Christmas Ornament Exchange

In EGA (Embroiderer's Guild of America) last month they did an ornament exchange and I participated for the first time.  The crazy quilted ornament is the one I made and the beaded ornament is the one I received.

Victorian Ladies Round Robin - Hideko's block

I finished Hideko's block.  (-;  I embellished the silky with some black and silver lace and a little bow with a pearl.  I also put a flower on her hat.  The little silk ribbon stars on top of the black lace are from a book called Ribbon Stitches Embroidery by Yukiko Ogura. The flowers on the left are also inspired by this book.  I did a button cluster on the right.  One of the buttons is actually from the Victorian time frame (second from top).  I also added a couple of charms, a ribbon and some seam treatments.  It will soon be on its way to Gerry H.  Hope you like it Hideko!

Practice Hardanger

Ever since I saw Hardanger in person I have always wanted to learn how to do it.  I have a passion for lace and this type of stitching can be very lacy looking.  So, I purchased a beginner's book Called Basics and Beyond by Janice Love and started practicing.  The results are in the photo above.  Traditionally hardanger is done white on white, but Janice suggested to try different color fabrics and threads to get an idea for what I liked.  I then started one of her projects which I will blog about when it is finished.  However, Christmas came around and I really wanted to stitch on something Christmasy and one of my favorite stitchers designed some Hardanger ornaments and posted the patterns for them on her blog (http://manya72.blogspot.com/p/free-patterns.html).  Anna Maria is crazy talented and these are the most beautiful Hardanger ornament patterns I have ever seen.  So, I started stitching the bell and just finished it.  Here it is!

I haven't taken down my tree yet so it will get a day or so to hang on my 2012 tree!  I just love it and hope to stitch all her patterns.  Thanks Manya for sharing your lovely patterns.

Sampler pattern give away

http://stitchingbyacornishseashore.blogspot.com.es/ is offering the Blue Ribbon Sampler book above in a give-away.  (-;

Victorian Ladies Round Robin

This is my work on Rengin's block.

Helen Gibb Ribbon Flower Class

On Saturday I went to two Helen Gibb classes where she taught these lovely flowers and others.  I bought kits of her gorgeous ribbons to make these -- a pansy from wired French ribbon, flat velvet rose with a gorgeous Hannah silk-satin ruffle, and a rose made from wired French ribbon. We also learned the two leaves and a couple of other tidbits.  Needless to say, I spent too much on ribbons before I was able to get out the door, but left feeling I needed more.  lol!  I can't wait to try some more, but my plate is pretty full right now.

CQ Pillow

A couple of years ago I bought what was left of Jill P.'s crazy quilting stash.  She sold me everything -- all of her supplies and even CQ blocks that she had never made anything out of.  This block was one of the blocks she gave me and today I finished it into a pillow.  This was a block that Jill stitched on her own and she put some really lovely embellishments.  It isn't evident on the picture so much, but there are little crystals and lovely old rhinestones.  I love the little hat.