2016 Crazy Quilt Calendar just released

It is still so hot but it is already September, only four months for the New Year!

Pamela Kellogg's 2016 Calendar just released, I'm looking forward to get my own copy to review it.

By the way, I'm so excited for being "May page" of that lovely project. I did a special block according to project format. My  friends, followers know it well that I keep some items for the special  projects, I used lots of them to create my "May block".Pam sent me a lovely blue bird photo, I printed and decided to create a block  mostly with blue+pink colors. 

I just used a dark blue color lace trim and golden color ric-rac and a beaded lace, I did all other seam treatments myself. 

There were some dark blue+blue+white combo little oya flowers, I put them on to pink patch, my little bird now looking them:)) The fabric of that mentioned patch specially hand dyed from our southern part. I love to use those fabrics for the quilts that I make according to paper piecing method,  their performance is great, no comparison with the standard cotton fabrics.

As I mostly do, I used a Chevron stitch as a base, kept stitching, added lots of beads, with some contrast colors. I especially made some long patches to create long seam treatments.

 I added some other stiff type oya flowers on the dark blue patch, they really popped up. I did spider rose flowers with variegated silk ribbon. It is our locally produced silk ribbon. I really like their natural color scheme. I also used same type of ribbons to create leaves and other SRE works, as well.

As I told before, I used many special items. My vintage Czech  buttons the most important ones. Their story is interesting for me. I was going to Ankara frequently during my daughter's college years. One day, I went to an old store that was selling elegant accessories in my youth, as being a naval family, we located in different places, one of them was Ankara, our capitol city. My mother's choice was always haute couture and she was getting real special things from that shop for her tailor made dresses. After all those years that little shop's goodies were still so exclusive. I selected lovely trims and I noticed a small button but it was on their little showcase. He told me if I've interested in with buttons he could bring me some boxes from storage. I waited a few minutes, he came back with two boxes which were full of Czech buttons. He said, these are only samples, most of them discontinued products, I bought them long time ago, nobody interested in with them, just select as you wish just pay a symbolic money. You can imagine what I felt that moment, I bought lots of wonderful buttons. But, I still blame myself, why I didn't buy those two boxes with all those buttons!!! In those days I was a Newbie, I didn't know the value of  them.

I tried to catch color harmony as much as I can, colors of my block are so soft, I tried to take photos in day light however, I believe that they don't justice real colors but I'm happy with outcome, I  really enjoyed so much to create something for the coming year. 

It is a great honor to take part in that project among all those well talented&experienced Ladies:))

So, I tried my best to create a special block using special items from my stash. I hope you like my "May page" and entire calendar. Wishing you all the best....

"Lots of Lace" RR- My work on Linda's block

So, another traditional RR and  another lovely block to play with.  As I always say so there are some RR blocks that I decide what to do when I opened the envelope, Linda's block was one of them, it was full of my favorite colors, I selected all necessary items from my stashies and started to stitch. Of course, I added lace at first, I added another thin lace  on to it with blue shades as well. I did bullion sttiches as petals of the flowers, I made 16 and 20 wraps with dark-blue cotton perle and completed them with beads.

 That hankie is so lovely with my favorite colors, I added stiff oyas that they are almost same color tones, they made a nice combination with main focus of the block. Of course I did a chain stitch using metallic thread, I don't like to leave assembly lines empty!

My dark blue color ric-rac was another perfect match with the other side of the block. I did a different stitch form on the ric-rac, used contrast colors of the seed beads.

This photo shows block which is going to dear Nicki, tomorrow. I hope Linda likes what I did on her block. Now, waiting another block to play. Last year, I joined DYB RRs, I almost forgot to work on the traditional RR. Happy stitching.....

Diva's Elegance DYB RR - My work on Claudia's block

Our "Diva's Elegance DYB-RR" runs smoothly. When I've received Claudia's blocks, I loved all of them, and decided to work on a block with mostly blue tones. I've started to make a Chevron stitch and adding sequin, bugles and seed beads to have an elegant look. Afterwords, I did my new type flower with bullion stitches, I added golden bugles and made other contrasts with beads.

