December 29, 2012

I hope everyone has had a safe and Merry Christmastime!
We had a wonderful time with DS and DDIL even though I had a bad fall on the ice the Saturday before Christmas, and some things just didn't get done with the hydro outage. Still, being together is what it's all about, and enjoying and appreciating each other.

We've had more snow and everything looks like a winter wonderland as the flakes stick to the icy covering on the trees, twigs, and plants

It's been so cold, even these three sought the warmth of the indoors.......lol.........thankfully, they won't melt.....

the afternoon shadows grow long on the lake ice

Even our visitor, Mr. Milkers, got into the holiday spirit

my December CQJP 2012 block is complete



I added a dorset button, and some simple seam stitching in red

here are all the blocks, in no particular order.....


I'd thought they might look too busy all together, but they don't look too bad here, it seems.......What do you think?


I've chosen 9 of my faves to make a wall hanging, (12 is too big) and think a white lacy sashing between the blocks would add a snowy look. Then, perhaps, some white tatted snowflakes to sprinkle around .........
I'll post pics when/if it's finished

plans are underway for CQJP2013.............
Jewel's block is still in the works, and I hope to complete it soon.
TAST was missed due to my fall, and I'll pop in and out of TAST 2013 and fill up my fabric stitching book.
Thank you all for the last year of visiting and taking the time to leave such wonderfully supportive comments. Your comments make my day and are most appreciated.
                                            Wishing everyone a very
                          HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
May you travel safely, and share happy times together.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Memorial Quilt and Hearts

                                                                      Memorial Quilt and Hearts

the graphics fairy.com

I wasn't planning to post again before Christmas, but I did want to share this:
I received a group email from Crazy Quilt Embellisher's about a memorial project  being organized. I signed up to participate.
What's it all about?


"This project is to be a tribute to those people who lost their lives in the unspeakable shooting tragedy in Sandy Hook, CT in December, 2012." Participants " will choose to create either (or both) a diamond shaped block or a heart in memory of a victim. The diamonds will be pieced into a quilt to be donated to the Sandy Hook, CT government as a tribute and memorial for the victims. More specific details on the exact agency will be published at a later date. Others may choose to make a completed heart that will be donated in memory to each of the families of the victims."

I wanted to share this information.
If you would like to be a part of this project, please email me at susancuss(at)yahoo(dot)com and I shall send your info and email address to the project co-ordinator.
or you can read all about it here:
Blessings to all.

from the Graphics Fairy.com

Hugs from Suz

Getting Ready

After our Christmas Choir Concerts were finished, I started decorating the house for Christmas. Our tree:

 

DH spied this critter crossing the ice-covered lake







Mr Fox turned back when he reached the center, and found it wasn't as solid as he'd hoped

I've been wanting to make Dorset Buttons for a while, and thought this one would adorn my December CQJP block...........but I made it too big

I tried a smaller one.............I wonder if it will fit my Jewel Block?

TAST this week is the berry stitch.......sort of a double lazy daisy........some here

and here......

and here......

white stars and snowflakes.......

and December's block looks almost finished

Family is arriving soon for the holidays, so I might not be back until after Christmas............there's baking to do, and presents to wrap...........



Wishing everyone a Blessed, Merry Christmas!

May you enjoy happy times with friends and family.

Safe travels for all journeying this Holiday Season.






Special prayers for everyone affected by the horror in the U.S. Too many lives cut short. So many  grieving.

Hugs from Suz

December 7, 2012

Yesterday there was a layer of ice on the lake, and a rainbow.

Here's a close up. You can see the rainbow colours on the ice ripples

For TAST, I created a little bouquet.....

and added two cast on petal flowers

white 'pearls' on polka dots

and silver beads on the snowflake ribbon add some texture and bling

 That's all on the December block so far

 This morning it's grey and snowing

everything wears a dusting of white



so far we've had about an inch of snow


 I'll be busy and away much of the time this weekend as we have our choir Christmas Concerts.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

This Week: Tatting, CQJP, TAST, and more........

Happy December!
Here's my naked December block:

That cool red ribbon with the sparkles and the snowflakes is from Debra.

Thanks Debra! I love the diagonal line the ribbon creates on this block (and it very nicely covers up a jumble of seams ;-D)


I think I shall be adding lots of snowflakes, and maybe a little silver......






TAST

I did my TAST stitch on my Jewel block

some arrowhead stitches along a seam trim

interlaced arrowhead variation on a second seam trim where I also added a selection of french knots and some lazy daisy stitches

the seam now looks like this

more embellishing added to Jewel's block:

seed beads added to an off-white organic tat

another JK cluster

a small spray of silk ribbon flowers with bead centers

lace flowers with lazy daisy leaves

tatted seams

a wee lace flower

















My Jewel Block now looks like this:

I've begun to add some beads....Jewel loves bling!

this is a wee fairy I've made for granddaughter Jewel, and will be sent to Australia with a Christmas card.

She adored my kitchen angel, and I promised to make her one.
fun fur for hair, lace wings, and heart trim
2 1/2" wide x 3" long

this little tat was supposed to be a star......
"Tatting Pattern and Designs" by Gun Blomquist and Elwy Persson
there were a couple of design elements I didn't like, and when I got to this point, I needed to add more thread
I rather liked the shape as it was
and decided to start the pattern again......

it morphed into this tree decoration first

the swarovski crystals add a nice sparkle, although it's difficult to see......

and my second attempt at the star was changed slightly with the addition of extra chains to both the top and bottom arms


sorry about the blurring on this scan

the center is filled with a circle of faux pearls matching those at each arm

I added a swarovski crystal drop to the bottom, too

it needs blocking, but I'm pleased with the result


There's been more stitching, but no pics yet

Hope you've had a wonderful week.
The weather has warmed up, the snow is gone, and the ice is receding on the lake
Maybe we'll have sunshine. Hope you do, too!
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Fun Fabric Flowers

These fun fabric flowers arrived all the way from Australia!

 Using felt, pieces of material, fibers, beads and buttons, they were created by Judy.
Aren't they big, bold and beautiful?  I shall have to find a special project to showcase them.

Thanks so much Judy!

a light layer of snow on turtle Island

another dusting has the trees dress in white lace



I like the reflection of the clouds in the water

In the bay, ice is forming on the lake


soon it will creep across the surface


but not just yet.......

warmer weather is on its way for the weekend!


Hope wherever you are, you're warm and healthy.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

TAST & Redwork

It's been a busy week here, so I only have pics of my TAST and RedWork to show. I'm still working on the Jewel block, though, so I hope to have more to show next time..
Portuguese Border Stitch

I'm not sure how much I would use this stitch

It's fairly easy to do, but, besides borders, I'm at a loss of how best to use this. No doubt someone creative will come up with several ideas



I had more fun playing with a simpler stitch






Also created on rungs.......this simpler wrapped stitch......

Single wraps around the rungs, and then I began to weave with a variegated thread

see?

part way along, I covered the places where the original wrap meets the weaving with a dark thread x. But it covered up too much and just looked a little messy

side by side

StitchMAP  RedWork Course Completed!
Most of the motifs I've stitched have been turned into weights

all finished and stuffed with lentils



They look a little funny since I scanned them, and the edge stitching doesn't show up very well

TaaDaa!
I finished my 'bird' bag, adding some different elements. It's ~ 8.5" x 11"
I think it's cute!

The completed bag filled with the weights


I had so much fun on this course, and I learned quite a lot!











Hope you have a great weekend.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz