All that's Glitter is not gold! But WOW!

I ran away from home today but didn't go farther than the dining table... I did NO housework, didn't even answer the phone...  just stitched. And it was Janet's goldwork block I was working on.

Unfortunately it's hard to capture with the camera how opulent the gold is.  I have 6 different trims framing the silkie and they will be further embellished with beading..
It is so beautiful...and the stitching is great fun.

I am using all my inexpensive trims and sulky gold thread for couching.  The more colors of gold I use, the richer it looks..

The biggest part of my stitching day was couching the outline of her Christmas cardinal... I did a lot of experimenting and redoing but I'm happy with him now and will start filling in with satin stitch now.. The color of the thread is just about the color of the silk...

Biggest lesson today was "not easy" to turn sharp corner like the beak.  Much better to stop and start at that point...

Although I am doing him in satin stitch, it would be great filled in with beads also... I will try the finest edmar I have that is the right color because I would like it glossy but it may not be fine enough.. more trial and error...

February CQJP and GW1

I put the image on my CQJP for February... and the theme is Morris loves Bugs....which he does..  When he sees an ant or spider crawling along he gets his nose down right behind it and follows it along for some distance and then eats it... In the late spring he is jumping all about trying to catch the little butterflies hatching in the vetch and  in late summer he is doing the same with grasshoppers...  Occasionally he does catch a grasshopper but they must not taste good as he spits it right out.  I've some fun things planned for this block..

Also sketched the Christmas cardinal for Janet and will start couching the gold today... I may be redoing this.  Instead of doing this on felt as I usually do I am doing it on a very heavy silk backed with interfacing from a jacket.  It is beautiful stuff and hope it works.  I will be filling in with maroon red satin satin stitch....I'm also doing fairly small so it may need to be larger...and since it is small I will be using a single fine thread... This what I love about RRs.....they make me work outside the box..............way outside....in fact sometimes I have to build a new box....

Okay I need help here!

What does it mean when you go back into your blog archives and where there should be a photo there is this icon?

Rickrack lace information

Apparently combining rickrack (sometimes  referred to as wavy trim) with crocheting and tatting was all the rage around the turn of the century.  I found some pictures of this book and you can read about it at
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/Needle-Arts-Vintage/Rick-Rack-

This site http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa082600.htm  actually has pictures and on a linked page directions to making this lace.  It also has a great deal of history and trivia about this kind of lace making... I am so delighted to have a piece of this history of lacemaking..

Goldwork One

Janet's goldwork blocks arrived early and although I couldn't start on it until next week, I couldn't resist picking my block......  She had 3angels on cream blocks with lace and 3 father Christmas on black...  I quickly chose a black background because I think the gold will be spectacular on it...

I have commitments for the next 4 days so it will have to wait...

But then I couldn't resist sketching a few ideas...  I had hoped to do a goldwork bird (or 2) and Janet is going to get one.... a Christmas cardinal ...   I had to make a copy of her block and then sketch with a white pencil.... You can see the cardinal, holly  lots of bells,  (large on the side and small across the top) and swirly stuff...  I will probably do the large bells and the cardinal off the block and the swirly stuff I will trace on the back and then baste the pattern to the front...

I sent my blocks out to Maire since she is leaving soon for Florida.... Mine are cream colored and do not have images on them and I am asking everyone to do one fanciful Jacobean flower on each block...

Rickrack Lace....

My other treasure from the linen pile at the flea market in California was this table runner..  It is lovely linen and about 18" x 24." I loved the look of it before I even realized what it was... I had only seen vintage rickrack lace once before and tried to duplicate it but couldn't make it work with our modern rickrack.  It was a very different pattern from this variety in the way  it was connected.  I'm sure this was a whole art form...
I'll google it when I get time.... not today though.

There is only one section that is in really good shape. I will try to do some repairs in some areas to figure out how to do it.... I will keep it in its entirety because it is so unique and I will take it with me to show when I can.. Has anyone else had experience repairing this kind of lace?

It hard to believe that it's rickrack until you look closely at it..  Gorgeous.

Now for those of you who like to cook and even for those who don't like to cook but like to eat... here's what's on our menu tonight.

I butterflied a leg of lamb and made a stuffing of  spinach, feta cheese, pine nuts, garlic and rosemary.  After rolling it up and browning it well, it went into the slow cooker and now smells heavenly...  It and a green salad will be dinner for a happy husband...  My mother who doesn't like my cooking and lived on fast food,  often tells me that I am so lucky that I have a husband who will eat the stuff I cook....and since I love to cook, she's right...

Valentine Pincushion

Oops..it's gone! I only have ONE of this special   pincushion kit.. Perfect for Valentine's Day... This kit includes a cushion of pink velvet covered with pink lace and the beaded fringes and gimp are already added.... AND the beaded fringe are little frosted hearts.   .

You may use the Victorian-inspired brooch included or as an alternative make your own ribbon roses toppers with vintage buttons.. ALSO included in this special kit are beads and a hummingbird charm to make your dangles... Either way once on a tall candlestick it will be a elegant treasure for a keepsake for yourself or as a gift. .. 

