Beth Norris's perfect little heart.

Crazy Quilt International recently held a little challenge.  Each entry had to use this heart pattern which is quite small... I believe I remember it was 4".  This entry was by Beth Norris and I was so taken with it that I wanted to share it with you.  If I were teaching a beginning crazy quilt class I could use this one small piece of needlework to illustrate all I think is important for success..  For me the main goal for  every piece I stitch is   is "harmony" and this is indeed a harmonious piece and I want to point out why in case you missed it..

 

First of all there is the color... You cannot go wrong with a limited palette as it is instant harmony.  It is the most important thing I admire about Sharon Boggon's work... She takes a limited palette and makes it sing!  Here Beth chose only shades of beige and turquoise.

 

Next is how she used the shape of the patches.  The heart pattern itself makes an odd shape patch obvious and Beth not only embraced this shape she accentuated it by using a curved design...  The needlework is working "with" the curve of the heart.

Likewise is true with the bottom of the heart.  Not only once, but repeatedly, she echoed the shape.  Repetition or echoing an element is another sure way to a successful block and I urge students to actively include this in their work...

Throughout this small piece she repeated or echoed elements.  Here in these very linear stitching techniques.

And again with the chain stitches

And in the circular shapes in the flowers and butterfly.

For me the most captivating patch was this long and narrow one.  Not a easy one to fill effectively.. But Beth did it so beautifully with this elegant fox.  The patch was not only long and narrow, it was wider at the bottom...  Notice how the shape of the fox fits perfectly.... brilliant.











Last but not least, please notice how every element moves your eye around the block.  There is not one thing that leads your eye out of the block.. even the ears and tail of the fox are directional.

I am looking forward to seeing more of Beth's work.  There is such a lot to learn and remember from this small piece.  Just lovely!!!