Pam's Block

A cascade of vines, flowers and beads flow from one block into another to symbolize the flowers that drape the castles and beautiful homes in England and France










There was not a lot of room for a large heart so I sent a smaller one done in vintage braid and trimmed in vintage laces with beads and a beaded dangle from the bottom, allowing fabrics to show through. I also added a hand dyed rosette.





A lady in lavender with her bonnet decked out in flowers and a hand dyed trim was added. I allowed the trim to go into another block as I felt it was needed. A heart swings from the cockade at the top







A boquet was added so as the butterfly was headed in the right direction and to vintage flowers at that.

This is the final result on how I did what I refer to as a " French Plume ". I truly enjoyed this challenge.

Back in Creative Mode.

Above is a picture of the block in a beginner round robin or should I say renewal of stitching round robin as it arrived at my home.

I am the last to stitch on the block and the booklet that came with it said that I want this to remind me of my visits to France with my dh and his vintage car clubs.

Not ever wanting to see a seam unturned I have started to add to this block, which I assure you will be filled before it heads home.

I knew the centre was bothering my friend "Pam " and I thought long and hard before I tried a technique that I had seen in a Candace King book, where you pull the top wire of the wired ribbo and flip it back on itself to make a ruffled effect. Now I have tacked this down and added some dark french beads..............I also want to add a fluff of feather and a doughnut of purple to the base, but not sure how this will turn out, time will tell.


I also took a section at the top and did a fall bush as in the pictures my special friend has shared with me she has shown me beautiful bushes that hang down over buildings. Now the paillettes that are used in the flower part of the bushes is not that bright and brilliant, the camera just picked them up as such and they do blend in well with the rest of the blocks keeping a nice calm peachy tone to the setting.

I felt that being in France would provide me with an opportunity to put in a silk that I receieved in a squishie..........the lady is dressed in purple and has a hat with a pouff of feather on the top in purple, and I added the yellow/cream to this and tacked it down to swirl off of the block........it also has small beads added to this............more will be collaged at the top before it leaves.

The deep curved heart at the top appears to be vintage and it reminds me of France, with all of it's deep splendor and vintage laces and soutache and when completed it should be a heart filled with love.

Other odds and ends are scattered around. I have found this block to be a challenge as the tone was set by those before me with beautiful stitching and highlighted seams and there were none left for me so I chose to dress it up.

I will add a picture of where I am at now, and hopefully it will either stay as is, or change as time permits.

Thoughts from home.

Have taken some time off to regroup and reorganize and must admit it was a true inspiration to go to Pam Kellog's new style blog. I am one of her followers, she is one talented lady.

I am working on knitting socks and gettng ready to do a few Christmas items for around the house and for gifting.

I love this time of year as it brings out the love in all people.

I wish I knew what one could assembly line make with love for patients in a nursng home. I have a stack of home dec fabric that would make nice little pouches, but feel that no strings would be allowed on them. I want to do something special for all of them this year, but it may go as small as a card to all of them or wheelchair backpacks, depending on time.

More news soon.

Pictured above is my work done on Sherry's round robin block. I added an iridescent poinsettia to the centre of a green arc. I then added metallic braid and beads. I did a herringbone stitch around and stopped it with beads, I followed with a yli midnight base of Cretan stitches.

On the Candy cane I added a dimensional bow and put a spray of beads in the centre. I worked a seam along the side in feather stitch.

On the opposite side I did some rushed ribbon and overlapped it with bouquet's of beads in gold and green. I added the green with red thread so that they would show up more.

I then added a rusched green ribbon wreath and beaded size 15 seed beads for berries and added a large puff bow.

I could have gone on but there is not a lot of space for the next stitch er to work on this block so I will wrap it with love and mail it away. I love the challenge of working on a patterned background.

Our Aussie checking out the dahlias and roses for us.

What is left of my little rose bush and angel out front. We cut back the spirea tree to see if you can get better shaping.

A little bit of heaven outside my front window. Went out yesterday and tried to capture my clematis known as Autumn Glory in all it's beauty. Dh has trained this one himself and we started it from a little bulb. It is one of the few flowers left blooming in our garden out front.

Thoughts from my Studio

While reading the local newspaper this morning I saw the faces of three little children who gave their lives in combat that we might live. I say children as I cannot believe the youth that are serving our country, irregardless, of the circumstances, and to think they were soon to be coming home, seems like a nightmare rather than a news story.

