CQJP 2013: April Block Progress

I added chain stitching to the wavy line. Added some vintage tatting from my stash. And doodled a bit of a motif and started filling in a vine stem with back stitching.

CQJP 2013: April Block

Here's the start of my block for April.  Ahhh this makes me much happier!  Nice and bright!  Sunny and cheerful!

I'm going to make the cabochon into a pearl surrounded brooch.  I folded a piece of lace and thought it makes a great napkin!  Then I started marking a seam.  Last block I didn't do seams first and I hated that I didn't!  So this time though it feels like I'm walking uphill in sand, I'm going to do the seams first!  Then get to all the rest.  I just feel like I draw a blank when it comes to seams, motifs I always have ideas flowing.  I'm not sure why it's so hard for me to envision seam treatments.  Maybe it's because I want them to be perfect and I'm not that good at being meticulous even though I enjoy the look of meticulous! HA!  Whereas motifs are very free-form and look great that way.  Oh well, I'm hoping it'll get easier as I do it more, that's usually how it is.

CQJP 2013: Adding Bling

I am adding some bling to the tatting to create a nice focal motif. I still have more to add but here is what I have done so far.

First I cut a rhinestone bracelet into a few pieces and swagged them and sewed them on using clear thread.






Next I found a different cameo that I could use on this block!  It's a button that has a silver edging all around it.  Perfect!


After adding the button I played with a few ideas and the next thing to come about was to add some tiny size 15 brown seed beads inside the rings of the tatted flowers.  So far I am happy with the results.  Now to try and figure out the rest! LOL

CQJP 2013: Block for March

Here's my block for March!  Of course the piecing of the block didn't go like I expected it, and I used different fabrics than I thought I was going to.  And then to top it all off the cameo I used for inspiration will not work on it!!! LOL  But hey I still love the color inspiration and I was able to use a piece of my new trim I got yesterday!






You see that bit of tatting I stitched in an arch to the side of the cup?  Well that tatting I had salvaged back in 2007 when I was at a tatter's meeting and the lady next to me had to cut out a portion of her work!  I blogged about it here: Tatting Heartbreak!

So finally after saving it for a few years in my stash it has finally found it's home!  As you can see I was only able to keep the thicker portion.  I cut away all the hanging strings and cut rings and then I ironed it and closed the flower rings, which had rings cut out, to look like smaller flowers.  Then I simply hand stitched it into place.

I'm going to embellish it further with beads and such to make a nice luscious motif!

CQJP 2013: Feb. Block Finished Into A Page

As you can see I turned the block into an applique like the last one and also made a backside out of tea themed fabric.  Then I added a ton of lace and such in between the 2 sides and stitched it together.  I placed all the lace and then pinned to the back of the backside and sewed along the edge with the sewing machine to keep it all in place.

 I used the Ladder Stitch along the edges to sandwich them closed nicely so that no stitching would be seen on the top side.

 I added bits from a crochet doily I had bought and saved just for this purpose and it found it's perfect home!  On the back I also took one of the Roses and a Leaf from the Doily and stitched it down on the corner.

 Here you can see the Rose and Leaf Doily edge as well as the Variegated Pink Doily too.










I also added in a Battenburg Lace Leaf, and a dyed lace motif.

 Here you can see the two pages (Jan. and Feb.) side by side, I think they flow together well!

And here you can see the Jan. page on top and how the edge lace plays together when they are closed.

And this photo is of the back of the Feb. page closed against Jan.'s page.

I'm loving it!!!  This is exactly what I was hoping for!

My next idea is to do blocks that are representative of Guests, and go in different color themes and styles along with a Tea Cup.  I'm a little worried about that idea if the colors will flow as a story.  I can always make 2 or more books, after all 12 pages is an awful lot for the thickness of these to be in one book.  Maybe I will have a pink themed book that is more the Hostess's Side and a 2nd book with the Guests...a Crazy Quilt Tea Party Saga! HAHAHA  That's a funny idea, but I kinda like it!  Who doesn't love a good Saga!  LOL  For the Hostess Book I could have a Cream and Sugar Page, a Tea Accessory Page, a Cupcake Page...and I already have a color themed Guest Page already gathered...I think I might work on that one for March, it's all in more sepia aged tones with a touch of black/brown, very antique feeling.  Which is VERY different than these two bright pink pages!!! LOL  Well I'm happy that I can go with my whims and follow them and wander around.  It's more fun that way too!  To be outside of the box!  Sometimes you just have to break out, march to the beat of your own drum!  I've always wanted to make blocks of different color themes and styles so I'm really excited about it!  YAY!

