Creating with Kreinik Silk Serica

I've been experimenting today with a new flower for my November block of the month. Kreinik has some beautiful silk threads and I chose one of them for this particular flower.

It was an all day project but I'm really pleased with the completed flowers. I've done three in this motif with each one measuring 1 1/4" in diameter.

The leaves are made with 4mm silk ribbon and the fly stitch.

The Joy of Creating

I love to create beginning with an almost blank slate. In this particular case it was three pieces of white silk in various patterns, weights and textures. The goal I had in mind was a free-form poinsettia for my December block of the month.

Most importantly in the process was dyeing these silks in those perfect colors I love and enjoy working with. Ozecraft dyes are one of my favorites and I've recently found a great online site for ordering. To achieve the exact color, I'll pull in several different products, however, including Rit dye.

Perhaps the more challenging part is taking that poinsettia you've drawn on paper and pulling apart each individual piece and creating a puzzle with the silk pieces. And of course, the absolute joy and satisfaction that's found in putting it all back together again.

The silks are dyed, the puzzle pieces are cut and it's just waiting for me to stitch it in place. In fact, this poinsettia is just another "almost blank slate" waiting to be stitched down with the perfect threads. The beauty of the poinsettia will come alive on fabric with the completion of the stamen. Of course, the final step is finding the perfect beads and threads to accomplish this.

I've not strictly adhered to the "rules" of crazy quilting or silk ribbon embroidery for that matter. All twelve of my blocks were meant to be a challenge to me in addition to a canvas of all the many things I've learned over the past eleven years I've crazy quilted.

Has it Been That Long? Surely Not!

What a surprise to see the numbers of months that have passed since I last posted. Time has a way of passing far more quickly than one imagines. In my defense I will say I've been busy creating and stitching.

In July, 2010 I started designing and creating a crazy quilted block of the month. I've always wanted to do this but was never quite sure of my ability to accomplish such a huge task. It's been a fun and rewarding journey and I am pleased to say that I am definitely going to complete the project.

I am beyond excited to be finishing with November and starting on December. I've named it "A Crazy Year in Texas" and it depicts the seasons, holidays and celebrations of my native state.

My local Crazy Quilt Bee has been so supportive in stitching along with me and testing my patterns. It would have been impossible without their encouragement and I'm so thankful to each of them.

You can see the January block in the current issue of CQMagOnline.com It was the most difficult block to do and my least favorite. I love flowers and nothing blooms in January!

February gave me the freedom to create those tiny flowers so I took full advantage of the opportunity. Pictured here are two hearts totally encrusted with all those flowers I couldn't use in January. After finishing the hearts I appliqued them to the block.

I've had a number of requests for the patterns so that's my next major task. The idea of marketing my creation is an exciting challenge but I've come full circle and back to the question of whether I can accomplish such a daunting task.

Embellished Block for Sendai

It was such a joy to work on this block and I did some of my favorite motifs and seam treatments. I cannot make a block without roses - that's just a given.

I've added a tiny Swarovski butterfly necklace on the lower right side of the block.

I enjoy the French knot roses and have made these out of 4mm silk ribbon. The fly stitch fans are made with Kreinik fine braid.

The pyramids are stitched with Kreinik thread and Carole Samples Dream-A-Seam Templates. When you want to have a seam treatment evenly placed and uniform, these templates are a wonderful tool.

Tiny clusters of grapes are also a favorite seam treatment and I've used a grouping of these. I took a beading class in Omaha, Nebraska quite a few years ago and learned how to made the tiny inchworm. He's a definite favorite.

The little yellow bee is a vintage bead and I've used Kreinik Easter Grass for the wings. I love the iridescent look it gives.

I've added a beaded dragonfly as well along with a tiny branch of leaves and lucite flowers.

I loved making this block and with it I extend my prayers for the people of Japan.

BLOCK FOR SENDAI

I've finishing piecing my block and started some of the embellishing. Let me begin by saying I hope it's acceptable. I have a very hard time working with jewel tones and I'm hoping my yellow, topaz and greens will fit in.

