Embroidery Swap & Dear Jane

I participated in an embroidery swap a couple of months ago.  We had a basic pattern to embroider, then we were to embellish and sew a small quilt.  I did this one and it went to a lady in Norway.

Today I received mine from a lady in Australia.  This is what she sent me.  I love it!

I've also been busy with my Dear Jane blocks.  I've completed four more.

This one is my favorite so far:

This next one is the worse one. It may not look like it, but it was incredibly challenging.  Mine is all wonky so I just might do it over.  It actually took me about six hours to do.  

I still can't believe how hard it was.  I might applique the teeny tiny white squares instead.

The next two were easy.

Only two hundred and something more to go!

Thanks for checking in!

Discombobulated

I've detoured a bit.  I saw a really neat, easy way on sewing squares together on Pinterest.  These teeny tiny one inch squares are perfect!  Yes, I said perfect!  Oh wait, I see a mistake.  Well, the technique is perfect.  Check out sewmamasew.com.  I need to try it on freezer paper though.  The interfacing I used was old and hard to remove.  

The other day I saw a really neat knitted braid necklace.  I tried it and I love it.  Not as a necklace though.  Purse handles will be great.  The pattern is called Cable Braided Necklace and is free on Ravelry.

I'll try it with thinner yarn.  It's so neat.  

I was going through my pictures and came across this one.  I swear I did not put Isabelle in a drawer.  I had it open, she went in from the back and I closed it without even looking.  She is something else!

I'm feeling lazy today.  Didn't sleep much because the people next door had a party until 3:00 a.m.  I do feel like crocheting though.  I can't seem to stay with one project.  Yesterday I worked on a present for someone.  It's a neat idea and I'll post it when I'm done.  The only problem with so many interests is, on the days I'm discombobulated, I jump around.  I could have worse problems...  I could be stuck in a drawer...

5 More Blocks!

I got five more blocks done!  

Seven more for the first of thirteen rows.  

I also added a couple more hexagons.  This one will probably take longer than the Dear Jane quilt.

I plan to be very productive in the next few days.  I learned a new neat trick with a tape measure.  I'll show you tomorrow.

Block One - Dear Jane

Block one is done!!!  Geezzzz, I'm sure I'll get better at paper piecing by the fiftieth, sixtieth block.

Sewing Needle Book

Sooooo, this is my sewing needle book!  I love the fabric and will you look at that perfect button I selected!

I still need to do a little more tweaking.  I have embroidery, beading, sewing, quilting and crewel needles to add.

Anyway, I like it so far.

I have been wanting to do a hexagon quilt.  I predict this will take my three to four years because it's my go-to project when I need a distraction from whatever I'm working on.  

I can't seem to get enough of this pattern.  I made the white one into a pillow because I used a cotton yarn and it ended up being humungous!  I'm still so impressed with myself for following a pattern and not going off on my own tangent.  

On another note, this Sunday will be the beginning of my Dear Jane quilt.  Quite an undertaking.  I will be going to Lisa's Clover Hill Quilt shop once a month with other brave individuals to make our take on this popular awesome quilt.  I cannot wait!  I am going to post my progress because this is so huge and I will need to show it off.  This quilt will end up being for me!  

It has 225 different 4x4 blocks.  There will be times I will hate working on this, but I know I will love it in the end.  We learn a row a month so this will take over a year to learn.  Now finishing it can take years.  Maybe I'll have grandchildren by then!

I saw my third favorite bumper sticker the other day.  It said, "Someone told me I was a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."  

Thanks for checking in!

New Twist

Ok, as normal, I took a different path with the crochet project.  I ran out of yarn for the first project I posted a couple of days ago.  I decided to try it with my favorite, stand by yarn.

I am sooooo proud of myself!  I followed a pattern exactly as it was written.  It's not a pillow, but one side of a purse.  I have decided to do a little embellishing between the stitches and make the other side out of fabric.  This may take a few days.  I simple love it!

This is a picture of my Molly.  Nothing is sacred, everything is a bed.  I suppose I will need to make a nice snuggly real one some day. I'll add it to my list...

Two New Projects - What Will They Be?

Yesterday I found a crochet project that I couldn't wait to try.  I paid five bucks for the pattern.  What will this be?  Hmmmmmm...

It's not a pillow.  I actually have to follow a pattern.  Under the directions heading it says, "Extreme Focus Required."  Anyone who knows me is chuckling right now because I don't normally follow directions.  I'm liking it though and I think it's coming out great.

I'm running out of yarn and I sure hope I have a second skein.  Knowing me, I do have another one somewhere.

This morning I suddenly had a great idea for a project that I hope I will be able to profit from.

What could it be?  A cover of some kind...  A child's book?  What is floating around in my head?

One thing for sure, it's a project I will love making.  If all works out, I hope to make a bunch of them.  

Thanks for checking in!

Yesterday, I started a second purse from my new favorite book, Japanese Quilting and as normal, I don't like it.

I go to an "open sew" at Lisa's Clover Hill Quilts in Kensington on Tuesday's and Wednesday's.  Everyone who goes there gets an over abundance of encouragement on whatever project they are working on.  I'm not sure if this particular project will get finished.  The material is from two placemats.

One of my challenges is to start and finish projects before starting something new, but oh... there are sooooo many other neato things I can be doing!

We'll see how I feel tomorrow.  Thanks for checking in!