Following the threads

SCCs tone on tone RR - Florence's block

2011-07-09T16:44:00.003+10:00

This beautiful block is in the gentle apricot tones.

My work consists of the silk ribbon floral spray in rusty tones, the embroidered cable seam treatment, with a silk thread and bead spray between. I then worked the bullion daisy spray on top beside my laced silk ribbon seam treatment. The inner seam treatment beside the rusty spray is my finishing touch.

What a lovely block. They have each been gorgeous in their toning embellishments, it is hard to choose a favourite.

One more block to do before my own green block comes home.

This is a green block as well, and I have it here ready to be worked on.

Keep posted.

SCCs Tone on Tone RR Susan's block

2011-07-09T16:21:00.007+10:00

This tone on tone block combined turquoise/pink tones.

I worked the double curved seam, using Colourstreams ophir silk thread for the bullion flowers and lacing. I used some turquoise dyed silk ribbon to do the rose spray.

Could only do a small piece of work so the remaining space could be left for the next person on the list.

2011-04-17T08:36:00.002+10:00

Tone on Tone Round Robin.

This is the second gorgeous block in this RR which I have worked on. This block is of vibrant pinks and reds, and the owner has requested that we include some Chinese influenced ideas.

I decided to add a "Lantern Festival" to one of the patches, after googling Google "images" for Chinese lanterns. I visolfexed some lantern shapes onto the patch, then outlines the designs with the gold metallic butterfly thread (couched). I added fairy lights in the feather stitch/bullion flower seam above.

I hope Viv and Debbie like it.

2011-04-03T15:39:00.002+10:00

This king single sized quilt has just been quilted by a friend for me.

Inspired by Ricky Timms' convergance quilts, I pieced the background of curves, before cutting it into strips, and inserting a sequence of strips of this gorgeous Robert Haufman "Geisha" fabric.

I have to admit that it took a bit of courage to cut into the pieced background, not quite knowing how it would work out! vbg

I have included some of my dyed fabrics in the background, as the orange tones are Rita's favourite.

Happy birthday, Rita

2011-04-03T15:31:00.002+10:00

I have just finished my bit on Patti's block of luxurious russets and brown toned block in this RR. By Tone on Tone, we are meant to stay with the colours of each block, with the embellishing. I have used various variegated silk threads for the seam treatments, adding the bronze beads and bronze SILF metallic thread for sparkle. The sheaf of wheat has been done with bullions in Colourstreams Ophir "Uluru". The SRE floral spray includes some "makubra" ribbon flowers in orangy tones, with my dyed silk flowers. Now it is off to New Zealand for Joy to work an area, before sending it on again. I've loved the challenge of this RR.

2011-02-11T19:19:00.001+10:00

I have these finished, and ready to post off to their new homes.

I hope you like "Hearts and flowers" - for Valentine's Day 2011.

2011-02-01T08:22:00.004+10:00

Well, I am off again with my needle in 2011! vbg

Having decided to join in SCCs postcard swap, as a way to inspire me to pick up my needle this year, this group decided to keep to the similar theme for "Valentine Day". It seem we would all like to receive valentines at least once in our lives!! LOL

I decided to theme my postcards "Hearts and Flowers".

I thought this piece of dyed silk would be a good foundation to start with.

I then dyed some motifs, silk ribbon, mulberry silk thread and some rayon crochet cotton, all in a mixture of red dye powder, with a small amount of Heliotrope dye powder, and was pleased with the result. Each dyed item finished in a different shade of red..... great!

I visofixed the motif and three hearts to each of the backgrounds, and added simple floral sprays of roses around the motif, with laced running stitch outlining the hearts. I am pleased with the effect of the complimentary dyed pieces.

A photo of the finished cards will be here soon.

Xmas postcard ready for posting

2010-11-19T21:53:00.004+10:00

My Christmas postcard for Faye is now finished, and has been posted off to Faye.

Christmas postcard swap SCCs 2010

2010-10-04T13:54:00.010+10:00

There is also a swap among members of SCC, of Christmas postcards.

I have pieced mine, again in antique colours, ready for embellishment. Postcards need to be 6"x4" finished size, so I have made up a foundation of 7"x5", then have marked and machinestitched the 6"x4" outline to be embroidered.

I pieced on a foundation of muslin, with iron-on pellon underneath. This will be what I work the embroidery on.

To put the postcard together, I will then place a piece of strong stiffened vilene or buckram(or both), with the backing of muslin (with printed postcard design) vsioflexed and ironed to the out side of the vilene.

This sandwich of fabrics will be restitched again just outside the original 6"x4" line of stitching.

After trimming the postcard to the machined line, I will satin stitch the outside edge, to finish.

2010-10-04T13:37:00.003+10:00

It's the beginning of October, and Christmas is just around the corner. These are two Christmas ornaments I am finishing, to be swapped with members of Southerncrosscrazies.

A simple heart shape is always a favourite, with silk ribbon flowers and seams embroidered with black/black beads, give the ornaments an antique look. Hope the recipients like them.

DYOB using Carole Samples "Treasury of Crazy stitches"

2010-09-29T16:31:00.005+10:00

Trying to extend seams on Crazypatch is a challenge , and with the help of Faye D as organiser, and Carole Samples "Treasury of Cazy stitches" book, a group of crazies are endeavouring to push ourselves that little extra, to achieve some spectacular seams on our cp blocks.

