Happy New Year!

I can't believe... just a few days.  What a huge rollercoaster the past year has been! 

I'm still stitching away at my blocks (I'm at 3/4 done), but I could not complete the top by tomorrow night. I don't have strips listed on the sidebar because I'm waiting to cut out all those little squares after I've finished the main blocks (trying to use up those charm square bundles). I'm really looking forward to slow winter months here in Michigan to get this top done.

I've learned so much with this quilt - so ambitious to teach myself needle turn applique on such a large project, but each completed block has given me such a sense of pride at a time when I need it most.  I also love seeing your completed blocks - you've helped broaden my horizens and stray away from a fixed pattern.  I also love your color choices and the stories behind them.  I'm looking forward to seeing your progress through the next project also....

Chooky is an amazing leader.  She has made it clear all along that unless the top is finished, one can't participate in the next round (and I fully understand that - this blog is about working together and completing these lovely quilts).  Chooky (and all of you) have been so amazingly supportive - this blog has been some a comfort in a year of turmoil.  Chooky, please keep my name on the sidebar - I will continue to work on my SKoW (it's my priority project) and will let you know when I have updates for you.  Thank you for your patience!

Hears to a happy, healthy New Year, my friends!

Elisa in Michigan

Happy 12-13-12!

I'm at this moment plugging away at my blocks! Woot!

I'm WAY behind because I had a chance to make extra money to help with my heating bills & car repairs this winter (I'm down to one job right now), and that had to take precedence.

I have no more side jobs until after the new year, so, for the first time in months, I'm sitting down & working on my own stuff!


For the first time this season, I'm really feeling in the holiday spirit! Sitting here with my feet up, in my flannel jammies, with Ginger purring next to me, and stitching away! If I look to the left, I can see my very beautiful Tis The Season quilt taking pride of place.

Sigh. Life is grand.

Thank you for keeping me inspired - my heart was with you even if my hands weren't!

Elisa

 

My House is a Home

Finished another block! Woot!

Kinda re-thinking the yellow door, though... Looks like Dr Seuss would live here!

Happy Saturday!

Elisa

 

Whole Lotta Stitching Going On

Hello everyone!

I wish I had a better picture to share, but...

Now that I'm able to focus on my SAL, I've been working on all my blocks simultaneously - LOL. All my blocks are in different stages of undress.... er.. completion! Many are complete (I've shared those already). Some are appliquéd and half stitched. Some are appliquéd and marked for stitching. Some are cut out. Some just have their selected fabrics next to the pattern.

I can tell you that I'm going on a long weekend and this block (and, hopefully, one or more others) will be completed by the end of it.

Love seeing everyone's progress! Keep going, girls!

Hugs, Elisa

 

Still Plugging Away

Happy Sunday!

Just wanted to drop a quick note to show I'm still plugging away at these! The embroidery shouldn't take long.

For the tags on the suitcase, did you embroider the labels and then appliqué or vice versa?

Hope to have more finishes soon!

Elisa

 

I'm Still Here!

Hi! I'm here! I haven't disappeared off the face of the Earth!

This past year was a big year of transition for me. However, no matter how overwhelmed I've felt, I've greatly enjoyed taking a break and seeing all your progress. I have a stack of finished blocks, and things have settled enough for me to pick up my needle again. I should have some more progress to share soon.

I'm hoping there will be another project after this one (hopefully, after the new year! LOL!)

Love seeing those finished projects! Keep it up!

Hugs, Elisa

 

Showing Some Progress

Hi everyone!

Must admit I'm having the hardest time focusing on this project.  In the US, it is now in the dead of winter for us.  So, typically fickle Michigan weather, it's 70+ degrees and gorgeous outside!

I have been catching up.  I'm teaching myself needleturn applique and this is my first project.  Here are some more of my blocks:

Sanders Chocolates is a fixture in Detroit.  These kind of look like they were in the sun too long!  LOL!

Vernors is another favorite (the Original Ginger Soda!)

The spray at the top is all the bubbles that go up your nose.

Add some butter pecan ice cream....

And decorate the table with a daisy:

And these are my blocks so far!  I'm working on my suitcase and book right now.  Hopefully, I'll get to the March blocks before March is over!

You will note no sashing blocks yet.  I'm waiting until the end of the project and will cut up my remaining charm squares for that.

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

p.s. I love seeing all your posts.  Really brightens my day!

Slow But Steady

Chookie has cracked the whip so I'm sharing my blocks. Two done so far - one in the final stages - and I'm still plugging away. We had a loss in the family and a very serious illness over the holidays so I'm behind. I'm confident I can catch up soon. I'm actually enjoying the challenges of appliqué!

This is my first appliqué ever!  So much fun!

And this is my second appliqué ever! Woot! I changed the text - I love dancing in rain puddles!

They photographed rather dark.  I'm using traditional needleturn for the larger pieces and spray-starch appliqué for the smaller ones. I'm changing my patty cakes into cup cakes, but the frosting has gone a bit wonky.

Chookie, just a FYI, it's going to be a long time before you can update the sidebar for me. I'm using charm packs. I'm waiting until the end to cut up any leftover charm squares into those small sashing squares.

Thank you, everyone, for inspiring me!

Cheers!

Elisa

 

They're Coming

Howdy all!

It's been a tough winter so far - my family has suffered a loss and some medical trials. On the bright side, after months of practicing, I have completed my very first needleturn block (my goal in this project is to learn needleturn). Unfortunately, by the time I get home, it's too dark to take a pic. Hopefully, will share by this weekend (I'm SO geeked - it was so much fun!)

Keep your posts coming, you are inspiring me to stitch! Thank you Cbooky for my reprieve!

