Fan Blocks RR

These are the last fan blocks... This RR also ran into problems so I am finishing off two blocks for Lisa.  I had hoped to have them done this weekend but not quite...but very soon.. I wanted pink cording on the ribs but couldn't find it so added a lighter weight cord and don't like it...too wimpy.  Luckily I found the heavier cording when I was looking for rickrack and will be back on track.

For this block I wanted green rickrack (which I know I have) but can't find the right shade so I'm going to have to get some before I can finish this one... This one has another little problem.... I added a black metallic body to the butterfly but unless you're very close it doesn't show so I will try outlining it... If all else fail I will add a little gold and maybe Lisa won't notice...

About 3 1/2 months

I checked back in my posts and I started my critters in mid May so I have been working on them for about 3 1/2 months... All the motifs are birds, critters, bugs and flowers in my garden and I wanted them to be in harmony with the size of the patches.   They are all about 2 1/2" and it takes at least day to stitch one.   Motifs too large would overwhelm the piece and motifs too small would get lost...   I'm definitely ready to get back to seams, seams, seams...

Birds and cottages....

These are for the back of the jacket... My goal was to have 6 more done (besides these) by the end of the week.  I'm not going to make it but will be close enough that I can jump right back into doing seams knowing I will have enough birds...  The birds are so much fun to pop into my bag and go,,, I'm working on a chickadee and an owl right now....and a nuthatch and mourning dove will be next.. I still haven't found the house finch.

 

I have been busy painting buttons which is always hard to find time for.  My eyes can't be tired, I have to be calm and relaxed,  and I need an uninterrupted stretch time... Hard to get all three at once...but I did get cottages and haunted houses done and am working on some birds and Santas... Usually if I am calm and relaxed, I'm asleep.  It's not something I can do while jumping up to take care of other chores.

 

Roadrunner block

I usually do my seams the very first thing but on Fitzy's block I'm saving them until last because I have some special ones in mind with SW jewelry for inspiration. Notice I did bring the image down into the block with the sign supports and repeated the shape of the "inn" with the cactus... The roadrunner will get his feet once seams are done... I did add muslin to her block so I could put it on a hoop...

My CQ stitchers were here today and there were six of us...  It is sooo much fun to have this group.  I share the RRs blocks with them and tell them that RRs not only provide me with new challenges, I get to handle and learn from others...  I do try to join RRs and time them to fit with other obligations but this time many were so late that they have all piled up at once. This takes from some of the fun for me..

Although none of my CA group are strangers to needles, all are new to CQ and I try to have some kind of handout each time... today I gathered samples of paisleys.  I hadn't done one for while and hope to find an occasion to do one soon as they are fun. In Victorian times they were called Persian Pickles... I love that term...

Fitzy's blocks for the Diva RR arrived... They are an excellent example of why I love RRs... They force me to try and explore outside my comfort zone... She lives in Arizona and each of her blocks has an image of a vintage motel sign as the focus..  The sign "No-Tel Motel" appealed to my  sense of whimsy and had lots of risqué possibilities.

But in the end I chose the Tucson Motel.. I loved the colors and the lines in the sign....    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitzy specifically mentioned cactus and so include those....especially one in bloom... I will study some turquoise and coral vintage jewelry for inspiration for seam treatments... and of course a bird when possible.  Since Fitzy is a runner (even with a broken toe), what could be more perfect than a roadrunner... And of course a motel key.... Claudia included keys also and I thought that was a ideal icon to repeat through the blocks.

I will post the block on a bulletin board and think about it for several days before I actually start..  The thinking and making decisions is the most delicious part...