Monday, April 21, 2008

Jacobean Chile 12x12

I've finished this piece, the latest in my 12x12 bird series. I have described some of my thinking behind this piece here in the second part of the post. You can see the other quilts in the bird series by clicking on "bird series" in the labels on the right.

This piece was hand quilted with various threads. I used one metallic silver thread that really gives it a nice sparkle.
I added a few beaded accents. The fabric has wonderful lines across it to indicate the wind that's blowing the ducks around, and I used these for quilting lines.
I bound this piece with ribbon and I used some Jacobean upholstery fabric for the back.
I have ideas for the next two bird pieces, but I'm also making plans for a UFO summer in which I complete some of the oldies but goodies cluttering up my work space.

There's still no firm decision on Allie's art school choice. We're going to Southern California later this week where we'll look at a school where she's on the waiting list. In the meantime, I'm counting the days until the end of the semester and looking forward to summer--the first one in a very long time during which I won't be working.

It's still cool here, but I've been slowly working in my garden. The chard, leeks and lettuce I planted in the fall are growing very slowly, and I've put in some new lettuce and spinach. I almost bought basil plants this week, but I think it's still too cold. It's easy to get overly ambitious in the garden at this time of the year, but the real growing season is still a few weeks away.

12 comments:

Debra Dixon said...

I Love this Piece! Your treatment looks very jacobean and yet very you. Great job!

I am coming to IQF Long Beach this summer. Are you near enough to come too??

allie aller said...

Yes, Barbara, please come to Long Beach! I am meeting Rian and Debra on Thursday night...join us for a slumber party!
So glad you get the summer off...
And your Chili piece came out splendidly...the hand quilting sets everything off just right.

Rian said...

I am joining the chorus~~ please come to Long Beach!

The Chile piece is sweet--I especially love the running stitches in the background...they add so much movement and depth.

Magpie Sue said...

Flora is very sweet. This Jacobean Chile piece is absolutely wonderful :- )

Bet you're really looking forward to time off from work to sew!

Judy S. said...

Hi Barbara,

What a beautiful piece of embroidery! It reminds me of Hungarian embroidery that always includes paprika in the motif. It's also nice to see someone doing crewel work! Maybe this should be a UFO summer? Between them and my stash I'm set for several long years! ;)

Happy gardening, and please send some CA sunshine up here!

Finn said...

Hi Barb, what a wonderful piece! It is just spectacular...love everything, the wind lines are just perfect!
I look forward to seeing more of your work as the months go by...it's always an inspiration to me *VBS* Hugs, Finn
Do go to IFQ if you possibly can!

Granny Fran said...

Muy Sabrosa. It is so perfect backed with the Jacobean fabric.

Anonymous said...

Love your crewel piece (I can call it that, can't I?). But I had to chuckle when I saw the backing fabric. "Curzon Swag" it is. 20+ years ago I managed a Calico Corners store and it was a big seller. Funny that I would remember ... but we sold a LOT of it. I guess, once a fabric junkie always a fabric junkie.

Lovely piece.

JoWynn Johns said...

What a delightful piece! The beads, gold thread, and silver thread in the running stitches do add charming sparkle. I wondered how you were going to quilt it. What a great idea--wind blowing. The whole work has great appeal. I love looking at it.

Rhonda said...

What a beautiful piece. Love the bead work.

Elsie Montgomery said...

My first visit to this blog, and I really love your work! Simply delightful piece, and the post is interesting too. I'll be back!

Possibilities, Etc. said...

I have just now found your blog via Allie - love that chile piece! My dh was from Guadalajara, and used to sing "La Llorona" to me. I had to smile when I saw that - I think I have become "vieja y corajuda" these days rather than picante.

Economy Block and Large-Scale Fabrics

Recenlty I decided to take out and use the stash of Asian-themed fabrics I'd set aside.  Many of them are large scale, so I wanted to fe...