Answering a question (I hope)

 I had a question regarding how I add crochet to the fabric squares for quilt fusion quilts so I thought I'd try to answer it here.  Hopefully this poorly drawn diagram might help...

It's almost impossible to get 'holes' into the layers of fabric to anchor the crochet so I begin by machine stitching about 1/4" around the outside edge of the block.  That ensures the block stays nice and flat and also serves as a guideline so my stitches are even.  I  then  use pearl cotton (or sometimes crochet cotton, depending on the colour I need) and stitch a row of buttonhole (also called blanket) stitch around each square, making 3 stitches on each corner.  Then I switch to yarn and use those buttonhole stitches as a base to do a row of single crochets around (remember to do extra stitches in each corner).  Once that's done I go ahead and do whatever pattern I like for a couple rows before I attach it to to the next block.  Hope that helps!

My stitching time over the past couple of days has involved a whole bunch of cross stitching and I hope I'll be able to show you the more or less finished project next time.

- Thank you to Dolores for THIS amazing link.  I would suggest you make a pot of coffee AND find some bread crumbs before you visit!

- THIS would be cute for Easter.

- And THIS would be nice to have on display to welcome spring. And so would THIS.

- For some reason I thought THESE were charming and would look so pretty during these dull winter days.

This quote is from J. Prince..."There are two things we get every day when we wake up, a chance and a choice"

Another addition for dare I say it...?

 Yes, here's another item that's heading for the Christmas box.  It's the Agnes Divided Pouch found HERE.  I know it's a 'pay' pattern but I thought it was nice enough to warrant it.  There might be more if my stash yields any appropriate fabrics that marry up with the zippers I have on hand.  I won't be buying fabric for these which will offset the price for the pattern itself.

It's hard to tell from this photo (go to the link to see more details) but there are pockets on the outside of the pouch as well as some inside.

- I thought THIS was pretty, depending on the fabric you use.

- THIS would be cute to make for spring.

- There's some good information HERE for quilters.

- THIS made me smile!

- THIS is an easy project that most anybody can do.

Today's quote...

A service announcement and an update

 First of all, for those Canadians who read this blog and are searching for Canadian made products, check out THIS link.  As far as I know, all their products are made here.  I buy their hand sanitizer all the time and plan to branch out into some of their other products as we need replacements.

There has been some progress on the landscape, namely the embroidered 'grasses' in front of the tractor, the addition of the birds and the little fox, and some snowflakes.   DONE!!!

Introducing 'INSIDE, LOOKING OUT'

FOR SALE!

Based on this photo by Dale Stewart,
and used with his always kind permission...

And here are a couple closeups so you can see the details...

Sorry about the glare on this one but I hoped to show you the picture frame.  Hopefully clicking to embiggen will help?!

- I thought THESE were cute ideas for a really quick gift for someone.  

- I love denim so of course THIS caught my eye.

- THESE are just too cute for words!

A little bit of hand stitching and hand rubbing

 Not much stitching happening over the past couple of days.  My hands are giving me grief so I thought it was best to coddle them a bit.  Yesterday we went to our favourite 'occasion' restaurant (The Keg) for an early Valentine's dinner.  We never like going out on the actual day so an early treat works for us.  So....no pictures for you today, sorry!

- THIS is a pretty design and there's a hat also available.

- You might find one of THESE tips handy (literally...hah)

- THIS is a sweet little quick thing you could make for a special Valentine.  And THESE too.

- There are some good tips HERE too.

- Updated to add:  Check THIS out for a sweet little Valentine's design!

Today's quote is from Raymond Williams..."To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing"

Yep...sore fingers notwithstanding...

First of all, thank you to all those who checked out my landscape half-price sale, those who enquired, and those who purchased.  Your interest is much appreciated!

The unpicking is over (and my fingers are most grateful for that!).  This is the end result for the sky area of the landscape...

If you click on the photo, you should be able to embiggen it to see the stitching more clearly.

Next up for my evening project is to make THIS.  I'm using yarn I have in my stash so it will be black which isn't the easiest to crochet with but I will persevere.  It's not a thing of beauty but it's going to keep my arthritic shoulder warm I think.

- HERE is a handy bag that you might find yourself needing to make.

- THIS is a great use for yarn 'bits' you might have.  I think it would be a good way to keep using up the bits as you create them so that you end up with a blanket without having to spend hours making it.  The time would be the same but spread out would make it feel like less!

- I thought THIS post was a worth-while read and certainly something to keep in mind during these uncertain times.  I think there's more on her blog that is worth investigating too.

pick, pick, pick.....

 Yes, I'm doing a lot of picking (or unpicking, however you want to look at it) as I try to remove the waste canvas I used to stitch the sky on the landscape.  I wanted to do a sashiko technique so the canvas was necessary to get the stitches even.  I think I regret that particular decision, but too late now!

Sorry about the terrible picture.  It's snowing here - again - and the light is awful.

- THIS is a really amazing quilted heart design - perhaps a little late for this Valentine's Day, but something to keep in mind.

- I thought THIS was interesting (you'll have to scroll down to read the entire article).

- THIS is beautiful!  I don't have a mantel but there are lots of other uses for it.

- I like THIS too - another great gift idea perhaps.

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             Don't forget the half-price sale on landscapes is ending today!

If you're interested in getting a good deal on one of my pieces of art, please have a peek at what I currently have available HERE.  If you're interested, drop me a note (with 'Landscape' in the subject line) to marmic1954 AT hotmail DOT com.  Prices will be in Canadian dollars and must include shipping. Payment will be through PayPal.

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Today's quote..."Save your explanations for those that are determined to understand you.  Give your silence to those that are determined to misunderstand you"

Lots of hand stitching but nothing to show for it

Just so I have something to show you today, how about a close-up of the snow area on the current landscape?  Currently I'm working on the sky and it's entirely done by hand using waste canvas.  There will be lots of unpicking of canvas threads coming up!  It's not fit to show you yet though. 

            Just a reminder of the 'Starving Artist  half-price sale'
            on landscapes that's happening until Feb. 7th.
            Go HERE to see what's available!
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- Those of you who are knitters might appreciate having a copy of THIS handy.

- Perhaps you might like to make THIS?

- You know those silicone 'pads' you can get to set your hot iron on?  Try using one under your sewing machine food pedal so it doesn't keep walking away.  I can attest that it works!

- HERE is another nifty little thing that will be helpful around your sewing machine.

Today's quote is from Helen Keller..."Your success and happiness lies in you.  Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties"