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Sunday, November 2, 2014

Scrapping and Stitching!

Sunday is the day I always enjoy sitting and stitching with my friends over at Kathy's Quilts.....


And today I'm still working on finishing up my Bertie's Year blocks.  Above is the November block - all ready for sandwiching and quilting.  And October is done too.....


I have to say, I'm not as happy with this one.  It just seems dull to me.  I looked at maybe using the orange fabrics for the border, but that was too much.  And with 3 more still waiting for their embroidery and embellishments, this one will just have to stay the way it is!

I'm currently working on the embellishments for July Bertie.....


All the stitching is done except for Bertie's claws in gold.  The seeds and fly stitch on the watermelon were a lot of fun!  If you look closely, you will see that I had already done a decorative fly stitch by machine, not realizing that the pattern would call for that in off-white by hand later.  After the hand work is done, I'll pull out that green machine stitching.  (And then again, maybe I won't *vbg*)


I also did a little touch up work on the berries.  The sample picture shows pretty blueberries in a nice blue-purple color......  you can see the original looks like actual wools, not flannels :)

Original sample quilt by Bonnie Sullivan

But the flannel they sent with the kit is a blah gray.  I really didn't want to have to take them off, find another fabric, trace ..... right - all that nonsense!  Then, last night I spied my colored pencils on my desk - the pencils I paid a fortune for last year because the teacher in one of my classes at Quiltfest required that we bring this exact brand of pencil, and we NEVER TOUCHED THEM! - yes, those pencils :)  And I thought, why not color them a brighter color?


I think it worked just fine!  You can see in the picture on the right where I had begun to color them, first with a bright blue, then a purple over that.  The bottom left berry just has the blue and is waiting for the purple top coat :)

I hope to get the hst borders on this one today, and that will leave only these two for me to embellish.



If I work quickly, I  may even get them done before I receive the last December kit!  Of course, they all still need to be sandwiched and quilted, but that really doesn't take very long.  One day ought to do it :)

I've also done some machine sewing!  I've joined in on the Scraptastic Tuesday fun with Nicky at Mrs. Sew and Sow and Leann at She Can Quilt  - here are the two blocks I made the other day out of my RED crumb jar....


Aren't they cute???

You can read HERE about my determination to empty out my crumb jars.  Since I've discovered that no project ever gets done unless I actually start the process of working on it, I thought it a good idea to pull out one of the jars and get to it .... amazing how that works, isn't it?  LOL!!!  

So I dumped out some crumbs....


..... and began haphazardly sewing a few pieces together - working two blocks at a time so I could chain piece of course :)





And before I knew it, I had sections big enough to trim down to a uniform 6-1/2 inches!



Wow - this was really, really fun!  So freeing!  No worrying about whether the fabrics "matched" or were the "right size" or even about having a perfect 1/4" seam!!!  Just put a couple of pieces together, sew, and repeat.  I loved it!!!

This is my November NewFO Challenge project - getting in there early, right?  For sure, this will be my Rainbow Scrap Challenge project to use up my crumbs next year!  I may even have to cheat and do a few more before then :)  They are like potato chips, you can't make just one... or two .... or .... well, you get the picture!  Be sure to check out the other projects linked up at Scraptastic Tuesday!  And don't forget the RSC at SoScrappy - November projects are going to be in Baby Blues - and you know I love me some BLUE!!!!

Linking up with:


Scraptastic Tuesday

********

Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=

33 comments:

  1. 6.5 inch crumb blocks sounds like the perfect RSC challenge pattern for next year. As to cheating. Sounds like a great plan to me! Great blocks so far.

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  2. The watermelon in the one Bertie block looks good enough to eat. Wouldn't it be fun if we really could all get together in once place and have a wonderful stitching Sunday afternoon!

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  3. I think a few of us are thinking crumbs next year....It will be fun to see what everyone does with them. Love the Berties... you sure are making the issues work.

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  4. Your brighter berries look great! Lots of fun projects going on at your house! Happy stitching!

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  5. Great idea to color that boring grey wool felt with your colored pencils! The additional color is a big improvement!

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  6. Your Bertie blocks are so gorgeous! Love your idea to add colour with those pencils...guess they were waiting for the right project!

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  7. Hi Teresa! Your wool blocks are just wonderful! I as well love your scrappy red ones!

