. So hurry on over and sign up for this wonderfully fun quilt.

Wendy

One more thing and I am gone for the night. Quilting Gallery www.quiltinggallery.com is having a bag swap so you should go on over and sign up for it. You can sign up until Aug. 20th 2009. Mail out day for the bag is October 6th. Your partners information will be sent to you on Aug. 26th. So if you like bags go sign up for this one. It is for anyone who loves quilted bags and is an international swap so all are welcome. You don't have to ship international but you can if you like.
You can use the button on the right of my sidebar to go and sign up. Go on you know that you want to. Must have another great bag!

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Thrift Store Finds

Ok anyone who knows me knows I love thrift, antique and junk stores. I found these two items at the local thrift store this past sat. but I dont know what the second one is. Does anyone out there know? I was kind of leaning towards a vase but it does not really have room to put flowers in. Anyhow as I am stumped I would appreciate any info or insight to what this could be. I like it and will probably put peacock feathers in it.

The next one is a chese server in my favorite motif grapes of course.

Well that is all I have for now. My hip and lower back is throbbing and I am going to take a hot shower and stretch out for a while. Hope everyone has a good week.

Wendy

Feeling Some Better and an Update

Well I am feeling some better after having the nerve in my left hip give me fits over the last two weeks. Pain is still there but not as bad so hopefully it is getting better. I have no idea how it happened I just woke up with intense pain and having to walk bent over a bit. Anyhow, I am feeling some better and I have been able to stitch some. I have made 25 post cards and they will be mailed out tomorrow. I have stitched another rr block and have pics of it as well. It is the first block in the flower fairy rr that I am in over on CQI. I will post pics of the pcs after they have been received by their new owners. Here is pics of Ritvas block:Here are some closeups of the work I did on her block:
Now the next one is a pic of the spiderweb that I did:The next one I have no idea why these are to the side instead of in the middle. Oh well:

Here is the next pic:

ok blogger is just crazy tonight but that is ok I only have two more of these to go:

The Next Block In The Black/White RR

The next block that I have worked on is Skyes block and I am now finished with it and ready to mail it out to Simona. I enjoyed working on this block and hope that Skye likes what I have accomplished on this block. The following is a list of what I placed on this block.

1. lace heart with silver laugh charm


2. beaded ribbon in black


3. chain stitched half circles with chain stitched flower center with knotted straight stitch


4. Knotted herringbone stitch


5. feather stitch


6. white silk flowers on two patches


7. white silk beaded dragonfly


8. buttonhole seam


9. detached chain seam in zig zag formation with straight stitch


10. ric rac with french knots and detached chain flowers


11. ribbon with beaded seam treatment in pearl beading and black.


12. paisley motif in outline stitch, detached chain and the center done in lacework

This block was a lot of fun to work on and I experimented with the paisley. I like how the center lacework turned out on this motif. Working in just a few colors really challenges your ability to work new ideas into a block. I am being stretched in this rr and loving it. I am trying new techniques with each one. All these blocks have a look of elegance about them due to the color theme. I can't wait to see mine! Happy Stitching Everyone,

Wendy

Art Quilt for Micki

Here is a pic of Micki's art quilt that she won in my giveaway. this is a rough pic of the unfinished quilt. I still had not trimmed it to size or put the binding on as of this pic. She wanted a pic to put on her blog so I am posting this for her. The quilt is now finished and on its way to her even as I type this. I would have posted sooner but had a migraine and could not function enough to take and place photos. I also did not take a finished pic for the same reason and will get Micki to email me a finished pic when she makes one for her blog. I am new to the art quilts and am really just exploring the different techniques that I have wanted to try for some time. I enjoyed working on this one and hope that Micki will enjoy having it in her home. I am going to do another giveaway in about three months so keep checking back, who knows you may win the next one.

I had two winners, now I need to finish up the second gift and send it off to Kerry. Hopefully I will have hers finished this week as I am feeling more like myself. Happy Stitching,

Wendy

Stitchers Angel 2009

I had so much fun last year that I decided to join again this year. My partner from last year was from Norway and I loved everything she made for me. I use them everyday in my stitching. So go on over to www.hugsandkisses.com and sign up. Or you can click the button on my sidebar to join. You will have great fun I promise. There are seven different designers over a seven week period who give of their talent and expertise by supplying free patterns for the projects. Of course you don't have to use their patterns, but you will want to as they are so nice. So go on over and sign up and meet someone new! Most of all have fun.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Black/White RR Block

This is a photo of the Black/White block that I have completed for Rita in the rr that we are in together over on CQI. We each finish a complete block for each person in the group. I enjoyed working on her block very much and hope she likes what I have created for her.

This is a list of what I did on her block.

