Southern Cross Crazies RR update

After being away from 4 weeks on a scout jamboree it was so nice to sit and stitch and just relax.  I have made a beetle for Linda for her block. I had asked her prior to going away and was hoping to make him whilst I was at the jamboree but didn't lift a needle.

Here is the full block after me:

I added the beetle in the center, the roses around him and the seam to the far right. There is still Faye to work on this block so there's still room for her to weave her magic. 

Here are close ups of the beetle on this block.

 Back view

 Overhead shot

and a side on view. I think he's happy amongst the roses.
I hope you like him Linda.

Arlene

Jamboree update

Well I have been on camp now for three weeks and am ready to come home. But I still have one week to go. It has been great but 16 hour days are a bit too much to take.

 One of the many activities the scouts participated in was make it, and 160+ of these wooden tables were made, branded and scattered around the Maryborough Showgrounds site.

  The shirt I'm wearing is from one of the many troops that were on site, I swapped it for two QLD scarves.










We also had the occasional night where we had to queue for dinner, this photo was taken on the night when 'The Stable' (mess tent) lost power for an hour or so just on dinner time.
 The photo is of me (in blue), Sue, Leith and Jenny, my work mates for the Jamboree.



We're now said goodbye to nearly everyone on camp, only a handful of us left now to get ready for our Clearance sale on the weekend. It's going to be bedlam.  Roll on Monday night.....
You can find more on the aj2013 Facebook site. When I get home I hope to have more to show, but for now, as it's still really busy here, this will have to do...... oh I miss my stitching.....

Arlene

Catching up

Well over the past month a few items have made it down under.
First the Orny swap with Lisa

This is the one I sent, and below is the one I received from Lydia

Then the Lion's Christmas stocking swap, here is the lovely stocking I received from Suz














And the one I sent

Then for the Southern Cross Crazies Christmas Cracker swap, here is the one I sent to Natasha

 and below is the Cracker that Natasha sent to me.  The santa is cross stitched and the whole piece is quilted, so lovely.

 And inside the cracker:   There is a small teddy bear missing from the photo, only because he's already on my jacket.

I've even had a couple of finishes, I finished the Redwork course on StitchMap, it was a challenge, which I am thankful for my students I mentored, otherwise I don't think I would have finished it.  During the course we made motifs, and at the end we were to make them into weights, but I would never use them, so I made mine into a book cover for one of my favorite stitch dictionary.

 Back and Front cover

 Inside back - pockets for needles cards and small scissors

 Needle and pin booklets at the front.

Now I can take my needles etc with my stitch dictionary.
I've started on my CQJP 2013, but will post that sometime soon, it's looking quiet good already.

I'm not sure what my posting will be like for the next 4 weeks as I'll be away on the 2013 Australian Scout Jamboree which is being held in Queensland this year. I leave Boxing day and return home on the 22nd January, hubby will be at home looking after our two puppies and everything else (thank heavens for hubbies like this).

Thank you everyone for following me this year, and leaving comments, and especially the help on my tree skirt.

Have a wonderful holiday season, if you believe in Santa then I hope he brings you loads of pressies, and those who have other beliefs, God bless.

Arlene

next round of classes on Joggles

Hi all,

The next round of classes are up on Joggles website - link here.

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From advance beginner to intermediate embroiderer, create ‘Cheerful Fluttering’s’ a Floral and Insect Stumpwork scene ready for framing.

 

Using two very different techniques, one three dimensional and the second stitched onto the background fabric using a lesser-known honeycomb style stitch creates two playful Dragonflies. 

Each Dragonfly also having different body types.

 

The inquisitive needle lace butterfly flutters happily about with oversized Daisies standing boldly tempting him to land. 

 

While the Hydrangeas stand defiantly in an elegant vase of smoked glass with an intricate design stitch to it’s outside.

 















 




-->All elements are then placed on a background of linen and framed to allow us to stand back and watch our cheerful insects fluttering about enjoying the fragrance and spender of two beautiful flowers.



 This new class is offered on the 22nd March.







Spot's walk is featured, he is offered on the 5th April.

 And again for the 5th time running, my beetles are offered again. March 1st he is offered.

It's wonderful to have the opportunity to share embroidery, I hope you enjoy the projects if you decide to join me.

Arlene

Yippeeeeee, it's finally completed - the big reveal - CQJP 2012 - Christmas Tree Skirt

Well G'day everyone.

Yes, I have finally finished my beautiful Christmas Tree skirt, and Yes, before Christmas 2012, and do you think I am happy with the result, I'm over the moon, I am thrilled it turned out so well.  So here are my last few steps for completion.

The last post on the skirt I had it basted, and ready for the blocks to be added after I had done some hand quilting.  The quilting was done, very little mind you, it really didn't need it. Then the blocks went on and the 12 meters of braid placed, pin and hand stitched down, and each block was finished with a button on the loop join, and the red trim on each block had gold feather stitch added.

I then pinned the rest of the gold trim and started stitching it all down, two days later......

What a job, my fingers are aching....
The I cut of the extra wadding, and the red background, pulled out most of the basting (except around the opening). Turned it over and hem stitched the rim down.
Cut the slit for the opening, hemmed it also and then added the Merry Christmas buttons.

