Aquamarine Ambience Pillows

But first....

I continued working on Dear Jane blocks over last weekend. This is the center of one block. I then hand appliqued an octagon border in the background fabric. These center tan blocks are 3/8" square.




On Saturday at Galena I sat in on an Embroidery Software Class and learned a few tips. However, when I was ready to apply some of that Monday evening, I learned they were working on the Designer Level of the Bernina Software and I have the next step down, the Editor Plus. So some of those tricks weren't even available to me. Bummer.

I had already purchased dark olive drab chintz and ivory-something-special for pillows for the living room. Total for 2 pillows = $4.35! Nice deal!




So instead of the project they were doing at the class, I went to the book Aquamarine Ambience (it is Australian based) which is my goal once I've done these test pillows for practice. I chose 2 blocks and went to work on Tuesday working with the software to get them set for my project.


Cutting and setting in the circles on Wednesday took a bit of time but look perfect with the tips and tools provided! Yahoo!!

The first block has special stitches stacked around where the circles join.


On Thursday afternoon I stitched out my first block. After hooping just before lunch, I was ready to stitch once I had lunch cleaned up. It took around 2 hours to stitch out in between some trips upstairs to help JP with his 4-H project for the week. I'm quite happy with my block!



Late this afternoon I finally headed back to my sewing room and worked on my second block. I keep searching for little projects to do while the machine is stitching. I've done a lot of hand applique on my Dear Jane blocks.

This evening I have all the backs and ruffle strips or edge strips cut out and ready. I have the center and 2 of the 4 side embroideries stitched on this second pillow. However, one thread has run out so the rest of the embroidery will have to wait until Monday when I can get more thread.

My plan is to do the quilting on the first one tomorrow afternoon and work on getting that pillow finished. I also found fabric to make JP new p.j.s so I may need to take a break and make those for him.

I can hardly wait to get my house & family stuff done so I can get back to this! Saturday a.m. is clean the bathroom and then JP has his final 2 hrs of driving with his instructor! Yippee!! Then I can get back to work.