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  8. I enjoy watching these blocks as you work on them...I really like that little squirrel since mine get pretty tame here in the summer ; I keep wanting to something with a squirrel in it down the line :)

    As to coloring the berries with those pencils...that was such a great idea and looks wonderful!

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  9. The wool blocks are gorgeous. I don't understand what you mean when you say one is dull. It certainly isn't to me. What a great way to use your "crumbs". I love those blocks.

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  10. Wow--look at you go! Everything is looking wonderful on your Bertie blocks. I'm glad you found a use for those precious colored pencils. Doesn't that frost you when you pay good money because they insist on something so specific and then it wasn't necessary at all? Just went through that myself with a couple of pricey items for classes. The first one I paid $45 dollars for something we didn't really get to use--and could live without, for sure. Next class I was smart enough to borrow the $20+ shipping item. We did use it, but there are plenty of ways to get the same effect without it.
    Okay--off the soapbox now. Sorry for venting. : )
    Your crumb blocks are very fun. Looks forward to seeing those multiply in a rainbow of hues.

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  11. Awesome job on the Berties... love the first one with the blue kerchief... so sweet!

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  12. Well, I sure learned from your examples here! The use of the color pencil is a winner, and I vote for keeping that *very big grin* and leave those other stitches in, it looks great! I also enjoy sewing on those crumb blocks, it's cool to redeem all the "unusable" scraps, and make something of value, kinda like what Jesus does for us, huh?
    :-}pokey

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  13. Bertie is coming along. Great job. Love how you used your crumbs.

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  14. Those Berties blocks are just so cute. That is going to be an awesome quilt. I'd say leave the stitching on the watermelon as is; too much work to rip and it looks fine. Pulling out all that machine stitchin will be hard on you and the fabric! Your crumbs looks great, too. (And the shoes!)

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  15. Your stitches are gorgeous ! I like Bertie spitting the seed.

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  16. Bertie is a real character and so charming no matter the time of year. Great job. The crumb blocks look like so much fun - bright and colourful.

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  17. Love your Bertie stitches! Those are going to finish up so beautifully. I love the crumb blocks too.

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  18. Your Bertie blocks are really looking wonderful. Great idea with the colored pencils too. I will join you in those fun crumb blocks. I've done some in the past and you are right, it's like eating potato chips!!

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  19. Oh, your Bertie blocks are so amazing! That one block you're not in love with -- if you feel like it later, when the other blocks are done, maybe a bit more embroidery might jazz it up more to your liking. Maybe some stitching on the bird's feather and/or embroidering the ribbing lines on the pumpkin in a darker shade of orange? Your comment about projects don't get done unless you start working on them made me laugh. You mean, that quilt on the wall isn't going to finish itself while I sit here catching up on my blog reading?! Hah! :-)

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  20. You are such a talented "stitcher" Teresa! You really do marvelous work, and those blueberries prove it! I am sure if there were a Bertie block with lemons, you would make some lemonade! Isn't crumb piecing so freeing? I LOVE doing it, and it does utilize those smaller bits into something beautiful! I can't wait to see what you have planned with these crumb blocks!

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  21. making progress on your bertie blocks. I would leave the green stitching. It kind of adds to the watermelon.
    I like your improv block.

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  22. YOur wool work is gorgeous. Your crumb blocks make me want to dump out my scraps and get playing!! Thanks for sharing what you are up to.

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  23. I love your wool projects. I need to start getting rid of some of my crumbs too. Nice work on those blocks.

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  24. It's the first time that I'm seeing your wool blocks and I love them! Your hand embroidery adds so much and is beautifully done. I don't find the October block dull, with all those pretty greens and orange embroidery. And your idea of improving the grey rounds with pencils... genius!

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  25. Love the crumb blocks!! You cant beat a bit of spontaneous stitching!

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  26. Your Bertie blocks are just to die for!! You have worked so hard on them and it clearly shows. Enjoyed 'watching' you make your crumb blocks. What a great idea!

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  27. I'm so in love with the birdie with the little scarf. Makes me think of Cinderella. :))

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  28. Bertie looks a handsome chap! And love how you have been working on your crumbs - I might have to try this out too. Thanks for joining up with #scraptastictuesady

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  29. Crumbs, I forgot that some folks call their smallest scraps that. Your blocks are lovely and a great scrap project. The jars sound like a good idea too. Your embellished applique is beautiful.

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  30. You are doing a fantastic job on these, Teresa. How cute is that bird wearing a scarf. The birds that live around here could use some scarves. Really beautiful work.

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