Second Post: Crafty Update

This is my little bag from the "Friendship Bag" swap over on Quilting Gallery. Isn't it lovely! I just love it. It came all the way from Italy. My swap partner was Claudia. I love the fabric she used in the little bag. The colors are so yummy and the inside lining has little birds on it. So cute! These are the neatest little bags and will make great Christmas gifties as they are so easy and quick to sew up. I am going to be making some this year.

My swap partner also sent me a cute pin cushion to match with these lovely butterfly pins. There was a pretty purple one but my lovely daughter Bliss took it! She said I could share the wealth!lol. A few posts ago I showed the little bag that I sent to my partner. Thank you so much Claudia. These little gifties are so timely for me since it has been a stressful month they have added a little sunshine to my day!

I received this swap item in the mail last week. It is my mug hug swap. My partner was Jeanette from New Zealand. She should be getting hers soon also, until then I cannot post a pic of what I sent. This was a fun swap consisting of a coaster and cup/mug hugger. These would make great little Christmas gifties.
This is the full shot of both trees that I put on Beth's block. I was in a Fantasy Landscape RR on CQFN until my mom had her stroke. I dropped out because I did not know if I could keep up my end on time because at the time we did not know how bad my mom was. This is the work I did for Beth and the only block I got to work on. Hopefully next time I can join them again. I enjoyed working on Beth's block as her theme was Bridge to Teribithia and she said it would be a good block for trees. Hope she likes what I did to her block.
This is a willow tree. I had fun making this one. I just love willows, my mom has one out back at her house that is just lovely.
This is a type of pine tree I did for Beth's block
I have received my block back from the group today. Janet and Lesa have worked on my block and I will post pics of it later. The camera battery is charging. I will finish this block on my own since I had to drop out of the RR.

I also had to drop out of the Winter/Christmas 2 RR on CQI when all this happened. I did not even get to mail out my blocks on this one. I am going to work on them myself. I have decided to work on them each week when I take mom for her Dr.'s appt. Since she has to go weekly it will be time well spent stitching for me. I should be able to finish them soon. I will post pics of those later also. They are so cute. I used some penguin fabric I had and did a winter theme.

Again a big thank you for those who have been sending up prayers for my mom. God has answered and been so good to us.

Until next time,

Happy Stitching

Wendy

Just a Quick Update

Hi everyone, first let me thank each and everyone who has sent up a prayer for my mom. We so appreciate it. God has been good to us and has answered so many prayers since moms stroke. She is much better and everyday there is improvement. The stroke specialist said the type of stroke she had is not fatal and that she will totally recover. Praise God for that! He is so faithful! Her Dr. said that a small blood clot left her heart and caused the stroke which affected her left side. They have placed her on blood thinners and are hopeful that she will not have anymore. When she had her heart surgeries 2yrs. ago they did not feel she needed to be on any blood thinners. But, since this bloodclot left her heart they have decided it is time to put her on them. It has taken a while to regulate her meds and may take a little longer. Her blood check today said it was too thin, so we are still in the adjustment stage. She will have to have her blood checked on a weekly basis but this is a small thing considering what it could have been. She is feeling much stronger each and every day. She has seen a physical and occupational therapist and they have given her the green light. And we are so blessed to have her with us. She has had heart problems since she was 14 and she is now 75yrs. young! And has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure 2yrs. ago. So for us each day with her is more precious than the previous day. We just trust God to take care of her through the good and the bad. She has all the use of her left leg again and is gaining strength daily. Still a little wobbly but doing good considering she couldn't move it at all last week! She told me today she was ready to start quilting again as she has a quilt in frames she was working on when this happened. She has pieced 7 quilts over the summer and is quilting them for Christmas gifts for each of her grandchildren. I have volunteered to help her bind them as she wants to do all the quilting and she is determined to get them all done. Please continue to pray for her that her strength will return full force. As for me........I am tired but ok. I have had to rearrange a few things but other than that all is well on my end. Again thank you for praying for my mom.

Wendy

Prayers Needed

Hi everyone, just a quick note to update and ask those who pray to please pray for my mom as she has had a stroke. That is the reason my blog has been so quiet. I have not had time to update and post. I have swap updates and other items that I will update on soon. I have mailed out most all swaps except my post cards and they will be a little late. Please bear with me on these. I will post again when I can to update on projects and my mom. I am working on RR hand projects while with her and will mail them out when due. I will be back with updates when I can. Thank you in advance for all your prayers for my mom. Her name is Marie and we appreciate the prayers. We are trusting God for full recovery.

