Quilting | Averyclaire

Gratitude

22 Apr 2018 18 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Family, Gratitude, Quilting Tags: Cross-Stitch, Family, Gratitude, Quilting

This has been a difficult year for the family in many ways, but it is with much GRATITUDE that I share the following photos. All three of my children are avid dog lovers and each of them lost a dear member of their family this past year. While all of us were stricken with sadness and grief, we are eternally GRATEFUL for the love they gave to everyone. While their departures left holes in everyones’ hearts, the memories they leave behind are filled with love, laughter, and GRATITUDE for having been a part of our family.

The first photo is of Ollie. He was a King German Shepherd who passed away suddenly of stomach bloat at the young age of 8 years old. He was a well-behaved and loveable guy who loved to play ball. He is missed by all.

This lovely lady is Birdy. She was a Border Collie/German Shepherd mix who actually smiled when we arrived for a visit. She was gentle and kind and oh so huggable! She died of old age at the age of 17! Again missed by all.

And last, but not least, and the most recent loss, is this beautiful lady, Razzle. She was an Alaskan Malamute. Larger than life, she would “WOO” for you when you arrived and immediately roll over for a belly rub. Such a sweetheart! She passed suddenly from an aneurysm at the young age of 7. Very much missed by all.

During this past year I managed to complete one quilt. This was made as a gift for someone. The soft colored batik squares make this quilt just lovely. I have always wanted to do some straight line machine quilting and quilted this one only 1/2 inch apart. It turned out perfect. I can’t wait to give it to the person it is meant for.

For myself personally, I am GRATEFUL for all my family and friends who sent flowers, cards and gifts in the past month or so. It was appreciated more than you will ever know! I had not been feeling well for several months and suddenly found myself in the hospital having emergency surgery at the beginning of March. It has been six weeks now and I am a new person. Still need to build up my stamina for all my activities, but I feel VERY WELL! Thank you again for your kindness!

And lastly, I am GRATEFUL for many boring days during my recuperation when I finally got up the desire to work on some needlework. I managed to complete about HALF of my “Tulips” cross-stitch piece. I still have a long way to go. But to me HALF done is ALMOST done. SMILE

Happy Spring to everyone! It has finally arrived in Chicago. Although I would like it to be a little warmer, I will take what is given.

Amities, Averyclaire

Autumn Returns … and so do I

27 Sep 2017 32 Comments

by averyclaire in Autumn, Boutis, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, French Boutis, Quilting, Quilts Tags: Autumn, Boutis, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, French Boutis, Needlework, Quilting, Quilts, Thank You

Some of my Autumn favorites! THANK YOU FOR RETURNING HERE to see what’s new!

Yes, it’s been nearly two months since I last posted! I have been in absentia! Sometimes life gets in the way of having fun! But I won’t bore you with details.

One thing I must announce to all is that I have ended my “finishing business.” It was creative and wonderful to help others with making their gorgeous stitching into lovely “finishes.” But it became so busy that there was no time left for my own stitching, gardening, quilting, boutis or even family time. My health was not perfect and life became stressful. So TY to all those who trusted me with their projects. I was happy to serve all of you for those two years.

With my free time I am feeling better and slowly getting back to normal. Here is a quilt I had in the works for some time now finally complete. You can zoom in on it to see details of the quilting and lovely batiks. NOTE: Yes, it is hand embroidered with a black/brown DMC thread.

And another one in the works:

My last stitching project begun 1-1/2 years ago remains undone:

But I have been working on some new Boutis designs seen here. Patterns soon to be available.

And a large white on white 24″x24″ piece for myself.

And last but not least are my patterns seen below that I sell on my Etsy page. I also have been teaching them to needlework and quilting groups.

Hand dyed batiste will soon be available for purchase on my Etsy page as well.

Amities, in friendship, Averyclaire

New Business and Some Old Finishes

07 Jul 2015 10 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Finishing, Flat Folds, Hand Quilting, Ornaments, Project Bags, Quilting, Work in Progress Tags: Christmas Ornaments, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, Flat Fold, Hand Quilting, Project Bag, Quilting, Work in Progress

NEW BUSINESS: Just recently I began a small finishing business for your projects. There is a new page which you can look at on the top of my blog called Finishing Services and another for Finishing Estimates.

