Down Memory Lane

This is a retro from 2010 RR.  Since I have nothing new to post, I was obviously over-optimistic on my recovery from the accident and still trying to do most everything one-handed..

But this was one of my favorite RRs so I thought you might like revisiting also and there is a tip or two as well..

The little barn owl for Margreet's Art Nouveau block is finished and ready to cut out and applique to the block... Just one technique I wanted to point out.... I outlined the sections on the wing in black. Since I didn't want it to look like stained glass when finished.... as I filled it, every once in a while I nipped the rust threads into the black outline... which broke up the line visually.

I also used two contrasting threads on the wings...closer in color than the two I used on the chest.

Here is the finished block...  My first inclination was to do the background and then applique the owl and then I changed my mind and appliqued the owl first... I should have followed my first inclination...

I didn't get the owl on quite straight and it made doing the background harder...and it was all a little off kilter but luckily Margreet left plenty of extra fabric around the stitching area and I was able to change the basting lines so all ended well.. Having extra fabric around the block is a great idea...

I particularly chose to do a barn owl because Margreet lives in the Netherlands and they have a remarkable program for the protection of barn owls and their habitat.  More on the inspiration for this design http://olderrose.blogspot.com/2010/08/whole-block-is-complete-post-689.html

Going Monday to Seaside Oregon for a week.... taking stitching and going to give it a try.