Working on some ufo's this weekend.

I save my little works in progress in small wicker baskets and must admit that they are sure piling up. I have a series of about six comfort kitties to finish and mail off to Pat Winters, her cause is so beautiful.

I have a mouse in a red velvet suit that needs some silk ribbon work and lace and she will be finished.

I have numerous purses that just need to become purses as the work is done on them.

I think I had better stop now or I will lose my creativity to finishing before I start something new.........oh well, at least it is keeping my fingers busy.

New Project on the Horizon

I received my beautiful piece of silk duponi in the mail this week from Barbara for this year's art bra quilt project and I sketched out what I thought I would do on the next block. The one just finished was 12.5 inches finished and the one for the art bra group is 8.5 inches finished and I want to do as much detail as I can on their block as well. Off to see if the sketch works. I normally just wing it and create, but this time I wanted to try to be professional.

More Pictures of Finished sections

Finished block with a bouquet of hearts in every corner. Fabrics used in this were from my daughter's confirmation dress, her wedding dress, and velvet saved for a very special occasion. I also used tea dyed lace over satin and a nice piece of diamond pleated fabric received from a special friend.


Laced heard with puffed ribbon work.
Rusched and ribbon work heart
Silver herringbone stitched heart with bead work and swinging heart.

.
Centre of block which was the inspiration for this block.

The small heart in the upper left hand corner is done with herringbone stitches. It also has seam lines done in krenik number eight braid and has beads added. I also used some vintage beads and sequins. I stitched the fan stitch with one strand of sulky thread.

Highlights from the block

Some small pictures of the finished block. This is the centre surrounded by heart double ruffled lace and held in place with beads and a dove of love.

This is a original heart design that is made using 35mm over dyed lace and pink and green lace with touches of colour. I added falling hearts from the centre. I will make this pattern available in a few days as a free pattern.

Hearts

I stitched for quite a while this afternoon as time allowed and I found it hard to put this little block down। I added some more hearts and created hearts from lace from my heirloom sewing days and pulled them to fit। I also had a gorgeous piece of lingerie coloured 35mm ribbon that was begging to be placed on the block so I made three cupped flowers and started a heart on one side and then used the specialty lace that had some pink and pale green work in it। I am very pleased with how it is coming along and will share some more pics later on today.

Building the hearts

This morning I took some time to start filling in the hearts as they were overtaking the block and I did want them to set a mood। On the first one. I added a collage of sequined daisies and to the centre of this delicate little soft yellow sequins added a seed pearl. Of course, it covered up all of the gold herringbone stitches, but then this must have been for a reason. I then took some vintage heart beads as well as a few rice beads and an irridescent bead and did a collage that dangles from the centre. I did attach it to the block as swining items would have a way of being moved to easily.

I then moved down to the larger heart. I was getting braver. I had already selected some pale pink to white overdyed silk ribbon in 7 mm and made a collage of flowers and buds. I then went back in with some soft mint green 7 mm ribbon and added little leaves. I do want to add some beads and little bits of baby's breath. On the opposite side I have added rusched 15mm rayoln ribbon. I will also add beads to this and collage something special at the top. I can also picture a heart hanging inside a heart here.


Not being overly sure of what I wanted to add to the opposite side of the block I decided I had better do some work there so I came across a spool of antiqued beads and let them meander over the block and have them tacked down for now. I also want to add some bleeding hearts in a bowuet and try and see if I should bring the other large heart to life. I have it stitched in line art so I can just pull the threads if I decide not to..............then on to paisley heart buttons and beads.

This block is very addictive, but then they all are once we start on them.

What no pictures of progress yet?

I must admit that I have been taking pictures as I work along each day, but as we have had company have not taken the time to download them or resize them but will in a few days.

Today I wanted to infill more of a theme on my block. Leslie said she wanted " hearts " and I thought wow, how can I fill in with hearts now that I have centred so much lace so I dug out my paper and scissors and cut out some primitive and fancy hearts for embroidery. I am pleased to say that I have cut and recut and now can find that there is more than enough places for the hearts that I am choosing to put on my block for a theme.

I also tried a new flower it is done in the overdyed soft to medium yellow 7 mm silkribbon. I was reading an article where gathered sicruclar flowers could be made to look realistic and wanted to try this. You start with a double strand of matching thread. Backstitch so secure on the top of the fabric through a 2 inch piece of ribbon at one end. Now take the needle and gather to the other end, and before pulling loop it around like a bow and push it back through the secured ribbon on the bottom. More like joining elastic in a waistband. Pull and it falls ever so gently to the top of the herrigbone stitches I had created previouisly. I then went back in with some soft green 7 mm overdyed white to minty green and added some greenery ever so lightly.

