It took almost a week to surgically remove the top from its original backing.And it is so good to be back working with a soft batting.  and now I’ve nearly completed the metallic stitching.
I need need to attach the second of the larger lacy motifs on the base piece and complete some stippling.

Yes! I’m probably going against all normal quilting procedures, but I’m doing it my way.

Today’s weather is cold,wet and miserable;so is a good day for staying indoors.
I have scanned and printed on fabric some photos in preparation for a memory quilt, and I’ve also trimmed and rinsed an Organza lace motif.
Now it’s down to “the cave” to see if I can remember how to set the Embroidery machine up to work some motifs for another quilt.

I had just been looking at the “Hearts for Christchurch” photos, when I noticed a comment left on this blog by Michele Bilyeu, so I visited her blog, where she talks of Prayer Pocket Pillows.

I’ll let you read her story regarding both her sister-in-law, and a young friend who is in a coma as result being hit by a car whilst on a marked crosswalk!

Sending prayers of hope for Rebecca Savikko   and Kelly Ball.

I made the mistake of heeding advice from a “teacher” in a quilt shop instead of sticking with Pen’s advice to  use a lightweight Pellon backing.

I liked the idea that the quilt would hang well and not buckle like other quilts can occasionally do!

Stipple quilting is NOT easy on a backing similar to Fast2Fuse! Trust me!

After frog stitching some “miles” of fancy stitching on the gold stripping, I should have unpicked the entire piece and changed to some lovely soft 100% Banana fibre batting.

But, I didn’t.

So  , I’ve learned my lesson! Yes I will complete this, but I’m already planning the next hanging…..A Japanese theme: using a portrait stitched Japanese woman and some de constructed Japanese  kimonos.

No photos today!

 Today was spent (AGAIN) auditioning fabrics!
I realised that this could happen ‘ad nauseum’ so I promised myself that this quilt would be what Pen intended it to be:

a LEARNING experience embracing several art quilt techniques.

I know now, that I would never use a piece of WHITE damask again!

Despite the positive and negatives in the fabric pile, the overall effect is too stark Just maybe, I can brush it with a tea stain, and eliminate the glaring white.

(I’ll get back to you on that one!)
And maybe, if I use the brocade again, I need something more than the striped fabric as a counter point fabric.

I am not used to employing muted colours, and this workshop has re- inforced that for me.
I need try new scenarios…. New colourways..
Not stay with “tried and true,”But broaden my horizons, and my experience!

I must say that I have had fun delving into my stash of CQ fabrics rather than staying with traditional patchwork fabrics proving that there can be a melding of both schools of thought/method.

I feel that Traditional and CQ can work together.

The next few days I will try out some metallic threads as embellishment……….whether they will be GOLD (metallic) or coloured?

All I am hoping for, is to introduce such colour and pizzaz!
At this stage, I have no idea what will result.  Metallic embroidery (FME or not) is a whole new ball game for me.

Watch this space!

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2012

{Pen’s workshop

 Today was spent (AGAIN) auditioning fabrics!
I realised that this could happen ‘ad nauseum’ so I promised myself that this quilt would be what Pen intended it to be:

a LEARNING experience embracing several art quilt techniques.

I know now, that I would never use a piece of WHITE damask again!

Despite the positive and negatives in the fabric pile, the overall effect is too stark Just maybe, I can brush it with a tea stain, and eliminate the glaring white.

(I’ll get back to you on that one!)
And maybe, if I use the brocade again, I need something more than the striped fabric as a counter point fabric.

I am not used to employing muted colours, and this workshop has re- inforced that for me.
I need try new scenarios…. New colourways..
Not stay with “tried and true,”But broaden my horizons, and my experience!

I must say that I have had fun delving into my stash of CQ fabrics rather than staying with traditional patchwork fabrics proving that there can be a melding of both schools of thought/method.

I feel that Traditional and CQ can work together.

The next few days I will try out some metallic threads as embellishment……….whether they will be GOLD (metallic) or coloured?

All I am hoping for, is to introduce such colour and pizzaz!
At this stage, I have no idea what will result.  Metallic embroidery (FME or not) is a whole new ball game for me.

Watch this space!

 Today was spent (AGAIN) auditioning fabrics!
I realised that this could happen ‘ad nauseum’ so I promised myself that this quilt would be what Pen intended it to be: a LEARNING experience!

I know now, that I would never use a piece of WHITE damask! Too stark.
And maybe, if I use the brocade again, I need something more than the striped fabric as a counter point.

I am not used to employing muted colours, and this workshop has re inforced that to me.
BUT! I need try new scenarios…. New colourways..
Not stay with “tried and true”!

The next few days I will try out some metallic threads……….whether they will be GOLD (metallic) or coloured?
At this stage, I have no idea!

 Despite my cutting some pieces to incorrect dimensions, my machine embroidered and rusted fabric wall hanging is slowly taking shape.
Being unhappy with the original choice of fabrics, I still tend to audition other fabrics:
At the moment, this is the current choices. Next will be the gold fabric ”marrying” the three modules.

Since taking delivery of a new Ott lite, I am able to once again enjoy stitching at night.
By day,I can enjoy machine work: as shown in my earlier blogging today,
and by night, I can keep “half an eye” on TV (if there is anything worth watching) and enjoy doing hand work.I have lived in this house for just over five years, and I’m so happy to have good lighting to allow me do stitching by night

 
Since taking delivery of a new Ott lite, I am able to once again enjoy stitching at night.
By day,I can enjoy machine work: as shown in my earlier blogging today,
and by night, I can keep “half an eye” on TV (if there is anything worth watching) and enjoy doing hand work.

I have lived in this house for just over five years, and I’m so happy to have good lighting to allow me do stitching by night

 Despite my cutting some pieces to incorrect dimensions, my machine embroidered and rusted fabric wall hanging is slowly taking shape.
Being unhappy with the original choice of fabrics, I still tend to audition other fabrics:
At the moment, this is the current choices. Next will be the gold fabric ”marrying” the three modules.