Hand Embroidery

I've been embroidering since I was about 10 years old.  I enjoyed it then and still do.  Back then I was embroidering dresser cloths and towels which had stamped designs.  Now I like the  fabric to dictate to me what needs to be outlined, emphasized or filled in with thread texture.

Over on the "And then we started it on fire blog,"  http://andthenwesetitonfire.blogspot.com/ a variety of artists have  been sharing some great info and pictures of their wonderful hand stitching throughout the month  of March. Be sure to click on my link to the right to check it out.

Here's a picture of a piece I've been working on for some time, which I keep in my craft bag, so I can quickly grab it when I know I may be sitting somewhere.

This piece was made through using Setacolor transparent paints with tissue paper overlays

 and then placed in the sun to dry.  The colored tissue paper was then removed, 

leaving an imprint of the color on top of the paint. 

 Above and below are some closeup areas of some of the stitching thus far. 

Hand and Machine Quilting

On this quilt I am combining hand and machine quilting.  With the cotton velveteen, regular machine quilting doesn't show up well.  It gets buried in the nap.  I started by doing rays around the solar hurricane center, but it didn't show, so I hand-couched a pretty, nubby yarn in between the machine stitched lines, using them as a guide.

Below is a close-up.

I'm working on the mountains now, trying to put in some shading. I'm enjoying using a 12 weight Sulky blend.  I'm doing free motion quilting using a small zig-zag stitch.

Below is a close-up of it so far.

Stil a lot more work to do on this, but just wanted to share what I've been up to.

Library Book Sale Finds

My monthly Cutting Edge group was in San Luis Obispo Saturday and there was also a library book sale, the largest one in the county, so I had to check it out. Love the really old books, especially children's ones with beautiful illustrations. I grew up with a complete set called My Bookhouse printed in the 20's or 30's that were absolutely beautiful with art deco period artwork and illustrations, and wonderful end papers. I'm not sure who in our family ended up with the set, but know I didn't and often think of them.  Didn't find any of those at the library sale, but did buy a couple of great things.  Wish I had been able to get there earlier, but that might have been dangerous.

Over the top of this lovely illustration is a transparent tissue paper thin leaf,  on which is typed, 

"Secretly, too, both were ashamed, having come unawares upon knowledge that was not meant for them. - pg. 82"

 Every page is  beautifully framed with red printing at tops and sides.  Lovely, lovely, and only $5.

 This is the other book I found for a mere $5.00.  It has front pages from the New York Times from dates on which great events occurred.

The Wright Brothers from September 10, 1908

This one has special meaning in light of what's happening in Russia these days. 

It's from October of 1962.

Hand-dyed and Marbled Fabrics and Shirts for Sale

Tomorrow night at the Almond Country Quilt Guild meeting I'll have a table and be selling some of my hand dyed and marbled fabrics and shirts.  I hope if you are in the area, you can swing by and take a look.  Below are some of the items that will be for sale.  Also, look at some of my February postings on this site and you will see more items that will be available.

Above are some of the ice-dyed fabrics.  I have 17 Fat Quarters for $6.00 each or 2 for $10 and some 1/2 yard pieces for $10.

The marbled pieces above are about 15 1/2  x 12 inches and will be for sale for $6.00 each or 2 for $10.00 

This is one of 9 shirts that will be for sale at $20.00 each.