Once assembled with any extra embellishments you may add and a candle stick, it becomes a one-of-a-kind  elegant gift for  a friend or loved one. Consider adding a pink scissor holder along with it.   I will be adding two equally lovely blue ones tomorrow...

Unplanned good happenings.....

First when sorting the coat rack  by the kitchen door I found this little rainbow leash...  I didn't even know I had it and how perfect for my CQJP2012..... Not sure how I will use it but I definitely will figure out something.


Second I have often lamented about finding CQers in Spokane... Well I still haven't but received a surprise email from someone in a neighboring city who is interested in crazy quilting..  She used to be a customer in the days we had the nursery and she took some of my gardening workshops.  I told her if she was willing to drive over I would be glad to help her get started...  Not only is she willing to drive, she has a friend who is also interested.  How great is that?

CQPJ 2012 Block One

I worked on this block while I was in California last week... I loved all the shopping but just as much fun was sitting around and stitching...  I'm just about done with this...  The paw is only attached at the top so a child can lift it to find Morris peering back.

And this is what they'll see.....














I've been playing around with his name placement and then it will be done...

News from Susie:  The thread store has a website   http://thethreadgarden.com/Home.html   It is called A Thread Garden (although when we got there the sign on the front says "Bead Time") located in Ventura, CA. There are photos, directions, etc.  on the web site.

The store is:

M & L Fabric Discount Store

3430 West Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92804

 

I never did get my bearings while there...  We just got in the car every day and drove one hour on freeways and always a different direction...

Gold in California

Now that the eventuality of downsizing is ever looming I am constantly prioritizing what are my most prized possessions... On this trip I was gifted one that quickly rose to near the top of the list...  It was Cathy K. who actually found it ... Being the kind generous soul she is, she gave it to me as she could see how much I loved it.  It is small..about 7" square and is vintage goldwork on silk..  Most of the gold is worn from the cording but that just adds to its charm...  I want to do something REALLY special with this and have it where I can always see it.  This piece just touches my heart. 





And it couldn't come at a better time as goldwork is also at the top of my list.... Susie was always on the lookout for suitable trims for the goldwork round robin and with her help I the bunch pictured to add to my stash...  Tonight I divided it  into packets to send to the round robin participants.

And I know your next question is "Did Morris manage to stay out of trouble?"  Well, in a word, no! I had left specific instructions with DH that if he left to play bridge NOT to leave Morris loose in the house.... put him and his toys in the laundry room.... and of course DH went off to play bridge and gave Morris the run of the house... and of course when Morris is lonely and bored he gets into trouble... 

He managed to work the bottom drawer of my stash cabinet open and pull out a gallon bag of rhinestones.  He then proceeded to pull it across the living room to his bed but in the process left  a trail of rhinestones the whole way.  DH had most of it picked up when I got home...but I did get some pictures....

The trail ....sorry about the focus...

Well I'm back and did I have fun!!!!!

I flew to Salt Lake City where Cathy K. hopped on the plane and we flew together to LA to visit Susie Wolfe for  for 5 days...  Susie had a packed itinerary for every single day starting with the LA garment district which was overwhelming to say the least...

We barely covered 2 square blocks in several hours.. I brought a big pull cart and we filled it.  This was a fantastic bead store with lots of vintage beads and trims... I did find velvet ribbon in many colors..  I love velvet ribbons. I found LOTS of gold which I will show in a later post.  There wasn't often a place to sit but when there was I rested... Let me tell you Cathy K. is a power shopper extraordinaire..

Day two was the Rose Bowl Flea Market which was immense...  Luckily Susie goes often enough she knew where all the good booths were.  This one had only vintage linens... That entire pile on the tarp and the table behind were only a small portion... plus boxes and boxes besides...incredible stuff.  One treasure especially which I will show in a later post. There were other trim and fabric vendors at this flea market and we finished it off with a fantastic vendor specializing in only laces.... It just couldn't get any better than this...

But it did.... My favorite day was another flea market in San Fernando.  The pile is about 24" deep and is ALL lace trim and motifs for $1 each... You'll notice Cathy's arms are piled full.

There were numerous  tents of fancy fabrics which ranged $1 to $5 a yard.  Again Susie goes here often and was able to zip us around to all the best vendors.. There was not a wasted minute anywhere.

Another day we went to a warehouse discount fabric store like none I'd ever seen.  This is just one corner.  I did find coordinating fabric  for my Hoffman challenge project here... Again Cathy was the super shopper of the day with a big bargain here...  She has the EYE....  And I found a spot to rest a minute.

Another day included the largest thread store I've ever seen and it was where I spent the most money but will enjoy it all....  This was just one corner of two rooms. Here I found some rainbow thread and some rainbow silk ribbon for my CQJP 2012.

And Susie found lots of pink thread for her CQJP 2012.

