First CQ project of 2010!

After a hectic period finally I'm back to my routine life and gave a start to stitch with a lovely project. One of my online buddy from the USA will have a presentation to show different CQ applications from different cultures. She just kindly asked to borrow one of my CQ project for the mentioned presentation but I wanted to create something different for her as a present . As most of my CQ'er buddies knows, I don't use much trims on to my blocks, I love to create my own seam treatments. But this time, I used different handmade beaded oya laces to reflect Turkish application on a Turkish style CQ block. Everything,, I've used, on this block is from our local market.
I started to get pieces together with my favorite Victorian colors,
after piecing the block I added neat color trims, of course I selected them among my beaded oya laces, and stitched seam treatments using mostly silk threads. I crocheted two little hats, but I decided to use pinky one, it looked more apparent with its lovely colors and its contrast border ribbon.

This is a highlight of the bottom side. All those embellishments that I used are from our local market. The silk ribbons that I used to make web & fargo roses are also local products, that variegated silk ribbon looked so pretty on the web rose . The bronze butterfly charms looks like antiques. Recently, I found that little tulip charm at a local bead shop. I especially wanted to use it because tulip is another nice symbol of Istanbul. The origin of tulip is Istanbul, it goes to 15th-16th centuries, Ottoman Empire.

This photo shows the right side of the block.I used my favorite style oyas on the pink fabric and added a calla charm. It is also a new charm that I found it from a bead shop at Ankara. These oyas in this photo are a new creation with my favorite colors with lilac and purple tones of floss thread.

A CQ block without an evil eye bead won't look too much Turkish. Of course, I added a nice evil eye bead to complete it:))
This photo shows some other details of the left side.

Here is the final of the 7x7" little block that I made for dear friend, Lynn. The block on its long way to go to Ca right now. I crossed my fingers it will be reached to there in time to be used at her presentation.
Unfortunately photos doesn't judge the colors so well, however I wanted to share all details of my first CQ project of 2010. I hope 2010 will be a creative year for all of us....Happy stitching.....

RR block

I'm so quiet for blogging. It is so hot here in Istanbul. I don't have enough energy to stitch and being creative. However, I enjoyed so much to work on a RR block. I've explained the rules of this RR in my previous posts. As being third person to work on this RR my responsibility was to do motifs, embroidery without too much additional decoration. The next person will add beads, buttons, charms etc....I envy her job on this lovely block!!!!:))

Now, let me start to tell you what I did. Melodie's block theme is "Grandfather's Garden". Can you think a grandpa's garden without bird house? I did a bird house with little flowers its underneath.

I embroidered this little bird with blue tones of the silk floss. I thought it should be well looking under the Maureen's beautiful Forget me knots. The seam treatment at top looks so pretty, isn't it?

I wanted to create something like a rose garden on this green part of the block which is the center piece. My roses aren't so successful, the fabric was a little bit tough for the SRE, I couldn't pull the needle easily. My tendinitis problem at right hand still exists. However, I think this part looks fine, what do you think? At last, I added a lace dragon fly, I dyed it with coffee. It should be looking much better with some beads and bugles. I'm sure that Reneta who is the next person to work on this block, she should do wonderful touches.

I worked on a RR block this weekend. This is a different concept other than our known RRs. We are five people, picked a different theme to create our own blocks. When the first person receives the 1st block, does all of the seams with designs in thread. When the 2nd block received, she adds to the seams with some ribbon embroidery and more stitching. When the 3rd one received, the motifs should be doing without additional decorations and when the 4th block received it will be final touch with the adding pizazz....beads, buttons, charms wahatever needed! I must admit that it will be my favorite block!!!:))
This interesting RR was Maureen's idea that I liked, it seemed so interesting. The photo shows the second block that belongs to Shirlee, I received it from Maureen. At first, I was hesitant what to do on this "Oriental theme" block without pizazz. After giving a start I enjoyed so much to work on it.
I think, I did well on this lovely block with the "Oriental theme" according to the rules of this mentioned RR. Its on its way to go to Reneta. Now, I'm waiting 3rd block!

DRAWING

As you all know, ladies never want to tell their ages...But there are some important ages that they are milestones in our lives!!!
A half century! It is pretty hard to believe that I'll celebrate my 50th birthday on October 10th:)
I decided to have a drawing with "50 pieces" of goodies...and I'll keep continue this drawing traditionally with an increased piece for each year:)
How to join the drawing??? You can just make a comment on this on this post to be included in the drawing till Oct.10th, I'll announce the winner on Oct.11th.
Crazy Quilting is a special love of mine, it answers to my many interesting in the same time. Is there any other handcraft combines embroidery, sewing, silk ribbons, laces, beads, sequins, buttons and painting? I'm a real keeper and I built a good stash since 2004. I would like to share some of them with this special drawing.
Happy stitching.....

