Monday, August 14, 2017

God Speed progress

Hello, Cross Stitch Land!

Ooh, wouldn't that be a fun place to live!

I finally finished a page on my God Speed from HAED.  It took me longer than normal because I have this perverse desire:  when it gets hot outside, I have the urge to make quilts.  I know, I know.  I'm nuts but at least I'll be warm during the Winter.

Here's my God Speed progress:


This completes the first 9 pages.  This is on 25ct., 2x1, full crosses*.

According to my randomizer app, my next project to work on is Floral Finesse.

* 2x1.  Anytime that you see this regarding cross stitch, the first number indicates the number of floss strands and the second number indicates how many fabric strands are being stitched over.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy


La Belle...back from the fair.

Here is how my La Belle Dame Sans Merci did at our county fair.


The small blue ribbon on the right is for meeting the judging criteria:

  • Visual Statement - Visual impact.  Outstanding or special qualities.  Attractive.
  • Display - Clean and Neat.
  • Design - Traditional, contemporary, or original.  Unique use of pattern or design.  Balance.  Rhythm.  Design Flow.
  • Creativity or Originality
  • Color - Colors harmonious.  Accent color(s) added for interest and movement
  • Craftsmanship - appropriate technique used, control of materials, suitable fabric, precision of construction and finishing
I received Excellent marks across the board.

The small purple ribbon is for Best of Section (all cross stitch).

The big, blue rosette is for Best of Show (all needlework).

Hubby was teasing me about taking a picture of my "picture".  He's proud of my achievement(s) though.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Finish It Up Challenge

I know I haven't been doing regular updates on this, but until lately, I haven't been really working on it.

Well, that's changed a bit.  I've actually finished another item on the list!

My Happy Blocks* quilt top is all put together!  Here it is:


I couldn't get a photo of the whole top because my cutting table is in the way.  The top is 7 blocks x 7 blocks.  Each block measures 6" finished.  The overall quilt should finish at 66" square.

* How Happy Blocks work.  I have only done these as a swap.  You could do them yourself but it kind of eliminates part of the "happy" that come from swapping.  I sent 6, 4½" squares of fabric to each swap participant.  In this case, they were random pinks and purples.  Each person kept 1 of the squares for themselves.  They then put 2½" borders on each remaining fabric square and mailed the completed blocks back to me.  Of course, I was doing the same for them.  I did request that the borders be maroon/burgundy.

Now here's the part that wasn't "normal".  I took the Happy Blocks that I got back and whacked them on the diagonal.  I then paired a pink half and a purple half to make the new blocks.  That's why they finished so much smaller than you'd expect from the original dimensions.

Here's my updated FIU list:
  • Put all my loose floss on bobbins finished January 27th with new purchases done February 3rd
  • Stitch a design for the candlescreen that I have
  • Assemble my Happy Blocks quilt top finished 12 August
  • Assemble my Crumbs quilt top
  • Finish hand-quilting the Bullseye Quilt
  • Finish the Log Cabin Star wallhanging
  • Hand-quilt at least 10 blocks on my Christmas Strings quilt
  • Finish my Through the Storm cross stitch as a free-standing block  finished 30 July
  • Finish my green Temari ball
  • Finish 1 of my Santa kits (not cross stitch)
  • Make bookcases for my sewing room
  • Decorate wooden "S" for my sewing room
Well, that's all for this update.  Hopefully, I'll have at least one more done soon.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy