Here's another wonderful nest for you....

 I have a group of stitchers who come once a month and spend the day and I have a mini workshop on a useful CQ skill... When they came this month  I had traced the baby birds on some blocks for them to do and I put a big selection of various textures in cording, threads, etc. in the middle of the table.  Their task was to be momma birds for the day and build a nest for their babies.  


Most were able to finish their nest but none had time to finish the birds.. Kathy Streeter finished her birds at home and just sent me this picture.  They are absolutely precious.  She is using them as a center of a CQ hexie... Notice the fine thread painting of the birds, the outlining of the eye, and even a highlight in the eye.  This motif was quite small - less than  3" across...  well done Kathy!!!

CQJP progress

My goal with the last 4 blocks is twofold.  First to always have something ready for handwork which I can throw in my bag and run.  Second I am focusing less on a seam treatments on these blocks and more on a new technique or idea.  On the left below I am doing a tree in the method Judith Montano demonstrated in the last  minutes of our workshop last summer.  On the other block I want to experiment with the several kinds of ribbon pansies  in my ribbon books....

On these two blocks it is stumpwork with some very unique lace I've had forever...  I think the wishing well will be my favorite when finished.

One of my stitchers is finishing a CQ stocking.  She was in one of my very first classes last winter.  Although she is new to CQ she was already a very skilled embroiderer.  Check out these seam treatments!!!  We all met yesterday and everyone is anxious to start a hanky quilt in January.