Sunday, November 26, 2006

gold heart christmas ornament


gold heart christmas ornament
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I finished another gold Christmas ornament last night. Now I'm thinking that I'd like to do another shape. I'm going to have to go play for a while and see what I come up with.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

gold heart christmas ornament


gold heart christmas ornament
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a picture of my latest Christmas ornament. For this one I chose gold on gold. The threads that I used are pearl cotton, edmar rayon frost, dmc floss and dmc rayon. And of course beads!

christmas exchange 007


christmas exchange 007
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I was in a Christmas exchange with the CQInternational yahoo group. This is what I made for my swap partner. It is a pouch, needlebook and a pincushion. I had such a great time making these until it came to sewing the pouch together. I kept putting it together wrong! Very frustrating! But well worth it as my partner has received this package and likes it!
I made up the pouch and needlebook patterns on my own but the pincushion pattern I found here.
Sorry if that doesn't link.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Sampler 2


Sampler 2
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a picture of my second completed sampler. This is different variations of the feather stitch. And again I used different threads. Pearl cotton #8, wool, floss, rayon and silk.
The class is up to lesson 3 and this sampler is still from lesson one. I'll catch up eventually.
I'm thinking of trying something new for the next sampler. These 2 are a bit structured. I'm going to try something more "fun" next. And I wanted to work on something not counted. I'm tired of trying to count threads. I'd rather just eyeball it. I found another fabric, a bit stiffer. It is white and I might try to paint or dye it tomorrow. See, more fun already!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Imagine That



I can hear Grandma say those words! Imagine that... The missing walking foot is exactly where it should have been, in that compartment that holds the extra feet.
While tearing apart my sewing room looking for this I came across some waylaid bobbins. I just sat down to sew together 2 more Christmas ornaments and figured I'd better put these bobbins away "before" the cat gets them. There it was. You would have thought that I looked there first! Now if I would always put things where they belong I'd get a lot more done in a day.

Christmas Ornaments


Christmas Ornaments
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I kept my fingers pretty busy yesterday. I finished this ornament. This is the last white on white one that I made. I know my younger sister is going to go for these white ones.
Next up are the 2 gold ones I've made. One is all embellished and the other is just waiting for a few more beads. Then I can sew them up. Wouldn't it be nice if I get to those today. I'll be back with pictures when I get them done.
It really is a great feeling to start and finish a project in such a short time. I think this is the best I've done with Christmas ornaments ever! Well, actually the year I crocheted little stockings for the trees and put those small candy canes in each one. Now, that was fast!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Christmas Ornaments


Christmas Ornaments 002
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a picture of the second ornament I finished.

Christmas Ornaments


Christmas Ornaments 001
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I thought I would share a picture of a the first Christmas Ornament I finished. The heart is about 41/2 inches and stuffed with fiberfill. Unfortunately you just can't tell how sparkly this really is. The hardest part is tacking the edging on. I used those strings of pearls. My poor fingers! I don't know how many times I stabbed myself. Very tempted to get out the glue!!
I have quite a few of these hearts in varying stages of completion. I plan to bring them to my mothers house for Christmas in a basket and my sisters and sister in law can just pick what they want. And who ever else shows up. I'll try to get a picture of them as I complete them.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Guilloche Stitch Sampler


Sampler 001
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I finished my first sampler. I love the way this stitch changes depending on what thread you use. I think my favorite is the bottom one. I used bugle beads as the posts and wove through them using a varigated frost by Edmar. (I love that thread and just wish it would get easier to use!) Then I put seed beads in the center. I used the frost thread by Edmar again as the outline. This one does sparkle. I wonder if that is why I say it is my favorite. It just catches my eye first. As I look at this picture I wonder how this stitch would look if I put the bugle beads in the vertical direction. hummmm.....

I started my next sampler. This will be a fly stitch variation and I'll be using purples. I do have a plan here. I have my threads sorted by type of thread. I think I would prefer to sort by color. Now I have most of my greens together. Last night I started to gather my purples together. We shall see how this works for me.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Guilloche Stitch 001


Guilloche Stitch 001
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I wasn't able to see a picture so I'm trying again.

