Scalloped Fan Seam Treatment

I don't have any stitching to share with you today. I worked late yesterday on my current design project and didn't have the energy afterwards to even think about stitching. Ok, I thought about it but didn't have the energy to do anything about it!

So, for today, I worked up a charted seam treatment for you to use on your crazyquilt projects:



Don't you just love the Fan Stitch? Next to the Feather Stitch, it is one of my top favorites!

Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can download a large version of the pattern.

On the TAST front, I didn't get around to trying last weeks stitch, the Barred Chain. To be honest, I don't care for the way it looks. It really looks messy to me so I probably won't do anything with it.

As for this weeks stitch, the Up & Down Buttonhole, I'm not sure I care for this one much either. I'll have to head over to Sharon's Stitch Dictionary and see how it's done and then I'll decide whether or not to try it.

Before I get to my design work for today, I want to share a tip with you that Allison suggested to me. Try using Gel Pens to mark your seams. They work on any fabric and they come in a million different colors! Plus, they have fine tips so your stitches will cover the marks.

Have a great day everyone! See ya tomorrow!

Peacock Lamp

I apologize for not posting yesterday. I started painting the living room on Saturday and worked on it some more yesterday. I still have a few more hours of painting to go. I hope to have some time to finish that up tomorrow.

In the meantime, I would like to thank Michele for reminding me about sharing a photo of my peacock lamp. Here it is:



Is it just too pretty or what! I haven't quite decided where I'll put it yet where it'll be safe from my cats. I'll try it in a few different places and see where it looks best.

In the meantime, I have some design work to do so I'd better get at it.

Blackwork Peacock - Stitching Complete

So, what do you think?



Yes, I do have a tendency to love glittery things. I use alot of sequins and sparkly beads and I love metallic threads! Where else but a crazyquilt would these things look so good? I just can't wait to get this assembled and wear it with the Victorian style blouse that I bought! Actually, this blouse is Edwardian, circa 1911 - 1917.

I've always needed a lot of light. On dark, cloudy days, I have every light on in the house. As we've replaced the windows in this house, we've put in larger ones than what was here. In our living room, we added two extra windows. Darkness makes me feel tired. Light gives me energy.

In all honesty, I like classic style clothing, nothing trendy. Things that are feminine and like that blouse, maybe a bit extreme for our time. But always classic and tasteful.

For decorating, I like the cottage look with a bit of Victorian. Soft pastel colors like pink, light blue and soft green. Flowers, fruit, cats, peacocks and lots of quilts. Nothing extreme there!

I guess I feel I can go all out with my crazyquilting and do what I want. The more glitter and sparkle, the better. When I complete the stitching on one, my husband always asks me if it meets the weight requirement! Ha, ha, ha!! Yes, they are quite heavy when I'm done with them.

Speaking of peacocks, Scott bought me the most beautiful leaded glass peacock lamp last week for our living room! He was in Lowe's home improvement store and he saw it and knew how much I would love it. I'll try to remember to share a photo of that with you tomorrow.

The body is (I think) cast iron. The tail is done in the leaded glass and sits behind the body with the light in back shining through the leaded glass tail. Oh, it's gorgeous and it looks so antique and Victorian!

Someone, send me an email and remind to blog a photo of that tomorrow!

I have a tendency to forget things!

Almost Complete!

I didn't complete this last night, but for me, crazyquilting is about the journey and not the destination!



It doesn't quite fit on the scanner so when I do complete the stitching, I'll post a photo from the camera.

I added the spiderweb to the top right-hand corner using 1 strand of DMC floss. I did the vine first using #5 Perle Cotton, then did the web and then added the beads.

The rose pin in the top left corner is vintage. I found it down in Peoria Illinois when we were with Scott's dad. It's in perfect mint condition so I pinned it to the block and then did some whip stitches around the pin and into the foundation fabric. When it comes to vintage jewelry for using on my crazyquilts, I usually look for pieces where the pinback is broken. That way I don't feel guily for cutting it off! But when I find something that I really like and it's in mint condition, I try not to alter it.

The next step is to add my signature cat and some buttons.

I'm very happy to say that our floor is almost done. Scott was able to get a few more boards in last night and there's probably only about a dozen more to go! There is a light now at the end of the tunnel!

It's also 50 degrees here and sunny today! The snow is melting and I can see that my daffodils have popped out near my house. I was watching for robin birds when I went to WalMart this morning but so far, I haven't seen any. I'm sure they'll be back any day now and I'm so looking forward to seeing them again!

More Beading On The Blackwork Peacock Purse

I can't imagine what life would be like without stitching! It seems to be the only thing getting me through this floor installation. Scott is down to just a few rows by the wall. Because he's so close to the wall now, he can't use the super-duper, heavy-duty floor stapler. He's having to use the finishing nailer but he's having trouble getting the nails to sink into the sub-flooring. Old subflooring is hard as a rock! The nails keep folding up. I know he's doing the best he can but I'm starting to wonder if this floor will ever be done! So I focus on stitching which does help.

I did alot of beading on this yesterday:



As you can see, the tail is completely attached now. I bought some 6 MM AB Swarovski crystals to use as the "eyes" in the tail. They really add alot of sparkle!

Later today, I'll be adding my little cat to the bottom right-hand corner. I plan to add a spiderweb to the top right-hand corner but I think I'm going try something a little different than what I usually do.

I also have a gorgeous vintage rose pin which I plan to put in the top left-hand corner. I already have some buttons picked out and I bought another fan button for this.

Stop by tomorrow. I may have it completed!