Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions Blog

Уют своими руками: Фучия / A Fuchsia to Embroider

2012-02-13T07:01:00.000-08:00

Уют своими руками: Фучия / A Fuchsia to Embroider

A Fuchsia to Embroider

2012-02-11T08:20:00.001-08:00

It took a long time, but I now have 100 followers. As a gift for each of you, I have written up the instructions for an antique design I found in an old ribbon work book. The instructions in the book are strangely written and they called for things I’ve never heard of, not usable for me. As I worked the flower, I just kept a running record on the computer and in photos of what I did. If you should embroider this fuchsia design, it would be great to see a photo of yours.

- Trace the design onto Golden Threads quilting paper (this paper is strong enough to last throughout all of the embroidery.) Use a black micro pen or other permanent marker. Since the paper is transparent you will be able to chose the direction of your motif with the fuchsias to the left or right of the leaves. Trim the paper leaving 1/2” all around the design.

- Pin the design to the surface of your fabric exactly where you want the design to be. Baste all around it in the 1/2” margin.

- Using 2 strands of green embroidery floss and a back stitch, follow along all of the stem lines. Using 2 strands of the same or another green floss, whip the thread through and around each of the back stitches. I used the same color throughout as I like the stems to just be there and not standing out too much.

- Cut small pieces of batting and pad the area of the outer petals of the flowers and also the flower buds.

- Using 1 strand of floss and an outline stitch, do the stamen stems. I actually used regular sewing thread as I didn’t have the color floss I wanted. The thread seemed to cut into the paper as I worked so be careful if you use it not to destroy your pattern too much. Because you are using a traced pattern, and if this happens, you can always remove the pattern and put a fresh one on using the stitches that you’ve already made to place it correctly.

Before I go onto the ribbon work, please visit this Google search of images to see all of the variations in color and shape that fuchsias grow. I chose to use colors that didn’t match any of these but that I like for the project I’m doing.

I used 13 mm silk ribbon throughout (You can also use 7 mm if you prefer on this size pattern, but definitely if you make the design smaller.)

- Leaves are first and are just a straight stitch. Use a large eye needle (I use a 14 chenille with 13 mm ribbon) and start your stitch on the end of the leaf and then go back into the fabric at the stem. You should shape each leave as you go to be sure the ribbon is lying on your fabric so that the edges will curl under on the majority of them. You can pull one edge of the ribbon in a little more than the other from the backside of your work. This gives the leaves a different slant. If one twists a little, that’s fine. It makes them look more natural.

- Flowers are also straight stitches throughout but the order in which they are done is the key. Using the original drawing as a guide, work the petals that are under other petals first. We will start with the center petals shown here in purple. Stitch your petals from the outside (as you did the leaves) to the center of the flower. Use your needle to push the batting back underneath the ribbon. As with the leaves, work with each petal to get the direction of how the ribbon lays the way you want it. Sew the back ribbon instead of using knots to cut down on bulk. Work one flower at a time and cut your ribbon. Traveling along the back is a waste of ribbon and gives your needle more to get caught on as you move around your design.

Next, do the outer petals of the flower and the buds in a contrasting color (burgundy on mine) and just follow the pattern, stacking the petals as shown in the design.

- The calyx of each flower and bud are two small straight stitches. You can use a 7 mm ribbon here if you like.

- Remove paper. Tweezers will come in handy here. Be gentle, slow and deliberate and you won’t hurt any of the design.

- Add a bead or French knot at the end of each stamen stem.

Finally, let me know how you did on this, whether the instructions were clear or not, and any other critique you may have will be appreciated.

Enjoy Stitching!! Reen

February CQJP Block

2012-02-01T07:11:00.001-08:00

Finished a few weeks ago, I’ve been waiting for February to arrive to show you this month’s block. As I said last month, this is a continuous quilt so there will be portions that may look a little strange. These areas will be left for the large flower baskets.

Gerry Krueger (Older Rose blog) embroiders the most beautiful birds and always shares her techniques so openly. Using her method for embroidering birds on felt, I made my first effort for February’s block. I picked a simple drawing and I found the most difficult parts were getting the stitches to go in the right direction (good but not great) and cutting the darn thing out. I did snip a few threads but I used a dab of the “dreaded glue” to work them right back into place. I think this motif has a little vintage quality to it. I’m including a drawing here for you to try it if you like as well as a floral motif I did on the same block.

Online Crazy Quilt Classes – New ones added

2012-01-26T08:25:00.001-08:00

Please check out the new classes – along with Christen Brown, we now have a class with Nancy Eha and two with Kathy Shaw.

Seed Bead Botany by Nancy Eha	Soft Sculpture Applique by Kathy Shaw	Bead Encrusted Cabochons/Buttons by Kathy Shaw

A Mini Round Robin

2012-01-20T09:04:00.001-08:00

Kathy Shaw hosted a round robin recently requiring each participant to send her three pieced “rectangles” (4”x6”). She then embellished one of the rectangles for each of us. I don’t know how in the world she managed to stitch all of them as there were quite a few who signed up. She did it and they’re all wonderful! My other two were sent to other participants and I received two to stitch. I showed you the Christmas one for Arlene White in an earlier post.

Here is the one I embellished for Shari Jensen. She wanted a Southwest theme so I just concentrated on the seams and tried to get the feeling of the southwest, not necessarily authentic design.

The finished ones that came back to me are beautiful. I used hand dyed fabrics by Chris Daly which I sell in color coordinated packets on my website. I’ll have to include each of them in a special project. Thank you all!!

By Kathy Shaw

By Renee Gray

By Cathy Labath

Announcing Online Classes

2012-01-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

I have started a new venture hosting online classes for crazy quilters and I hope you’ll join in the fun. Help me to get this going by visiting the link below to read about the first class with Christen Brown – “A Crazy Lady’s Guide to Embellishing”.

This class begins Monday, March 5. Click here for class info and enrollment.

Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

2011-12-30T11:16:00.001-08:00

In 2010 I signed on to do a crazy quilt to be finished by 2012. Well, I didn’t get very far. When Kathy Shaw came up with the Crazy Quilt Journal Project for 2012, I decided to work on the quilt I already started. So, if all goes well, it will actually get completed (or mostly completed) by the end of 2012. To keep up, every one who registered for the CQJP is required to submit a photo of work done for each month. The area done must be at least 6” x 6”. Since I prefer to do crazy quilts that are one continuous piece (not squares sewn together) I will work on and photograph an area each month that fits the dimensions required or larger. Here is January (we were permitted to start on this in November) along with a photo of what I have completed so far.

As you can see, I embellish as each area is pieced. I have already completed 5 large baskets with silk ribbon embroidery flowers that will the centerpieces of the quilt. Because I used various colors for these, the use of some of these colors in the individual outer areas may seem a little off. So, you will see orange, pink, blue, purple, etc. in areas that you may think “garish”. I’m just hoping it all looks balanced both in design and color when it’s finished.

Here is a close-up of one design element, followed by the pattern.

A Personal Challenge

2011-12-26T11:24:00.001-08:00

Many of you already know of the Flights of Fancy website. Carole has an array of beautiful trims and accessories for crazy quilting. She also offers what she designates as the “Treasure Club” which is an automatic mailing of a coordinated group of trims each month. I decided to join and put myself outside my usual “style” and challenge myself to use all of the items (either wholly or partially) in one square. I’ve completed “December” and I totally enjoyed working on this.

Here are some close up photos.

The January packet is here and I’m anxious to get going on it, but I have other things to do first!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-17T10:14:00.001-08:00

Every year I say I’m going to make things to give to friends. This year I came as close as I’ve ever gotten: I made one Christmas card. How’s that for achievement? I’m so ashamed! Anyway, here it is. I have some ideas swirling in my head to try in 2012. I’ll show you the one I carry through on (maybe) this time next year.

I also just completed embellishment on a 4”x 6” block for a RR I’m in. This block belongs to Arlene White in Australia.

I’ll let these two pieces be my last post before Christmas as they are the only holiday things I’ve finished. Have a glorious holiday season!!

Also, my website will be closed until after New Year’s Day.

My Heart Goes Out to Betty

2011-12-10T08:41:00.001-08:00

Over the past few months many of the women on the Crazy Quilt International Yahoo Group have made hearts for Betty Pillsbury to show her our support because of the effects hurricane Irene had on her family and home. The idea was Cheryl Anderson’s of Wisconsin and she organized it all and gathered the hearts for shipping. Betty received them the other day and I can now show you the one I made for her. You can see all of the other hearts on the CQI list.

