Monday, May 12, 2008

Block 8 and a Travel Bag for Embroidery

Hey Ladies!

Surprise... I actually finished another block this weekend! I treated myself and stitched for quite a few hours, happily finishing off Block 8.
Block 8 - seams done
This one went pretty fast, the seams just kind of fell together. Here's a closeup for you of two of the better treatments.
Block 8 - closeup
This is the last dark block on the left side, so now I'm moving on into the light, moonlit sky blocks... cool!

I also put together a travel bag that will hold everything I need to work on the sky blocks for this quilt, at least the embroidery part. I picked it up at TJ Maxx the other day, it just struck me as the perfect bag for carrying supplies.

Here it is closed up - not the greatest picture, but you get the idea:
Travel bag

Then it opens up to this - the booklet lays perfectly on the top:
Travel bag 1

And here it is completely opened up, with plenty of room in the bottom for folded CQ blocks:
Travel bag 2

See that booklet laying there? I have had that booklet, in one iteration or another, since the sixties. Here are the three of them:
booklets - 100 stitches

Upper left is the 1964 edition, upper right is the 1975 version, and bottom is the 1979 version, bought just a few years ago when I couldn't find the other ones. The funny thing is, they all have exactly the same stitches in them (I checked)! They have a good, rounded set of stitches, with both the basics and enough more advanced stitches to keep things interesting. I like them because they are thin and flexible, fitting almost anywhere. The most recent one is easiest on these aging eyes, so that's the one I'll carry with me, just in case the aging memory needs help. ;0)

Later, Ladies!

7 comments:

Jo in NZ said...

LOVE the travel bag. Oh, and the block too of course! lol

Maureen said...

Block is great and the travel bag is fantastic, pity haven't seen one like that in my local TK Max in the UK

allie aller said...

I am crazy about the great fabrics you have used...such texture!
Your stitching reminds me of Jo's...both of you are so clean and precise. Mmmm Mmmm!
The tote is awesome too...you are going to have a great trip.

Rissa said...

The block and the tote look great! :-D I have to admit, I keep trying different ones and never have found one that is just perfect for me.

Rian said...

Your block is absolutely gorgeous, the stitches so perfect and wonderful.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Marty, Love your stitching too. They are all sooo perfect. I also LOVE your travel baggie for all your stitching goodies. Ih, My grand dauther's name is Chloe too. She is a sweetie just like yours. Hugs Judy

Gerry said...

The travel bag is great. Like Jo, I can't seem to find the right one.

Nice needlework on the block. I really like the black and white together.