FLOWERING:{ For Pauline}

Pauline, this is for you:

Evidently this kind of Canna (if that is what it is) blooms a few bits at a time--I always thought they had HUGE big blooms--this was a gift from a neighbor and I don't really know exactly what it is.  BUT--I do like that hot coloring!

And:
 my iris decided to re-bloom just underneath the smaller Canna(?) ....the bushy bit to the left is one huge mum all budded-out.  Can't wait to see it all in bloom.

I've finished the embroidery on my "Friendship Mini Swap....and actually I have the borders on, but will wait to show it completed until I send it off to my secret partner.  

I am now ready to pin it and quilt it (also have a surprise backing on it--love doing this !!)

Today is nice and cool, with a nice Canadian breeze blowing around--just love it!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend, all....Julierose, La Blageuse

MY BACK-TO-SCHOOL HANDWORK HOMEWORK

Perhaps you've noticed the new little symbol on my sidebar:  I have been invited to join in the Quilting Gallery's "Friendship Embroidery" Swap.  This will be my first swap ever and I am excited to be a part of the handworkers community all over the world.  Here is the start of my work in progress:

This cute pattern is from Lenna at "The Stitching Cow"; she graciously offered it to us all.
I am using a dark blue--just this side of navy-- for the lettering.  Will keep you posted on its progress.

Also, I have become ab-s0-lutely enchanted with some Crazy Quilts I have viewed online; and here is my first block prepped to embroider and embellish{oh joy-- and 3 trips to JoAnne's later: beads, ribbons, etc added to my new stash ;--))) }

I put this together after printing out some pictures on fabric from Pat Winter in her Summer Issue of "Crazy Quilt Gatherings" visit her here www.gatherings100.blogspot.com to see some gorgeous work by her and many others.  

Don't you just love that little girl holding the shell?  I will be adding many sea-themed items; I am having a hard time knowing just where and how to start...I think embroidering the seams first tho'....

AND, last, but not least, Nicki Lee has in her Etsy shop "Raviolee Dreams" the most sumptuous laces that I had to have:

and more:

They really speak to me of my Grand'mere, who crocheted and did the filmiest laces...I can't wait to incorporate them in the photo "Remembrance" blocks I hope to make of our family.

And so you have it, mes amies, my handwork homework....

P.S.  I have finished 42 "Dollies" blocks now and got some Kona Cotton pale lavender to float them on....I have been a busy Julierose, La Blageuse

Wednesday Flowers

Look what's blooming {finally} :  Canna bulbs from last year's hurricane friend down the street: (we had them for dinner as they had NO FOOD at all--their fridge had just given up the ghost three days before--so tuna an PBJ was it for them.)Long story short:    Anyhoo--the upshot is they gave me these lovely bulbs and 

V O I L A !!!

Almost in full bloom--they are about 5 feet tall.

ALSO folks, there is a H U G E giveaway at "Lily's Quilts" from a new fabric goody store the Running Chicken....go check it out  19 FAT Quarter babies!!  

That's all for today..Mwah Julierose, La Blageuse

Monday, Monday...Definitely Not Blue

Here's what we did yesterday...an unexpected trip up to see:  our darling FIONA:

("How BIG are you Fiona?   Sooooo---Big!" ) 

Who is this, Fiona?  My (dog) "ggie"--she loves her doggie and can so far say "Gie"....and 'Kota is just so tolerant and sweet, too.

She even has a "doggie" tee shirt....

We had a lovely day...Julierose, La Blageuse

H E L P

I cannot get my blogger reading list to open certain blogs! 

 I asked blogger what was the reason and they came back with some "gobbeldy-gook" about "feeds". 

 I mean I cannot even  get to the "stop following" under manage "Settings".  Are any of you out there having similar problems?  I am soooo frustrated right now!!  Au Secours!! Julierose, La Blageuse 

WOVEN WALL: FLOWERING LADIES

Since  my back went out and I have been mostly doing handwork:  I was looking at my woven wall and feeling the blocks needed something......
 something else....and here is what I have begun to add:

..... searching for some thread, I came across a stash of my old scrapbooking stamps and permanent ink pads....VOILA!!!!! I  stamped images of ladies dotted across my blocks and appliqued flowers and leaves as head-dresses on them:

--here is a closer shot....

AND....

AND THIS ONE....

So far, I am liking the look of them--how well they will all go together is another story......BUT.

It sure is fun "fussy-cutting" them and sewing them on. 
AND----All these blocks will have to be quilted--
I have to decide if  I will try "quilt-as-you-go"--which intrigues me; or if  I should just back the whole thing with another top or even a piece of flannel....decisions, decisions....

I really feel as if I am stepping out of my comfort zone with this project --which, of course, I never would have even thought of if it wasn't for Jude Hill's" Spirit Cloth" blog and her weaving class that I took online.  (Thank you Jude for being such a terrific teacher and insipire-er)   It really opened me up to a new way of looking at fabric and quilting.  I love working without a pattern and playing with cloth like this....

Julierose, La Blageuse

HELLO, DOLLIES.......

I saw this cute "Dolly" fabric when Fiona was first born and knew I would like to use it for her first "big girl" bed quilt:

And in my ever-ongoing effort to USE UP my scraps I have made up these blocks as a beginning:

I have been sewing bits and pieces of precious scraps  into little sections and then adding them to the "Dolly" centers--such fun--I don't know if I'll float them or sash or what yet, but I figure I need a head start for this quilt.  My long-term project.  The reverse of this two-sided quilt will be Santa Claus time fabrics for the holidays. 

Fiona will be 10 mos old on the 15th--ALREADY!!  She is pulling herself up and wanting to "GO!". 

She sure loves "Da-Da"....

Best of weekends to you all, love to hear your comments--

Mmmmmwah!

Julierose, La Blageuse

P.S.  Do you know of anyone who needs really little snippets for those fused quilt projects, I have a ton of them and would be happy to send them instead of throwing them away--I hate waste!!  ;-))