Crazy Quilt Journal Project – 2012

2011-11-23T08:58:00.001-08:00

As a member of the CQJP Committee and to set a good example, I have just registered to take part in CQJP 2012. Following are the criteria if you would like to join in. I am going to take it one month at a time and just hope I can keep going. No matter how I fare, it will be fun to see all of the wonderful crazy quilt contributions that are made. This is not a competition but is a personal challenge. REGISTRATION CLOSES December 27 so don’t miss out.

-Participants will complete one crazy quilt block each month. Size and shape can vary....but it should be a least equivalent to a 6” square.

- Participants that want their efforts published (and we hope that they do...because their work could inspire someone else to begin their own crazy quilt journey)...can submit photos to the Committee (via email to: chairperson@cqjp.org) for inclusion on the CQJP2012 blog (link: http://www.cqjp2012.blogspot.com)

- The CQJP2012 is honored to have J. M. Michler, author of “The Magic of Crazy Quilting” as our Honorary Chairperson this first year.

(http://www.jmarshamichler.com/)

Sharon’s Square

2011-11-08T08:25:00.001-08:00

My good friend Sharon Benoit made this lovely 6" square for me. I'm getting to the point with these that my book needs to be started. I've seen quite a few fabric books and still haven't decided how I want to make it. After all the work the squares represent, I want it to be my best effort.

My square for Sharon:

An Idea for You

2011-10-27T14:19:00.001-07:00

This lingerie bag was purchased by me last year at an antique shop. It was labeled as antique but I believe it is newly made out of antique fabrics. I just really liked it and did not feel it was overpriced. I think it is a fabulous idea for holding any of your soft CQ items such as ribbons, laces, etc. and looks so pretty hanging on a wall or over the edge of a mirror. Let some of the content flow over the edge for color.

Please feel free to copy it if you like the idea. The bag opening is held out by an oval shaped wooden embroidery hoop sewn into a casing. The hoop in this one is 4 1/2"x 9" but try any size or shape for variation. All of the decorating is done on the front of the bag.

New Pat Winter Offerings

2011-10-26T10:33:00.001-07:00

Pat has two new items available for purchase: the latest edition of her Crazy Quilt Gatherings magazine and a new book entitled BOHO Fever on making Bohemian Gathering Bags. Click on the photos to get more information and to purchase.

A Challenge Met

2011-10-15T09:40:00.001-07:00

A couple of months ago I signed up for a challenge hosted by Nicki Lee Seavey with the HGTV quilt group. Nicki also took part in the challenge. Each participant sent her a small fee and she sent us 6 items that had to be included. After the materials, she used the rest of the money to give as prizes. The six items were: a length of lace, a lace motif, a length of green ribbon, a pin-tucked piece of white fabric, a piece of fabric with swirled ribbon on it, and 3 charms. I was so out of my comfort zone with the items she sent, I stuck them in a drawer for several weeks. A couple of the things I downright hated. My Granddaughter kept asking me if I was going to do it and I finally was guilted into it, if for no other reason than to show her I followed through on things I committed to do. That turned out to be the challenge for me.

Below are the 4 winners of the challenge. I think all of the participants were winners and only about half of those who signed up actually finished.

Fourth Place - Ely Ahsanulla - I met Ely at the Adventure and she is a beautiful person who really loves CQ.

Third Place - Lynn Gelston.

Second Place - Nicki Lee Seavey - I met her at the Adventure but she has been a friend since well before I had the pleasure of meeting her.

First Place - I couldn't believe it. After all the problems I had with the materials used - I Won!! It just goes to show ya!

To see all of the winners, 1 through 22, go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazyladie/sets/72157627671642431/

I'm Still Here!

2011-09-26T10:50:00.001-07:00

Three months since my last post and I still don't have much to say. My problem is I don't take many photos and I don't do a lot of blogging about my personal life. Dull!! My DIL and Granddaughter, Ava, were here for the month of July. It was nice to have some activity in this quiet life of ours. Do I have photos? No! Candace Kling was here for a week earlier this month and we had 5 days of glorious workshops. Do I have photos? No! I spent weeks and weeks getting ready for a giant tag sale I had on Saturday. Do I have photos? Why would I?! I helped my DIL make a swing coat for Ava. That turned out really cute. Do I have a photo? No! I also made a couple of "sane" quilts for little ones in our family. I had Jim take photos of those as proof I didn't read all summer.

Here's the "Dolly Dingle" quilt I made for Ava. It looks lopsided in the photo but it's really nice and squared off. The kits were photographed from a ladder hovering over the bed. (I felt I needed to tell you that.)

This quilt is for my niece, Bella. I haven't given it to her yet and I don't think anyone in my Sister's family reads my blog so I am safe in showing it here. Why don't they read it? Because I usually don't take photos of nor write about things they care about!

Lastly, I did receive a 6" square from Allison Aller which definitely shows her sunny outlook on life. Thank you, Allie.

This is the square I sent to her.

Nicki Lee's 6" Square

2011-06-21T10:20:00.001-07:00

This square from Nicki Lee arrived while I was away for a few days. It's always so fun to come home and have something beautiful waiting in the mail. I have admired Nicki's work for quite a while now and am so happy to add a small example of her creativity to my growing 6" square collection. I met her for the first time at An Adventure in Crazy Quilting in April and she is a joy to get to know. Nicki Lee has a wonderful blog, does beautiful lace dying which you can purchase through her etsy store, and is active with the HGTV Message Boards where she hosts CQ challenges and other activities.

My 6" square for Nicki shows my love for working with black. It has become one of my favorite colors in the past couple of years (non-color, some may say) and I'm anxious to start another project with black as the background. This one has mostly bead techniques on it and may look simple to you. It took me a hours to do as I'm not very prolific with beads.

Squeezing in More 6" Squares

2011-06-02T07:52:00.001-07:00

It's been several weeks (months) since I've sat down to work on my little squares to swap with my favorite stitchers. Betty Pillsbury gave me this beautiful square in April at An Adventure in Crazy Quilting. Thank you Betty. I love it!! Betty also has a blog.

Mine arrived in her mailbox yesterday. It was a real time disparity but I do try!

Candace Kling - A Master in Ribbon Art

2011-05-23T06:19:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder to you all that Candace Kling will be coming again this fall and will have more of her beautiful techniques to teach us. The kids will be back in school and the weather will still be pleasant here in CT. There are five full days of workshops scheduled, but you will have the choice of taking 2, 3 or 5 of those days. Please visit the website I have set up for everything you need to know about these workshops and visit her website to get an in-depth view of her talents. Everything Candace teaches can be applied to Crazy Quilting. She teaches the techniques in larger sizes than you may need but this is to give you the ease and knowledge of manipulating the ribbon, fabric, etc. Most things can then be reduced in size by you to incorporate into your projects. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn from the best.

So Proud of Lauren

2011-05-15T10:31:00.001-07:00

It's a natural thing for Grandmas to brag about their Grandchildren. I don't do it often, however, as I'm afraid it will become tedious. I couldn't believe how well written and imaginative a twelve year old can be until I read this paper Lauren wrote for school homework. Please read it and you will see why I'm so proud of her.

Tweet! The Game is in action and Emma passes the ball to me right away.

Take a deep breath.

I hear the “poof” of the ball, yellow as a highlighter, as it lands smack in the pocket of my lacrosse stick like an angry ram running into a wall. I run as fast as lightning into the fan only to find that I have lost my defender and that two new defenders had their sticks blocking my path to the goal like their life depended on it. I feel like SCREAMING. My heart is racing like a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

Take a deep breath.

I run my hand up my stick and feel the soft metal it’s shaft is made of. For an instant all I hear is the spring breeze rustling in the trees but then I hear coach yelling to me- the same thing repeatedly. “Give and go!” Then it struck me- I reeled around in my tracks and saw Mary, our best middy wide open! I practically catapult the ball her way and cut back to Mary to get the ball right back. The ball soars through the air like a bullet and into my stick in a flash. It’s all up to me now- will I score the point?

Take a deep breath.

I bite down hard on my rubbery mouth guard and taste its plastic flavoring, bitter as a lemon on my poor tongue. I step forward in front of the goal and bring my stick down hard like I was punching air in the face. The ball bounces once, hits the goalie in the shoulder, and…

GOES IN!!!

I open my eyes wide like a bug and look into the evening sky, pink as cotton candy. Instantaneously, my team gathers around me- all smiles and full of high fives. Another point for Junior Division Green Machine.

