Sunday, July 8, 2012

It's My Eyes That are Crossing!

Here is my July We Bee Learning Bee Block for Trina. She chose this block and asked for purple, black and white with the background being white. She lives in Canada and I'm trying to get it in the mail early this month. It seems my blocks are taking a minimum of two weeks to reach my Canadian bee mates. Next month is my month and I've been thinking of block selection and color.
We Bee Learning Bee Block for Trina
Thank you all for your suggestions and tips about stitching over 1. I've gotten the first row done and I'm going to put your tips into practice on row 2. I have to say, stitching over 1 isn't my favorite, especially on 40 count. I feel like it's my eyes that are crossing instead of my stitches sometimes. For those of you who enjoy over 1 or do it all at once, I'm in awe. I'm having to pace myself and I'm not sure I'll get it all done before the rest of it.
Ann Dale over 1.
Several of you sent me your favorite links too. You can find some of them here, here, here, here and here. Some really good stuff that you shared! Thank you!

Greg painted Jake's room yesterday and I love the gray color we found - Glidden's Granite Grey (you can see it on someone else's wall here). We lightened it 25% and I'm glad we did. Carpet estimate this week as well and today we made our final selection and placed our order. Next up - closet reorgs. We put in built ins years ago that sit on the floor so before the carpet people come, we need to make whatever changes we need to make. Jake's closet is coming out and being replaced and we'll probably remove one element from ours and do some tweaking. We'll all be glad when this is done.

I hope you all have had a good weekend and enjoy a good week. Thank you for your visits, your comments, and the inspiration!

33 comments:

*karendianne. said...

You amaze me! From fabric to block in no time flat. :) Great seeing you today.

Annette-California said...

Beautiful colors you selected for the block, looks great. At least you got some of the over 1 done:) I do love Ann, I enjoy seeing your photos of her.

imquilternity said...

That is a gorgeous block....great fabric choices you made. I would love to see her quilt considering the colors she chose. Sounds like you are getting a lot done around your house. How fun! We haven't done anything like that is quite awhile and I miss it. It's work for sure, but such a great feeling when it's done and you can use it and appreciate it.

Daffycat said...

Love the colors in the block! My mail to Canada always takes a while too.

Your over one stitching looks great! Careful of frogs...that's the worst!

Lanie said...

Hi Jackie, your over 1 on "Ann" looks fabulous! I'm not a fan of stitching over 1 on 40ct. but I like how it looks when completed. I tend to do mine all at once so I can get into the "groove". I did learn some great tricks on the links, so I too thank those who shared!

FlourishingPalms said...

I can attest to how much fun it is to have a closet "done" and have rooms updated. It's such a clean, fresh feeling and gives you a good perspective on the things around you. I think I'm turning minimalist because I'm seeing how less is better. Your purple block is smashing.

Sharon said...

Your block is beautiful! I like purple too. :)

Your cross stitch is gorgeous! I haven't done that in years. When things started blurring and my eyes crossing, I quit. Someone suggested I use bigger weave fabric. I may have to go back and try that sometime.

Littlebit said...

Beautiful block and colors, Jackie!

Margaret said...

Nice bee block! I bet you can't wait for your month. :D I know the feeling on the cross over one. It definitely takes a lot of patience -- especially since over one always seems to take at least twice as long, if not longer, than regular cross stitch. Good luck with it. You're doing a great job so far! Good to pace yourself on it and not leave it till the last.

Simone de Klerk said...

Your cross stitch is so pretty, Jackie. Having done it myself, I know how difficult it can be. All that counting.
Happy week.

Giovanna said...

I don't think I've ever stitched over 1 on 40ct, except for the odd filling stitch or two - but I'm sure it can't be easy. You're doing it beautifully though. Glad the website suggestion was useful.

Annie said...

Great job on the over-one. I'd never try it on 40 ct. 28 ct is my max for that generally. Lots of good tips from everyone, but my eyes rebel so quickly! It's nice to use it just for a portion of the design.

Marie said...

Love the block anything purple is my favorite and your stitching is beautiful. Have a great week. Many hugs

Tammy said...

Love that purple block, very stunning!! Your stitching is coming along nicely. And lord you've been busy in the house too. How do you do it all with the heat too. The grey is nice, I like grey's myself, a great neutral if you ask me. The new carpet sounds wonderful, it's always so nice to change things up and freshen up the house!

antique quilter said...

what a great choice of fabrics for that block I am not a huge fan of purple but its great with the black and white...
my eyes would have a hard time doing cross stitch like this anymore! beautiful though ....
Kathie

Carol said...

Although I love over one stitching, 32 ct. is about my limit, Jackie! Are you just doing tent stitching on the 40ct.? Your sampler is looking marvelous! And such a pretty block you made for Trina...

I need to take some inspiration from you and get to work on my sons' old rooms--one still has the border of mallard ducks left in it! It just seems so overwhelming to start to remove it. I love the color you chose--good luck with the rest of the renovation!

Lily said...

I love the contrast of the black, white and purple. Well done! :)

Mrs.Pickles said...

lovely work!! my eye are crossing just looking at your cross stitch!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt block and your sampler is lovely.

Hazel said...

Your quilt is so pretty and you are doing great on that sampler. xx

Melanie said...

Over one on 40 ct? Scary! I'm in awe as well with people who do that on a regular basis!

Brigitte said...

This block just looks great with its terrific colours. I particulalrly love the one with the little flowers on it, what a colour combo.
Stitching over one on 40ct? No wonder that your eyes start crossing, lol. There's no way that I could do this. I also stitch on 40ct but only over two and I love the look of the stitches on that fine fabric.

Michele said...

Your stitching is just beautiful! So precise! Sounds like your renovations are moving right along :-) We would like to do the same thing, but I just become overwhelmed by all of the decisions. Carpet is especially difficult to me. What type did you go with?

Lois said...

Love the block, those strong colours are stunning together.

Glad the over 1 is going well. I'm full of admiration for your attempting that on 40ct. I can't even manage 40ct over two!!!!

Siobhán said...

I generally can't stand over one but am learning to get better--faster--at it and am okay enough with it now that I won't let over one being in a sampler keep me from stitching it. I think the best thing that helped me was to do the over one a bit at a time and not leave it till the end. Yours looks SOOOOO nice!

Beautiful bee block!

Karoline said...

Your block is looking lovely and a nice start on the over one on Ann

Penny said...

Love the purple and black together! I think you are doing a beautiful job on the over one stitching! As Siobhan said I think doing a little at a time helps. It will never be my favorite thing to do though. :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

Okay I do like over one but not on 40 ct you're crazy!

Catherine said...

Love that block! Your over one looks great!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Beautiful pictures

bisous de FRANCE my dear

Heidi Kuijer said...

Great block Jackie! I am sure she will love it.

I am a true lover of 1/1 stitching and especially on 40count. You really just have to stick with it. Try and double check as pulling out is not impossible but difficult. One thing that really helps is using a 26 needle instead of 28. Using the little larger needle helps open the hole as the thread pulls through so the thread does not fray as easily. I also say use reading glasses to magnify if you need to see it better. It really helps.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Anonymous said...

Love the quilt block, and your cross stitching is gorgeous! I recently bought a pattern at the Goodwill with pretty houses and little sayings... When I got home I realized the sayings were all about death! Hahaha, not sure if I'll be stitching those anytime soon. x

Bonnie Brown said...

WOW... stitching over 1 on 40?!?
I am not even a fan of over 1 on 25 lol
I do love using 40ct over 2 though