CQJP July Block

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Spring and Stitching

Spring has sprung here, finally. Yay!
the tiny crocus are in full bloom, and now the daffodils are bursting forth
 the lake is free from all winter's ice, and has been warming up quickly in the lovely temperatures we've had
 the ducks and blue heron have returned to the bay (but they're too shy for photos yet)

 and turtle island once again has its reflection in the lake water
 down at the beach, the wood is piled for fires in the stone chimney, and the chairs are set in place
(hidden by the trees)
the view from the dock is enticing.......but the water needs to be warmer before there are bodies jumping in to cool off.........

These are the nicest days.....warm enough to work outside without coats, but not too hot...and Before Bugs! The best BB days, ever.....







 I've had lots of nice stitching time this week (hope you have, too) and  made some progress on my  CQJP block:



 this pretty butterfly welcomes May
















this beautiful hairpin lace was created by Annet . I've been saving her pieces for something very special, and decided they would be lovely on my CQJP 2013 wall hanging.
Isn't it gorgeous?







a few French knots added below the lace trim










some buttonhole lace made with two different threads.......









and May looks very pretty





















I added another cutwork circle and a bumpy bit to Piece #3 of my wrapping cloth.


 

Then some decorations for the large pocket
















rows of edging, and here's a collage of piece # 3completed!

















Piece #4 is a WIP
this is how it looked pinned together










I made a little puff, and added a skirt and some beads
and placed it












added some buttonhole lace, x-stitches and multiple tatted frilly rows to make a frilled edging

hmm, sorry the picture is looking blue here....it's really white

well, that's my stitching this week.

I love to get your feedback, so please do comment. Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz







 
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38 comments:

  1. crafty cat cornerMay 7, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    The hairpin lace looks so lovely, I have a pin somewhere, I must get it out and have a go...in between everything else. lol
    Briony
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:41 PM

      I know Briony, as I have one as well. I mean to make time to try it out, but so far, well........good intentions and too little time......

      It looks so delicate......

      Hugs

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 7, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    And my little Rachel of vintage loveliness is on its way to you today xx

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    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:40 PM

      Oh, thank you so much Linda! Can’t wait to see the lace. Gee, I wonder which piece I’ll put it on....... I love treasures in the mailbox!
      Hugs

      Delete
  3. FlowerLady LorraineMay 7, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    Lovely work and lovely bits to work with. I've not tried hairpin lace. I can see why you would save it for something special.

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:45 PM

      It is so beautiful, FlowerLady! I’ve not tried it yet, either, although I have the HPL loom. One of these days........ I keep telling myself. thanks.
      hugs

      Delete
  4. Robin MacMay 7, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    Everything about your stitching looks so beautiful - and so does the scenery around your place. You live in a beautiful part of the world. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:48 PM

      I do, Robin, and I love it! I’m so lucky to live here. It was the family cottage so we’ve been coming here since 1982. We tore down the old cottage and designed our new home on its footprint. Thanks for the lovely comment.
      Hugs

      Delete
  5. FoxMay 7, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    Nice work! Lovely flowers... Any trilliums?
    Fox : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:49 PM

      No trilliums yet, Fox, but maybe in the next week or so. I’ll take some pics for you. Thanks.
      Hugs

      Delete
  6. Naida WillisMay 7, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    I love the little broiderie anglaise circle on piece #4. A simple idea but so effective. It is delightful.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:51 PM

      Thank you Naida! I sure had fun with it, and I may just make a few more for my wrapping cloth since I think they look so cute.
      Hugs

      Delete
  7. Stitching LadyMay 7, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Waht you are making is always so fine and elegant - full of taste. And your photos of your surroundings - wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:54 PM

      Anneliese, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful spot.
      Hugs

      Delete
  8. Starr WhiteMay 7, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    Your crocuses are beautiful, and so is your stitching!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 8:56 PM

      Thank you, Starr. Mother Nature is a true artist. Hope you’re having sunshine.
      Hugs

      Delete
  9. QuayceetatterMay 7, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    Beautiful laces!! Love all the flowers and lake pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 7, 2013 at 9:57 PM

      Thanks, Linda. I am enjoying both. Aren’t I lucky?
      Hugs

      Delete
  10. CreateologyMay 7, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    Suz your Spring has finally arrived and looks so beautiful. We are finally having rain! Every stitch and element you add to your cloth is divine. The butterfly represents 10,000 happinesses and that is probably very close to the number of stitches you have put into your cloth. Spring Sunshine Smiles Dear...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 8, 2013 at 8:25 AM

      Thank you Sherry. The daffs are in bloom, as well as some of the flowering shrubs, tree leaves are bursting forth, and the earth is warming. All creatures are stirring, and doing their mating dance. Life is returning to the area (ya, including the black flies--arghhh)
      You might be right about the number of stitches..........lol
      Hugs