 I added one of my favorite beaded  oya trim on the blue patch. I did a oya spray using contrast color tones of "Cimcime" models to catch a nice harmony on the main colors of the block. As I always say so, I like chain stitches on the assembly lines

 At the final, I've added one of my new oya, pear flower model at the bottom which made a nice appearance  with the fushia color patch at opposite side. 

A spray would be so lonely without butterflies, I added several charms, and beads as well. 

There are some RR blocks, you decide what to do at first sight, this block was one of them, I worked so easily and enjoyed so much while working on it.  I hope Claudia also likes what I did on her block. Now, waiting the arrival of another set.  

Happy stitching!

Vintage Victorian DYB RR My work on Melody's block

So we came to end of another RR, Melody's blocks is ready to start its long journey. When I started to work on her block, I thought turquoise tones will be perfect and I selected turquoise tone embellishments from my stash. After adding beaded oya lace I made  a seam treatment using turquoise color sequins, almost same color of metallic thread and seed beads made a good contrast. A stiff beige color oya also looked nice with some pearls.

 I added a wide vintage lace on the dark green patch, to catch a harmony with  opposite beige patch, I did chain stitch with Guttermann golden metallic thread as a border at the bottom, I added some SRE with neat colors.  

I also made seam  treatments at the both sided of the silk print, I used variegated color thread at right side, I did chain stitch first than added lazy daisies, it matched with the main color colors of the fabric so well, soft blue color pearls, too. I used silk thread at the opposite and added turquoise color Swarovski beads.  I also used some golden color small charms on the block.  At left bottom,  one of my favorite organdy ribbon looked pretty after making frills and flat oyas. I hope Melody likes what I did on her block. It was so lovely to stitch with Vintage, Victorian DYB RR group, I hope to stitch with them again.

It is time to start to work on another project soon.

Victorian Vintage DYB RR - My work on Kristie's block

I just completed my work on another RR block. It was Kristie's lovely block with a silk cat print on it. The bottom left side of the block is a vintage hankie, I didn't want to do overdo on the hankie. She had been folded hankie as a triangle, I started with one of my favorite seam treatment on the hypotenuse side of the triangle and added small pearls at the other edges. I found an old narrow trim that I've dyed it several years ago with some ribbons as well, I added it on to Kristie's own lace. Its color matched with the bottom salmon color fabric patch. I kept continued with other seam treatments. I used various bugles, sead beads. I added an old silver cat charm, another RR participant had been embroidered almost same figure.  I added oyas upon Kristie's demand,  my selections are small, stiff models with neat colors to her block. I hope she likes what I did.

At last I added  some charms that they are bees, butterflies and some glass beads. The ribbon of my small SRE is from Ribbonsmyth. I've dyed it with Tang long time ago, its performance is still super. 

AS I always say so, block making is my weak point. When I get lovely blocks I love to embellish them, I hope Kristie should like what I've done on her block.

Happy stitching......

Oyas of Callas, Poppies that I made:)

We had really hard winter contions here this year. It was a great opportunity to sit and try new things...I started to make new models of oyas with another technique. These oyas are different than those I sell at my Etsy. These are simple models with more natural appearence that I would like to create small wallhangers. This photo shows a big leaf that I did last week...I also completed half of the its flower but it seems that it should take long time to complete it because it is a big size flower.

This photo shows my little callas...There are lots of work to complete them, however, I just wanted to share the photos of two of them before completing...I'll use them on a wallhanger as well.

I love poppies, I did lots of SRE poppies in the past...This year spring came lately, I tested my patience, making poppies with a different way, with our traditional needle lace, oyas. As you can see, it is really hard work to make petals, stamens, leafs...I hope I'll be able to share outcome soon.
In the past, I was keep telling that I didn't have enough patience to create oya flowers...This long winter was enough to test my patience, I started to make oyas myself...To be decisive is a good beginning, the next thing should be to learn "goldwork"...

Happy Easter to you all...

Details of my block - More details:))

As I've told at the begining I used so many treasure items from my stash. The crocheted motif is from my Mom. It must be at least 40 years old piece. I added a beautiful bead on it. Dear CQ'er friend Jan sent me from Texas long time ago.