Cheers!
Elisa

Out of Curiosity....

... How many of us are teaching ourselves appliqué on this project? Nothing like diving in head first, eh?

Elisa

Free Anni Downs Christmas Pattern

Hi!  Just wanted to drop a line that Anni Downs has a free Christmas pattern on her website for the Henry Glass blog hop.  You can click on it and save the pdf.  No affiliation, but there has been some great free patterns on this hop!

Gotta go!  Off to stitching!
Elisa

Applique Questions

EDIT: I have added this to the sidebar. 
Elisa asked several questions. Others have answered them.
Some have links so if you read this and have something to add put it in the comments
I have added the link to this post to the sidebar. Chookyblue


Hi everyone,

One of the reasons I wanted to participate in the next round is to finally learn the ins-and-outs of appliqué (I have done it in the past – mainly by machine - but, to me, appliqué is the “A” word!)

I’ve been scouring websites and checked out books.  I know, like embroidery, everyone has their own methods and techniques, but I wanted to survey you over some questions that have arisen.  I’m finding two different sources will say the exact opposite thing!

1.    For needle-turn appliqué, does your thread match your appliqué piece or the background?

2.    Is it true you can’t iron YLI silk thread because it will melt?

3.    Several sites recommend using blue washable marker for turn-under appliqué.  Some say never use it because it does not wash out – it reappears.  Thoughts?

4.    For those doing raw-edge appliqué, is that using fusible and then finishing with a stitch like a buttonhole or satin stitch or top stitch?

5.    For needle-turn appliqué, after appliquéing your piece, do you cut-out the background fabric behind it?

6.    Do any of you use freezer paper?  Do you use the methods where you iron it to the wrong side or the right side?

7.    Do any of you use starches or appliqué glue?  What should we know?

I was assuming if I had these questions, others would also.

Thank you!
Elisa

After quilting for 17 years, I can't run away from applique any longer....

Garden Song is Singing to Me!

Ok, I took the plunge!  I've selected my fabrics for our next project.  Using this image as my inspiration.....

My Favorite Things - pattern by Anni Downs

I'm going with Nancy Halvorsen's Garden Song fabrics for the applique and color accents.  And I will use creams, tans and pale yellow fabrics from my stash for the borders and sashing.

Now, all I have to do is figure out how to applique!  I'm openly soliciting applique tips, tutorial suggestions, and favorite techniques on my blog.  Keep them coming!  If I get enough, I'll compile them and share them!

Happy Stitchin!

Elisa

Tis the Season to Celebrate....

... because I'm done!  WOOT!

I finished this over the weekend but needed a model to hold it up (thanks, Lauri!) It was a little breezy today, but this will do!  Loved - loved- loved working on this!

Very excited about starting the next one.  Decided to dive right in and finally teach myself to applique!  I can't wait to see the difference between the first and last block!

Thank you, dear ladies, for your amazing support this round.

Looking forward to another season,
Stitches,
Elisa

I'm Stitching! I'm Stitching!

Chooky did a great job cracking the whip!

I'm stitching!  I'm stitching!  Will have this done as soon as possible! I'm not going to be left out of the next round!  I'm not sure I'm keen on how the borders turned out - got a little too fancy.  Think I should've left out the smaller "circles" border and went right from cranberry to green.

Backing washed but I'M OUT OF BATTING!  Another trip to the shop!

Chooky, hold my spot!

Elisa

Catching Up!

Good afternoon,

It's been a tough month in the household.  After 10 years, one of the companies I work for closed its doors.  It's been very hectic helping with the liquidation and planning for the future.  (The multi-day power outage after a fluke storm didn't help!)

Here are block 12 and label.

I think Santa in block 12 looks a little wonky (maybe because I stitched him via candlelight?) but the block is actually square.

My least favorite block in the book turned out to be my most favorite to stitch - love this label!

Going out of town this weekend and have several final commitments coming up so my goal is to at least have the top assembled by October.

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

July Tis the Season SAL

Phew! Completed my July blocks! I would've posted it yesterday, but it was overcast (pics still came out darker than reality - hmmph).

11 blocks completed - 1 block and 1 stitched label to go!

Now onto Birdie Stitches!

Happy Stitchin'
Elisa

A Little Sad....

.... At first I was concerned that I wouldn't keep up with all the commitments in my life, but, now that we're 3/4 done, I don't want it to end :) Glad Chooky is already brainstorming the next project!

Here's block #9 for me (can't tell here, but it is square). The sashing will make more sense when you see it with the other blocks.

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

Loving These Blocks!

I'm so excited!  I've completed my May (and half my June) Stitch-along blocks!  Woot! These are SO much fun, but my time has been so limited.

Angel: as funny as it sounds, this block reminds me of my late mother.  She was just so sweet, always had a kind smile, loved the holidays, and is now an angel.  She'd like the snowmen surrounding her!

Penguins: now this one reminds me of my sister.  She is a docent at the Detroit Zoo, and last year she treated me for my birthday a trip behind the scenes at the Penguinarium!  It was SO cool!  The birds were loud, stinky, and utterly adorable!

Elf: makes me think of all my nieces and nephews.  We have a VERY large family so, when we gather for the holidays, the kids will scurry to and fro passing out the gifts from under the tree!

I can't wait to see this quilt completed!  Winter sounds pretty good in this hot and humid Michigan!

Elisa

 

Having Fun in Ferndale

Good evening,

Here are the latest blocks for SAL - I'm having SO much fun stitching these!

The fabric choices probably seem a little weird, but it'll make sense when you see these all together with my March blocks.

The blocks look a little wonky, but they're actually square.  I'll have a better board to display them on when I snap my May photos.

Take care!

Elisa