Friday, March 30, 2007

Spring Challenge: Fluttering Additions

Here's more of the block so far with the gold beads added to the feather stitching.
I'm still tossing around ideas for the blank red patch in the upper left and the blank pink patch in the lower right. I'm contemplating bead embroidery for the red patch and more of a dimensional embroidery for the pink one. I'm going to finish the silk ribbon embroidery bouquet in the lower left first and then figure out what would go best in the other 2 spots. I also just got my order of ribbon from Hand-Dyed Fibers and I have to say I'm a little disappointed! Two of the ribbons are way off color to the point that they are 2 completely different shades but they look the same like a third color! The 2 on the left are supposed to be the same color and the 2 on the right are supposed to be the same color with the outer ribbons the correct color and the middle two the messed up ones. From left to right the ribbon sizes are 7mm, 4mm, 7mm, 13mm. I understand about slight differences in dye lots and ribbon sizes but this is WAY off! I hate to say that too since I like her ribbon and prices! Also one of the sizes that is a messed up color was the size I was going to use! The good news is the messed up color actually works with my block! I'm grateful for that, but I had wanted the right shade. I'll be working on the bouquet next.
I saw this little butterfly in one of my Aunt Martha's iron-on transfers and just knew it would work right there! I think it needs a little something in the space around it but I'm not sure what yet. I stitched it in light pink DMC floss 1 strand using the stem stitch. Then I used a darker shade pink DMC floss in 1 strand for the body, antennae, and markings. I worked the stem stitch for the antennae and body. Filling stem stitch for the body and then 2 wrap french knots for the markings.
I also tatted and stitched down this little dragonfly! I love him there!
Since I hated that dragonfly I had stitched in with the button/bead cluster and couldn't make peace with it, I ripped it out and put a button there instead. I'm much happier that I did. The dragonfly just bugged me, I think it's proportions were off or something but I just couldn't stand leaving it there! To me the button just feels SO MUCH better!

As always opinions and suggestions are welcome!
I love to hear feedback!

4 comments:

Beemoosie said...

I don't think I have ever seen such gorgeous work!! Incredible! will this be a whole quilt?

Melissa said...

No, I'm just doing the one block and will frame it when I'm finished.
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

This is in regard to your silk thread work...I have purchased size 9 tatting needles from Tat'sAll (spelling to be browsed) Anyway you'll find that some silk and cotton thread is finer than 80 weight and you may want a couple of the smaller tatting needles. Also on any sized tatting needle save your money and do not worry about the quilting circles...a bunch of new, thick and soft rubber bands work nicely.

If your worried about the rubber bands being too dirty...run them through the washing machine at cold-cold. I guarantee they'll be clean then. DON'T run them through the drier as that will make them too hard! I've been cross-stitching, crocheting and needle-tatting for 10-20 years now. Enjoy the tips.

Melissa said...

Hi Karen,
I don't know if you will come back and read this but I was wondering what the quilting circles you mentioned are?
Thanks for letting me know there are smaller tatting needles that's good to know!
Melissa