Block # 1 For The Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012 and Some Krenik Thread Info

Hi Friends,

A little late but I am posting my first block for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012.

When I first joined  the challenge in November, I had plans of doing something completely new and different.

Perhaps round blocks, something I have always wanted to try and then further challenge myself with lots of new stitches.

However on Christmas, my precious Grandmother's health began to decline rapidly.
This quilt challenge was quickly put on the back burner until her 93rd birthday January 8th.

A dear friend digitally repaired this picture of Grama from the early 1920's and I decided this would be my January block.
I used pastel colors that she loves and included a doily ~ she has crochet hundreds of these in her lifetime.
In light of her illness, I feel like doing the familiar and making each months block related to my family and the holidays we love to celebrate.

I used Krenik Thread's in most of the block after recently stocking up at Thistle Needlework's in Glastonbury, Ct
The new colors are just magical and the woman there explained something to me I never knew!

Do you see on the second line of the price tag where it says 4203?

That means thread number 42 and 03 are blended together for this color!

Here you just see # 029 ~ this is not a blended color.
If it said # 4229 ~ it would mean # 42 and # 29 were used to make the color.
I found this a really cool tool to use when choosing colors!

These are not great pictures but look at how the Krenik threads stand out ~ sometimes the french knots look like beads.

 Did you ever try making one of these tags you have probably seen all over the Shabby Chic blogs?

All you need is a plain tag, scrap fabrics, lace, glitter, glue

and love in your heart to fill in the blanks!

I made this one today for a pal recovering from surgery.

I have so many more things to share with you but am pressed for time so check back soon!