      Delete
  11. Deepa May 8, 2013 at 12:20 AM

    That's quite a lot of stitching ,Suz.Spring has re-energized you :)
    Enjoy the BB days :)
    Hugs,
    Deepa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 8, 2013 at 9:05 AM

      Thanks Deepa! I think the BB days are up.....yesterday the blackflies were beginning to swarm. No biting yet, but, it won’t be long now....sob.....I’ll have to wear my fashionable (?) bug hat with veil. (I look like a beekeeper) or I could stay indoors and stitch....yes! I like that idea........lol
      Hugs

      Delete
  12. margaretMay 8, 2013 at 1:26 AM

    how quickly the spring came when the ice started to thaw.
    Once again you have been busy with your needle, your buttonhole lace really caught my eye along with along with the puff skirt especially

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    1. SuztatsMay 8, 2013 at 9:07 AM

      Margaret, I think the buttonhole lace and the skirted puff are my favourite parts of piece #4, at least so far. Yes, spring was late coming this year, so I guess it’s playing catch up. Thanks. Hope you’re having nice spring weather, too.
      Hugs

      Delete
  13. Margarets designer cardsMay 8, 2013 at 4:22 AM

    Spring it's arrived so quickly, these plants have been waiting so long, they have just burst forth. It's the same with us we have had some beautiful days over the last week and plants that should have been out weeks ago has caught up plants that flower around now.
    Your stitching is lovely, the puff skirt flower is gorgeous and the butterfly.
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 8, 2013 at 9:11 AM

      Thanks Margaret! I’m glad your gardens are catching up, too. Let’s hope the nice weather continues.
      I can’t take credit for the butterfly as it’s a piece of purchased lace I tea-dyed. I think the colour turned out well. That skirted puff may be showing up again and again on my cloth pieces.
      Hugs

      Delete
  14. Mosaic MagpieMay 8, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    You whitework is beautiful. I love herons! I sometimes see them flying over my house and at a nearby pond....I always feel touched by a special blessing when I see them.
    Deb

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    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 8, 2013 at 9:19 AM

      Thank you, Deb. Herons are so graceful, aren’t they? To me they have a mysterious air about them as they step slowly and carefully through the weeds at the lake’s edge, searching for frogs or small fish. They look like statues, frozen, then move, slowly in increments, until a final flash when they thrust toward their meal and strike. They are rather shy and skittish, tending to turn and fly off in the face of human activity, at least until near summer’s end when they’ve grown accustomed to our presence and realize we are not a threat: we just like to watch them as they move through the shallows. I shall miss seeing them once we move.
      Hugs

      Delete
  15. DortheMay 8, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    I love your red/white piece dear, so very beautiful! and so much wonderful stitching and embroideryes...
    Your photoes of the lake is as alwayes so very gorgeous, such a fantastic nature you have close!!
    Hugs from Dorthe

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    1. SuztatsMay 8, 2013 at 10:19 PM

      Thanks Dorthe. We do have a lovely spot here - an unspoiled area. I do enjoy seeing the wildlife and enjoying the beauty and serenity. Hope you’re having some lovely spring weather.
      Hugs

      Delete
  16. MarjoleinMay 9, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    The pieces of lace on the May block are so pretty.
    I do like the puff with the skirt. The cutwork circles are intriguing. I think there are endless possibilities with backgrounds and embellishments around the circles. Something to add to the list ;)

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    1. SuztatsMay 9, 2013 at 7:32 PM

      That’s true, Marjolein. I have ideas busting out my ears of all the neat things I could add. I have some faves I’ll be using often, but I’ll also be trying new and differentembellishments. Thanks.
      Hugs

      Delete
  17. DianneMay 10, 2013 at 4:39 AM

    Spring is looking beautiful in your part of the world, Suz! Your stitching is very creative.

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    1. SuztatsMay 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM

      Yes, Dianne, the crocus and daffodils are in bloom and the trilliums are ready to burst forth. Trees and shrubs are leafing out, and the grass...errr...weeds are turning green. The dandelions are racing forward, so spring is here, and I’m enjoying the sunny warm weather. Hope your autumn colours last for a while yet. Thanks.
      Hugs

      Delete
  18. KarenMay 10, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    I love crocus, I love your cutwork, I love your cloth and did I see mention of a pocket!!!
    http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuztatsMay 10, 2013 at 3:10 PM

      Ah, yes, I think I did promise to make a side pocket. What was I thinking?
      Actually, with your excellent vid, it looks almost easy. Now, just how shall I titivate it?........oh, the possibilities......!Thanks, Karen.
      Hugs

      Delete
  19. Magpie's MumblingsMay 11, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    Definitely lovelies to see this time! The hairpin lace looks just right - another thing I tried to learn to do and failed miserably.

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    1. SuztatsMay 11, 2013 at 6:24 PM

      I haven't tried it yet, but I do a kind of tatting that mimics it, sort of..... it looks time consuming....but beautiful
      hugs

      Delete

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