More On Beading Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments

Yesterday, I painted the lace and did some more beading on this:



The cream lace was way too bright for this block. Generally, I paint my lace as I need it. I don't usually do a bunch of it at one time.

Another way to decide on where to put beads is to look for gaps. Empty spaces just scream for beads! Notice the bottom right-hand border. I added a few large beads in between the round beads.

When using sequins on lace or appliques, overlap your sequins a bit like I did on the leaves. It looks nicer than having gaps between the sequins and adds more sparkle.

Here are pages 4 & 5 of my Needlecrafts Embroidery & Fancywork Catalog:





Be sure to click on the images to go to my Flickr site where you can see the large versions. The cutwork designs are gorgeous!

Beading Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments

I started beading the seam treatments yesterday on Button Block #34:



I mentioned yesterday that I intended to chat a bit about how I go about the beading. Generally, with my own charted borders, or any borders for that matter, I always look for the points and intersections.

If you look at any of my CQ pieces, the points of any border are always topped off with a bead or sequin. This adds color, light and extends the border even further. It also adds clarity which keeps the points from getting lost in over all design.

Intersections are another good place to look for possible bead placement. I use quite a few cross stitches in my charted borders and if you look closely at the bottom right-hand border, you can see that I placed beads in between the arms of the "X".

I'll talk a bit more about beading CQ borders tomorrow.

For now, here are pages 2 & 3 of my Needlecrafts Embroidery & Fancywork catalog from the 1930's:





Click on the images to go to my Flickr site where you can view the large version.

Enjoy!

Button Block #34

The seams on Button block #34 are covered now:



Yes, I'm going to plug my book again, Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments and mention that my seams are worked from my own charted borders using Waste Canvas. I love the perfection of the stitches and the variety of designs that can be worked using my charted borders. If you're new to my blog and are interested in learning more about my technique, click here.

I'm going to start talking more about the variations that can be created using charted borders as well as how I actually go about beading them. I do plan to put Volume 2 together in the near future and that will open even more doors to new borders and designs. I already use the borders in Volume 2 on my projects along with borders from my own personal collection.

Stay tuned!

Needlecraft Embroidery & Fancywork Catalog

Yesterday, I started to post a booklet that I have on Cutwork & Filet Lace. Robin left me a message saying that The Skinner Sisters offer this on CD on their website.

With a bit of sadness, because I was excited about this sharing my booklet with my readers, I have decided to withdraw from posting this so as not to infringe on the Skinner Sisters business. Instead, I will offer the link to their website so my readers can order it if they choose to do so.

The Skinner Sisters website.

I will share with you another catalog that I have. This one is called Needlecrafts - Embroidery & Fancywork. There is no date on this catalog but judging from the projects and the prices, I would say that it's from the 1930's.

So, here are the front cover and page 1:





Be sure to click on the images to go to my Flickr site where you can see the large version.

Again, I will put these in a folder over at Flickr and store them there.

Button Block #33 Completed

I finished up on Button Block #33 this morning:



So I'll be starting on Button Block #34 next:



If you would like to see all of the Button Blocks that I've done so far, click here.

I have a ton of finishing that needs to be done and I'm hoping/planning on doing some of it over the weekend. I have Comfort Dolls to finish, my 2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament (thank you Kim!), a doorhanger and 5 purses! Stay tuned!