I would love to open my newspaper just one day and read nothing but good news. The war is over and the troops are coming home, to all countries. People are learning to be able to survive on their own and have the freedom that a lot of us take for granted. Perhaps a side note would be that seniors would be given a raise in order that they can afford to live through our tough Canadian winters. I know at over a thousand dollars a drum to fill the oil tank it won't take long for Mother Nature to eat that up. So, what do they do, go without food or freeze.

I also perceive there is an election on the horizon, now that would be great news if all or even some of the major promises that were made were kept. Our schools, our health, our seniors, our planet all are being taken for granted.

On a happy note a special friend of mine has had her work accepted by a great Canadian magazine " A Needle Pulling Thread ", and I am so proud of her. I have watched her grow from when she was the infamous little beader to the now infamous silkribbon artist with beadwork as a highlight. Congratulations Marie...you are one special lady.

My fobs are done and in the mail

Above are four fobs that I have made. The one on the bottom with the mermaid beaded at the end is being sent away as a swap partner. Two of the others are going as gifts and one I gave to my special aunt, because she decided to visit me and asked what the beautiful ' fobs' were for, she remembered when they were used for watches. It is nice to have someone appreciate what one does.

One has a seashell on the end so that you can hear our oceans., one has a fairy on the bottom who is sitting in her glory, and the one with the falling heart is the one that my aunt chose. I truly enjoyed this challenge as I had never made a ' fob ' before.

Marian's Scissor fob/tassel arrived

The image here of the gorgeous scissor tassel does not do it justice. Marian has taken the time to weave size 11 seed beads in a herringbone pattern and added small white pearls to the centre of each. This is all formed over a gorgeous tassel with bright and metallic threads strung on a beautiful piece of gilded rose ribbon.

Hanging from the sides of the tassel are gorgeous bead swags with little hearts on each end. I am so proud to be the owner of this and what a ray of sunshine this has brought into my life today. Glad I entered this swap.

Above are two pictures of my work done on a section of Janet's gorgeous Christmas block in the FFT3 group on crazy quilting international. In the first one I chose to use a darker colour on the deep green and make a ' whispering pine at night '. I made long stems ( branches ) and then added the pines with three shades of green to a goldtoned marlit. I then added nighshades of pinecones using a metallic black to silver blending filament and needle lace technique. I had a little whisp of angora fall on the block at the same time I had a snowman in my hand so added him, but would not be offended if the swirling snow is removed.

I then chose to do one seam in red needlenecessities overdyed with a herringbone stitch. I went back in with a metallic red by dmc and then added mill hill beads to offset the fan shapes that were added. On the opposite side I used the same red and same coloured beads but did a feather stitch instead.

I then went up to a black section on the block and added a garland ( boquet ) of pointsettias using 4mm overdyed red silk ribbon and 7 mm green. I used a more bullion stitch daisy at the end of each side of the spray to make it look like they were tipped to the side. The cetnre was simply a japanese ribbon stitch. I filled the centre with teardrop beads in gold and clear. I then added some mill hill beads in antique white to offset the dark colours. I then rusched and beaded a gold ribbon and added this to finish the side of the seam that was not yet stitched in order to give it some fullness. I hope that Janet likes what I have done on her block.

Thinking.

Well, we are in the midst of replacing a bedroom so that dh's folks can come and visit more often and stay overnight. They are in a nursing home and the head nurse feels that it would do them a world of good to come out for a night every now and then.

I have been packing and moving boxes from one room into another as they sleep in two single beds. I overdid it today, but then it was a good day so I have not been stitching much this week. I will take a break until I get my room set up finally so that I can go in, close the door, and stitch to my little heart's content.

It has been overwhelming storing dd's and her dh's extra's, dh's folks extra's all in our home and then trying to make room for company and ourselves at the same time, but it does work, and I must admit forces one to purge what they are not working with and that is good.

Well off to grab a hot cup of tea and decide what to put on for supper, so that dh will not be totally floored when he comes in and finds the mattress and spring in the tv room waiting to be moved and a frame to come down............good will here we come. My white on white room is gone and I will miss it, but then I haven't been able to find it for some time now.

Reflection - Comfort Kitties

This morning while reading the newspaper I was overwhelmed by the story of the little oriental angel with the voice of a Madonna. I was upset that she was not allowed to perform her song in person and had to have a " prettier " person perform for her. I saw her picture and she is adorable. I also feel sad for the little girl who had to perform a lip sync that was second to none and now will be haunted with this for the rest of her life. She was not at fault.

