Before and After

This is how I received Lyn G's block for the Asian Nights round robin. For some reason, the first two people I've worked on both picked Japan. When I think of Japan, I think of Hello Kitty, Sailor Moon and Caramelldansen. Somehow, I don't think that's what -they- were thinking when they made the blocks. Anyway, this top picture shows how the block came to me. It had a lot of potential. I'm not used to working with such bright, hot colors, so it was a challenge.

After a lot of thinking about what others would think was Japanese, I finally came up with an idea for a motif. I made a stream of falling maple leaves down the black. To edge them, I made a fairly simple border. Then, since it's a round robin, I put in the kanji that is supposed to be "friend". I have no clue if that's right or not, but it does at least look Japanese. Now to see if she likes it. I only did one seam because the one I did was soooo long. Didn't want to hog things up.

Unveiled

My husband finished framing this last night. It's crochet lace ... and it was my wedding veil. I used size 40 cordonnet back twenty-one years ago when I made it. He always said he was going to frame it, and he did. Didn't he do a good job?

This is a close up of the lace itself. The pattern is from an old Rita Weiss tablecloth book.

Giving a Finger

Yay, I started on Bibendum himself this week. His finger is up in the air and he's ready for a ride.

A Bit More

I'm halfway done with part 13 in this picture, which was taken a week ago. Since then, I've finished it, so I'm back on track with the group. Part 14 comes out on Wednesday. I'm still really curious about the corners, but I think they're delayed for a reason.

One Huge Flower

Band eight has a great big flower in the middle. I started it this week and finished the upper border of the band. It's coming along a bit. The flower is also upside down. I had my paper upside down when I started, then decided not to frog it, so the whole inner part of the band will be rotated that way. Will be ... interesting, yes?

Another Motif Down

I got a second motif nearly done on the rondel. I'm not going to complete it in time for the Marquoir group, but I did find and order the pattern from the designer. That way, I won't have a half-finished project.

Part Six Begun

At the very top you can see my beginning of part six. I don't know why my husband cut the rest off in the picture, but I promise there's more. This part is a cluster of buildings all on this side of the square. I just hope it doesn't take me nearly as long as part five did.