CQJP and TIAS

After a late start, I made some progress on my tree skirt for CQJP 2014, and cut, sewed, and shaped the muslin. Since our tree is quite full, I decided to create an oblong skirt rather than a smaller circle.

To keep as full a skirt as possible, I chose to cut the skirt fabric into 4 sections, even though it meant that these larger pieces would be more difficult to handle.

the first section of the skirt is pieced

 lace additions

 the second and third sections were also pieced, and strips of red velvet ribbon were placed to delineate each portion

lace and trims were added to sections 2 and 3


Now I'm ready to add some stitching to section 1!













TIAS after day 4 created a complete little piece

 and day 5 saw the beginnings of another shape...........

It's day 6 so my needle and thread are ready and waiting! I wonder what we're tatting.......


That's all I can show for this week.

I hope you've had time for some creative fun!



Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

January Beginnings: CQJP and TIAS

Hi everyone. Hope you're all warm and cozy. We've been in an Arctic Vortex here, which means the cold arctic air is flowing down into Ontario. The other night it dipped to -28C, and with the wind chill factor it felt like in the -40's. Brrr.
I ventured out to feed the birds, but I plan to spend as much time indoors as possible! Maybe I'll stitch.............
Yesterday there was a little blizzard in my mailbox. That's because the gorgeous snowflakes Debra embroidered for me arrived. Yay! Now I can begin to plan my tree skirt around the snowflakes.

Aren't these just wonderful?
Thanks so much, Debra!

I love the white against the red fabric-- so crisp

Debra sent some beautiful metallic snowflakes, too. They really sparkle, but it's difficult to see on the photo. I've only shown you a few......

here's my pile of cottons for the skirt-- mostly red and white with maybe a bit of green thrown in, too. I'm not sure about that yet.

some small pieces of fancy red fabrics might also be included

so I went through my stash to see just what might be appropriate for embellishing the tree skirt

 yah, more stash......... I told you I'm a thread junkie, didn't I?  lol
oh, yes, and a bead junkie, too, though I have yet to go through my bead stash........ oh, fun!

So all this is packed into a shoe tote.
I usually place each project's supplies in its own tote so I don't forget what I have......... ;-D

This piece is still hanging around, and I've almost finished the second attempt at a tatted border.
I decided I didn't like the way the tatting looked. hmmmm
It's going to come off! (again)
As it's a gift for a friend, I can't send it if I'm not happy with it..... sigh.

I'll have to decide what to do instead of the tatting and get this project done.



Well, I changed the mat edging to this:

I think it looks so much better, don't you?
I'm wondering if it all comes down to scale-- if the tatted edging was too insubstantial for the size of the mat.
What do you think?
 I did add little tatted poufs of blue to the corners though.......
 This will soon be on its way.

I haven't been idle, though, while waiting for my snowflakes to arrive...........I've begun tatting some snowflakes, and.........
 I've been stitching these..........(shhhh, it's a secret)
I've been asked to create a few projects over at StitchMAP  and these photos are just a little tease.........

These are the first work-ups as I'm playing with different techniques. They may or may not be the
final choice for the projects........but I thought Id give you a little peek......

tease #2........

I've also begun Jane E's TIAS -- Tat It And See. Here's day 1 of the pattern. Jane releases it in bits and pieces and tatters around the world tat it up and try to guess just what the pattern will be. It's my first time doing the TIAS, and it should be lots of fun!
 

TIAS day 2
I'm needle tatting with Lizbeth size 40 in colour 122.
There's extra ends.....I had a dreaded knot in my thread (argh) that I couldn't tonk, so I had to cut and add more........I hate when that happens!
My guess is:- a circus clown holding a helium balloon.....lol!



Hope you've had a creative week.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Ring In The New Year!

Hi everyone! I hope those of you who so celebrate had a wonderful Christmas!
There was ice:

 more ice

and snow!




We had a fun time with family, but now it's time to get back to 'normal'.

 

The tree is down and away in storage until next year, and the house will soon be put to rights with vacuuming and polishing........well, unless of course I'm distracted by stitching. Lol

 I'm happy to report that I finished the cable blanket, and even made a faux sheepskin blanket as well as a teepee for DS's cat. He'll be purring in cushy comfort. (The cat, that is. ;-)   )
For my 2014 CQJP, I plan to create a red Christmas tree skirt, and the theme will be snowflakes. Debra of the Tuesday Stitchers, has already machine embroidered a pile of snowflakes for me (thanks so much, Debra!!) and I shall be waiting until their arrival before piecing the skirt. In the meantime, I shall tat some snowflakes of my own and work on other projects in the wings: my wrapping cloth, a pink/blue/purple wallhanging with 'silkies' of my darling granddaughter, projects for StitchMAP, knitting, wool sculpture, painting, and I may just get to teaching myself how to crochet..............maybe. I might return to finishing the Lace and Roses wall hanging if time permits.
As for the Christmas tree skirt, I plan to have an opening of 12" around the tree base and two triangles' sides trimmed, but not joined, to allow room for easy placing after the tree is decorated. The total circumference will be ~15 1/2 feet with each triangle measuring 24" x15", not counting any trim I may add.
Well, that's the plan right now, anyway..........
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!
May you and yours all be well,
And may there always be some spare time for stitching! and tatting! and creating!

