April 14, 2008 TIF update

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My mind is still whirling around Sharon's April TIF challenges as to which of the 2 I'd like to do. I like the concept of change. For me change can sometimes be a scary thing but, I also find change energizing and promoting growth. Since I generally find it a positive concept I'm inspired to try to depict "change" in textile art.
But then, the colors of this month's challenge are wonderful---at least the colors I see on my monitor. A few years ago during the Kentucky Derby,I don't remember which horse was running but I DO REMEMBER THE COLORS-----rich browns, tans, rust, black, I thought of doing a crazy quilt block with those colors and calling it "Kentucky Derby". Those are the colors I'm seeing on my monitor. Tomorrow I will go get the DMC colors (I can't believe I don't already have them in my stash!!!!!) and see if my monitor is accurate. It just so happened that a couple of days ago I found this picture in one of my magazines.

So there's my quandry---but I think the crazy quilt block is going to win out. Let me know what you think of these colors versus the challenge colors. I hope when I get the DMC colors I'm not surprised.

Ok, so I've been slow with the April challenge. The upside is that our tax returns are complete and filed--a chore I dread every year and tend to put off until about the last possible minute. No, I will not file extensions-------that would just drag out the misery. And so now I really can start focusing on the challenge. But I haven't been totally uncreative either.Here is a work in progress.

And pictures of 2 of my finished bead embroidery necklaces.

Okay, final post for today. This picture shows my interpretation of a motif Carolyn Cibik distributed in her Treasures Club newsletter. I need to add some buillon knots and little beads to the feathered branches.
The picture also shows an added embellishment to a piece of trim. I added straight stitches topped with beads coming out of the trim.

I hope you all enjoy my pictures and they give you some inspiration and new ideas.

Thanks to all whom have left comments on my blog regarding my black and white tv. It's good to get feedback--and it doesn't always have to be "say something nice or nothing at all." I value constructive criticism-------as long as it's given gently, tee hee.

Oh, almost forgot-------I have honored Barbara's challenge on www.cqmagonline.com by submitting 3 pictures of the same seam treatment, each a bit different. Hopefully Barbara will use the pictures in the next issue.

Til next time--------------go create.

On the same block as the scallops is this silk ribbon motif. I was pleased with the flowers on this motif and believe the secret is in using straight pins to hold the silk ribbon loops so they don't pull out as you add more flower petal loops. Of course that makes a lot of fun trying to work around those pins as you add more petals!!!!!!!

This seam treatment is from a design by Karen Phillips Shwallon. The scallops were quite the challenge to do. I used silk and the edges were fraying as I was trying to applique them down but, I kept to it and am glad I did. I think it's quite the unique treatment and can open all of us to some new methods to consider on our crazy quilts.

Other work

March 23, 2008
Happy Easter

I don't have anything concrete yet for the March TIF challenge but, I thought I'd post some pictures of some of my other crazy quilt work.

This is a seam treatment of mixed beads along the side of a peacock feather. I randomly thread 4-6 beads before anchoring them. All sorts of beads can be mixed for this treatment.

Take it further challenge.

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February Take if Further Challenge

"IT WAS A BLACK AND WHITE WORLD"

My response to Sharon Boggon's February theme "I'm old enough to remember..." is the black and white television.

Yes, there was a time when there were no color televisions.

My response to the challenge was to create an old black and white tv using fabric for the television, buttons for the dials, threads, only in shades of black and white, for the picture and some beads, just to give it some electricity.