Plan pinned up

To me this was a very happy block. I have things just pinned or basted and will explain my plan and choices as far as I've gone this morning.... As I mentioned in the previous post, this is a was a very linear block with some very long vertical lines.. My goal was to introduce more horizontal elements and move the eye around the block... Here are the first steps..

First I found a very happy silkie.. She looks like she's about to burst into song... I can embellish the silkie with fargo roses to repeat the SRE already done.. I'm thinking to use this bluebird button because it repeats the blue in her dress and fits the mood. I picked polka dot ribbon because it also fits the mood and will give a strong horizontal element. For the same reason I added the black horizontal pieces of ribbon. They serve two purposes...they bring the sides strips into the composition....and likewise extend the black into the block.....

The black lace below the silkie was chosen because it has the arrow-like tops that bring the eye back into the center of the block... I broke up the long side seams and only used half to repeat the polka dot element with beads and sequins... Then I've pinned a piece of pink crushed velvet ribbon on the diagonal to repeat the diagonal line in upper left. It is very optional at the moment...It would provide a place for two embellished seams plus breaks up the large space below for two

motifs....

Next just a couple design tips... I was avoiding vertical elements so on the right side of the silkie I chose to finish it with something that disappears into the background.....a strip of black ribbon and a row of sequins for glitz... That left the strong contrast of the black and pink where the little arrow is pointing... I laid the lace roses there and that vertical line disappears like magic... This is a nifty trick that is very useful... These roses repeat the trio of flowers on upper right... On the left side of the silkie I will incorporate some vines and fargo roses to extend what's there into the silkie and soften that vertical line...

I hope you've notice how often I have used the word "REPEAT" . Repeating colors and elements is so critical to the success of a block that I just can't stress it enough!! Of course that is just my opinion and if you're not a fan of encrusted you will not like what I'm doing at all. Having made that qualifying statement I will proceed to sew everything down and then address the upper right corner..... Now that I read back over this I probably should have broken it up into several posts as it is rather long. Sorry!

How many and what size

This container is 8" X 12" and 1 inch deep..The beads are about 2/3 layers deep.. It weighs only 1 3/4 lb and a kilo is 2.2 lbs. I put the largest and smallest beads next to the dime... Very few of the largest.. mostly medium and small and lots of unusual shapes... I've used all my reds, greens, blacks, blues, purples,and oranges but somehow the turquoise never fits my needs (except for Jo's fan.) That is a LOT of beads for $8....... Remember you would receive assorted colors... I have used lots of them on CQ blocks and some for jewelry making....

I love the mix and match bead look in jewelry and just ordered Robin Atkins book "Beaded Treasures" which does a lot of this. That is why I'm ordering again....

Bead Embroidery and Bulk Beads

Along with seed beads, I used beads from my bulk order of assorted beads to do this bead embroidery fan for Jo in the Fan RR. I ordered 4 kilos so I had a large amount of beads in every color and they have lasted me for years... I got them at wire-sculpture.com and am planning another order soon for those who want to get a better price... Just let me know....

If you have a pre-teen or teen daughter or grandaughter who's into beading, a kilo would make a great xmas gift....

Getting Nekked

We've a family thing today and tomorrow is the "shearing of the sheep." When the shearer had time I wasn't ready and when I was ready he had no time... But tomorrow's the day... Moving the rams into a small pen by myself will be the hard part but separating the ewes and lambs is no piece of cake either... EVERYBODY will be bawling and wailing and baaaaaaaaaaaahing. DH always has a commitment when I need him.

I want to start milking and haven't been able to until they are sheared as it's unsanitary....It's exciting to have things moving along again...I was so afraid the ewes would dry up before.I could milk and they are probably close as the lambs are huge..... No posting for a couple days.... Wish I had someone taking photos. But if anyone was standing around with a camera, I'd put them to work....Wish me luck....

Changing directional elements of block.......

All the stitching on the pink patches is linear and these are flanked with two long narrow patches with very long seams.. As I look at this block I feel that no no matter what it is added to the center it will all feel it is draining off the bottom of the block... I always think of patches as changeable shapes....

This is an entirely fixable problem and just needs a plan to incorporate those strong linear elements back into the block.... This will require encroaching on existing patches and stitching... I AM NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS!!!! This is what encrusted is all about ... the merging and overlapping of elements. Of course if you are not fond of the encrusted look to CQ then skip the rest of this post..... Just the arrows alone are a clue.. Now to make a plan..
All the stitching thus far on this block is so elegant and lovely. Now I've studied it a bit my initial plan to is

• Add at least two strong horizonal elements
• Add a silkie
• Divide up the two side patches with something that draws eye to center...
• There's also the funny little black strip upper right that needs to be incorporated.
• Repeat the lovely trio of beaded flowers and echo the diagonal line of the triangle.