So what do you think??????

She's now under the undecorated tree (will do that next weekend).

Thank you everyone for following my journey this year with this project, I'm just thrilled it's finished and under the tree.  Watch this space, I am seriously thinking of publishing a book with the construction of this wonderful project.
A few stastic's for you regarding this project: 12 months in the making, 165 -170 hours of work, all hand stitched except for adding the rim to the black skirt, and the construction of the 10 fan block bases and red edge on each. Each fan block averaged between 6 - 10 hours of embroidery, gold work and stumpwork.  12 meters of gold braid to finish skirt, and 4 rolls of red, and black sewing cotton. Along with 20 charms, beads, gold braid, and at least 12 gold buttons, and several meters of silk and satin ribbon. And lastly 3 Santa's helpers to do the basting of the skirt, Lyn, Barb and Diane, again all hand stitched. Almost forgot Carol, who supplied permanently the batting for the skirt (thanks Carol).

I hope you follow my next years project, a '12 days of Xmas' wall hanging.

Arlene

Fibres and Fabrics Embroidery Group Xmas lunch

We did our annual swap of Xmas decoration, this year was a specific shape, but your choice of embroidery, here are the six that were swapped. Clockwise starting top red one: Joan R, Judy S, Barb H, Arlene W, Lyn H, and Suzanne C.

Had a wonderful day at Jessica's, eating and sharing past lunches.  Here we all are

L-R, Joan R, Judy S, Suzanne C, Barb N, Lyn H, and Jessica W., and off course (me, taking the picture).

We have set our decoration for next year’s luncheon, it will be an Angel, and I will have patterns for her during the next few weeks. The top of our Angel can be any embroidery technique you wish, but her skirt is to be beaded.

The one on the right is one I made several years ago, and the one on the left is one I just made, she's a 'stumpwork Angle'.

We also set a swap for Fibers' members next year, so to find out, become a member and join in.

Arlene

Registration open for CQJP2013

Registration is now open until December 12th. CQJP 2013

if you enjoyed following my journey with my Xmas tree shirt blocks and would like to make something similar and want the motivation to do it, I would highly recommend joining, if it wasn't for this project, it would not have been made.

My 2013 project will be an advent wall hanging, here is a glimpse at month 1, drawing only.

Each number will be in goldwork, along with some other bits and pieces, the pear tree and pears will be surface embroidery and the partridge in stumpwork.  There off course will be 12, still need to draw the other 11.

Arlene

Inspirations is now Digitial

G'day all,

My most favorite magazine has finally and thankfully gone digital.  You can buy your copy here, I'm so excited it's just the best. I was so disappointed last year when they took the magazine out of the shops and buy only subscription, now I can buy any issue after this one when I want.

Go Country Bumpkins.......

 And the best thing is that my android fits in my sewing box better than the original magazine did, so now I can take several issues with me...... Yippeeeee....... I am so excited by this.......

Arlene
p.s. I was not asked to post this by anyone, I just love the mag and want to share......

Latest work

I've been busy working on my examples for an upcoming class on Joggles.  The title of the class is 'Doris' and is scheduled for the 4th December. The class is based on a photograph of my mother.  This first photograph is the original piece that the class is based.

Here is the final piece that will be part of the text. Some references to the original piece will be included in the text. The reason for this is because I forgot to take photographs putting her together originally.

Arlene

CQJP 2012 progress report

Now that all the blocks are done, and the base is in some sort of design, it was time to get the skirt ready for the blocks.

Thank heavens for friends who know what their doing.  We made our sandwich, pinned it and tacked it.  Here is my wonderful Fibres Friend who helped me 'sandwiched' the skirt, and helped also to pin it and tack it. There was four of us on Wednesday tacking it together.

This first photo show's Barbara after we'd taped the bottom of the skirt to the table, laid the batting (complements from Carol) and the skirt on top with the edges half stitched in place.  To save our fingers, Barbara had this wonderful idea of using teaspoon for the basting part.

 This next photograph show's it all based, and the excess wadding trimmed back.

 This photograph show's it now with the blocks on and the trim, with the wadding and back skirt folded under. It's looking good, now all that's left is the hand stitching down the blocks and the trim, the outer hem and put on our 'Merry Christmas buttons' and sign it on the back. The Block in the front with 'Noel' buttons, is now being changed, it just looked so out of place. I have taken off the bow and the buttons and made it similar to the other blocks.

Here is the skirt now with the changed block.

Arlene's little helper: This is Ally, my son's Labrador, she is with us for the short term.

Arlene

Poinsettia class closing shortly

Just a reminder that this class is fast approaching - 25th October. If you'd like to dabble a little into goldwork, then this is the perfect course for you. A lovely simple design and very basic stitching needed.

 To book in, just jump to the class 'here'

 

Wanting to make that special gift for that special person? An enchanting colour arrangement speaks to us for a ‘different’ colour choice for Christmas; not the traditional green and red colours.

From beginner to intermediate embroiderer, add lace, threads, beads, silk ribbon and many other lovely little embellishments to create a stunningly unique Crazy Quilted Christmas cracker. The magic is also on the inside with a useful gift, a Hussif. 

Arlene