Following Faye's suggestions, I have stitched the seams of two 6" blocks, with various stitch combinations.

My first completed seam is the scalloped buttonhole seam on the left. It has been extended by adding a second row of stemstitch scallops above with straight stitch/pistal stitch; then two flowers with a knot arch scallop on top. A gold chain scallop/straight stitch/pistal at the bottom finishes this combination.

The second seam began with two hearts (stem stitch/laced) filled with a trellis/cross stitch. A double leafy stem was then added to each heart, before silk ribbon flowers/colonial knots/leaves finished this seam.

postcard swap

2010-07-02T21:45:00.000+10:00

As I finish the Seams only DYB, I start another swap - this time a postcard swap with Southerncrosscrazies.

The theme I chose was "underwater", and this is what I came up with!

The background is silk, dyed by me, with a piece of dark fabric as the bottom, sealed with a burned, wavy edge.

Various threads have been sprinkled over. I then visoflexed some fine tulle over to seal.

The threads reminded me of corals and grasses moving with the tides, so I worked the feather stitch to follow the movement of those grasses.

I love the brilliantly coloured flame corals found on the reef, so have finely featherstitched that using a variegated DMC thread in the coral/yellow colours.

What fun they were to do, not taking more than a few days to complete.

This Seams only DYB finishes

2010-07-02T21:29:00.000+10:00

Sadly, this Seams only DYB is over, but, as one rr closes, another opens..........
Some more of the blocks I have worked on in this DYB.

2010-03-11T22:34:00.000+10:00

Another block finished in a Seams only DYB. Tried to stay with the gentler colours. Have used silks mostly including hand dyed threads and ribbons.

Am trying to master the rosette stitch in this DYB, as well as keeping up with lacing hand-dyed thread through a stitched seam. I can;t help finishing off with silk ribbon embroidery, as I love doing this.
The buttonhole wavey seam is one from Carole Samples "Treasury of Crazy stitches".

2010-03-05T00:16:00.000+10:00

Another block finished in the SCQs "Seams only DYB".

Silk threads and ribbons, with some Edmar rayon thread used in parts.

I love to use the silks, especially the variegated dyed ones.

2010-02-23T22:50:00.000+10:00

This is Faye Cs block. I opted to work with soft colours, thinking that they would complement the darker background fabrics.

The seams have been worked with silk and rayon threads. My favourite thread on this block was Colourstreams "Ophir" Antique rose.

2010-02-23T22:49:00.000+10:00

This is Patti's block worked by me.

2010-02-23T22:40:00.000+10:00

A DYB is up and running, with me in two groups. It is a "Seams only", with embroidered seam treatments and spaces.

The blocks were posted on 1st February, and I have received the two blocks to be worked on.

These are now ready for the next turnover on 1st March.

library blocks swap

2009-06-14T06:52:00.000+10:00

I am pulling out old (and I mean old!! ) UFOs, trying to finish some for our upcoming Quilt Show in August.

I cam across these library blocks, swapped maybe in 2001, and have them ready to put together, when I receive some woodgrain design fabric to use as sashing - hopefully the blocks will then look like shelves in a bookcase.

COH DYOB block swap

2009-06-05T09:55:00.000+10:00

My finished block in this swap. I have used Colourstreams Ophir silk, madiera silk, YLI silk, my hand-dyed silk ribbons, and single threads of Needle Necessities variegated cotton.

Our brief was to cover seams with various stipulated stitches ( chevron, chain, feather, cretan, french knots), add a heart and a paisley shape. I have enjoyed working this block in the soft colours, and hope whoever receives it, likes it as well.

2009-05-05T08:14:00.000+10:00

I thought you might enjoy this quilt, made by me for my son and his new bride 11 years ago. After their wedding, I was fortunate to participate in a workshop on crazy patch, with Judith Baker Montano, and of course, have been passionate about this style of patchwork since.

2009-05-01T11:42:00.000+10:00

I am also participating in another Seams only Round Robin.

I have finished my part of this block, and it is now ready to pass on to the next person, who will add to what I have worked.

I have worked cast-on and bullion flowers using Colourstreams Ophir thread (Dawn).

I have used Edmar thread to interlace two rows of running stitched.

I have added a row of flowers on the row of purple double chevron stitch, using silk for the small flowers, and Edmar/cast on stitch for the bigger flowers.

2009-05-01T11:30:00.000+10:00

Herringbone stitch is to be worked over the first seam.

Here is my effort.

The next stitch will be announced on Sunday.

2009-04-27T21:13:00.000+10:00

As well as the block that I am embellishing in the "Do your own block" swap with Chain of Hearts group, I have pieced some hearts for swapping as well (after they have been embellished). I have had fun choosing various threads, ribbons and laces to work with on these blocks.

2009-04-25T14:01:00.000+10:00

Eye candy

2009-04-25T13:47:00.000+10:00

I thought you might like to view some of my work, which was sold for me by some local galleries.

Do Your Own Block: April 2009

2009-04-25T09:46:00.000+10:00

Do Your Own Block: April 2009

Hi everyone taking part in this Round Robin. I have my block ready to start, and want to upload it to this blog, only as a very new chum to blogs, I can't seem to find the way.
My name is on the list as "Threadgather", but am Alison to everyone. Don't know how I actually got to put it there. Have only just tried to set up a blog, but am failing to get past the photos!! vbg
Am looking forward to starting this RR, and swapping the finished block.