CQJP 2013: Block 2 Bouquet

Not sure if this bouquet is finished yet or not. It's looking really good to me it just seems something is still missing.

I think I may scrap the wired bead spray idea for this project, though after researching it I am wanting to make some for sure!

I am considering adding some fine fern type wispy stitches around the edges, maybe in stacked fly stitches.

I think I might concentrate on the seam treatments for now and wait till inspiration kicks in or I feel happy with it as is. ;-)

CQJP 2013: Feb. Block Progress

Here is what I am working on. For some reason I just didn't want to work on this for a few days and then I realized what the problem was.  The rose I last did just wasn't right.  The color was off and it was annoying me, and holding me back, though I wasn't fully aware of that yet.  So I ripped it out.  Sometimes you need a little time away to gain some perspective and forget all the hard work and long amount of time you put into it, so you can rip it out if it's not right!





“The urge to destroy is also a creative urge.” ― Pablo Picasso

So I started working on some seam treatments.  I am not usually very strong in these but this block really called for nice seam treatments in the background.  They will be more quiet than the bouquet but still add interest to the block. None of the seams are finished they will have more added to them, but this is what I got accomplished today.

 I started with a Herringbone stitch in the upper right.  I used a metallic thread.  I also added some light blue lazy daisy flowers to be like forge-me-knots.  I'm not sure what else will be added, I'm letting ideas brew.  The seam to the left of that one, I simply did Chain stitching in scallops using a variegated thread.  If you notice I also worked around the eyelets in the fabric, I want to incorporate them into the seam treatment.  

I'm trying to bring blue around the block in little touches, since the cup is a blue patterned one.  I don't normally prefer blue, but I have noticed that I enjoy how it makes pink pop, and that makes it worth using!!! LOL

This seam is a combination of one side Cretan and the other Herringbone to which I added some lazy daises with long arms, some french knots in dark blue each downgrading in wraps from 3 to 1, then a few straight stitches of a light blue thread.

Finally I worked on the bouquet ripping out the outer part of the petals and reworking them with another silk ribbon which is a better color of pink.  It's 7mm, and I pretty much did stem stitching around the center and then added some loops.  I also added 7mm green silk ribbon leaves, some sweetheart roses in a 4mm variegated pink and green ribbon.  I also used a ribbon work method to create the center of the large bud to the left with 13mm ribbon the same as the large rose, and then used the same 7mm pink ribbon to do a couple of looped ribbon stitches.  I added some straight stitches around it in green and then made a stem by twisting the ribbon and taking a straight stitch with it twisted.  I'm really blending Silk Ribbon Embroidery with Ribbon Work methods to create this bouquet.  I cut off the fabric print and am going to wing the design instead.  I like my own ideas better!!! LOL  I'm prepping to make more of the large bud centers for more of them, and I need to figure out another larger rose or flower to add to the arrangement.

I feel so much better after all the work I did today.  I'm really happy with how this block is coming along. 

CQJP 2013: Sculpted Silk Ribbon Rose

I have been working on this rose today and finally got it to where I want it!  I used a 13mm variegated Silk Ribbon and Clear Thread, but I didn't do typical Silk Ribbon Embroidery techniques but used Ribbonwork techniques instead.

Recently I bought a couple of books that inspired me.  "Roses" by Di Van Niekerk and "The Artful Ribbon: Ribbon Flowers" by Candace Kling.  The Artful Ribbon is the book I was really looking for to learn ribbonwork flowers.  Though the book by Di Van Niekerk is inspiring as well.

To make this rose I started out making a cabochon rose and then went off in my own direction the rest of the way, fiddling and as Candace Kling says sculpting until it was something I liked.  She's right, it is like sculpting with ribbon.  It took me a few hours working on it though which for me is a long time since most SRE doesn't take that long per flower.  Most of the roses in either book is made out of bigger ribbon, but I needed something smaller so I used the 13mm silk ribbon I had.  I'm not sure if I'm going to repeat this process for the rest of the roses in the cup but this front and center one needed to be extra special.

I liked how Candace Kling uses Ribbon Widths to measure out how much ribbon you would need, it makes it easy to figure out how much to use with any size ribbon you choose.  The bad side was I would have like a bit more detailed how to get a specific result.  All the basic is there and you can take it and run with it, like I did going off in my own direction.  But there were moments that I was wondering how to get it to look like what I wanted and no directions to help me get there.  It's such a subjective process, I know, but I was wishing for a little more detail to help figure out what I wanted.  More experience will help me, but it's nice to be able to glean from what others have learned to give you a boost too. 

CQJP 2013: Block 2

Here is my latest block!  And my browsing of Pinterest has inspired me to do some luscious Ribbonwork and SRE!  Every teaparty needs a floral centerpiece so that is the inspiration for this block.