A Portrait of Gracie

2011-05-13T09:37:00.001-07:00

As a crazy quilter, I have collected quite a few buttons . None have ever meant so much to me as the one Gerry Krueger painted of my sweet little Gracie. She gave it to me as a surprise at the Adventure in Crazy Quilting. Isn't it wonderful? Thank you so much Gerry! Please visit Gerry's blog and her Etsy shop site to see her lovely crazy quilting and more of her fabulous buttons.

Shown enlarged – is actually about 1 1/4” in diameter.

New Additions to My Vintage Stash

2011-05-10T08:05:00.001-07:00

Shirlee and I had a great day yesterday at the Vintage Fashion and Textile Show at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge MA. This show is held three times during the summer and always kicks off the week for the world famous Brimfield Flea Market. The textile show is a treasure trove of vintage and antique embellishments for the crazy quilter. Of course, most people don't go with crazy quilting in mind but there's so much there to see that I just zero in on that. Here is a photo of the things I found. Lace is usually my goal but it's getting to be more unlikely to find at a reasonable price and I had such a good time just ignoring it and trying to focus on other doodads for a change. Other than privately advertising that I'm looking for antique lace, buttons, trims, etc., this is the best source I've found. Jim and I are planning a day at the flea market this week.....it's always a fun time and I know I'll probably run into Shirlee there. I usually do.

The ribbon chatelaine shown here was another find at the show. I bought it for the bone rings but now I find I like it way too much to take it apart. It still has a needle book attached with the needles still waiting for someone to come back.

Such A Gift!!

2011-04-27T07:32:00.001-07:00

When Sharon Boggon arrived for An Adventure in Crazy Quilting, little did I know what she would present me with when we got home from the airport. I had asked her to make a 6" square for me for my little collection I'm gathering and I love what she did for me. I'll show you that first.

Then she handed me this beautiful purse she made for me as well. I have been in awe of her crazy quilting and now I have two examples to call my own.

It was such a surprise and so appreciated. Thank you Sharon!

It was so much fun having her stay with me. To get on her good side, all I had to do was give her fudge brownie ice cream!

Catching Up on 6" Squares

2011-04-23T08:27:00.001-07:00

My friend Julia Johnson is new to crazy quilting and has made me this lovely square in the lively colors she is known for in our little group. She has made some of the most vibrant, intricate, and beautiful sane quilts I have ever seen in similar colors. She has a style she should never try to change.

My square for Julia.

A Shared Embroidery

2011-04-22T06:40:00.001-07:00

Karin Greetz of the Netherlands used a pattern from my blog, reduced it in size, and minimized it to do her own interpretation of this vintage peacock (Click on Embroidery Designs in the list on the right.) Very pretty Karin. Thank you for sending me the photo.

Kathy Shaw - A Wealth of Information

2011-04-21T08:13:00.001-07:00

Several weeks ago I purchased the book "Embellishing Crazy Quilts" by Kathy Shaw.

It is chock full of ideas for seam treatments, beautiful alphabets, and designs for motifs. It is printed totally in black and white which I find so easy to use to pick out what I want to do. This is a great workbook and I know I'll use it over and over. Kathy also gave me this black beaded tassel.

She is one of the many I've corresponded with that I would love to meet. She shares so openly. Contact her about her Yahoo Group as well. It is another way she shares her designs with lots of tips from her subscribers.

An Adventure in Crazy Quilting 2011 - This memory will keep on giving!

2011-04-17T17:22:00.001-07:00

Happy and sad at the same time best describes how I'm feeling just a few days after all the activities are over. Don't expect the following photos to show anything near the fun we had at An Adventure in Crazy Quilting and in the two 3-day workshops with Sharon Boggon. I'm not even a so-so photographer. I asked my 12 year old Granddaughter, Lauren, to take the photos at the Show and Tell. When I remembered to bring my camera, I shot a few here and there and most of those are lousy.

These first two photos are of Sharon relaxing and stitching after the first workshop and before the Adventure began. Gracie is at her feet after finally warming up to her. Sharon called her "a funny little dog" in that Australian accent of hers at least 6 times a day.

Gracie barked and chased Allison Aller around up until the day before she left when she finally decided she might belong here. Allie is a quick mover and I don't think my funny little dog knew what to make of her since Jim and I are the opposite....slow and deliberate.

Here is one of 3 cakes I had made for the Adventure. Isn't it beautifully decorated? We had mixed reviews on the taste, however, and because my piece (2 actually) was good I think maybe one of the three had an ingredient missing or something. They were pretty to look at though and that's the way most of us aim our work in crazy quilting.......why not in cakes!! Pretty but bad tasting would be very good for our waistlines.

The boutique lines were very long each time we opened it. I will definitely have to work on this if we move on to another Adventure next year. A few ideas to cut the aggravation are milling around in my head. Everyone was so gracious about it. Thank you so much.

Here are some of the many Show and Tell items we saw. Whether it was worn, carried, finished, or works in progress, it was an amazing show and a beautiful representation of the fine artists we had in attendance. Don't you just love Susan Elliott's crazy jeans too! She brought so much fun to the whole weekend.

Last, but not least, only two photos I took in classes were good enough quality to show you. I need some camera lessons for sure!!

Here is a not-so-typical student:

And a photo of Betty who kept smiling in spite of it.

The two lectures were awesome. Betty Pillsbury is an outstanding speaker and her talk about Antique Crazy Quilts was so much fun and held so much information. Shirlee Fassell walked us through her growth and the many changes her stitching has taken. Anything she needles (or hooks) is a piece of art.

I didn't get one photo of Allie but I know there will be lots of them to see as others blog and post about their time here. This will be a good place to mention her beautiful book. I still haven't had time to go through it the way I want to but the reviews by others have been fantastic and the eye candy alone makes it a must have. There aren't as many CQ books being published lately and finally here's something new and inspiring.

English Garden RR - My Squares are Home

2011-03-24T12:55:00.001-07:00

These are the squares that were embellished for me by other members of the RR I just finished. Thank you all for your lovely work. I still have one to do, but may just include these in my CQ book of 6" squares and forget about that one. There just isn't wall space enough to keep making up wall hangings.

Ing’s Work

Arlene’s Work

Meg’s Work

Kathy’s Work

Marya’s Work

Meg's 6" Square - The English Garden RR is Finished

2011-03-23T07:11:00.001-07:00

Having received my English Garden RR squares home on Saturday, and being as ready for the Adventure in CQ as I feel I can be, gave me the push to get Meg's square done. She graciously gave me until after the event to send it off but I'm glad to have one more thing off my mind. This square was the biggest challenge of them all to me as I'm not used to working with printed fabrics. Are there any tips out there for how those of you who use these fabrics for piecing approach the embellishments? The fabrics are so pretty in their own right that it's hard to come up with motifs and seams to put over them. I hope Meg likes what I've done!

A 6" Square for Arlene White.....English Garden RR

2011-03-01T09:24:00.001-08:00

This RR is moving a little slowly so it's been a while since I've posted about it. I just couldn't come up with an idea for this, so I just started putting flowers on it. After I work on something for a while, I find it easier to fill in and give it a feeling of balance

English Garden RR - My Work on Ing's Square

2011-01-23T10:55:00.001-08:00

Ing's squares have been with me over the holidays and I've been struggling to get back into the mood to stitch. I always have this problem after Christmas and all the hustle that goes with it. Read and nap are my favorite pastimes in January. With the Adventure in Crazy Quilting coming up fast and furious, I haven't been indulging in that either.

Ing made squares for this RR that are a parfait of bright pastel colors and pretty without embellishments. Following is a photo of the square I selected to embellish for her.

Butterfly Finished!!

2011-01-13T16:55:00.001-08:00

My butterfly wall hanging is finally finished with the exception of a tassel to add to the bottom. I'm not sure where this is going to go but I enjoyed giving him his wings! You can see more photos in my portfolio of crazy quilt projects.

There will be a progress article on this project in Pat Winter's new CQ magazine which will be coming out soon. Please be sure to follow her blog for updates and final publication information. Finally, a printed magazine for crazy quilters!!

A Surprise Square

2010-12-15T13:59:00.001-08:00

My friend, Shirlee Fassell, stopped by today and brought me the following 6" square to add to my growing collection. Her work always amazes me and I'm so happy to have this to include in my fabric book of squares. Thank you so much Shirlee.

Be sure to check out Shirlee's blog to see all of the beautiful embroidery she has to share.

A Trade with Candji

2010-12-10T07:01:00.001-08:00

Another 6" square arrived for me today in exchange for one I sent to Candji Buckohr in Ohio. I hope the photo does it justice as every part of it is so delicate it reminds me of what a fairy's garden might look like. Thank you so much Candji for this little work of art.

