A New Collection - Six Inch Squares

Recently I decided that I'd like to have examples of the crazy quilt work I so admire by others.  I've signed up for a couple of RR's that, in the end, will give me ten 6 inch squares each embellished by only one person.  What do I do with all those squares?  Large items are just not in my future because I hate just sticking things in drawers and displaying them can be overwhelming.  I plan to make the little squares into a book of sorts and will write about that when I actually have my game plan together. 

I've decided to take it a little further than just the RRs and am contacting CQ artists whom I admire and either purchasing or trading squares with them.  The piecing and the embellishment is to be done by each person so that the square is a true reflection of her work.  My first square arrived several days ago from Pam Kellogg.  I love this square!  The photo does not do it justice.  It is so different than any I've ever done and I only wish I could do this type of CQ.  I've discovered that I definitely have my own style and I find it impossible to go in another direction as the results always bomb badly and end up in the trash.

Please see more of Pam's lovely work on her blog and her Etsy shop where you'll find wonderful cottage style items by Pam and her Mom.

Whole lot of Beadin' Goin' On

Taking time off for some other projects, I've been working some "Butterfly" time in here and there.  Here's an update to show you how it's coming. 

English Garden Round Robin

The past few days I've been embellishing a 6" square for the English Garden RR I joined on CQI.  This RR requires each member to piece six 6" blocks and each person in the RR embellishes one completely and mails them on to the next.  Since there are 6 of us in the RR, at the end there is one square left for the owner to embellish.  I will post photos here as we go along. 

This square is owned and pieced by Marya Blackwell.

Butterfly Progression - Ready to Bead

With the butterfly still not attached, here is a photo of where I'm at now.  I didn't want you to think I'm not working!  All of the embroidery is complete and I only have beading to do.  I'll be saving the body to show you when I take the "finished" photo.

NeedleandHook

From now on you can see Shirlee Fassell's fantastic stitching on her own blog which she started yesterday.  Be sure to follow along.  You won't believe some of the beautiful work she has coming!!

http://shirleestuff.blogspot.com/

More Fabulous Stitching by Shirlee

As you may know by now, I'm a fan of my friend Shirlee Fassell and the beautiful and intricate tambour beading she does.  Here are her class projects from Ecole Lesage this year.  She got stuck in Paris during the volcano mess that shut down all of the airports so just had to take two classes instead of the one she flew over for.  Do I sound a little "green" with envy??! 

Butterfly Surrounded

I've finished the main part of the large flowers surrounding the butterfly.  I just have to do the centers but I want to get the leaves done first - Boring!!! 

These flowers were made using five sizes of the small "Perfect Circles" which are available on my website.  I traced around the circles inside and out using white marker pencil directly on my wall hanging.  Using 7mm silk ribbon for the two larger circles and 4mm for the three smaller circles and a combination of 8 colors, the work was pretty simple and went very quickly.  I just don't know what I'd do without templates!