It’s that time … time for a new swap. This one incorporates an embroidered stitchery, piecing of the borders and some quilting. A perfect combination.

Lenna, our expert columnist for the past few months, created this gorgeous pattern specifically for this swap. I hope you love it as much as I do. Of course, if you would prefer not to do it in redwork (like the sample), go ahead and use whatever colours suit your fancy. I’ll be doing mine in various colours.

Confession time! I have not done any embroidery before, but with Lenna’s fabulous videos, I’m super excited to give it a try. I have my hoop, my embroidery floss, a crewel needle and I’m ready to transfer my pattern. I hope you’ll join me in the swap and try a new technique. Who knows, maybe you’ll just fall in love with embroidery!

Swap links:

• swap guidelines
• participants
• registration
• Flickr group
• stitchery tutorial | download stitchery pattern
• Lenna’s how to embroider tutorials

Registration closes April 21st. Partner information will be sent by April 24th. The deadline to mail your mini quilt is May 24th for overseas shipments and June 1st for domestic shipments (and Canada/USA).

Just like any other quilter, it started someplace, somewhere and somehow. I started sewing when I was in high school and my first “real job” was working in a fabric store. As time went on, I worked for a drapery company and then did tailoring for a local men’s wear shop.

After a few years, I came to realize that “doing alterations” wasn’t my cup of tea. I cannot even begin to guess how many pants I hemmed or suits that I altered during my stint. I also came to the realization that I would never make a huge living doing alterations and decided to return to school and was accepted into a nursing program. So needless to say, the sewing took a back burner while I was studying and going to school.

There had been so many times that I would travel through the town of Elmira, Ontario and always noticed the quilt shop “Reichard’s” since they had the most intriguing quilts displayed in their front windows. More than once while gawking and driving at the same time, I would often think to myself “I wish I could do that”. I decided to take the plunge and go in.

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Lazy Daisy stitch, also known as detached chain stitch is a wonderful little looped stitch perfect for working small flowers.

It can be worked alone or in groups. When working this stitch, the trick is to apply a gentle amount of pressure otherwise the loop will close up.

It is also important to keep the couching stitch at the top of the loop consistent. Work a small stitch if you would like the loop to remain rounded, or work a larger stitch to give the loop a tip.

When working Lazy Daisy stitch you may find that the loop can appear twisted. This is caused from working against the direction of the thread. Watch my how to video below and I will demonstrate what I mean.

Have fun with this stitch, lazy daisy stitch is  a must to have in your embroidery stitch repertoire, it is also perfect for working leaves.

Warmly,
Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Congratulations to Kim Powers of California for winning last week’s weekly themed quilt contest, Easter, with her super cute Easter Hop quilt. Kim wins a jelly roll of her choice from the Fat Quarter Shop.

This week it seems like everything is going around in circles. In fact we are even called “AROUND the Block Quilters Shop!” The thing that has us spinning is the introduction of our first Block of the month program which premiered April 1st – and that’s no joke. We are very excited about the Star Light, Star Bright Pattern by Bits ‘n Pieces that we are using and especially happy to be able to offer the kits in either Kansas Troubles or Objects of Desire by Sandy Gervais. Take a look at these tempting treasures on our website. Just think if you started now, by this time next year you will have come full “circle” and have a finished quilt to prove it!

We would also like to invite you to meet one of our heros and read about the “circles” in her life. Read about her on our blog and I’m sure she will inspire you to take a different look at the “circles” in your life.

Speaking of “circles”, the winner of this week’s contest will get more “circles” than she knows what to do with in this week’s prize of 16 Fat Quarters – All of them covered with, what else………“Circles”.

As I’m sure you’ve guessed, the theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Circles. To enter the contest, read the rules and guidelines, then submit your quilt photo by Thursday night (EDT). Voting will start on Friday and last until Sunday night.

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Please share the logo below on your own blog. The more contestants, the more exciting the contests!

There are still a few weekly sponsorship opportunities left this year. Please contact me if you’re interested. It’s a fabulous opportunity to showcase new notions and fabrics.