While visiting my family at the nursing home yesterday we were in the garden's and I saw some gorgeous bleeding hearts and want to replicate them on this block as well. I also held and examined a real fuschia. I cannot believe the beauty and daintiness in these gorgeous flowers. All abloom in the walkway at a nursing home. Next time I take my camera with me.

I also laid out some buttons on the block in curly cues and want to add them as well to give some dimension to the block, will show this in pics before I add them with glass beads.

Off to get some rest and then to work some more on my block. I truly love working on this challenge piece.

Day One on Wedding Block

I have thoroughly enjoyed what I was considering a challenge and must admit it has taken me outside of my realm of work. Yesterday I started working with one strand of floss, silk, at that, and it was some that I had dyed myself many years ago. Andrea Avery sent me some silk floss and I used cake dyes to play with them and the colours are so subdued. I did one seam in herringbone with a fawn beige. I then went back in and used rayon sulky to add a dimensional aspect to the top of this.

I secured the double heart ruffle around the bride in the centre and then added an oval of braid to offset this. I will add some more ribbonwork and beads as time moves on.

I then got real brave and, although, I do not like the feel of dmc linen thread, I used one strand and did another seam in a soft salmon colour and it was worked with a wider stitch. I have now started to go back in with some sulky verigated mint to dk green, that is so suttle it hardly shows so I can see where beads are going to be a definite asset on these seams.

I dyed some ribbon in tea and will add some pics later before I start work on the block again today.

A new Charity Block for Leslie

My special friend Leslie of pinyoncreek fame has put out a request for blocks done out of wedding dresses for a ' cancer quilt ' challenge. I could not help but want to be part of this wonderful gesture. This is one lady who has just gone through a tornado and still plans on moving forward, the least we can do is help. My friend Dee brought this to my attention as I am not an avid reader of blogs lately, only due to lack of proper time.

I went through my white on white and fanciest pieces of lace that I owned and put together a square that is so gentle it makes me feel honoured to work on this. I would not have had this success if it were a block for myself, so I know my hands are being guided.

My so called ' sewing room ' still has not been saved since the last renovations and it has gone into a small corner of a bedroom so this was a learned experience. I am pleased to say it went well, even standing on one foot with the other on a foot pedal as there was not room for a chair in the room yet. Dh felt sad and said he would take the spare room bed out and it could be converted. God love him, but I can still see this going to the bottom of the ' honey do ' list, but we will see.

I have all of the lace and ruffles tacked down for now and want to start some actual stitching this afternoon and keep it as gentle as possible, and for me, that in, itself, will be a challenge.

I am taking pictures along the way and will share as time permits.

Prayer Bear

This line is dedicated to the memory of David Zimmer, husband of Carolyn Zimmer who lost his battle with leukemia and is at peace in his eternal home.

Beading Along at My Own Pace.

Needless to say I have gotten a whole lot behind on my journal and left it as a " slow work in progress ", and now I am bringing it to the forefront and working on it with vigour again.

I loved the challenge of making new and creating and learning new techniques and had to set it aside due to more pressing committments, but now the space is mine.

Today I continue on the journey and tomorrow I hope to post another finished object.

The Legend of the Prayer Bear

In a little valley between two mountains in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia lived a special little bear. His name was " Amen ".
"Amen " was created out of purple elegant and assorted fabrics into what was to be called a crazy quilt bear. Seams were lovingly stitched and fabrics placed just so on a muslin backing and sent on a tour of several Canadian provinces.

When he first started his journey he was wrapped up in muslin, placed in a protective bag and sent off to Mary Anne, who lovingly added some stitches to the seams that would hold " Amen " together. Mary Anne worked her magic and with a wish and a prayer "Amen " the little bear was once again on his way.

"Amen" loved to travel, but the stops at the post office and the thump, thump of the cancelling machine were weighing heavy on him as he was started to get some beadwork and precious stones added to his body. Handle with care had to be written.

Post office officials would wonder why each time they went to cancel the postage on a package marked assorted fabrics, no value, the sound of a little growl would come out from inside. Not wanting to admit that any of them were totally losing their minds and working overtime they let the time pass and forwarded the Parcel on to Jan .

Jan loved this little bear and she knew there was going to be more work to be done on him and she added her unique touches to this little creature and then said a prayer, " Amen ", all done and he is ready to be placed in an envelope and sent on his way.