Here are a few items I finished in the past couple of weeks.

An elegant Needlepoint Ornament for The Southpaw Stitcher which is dressed with a red velvet backing.

Briar Rabbit looks quite handsome finished as a flat-fold with his regal gold cording.

The small project bag I made (6″ x 7.5″) can hold threads and small items for stitching. The inside is a pretty as the outside. This bag and the next larger one are both lined and interfaced with a stabilizer.

The larger red paisley project bag (11.5″ x 13.5″) will hold most size patterns and stitching in progress. I love the charms I found for the zipper pull. The needlework is antiqued with instant antique spray. These project bags can be made any size and can be made with your needlework on the front or plain. I plan to make several for myself!

OLD FINISHES: An old FINISH from my PhD list (projects half done) (and number two monkey on my back) is my 101 x 101 inch red and white quilt. HAPPY DANCE!! If you recall on one of my previous posts I showed this quilt stuffed under my home sewing machine. I managed to quilt around all the blocks and sashing, then I did the quilting in the sashing and cornerstones. At this point I began to free-motion quilt the blocks…DISASTER!!! The quilt was simply TOO heavy, TOO bulky, and just plain TOO big for me and it broke my sewing machine. So I found a long-arm quilter who agreed to finish it even though I had it half done. Finishing the 404 inches of hand sewn binding was quite satisfying. I was able to check it off my PhD list without all the nightmares trying to stuff it into my machine. I will NEVER attempt to free-motion another LARGE quilt on my home machine. To be perfectly honest, I think I am sorry I participated in this block of the month. It turned out to be very expensive and now I really don’t like it. C’est la vie! Although it fits my full size guest bed nicely (draping way down like a “bedspread”) and it even fits my king size bed (albeit it could be somewhat wider). It will be good for a change of decor from my other quilts.

My number one monkey the King Sized Red/Green/White Triple Irish Chain is making steady progress. There are only one and half rows left plus one of the four borders to go. My Friday quilt friends haven’t been here for most of June due to vacations or commitments for all of us, but I did do a LOT of quilting on my own to speed up the progress. WHOO HOO…the end is in sight, literally!

Happy Summer…keep cool while stitching! Amities, Averyclaire

“Hoppy Easter!” + PhD Update

03 Apr 2015 16 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Easter, Hand Quilting, Quilting, Rabbit, Work in Progress Tags: Cross-Stitch, Easter, Hand Quilting, Quilting, Work in Progress

Happy Easter to all my blogging friends! Here is a little Easter decoration I made for the season.

It is from Trilogy on 32 ct. linen. I left off the alphabet that comes at the bottom of the pattern, turned around the bottom border to be opposite the one at the top and added the ribbon. Happy Easter to All!

I actually did work on my unfinished projects…but slowly. I went away to Colorado in January/February to care for my son (who was in a 12 week recuperation after serious back surgery) and my little 3-1/2 year old granddaughter while his wife was out of town. When I returned it was difficult to get the MOJO back for the PhDs. However…here is my completed Halloween Fairy.

It is seriously difficult to photograph something that has already been framed and sealed under glass! I will remember for next time!

Slow progress being made, but coming along nicely is my Lily of the Valley collage. Here are the before and after photos from last post.

BEFORE

AFTER

Still quite a ways to go.

And last but not least are two projects completed a LONG TIME AGO…but are finally professionally framed. They are cross-stitched replicas of two Indian rugs which I did for my husband to hang on the wall in his den.

There is NO progress to report on my large red and white quilt which I was machine quilting myself….it remains unfinished. No work done on the Lorna Bateman pin cushion either.

We are now on row five of the nine rows of the huge king size red and green Irish Chain quilt. Lots of work to go, but steady progress being made.

I worked on a couple of other small needlework projects which I will show next time. So much for the long grey Chicago winter. I think Spring is finally coming…the daffodials are peeking up and a few crocuses are blooming!