This photo is of Candji's square for me.

My square for Candji.

Now the topper on this exchange is that Candji just happened to have this pretty blue rectangle (only partially shown) lying around and she included it with the square she sent...another sweet and nicely embroidered example of her work. Could this possibly be made into the cover for my collection of 6" squares? I'll be sure to try it and, if not, it definitely will be made into a finished project.

I've got to get going on the squares I have promised to others and I can't wait for the next ones to come home to me.

Candace Kling - Such a Joy

2010-11-09T14:09:00.001-08:00

This past weekend was one of the highlights of many years for me and the best workshop I've ever attended. Candace Kling spent three full days teaching us about 1% of everything she knows about using ribbon and fabric to create beauty. I have only this one photo to share as I'm not much of a photographer and just grouped a small portion of what I made during class time after I got home.

I didn't finish my trims and left them partially done but mostly not done in order to be able to follow along and recreate them. I'll post some photos of finished ones later. If you'd like to see a more thorough picture journey of the weekend check in at Susan Elliott's blog. She took glorious pictures during the entire weekend.

Candace has been invited to come back next year for a 5 day workshop. We just couldn't get enough!!

Be sure to check out her website and click on the side links "Art" and "Links" to see her true love - sculpting with fabric plus more of her beautiful ribbon work. Unbelievable!!

Another Wonderful Square

2010-10-28T17:56:00.001-07:00

As my first official personal swap, today I received a luscious 6" square from Pat Winter along with a thoughtful gift. Her work is always so delicate and has a personal feel to it. How fun to go to the mailbox and open what I feel is such a beautiful prize. Thank you Pat!!

This photo is Pat's square for me.

My square for Pat.

And these are the lovelies she enclosed. Pat has a wonderful blog and she always has something soft and inspirational to offer in her Etsy shop.

English Garden RR - My Work on Kathy's Square

2010-10-25T16:20:00.001-07:00

Kathy made all of her squares the same to see what each individual would come up with. I colored a lot of the areas including the cottage with colored pencils before I started adding flowers. I couldn't bring myself to stop until the flowers started to overflow the edge. Such fun!

This square is owned and pieced by Kathy Shaw.

While I'm on the "subject" of Kathy Shaw, I'd like to thank her again for the templates she sent to me several weeks ago. I've only used one so far as I haven't been doing much seam work, but I think I'm going to be using these a lot. If you want to find out more you'll have to check with her as I'm not sure if she is ready to start selling them. Her blog is http://www.shawkl.com/

A New Collection - Six Inch Squares

2010-10-21T07:33:00.001-07:00

Recently I decided that I'd like to have examples of the crazy quilt work I so admire by others. I've signed up for a couple of RR's that, in the end, will give me ten 6 inch squares each embellished by only one person. What do I do with all those squares? Large items are just not in my future because I hate just sticking things in drawers and displaying them can be overwhelming. I plan to make the little squares into a book of sorts and will write about that when I actually have my game plan together.

I've decided to take it a little further than just the RRs and am contacting CQ artists whom I admire and either purchasing or trading squares with them. The piecing and the embellishment is to be done by each person so that the square is a true reflection of her work. My first square arrived several days ago from Pam Kellogg. I love this square! The photo does not do it justice. It is so different than any I've ever done and I only wish I could do this type of CQ. I've discovered that I definitely have my own style and I find it impossible to go in another direction as the results always bomb badly and end up in the trash.

Please see more of Pam's lovely work on her blog and her Etsy shop where you'll find wonderful cottage style items by Pam and her Mom.

Whole lot of Beadin' Goin' On

2010-10-09T08:46:00.001-07:00

Taking time off for some other projects, I've been working some "Butterfly" time in here and there. Here's an update to show you how it's coming.

English Garden Round Robin

2010-09-29T07:31:00.001-07:00

The past few days I've been embellishing a 6" square for the English Garden RR I joined on CQI. This RR requires each member to piece six 6" blocks and each person in the RR embellishes one completely and mails them on to the next. Since there are 6 of us in the RR, at the end there is one square left for the owner to embellish. I will post photos here as we go along.

This square is owned and pieced by Marya Blackwell.

Butterfly Progression - Ready to Bead

2010-09-15T10:20:00.001-07:00

With the butterfly still not attached, here is a photo of where I'm at now. I didn't want you to think I'm not working! All of the embroidery is complete and I only have beading to do. I'll be saving the body to show you when I take the "finished" photo.

NeedleandHook

2010-09-02T08:03:00.001-07:00

From now on you can see Shirlee Fassell's fantastic stitching on her own blog which she started yesterday. Be sure to follow along. You won't believe some of the beautiful work she has coming!!

http://shirleestuff.blogspot.com/

More Fabulous Stitching by Shirlee

2010-09-01T10:17:00.001-07:00

As you may know by now, I'm a fan of my friend Shirlee Fassell and the beautiful and intricate tambour beading she does. Here are her class projects from Ecole Lesage this year. She got stuck in Paris during the volcano mess that shut down all of the airports so just had to take two classes instead of the one she flew over for. Do I sound a little "green" with envy??!

Butterfly Surrounded

2010-08-12T10:10:00.001-07:00

I've finished the main part of the large flowers surrounding the butterfly. I just have to do the centers but I want to get the leaves done first - Boring!!!

These flowers were made using five sizes of the small "Perfect Circles" which are available on my website. I traced around the circles inside and out using white marker pencil directly on my wall hanging. Using 7mm silk ribbon for the two larger circles and 4mm for the three smaller circles and a combination of 8 colors, the work was pretty simple and went very quickly. I just don't know what I'd do without templates!

Round Robin

2010-07-26T07:51:00.001-07:00

This photo is of my embellishment on a square for a round robin I am in on the Crazy Quilt International Yahoo group. If you are not already a member, you should check it out for the photos and inspiration you will see. They also have a monthly newsletter full of beautiful work, instructions, and ideas.

Vintage Peacock

2010-07-22T08:41:00.001-07:00

Found it!! I promised this vintage peacock design to someone (I don't remember who) once I ran across it. You can download it and reduce or enlarge it as desired. Straight stitches, beading or a combination of both will be easy to do with this design. The original is really large and was used as the center of a vintage dresser scarf. Click here to view or download the pattern.

Butterfly Progress

2010-07-17T10:32:00.001-07:00

Just to keep you up on how my butterfly is coming along, I have finished stitching the "seams" for the background and am building on that with vines going up each side from the bottom center. The vines are green, but look pale in the photo. Fantasy flowers and leaves will be added. Then I don't know where I'll go from there. That's what a work in progress means to me! Stay tuned.

Wings Finished!

2010-07-03T15:11:00.001-07:00

It's been over a month since I've blogged. I don't blog about myself and my everyday life (who would care?) We did go to see Cirque du Soleil (OVO) last night and if you get the opportunity to go, don't miss out. It was fantastic!! That said, I hope you'll understand that I can't always be turning out finished projects. Please keep checking back. I've been working on a challenge block which I can't show you right now. I'm also involved in a RR as well as working on some ideas for An Adventure in Crazy Quilting coming up next April.

All four segments making up the wings for my butterfly are finished and I have started doing CQ "seams" on my black silk. I've found that this is my all time favorite way to do all of the fantastic seam coverings and, though it's not for everyone, I just love the way it looks and how quickly it comes together. I wish I had started whole cloth crazy stitching a long time ago and worked it along with pieced parts such as the butterfly. I'm even thinking of revamping my CQ 2012 to use black as a background.....we'll see.

Back to the Butterfly Wing

2010-05-29T13:23:00.001-07:00

I'm still working on the other wing but it's been a month since I posted. I wanted to pop in and say Hi. I thought you'd like to see the wing I've finished with the two parts together. I've put it on the black background fabric for the photo. It gives you a better idea of where I'm headed with this. I'm almost done with the other wing after a time consuming big mistake I made and had to take out. I also spent a bit of time on a RR square this month between all the May birthdays around here. I find I spend more time trying to come up with ideas than I actually spend stitching.

Speaking of RR's, I read somewhere that when you do work on a square you should leave 1/2 " bead free along the edges that are going to be stitched to other squares or borders. I've never done that and just use a zipper foot to stitch the fabrics together and think that a scant 1/8" is plenty of space to allow. I think a 1/2" bead free area especially in a seam that goes out to the edge looks unfinished. What do you do? I guess you could enclose enough beads for the recipient to finish it off.

