I love surprises, don't mistake that. But I would love to know who sent the 2 envelopes I have received in the past couple of weeks. I got the most beautiful block in an envelope with my return address on it, and a cryptic note on the back that said "enjoy". I have an idea who sent it, but am not sure. So just in case the reader is reading this, Thank You. I just love the colors and the layout. I have some ideas for how to work it, and then will post on my blog site.
I just got another envelope in todays mail. It has a return address of Patricia Thompson in Florida. I don't think I know the lady, but she sent me some lovely threads. I just wish I knew what kind of threads they are. But, never the less, I really appreciate them. They are beautiful colors and I will put them to good use.
Amber
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Great sites
Hello to all who are looking here. I have a couple of sites to tell you about, today. The first is CQ for Newbies. This site is really friendly, and is a good site to begin to learn about crazy quilting. There are so many lovely, friendly ladies to help. To join, see the addy below.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crazyquiltingfornewbies/
The other groups is newer, but even more special. It is stitchmap, and it is the place to go to actually learn, not only about CQ, but pretty much any other technique that uses a needle. It is an apprentice/mentor site, and many of the ladies on it are also on other cq sites. If you are interested, come on over and join us.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stitchmap/
Amber
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crazyquiltingfornewbies/
The other groups is newer, but even more special. It is stitchmap, and it is the place to go to actually learn, not only about CQ, but pretty much any other technique that uses a needle. It is an apprentice/mentor site, and many of the ladies on it are also on other cq sites. If you are interested, come on over and join us.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stitchmap/
Amber
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
This is Helena's Blue "Garden" Block. I did the upper left corner and down the left side most of the way, the seam connecting them and on the right side of the long block, and the center block. The corner has spider web and spider with a cluster of eggs that she is guarding. Below that is a row of butterflies to hold the seam. Then the next thing is the bunch of blue flowers on the upper limb of the tree (which is out of site except for the 2 limbs).
Below that, on the other limb is a stumpwork peacock, with the tail done in sequins and beads. Below that is a metallic winged dragonfly with a bead body. The seam on this block is cretan stitch filled with sequins and beads, The sequins are clear with silver glitter in them, so they look blue and reflect mostly blue.
Finally, the center seam is done with metalic blue thread on the flowers and leaves, with the large flower centers filled with blue seed beads.
Below that, on the other limb is a stumpwork peacock, with the tail done in sequins and beads. Below that is a metallic winged dragonfly with a bead body. The seam on this block is cretan stitch filled with sequins and beads, The sequins are clear with silver glitter in them, so they look blue and reflect mostly blue.
Finally, the center seam is done with metalic blue thread on the flowers and leaves, with the large flower centers filled with blue seed beads.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Proud Nana
Ok, brag time. My 7 year old grandaughter has been taking tumbling and cheerleading classes for some time now. She is a very driven child. Anounced last night were the National Championships. There are four regional championships, and her team took first place in regional. Anounced last night were the National Championships. They took second place in the nationals. I could just scream. I am bursting with pride at her accomplishments.
Amber
Amber
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Cross Stitch RR
Below is the picture of my work on Jan's fabric. I did the fairy over 1 thread to keep her small, but did the flowers over 2 threads to give some scale for the fairy. I hope Jan likes her.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Lori Kinney's blue color study RR
This is Lori's block after I did my stitching.
This is the lower right corner where I used lace and beads for the seam treatment.
This is the center right side where I used lace and beads for the seam treatment.
This is the lace fan I put in the upper left corner.
This is the flower bunch I put right uner the lace fan. Also this shows the seam treatment where I used buttons and beads on cretan stitch.
This is the spider and web I added next to the flower bunch.
This is the lower right corner where I used lace and beads for the seam treatment.
This is the center right side where I used lace and beads for the seam treatment.
This is the lace fan I put in the upper left corner.
This is the flower bunch I put right uner the lace fan. Also this shows the seam treatment where I used buttons and beads on cretan stitch.
This is the spider and web I added next to the flower bunch.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Needlebook Tutorial
Well, here it is, as promised. I hope it makes sence, and that you get the needlebook you dream of. If there are any questions or problems, please let me know and I will try to correct it.
AMBER’S NEEDLEBOOK TUTORIAL
Materials:
Backing fabric:
2 Rectangles, 2 ¾ inches x 4 inches
Pencil or other marking device
Lining fabric, 2 pieces, 5 inches z 7 inches
3 – 5 rectangles of felt for pages (same size as above)
One piece on heavy interfacing cut same as lining
Start by drawing a rectangle (see above) on the backing fabric. Now piece your book in whatever colors you wish. You can even use just one color. Be sure to leave about ¼ inch of overlap on your edges. Baste down your pieces, and trim seams to make stitching easier. I do not use a hoop, but you may if you like. Now for the fun part, do your seams and pull out the basting threads. Embellish to your hearts content, but watch you don’t go over the pattern edge, or get too close. When all of that is done, we start construction.
