I think it's going to be a papercut year...

I have just being wanting to do papercuts again. I don't know if I can explain why, but I do ascribe to doing what I seem to want to do. It is so much easier than fighting myself. So, here is what I have been sewing this past week or so.

The orientation of the finished block will be on point, but it is hard to photograph it that way and show you the details. In the first photo, I have shown you the finished appliqué motifs and the tatting being auditioned. I love the tatting, but I wanted to add more. I decided to embroider colonial knots all through the tatting in silk floss using two strands (Thread Gatherer Silk 'n' Colors). The floral motif in the very center is Venice lace that has been hand painted. The edges of the appliqués are outlined with a silk twist thread by Trebizond. Then on the very outside border, I have run colonial knots in a taupe cotton thread called Eleganza.

I like the way the block is shaping up. It isn't quite finished, and we'll have to see where it goes from here! It is always an adventure until it is actually done.

I also got caught up on my 365 block challenge. Ok, I confess; two of the blocks are my own design. Sometimes the block has just too many little pieces or is just not to my liking.  After all, the finished quilt will be mine! These are all trimmed to 3 1/2 inches.

And that brings me up to tomorrow!!! Yippee!!

I also gave myself a new desk in the living area, freeing up some space on my sewing desk. One of my sons wanted to know how come I get two desks? It's because I'm MOM!!! That's why!!!

I hope your week has been going well and your sewing is pleasing you every day!

Happy Quilting,

cynthia

Head Down, Chin Up...

I did it! I kept my word and did lots of sewing. I just kept thinking about all of you and showing you what I was doing. It helped in moments of feeling very small. I hope your week has been very creative and productive, too.  Planning counts, too!

I want to show you a photo of the twins, Callum and Leyla, for whom I have made the quilt that follows.  They were born on January 25th to my niece and her husband. Both were just under 4 1/2 pounds. I have to say I never saw any of my own children when they were this small.  Mine were the bruiser variety!

And here is the quilt top that is for them. It will go to the quilter later this week.  

The pattern, "Sweet Tweets", is from the book, Animal Parade 2, by Cheri Leffler. I made a few changes to it, but it is definitely her pattern!!! This is a great book with delightful patterns for adorable quilts!

Here are a few close-ups. I used Special Effects ribbons for the branches, hand-dyed leaves, Thread Gatherer 4 mm silk ribbon for the feet and crest, wool for the beaks, and Thread Gatherer Silken Pearl for the eyes (a bullion stitch). The top measures about 44 by 56 inches.

I have also been having a lot of fun with my papercut block. I have to admit to getting rather obsessive about these!!! I want to see how it is going to look finished! This block is in progress. Both of these sections will then be appliquéd to a taupe background. You'll see next week! (Optimism!)

My son, Harold, drew the outer frame design for me years ago. I finally figured out how I want to use it.  There are three more. These will be the four blocks surrounding the center block of a large quilt. 

My son, Harold, was also here yesterday. He painted some lace for me. And he did a fabulous job!!! You will see these pieces soon in something I make!

I wanted to have my Challenge blocks finished for the 365 blocks, but I don't. Tomorrow afternoon is slated for catch up on those blocks! I have been collecting a few more fabrics in the lights and darks of the color way I am using. Making those little blocks made me realize how many fabrics I HAVE TO HAVE!!!!

I hope you enjoy what I have been up to. More next week.

Happy Quilting!

cynthia

It only took me 40 years to get cowboy boots!!!