kerrykatiecakes

I finished stitching on Clairee's block in the Beaded RR #2 at CQI. I was so blown away by the work that Simona and Gerry had done that it was hard to get started. But at last I settled on doing the dragonfly using waste canvas and different metallic beads. It was fun to do but took me longer than I thought it would. But I like it and I hope Clairee will too. For the rest I had to scurry because of the mailing deadline and ended up using some pre-beaded ribbon that I got at a cloth house in Calgary, as well as the dark blue/black bugle and seed bead seam. For the other seam I used seed beads to make a big chain to surround the metal tags I had. In the center I used a metal button with a little beaded fringe and lastly I added the cameo. The colours are washed out in the picture cause I had to play with the colour to get the ribbon to show. It is much brighter in person!

I had the chance to do some "angel work" on replacement blocks for Ulla that went missing in the mail in the Sampler Round Robin. Happily, the original blocks finally turned up via Pony Express but the replacement blocks are still making the rounds so will be a nice little extra for Ulla. This round robin specified specific stitches for each person - I managed to keep with the stitches although not necessarily the ones that I was supposed to do. But since they are replacement blocks and the originals were found I think it is forgivable . On the first one I did a spider web and the seam next to it with french knots, detached chain stitch and feather stitch. Below that is a buttonhole seam I did. On the second block I did a feather stitch seam in variegated thread with beads and a french knot tree. It was supposed to be a topiary - one of those spiral ones. I think I went too subtle with the shading though so now I think I should string Christmas lights on it cause that...

For the second year in a row I will be working as a campground host at McGregor Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area. I am excited to be going back out to the park but sad as well to be saying goodbye to my family, my home and my usual life for five months. Hopefully, my new laptop and aircard will allow me to stay online but you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men.... So, hopefully I'll be back in a day or two. If not, see you in September!

Last year was the second year I took part in the Its My Bag Challenge and I am looking forward to taking part again this year. I have sent off my baggie of goodies and can't wait to see what someone makes from it. As well, I am excited to see what challenges the baggie I receive will offer me. I wanted to show off the lovely items I received from Ann in this last challenge. Aren't they gorgeous?! The first is a cell phone holder which I have already started using and everyone who sees it admires it! The second item was a beautiful needlebook. The picture shows it open, first the outside and then the inside with my initial. I am getting a collection of needlebooks now as we do when we go in swaps so I have decided to use one needlebook for each type of needles. I think this one is the perfect size for beading needles so that is what go in here. The last of the three beautiful items Ann made for me - a shawl pin. Now I am going to knit myself a shawl so I can use it. I...

Rosa's block was so much fun with it's Fall & Sunflowers theme! The third motif I added to the block was this little cross stitch mouse nibbling on an ear of corn, using waste canvas. I added a button trail on one patch using vintage buttons made of metal and glass and a few beads. They appear very dark in the picture but actually they are a bit brighter and seemed to fit the block. This is the whole block after two of us have worked on it. I did a few seams as well: one double feather stitched one, a gold metallic herringbone, some green lace with gold bugle beads and a rust coloured cretan stitch. This block is off in the mail this morning to it's next destination to be stitched on some more.

This weekend I have been working on Rosa's block for the CQI Novice Anything Goes Round Robin. Rosa's block is all sunflowers and autumn so I have been trying to stay with that theme. As soon as I saw the block I knew the first thing I wanted to attempt was the sunflower from Pat Trott's wonderful Three-Dimensional Embroidery Stitches book. This sunflower included three stitches new to me: Palestrina knot stitch for the stem, woven picots for the petals and raised leaves. These leaves are the coolest stitch and I will be using them a lor from now on! I also enjoyed the woven picots and can see where they will be very useful in a lot of applications. The center of the sunflower is good old french knots. The second motif I did for Rosa is a bunch of wheat. This time I just winged it - found a photo of wheat that I liked and then used stem stitch, bullions and straight stitch to replicate the photo and tied it together with some silk ribbon. I took license with the ...

I had a lot of fun with Gerry's block and finally finished up my work last night. I could have just kept going... The little round lace was ringed in gold beads by Simona and I thought it was the perfect place to put this little angel I wanted to use. She was part of a piece of jewelry from the thrift store - I liked her size but she still managed to look delicate. I did some work on the central motif Gerry did on her block - used beads and sequins to tart up the lace there next to Gerry's gorgeous silk flowers. I did a couple of seams in the bottom corner. I had some antiqued gold trim with sequins and beads - found it in the odds and ends bin at a sari shop and could only get that six inches. I added another gold trim on top and then did some beadwork on top of that. The other seam is a beaded fringe I built following one of the patterns in the A - Z of Bead Embroidery book. This motif is a branch with the stem made from japanese gold thread I couched down. Then I ...