Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Going Crazy Again

The other day, Debra said she was going to break down, stop kidding herself, and USE the materials she'd been saving for a "big, important project". By coincidence, I'd been doing that myself, from the jumping off place of a bit of machine embroidery Debra sent me a while ago. I have lots of small pieces of kimono fabric left from the days when I made and sold small bags. Some of this fabric is beautiful, and some is just tiny bits, but I keep waiting for just the right project.

Then I decided to use some bits in a crazy block for Alz quilts. Here it is in its naked state,

and here it is now, partially embellished.

Making a crazy quilt block is a strange experience; I don't know whether I like it or not. Embellishment is not my style, but I can see a certain fascination, and I understand why people get hooked. On the other hand, I am painfully rusty at embroidery. I used to do lots of it because it was good to do while keeping one eye on small children, and I was fairly skillful. Now I can barely remember how do the stitches, and I feel like the tomboyish heroine of a novel, forced to work on her sampler--tangling threads, needle pricks, etc.

I haven't even skimmed the surface of my kimono scraps, so the big project is still waiting.

And as a pleasant surprise, Dawn who writes a great blog titled Subversive Stitchers, linked to my blog and said kind things. If you haven't seen her blog, you should. She features different bloggers including links, and has some terrific pictures in the sidebar. The Boob Scarves picture alone is worth a click!

10 comments:

Debra Dixon said...

Definitely a pretty piece and in all the right colors! It would be smashing with Libby's pillows I just saw on her blog.

Anytime you need more embroidery tidbits, holler. I have many!

This one should sell pronto. Lovely! and keep me dedicated to using my fabrics by using yours!

Joyce said...

It's amazing how many quilters have trouble using those special pieces. I have never tried crazy quilting, not being much of a hand at needlework, but maybe it's time.

Nellie's Needles said...

Beautiful! And beautifully done. Those fabrics and your additions of stitching, lace, etc. result in an elegant crazy quilt piece.

It is interesting to watch the progress of Debra's "favorite things" piece. Setting aside and saving favorite things is a bit like saving a favorite thing to wear for "good" ... and then growing out of it.

Vicki W said...

It's fun to step out of your comfort zone sometimes! I think it looks great.

Liz in Kansas said...

There is something about crazy quilting that seems to draw one in - even if it is not your style! I think the block is looking very nice. I bet your embroidery muscles tone right up as you go along. It's never really lost.

Finishing Lines by K.Sperino said...

Beautiful handwork... I tried and don't have the knack for
cq. Although, I will continue to love looking at them.-Now go cut up that good stuff!

Vivian said...

I've set a goal for myself to start using some of my special fabrics, the ones I keep saving. They may be special to me, but if I don't use them now, they'll probably mean nothing to whoever has to clean out my stash some day.

You CQ block is lovely.

Libby Fife said...

Well, unless they bury me and the fabric together, I guess I won't be taking it with me. Do what gives you pleasure including using beautiful fabric.

By the by, I have machine embroidered on cq blocks before; just a suggestion if your machine does that and you don't always want to do the handwork. The blocks are lovely regardless of what treatments you give them:)

PS-Too much Jane Austen? Never!

Rian said...

It's great, Kay! I'm with ya on embellishments--not my thing--but in small pieces, I can handle it. Thank you for doing an Alzheimer's quilt.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

I like your analogy, a tomboy trying to do some stitching. I feel like that too. I haven't done much stitching, and learning all those stitches and figuring out where to use them. But it can be fun too, and I think as long as I forgive myself my imperfections, and just go with the flow, I can have fun with it as well.