Determine which piece will be the front. Take one piece of lining, and stitch the front rectangle to it as follows:
Trim both pieces to just a little wider than the rectangle, I go to an even 3 inches by 4 ½ inches. Fold the lining in half so it is 3 1/2 by 5. Measure ½ inch from the fold and mark with a line. Open up the lining and place the front piece face down on the lining piece, with the left side seam marking on the marked line and sew it down. Fold it back over the lining so it is face up, and pin to hold. Measure 1 inch from the front piece and mark it with a line. Put the back piece face down on the lining and the left seam marking on the line, and sew it down. Fold it back over the lining and then iron both pieces so they lay flat.
Take the other piece of lining and the interfacing, and place it over the front and back pieces so the edges line up with the other lining piece. Stitch up the front over the top and down the back making sure to catch the edges of your pieced front and back. Trim the edges and cut off the corner edges so it will not be too bulky when turned. Turn if so that the front and back are out. It should look pretty good at this point. Go ahead, get excited. Fold the bottom edge up inside and whip the bottom being sure to have the front and back piece’s edges inside.
To make the needle pages, fold the felt pieces in half and stitch them to the cover individually. This will give you six pages. You may add as many as five felt pieces for needle pages. On the front, sew a button on the right edge about ½ way down. On the back, stitch a button loop on the edge lining up with the button. Fold the book closed, and put the loop around the button. Adjust it if it is too long, or rework it if it is too short.
That’s it. Your book is done. You may mark the pages for which type of needle you have on it, or just put your needles in and go.
AMBER’S NEEDLEBOOK TUTORIAL
Materials:
Backing fabric:
2 Rectangles, 2 ¾ inches x 4 inches
Pencil or other marking device
Lining fabric, 2 pieces, 5 inches z 7 inches
3 – 5 rectangles of felt for pages (same size as above)
One piece on heavy interfacing cut same as lining
Start by drawing a rectangle (see above) on the backing fabric. Now piece your book in whatever colors you wish. You can even use just one color. Be sure to leave about ¼ inch of overlap on your edges. Baste down your pieces, and trim seams to make stitching easier. I do not use a hoop, but you may if you like. Now for the fun part, do your seams and pull out the basting threads. Embellish to your hearts content, but watch you don’t go over the pattern edge, or get too close. When all of that is done, we start construction.
Determine which piece will be the front. Take one piece of lining, and stitch the front rectangle to it as follows:
Trim both pieces to just a little wider than the rectangle, I go to an even 3 inches by 4 ½ inches. Fold the lining in half so it is 3 1/2 by 5. Measure ½ inch from the fold and mark with a line. Open up the lining and place the front piece face down on the lining piece, with the left side seam marking on the marked line and sew it down. Fold it back over the lining so it is face up, and pin to hold. Measure 1 inch from the front piece and mark it with a line. Put the back piece face down on the lining and the left seam marking on the line, and sew it down. Fold it back over the lining and then iron both pieces so they lay flat.
Take the other piece of lining and the interfacing, and place it over the front and back pieces so the edges line up with the other lining piece. Stitch up the front over the top and down the back making sure to catch the edges of your pieced front and back. Trim the edges and cut off the corner edges so it will not be too bulky when turned. Turn if so that the front and back are out. It should look pretty good at this point. Go ahead, get excited. Fold the bottom edge up inside and whip the bottom being sure to have the front and back piece’s edges inside.
To make the needle pages, fold the felt pieces in half and stitch them to the cover individually. This will give you six pages. You may add as many as five felt pieces for needle pages. On the front, sew a button on the right edge about ½ way down. On the back, stitch a button loop on the edge lining up with the button. Fold the book closed, and put the loop around the button. Adjust it if it is too long, or rework it if it is too short.
That’s it. Your book is done. You may mark the pages for which type of needle you have on it, or just put your needles in and go.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New needlebooks sets for swap
OK, now that the crush of the entire world has been lifted a little, I have some new stitching done. The first one is for Judyth Lutt, from CQ4N.
This one is for Susan Robinson, also from CQ4N.
And this one is for Sharon Lozano, also from CQ4N.
I hope the ladies enjoy their swaps.
The tutorial for how to make my needlebooks should be ready sometime over this weekend. Enjoy. Amber
This one is for Susan Robinson, also from CQ4N.
And this one is for Sharon Lozano, also from CQ4N.
I hope the ladies enjoy their swaps.
The tutorial for how to make my needlebooks should be ready sometime over this weekend. Enjoy. Amber
Monday, April 13, 2009
Road Block
Hello All. I ran into a road block, and can't seem to find my way around it. I am trying to write a tutorial for makng my needle books. I've never done this before, and it sure is hard. I will try to get it done this week so youu can all try your hands over the next weekend. I have made a few more needle books, but only to help write the tute. Please excuse the not posting until I get this done. Amber
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