An Inspiring Weekend

Unlike some lucky people in the US, I only had a two-day weekend, so I had to make every minute count.  For Friday Night Sew In, I worked on a swap piece for the Once-A-Season Swap.  Since tomorrow is a postal holiday, and the item has to go far far away, it will be a week or more before I can post a picture. 

On Saturday, I went to a Guild workshop to learn how to make crazy quilt blocks.  I've made a crazy quilt, but I didn't have a clue what I was doing, and it was not fun.  Now that I understand how to construct the blocks, I can't wait to make another.  Our instructor was wonderful and inspiring.  She had several great examples of what and how to use embellishments.  Not only did she use pretty trims, but she embellished them to make them even prettier.  She uses ribbons, lace, buttons, and even jewelry.  I didn't think to take pictures, and I'm kicking myself now.  Here is the block I made at the workshop.  Part two of our workshop is next month, and the instructors will be from the local Embroiderers Guild, teaching us the other fun part of embellishing!

I also noticed a small hexie piece at her house that I plan to recreate.  I've just been making random scrap hexies until now, and I'm going to take a little detour with small hexies.  Stay tuned for pics soon.

When I left the workshop, I went to a local antique market.  I bought a couple of hankies, some jewelry, a great dresser scarf, and even a couple of books. This book is filled with line drawings, mostly of flowers and birds.

Since I'm getting so interested in stitchery, I think these drawings are just wonderful.  There are large flowers, small flowers, border designs, corner designs, even squared off designs that would make a beautiful pillow.  It was published in 1974.

The other book is The Sampler Motif Book by Brenda Keyes.  I've always love cross-stitching samplers, and while this books shows full samplers, it encourages the use of individual motifs to design your own samplers.

Other projects over the weekend include finishing the binding on a quilt that I started about a month ago, finished quilting and binding the swap piece, cleaning off my sewing table, and looking high and low for my yoyo maker.  Yay - it's finally found so I can start on the 197 yoyos in my future.  I also had to download all the pictures from my little camera because the card was full.  I ran across a couple of projects that I don't think I ever posted.

This is what I made my partner for the Tilda Heart Swap earlier this month.

Apparently, I don't have any pictures of the heart that I made.  I finished this swap late one night, and planned to take pictures at work before I went to the Post Office.  Then someone came into my office shortly before I was planning to go, so I ended up being rushed, and totally forgot to take pics.  I actually got this picture of the stitchery from Cat, the recipient.  Thanks again Cat!

I don't think I every posted a picture of my new purse, either.  It's actually a deep purple, not bright blue.

I have the materials to make a second one, since i did this one wrong.  But I've been using it for a couple of months, and I just love it.  Maybe I'll get to the second one now that I'm caught up with swaps for awhile.

Last on the list was my Christmas ornament for the One Ornament a Month Challenge.

I'm off to bed now.  And to all a Good Night!          Sunny