The decollatage of my Victorian Lady was empty...needed something to fill her empty nest...I created a special necklace for my Lady!....small Svarowski crystals and drop beads were perfect to make a necklace. By the way, the colors of small Svarowski's were so neat the backgraound color of the print. Those small drop beads are amethyst. Her earrings and ring are Magnifica glass beads. I'm sure that my Lady had fantastic jewelleries but in today's economic conditions I could just offer these:))) LOL!

The ribbons that I've used to create fargo roses are from Ribbonsmyth. I love Vic's hand dyed ribbons, her color scheme of ribbons are fantastic.

Those vintage laces turned to butterflies so easily, I liked their 3D look, I must dig my stash to check if I have more of those laces...I want to use this style butterflies again.

When I've started CQing, I was trying to create new objects to use on my blocks...One of them was my little hats, most of my CQ'er buddies know that little hats...I did one to use on this block, too.

Those fresh water pearls are also important for me...Those were sent me by Nora Creech. She was a real CQ guru for me, she may rest in peace...I always remember her contribution to create my lovely Bluebonnets...I've attended her Crafty College online course as of 2003. Afterwords, to win a prize of CQMagonline was a real big surprice for me...

I tried to explain details of what I've done, what kind of products I've used on my block as much as I can...I really enjoyed so much to create something for dear Pat's magazine. It was lovely to sit at my Studio and stitch something with "Spring theme" when it was heavily snowing. Another cold weather is forecasted for Istanbul, I must start another project:)) I've started to use important materials of my stash with this special project, be better start another one immediately. Otherwise, I may start to keep them again for a special project;-) LOL....

Wishing you all the best, happy stitching....

Details of my block - Seam treatments

The left/bottom side of the block is fan model, that little triangle shape lace found its place easily and I mounted new type violets its top...At the upside, I kept continue to try seam treatments...of course, using beads, sequins, bugles, charms as I always do...Some CQ'ers doesn't like sequins but, I like to use them especially their contrasts on the fabrics are lovely for me.

Those buttons must be too old, that I have used several of them on the block...I bought them from Ankara several years ago. The owner of the store who remembered my mother as being his an old, loyal customer....I'm talking about circa 1970. He brought two big boxes of vintage buttons and said to me "These are from Cheslovakia, samples of the discontinue products, if you want to buy, just pay me a symbolic amount....". As you can imagine, I was in the candy shop, selected so many lovely vintage buttons and paid a symbolic amount. All those discontinue product samples are on my block now. I'm grateful for his favor. I always visit that stores whenever I go to Ankara and pay lots of money.

I used silk floss threads to make my Bullions stitches, one ply thread, 18 and 20 turns....

Those violet oyas are new types, I love their natural look

The lace looked so naked I did a chain stitch at the edges and added sead beads.

Details of my block - Embellishments, crocheted basket

As my CQ'er friends know, I love to use crocheted motifs on my blocks, I crocheted this little basket to fill with lovely little oya flowers. As you notice, I prefer solid color backgrounds....

Those little oya flowers are new in my collection, they are made from floss threads, their appearance are more natural and they are soft, easy to form in these kind of baskets... Various colors of them are available at my Etsy store as well.

My final touches with charms, buttons...I have those lovely cat face buttons onto my blog header as well. Recently, one of my follower commented about them. I especially added them for her:))

Oh, before forgetting, my grandson, our lovely cat Babig was my follower of this block from the beginning to the end...He loves to watch grandma.....my clever boy never touches my stash.

Details of my block - Embellishments around the silk print

After putting soft salmon color lace under the silk print, I selected various neat colors of same type oyas.
;

I kept continue with an organdy ribbons, I pleaded and secured them with little beige color pearls.... I've bought that organy ribbon from one of local quilt store here in Istanbul. I used it one of RR block as well, I liked its good combinations with these color of oyas as well.

The harmony of the main color of the silk print , lace and oyas were perfect, so I could start to sew them:)) Afterwords, I made leaves with dark color silk ribbons...