Keep Stitching,
Wendy

Free Motion Quilting

Okay if you are a sane/traditional quilter you need to go and check out Leah's blog you can fine her here: http://www.365daysoffreemotionquilting.blogspot.com She is doing 365 days of free motion quilting. Everyday she is doing a new design for the whole year and she is up to day 52 I believe. I hit it everyday to see what she is doing and then I am going to do a 5" practice square to familiarize myself with the stitch. This is going to be fun. I will be posting my little challenges on my blog as I get them done. But I will have to play catch up since she is now on day 52. I think I will do the current day and one of the previous days until I catch up with her. I think that would make it easy for me to catch up with her. So.......if you are a sane quilter you should pay her a visit and see what she has to offer. So far she has had some great filler stitches.
Happy Stitching,
Wendy

I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to post this as I just found out that I won one of the Under The Gum Trees drawings. I won Cheryl of Willowberry Designs drawing! I am doing the happy dance. I love her work, you need to go over there and check out her blog! While there look at her patterns and such, she is a great designer. You can find her here: http://www.willowberrydesigns.typepad.com/
Now all I have to do is wait patiently for it to arrive across the pond.............patiently wait.........lol


Toodles,
Wendy doing the happy dance!!

Whew How Time Flies!

Okay, I have been working on something and here is a sneak peek. Can't show it all to you as it is a giftie for someone. When they receive it I will post a full pic of it then. As you can see from this post I have been busy although not with posting. Sorry about that but my time has really been crunched with working on several projects with deadlines and doing some remakes on others. Add dr. appts, sitting at hospital and just doing regular family stuff and you will see why I have not been posting. Although I have been busy. I have several more projects finishing up and when they arrive at their destinations I will post pics of them here. In the meantime, I will have other items to post about.


This is the quilt I made for the "Good Ol Summertime" mini quilt swap over on Quilting Gallery. I hope my swap partner likes what I have made her. The lines you see is not thread but the binding pinned in place before it was sewn down. This was a fun little quilt to do and I enjoyed making it.



This is the bag I made for the "Friendship Bag" swap over on Quilting Gallery. I did mine in black and white as that seems to be really popular right now. It was fun and quick. I will be making more of these for gifties at Christmas.

The inside of the bag. I love this fabric and I think I will make myself a larger bag with some of the black/white I have been buying for my stash.
This is what I put inside of the bag. Some moda fat quarters and enough black/white squares to make a mini quilt with if she likes.

This is the next Flower Fairy block I had worked on. I did do more work on it, but forgot to take another pic. Anyhow, this is some of what I did to this block. I just love her sitting in the tree amid the blossoms.
I had been seeing these spools all over blogland and really wanted some of them. Well I hit the sweeps on these babies! I purchased 15 of these at the thrift store for $5.oo. I hope that was a good buy, if not I still wanted them enough to purchase them. I do feel like I got them for a great bargain and I will be looking out for more. I plan to put my lace and ric rac on them. Maybe if I do that it will stay neater in the bins or I may display them in a glass jar or in this wooden bowl after I paint it.
Well hope everyone has a great rest of the week. By the by does anyone know what the above spools were actually used for? Just curious.

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

A Giveaway from "Our Cozy Nest"

Nicole over at www.cozynest.blogspot.com is having a wonderful giveaway. You need to go on over and sign up by leaving a comment. You can earn more than one entry if you follow the rules. So hurry this ends on Monday and you still have time.

Need more incentive? She is giving away a charm pack from Moda called "Hushabye" by Tula Pink. This fabric is awesome, so go on over and enjoy the fun!

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Something I Have Been Working On

This is a little project that I have been working on for someone and it is now ready to be quilted. I call it Lilly's Sunset. Now to quilt it and send it on to its new owner.

I found these great star bowls for .25 each that were left over from the 4th of July. I will be using them at Christmas to put candy and such in. Aren't they great I bought six of them to use for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

I am working on more items but cannot post pics as of yet. I also need to post pics of the last Flower Fairy block and will do that one day next week. I am caught up on everything finally and will have more pics to show when some packages arrive at their destinations. Have a good afternoon everyone.

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

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