Living This Creative Life

I have two favorite quotes. The first one is by Emile Zola, "If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I would tell you that I came to live out loud". I don't know who the second one is by, but it goes like this, "If you're not living on the edge then you might as well jump". Both of these sentiments sum up my personal philosophy of this experience we call life on earth. Enjoy!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Block #12 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

Good Evening,

Here is today's new stitch-out, Stones. No, it's not bubbles. Bubbles are perfectly round. Stones come in varieties of roundness therefore taking away some of the pressure to strive for perfection.

If you've never stitched Stones or circles before, make sure you do a lot of doodling before you begin stitching this one. As you doodle include lots of circles that are the size of peas as well as lots that are the sizes of dimes and nickles. Go as large as the size of a quarter but no larger until you've had lots of practice as larger arcs are much more difficult to do.

When stitching this design, it is important to get used to stitching over previously stitched lines. It is this overlapping or building up of thread that gives the design so much dimensionality and depth.

As you stitch remember to breath. Put on some of your favorite music and try to enjoy yourself. Even learning can be fun!


Begin stitching near the center of your block and make a largish circle then surround that circle with smaller ones. Remember that the circles must touch each other at all times otherwise the stitch-out will look sloppy. Continue making circles, varying the sizes and overlapping stitch lines to get to where you need to go.

Enjoy,

Heather

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