Finshed, finito, complete, over.

It is finished, what a neat feeling and a few days to spare. I am normally the sort that sees all the things wrong with my own work. For once, I am really happy with this and I am sure my friend will like it.
The first picture is the inside so that it can be slipped over a new journal when necessary. It is a muted green dupion silk, not that you can tell from the photo. The back of course and the front. I have lots of little special things on this block that are meaningful to my friend. Her initial on the top right corner. The hope and anchor charm as we are studying Hebrews at the moment and we both love Hebrews 6. The butterflies to symbolise transformation, little hearts, a pink tear and a few other things.
Can you see the lovely little pink and purple swarovski butterflies. They are delightful in real life and I wish they showed up in photoes.
Mustn't forget the cup to symbolise our endless cups of coffee.

Little more progress.

The top photo is actually the front of a small handbag that was a present from my friend. I love the flowers and leaves and wanted to try it on the journal cover as it is for the same friend.
You can see my representation on the block. It was so easy to do. At the left of the sequin flowers is where the spine of the journal will be that's why it doesn't look quite right.
As usual though the colours are not true at all, they are in reality a lovely light perewinkle/lavender/ purply colour. Nothing I can do about it though, think that may be beyond me.
I think I will take some photoes later today for a little tutorial if anyone is interested.
Talking of tutorial, pop on over to Barbara's blog, the address is in my sidebar as she has blogged some tutorial on different ribbon roses and my favourite seam treatment of all time which I hasten to add have snaffled and used on all my blocks of recent times. They are made with the little drop beads aka grapes. You can see them on this block but do go and see Barbara's she is the Queen of these and the Empress of Ribbon roses, just check her sidebar. You will drool over the roses there.

Edged dyed ribbon.

A little motif in the journal cover, using the edged dyed ribbon. Fargo roses are tucked in amongst the lavender daisies.. I love the effect, adds a little something, don't you think? that's if you can see them.

I really appreciate you leaving me your thoughts on CQ too, thanks.

A little more progress

I have a huge growing appreciation for my fellow CQ's and embroiderists. Just a few hours work and nothing to much to show for it. I don't mean I am not happy with the stitching and progress, only that it takes so much time. I am not complaining just stating a fact. Time is so precious when you work fulltime. Or rather, I should say, it is always so precious.
I am curious to know how others create a block. Do you stitch seams first or embellish patches first or a combination? Can you see it in your head or somewhere before you stitch? Do you plan what you want to do meaning do you envisage what you want the end product to look like? Or do you do it as you go?
Would love some feedback and while I am here, I must say it has been lovely to hear from so many of you.

A little progress on the journal cover.
I have been putting chores and things aside so that I can stitch and needless to say I have been loving it. Did get the washing hang out and a few little things done.
I also wanted to thank Barbara,
http://rosesonthewater.blogspot.com/ she has also nominated me for the "Make my day award"
Thank you Barbara, you are the one who has made my day.
I also have to confess to falling in love with Barbara's seam treatment that she shared with us all in CQmagonline. It is the one with the bunches of grapes made with the tiny drop or fringe beads. Still need to add some leaves to the grapes.

JOURNAL COVER
I want to make a journal cover for my friend, we study the bible and a few other things together. We are trying to help each other walk through life while trying to do it all gracefully as we are getting older.
Hopefully the cover will be able to move on to a new journal when she has finished one. The colours are actually purples not blues.It annoys me that I can't photograph purples, must ask my son what I can do. I am going to embellish the front but I thought I would leave the back plainer with only the seams embellished with stitching. Actually, I think I need lessons on photography as the colours always appear subdued and don't really show their true beauty. Maybe its the camera, I am not too sure on that one, we have had it for ages. Modern technology is wonderful though isn't it, allowing us to be able to do all the things we love. My life has so opened up since I finally started using the computer.