It brings to mind that some people want to live in a so called " perfect " world. If it were so perfect we would not be at war, there would be no hospitals, no foster homes, no orphanage's, no neglected or abused children or adults. People would accept those who are challenged for who they are and not for who they appear to be. Sometimes it takes stories like this to bring the " lost soul " in all of us to the front and place he/she where they really belong.

I thought yesterday that today I was going to work on the " Comfort Kitties " as I had promised them to Pat some time ago. I was and still am waiting for the lady who needed at least six or more for some children she had sponsored in Africa. I would love to do them for these little abused children, it would make my heart feel so proud. I still have the little tags that Pat Winter's gave me to attach to them. Only difference is I won't make them until I hear from the lady on my blog who asked for the pattern. I cannot share this pattern as it is not my original. It is one that I am choosing to adapt and share in a loving way to bring comfort and joy to a cause that Pat Winter's has started and I enjoy making for.

I also have an " Izzy Doll " made for a child...........a little African child.........but there are not enough made yet to make a difference so they will be placed in the basket until more are made and that will be my fall knitting project. Look up Izzy Doll and feel proud.

The more I dig the more I find that need to be finished so I will have to put them into separate categories of importance to me., as I do want to do my Christmas wall quilt and finish some stockings that have been embellished but never put together as yet. Where does time go.

Hope these little labours of love inspire you to " pay it forward ".

Another Charity Finish

Art Bra Quilt Charity Block 2008

This is my block to date. There is still a lot of work to be done on it and seams to be embellished, but as my first love is silk ribbon embroidery I wanted to make sure that this block had more than it's share of this technique for a change.

This is a bower of roses and baby's breath that I created using different widths of silk ribbon. This is the main theme of the block and has set the tone for the rest. I truly loved doing this particular piece.

This is a little bouquet of roses that a butterfly is going to light upon and spread the love of the rose throughout the whole block. This is not done as yet, but is in a finishing stage.

This is the swag of roses that I finished with so far today. I have set it aside and will embellish with more fancy stitches, glitter and beads of love, before it is finished. As you can see there is a feature fabric in the top corner and there will also be one in the bottom corner of the block as we were all given a piece of the same colour rose silk, a six inch square to incorporate into our blocks. I just love it.

Below the centre piece is a seam that I wanted to stand out to sort of shelter the peachy rose that was above and so I rusched some ribbon and have started to form another cascade of roses from this point down. I had pretty soon start doing some seams or no one would believe this is a crazy quilt block.

Wedding Block 2 Finished!

A quiet, serene and breezy day was spent finishing this block so that I could put it in the post to Leslie tomorrow. I did a lot more bead work than I would normally do on a block as I wanted to keep the mood elegant and " wedding like ". Once again my favourite part was devoted to the hearts. I love it when someone actually gives you a theme and you can run with it., it sure simplifies the stitching. I must admit there is a lot of back stitching on the beads to make them stand up and some soft shades of peach and pink were added for colour.

Tomorrow I will work on the Art Bra block and play with colours, and if the mood is still with me start piecing my white on white quilt as well as my Victorian Christmas Wall Quilt for this Christmas..........all vintage and full of colours.

Wedding Block 2

The dove of peace was very hard to stitch detail into as the only spot on the block it would fit required that it go through very stubborn lace. I am pleased and I candidly added more flowers.






I also added some sequined flowers and beads. There are some irridescent butteflies flying amongst the the olive branches.





Two seperate hearts on done all in knots and daisies and they have more detailt o be added. The other in metallic thread and sequins.





I truly enjoyed filling in this heart on the block today. It felt good as I was not wanting it to overpower the whole block. I used a string of pearls to make the looped heart, and thendid a fashion flower in a tone of blush and added three antique roses with pearls and rusched ribbons.

I started this block as a gift for my dd and wanted to make it larger into a quilt and do more work on it. It is away from the style that I normally work as this would be all cottons with no beads, frills or silk ribbon work as my daughter is not a frilly person.

I would concentrate more onto he stitching than on the embellishment unless it were buttons and whimsical buttons. My friends have sent me fabrics and I have to hit the cotton section of my sane quilting mode to do enough of these to do a wall hanging for dd. This is way overdue. Just to stay motivated I can work on this one and finish off some of the other items that just need to be sewn. Holding my head low.