Every day's outing ended with a "show and tell" of our treasures and sitting around stitching together until bed time.  Susie had a closet filled with thrift store  fancy garments and one evening Cathy and I went through them, each cutting off a sleeve.

Susie had put so much thought into this visit and made every minute count...  I've failed to even mention all the thrift store stops also....  Without her planning and organizing this all would have been impossible... Susie even got on Google to find the most convenient Starbucks for me.... how cool is that.  She also managed to have perfect weather...  It was about 75 degrees and sunny EVERY day. I had such a grand time and came home with so many memories of time spent with two dear friends and we did it all in just five days.

All that Glitters..............

Goldwork tends to be overlooked for two reasons I think...  First the materials can be expensive and second goldwork is associated mainly with religious garments and accessories. Even in the realm of needlework it is most often just coupled with stumpwork....  It is my theory that it's a perfect marriage for crazy quilting plus it doesn't even have to be real gold!!!

 It is most often shown on white or red but as you can see on the left, it is equally beautiful on green, dark blue, and lavender...even the patterned background. It can be only gold but is even more spectacular mixed with other colors.

Consider the themes possible for goldwork...  It lends itself to anything floral and also the world of insects especially  bees, dragonflies, butterflies and beetles... and you can add lizards, toads and even dragons.  How appropriate is that since this is the year of the Dragon... One of my personal favorites are goldwork roosters....

I have several books on goldwork but my favorite by far is Goldwork Embroidery by Mary Brown.   On the Internet one of the best resources is Mary Corbett's site... She has a large archive of goldwork articles including videos and tutorials. On January 9 she is actually having a giveaway for two goldwork kits.  I registered and have my fingers crossed....

There are enough signed up for two "Fool's Gold"  round robins starting on February 1st and there will be a total of 72 blocks involved. I'm sending out parcels to all involved with samples from my stash and I'm so excited to see what everyone comes up with.  If there are enough we may even be able to get a third group going.  If you are interested and a member of CQI, let me know.

Now I'm leaving on a very special needlework adventure until the 13th.... I'll finish my packing today and be on the plane tomorrow with my needlework and camera...  Back then with pictures....

Flexible as always...

In fact I'm so flexible I'm always in a state of flux... and as usual making changes to my "firm" decisions.  I have been working my way through the frames on the suffrage blocks and down to the last block which I've passed over several times... I knew I wanted a poster on this block but hadn't made the final decision.  So many of the posters from that era had goddess-like women in classical poses blowing horns and waving banners... Finally chose one. They all remind me of Hermione  Gingold in "Music Man"..

But in trying to leave room for the poster I had one photo too small and by the time I put trim around it, it was even smaller.. so I just have to remove and replace it...  I call this block "Pride"  Nobody wants to mess with these women...  Don't you just love them for standing so tall...

This is the paper version sized to what I think will work... Now I need to change it to sepia and print it on the poplin. Pat Winter talked today about the photo site "Picnik" and she was using it to change photos to sepia...  It's similar to Picasa and very user friendly...  Try it.

Since this project was in the planning stages for years I had accumulated a lot of stash for it...  I'm always amazed at what I thought would be "perfect" which isn't and at happy unplanned surprises that are joyous.

I had a lot of copper/rust sequins, beads and ribbons which are NOT working at all... The brass spacers may work in the end but so far I've used them in two places and removed them... 

On the right is the joyous part... Susan Elliott sent me this vintage bead trim she bought in the NY garment district.  It is actually dark brown even though it looks black and the glass beads are irregular and appear faceted. ... The trim was so old the wrapper holding it just crumbled and the thread the beads were strung on disintegrated when you touched it... I thought I could maybe salvage sections but it was beyond hope... But I love the color and the tiny beads. ...and I mean tiny... smaller than 15s...  So by just gently rubbing my fingers along it, the beads all separated from threads.  I will be using them on every block and they are just the perfect subtle touch.... The beads are exquisite and it seems so fitting that this vintage trim should be repurposed for this particular quilt.   Thank you Susan!!!!

Random smiling...

One of the blogs I follow is by artist/designer Jackie Von Tobel and like many of us she is going through life changes requiring critical decisions...  She recently wrote a great post in which she consciously chose to be happy over being miserable.  Sounds like a no-brainer doesn't it, but it's not always that easy... In this quest she is keeping a "Happy List" of things which make her smile... 

Her post gave me food for thought and prompted me to choose "smile" as my 2012 word...

I recently posted  about the 5 things to do daily to live longer, be healthier, be more productive and  be happier...  Laughing was one but smiling also has the same benefits.  So smiling is not only beneficial to me..... if  my smile causes someone else to smile, I am  improving their health so they  live longer, be healthier, be more productive and  be happier..  Such a deal.  I think one of my goals in 2012 will be to do random smiling....

And don't you love that type font...? I just discovered it and it's called "Sloop"  Years ago I bought a CD called "Font Studio 2002" which has 2700 fonts... I am still always discovering ones I had passed over before...  This one is a gem...... look at what it does with my name...

and