I had a gorgeous antique kimono piece that was given to me years ago and I wanted to use it for the center focal point. I remembered a block my dear friend Julie had done for an issue of CQMagOnline and decided to use that for my inspiration in piecing the block.

It's a simple matter of drawing a puzzle. First determine the size of your center focal piece. Whether it's a piece of fabric or a silk print as Julie has used, make sure you allow at least 1/4" around the motif for your seam allowance.

I knew Leslie had asked for a 9" block so I cut my drawing paper that size and centered my motif. Using my ruler I drew various size pieces starting at the motif and ending at the edge of my block.

The next step is numbering your pieces - that's really important. I marked the outside edges of the pieces and then cut them out. You will need to allow a seam allowance for all sides except those you marked as outer edges.

Using a 9" square piece of flannel I stitched the motif down with a basting stitch and then started putting my fabric puzzle together using the sew and flip method. I always iron each piece as it's added. I attached the first and last piece together by turning under the seam allowance and appliqueing it in place.

All that's left is turning under the seam allowance circling your motif and appliqueing in place. When you've pressed it really well your block is ready to embellish. I've used a piece of tatting followed by a beaded Mokuba trim around the center piece.

Now all that's left is the fun part of embellishing. I don't have a lot of area to work with since we are only embellishing the inner 8" but that's no problem.

I find such pleasure in doing special projects like this and encourage all of you to join in. Read my post below and visit Leslie's blog to find all the details.

Note: I am a dedicated user and true lover of Kreinik threads. I was so honored when Dena asked that I write a guest article for their blog. I invite you to log on and read my article. Be sure to bookmark and read the Kreinik Thread Blog routinely - you will find some wonderful tips and also be the first to find out about new products. I love the Easter Grass!

Giving from the Heart

I have always found the blessings are abundant when you give of your time and talent for others in need. Leslie of Pinyon Creek Stitchin'! is coordinating "Hearts and Hands for Sendai." Please log onto her blog and read all about this wonderful project and the requirements. Be sure to arrow down and read the March 14th. post for all the details. Please consider joining in and contributing a block.

Here is a portion of Leslie's post that tells a little about the project:

"This project will be dedicated to helping those affected by the earthquake tsunami disaster in Japan. Per Hideko Ishida's request, all quilts will become a part of an exhibit in Japan where money will be raised by viewing the quilts. Ultimately, these quilts may be auctioned and the proceeds given to a charity designated by Hideko Ishida, our Japanese CQ Sister! We will keep everyone informed as time progresses. This project is open to the quilting community at large!"

Crazy Quilting in the Texas Hill Country

Myself along with several of my crazy quilt "sisters" were invited to spend Spring Break in the Hill Country of Texas. Julie of Creative Blessings of Joy planned a fabulous stitching retreat at her brother & sister-in-law's gorgeous home. Built on the top of one of the hills, it overlooks the lake and the scenery is breathtaking.

We have these retreats down to a fine art and there is only one thing we can do better... create a mess! On the right is Jan showing one of the blocks she is currently working on. As you can see, we come prepared with our stitching paraphernalia. Julie, seated, and Linda, standing, are both taking a break in this photo.

The photo on the left shows Gumbo giving Julie a "high five." I could fill this post with pictures of this sweet dog. You can probably tell I love animals and I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with Gumbo, the family's beautiful Australian Labradoodle.

We spent the day shopping in Kerrville and Fredericksburg and Julie,
Lynnis and Jan needed a nice dip in the hot tub to soothe their tired muscles. Gumbo, is waiting patiently to be splashed in the face.


Their Mountain Laurel was in full bloom and absolutely beautiful. The antique roses were just beginning to bud out and I found one partially opened bud. Spring is coming to Texas!

A special "thank you" to Julie's wonderful family for their gracious hospitality. We had a wonderful time stitching in their lovely home and enjoying all the beauty of the Texas Hill Country.