Monday, March 25, 2013

"Wild Garden of My Heart"

Finished~!!  I am quite impatient for spring to arrive here in the northern Catskill Mountains.  Still several inches of snow on the ground, it's 38 degrees and the winds are howling.  But, this piece is most definitely spring like.  It's not crazy pieced...I used a packet of Pomegranate Bali Batik squares as the background.  I then cascaded a rose-bronze lace and wired ribbon, added some vintage lace motifs, lots of beads, embroidery and silk ribbon.  I quilted just a bit of the background.  Then, I bound it with a velvet ribbon.  Note the green man (or two), dragonflies, butterflies and fairies.  Yup, 'tis truly the wild garden of my heart.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

A Hover of Dragonflies!

It is 7 degrees on this snow-covered, first full day of spring!  But, I am not despairing because a Hover of Dragonflies has appeared!  Okay, so I spent yesterday stitching them, but that's still magic, right? 

These dragonflies are beaded.  Some day I will do a sampler of embroidered ones.  I wanted to show ideas for dragonfly wings and bodies using beads I had on hand.  The large, dark dragonfly in the center has actual beetle wings for his wings, a glass face bead and crystals for its body.  The upper right dragonfly has natural pearl sticks for wings and AB crystals and spacers for the body.  I did add legs to that fellow.  It's fun to play.  And who knows, maybe I have invoked the spirit of spring and warmer weather will soon follow.

Saturday, April 20, 10-3:  Crazy Quilt Piecing By Hand.  Middleburgh, NY.  Learn to create the foundation for beautiful crazy quilts in this class.  Whether you are a complete beginner or already have skills, but have become frustrated with the art of crazy piecing, this class if for you!  I'll show you how I piece and think about layout.  No more painting yourself into a corner.  It's all by hand.  $50.  Bring your own lunch.  To sign up, Email  me

Sunday, April 21, 12-3: Drink to Your Good Health - Herbal Teas.  Middleburgh, NY.  Sample some lovely herbal teas and learn to grow them in your own garden.  In addition to being tasty, these teas have health benefits too.  $30.  To sign up, Email me

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Here's the February block for the CQJP 2013.  I chose the Scilla fairy fabric, although it is still very frozen here in the northern Catskills of NY state!  Scilla don't appear hear for another month or so.  The vintage image of the girl with the snow muff reminds of us that winter is still very much here.  
 I made the Scilla Fairy's outfit dimensional with Hannah bias-cut silk ribbon.  There is also 7mm silk ribbon in the collar. 
A closer look at the hand embroidery.