First ribbon seam!

I've started my first ribbon seam..  I had to choose a treatment based on   my ribbon supply.  I started going through my ribbons... and quickly realized I needed more ribbon... Ribbon to do this on CQ can't be   bigger than an inch and for folding not much smaller then 1/2"  Of course all the ribbons I have are: not long enough, wrong color, wrong weight.  So of course if that is the problem, one MUST shop for more ribbon.. And while I'm shopping for ribbon I'll be looking for teeny tiny buttons and some small clips like quilters use for applique edges.  I need at least a third hand to do this...BUT I really like it and it is going to be fun....

For me the first step is ALWAYS, ALWAYS the laces...It's near impossible to go in later and lay lace. At this point I am using just paper copies of the silkies because I like to play around with placement... They will go on after the lace is all secured. 
There will be a minimum of fancy seams on these blocks... After doing 6 months of nothing but seams on the vest I wanted a change. These blocks will be just "dripping" with laces, buttons, beads and ribbons...layers and layers. I am "lacing up" two blocks to do in January as I know I have time in January to do an extra block and about Sept I will fall behind.... experience....

And as you can see the fawn is doing well... We have snow and near 0 temps so we bought a bale of alfalfa to supplement his diet and keep him close and safe.  After his fall diet of apples and sunflower seeds, he is well-padded and growing rapidly...

I finished Annette's fairy block for an online round robin I'm in...  From me this block will travel to Rengin in Istanbul, Turkey.  I'll point out just a few design decisions....  First I wanted to "echo" the linear feel of the tatted lace and chose to do that with the linear seam treatment upper left.  I deliberately left the right seam treatment very monochromatic so it didn't compete with either the lace or the linear seam treatment.

 

I tried to integrate the image with the block by having her hair and wing come out of the image patch and some of the floral motif encroach on the image patch seams...  I echoed the swirly parts of the hair with swirl in the floral motif.

 

I also love to use ribbons to create a "stage" for seam treatments...  Here in the before photo you can see I'm adding FOUR ribbons on the seams... one each of grosgrain, organza, acetate, and velvet.

Just adding an extra four shades of purple adds interest but you can also see how well the ribbons work with and enhance seam treatments.