Winter RR

After having a hot summer, it is time to stitch again. I host a new RR with "Winter" theme. This is my first trial to host a RR, we are two groups, both groups have talented and experienced ladies.I'm so glad that both group activities runs so smoothly, so friendly.
To work on a RR block was great after a long time. I couldn't stitch much during the summer. I enjoyed to work on that lovely block, now, it is on its long way to go to Sri Lanka. I started my work on that lovely block with a chevron stitch. I added beads, sequins to catch a Christmasy decoration look. The green patch was a great background to make a poinsettia. A small SRE looked so neat. I thought that nine small deers will be neat at the bottom:)) Is it possible to think a Santa without deers?

Another crocheted basket:)

I'm so glad that finally I've completed another UFP. Suppose to it should be finished long time ago:(
Now, I post only one highlighted part of the mentioned block to show my other crocheted small basket:))

Tutorial for CD pin keeper

I brought two back sides together and started to sew them with blanket stitch. I used variegated purple cotton thread. I used a bead at every stitch. Those beads are almost the same colors with the silk ribbons. They really looked so neat and pretty. It was my first trial to make a blanket stitch with beads. I must admit that I liked this method so much...




I used a thin layer of fiber at the both CD's that I used them for the front and back sides. I cut the fibers in circular shape with the same size with CD's. I folded them precisely and sewed tightly. I guess, to glu them will be much more smart and easy idea but I scare to have a stain!!! I prefered an old method to avoid any possible problem.




I used pale lilac color ribbons to make fargo roses at the both sides. In the middle section, I added small type oyas that they gave a different look. To add leaves with different green tones was the final. At last, I added a small bow charm at the bottom, it gave another a nice sparky look.



I started to make my first CD pin keeper. First off all, I selected a solid fabric with a soft lilac color, cut two squares. I always add a muslin piece at the back side. It is pretty hard to get a good SRE result without it. I ironed both of them.

CD Pin keeper swap project

I made this CD pin-keeper for my swap partner. It was my trial for using CD to create a pin keeper. I've tried to make an elegant thing as much as I can. By the way, it is also possible to use it in another way with a holder as shown:))
Today my server is so slow, I'll post a tutorial later for what I've done to create this pin-keeper.

Progress of the Memory Block

Embellishing the block is the most joyful part for me, especially this block has so pastel colors, I really enjoy to work on it.

The beaded trim type and the other oyas are around the lace, is new performance of my oya artisan lady. Those pinkish oyas are called "Puren". They looked so neat with hand dyed lace. I added french knots with 4mm undyed ribbon of Ribbonsmyth.

I'm so glad that I found beads with almost the same color with ribbons that I made green leaves. They are, both made a good contrast at top patch. I used solid pink taffeta and added lace there.

The below seam treatment is my new creation:)

Progress of the Memory Block

I like "Lily of the Valley" so much, I did a small lily of the valley bouquet today on the Memory Block... I also completed some other SRE today on this block, I'll share their photos as soon as after completing my work. My mother crochets small motifs for me, I like to add them beads, pearls to catch more elegant look. I added one motif with beige color and added a transparent bead on the middle and pearls around the of the motif. I'm trying to use pastel colors on this block as much as I can. Still there are too many things to do, hope I'll be complete my work as of this weekend to start other projects. I have two swap commitments but I still couldn't start them:(

Ribbon Desings - New Website

Today when I was reading group messages of one of Yahoo group, I've learned about Marilyn Becker's new website. I recalled some old memories... In 2004, I was a Newbie, I was trying to build my stash crazily. In those days, I went to London for holiday, of course London is a great source for us, CQ'ers. Only Portobello is enough with its antique stores.

In those days, only YLI ribbons were available in our local market here, in Istanbul. They were sooo expensive, due to lack of information I didn't get a chance to place online orders. I've had to pay doubled or tripled amount to buy ribbons from our local market. Anyway, before my trip I've searched where to buy nice ribbons. So, I've learned that Liberty Store carries nice silk ribbons. To see Merilyn Becker's wonderful ribbons, "Ribbons Designs" was a great chance for me. I bought lovely assorted ribbons and organdy's as well. But, I must admit that, I've already used just small pieces of those ribbons on a special project. I keep them as a treasure for another special project. I don't know, if Liberty's Haberdashery still carries Merilyn's gorgeous ribbons but I'm sure that Merilyn's new website will help us to reach her wonderful ribbons.

I like to visit Haberdashery sections of the big Dept.Stores one of them is Liberty in London. I like the magnificient building of Liberty's, it is so close to Recent Street where I go Waterstone's Book Store at Piccadilly whenever I visit London. As being mother of a book worm philosophy student's I have always special orders from Waterstone's Book Shops. I also love to visit one of the Shops of Waterstone and take a peek to its hobby books section.

I was just like a kid in the candy shop:))