First Wing Finished

2010-04-29T13:26:00.001-07:00

Here is the beaded upper right wing. I won't be posting the left wing and you'll see the butterfly again later on down the road. So that I have something to post I'll work on the background some and finish the left wing on the side. I still haven't decided what to do about the body. Any ideas will be considered!

Butterfly Wall Hanging

2010-04-26T10:46:00.001-07:00

Time to get out the beads!

Butterfly Wall Hanging

2010-04-25T11:31:00.001-07:00

Ready for embroidery.

Butterfly Wall Hanging

2010-04-23T16:20:00.001-07:00

Here is the upper right wing for my Butterfly Wall Hanging. I will use the colors, beads, etc. that I used in the lower part so it should move along a little quicker.

Butterfly Wall Hanging

2010-04-22T16:54:00.001-07:00

Today I finished the lower right wing. I added another layer of silk ribbon to each of the petals of the flowers. They look so much better now. A few other simple embroideries and lots of beads have brought me to the point of "enough is enough!" Repeating this on the lower left shouldn't take as long as no thinking will be involved.

Butterfly Wall Hanging

2010-04-20T08:30:00.001-07:00

This half of the lower right wing is not quite finished but I'll show you my progress. Here are two designs I drew to fit into special areas on the wing. As you can see, I use simple lazy daisy designs to place flowers and then use silk ribbon, beads etc. just using the design to guide me. I may add to the silk ribbon flowers as they look a little weak to me. Still thinking!! I love lace so almost always include it in my projects - not to mention, it fills space without too much work!

Butterfly Wall Hanging - Embellishment Started

2010-04-18T07:51:00.001-07:00

After spending hours trying to decide how I want to embellish the wings on my butterfly, I've decided to show you the simple route I've chosen to take. Remember, stitches will be done in mirror image with only minor differences.

For the first step, I gathered a length of 1/8" (4mm) silk ribbon as I tacked it down to the edge of the scalloped area of the wing. I then used size 12 pearl cotton to divide the different segments with a single line of feather stitch. I'll revisit this area with beads later. Since my background will be black, I'll introduce black embellishments whenever possible so the butterfly will look like an integral part of the wall hanging and not just sitting on top. On to playing with flowers - it has to have flowers!!

An Experiment Started - Butterflies are Free

2010-04-14T13:30:00.001-07:00

This is my first post in quite a while. I made my first trip ever out of the USA and visited England with my daughter for 8 super days. Not a thought of stitching went through my mind while I was there as I enjoyed the history and the scenery more than I can say. The Cotswolds will always be calling me from here on out.

Well, I've been home for 10 days now and am finally in the mood to start a new project. I've put away my 2012 quilt and another smaller piece I've been working on for a few years. Who knows if I'll actually get anything finished by 2012. Life is short and I don't want to tie myself down to a date. If it's done, great! If not, the Earth won't stop turning.

As the title says, this is an experiment. I am going to try to piece a butterfly much in the same way I did my pansy wall hanging so long ago. The butterfly won't stand alone, however, the way the pansy does. I'm going to appliqué it, after embellishment, to a solid black background and use the techniques I used for my whole cloth crazy quilt on the black. I've found that black is my all time favorite base for CQ embellishment. I work it up faster as I so enjoy the way the colors pop when I look at the embroidery stitches.

This butterfly is 27" wide by 20 1/2" high and is being pieced in bright colors. I decided to make it more in fantasy colors rather than try to make it look like a specific type which would probably end up wrong anyway. The fabrics are silk shantung and dupioni. I am using a lot of freezer paper and either ironing edges over and appliquéing or lining some pieces and turning in order to cut down on the silk fraying.

Here is the first part of one wing. It took me several tries to figure out how I wanted to do it. This one isn't perfect and I cut down on segments to make it easier to piece. I'll divide it up again as I go with my embellishments. The whole thing may end up being redone again or, maybe I'll just cover the mistakes I see with stitching.

I am giving you the drawing I made as well if you'd like to try it yourself. I still get requests for my pansy pattern, but I threw it away when the pansy was finished and only have my original drawing in a 2" square. Too tiny to piece!! I plan to stitch the butterfly one wing at a time and do mirror embellishment. How I'm going to assemble the butterfly is still not decided. I just do it by steps and redo if I need to as I go along.

Arm Chair Sewing Caddy

2010-03-18T12:09:00.001-07:00

Over the two years my website was closed, I received several requests asking for me to sell the pattern for my Arm Chair Sewing Caddy. I had no idea where it was. Well, I finally found it and, rather than sell it, I have published it for anyone who wants to download a free copy. I hope you enjoy the project and if you have any questions please contact me.

Please go to my downloads page and you will see two files labeled “Sewing Caddy”. You should download the pattern file to your PC as it requires printing on legal size paper to get the right size. The instructions you can either download or print directly.

Hydrangeas

2010-03-04T13:20:00.001-08:00

This is purely a show and tell. I can't share the pattern with you since I took it out of a currently available book, "Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork" by Di van Niekerk. I followed the directions and found this so easy to do. I highly recommend this book. I intend to use a lot of the ideas from it.

Wisteria from Four Seasons Wallhanging

2010-03-03T08:37:00.001-08:00

In the April and July 2006 issues of the CQ Magazine, I had photos of my Four Seasons Wallhanging. Since then, it's been packed away in the UFO drawer with little hope of being finished. I took it out this year and have started working on it again...hopefully I can show it to you finished. This wisteria was one of the first embroideries I did on it in 2006 and I hope that you can make use of the design. Chain stitch, lazy daisy, and French knots with some beads added, are the only embroidery stitches you'll need.

Vintage Embroidery Designs - A Great Example

2010-02-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here is Shirlee Fassell's artisticly embroidered peacock from the Vintage Embroidery Designs I posted last week. A wonderful example of making these designs your own. This is on her "Vintage Vignettes" crazy quilt which was one of the winners announced in Issue Three 2007 of the $100,000 Quilting Challenge Magazine.

Vintage Embroidery Designs

2010-02-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

This 13 page copy of a vintage embroidery design catalog has been on my computer for so long I can't remember where I got it. Being that it's in the public domain, I thought I'd share it with you. There are designs here that will work well on crazy quilting projects as well as other items. Enlarge or reduce as you like. Aren't computers grand!! If you happen to work one up, I would love to share it with everyone. Don't hesitate to send a scan for me. Here is an example of the designs you'll find when you click here. Be patient, it is a large file.

Antique Bonnet Pin Cushion

2010-02-12T10:52:00.001-08:00

This picture is my rendition of the antique pin cushion shown below.

I often buy things that other people wouldn't touch because of their condition. This one is drab and dirty but I thought the design was well worth saving. I prefer a softer look so I left off the trim around the brim and flattened out the crown a little. I hope you enjoy making one for yourself.

Hat Brim

Cut a 6 1/2" dia. circle of cardboard and a piece of Wonder Under.
Iron Wonder Under to one side of cardboard circle and remove paper.
Cut a 13" dia. circle of fabric (I used silk shantung.)
With Wonder Under side of cardboard up, center fabric and iron it to the cardboard.
Turn over and hand pleat the fabric to the other side, pinning as you go. It should look like this photo. Baste fabric to hold near the center of the circle.

Hat Crown

Cut a 3 1/2" dia. circle of cardboard and put a 1 1/2" dia. hole within it (this will be where the stuffing for your pin cushion goes in.)
Cut a 7" dia. circle of fabric that matches your brim and a 7" dia. circle of fabric to use as a liner (I used muslin.)
Place the two fabric circles together and run a gathering stitch 1/4" in all the way around the edge. I did this by hand, but machine stitching will do fine.
Start gathering this edge up and as it forms a pocket, place the cardboard with the hole inside.
Continue to gather until the 1/4" edge of the fabric will go around the edge of the cardboard circle. Glue this edge down to the cardboard and set aside to dry. Stuff firmly through the 1 1/2" hole. (Use wool roving when you start filling as it is better for the life of your pins and needles and fill in the bottom with Polyfil to save on expense.) Put a small hole in another 3 1/2" dia. cardboard circle and glue this to the bottom and allow to dry thoroughly. It should look like this photo when finished.

Tufting: Thread a button through one hole and leave a long tail. Using a doll making needle, go up through the hole in the cardboard and through the center of the stuffed crown. Use a very strong thread for this (I used dental floss.) Rethread into a needle that will go through your button and rethread to the doll making needle again to go back down through the other hole in the button you started with. Do this one or two more times for strength. At the bottom, tie the tail you left earlier with the end of your thread, pull tightly and tie a firm knot.