He traveled back to Ontario to make a stop at Marie's and he was not at all pleased with that trip as he was getting heavier and heavier and the postal clerks were tossing him into the air and letting him fall onto the conveyer belt without any consideration for the little life that was inside. Even the postal worker said " Amen ", I am through for the night", and he went home. The little bear spent the night in a Canada Post bag amongst other large parcels that talked as well.

Some of the parcels, like him, were marked " recycled fabrics ", no value, but the little bear knew better. At the stroke of midnight they awoke and started to talk amongst themselves and a crazy quilting conference was held in the local post office.

There was a fan block that had agone across the seas and she was so tired of being packed and placed in one bag after another that all she wanted to do was go home and find a place for her, but she did not know what she would become.

A fancy white block with all types of gorgeous laces and beads piped up and said, I know where I am going. I am going to be a wedding pillow. I will be loved and passed down for ages and ages" and the little fan cried.

"Amen" could not deal with the site of tears rolling out from under the edges of the envelope and asked if it were alright if he made a suggestion. "Miss Fan...I can see you being held by regal and grand people to ward off bad dreams and cover the face of a beautiful geisha lady. You will have tassels hung from the arc and be held in highest esteem. " " Do you think so " Amen", said the little fan. I know so " Amen " said" as I am the only one here with eyes and I can read what is written in your notebook."

"Well, if we are all so important and have a place of honor in someone’s heart and home, then why are we marked " recycled fabric, no value ", said the green block, " Yes, said the other blocks all piping in at the same time.

"Amen" said I can answer that question. I remember when my creator was making me she thought long and hard about whether or not to put all of me or part of me in the mail as this was going to be a two- part round robin. She only sent out the back of me the first time, and now I have the fronts with eyes and can see where I am headed." "But what does that mean, I do not know what a round robin is "perked up another glittering block in the corner.

I know the answer to that one a vintage victorian block answered. A round robin is where you piece together pieces that someone else would have set aside or tossed out as left overs and make a magnificent block. You then find several people that you can trust and send it along and they work their magic on the seams. When one is done, they forward it along to the next one, and so on, until the block eventually gets back to whoever created you.

"Then why are we marked recylced and no value" said a sassy purple and red hat block from the bottom of the pile. "I know how important I am to my owner. I have her mom’s purple dress, her daughter’s hot red prom gowns, and laces and buttons from years of collection, and I am not going to call myself recycled."

"Amen " stretched out his arms and said..........we are all loved this much and what one person considers trash ,crazy quilters consider treasures. They take pieces of the past and create them into pieces for the future so that you and your families will never be forgotten."

With head bowed slightly the little bear said. " All this time I thought that I was going to be called " Amen" as this was the ending to the most beautiful prayer in the world, and that people were just plain glad to have finished with me, but they were saying a short prayer that I would travel safely. I feel so much better and I am so glad that I did not get sent back to Kentville earlier this evening."

"You see I was the last one on the conveyer belt and destined to be placed in this bag and not released until tomorrow, and if I had of been placed on the shipping truck and went home I would not have had this time to realize how important that I truly am." I am so glad that we all landed in the same postal bag. There sure must be a lot of love out there as I can hear rumblings in the other bags as well.

Miss Vintage Victorian stated " My son, you will never know what passes through these conveyer belts or the stories these parcels could tell. I love the book that comes with mine so someday someone can read and know that I am not to be used under a hot pot to protect a table, but instead I have a place of honor."

"Amen " was heard coming from all around the dark corners of the postal bags.
Now I know what will happen when I go home. I will be finished stuffed and sent to someone who needs to hold me and know that I am in their prayers. I sure hope that they call me "Amen " as God has blessed me with all of you as my friends this evening and a greater gift He could not have given me.

He has given me the wisdom to know now why I am needed, when I am needed and when my Master cannot be there or my creator present, then all that they have to do is hold me in their arms and know that all of their prayers will be answered.
"Amen"

This story is copyrighted by Linda Boudreau, Kentville, Nova Scotia

May 14th, 2008




" Amen" left for a new home where bears are truly considered art and perhaps someday may even be able to visit the Cave Junction, Oregon Bear Festival", but his new home will be with his new friends David and Carolyn Zimmer. 14.05.2008

David lost his battle with cancer and is in heaven.

Prayer Bear

Hiding under the fake tree next to the sewing station hoping that he/she can escape the turmoil of being packed in a box and sent on a journey to be loved and cared for. " I heard " Amen " the prayer bear tell me that he/she wanted to really stay right where she is.











Sitting proudly in a comfy chair waiting for someone to claim him/her and give a good home. Love the detail on the back where it is prevelant that Jan Ede has used some of her gorgeous mother of pearl flowers and precut leaves, they are gorgeous.