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs from Suz

It's Almost Christmas!

Hi everyone. Hope you're all ready for Christmas.

in the foyer

Here's a pic of the cotton tape I'm using for the sashing between my blocks. It ties in with the colours nicely, I think.

The first step of the sashing. I then trimmed the sides, and added the long strips of tape, then layers of lace.

And that's when I noticed a problem..........and had to rip the hanging apart......  :-(   ...there was wailing and moaning, and the air turned blue........

Time was getting short, so I've tucked the pieces away until after Christmas........

After all, I still have the cabled blanket to finish, and a sewing gift to finish, and baking to do, and some visiting, and one more present to buy......

My other projects are also on hold........

Our Christmas tree is up and filled with memories and history, including the lights and many ornaments from our first Christmas as hubby and wife! Those items are now 40 years old!

And, they still work! wow.

All lit at night.....well except for the lights that are blinking....


See that empty space under the tree?
It's the perfect spot for a Christmas tree skirt, don't you agree?
So, guess what I'm making for CQJP 2014?   
 In red!!

ooooh, ...pixilated.....

and a bit more playing in Picasa........wouldn't this make a neat card?






I shall be taking a break from now until after the New Year.
Wishing you all a wondrous, safe and very

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

        and All the Best for 2014

 

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thanks for visiting. Hugs from Suz

CQJP - Wrapping it Up

With the finish of my December block, I completed CQJP 2013!  Yay!

 Here's how they'll fit together for my Lace and Roses wall hanging.

Next, I need to add a border between each, then add lots and lots of lace!















Work on piece #10 of my wrapping cloth has begun with a row of french knots and the start of buttonhole lace.......

I am smitten with the strip of lace across the top. It's pinned in place for now.




Piece # 10 is rather small, so it won't be long until it's fully titivated..........I hope














I've been making progress on my cable blanket, and am almost half way...............
Snow arrived......

and made the neighbourhood white and fluffy.......















In keeping with the season, you might like to listen to this acapella hymn. I think it's beautiful.
Wherever you may be, I hope you're having a wonderful December.


Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Needle Arts as November Ends

Sorry I haven't been here, lately......... hope to correct that......
I've gotten a little more stitching done, and finished my November block with a simple seam treatment above the roses

I'm sorry I forgot to take a photo of December all naked, but I got carried away..........


some of this beautiful beady trim was added

 as well as a crocheted butterfly from an old doily


and a bit of  pink and white 'curlicue' trim

more lace, tea-dyed


and beads

A pretty button, and some more beads, along with a lace piece from a friend's wedding gown and broderie anglais, December is almost finished!

That will give me some time to join my blocks together, and finish the wall hanging, hopefully, before Christmas



I've finished piece #9 of my wrapping cloth! by adding a tatted seam treatment and a cascade of french knots. Yay! On to #10!

You might like to see more here and over here of the other elements on this piece.

the blue StitchMAP piece ought to have been on it's way long before now. French knots along the lace on both sides, create a quilted look.
I'd added some buttonhole lace around the outside, but, when I started the third row, it was evident that my stitches were not perfectly uniform..........frogging ensued......and then I thought I'd like to add a tatted border. It's taking longer than I'd hoped......

 
 

just a simple chain........

hoping I have better results with the tatting........








uh, knitting? what knitting?  lol

it's coming along slowly, and I'm almost halfway there......

There is sadness in the tatting world on the passing of Master Tatter Jan Stawasz. He'll now be tatting with the angels.

 Wishing everyone who celebrates a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope you've had some time for stitching or other creative endeavours.
Thanks for visiting.
      Hugs from Suz














 

Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day:- Monday November 11, 2013

On the 11th Hour, Of the 11th Day, Of the 11th Month......

 Our freedoms today came at a high price, and we should never forget that wars shatter lives, families, and communities. 


In Remembrance and with Gratitude.  For those who have served, those serving now, and those yet called to serve. Bless you and Thank you.

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 Hugs from Suz