FFT#7 - Faye's block heading home to Australia

Faye's block is stunning. The work done by Nicki Lee, Mary, Faye and Gerry is fabulous and I really had to pluck up courage to add my stitching. Round robins are educational and I found I learned a lot participating in this one. I began by marking out scallops on sage green moire and worked chain stitches in a pink and green variegated Carron wildfowers thread. I put a tiny pearl bead in each chain of the top and bottom rows, then added little daisies. Above that I used variegated silk ribbon for pink and multicoloured low flowers, blue/lilac ribbon for hollyhocks and pink and maroon for a clump of iris. This section was the last to be done. I gathered up wide silk ribbon and made a cluster of three flowers on the peach patch.

The tatting was given to me by a friend whose mother had made the doily many years ago. I inserted a piece into the corner, and several days after that I decided it would become a fan. Decorating the fan are pink seed beads, cream pearl seed beads and pink silk ribbon woven in and out and a section of ribbon that has been gathered into little pleats. The triangle below the fan seemed perfect for another few scallops, but this time I used a shiny variegated thread for bullion roses. Faye, it will be on it's way to you tomorrow morning.

FFT#7 - My block is home

I am thrilled with this block that arrived home during the past week. The wonderful variety of stitching is inspiring and will be a great resource. There are bits that I want to try right now!

This amazing dragonfly is Gerry's work, as well as the pretty fan. Nicki added the encrusted pink flower cluster, while Faye embroidered the dainty seams to the left of the fan and the far left.

In the corner is some lovely work by Mary, a cluster of chain stitched roses. Nicki added the lace topped with shell and pearl flowers.

Mary's beaded flowers are great along with a seam of lace and beads.

I just love Gerry's painted buttons. This is an amazing little cottage finished with beading all around. She also added the lace which echos Faye's circular embroidery. The dark pink flower cluster is also Gerry's work and it's exquisite. The photo doesn't do it justice. There are the tiniest of flowers and leaves there too.

Faye's circles are stunning, so neatly done. Mary added some lovely pale pink buttons.

Faye's bullions are so perfect, and hidden in amongst the rambling vine is a sparkling spider web in fine silver thread and a tiny spider. The seam going vertically through the middle is also Faye's. Look closely and you can see some tiny pistil stitches. Thank you all for the wonderful stitching.

Later that same day........

This was my afternoon's work. I'm going to leave the middle row of chain stitch without the pearl beads, but add the beads in the top row.

FFT#7 - Faye's block

This block is without doubt the most beautiful one I have ever worked on. It arrived in the mail a week or so ago, and usually I can begin work on a round robin block within a day or so. This one was intimidating to me and I just could not think of anything that I could do deserving of the stitching already worked on it. But finally, thoughts of Faye in Australia patiently waiting for her block to arrive in August, and time running out as I unexpectedly need to travel with my 93 year old Mum to Glasgow next week, has made me get down to work. I have three areas that I am going to work on. On the right hand side and at the bottom of the block there is a small green triangle which I have started chain stitch scallops in Caron Wildflowers variegated moss green/maroon thread with small pearl beads. The blue section above it I will do some ribbon embroidery flowers. The top peach section I have a fine piece of tatting that will fill a corner or a side, I haven't decided yet. But......whew........I feel better about having begun the work.

FFT#7 - Nicki Lee's block

Just finished and mailed Niki's block to Faye in Australia. I really like working on sea-themed blocks and Nicki's was set up so nicely with lovely fabrics and pretty stitching already completed by Mary. Here are some pictures.

These shells shine like mother of pearl, the photo doesn't do them justice.Lots of seaweed and a little shoal of tiny fishes to the right.

This braid has a lovely shimmer which I was able to match to some Sassa Lynne thread and seed beads. Below that is my representation of an octopus

I wanted a stitch that would disappear into the background because I didn't want it to interfere with the patch with the shells. The stitch I used is the up and down blanket stitch and is one of my favourites and every time I use it I have to look at the instructions. But it's an interesting stitch because the second leg appears is the most impossible way. Just try it out and you will see what I mean.

Now I am block-free until I receive Gerry's block from Mary. I should probably do some housework!

FFT#7 - Reneta's block

Reneta's round block will be on it's way tomorrow. The little angel in the centre now has a circling of beads and I filled in her wings with chain stitch using a single strand of the Oasis thread we have been discussing on the message board. I also made a trailing vine of bullion roses and buds over one of the seams.

CQInternational FFT#7, RR

Mary's block is on the move. In a previous post I showed it completely bare of anything as I am first one to work on it. Here's my stitching:

The fabric is pink metallic. I used a variegated dark green/maroon/pink perle 5 thread for the scallops and an pink perle 8 and dark green beads for the flowers.This fabric is a dark green metallic. The green thread is perle #5, the flowers are perle #8. This piece of heavy pale coffee lace is over cream coloured metallic fabric. I added some cream seed beads.

CQInternational FFT#7, RR

Never a dull moment in this house! I've just finished my stitching contribution to Cathy's block, and I'm ready to begin Mary's block. Here it is completely bare of anything! But shiny as can be, just waiting for something to happen!