Online Crazy Quilt Classes – New ones added

Please check out the new classes – along with Christen Brown, we now have a class with Nancy Eha and two with Kathy Shaw.

Seed Bead Botany by Nancy Eha	Soft Sculpture Applique by Kathy Shaw	Bead Encrusted Cabochons/Buttons by Kathy Shaw

A Mini Round Robin

Kathy Shaw hosted a round robin recently requiring each participant to send her three pieced “rectangles” (4”x6”). She then embellished one of the rectangles for each of us. I don’t know how in the world she managed to stitch all of them as there were quite a few who signed up. She did it and they’re all wonderful! My other two were sent to other participants and I received two to stitch. I showed you the Christmas one for Arlene White in an earlier post.

Here is the one I embellished for Shari Jensen. She wanted a Southwest theme so I just concentrated on the seams and tried to get the feeling of the southwest, not necessarily authentic design.

The finished ones that came back to me are beautiful. I used hand dyed fabrics by Chris Daly which I sell in color coordinated packets on my website. I’ll have to include each of them in a special project. Thank you all!!

By Kathy Shaw

By Renee Gray

By Cathy Labath

Announcing Online Classes

I have started a new venture hosting online classes for crazy quilters and I hope you’ll join in the fun. Help me to get this going by visiting the link below to read about the first class with Christen Brown – “A Crazy Lady’s Guide to Embellishing”.

This class begins Monday, March 5. Click here for class info and enrollment.

Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

In 2010 I signed on to do a crazy quilt to be finished by 2012. Well, I didn’t get very far. When Kathy Shaw came up with the Crazy Quilt Journal Project for 2012, I decided to work on the quilt I already started. So, if all goes well, it will actually get completed (or mostly completed) by the end of 2012. To keep up, every one who registered for the CQJP is required to submit a photo of work done for each month. The area done must be at least 6” x 6”. Since I prefer to do crazy quilts that are one continuous piece (not squares sewn together) I will work on and photograph an area each month that fits the dimensions required or larger. Here is January (we were permitted to start on this in November) along with a photo of what I have completed so far.

As you can see, I embellish as each area is pieced. I have already completed 5 large baskets with silk ribbon embroidery flowers that will the centerpieces of the quilt. Because I used various colors for these, the use of some of these colors in the individual outer areas may seem a little off. So, you will see orange, pink, blue, purple, etc. in areas that you may think “garish”. I’m just hoping it all looks balanced both in design and color when it’s finished.

Here is a close-up of one design element, followed by the pattern.

A Personal Challenge

Many of you already know of the Flights of Fancy website. Carole has an array of beautiful trims and accessories for crazy quilting. She also offers what she designates as the “Treasure Club” which is an automatic mailing of a coordinated group of trims each month. I decided to join and put myself outside my usual “style” and challenge myself to use all of the items (either wholly or partially) in one square. I’ve completed “December” and I totally enjoyed working on this.

Here are some close up photos.

The January packet is here and I’m anxious to get going on it, but I have other things to do first!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Every year I say I’m going to make things to give to friends. This year I came as close as I’ve ever gotten: I made one Christmas card. How’s that for achievement? I’m so ashamed! Anyway, here it is. I have some ideas swirling in my head to try in 2012. I’ll show you the one I carry through on (maybe) this time next year.

I also just completed embellishment on a 4”x 6” block for a RR I’m in. This block belongs to Arlene White in Australia.

I’ll let these two pieces be my last post before Christmas as they are the only holiday things I’ve finished. Have a glorious holiday season!!

Also, my website will be closed until after New Year’s Day.

My Heart Goes Out to Betty

Over the past few months many of the women on the Crazy Quilt International Yahoo Group have made hearts for Betty Pillsbury to show her our support because of the effects hurricane Irene had on her family and home. The idea was Cheryl Anderson’s of Wisconsin and she organized it all and gathered the hearts for shipping. Betty received them the other day and I can now show you the one I made for her. You can see all of the other hearts on the CQI list.