Rainy Day and Seam Shells

It was a beautiful weekend here in Maryland.

Made better by exceptional weather, the fact that I had time to finish up the seam treatments on my shell block...and, as if that wasn't enough, an unexpected gift from my BNF (blogging needle friend), Shirlee Fassell.

An envelope containing vintage crochet shell trim from her stash and shell buttons she'd found at the Brimfield Antiques show...

I was thrilled! The package came in Saturday's mail and, before I'd even finished my lunch, I ripped out the old trim and inserted this new one. Perfection!

Lucky for all of us, Shirlee has a blog where she shares her embroidery talent. I've posted about her award-winning crazy quilt which I had the honor of photographing once...you can read that post here. And you can follow Shirlee's magical work with a Luneville hook on her blog here...She's been to Paris THREE times to study at Ecole Lesage and is returning in July for another lesson. Her work is exquisite.

As for me, I'm doing my best to get five more blocks completed for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project. I haven't gotten off to the best of starts given the fact that I've only completed one if the first four months!  Let's see, I finished January's block in Spring so if I finish this one before Fall, that will be an improvement.  

Ever the optimist, I believe I can still make six by August. It means lots of stitching between now and then but, with Jack working as a lifeguard this Summer, I hope to have a little more time to myself. 

Here's where the block stands today after Shirlee's gift...

Just some simple seams to start. I tend to layer embellishments as I go so I'd rather wait to add complexity to the seams.  Waiting ensures that I don't waste threads and beads on something that is going to get covered up.  Plus, it allows me to reserve color/texture/bead selections until the design is further along.  Next up is a red sea fan.

We're having one of those drenching Spring rains where the all the green glows in the gray light...Speaking of rain, did you see Allie's finished quilt, Rainy Spring...?  It captures that glowing-rainy-green-feeling beautifully...

Good Monday everyone!