I think you can see now where the logic is to my style of craziness. I balance my blocks by repeating my fabrics and my colors and working in opposites or across from each other.
For those of you who have followed this quick little lesson in how I work, Mad Stitcher was correct when she guessed that I would use yellow in the top right-hand corner. It balances with the yellow flowers in the applique.
Those yellow flowers by the way, are not the cast-on stitch that Sharon has shown us. I tried and tried but had a terrible time working directly on the fabric. Once I reached the point of giving up on that idea, I pulled out my handy-dandy tatting needle and worked my cast-on stitch flowers off site. Then I just sewed them onto my block.
For adding beads, the process is the same. As you can see, I added some red flower beads to the blue lace on the right. That balances with the red buttonhole flowers on the top left.
I used red buttons for the centers of the yellow flowers in the applique along with few red bugle beads. Again, this balances with the fabric on the top right.
Button clusters work the same way. I like to pick a "focal point" button and then add smaller buttons around it in similiar colors to the quilt. The big red button is the focal point. Once the focal point is established, the eye can move around to see what else is there. Without a focal point, the eye doesn't know where to start looking.
Lastly, I added just a few beads to the flowers in the hankie print. Without the beads, it looked like I forgot something! I also added the gold dragonfly charm. This definately gives the eye a place to start!
The block is complete now. I hope this quick tutorial helps you to understand how I work with color. I use the same process when I design my charted patterns as well.
Again, there is no right or wrong with crazyquilting. This is just my way of doing it. If you're seriously considering a good lesson in crazyquilting, I strongly suggest watching for Sharon's next class over at Joggles.com. Sharon is a master crazyquilter and she is truly the one to learn from. I had so much wanted to take her last class but my work schedule didn't permit it.
Cross Stitch Patterns inspired by nature, animals and the holidays by designer Pamela Kellogg of Kitty And Me Designs
Sunday, July 30, 2006
100 Details In 100 Days - Day 40
I can't believe we're up to day 40 already! I've enjoyed this project so much!
Today's detail is sort of a repeat. I've shared this pattern before but since we're in "peacock mode" and for those of you who are new to following my blog, I thought I'd make it today's motif.
I use this feather on every peacock themed quilt I do. Sometimes it has to be adjusted a little bit to fit the space and you can certainly use whatever colors you want to for this.
I trace the design onto tissue paper and then pin it to my quilt and stitch it use 2 strands of DMC floss. I do the fill in satin stitching after I tear the tissue paper away. Yes, that part can be tedious and time consuming as well as a bit frustrating but it works well and the results are worth it.
Today's detail is sort of a repeat. I've shared this pattern before but since we're in "peacock mode" and for those of you who are new to following my blog, I thought I'd make it today's motif.
I use this feather on every peacock themed quilt I do. Sometimes it has to be adjusted a little bit to fit the space and you can certainly use whatever colors you want to for this.
I trace the design onto tissue paper and then pin it to my quilt and stitch it use 2 strands of DMC floss. I do the fill in satin stitching after I tear the tissue paper away. Yes, that part can be tedious and time consuming as well as a bit frustrating but it works well and the results are worth it.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
100 Details In 100 Days - Day 39
Another gorgeous peacock design from Gina's collection. This is on a WW2 postcard.
This design will require working from both the pattern and the photo. The feathers overlap so to keep the pattern readable, I did not overlap the stitches. I had a terrible time tracing this one too but I hope it's enough for you to work from. Even stitched the way I drew it out, it should make for a lovely peacock pattern.
I'd like to publically say thank you to Gina for allowing me to create patterns from her gorgeous peacock pieces.
This design will require working from both the pattern and the photo. The feathers overlap so to keep the pattern readable, I did not overlap the stitches. I had a terrible time tracing this one too but I hope it's enough for you to work from. Even stitched the way I drew it out, it should make for a lovely peacock pattern.
I'd like to publically say thank you to Gina for allowing me to create patterns from her gorgeous peacock pieces.
Friday, July 28, 2006
100 Details In 100 Days - Day 38
I have a real treat for you today! Gina from Patra's Place blog has graciously granted me permission to create a pattern from several of her vintage embroidered peacock pieces. The peacock she posted the other day is gorgeous! If you download the pattern, please take a moment to hop over to Gina's blog and leave a thank you comment for her.
I'm not great at cleaning up a hand-drawn pattern on the computer but I'm sure this is enough for you to work with. I use a light box to trace my designs onto fabric but you can tape it to a window too. Use light pencil marks or a quilter's washout blue pen to trace. Refer to the photo for floss colors and stitches used.
Again, please take the time to say thank you to Gina.
I'm not great at cleaning up a hand-drawn pattern on the computer but I'm sure this is enough for you to work with. I use a light box to trace my designs onto fabric but you can tape it to a window too. Use light pencil marks or a quilter's washout blue pen to trace. Refer to the photo for floss colors and stitches used.
Again, please take the time to say thank you to Gina.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Recent Finishes
I've completed a few more projects so I thought I would share photos with you.
First, is my Bonnet Lady handbag. I just love the colors in this. It has a bit of crayon tinting in the design and some beads for sparkle.
Next is my Victorian Butterfly handbag. The lace is vintage and I brought the embellishments down a bit from the block in into the lace by using a large Mother Of Pearl button and some beads.
The last of my finishes is my Strawberry Fields quilt. Again, I brought the embellishments out from the block by adding some handpainted lace butterflies to the border. I also added sequins and beads to them for sparkle.
Last but not least, not one of my finishes but rather something my mom made, a cute little crocheted strawberry cellphone pouch. She embellished this with some felt strawberries which are hand appliqued on and then a few felt flowers. This little bag is also lined!
I've added these items to my Etsy shop.
See, I told you I had alot to share today! I'm off to stitch and relax now.
First, is my Bonnet Lady handbag. I just love the colors in this. It has a bit of crayon tinting in the design and some beads for sparkle.
Next is my Victorian Butterfly handbag. The lace is vintage and I brought the embellishments down a bit from the block in into the lace by using a large Mother Of Pearl button and some beads.
The last of my finishes is my Strawberry Fields quilt. Again, I brought the embellishments out from the block by adding some handpainted lace butterflies to the border. I also added sequins and beads to them for sparkle.
Last but not least, not one of my finishes but rather something my mom made, a cute little crocheted strawberry cellphone pouch. She embellished this with some felt strawberries which are hand appliqued on and then a few felt flowers. This little bag is also lined!
I've added these items to my Etsy shop.
See, I told you I had alot to share today! I'm off to stitch and relax now.
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