CQ Gatherings magazine, Spring 2012 issue's cover

Pat Winter's magazine CQ Gatherings's 2012 Spring issue just released...It is another wonderful issue with lots of interesting subjects...I also would like to inform you that I've prepared its cover:)) Yes, I'm cover girl of this wonderful magazine's new issue....It was a big honor for me, I got so excited when Pat asked me to prepare the cover of her spring issue. I tried to do my best, I hope the readers of the magazine likes my contribution as well.

I'll start to share what I've done on my cover block...Follow me;-))

Another block of "Spring Garden" RR

I completed another RR block as I was telling you in my previous post. This block was another cheerful one with lovely colors, I easily worked on it. The owner likes lilacs and lilac tones, I specially added a Chevron stitch with lilac color thread and added neat colors of sequins and beads.

A close up photo shows the details of the beaded needle lace and ceramic rose type buttons and additions I made with pearls. My floowers know that I mostly like to create my own seam treatments I rarely use trims but these beaded oya laces are always exceptional, I love to use them if their colors are neat...

The theme of the RR is "Spring Garden" but there are always potted flowers in the gardens, am I right? I stitched the edges of the flower pot with back stitch, made long vertical and horizantal stitches and couched the intersections of them. I added small size stiff type oya flowers, those tiny mini flowers gives 3D dimensions that I love on the CQ blocks and at last I added a watering can charm and made running stitches with metallic silver thread to symbolize running water:))

I'm waiting last block to play with...so, another RR will be completed:))

My block for Sendai Project finished

My block is on its way...I completed this little block for our dear quilter friend Hideko whose country, hometown had a tragic earthquake in Japan. Our another friend, Leslie Ehrlich is organizer of a special project "Our Hearts and Hands for Sendai". special thanks her for her efforts to realise this important project. I wish I could make this block for another reason but I'm glad that our dear friend Hideko is well and safe. I always keep Japan people in my prayers who survived from big disaster and for all those innocent people who lost their lives due to big quake and horrible tsunami.

I tried to use flowers and lots of beads on my block, I wanted to use bright colors as the reminder of the spring...spring brings new hopes, new expectations....

I used contrast colors in a harmony. My beaded needle laces looked so neat on the hand dyed fabric.

I used different types of oyas...

I'm not much familiar to Brazilian Embrodiery but recently I bought nice special threads for that purpose, using those treads I did Bullion stitches and french knots on top the bugles intead of using beads as I used to do.

As my buddies all know, I like heavily embellished blocks, this is another heavily embellished block that I made for an important project. I added my sincere feelings, all positive energy to create it.

Blessings to all.....

2010 ArtBra Block completed

Here is the final of my 2010 ArtBra block....I shared its beginning, I also would to share some other details of what I have done lately.

In my previous post the blades of the fan were ready, I pieced the other part with some contrast colors. I believe after another experience that the paper piecing method is a life saver for those who doesn't like to use machine like me....

This photo shows my naked block. After piecing a block I always get so excited to embellish. I get all neat embellishments together and start:))

As I always say so, I love to create seam treatments instead of using trims. But, this time I used trims because they were so neat, especially beaded oya lace looked so pretty on that dark color fabric.

I like to use every kind of pearls, these pale blue pearls looked so pretty on this seam treatment along with those sequins... If I've used white they won't look like them. The harmony of the flat type oyas were perfect on the silk turquise fabrics.

I used several oya flowers that they are pretty new creations. Especially pale mint colors are looked so neat with my fabrics. These new oyas with lovely colors will be available at my Etsy store soon. Most of the metallic threads are Gutterman or Kreinik. Those flat type sequins and little charms were in my stash for a long time, aren't they look nice on that turquise background? Those glass beads are from my local bead shop, I used several of them on the various patches.

At top, left side, the little silver charms with carnation shapes are from a local bead shop, as well. The ribbons are also from our local market, I could make more SRE but, I didn't want to complete that area, otherwise I could miss all warm colors.
It was so nice to prepare another block for another great project. I hope I'll be able to participate more meaningful projects on the coming years. Special thanks for everyone who contribute on 2010 ArtBra Wallhanger project.