A Blessed and Happy Easter to all….Amities, Averyclaire

Working on PhDs…Projects Half Done: Lessons Learned

23 Jan 2015 12 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Hand Quilting, Quilting, Work in Progress Tags: Cross-Stitch, Hand Quilting, Quilting, Work in Progress

The winter has surely arrived….bitter cold, gusty icy winds, driving snow across your face! I pretend that since I live in Chicago, I have to like it. Well I don’t. I can’t wait until Spring! Now we have had a rather mild winter compared to last year…but I long for Spring.

So I am staying in and working on my PhDs! Yep…I have plenty of those! Projects half done. My IPhone was screaming for me to use it, so I finally took some photos. These projects big and small are like monkeys on my back screeching at me until they are complete.

Number one monkey is a triple Irish chain that I showed you last post. It took me six months to design and bring to fruition the border, get it layered and onto my quilt frame. I have a couple of friends who are helping me to quilt it, but so far we have only worked on it 9 out of 27 possible Fridays. Either I was away on vacation, someone else was away, the holidays came upon us, family obligations took precedence, or someone was ill. I have been diligently working on it in between our Fridays hoping to speed up the process. Lesson Learned: I absolutely adore this quilt (110″ x 110″) and I would make another one in a heartbeat; I adore the hand quilting even if it takes forever (truly heirloom); something is worth the time if you truly love it.

Number two monkey is another HUGE (101″ x 101″) red and white quilt that I am machine quilting myself on my home machine (no long or mid-arms here). Crazy…yes. It is the pattern Saturday Soiree which I increased to make it larger. And now I am sick and tired of looking at the busy red and white pattern and can’t wait to have it done. Lesson Learned: for me personally, I don’t like the block of the month thing; I love red and white, but only when it’s mostly white; don’t take on a huge quilt like this on a home machine unless you have a TON of patience. I am sorely lacking…but I keep on at it like the Eveready Bunny. And it is getting done and nicely if I do say so myself.

Number three monkey is my Halloween Fairy. I saw a blogging friend doing this several years and ago and admired it so much I started one myself. My friend even donated to me her left over beads and some thread. I think I have been working on it at least four years or more. I totally stopped when it came to all the tiny beads. Now I have it on my kitchen island staring at me each day begging me to take an hour or so here and there and sew those teensy tiny beads on it. Progress is slow, but it is coming along. Lesson Learned: I won’t ever choose another cross-stitch with a zillion tiny beads; once you start a project do one’s best to finish it in a timely fashion….going back to it later makes the monkey seem like a gorilla!

Number four monkey is my Lily of the Valley Collage by Laura J. Perin. I LOVE this design and looked at it for a few years before buying it. I am not much of a “canvas”/”needlepoint” person, but I thought I would stretch myself and tackle this one. I haven’t been working on this one for very long, but I have to push myself to work on it. Lesson Learned: It’s great to experience new types of stitching; teaches me patience when I have to struggle with the counting and stitches on the canvas; have a bit of eye coordination problem when I see light beneath the canvas; don’t stop…keep on keeping on; and always try new things.

Number five monkey is a tiny ribbon embroidered pin cushion. It is Roses and Pearls by Lorna Bateman. Now I simply adore this piece. I nearly finished it right away, knowing if I stopped it would never get done. Well, I stopped and left it in the bag and now nearly a year later I am committed to finishing it. It’s truly an easy project. So why isn’t it finished? Beats me. Lesson Learned: DON’T STOP. Do the little projects right away!!!

And last but not least is my TAMED monkey. A very small Halloween project. It was a give away item I picked up at one of my needlework groups when it was just screaming my name. Left it lie around my stash pile until Autumn rolled around and I was looking for something Halloween-ish to work on. Such a small item should have been done in a weekend, but I spent a few months taking a stitch here and there. But voila! C’est complete! A last finish of the 2014 year. Lesson Learned: Little projects are great…do more of them; do them faster…they give you an IMMENSE feeling of satisfaction.

MAJOR LESSON LEARNED: Remember to enjoy the journey no matter what.

Until next time….Amities, Averyclaire

A Little Update

04 Oct 2014 19 Comments

by averyclaire in Applique, Family, Hand Quilting, Quilt Borders, Quilting, Sewing Tags: Applique, Family, Hand Quilting, Quilting, Sewing

The king sized quilt was on the frame by the end of June. The borders took a long time to finish and then even longer to blanket stitch all those tiny designs I created! With the busy summer and lots of traveling the actual quilting has been slow going. Here is a photo of the giant first being basted and then on the frame.