Knowing I wanted to do this as I pieced the block, I used more floral and gardeny fabrics and a print of a teacup with flowers.  I put interfacing on one side to prevent fraying and make it easier to applique this time and I folded the edges and ironed so it will be easier too.  I'm actually only going to do the edges of the cup.  The edges around the flowers are going to be left raw because I'll be using the print as a kind of pattern for SRE and Ribbonwork.

I also got some other ideas for future blocks.  I might make each a different color and style that comes out of the fabrics and teacup used so that each is unique like the guests at a tea party.  If each block represents a guest, I can add jewelery they would wear into the mix etc.  After all isn't part of the fun of a Tea Party the dressing up for a Tea Party?  Also I think doing that would draw in the onlookers into the book and whichever is their favorite can inspire daydreams of them wearing such things to the party.  Imagination!

I hereby cordially invite you all to my Tea Party in the land of Daydream and Imagination, you are welcome anytime 24/7 and to stay as long as you wish!  Where your favorite tea is always ready just for you!  And all the endless delicious desserts and finger foods are zero calories!  Enjoy!  LOL ;-)

CQJP 2013: Jan. Block Complete

I fixed all the bon-bons, so now this month's block is complete!

CQJP 2013: Block 1 now Page 1

♥ “I dream my painting and I paint my dream.” ― Vincent van Gogh ♥
When I saw this quote I just had to share it! It's exactly how I feel about this project! And isn't that exactly what those of us who create do?  We dream it and then create what we dream!

So here's block 1 all finished now turned into page 1 of the little book this will become!
The first photo is the front side of the page, the second photo is the back side of the page.  The third photo is the two sides before I sandwiched them with lace etc.
LOL Construction is not my strength!!!  LOL  But since there is lots to look at I don't think people will really notice...sometimes it's okay to just accept imperfection, otherwise you won't do anything at all!
I noticed the bottom sequin of the bon-bons got a little warped from the iron, I didn't think it would have been enough heat to do that...I will have to remove them and redo the bottom sequins...that's a "live and learn" moment for me!  LOL

CQJP 2013: Bon-bons

Aren't these little bon-bons so cute!?!  I could just eat them right up!  LOL

I created them using a large flower sequin, a large round bead, a smaller flower sequin, and a tiny white bead to top it all off.  You can see the process in this photo.  I bent all the petals of the large flower sequin upwards, added the large pink bead, then added the small flower sequin.  When I sewed them onto to the block I added a tiny white seed bead on top!

This block is looking pretty finished to me.  All that's left is to turn it into a page and I will be finished with this months block!

CQJP 2013: Sandwiches and Cookies

Here are some goodies I created!  I love it when I get idea after idea.  Sometimes I get a little lull but then another idea comes and I'm off again!

The cucumber sandwiches I made using felt with a top layer of lace to give it texture.  Between the bread I put some green fleece that is in a heart shape but with the bottom point rounded so all points look like little cucumbers sticking out of the sandwich.
I tucked napkins under each sandwich.

The heart beads looked like cookies to me, so I added them between the sandwiches.

The cylindrical cookies are inspired by "Pirouettes" which are a rolled wafer cookie.  To create them I used a brown felt rectangle and rolled a piece of vintage cream lace around it.

This block looks like it's nearing completion!!! YAY!  It's been so fun to think up all these little treats and to see them added to the block.

CQJP 2013: Additional Treats & Details

I created some little wafer cookies using the criss-cross fabric and some felt.  I made them offset to look like a bit more of an angled view.

I also added some steam using a bit of lace.

I printed out the word "Brew" in a pretty font onto muslin, then sewed on a bit of lace that is actually vintage imitation tatting.  Since real tatting can only be done by hand and never machine this lace is made like venice lace but to look like it is tatting by the shapes and pattern.  I only have a little bit of it, but because it is more flat than tatting it's easy to use for a lot of things and was perfect for this!  Then I added beading to give it more sparkly prettiness.

CQJP 2013: Treats

Here are some of the treats I've been adding to the block!  Little pink Tea Cakes or Petite Fours made with pink felt a cool bit of lace on top that looks like decorative icing and a flower sequin with a bugle bead. I also added some larger bugle beads as candy sprinkled in here and there.  White lace serves as a doily under everything.

The cookies are made using a decorative sparkle round thing covered with lace.  The lace not only gives the cookie a cool texture but makes it able to be sewn onto the block.  No glue is used!