On the back close to the top is work by Marie Alton and infamous Melanie rose's in all of their glory. Marie has also added the bullion swags that are on the bottom.





Beadwork and beautiful stitching from Mary Anne Richardson leaves this bear with such personality that he/she just wants to walk away on her own.






Not knowing what to do to give some dimenison to the face I added some real wide lace across on side of the face and it seems to of fit the spot just right. I also wanted this bear to smile and be a happy bear.





The eyes are little gold tinted metal beads and they snug in really well into the face.

This is my beautiful aussie watching over my purple prayer bear that I have just given eyes of gold and a bow of deep wine to.

This poor little bear lay at the bottom of a ufo box waiting for me to finish. It was far from being done as it was in two small round robins and it needed a reason to be finished. I have found that reason and can hardly wait to pack his precious little soul in a lined box and mail him away to a special friend who needs a " prayer bear " at this stage of her life.

This bear is decorated to the nine's in the most beautiful work from such artists as Maryanne Richardson, Jane Ede and Marie Alton, their work speaks for itself and I will share some of their work as well as mine in the following pictures.

Marianna's Challenge

Completed and ready to mail. Marianna made a series of blocks following last years convention and asked if any of us oculd help her to finish them and I am pleased to say I was able to do my utmost and hope that this block blends in well with her others that she will put together into her own labour of love.

Block for Auction

This is my finished block in route to my special friend Rita, who will add this to her collection and do a most gorgeous setting. This is also a memory block for a dear friend Barbee who lost her battle with cancer and lingers forever in our hearsts.

Marianna's Block Challenge

One of my special angel friends Marianna came back from conference last year and went about piecing blocks from fabrics she had obtained and overdyed.

She asked if any of us would take a block and embellish it for her and I very willingly did as I love a challenge and there appeared to be a long time to work on this. I did not allow for family time etc.

As I stitched on the block I made great use of the herringbone stitch and then took it a bit further and decided to add some daisies and hand embroidery. When I felt a bit of confilict come into the block I thought of what I would do if this needed filling so I added a silk lady, put some nice trim around her and worked from there out. I now had a theme in place. I crocheted a little pink dimensional butterfly and attached this. I also worked some pearl roundelles and added little clippings of victorian style hearts. I did some silk ribbon work and added seamed treatements with beads, ribbons and strings of beads.

Friendship Block completed.

Take It Further Challenge - January

This will be worked over the weekend as well as I do want to finish this one before I start the new fan piece. I am working with very long and wide stitches as well as overstitching to make them larger and staying away from a lot of frills on this one. I like how the angel is reaching forward and the wedge will be filled with a picture of a mentor either surrounded with a floral base or some reverse image beadwork to highlight the silk.

Block for auction this year at Omaha

This block is nearing completion and will be finished when the overdyed lace and the little silk print of a young girl is attaached. I will also add some more silkribbon flowers and a special little pin that means a lot to me and would have meant a lot to my friend " Barbee ". It is a collector pin from the Martha Pullen series. I chose the deep pink overdyed to make pop up flowers on one long line as "B" had a love for deep pink. Hopefully this will bring some sunshine into a rather wintry weekend that we are expecting, and I can mail this off to Rita who is taking on the challenge of putting this quilt together.

Art bra Wallhanging Block 2008

I stitched almost every day and some of the evening on this block. It finished at eight inches and is pieced at nine to stitch at eight and half inches.

I truly enjoyed the theme this year of butterflies and spring. It makes the storm that is headed our way this evening seem a whole lot easier to bear. I started with a sprig of lavender and tied it with a 15mm organza bow. I used overdyed brown caron wildflowers for the sprigs and a deep purple silk ribbon for the lavender........the organza bow is from Bucilla. I then moved to another wedge and embroidered a wandering rose and two buds. I used wildflowers spruce for the stem and veins and silkribbon that is a series ofoverdyed yellows for the rose and the two rose buds, the green is from Bucilla. I used a challenge of herringbone stitches and finished with a cascade of flowers on top. I used a lot of small embellishments and miniature butterlies as well as the word " HOPE", and that is something we can never forget, " HOPE" for a cure and ""HOPE" that we live to see a cure in our lifetime, we have come a long way. I also added a three dimensional butterfly in the centre that is touched with yellow to represent both peace and the daffodil that is the actual flower for cancer. I truly enjoyed working on this block and found the charms, buttons and beads all seemed to blend in. Hope it works. If I were to do anything different on this one it would have been to have a large butterfly with a swirl of miniature roses flowing from behind. I saw this on a website once with gorgeous porcelain butterflies and the work was out of this world, wish I could remember where.