In the meantime, I did create an adorable “Frozen” princess dress for my three year old granddaughter, Maya.

Lots of traveling included a week in the woods of southern Indiana in June for DH’s hobby interest. Then we did two weeks out west in Boulder, Colorado and the Black Hills of South Dakota in July. We took a couple of grandchildren with us and my oldest granddaughter broke her arm the first day we left! Next we spent ten days in Atlanta, Savannah, Tybee Island, Hilton Head, and Charleston, SC in Aug for a woodworking convention and just R&R for the two of us. And one more week in the woods of southern Indiana in September at which time I did a lot of sewing on baby blankets in our RV! Whew! Fun, but nice to be home.

Grandchildren…Haley, Sophia, Noah and daughter Kathleen enjoying the Niwot, CO evening concert.

We had a GREAT family campout while in Boulder, CO.

Since then I have completed 20 baby blankets with teddy bears for my Quilters’ Plus Holiday Boutique coming up November 7 and 8. My heart wanted to do a lot more projects for the Boutique, as some of the money goes to support our group, but alas, I did not do what I had hoped to complete. Oh well, there is always next year.

Some of my blogging buddies have been wondering where I have been. Just busy with life and trying to avoid spending time on the computer fighting with downloading photos, etc. It has been a nice respite. However, I do lurk behind the shadows and visit all of your blogs often.

I hope before too long there will be some stitching and other quilt items to show. But my progress is SLOW.

For now…..Amities, Averyclaire

Border Progress

22 Apr 2014 12 Comments

by averyclaire in Applique, Cross-Stitch, Design, Easter, Ornaments, Quilt Borders, Work in Progress Tags: Applique, Quilting, Work in Progress

Happy Easter Week to everyone! Here are my Easter finishes. They were all fun and easy to make.

Yes…the border is coming along. I am going to post some time lapse photos so you can see the progress. I have the center sections and the left sides complete. Here is the progress to date beginning with the photo I took initially:

Center sections of borders complete.

Left side sections of borders complete.

It sure has been a long tedious process…but I feel it will be done soon. The right sides remain. Although, I do have all the pieces traced and ironed onto fusible…just waiting to cut out…so that will go quickly. After I fuse the right side appliques down, I can do the four corners…not difficult after all the work I have already done. Then the appliques must be sewn in place.

Alas, with these borders taking up all my time, I have done no other handiwork. :((

Hope everyone out there is enjoying the lovely spring days we are having! And for those of you living far far away, I imagine you will begin having your cool crisp autumn days to enjoy!

Amities, Averyclaire

Grow Your Blog

24 Jan 2014 110 Comments

by averyclaire in Applique, Cross-Stitch, Hand Quilting, Needlework, Quilting, Thank You, Wool, Work in Progress Tags: Applique, Cross-Stitch, Hand Quilting, Needlework, Quilting, Wool, Work in Progress

Welcome everyone to Averyclaire Needlearts! I am excited to be a part of the “Grow Your Blog Party.” Thank you for stopping in to visit.

I am a midwesterner, born and raised in the Chicago area. Whether I am home or away, I keep busy hands. There is nothing more wonderful than a cup of hot tea while having a piece of some kind of needlework, sewing, quilting, or knitting in my hands. An early morning in the perennial garden fills my soul. I can get lost for weeks in books and am a passionate Francophile. Music to sooth the soul is Andrea Bocelli, Adamo, and John Denver.

My grandmother, Clara Avery, taught me to knit when I was seven and instilled into me the gentle art of all kinds of needlework.

If you leave a comment on this post you will be entered in the drawing to win a prize (the drawing will be held on February 15th). It will be a lovely cross-stitched surprise. However, please scroll through my blog to see some of my projects. I hope you enjoy them all and I look forward to seeing all of your projects as well.

Amities, Averyclaire

Thanks again for coming!