Lisa's FF3 Round Robin Block

I must admit that I totally enjoyed working ont his block and had to stop myself from going further. Lisa set a nice scene by including her pictures of her home at Christmas and what she perceived this block to look like when it was done. It is gorgeous, her home is so beautiful at Christmas time.

I did work a few seams that were different for me as I wanted to push myself a bit futher in the beading department as this block leaves tomorrow for Pam's in England and she is a true beader.

I worked a herring bone stitch across the green to cream velvet and then went back and did a slant stitch topped with a bead, below I did the same on a smaller scale and ended up using small and medium bugle beads and red beads to form holly in the beginning. I could have used whtie and made them sptrings of miseltoe but they would not have shown up.

I then did a slant stitch with daisy stitches and back sitchining in both wildflowers and krenink threads. I did a fan on the bottom and added a single strand of silver. I highlighted with irridescent beads.

I then went to the top and did a collage of Christmas roses done in Christmas red and green and set off with sprigs of beads in size 13.

On the bottom end I used a gathered piece of wide lace with a red soutache cord running through the top. I hand stitched this down securely so it would not wave and was pleased. I did hesitate with the black but felt after it was on the red glitter beads were added in size 8 that it did make the block.

Now, across the ocean to Pam where she will work her magic. I had a totally wonderful day, and must play catch up with another two blocks I have on the go.

Perhaps tomorrow I can clean my sewing room and finish Leslie's second block and then work on my Art bra block at the same time.

Leslie's Wedding Block for Cancer Quilt

This is the beginning of a wedding block for Leslie's Wedding block for cancer quilt. I finished one and then decided I had to do another one. I felt so moved by this cause. I am in the beginning stages of this one so have mailed the first one out to Leslie and seeing as how I have until " October " will play with this one as well. I truly love working on these blocks as it makes me realize how lucky I am to know special people like " Leslie " who do walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it comes to getting things done.

CQ International RR# 3 for new joiners.

Here is a picture of my purple block with some stitching done to set a stage. I am enclosing this along with a quilt ( sane ) book for Pam and also a collection of laces for Pam and the other three stitchers on this block. This is referred to as a round robin and I look forward to seeing what others will have done on this when it finally comes home. I have also added a little book. Pics to follow

Art Bra Quilt 2009

Attached is a picture of the block that I have designed to use in this year's quilt block for next year's quilt. We were all sent a beautiful piece of rose silk duponi by Barbara and were to base our blocks on pink and I chose suttle colours.

I have laid the signature silk on top as she may be carrying a cascade of roses, and if not, she will be removed and a rose bower, gazebo and or trellis will be put in place. I can hardly wait to start working on her, but have two in the works to work on first. One coming up next post and the one to finish up after that.

Working on some ufo's this weekend.

I save my little works in progress in small wicker baskets and must admit that they are sure piling up. I have a series of about six comfort kitties to finish and mail off to Pat Winters, her cause is so beautiful.

I have a mouse in a red velvet suit that needs some silk ribbon work and lace and she will be finished.

I have numerous purses that just need to become purses as the work is done on them.

I think I had better stop now or I will lose my creativity to finishing before I start something new.........oh well, at least it is keeping my fingers busy.

New Project on the Horizon

I received my beautiful piece of silk duponi in the mail this week from Barbara for this year's art bra quilt project and I sketched out what I thought I would do on the next block. The one just finished was 12.5 inches finished and the one for the art bra group is 8.5 inches finished and I want to do as much detail as I can on their block as well. Off to see if the sketch works. I normally just wing it and create, but this time I wanted to try to be professional.

More Pictures of Finished sections

Finished block with a bouquet of hearts in every corner. Fabrics used in this were from my daughter's confirmation dress, her wedding dress, and velvet saved for a very special occasion. I also used tea dyed lace over satin and a nice piece of diamond pleated fabric received from a special friend.


Laced heard with puffed ribbon work.
Rusched and ribbon work heart
Silver herringbone stitched heart with bead work and swinging heart.

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Centre of block which was the inspiration for this block.

The small heart in the upper left hand corner is done with herringbone stitches. It also has seam lines done in krenik number eight braid and has beads added. I also used some vintage beads and sequins. I stitched the fan stitch with one strand of sulky thread.