CQJP 2013: Teapot Details

I am so loving the teabag tag!!!  So the little details that have been added is stitching all along the edges in a brown thread.  I think it helps, though not as much as I would have liked.  Then I did some tiny back stitching in the same thread along the lid and top of pot area.  That helped give it more dimension the lid fabric lays more flat and the pot fabric puffs to make it look more 3D.

For the teabag tag I took a couple of fabrics, a criss-cross print and a words print, and ironed on some normal interfacing then cut out the squares to give me clean edges with a more paper-like feel.  Then I took a couple of tiny stitches on the 2 ends with clear thread to hold the pieces together.  Next I used some size 80 white tatting thread for the string.  Took a couple of stitches at the top of the tag which holds it into place (conveniently covering the odd-ball red rose...muah hahaha), then took the thread back to the top and took a wrap at the top of those stitches and then under that loop and up to the top to let it "come out" at the lid.  The string is movable and the tag can flap!  And I love that "Love" is on the tag...it's so cute!!!

OH an seeing that cute criss-cross fabric makes me think of wafer cookies!!!  Future idea in the making!!!  This little Tea Book is going to be so cute!!!  I'm getting more and more ideas, maybe a tag or something that says "Brew The Tea" or "First Brew The Tea"...I love how the fabric books have little sayings in them that go with the images in the pages.

And is it just me or am I the only one that thinks it's proper to brew the tea in the pot NOT the cup!  LOL  I always think it's so wrong for just hot water to be in the pot and teabags be set out for the teacups...that method is for MUGS where you don't use a teapot!!! LOL  Just my opinions on the subject...just in case you wanted to know...HAHAHA ;-)  And I don't just use bags I'll do both loose and bags, it's true, loose tea is better!  LOL

CQJP 2013: Teapot Applique Finished

Ok so last night I buckled down and finished the applique! Once I finished the handle, the top handle needed it too, but that tiny little thing gave me the most grief! If you look closely it's chewed up, the fabric pretty much shredded. So now I'm ready to stitch around it and see if that helps clean it up. I have a feeling it will do the trick nicely and make me very happy with this little teapot applique. Off to stitch I go!

CQJP 2013: Teapot Applique

Finally I finished the outer edges...and I thought I was done and then I realized...yup I need to do the inside of the handle too.  So now I'll work on that.  I'm dreaming of seams of little tea cakes...I want to get on to that part!!! LOL  I also am going to take some brown thread and stitch around the edges...they aren't pretty so that will help them look nice and it look like the lines used to draw the teapot in the print too.

All this trouble has made me realize I can't tolerate doing tons of applique and I'm looking into other ways to attach them to my future blocks rather then the torturous tedious tiny applique of these prints I want!  LOL  So I'm looking into some double sided interfacing that I can iron onto the back of the print, then cut it out, have no fraying, and then iron them into place.  And now I totally understand why this stuff was invented!!!  LOL  Ya know even having interfacing on the back of the applique that you are going to sew down would help with the fraying ends of the fabric that you have to tuck under would be amazing!

But for now I don't want to tuck any more edges under...  One more tiny part to go...I can do it...ok...heh...ugg...meh...(Hows that for melodramatic?)...ok...here I go...LOL  If I finish it off tonight, tomorrow I can work on the fun stuff!  LOL  I have to bribe myself!  LOL

Favorite Things: Tea Cookies

Thought you all might enjoy this sweet shot since I'm working on tea themed CQ!  One of my favorite teacups a Royal Albert 'Old Country Roses' and my fave tea cookies on one of my antique Haviland Limoges plates!

CQJP 2013: Block 1

 Today I pieced together my 6 inch block for this month!  I am not sure I'll keep the same color theme each month, but I do know it will be "Tea".  LOL

I have an idea for turning each block into a page though!  I will turn each block into an applique using This Method I use for hearts, and then so the same to a square of fabric and then place them back to back sandwiching some bits of lace and such out the edges.

 I figured for this block I would do a Teapot so I cut out this pretty one from a teapot print.  It's all clipped and ready to applique down.  Next is simply to get that applique done!

The Teapot needed a Doily so I found a little one in my stash and cut it out in a crescent shape and sewed down the raw edge.  It will be nicely hidden behind the teapot applique.

I promise that piece of fabric in the lower left is not really how it looks in the photo...LOL...it's not purple at all but a hot pink and similar to the top piece.  And the top piece is a little more soft and matching with the other pinks too.  It's always annoying to me that it's so hard to capture accurate photos of the pieced fabrics, with all the differences in sheen, texture, and fabric types.  I just have to keep going anyway.  You'll just have to trust me that the colors do indeed go together well!  LOL  My worry is that red rose on the teapot...not sure how I'll deal with that, but I will think of something because I do NOT want to add red into the mix...