Whole Cloth Quilt In Progress

12 May 2013 36 Comments

by averyclaire in Hand Quilting, Quilting Tags: Hand Quilting, Quilting, Work in Progress

On my quilt frame now is a whole cloth quilt that I began more than ten years ago. I had a tiny pattern and enlarged it to a lap size quilt. The pattern is lovely and I love hand-quilting, but back then, I quickly tired of it and put it away for years. After finishing my applique quilt I was inspired to work on this one again. I put the quilt frame in the living room and work on it each evening as I sit “listening” to the TV. (I love Hallmark movies.) It was only about 1/3 done before….and I already have at least 2/3 done now. At this rate it will soon be considered another winter project finished!!

Does anyone out there know what causes the puckering during hand quilting? or if there is a way to prevent this? It is not everywhere in the quilt…only in certain places. It won’t matter after I am finished and soak the quilt, as I imagine it will all be “puckery.”

Have fun stitching whatever it is you are working on! Amities, Averyclaire

Update on the Past Few Months

16 Feb 2012 10 Comments

by averyclaire in Applique, Family, Friends, Quilting, Quilts for Kids Tags: Applique, Friends, Quilting, Quilts for Kids

My days are empty without your blogs and our friendships. So while I cannot promise to blog often, I am back. To all who have written lovely notes I cannot thank you enough. You brighten my day. I am still fighting whatever it is that plagues me, but I am managing better. There are still no answers, nor any cures. I watch my food intake very carefully as there are a lot of foods that will trigger attacks. My DH and I continue to walk most days (except for the bad weather or bitter cold) and the exercise helps. A good portion of my time is taken up with research online and in books learning more and more about my symptoms and how to relieve them. Half my days are good, half my days are not good. So I will share with you my good days and hopefully my spirits will stay up as well.

Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of “Needlearts” to share with you. However, I have recently finished making four “Quilts for Kids” from my stash. Such a good feeling…not just in helping children with cancer, but also a relief to shorten the stash even by a little. And even better, there was a great camaraderie with my fellow quilters in doing this. Here are some photos:

I helped at the Stitch in Public Day with my Needleartisans Group at the beginning of this month. Several of us assisted in teaching women and children to learn cross-stitch and whatever else we could help them with. My granddaughter, Sophia (10 years old), was an immense help as well. I taught her to embroider, stitch, and sew last summer. She was thrilled to be a part of our group. (Photos can be seen at Southpaw Stitcher entry of Feb. 4th.) I have also taken the job of treasurer for this group. It’s not a lot of work and I truly enjoy the new friends I have met and work with each month.

I completed the dining room renovation for my daughter….her draperies are now hung. You can’t see the draperies…but here is a photo of Sophia and her Dad in the dining room getting ready for the “Daddy/Daughter Dance.”

At home here after the holidays I worked very hard at de-junking everywhere I could (especially my studio). Still have lots of work to do…but so satisfying. I have lost three sizes during my illness and many of my clothes need to be packed up and taken to the resale shop. Lots more to do.

There are no new needlework projects to show, but I have been working diligently to finish some old ones. I am very sad that I have not done anything wonderful in the needlearts area. One does not feel much like creating when one does not feel well. However, my unfinished applique quilt is coming along quite nicely. I have completed 11 blocks, am in the middle of 12…and have four more after this. Then I will have three quilts in my possession simply waiting to be quilted. I had BETTER GET BUSY..!! Here are photos of the three additional blocks I have finished.

My new granddaughter, Maya, is growing quickly. She is 7 months old already! I miss her so much. They were here in Chicago for a week during the holidays. But my DS and DIL keep my inbox filled regularly with photos. Don’t you just LOVE technology?! Hope to see her for her birthday in Boulder, CO sometime this summer.

Well I think that is enough news for now. Wish I had accomplished more during these past few months…alas…tomorrow’s another day. For now I am happy to be back and will spend some time catching up on all of your blogs as soon as I can. Thank you again for your kind notes.

Amities, Averyclaire

Averyclaire

Gratitude

Autumn Returns … and so do I

New Business and Some Old Finishes

“Hoppy Easter!” + PhD Update

Working on PhDs…Projects Half Done: Lessons Learned

A Little Update

Border Progress

Grow Your Blog

Whole Cloth Quilt In Progress

Update on the Past Few Months

Thanks for Visiting

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