I did finish the not so secret Santa gift for swapping with my sewing group, actually on the morning of the swap (phew). Not so secret because we can all guess who made what but it was a lot of fun and we had a nice dinner out to boot.
The gift I received is this gorgeous felt wool heart, all hand beaded which must have taken for-EVER. What a hoot to give a heart and get one back.
I got another wee gift in the mail, I love the look of the Zentangle on the card but I have no plans to start another addiction. If you don't know what the
Zentangle craze is, where have you been? The ladybird bookmark is a cutie too, thank you friend, you know who you are.
I feel like I've been possessed by
a need, an obsession to sort out how I would quilt the
Stars and Sprigs before I've even finished the top. I'm killing two birds with one stone here and keeping up my practice on the machine. While I like what's happening here, I think not for the quilt. You'd think I could do something simple but no, not me, I have to try the fancy pants stuff, just because.
The truth is I may be in one of those sewing slumps, I haven't done any sewing in the evenings for the last three days. I must be sick or needing some battery recharging. Hopefully, I can get back into gear this weekend and get that applique going again.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Gorgeous ornaments gifted and received! Zentangle you say? I had to click on the link to see what it is. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you...just got a danish dough whisk and a lovely bread baking book from family Creations for my belated birthday.
Beautiful quilting!
ReplyDeleteOh My!! I love hardanger but failed miserably when I tried to do it. I know who you got the Zentangle from :0)
ReplyDeleteWOW Janet the quilting on the sprig block is amazing! It almost makes me want to take up machine quilting....almost LOL.
Crispy
Great little gifts!! Love the Zentangle. My daughter had made one in Art Class several years ago they are quite neat. I hope you get your battery recharged soon. I personally don't enjoy being in a sewing slump.
ReplyDeleteYour Hardanger heart ornament is just precious.
ReplyDeleteOh Emie Bishop's hardanger designs are some of the best. The heart is stunning. The one you received in return is beautiful with the beading.
ReplyDeleteFabulous quilting, Janet.
What intricate adn wonderful heart ornaments!!
ReplyDeleteI love the quilting you've done. A special quilt needs special quilting. I'm sure whatever you decide on will only compliment your quilt beautifully!!
Those hearts are just wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you get your mojo back!!
A break from stitching is always good. Don't feel guilty. I love the hearts. There is so much workmanship in both.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful exchange. Your
ReplyDeletemachine quilting is really looking good.No,nothing simple about it.
Janet
pretty ornament exchange.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilting too -
Beautiful Hardanger piece - strange to see something made using a technique that originated from my home country hanging on a christmas tree on the other side of the world! Best wishes from Norway :-)
ReplyDeleteAll your work is exquisite Janet...I love the hardanger.
ReplyDeleteI too have been wondering how I am going to quilt my flowerpots quilt. With such large applique pieces do I leave them unquilted, I wonder ? I shall be looking closely at the glorious applique blog to see how others have tackled it.
Wow that's a pretty ornament you made!! The one you received is lovely as well.
ReplyDeleteI love your quilting sample/practice. I look forward to seeing more of your "fancy pants" quilting :0) I especially like the arcs with the single row of pebbles in them.
I hope your sewing slump comes to an end soon.
I Take My Hat Off to You Janet..anyone who can do Hardanger is a Gem..I've tried it & it doesn't like Me...Your Heart is just Gorgeous...as is the one you recieved...
ReplyDeleteYour Quilting is just Wonderful your practice is paying off...
I'm sure you will pick up some stitching over the weekend...
Enjoy.
cheers
Your Hardanger heart is so beautiful! We put up our tree today and I was just enjoying all the homemade ornaments I have on it. :0)
ReplyDeleteYour heart is just gorgeous! I'm sure whoever receives it, will be pleasantly surprised.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is lovely, you are such an inspiration. Sometimes we need a little sewing break, but not for too long. You also have a lovely weekend!
Sorry for repeating myself, but your quilting looks excellent! And what lovely gifts (made and received). Was the theme hearts or is that a coincidence?
ReplyDeleteLovely Christmas swaps Janet. Heart is always a winner for Christmas. You are not the only one not sewing at night. I haven't been sewing at since I set up our exhibition almost 2 weeks ago. Battery recharging that what we need - Have a great weekend - Hugs Nat
ReplyDeleteBoth ornaments are fabulous. You both put in a lot of time in them.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of Zentangle. Pretty neat.
You would be pretty good at it because your quilting reminds me of some of the designs.
Wendy from Ivory Spring is phenomenal. Keep up the good work.
What a nice swap! You both put time into making such nice ornaments.
ReplyDeleteThe zentangle is new to me. Very interesting.
I like the way you've quilted the practice block of S&S. It's going to be stunning.
Well you are always informative. I doodle things like that all the time didn't know it as an art form though - just scribbling. I have several of those hardanger patterns that one day I am going to get round to doing. We have a lot in common Janet. Sounds like quite a lot happening in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteLove Shirley.x
Beautiful hearts! All hearts come home for the holidays...
ReplyDeleteIn stitches,
Teresa :o)
Oooh, that little sample looks gorgeous. And I must've been hiding under a rock -- I've never heard of zentangle!
ReplyDeleteThe heart is gorgeous! Your practice quilting is beautiful. Looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for sharing everything. I"ve always wondered what hardanger looked like! I've read about it, but never knew what it visually looked like! Your is wonderful!
ReplyDeletebeautiful ornaments!!!!
ReplyDeletejust beautiful. I love home made ornaments. what a great idea to swap with your sewing friends.
I haven't been sewing either M goes back to college today its been a whirl wind of activity here for the past 5 days...no sewing just so happy she is home again
will be sad to put her back on a plane today
Kathie
The hearts are both wonderful, Janet. It looks like you had a good time. I have NO idea what a Zentangle is. Maybe that's for the best!
ReplyDeletewow! you did that hardanger by HAND? Awesome! Good job on the McTavishing, too!
ReplyDeleteOh Janet...love that background filler!! I MUST give that a try sometime soon!!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous things Janet! Love yout quilting on the stars & sprigs. How do you that, when you haven't finished the quilt top? Don't you have to baste the 3 layers together before you can quilt? Very clever! Cheers, Kim McL
ReplyDeleteThe hearts you made and received are beautiful! I hadn't heard of zentangle, but forwarded the link to my daughter who loves to doodle. Your machine quilting looks terrific - I'm really impressed!
ReplyDeleteWell it does look like you got your tree up. That is alot!
ReplyDeleteTwo gorgeous hearts!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing quilting on your Stars and Sprigs block!
I hope you have a very quilty weekend!!!
Beautiful gifts, Janet! And those ornaments are just darling.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is perfect!!! You don't need to practice - you ought to jump right in!!!
Hugs.