Embroidery Sampler


I'm taking a class at Joggles. Personal Library of Stitches with Sharon Boggon. This is a picture of my sampler so far. I am making them small to start. If I'm not happy with it I can just toss it. No stress here.
I've started with the Guilloche Stitch. I am using all green threads for this sample. The right and bottom border is started with DMC pearl #5.These are then woven with a very shiny (and slippery) ribbon. The french knots are done with DMC wool. The stem stitch is done with 6 ply DMC floss. Now, the opposite of these are done with the same threads, just in different places. These are woven with the DMC wool and the french knots are done with the ribbon.
The vertical row is started with DMC wool and woven with DMC #4 cotton. The stem stitch is done with pearl #5 and then I whipped around it with Pearl #8. I'm thinking of putting beads in the center this one instead of french knots.
I am really enjoying this! I should be back soon with an update.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Wallhanging 3


Wallhanging 3
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I should never say "just a quick project"!! This one is turning into a time comsuming one. I never found the safety pins in my daughters room. So, I had to hand baste it. It has been years since I had to do that.
I did try some free motion quilting on the flowers and leaves. Well, all I kept thinking was thank goodness that the sewing machine wasn't closer to the window. It would have gone flying! And now I remember why I really do enjoy handwork. Since I am done with free motion work I wanted to finish the quilt and use my walking foot. This is no where to be found. I am now in the midst of tearing apart my sewing room looking for this foot. I know it will show up when I stop looking but I have to continue because I made a mess. I do love to do handquilting and if I had thought of that, this wallhanging would have been done already. I just might have to do that this weekend.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Wallhanging Continued


Wallhanging 002
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is an update on my wallhanging. The flowers are fused on. Now, the "quilt police" will just have to get over it, lol, because I have a plan! I am going to be making my quilt sandwich and then use free motion quilting to sew down the flowers. Put swirlies inside the flowers etc.. I wanted to put some green floss fly stitches on the leaves. I'll wait till the end and see if I can do it. Then will come my favorite part, beads! Oh, and perhaps buttons for the centers of the little yellow flowers. I'll have to see what I can find. Which reminds me I have to go search for my safety pins. DD "borrowed" them!! They are in her room somewhere.

I put together the printout from Sharons class at Joggles. I can't believe I forgot to get a binder. I found a small one that I can use temporarily. I read it last night and have started to gather my "supplies". Just not sure on what colors I want to use. Thats what happens when you love all colors!

I am posting this from Flickr and just noticed there is no spellcheck here. I didn't catch any errors so I hope no one else does too.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Wallhanging


Wallhanging
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I have been gone for a long time but I have not been idle! I have quite a few pictures to share, just not sure when that will happen.
I have been having a bit of technical problems lately. My computer is broken and just not worth fixing cost wise. Unfortunately it itsn't in the budget right now. It is going to have to come out of the Christmas budget and of course that means waiting till Christmas!! Our TV broke at the same time. When it rains, it pours here! However we now have a new 50" plasma tv. Actually it is my husbands new toy! He's allowed I guess.
This is a test post using my sons computer. I had to use my camera to get a picture. (I'm used to my scanner.) This computer doesn't have the same photo program so I'm not sure how to edit a picture yet. I'm glad I tried not to get too much of the mess in the picture.
I was in Joanns yesterday and of course just had to walk around. I saw this floral print and just had to get some. And then I picked up some coordinating fabrics. This will be the background for I'm not sure what yet! ha ha I know it will be flowers. I love applique but I will fuse these unknown flowers down. I want to get this on the wall quick. That means something simple. I'm hoping to try for today, but we shall see.
I'm in Sharons class at Joggles. I printed the first lesson and I'm trying not to read it yet..... I know that won't last!!! Off to do some sketching to see what I can do with this.
My fingers are crossed that this works...