Assembly: Center and glue the crown to the pleated side of your brim and allow to dry. You can now slip stitch the crown to the brim around the edge. This photo shows how it will look before embellishment.

Finally, decorate your hat pin cushion as desired. Add lace, ribbon, flowers to make it truly your own. Because the bottom is flat, you can add a pretty cording or a ring to the back for hanging. Hang it in a special place and you'll always know where your pin cushion is.

Feather Fan

2010-02-10T10:52:00.001-08:00

You will need light to medium weight fabrics for this fan (I used silk shantung) and a light-weight fabric for the lining (I used silk organza.) Click here to download a file with the instructions and a pattern. Cut one of panel #1 and four of panel #2 from your fabric. Do not cut your lining but use your panel as the pattern to cut after sewing. This helps to cut down on fraying. With right sides together place the cut panels on your lining, pin and stitch leaving open the areas indicated on the pattern. Cut out your lined panels, clip curves to within a tiny fraction of the seam, turn and shape each panel while pressing. Proper pressing is important for this fan. Use the point of your iron and go carefully around the seamed edge and use a blunt point, such as a knitting needle, on the inside to smooth out the seam as you press.
Using the printed fan layout provided, start on the right side and line up one of panel #2. Pin the next panel #2 over the open edge. Pin on the final panels in this way putting panel #1 on last. Do not stitch the panels together until you finish with the fan bottom in case an adjustment in the span is needed.
Trace the fan bottom onto the back of your lining and place your lining and fabric right sides together. Stitch around the traced line. Cut out the lined bottom leaving 1/4" fabric allowance. Clip curves and make a slit in your lining just large enough to turn the bottom to the right side. Press carefully as you did with the panels. Lay this over the pinned panels and adjust the pieces to fit. Pin the bottom in place and appliqué stitch all pinned seams. Finish any embellishment now or after you have stitched the fan to your CQ project.
Note: You should think about the embellishment you want before you begin your fan. I had to iron the transfers onto my fabric before I cut out the panels.

Victorian Fan

2010-02-10T10:51:00.001-08:00

You will need a knowledge of paper piecing to make this fan. Click here to download a file with the instructions and a pattern. Cut a piece of muslin larger than the total fan. Trace the fan onto the muslin in reverse as you would for paper piecing. Your fabric will go on the clean side of the muslin and you will stitch on the traced solid lines. Use a dark fabric on the narrow panels of the fan (I used black) and lighter fabric or fabrics on the wide panels. This fan will not be easily made using heavy or tricky fabrics such as velvet. Mine is made entirely of silk dupioni but other lightweight fabrics are fine. The outside dashes mark the seam allowance and the dashes down the wide panels in the fan mark the center for you to embellish. I personally think this fan looks more dimensional if you do not embellish the dark narrow panels.
After all embellishing is done, and with right sides together, use a lightweight fabric (I used silk organza) and stitch the top jagged edge of the fan along the dashes shown in the pattern. This stitch line has a 1/4" allowance. Carefully clip down into the V shapes along this edge, turn to the right side and using the point of your iron, press this seamed edge.
Cut the pattern for the bottom of the fan out of freezer paper. Iron it to the wrong side of your fabric and cut around the freezer paper leaving 1/4" of the fabric above the curved part of the freezer paper pattern. Clip along this part not quite to the freezer paper, press this edge over, remove the freezer paper and press again. Now appliqué stitch this along this same curve to the bottom of the fan and embellish.
This fan can go right into the corner of one of your squares or the 1/2" side seams can be pressed to the back and the entire fan can be appliquéd in any position desired.

Fun with Valentines

2010-02-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because of the lovely cards and ideas that come from them for embellishing. All the frills the day allows are just my thing. Follow the pictures below to see some examples of different types of antique valentines followed by some I made last week for my three grandchildren. I loved playing and doing them and I think the kids will get a kick out of thinking of Grandma working with paper and glue for a change.

This first valentine is one I made for a CQMagOnline article in the current issue. Easy instructions are there as well.

Key Motif

2010-01-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I gave you a vintage design to embroider. Maybe you can come up with a fancier way to embroider this but I just kept it simple by using a split stitch in black to outline it and added a few gold beads. I've also included the design for the little spray of flowers. Quick but effective.

Ribbon House

2010-01-20T07:32:00.000-08:00

After three years of being packed away in my basement, I've been reunited with an old friend I located there last week. Some of you may remember this little house. I entered a contest in Sew Beautiful magazine and won Best in Show which resulted in a $1,000 cash prize and a large layout on how to make it in two issues of the magazine. Besides a holster with cowgirl guns that I won from a Disney coloring contest when I was a little girl, I think this is my only claim to fame!

The house is my design and the doll and clothing were made when I was in the porcelain dollmaking phase of my life. This was such a fun project.

Shirlee's Asian Wall Hanging

2010-01-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

Last year I posted photos of the Asian wall hanging I designed and now I am posting photos of Shirlee's interpretation of the wall hanging in a smaller size. She did not do crazy quilting but went the route of lovely motifs using a combination of stump work and embroidery finished off with sequins and beads. I especially admire the lanterns. The photo may not do it justice as when you see it in person each of the motifs look so real and dimensional.

The photos of this wall hanging do not do the piece justice.

Christmas Stockings

2009-12-15T05:41:00.001-08:00

It's been a stress filled time taking me away from crazy quilting over the span of several weeks. Before you feel too sorry for me, the stress was caused by doing sane quilting as gifts! It's really starting to be a chore to just machine stitch and not do any hand work. My kids don't want my CQ projects as they say they're too "fancy." Maybe someday!!

I thought for Christmas I would at least give you some photos of CQ stockings. The first two of these are by Shirlee Fassell, the next one is mine, and the last one was embellished for me in a RR. (Embellishment by Rengin Yazitas, Thusitha Ariyartne, Shirlee Fassell, Reneta Datzova, and Melodie Lente)

CQ 2012 - Last Basket

2009-11-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

Using Silk Chenille

2009-10-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I started thinking about using chenille for hand embroidery. Chenille thread was used quite often on antique textiles and is so pretty and easy to use - that is, now that I know how to thread the needle (thank you, Shirlee!) I have provided two photos showing what you have to do to thread the needle. First remove the chenille down about 1" or so from the two threads that run down the center. Then tie the two threads onto the eye of the chenille needle. That's it!

Don't thread the whole strand of the chenille through the eye of the needle as it makes it too thick to pull through your fabric easily. I ended up with a slightly larger needle than shown here as my chenille broke when I tried to pull it through a piece of silk backed with muslin. The larger needle worked great as the size of the needle made a hole large enough in the fabric to be able to pull the chenille through without stressing it. Here's a puny little sample of a flower I embroidered with chenille as I was in a hurry to show you something. I think it will look so pretty when I use it with silk ribbon and other embroidery threads and beads.

CQ 2012 - I've started piecing

2009-10-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I've blogged about something I'm working on, I thought I'd show you this small portion of the pieceing for my quilt that I've finished. It's going to be a long process as I'm also working on other things. I want to have the bulk of the embellishment done for this quilt before I assemble the pieces onto a muslin backing. Two more of my baskets are in the current issue of CQ Magazine Online . Since I'm using the same color silk for all of my piecing I've decided to use black throughout to provide the main contrast. I'm also going to use a lot of the vintage items I've accumulated over the years.

Sharon's Beautiful Crazy Quilt

2009-10-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Sharon Benoit is one of my friends who join me here at my home several Saturdays a year to stitch. She has worked tirelessly on this beautiful quilt. Please take the time to study the effort she has put into it.

Shirlee's done it again!!

2009-10-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

If you think I'm a fan of Shirlee Fassell, then you've got that right. Her work is so special and for the past two summers she has been going to Paris for a week to take classes at Ecole Lesage and learning to use a tambour hook. The following photos are of what she learned there this summer, the first being the project she worked on in class and the others are since she's been back home (only a matter of weeks.) She made another of her class project as a gift for her cousin in Germany in different colors. The last two photos are her rendition of two designs from the same group that I'm using for the baskets in my 2012 CQ.

The materials she's using for these are metallic threads, raffia, chenille, beads, sequins, etc. This is a Level 1 class result and I can't wait to see what she can do after Level 2 next summer.