1. gathered flowers in vintage trim patch
2. lace heart with beads patch
3. lace work in fly stitch
4. paisley with doodle patch
5. herringbone stitch with detached chain and french knots
6. knotted herringbone
7. glass butterfly with beaded flowers patch
8. zig zag chain stitch seam
9. doodle patch
10. silver butterfly above knotted herringbone

This was fun to do and I have enjoyed myself greatly.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Wendy

My ATG RR Block is Home!

I just finished a RR over on CQI and my block is now home. Thought I would post a few pics of it. It is absolutely gorgeous. The ladies Ati, Gerry K, Lisa and Meg who worked on the block did an excellent job. I am so pleased with it. Now to finish the other five in the set and I can get my wall hanging up.This is the close up of the whole block. The rest are closeups of each area on the block. Enjoy!


I am so glad that my block is home and now I can hopefully get the wallhanging finished very soon. Again thank you ladies who worked on my block to make it so gorgeous!

Wendy

Flower Fairy Blocks

I finally was able to upload my pics of my "Flower Fairy" blocks for the new round robin that I am in on CQI group. These blocks will measure 6x6 when completed, I always make mine a little bigger so they can shrink with embellishments and still give me a 6inch block when done. In this rr there are six of us in the group. We send out six blocks and each person then completely embellishes the block they choose. The last block comes back to me and I will finish it. I have three more that I will be embellishing while these are gone. My wall hanging will have a total of nine blocks when finished. I am looking forward to working on the other blocks in this rr. This is going to be so much fun. This is a pic of all of them so far. I have also uploaded singles of each one.
This is block 1

This is block 2

This is block 3
This is block 4
This is block 5

And this is block 6 and he is the only boy fairy in this group.
I think they are all so cute and will make a lovely little wall hanging when finished. Thats all for today. Happy Stitching everyone.

Wendy

Happy Fourth of July and the Winner Is!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone I hope you are having a wonderful, safe and fun 4th of July as we are in in the south. Happy Birthday America! I just love to celebrate the freedom that we have in our beloved country. We truly have a lot to be thankful for as we celebrate what we normally take for granted. I am so thankful to be an American, and to all those men and women who serve our country sometimes paying the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, I say a heartfelt thank you! Thank you to my dad who served his country as a young man. Thank you God for giving us a wonderful free country in which to live our lives as we choose.

Happy Fourth of July America!

Now on to what I know everyone wants to know.............the winner of my blogversary of course! OK I took all the names and put the amount of times for entry by each name. Then I totaled them all as I went to each name and placed a number beside each name. Then I took the total count and put it in a random generator and came up with the winners........yes I said winners. I decided that since we are also celebrating our countries freedom today that I would do a second draw for a smaller surprise gift. So are you ready?????????? Okay the lucky winner is.............................................................................................................................................. are you sure you want to know? Just kidding, the winner of the art quilt is Micki her numbers were 498 thru 524 and the generated number was 510. So congrats Micki on your win. Email me privately with snail mail and I will get your mini quilt out to you asap. Now ready for the next winners name...........get ready here it comes................give a big hand to Kerry of kerrykatiekakes as she is the second winner, her numbers were 114 thru 174 and her winning number was 130. Kerry please email me with your snail mail and I will get your surprise out in the mail asap. Congrats to both ladies who won and thank you to all ladies who left a comment and signed up to follow. I will be having future draws so be on the lookout for them. And as always, Happy Stitching,

Wendy

A Note About My Blogversary Drawing

Hi everyone, I have decided to extend the drawing for my blogsversary until Friday afternoon at 5pm central time. I will draw the name and post it at that time. Good luck to all those who have signed up and if you have been sitting on the fence, you now how until Friday July 3rd to leave your comment.

Wendy

A Small ArtQuilt

Just thought I would post a pic of a small artquilt that I am working on. The main work is finished now all I need to do is the embellishments on this one and put the backing and binding on. I am very pleased so far with the turnout of this little quilt. I will definately be making more of these. And of course as you can see it is made out of batiks which are my favorite! Now to go digging around for the embellishments. Here are a couple of pics before the embellishments are in place.This pic is a little bit darker and shows the browns a little better. The colors are really deep and vibrant.

So far I really like how it is shaping up. Of course it will be much better with the embellishments! We spent the day with our middle daughter Bliss who turned 19 on Saturday. We went to a chinese restruant to eat and then to the movies. We had a lovely time and I will be doing her desert when she decides what she wants. All in all it was a great weekend. We did hit the thrift stores, and I found a wonderful peacock to add to my growing collection. Ok I don't know what bloggers problem is, but it will not let me put my photo of the peacock down here where it goes. So will leave it up top for now and move it later on.

Finally I was able to move this peacock pic down here where he belongs!

Wendy