Moda Quilt - Another Oldie

2009-09-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

This quilt was made a few years ago for a contest sponsored by Moda fabrics and I had to use a predetermined selection of fabrics. I made this quilt (50"x50") in less than 2 months as I was near the final entry date when I learned of the contest. A photo, not the quilt, were submitted. My quilt did not get selected for the finals and I have yet to be able to find the winners online. Entrants were supposed to be notified of the results but I never heard a word. I am not sure if the contest continues. I believe they were trying to set something up similar to the Hoffman Challenge. You may have seen this quilt in other venues, but it really needs to be on my blog. I used a combination of hand and machine embellishment.

CQ 2012 Basket

2009-09-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

This basket took a little longer than the others but, again, I used only simple stitches. The basket is done using a sz 12 variegated perle cotton and the only stitches used were staight stitch and split stitch. I also used the same thread in green for the stems (split stitch) and the leaves (satin stitch.) The petals of the flowers are straight stitched from the outside of the petal into the center using 4mm varigated silk ribbon. The number of petals in each flower are more than actual lilacs have. Who cares!! They still look like lilacs. The only tips you need to know to do these are, keep the stitches loose and be prepared to use a lot of ribbon. I used 13 yards and you won't want to run out half way through. A pearl seed bead was used in each flower center. Two of my baskets for this quilt will be in the next issue of CQMagOnline.

CQ 2012 Basket

2009-08-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

This is one of the five baskets I'm doing as the focal points for my 2012 CQ Challenge wall hanging. You can refer to the chart of the quilt that I posted here earlier this month to see where they will be going. All of the stitches for this basket are simple and consist of straight stitch, lazy daisy, a lot of French knots, padded satin stitch, split stitch, and outline stitch. All open areas were then topped with sz 11 and 15 seed beads. I added the bow to the handle as it needed something at the top when I finished the embroidery. I also added a mixture of small flowers to this vintage basket design from other vintage sources as the basket didn't look complete. You are welcomed to print a copy of the design. This will not be actual size so you can reduce or enlarge it on your computer.

Signature Wedding Quilt

2009-08-24T08:43:00.001-07:00

Here is the signature wedding quilt I did for my niece two years ago. You can read about it in one of the past issues of CQ Magazine online.

CQ 2012 Challenge

2009-08-17T05:49:00.001-07:00

I should have explained more about the chart I did for my wall hanging. The design is my own and the diamond shape* was cut from a 10" square piece of paper. Each diamond will have a basket of flowers if all goes as planned. The designs for the baskets are from vintage embroidery transfers. I made changes to them all as in some I loved the basket but not the flowers. I added more flowers, some bows, and various "stray" designs to help them fill in the diamonds fairly equally. I will be saving some of the designs to publish in the CQ Magazine. Eventually, the whole quilt will be here on my blog.

*To get this design, I folded the 10" square of paper into quarters and then once more into a triangle (like a snowflake you might have made as a child.) Here are drawings of how I cut it.

Crazy Quilt 2012 Challenge

2009-08-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

I have joined in a challenge with several other crazy quilt enthusiasts on the Yahoo crazyquilting list to finish a large quilt by the year 2012. Instead of a bed quilt, I prefer a wall hanging. I have charted my quilt and have a photo of that chart below. I will be writing about portions of it on CQMagOnline as well as this blog, but the entire project will eventually be shown here. The wall hanging will be ~42"x43" not really large by some standards, but large for someone like me whose attention wanders. Wish me luck in sticking this out to the finish!!!

A Doll's Crazy Quilt by Shirlee

2009-08-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a great example of the detail Shirlee pays to every project she does. Even a doll doesn't get short changed. She dressed this doll's bed as her part of a barter with someone else. There are a lot of great ideas for you in this quilt.

More Antique Textiles and Collectibles

2009-07-28T08:15:00.001-07:00

This is a portion of a length of black machine made Chantilly lace that I purchased at an antique shop several years ago. The black threads you see in the background are holding the lace to its original backing of a course netting. The lace is 6 1/2 inches wide.

This is another fabulous find at a vintage textile show. I believe it was made as a yoke for a dress. The netting on it was not cut away but was cut from the outside in along the curve. It was never used. Some of the cotton netting was accidently cut too far along the curve so I backed it with another netting with tiny stitching throughout. This is a beading masterpiece with chenille roses and bows. The patience it must have taken is so inspiring.

This is the most fantastic piece of hand made antique lace I have seen. I spotted it from some distance at a show and it made my day! The yellowish color in the photo is a result of the scanner. The actual color is ecru. It is so unusual, intricate, and dainty. Will I ever have the heart to cut it??!

The vendor I bought these little ethnic pins from told me they were Scandinavian and made in the 1920's. They are hand made from suede and smooth leather and each have a pin on the back.

The ombre ribbon flowers on this piece aren't very vibrant but the basket, made of metallic cording and thread, is a super find. This basket is 7" high. If I use it someday, I will leave it as is and add ribbon flowers in the open areas without disturbing the originality.

This antique pin cushion is 6" wide by 11" long. The stuffing is so hard, I believe it is sawdust. It's amazing how these old pin cushions are so firmly stuffed! This pin cushion is covered with a pale yellow silk with a ruffle in the same silk. The lace topper is held on with a "common" pin at each corner with one in the center of each side. The hand embroidery flowers and silk ribbon set it off.

This little silk satin sachet was found in an antique shop where most of the things were heavy and included tools, architectural finds, etc. I paid a whole $2 for it. The scent is gone so I guess they thought it was useless - HA!!!

Last, but not least, for this round of photos is this antique flower spray of ribbon art. It is still sewn to it's original cardstock backing. The little buds are so sweet!

Antique Prints on Fabric

2009-07-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

These antique pictures seem to be printed on a very light weight "canvas type" fabric. The colors are very soft but of a wonderful intensity and must have been stored out of sunlight. They are ~4"x5" and seem to be cut from a larger piece of fabric. I believe they are from the very early 1900's.

I have scanned them at a high resolution and have them available on Printed Treasures fabric sheets.

Lady Pattie & Miss Betty

Special Antique Textiles and Collectibles

2009-07-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have collected (and sold) a huge variety of lovely items to use as embellishment on crazy quilt projects, as an item I just had to have, or something I purchased for a project idea. I'm often asked where I get all of the antique laces, embroideries, etc. that I sell and have in my own collection. Over time I will show you some of the special ones. Here are a few that you won't see every day or maybe ever again. Eventually these will be for sale as is on my website, incorporated into a project I am working on, or used as a focal point for one of my "ready to embellish" items for my website. I know a lot of people believe that these should be saved and never used, but I think that using an antique piece if handled carefully and respectably is totally acceptable and the reason they were created in the first place.

This first one is a large basket motif that is hand embroidered using silk thread. I was told it is French, and it is 7 1/2" wide and 8" high. I was lucky to find this on eBay.

Another basket I was fortunate to find on eBay along with four others (which I sold) is this 7" high all cotton lace beauty with dimensional flowers. They don't show up so well in the photograph but the one to the right has three layers of petals and the others have two.

This wide hand stitched lace is French and I bought it at a vintage textile show in May. The main design shown is 10" high and is repeated three times on the piece I have. It is entirely hand done on cotton netting using a tiny chain stitch including the gold metallic area in the scalloped center. The flowers have large beads sewn on top and tiny blue and white varigated seed beads highlight most of the lines. Again these don't show up too well in the photo. I think this piece was on a dress or other lady's garment as it has some hand stitching left along the top showing that it was attached to something in the past.

Last, but not at all least, are two cuts of Victorian woven ribbon. I have these two pieces left after selling the rest on my previous website. I bought the one with the pansy at a vintage textile show and the other at an antique show. Be sure to tug gently on antique ribbon, and some lace, at the ends to see if it has dry rot before purchasing. Key Word: GENTLY

To find these things, you have to know how to recognize old vs new because most people on eBay don't know and call everything vintage or antique. Be ready to do a lot of shopping whether it's sitting at a computer and searching every which way on eBay or digging through boxes at vintage and antique shows. Most of the time, I only find the ordinary but I keep going back. I spent four hours at a flea market yesterday and came away with two small packages of beads. Once in a blue moon, I get a treasure for a song. However, be willing to pay a premium most of the time as these people generally know they have something special. I never look back and am happy to have these lovely items for the time I do. Don't forget, cigarette silks are antique textiles too. Some are extremely hard to find now and others are getting there. I'm selling my collection a few at a time on my website.

Maureen's Cigarette Silks

Happy Independence Day!

2009-07-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

Ribbon Doll Tutorial

2009-06-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

She's finished and I hope you will take advantage of the free instructions I am providing (see link below.) These include a full size pattern that you can print. For those of you who want the doll available to you in kit form, please visit my website (see link below.)

The kit includes the ribbon doll on a fabric sheet with light weight fusible interfacing ironed to the back, 2 yards of 1" silk satin ribbon for the skirt and 1/2yard of 1" wide lace for the skirt bottom and bonnet. Silk ribbon in 4mm and 7mm are needed but are not included. You may also want to add some seed beads. At present I have her in two colors with more to be added soon - as well as smaller versions.

Click here to download or print the instructions!

Click here to order the available kits!

New Old Square

2009-06-03T05:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a square I did some years ago. Since then I have "streamlined" the vintage ribbon doll pattern I used and wanted you to know that I am working on a free tutorial showing step by step on how I embellish her. Incorporate her in a crazy quilt project, make a pretty pillow top for your favorite little girl's room, frame her as the vintage ones were done, etc., etc. Check back often!!

Whole Cloth Crazy Quilt - Finished!

2009-05-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my wallhanging. It still hasn't found a place to "hang around" so ignore the tablecloth background.

Asian Beauties Hand Painted Silks

Julia Johnson's Wallhanging

2009-05-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

Julia took another route with her Asian Lady and made a wallhanging with her in the center of a beautifully pieced border. I really love the way this turned out! Julia has a real eye for combining colors.

Pansy Square

2009-05-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Here's another oldie to share with you. I entered this square in a "Pansy" contest held through the CQ Newsletter several years ago. It is no longer being printed. I won first place for this entry.

Cabin Square

2009-05-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

I did this little square several years ago as one of several for a quilt I never finished. I do like the cabin though, so I'll just hold onto it until I see if I can incorporate it in with something else. I bought a framed embroidery picture of this that was crudely done but sweet, copied it on the computer to get the design, and am giving you the drawing I gleaned from that. I worked the piecing with this embroidery in mind so planned where the blue went for the water, the surrounding colors and sky. My flowers are a lot of French knots in threads and 4mm silk ribbon with lazy daisy leaves worked in. The large flowers are gathered picot-edge ombre ribbon* with beads for centers. Just fill in all the spaces and it will resemble a lovely flower garden. Be sure to sprinkle a few beads in there too. The rest of the picture is worked with split stitch for the outlines and straight stitches. Seed beads outline the cloud. So easy!

I think I may have given this out in one of my newsletters when I had my old website, but you will be seeing several of those items pop up here on my blog as time goes on. There's always someone new out there who may get some use out of them. Everything old is new again!!

Click here to see Ombre ribbon that is available on my website.

Two More

2009-05-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

Here are two more motifs that I used on my wallhanging. I have finally finished all of the embellishment on it and will be assembling it and taking photos soon. Most of the stitching is plain, as usual. I like to use the bullion stitch so I included one flower using that. I do my spiderweb rose a little differently than most as I prefer a little height to it. I always make a center first by gathering a 1 1/2" length of my ribbon or by putting a large loose French knot there. I only use 7mm ribbon for spiderweb roses and loosely twist the ribbon as I weave it.

Shirlee's Asian Lady

2009-05-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

As promised, I will be featuring someone else's work here when they are willing to share. My friend, Shirlee Fassell, has done a few of these pictures and has offered to share this one with you. Maybe I can talk her into sharing the others as time goes on. Her workmanship is flawless and you have to look deep to actually see all of the effort she has put into her projects. Everything always seems to flow so easily that you just assume that the basics were there to start with. On this picture all she had was a cotton panel which is usually sold by quilt shops to be worked into sane quilts. She adds dimension everywhere and below are some photos showing the detail she so skillfully delivers as well as a photo of the panel she started with.

This is a closeup of the hair ornament Shirlee made and consists of glass beads, flowers from Judith and Kathryn and lovely hair picks. Shirlee made the hair picks by gluing toothpicks together and then shaping and decorating them.

Another original creation were the beaded flowers which were created by actually shaping the beaded fabric so that there is a fold in the petals.

The studs and the gold rings that surround each one were individually hand applied. There are a few hundred of these on the front of her kimona.

The swirls on her kimona were hand embroidered and the birds were cut from fabric and hand applied with an embroidery stitch in gold all around. They were then covered with an organza overlay.

The clouds were also hand embroidered.

Here is a closeup of her arm which is cardboard covered with a flesh colored fabric. Her face was done the same way, but was covered with white fabric. You can also see more hand embroidery around her cuff.

In the previous picture and in the following you can see where Shirlee wove 1/8" silk ribbon into a design which is inside her cuffs. It is covered with organza. Shirlee used silk and Oriental fabric to cover other areas and there are couched threads around all divisions in the kimona.

For closer study, here are some additional photos.

Thank you, Shirlee, for allowing me to share this. I am in awe of your workmanship.

More Motifs

2009-04-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here are two more motifs for you. These are from antique transfers and have an Asian flair. I've seen the one that looks like a fan often with variations on size and decoration. Just use simple stitches to outline and after adding lazy daisy stitches and beads, what could be easier?

Motif

2009-04-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a motif I did for my whole cloth wallhanging (seen elsewhere in this blog.) I used 4mm and 7mm silk ribbon for the flowers and 4mm silk ribbon for the leaves - straight stitch for all. The stems are done using Portuguese stem stitch but a regular outline stitch is fine. I used 4 sizes of rose montees to finish. Tip: When doing flowers with straight stitch I always start my stitch at the outside and go in toward the center of the flower. To me, it always seems to make a neater looking flower.

Pansy Wallhanging

2009-04-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have seen this in other venues, but where else should it be than on my own blog. This pansy wallhanging started out as a drawing less that 2" square and was charted and re-charted (is that a word?) several times until I had five petals to work on individually and in a large enough size to make it easy to handle. They were then assembled using the same chart, padded for dimension, and backed. I used several types of embellishment including application with Wonder Under, machine and hand embroidery, lace, ribbon embroidery and the beaded face was a gift to me from my friend Shirlee Fassell. I "dressed" it using dyed laces. A tip for you if you decide to do a shaped wallhanging: There is a piece of light weight lathe inside a casing that runs across the two upper petals to keep it hanging straight. It is actually hanging from two plastic rings sewn to the outside of the backing. I hope that you enjoy the photos and will feel free to write with questions if there's something that interests you.

Silk Ribbon Bellpull

2009-04-17T10:37:00.001-07:00

This bellpull started out as a crazy quilt project and is actually pieced. I put so many flowers on it, I ended up wasting all of my piecing efforts. It would have looked the same if I had used one piece of fabric. Oh well, what can I say!! I just couldn't stop.

As you can probably guess, I enjoy making bellpulls. No bells on them though so I guess they should be called narrow wallhangings. As a help when you make these and other wallhangings, I would like to share with you how I do the backings.

Since crazy quilt projects are so heavily embellished, I like to finish them off in a way that I can go back at any time and do repairs if necessary. I've had to do this twice for beading that wasn't attached properly. I always do the backing in two pieces. I seam the two pieces together for 2-4 inches at the top and the bottom but just baste the seam in between this stitching. Press the seam open. With right sides together stitch the backing to your embellished project all around the four sides. (Your seam will be in the center.) Pull the thread out of the basted area, turn, and hand stitch the opening closed. Press your sides from the front so that you can work around the embellishments and to be sure the backing doesn't show from the front.

Round Robin Bellpull

2009-04-16T08:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the lovely embellishment done on my bellpull which made it's way around in two wonderful round robins several years ago. Besides myself, the members of those round robins were Mary McRae, Genevieve Tracey, Betty Pillsbury, Shirlee Fassell, Laura Watson, Margaret Betz, Sandi Moran, Janie Jones, Michelle LaMothe, Sue Walters, Diane Foote, and Ena Flynn. The round robins were called Color Play 1 and 2. Everyone had a great time and the results were among the best of any I've seen. It would be nice to see some of the other finished pieces.

Whole Cloth Crazy Quilt - A Misnomer - Part 5

2009-04-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

In an earlier blog I mentioned that the saga of my large fan may have to be revisited. Well, it does!! The painted one was too "washed out" looking to use on this wallhanging. I'll just count it as an experience in painting with Shiva paint sticks and store it away. Maybe I'll need it some day for another project...Yeah, Right!!!

I decided to do a larger version of the two small fans using the same thread color for the fern stitch outlines. I redid the cherry blossom design so that there was a little less to embroider. This time I did them in silk ribbon (in this photo, I still haven't done the centers.) The branch and leaves were done using silk thread and regular embroidery stitches.

You'll see all these parts pull together soon in my finished wallhanging.