My Crazy Quilted Collar



 

What a great feeling to finish another crazy quilt project.  This is my second collar using the beautiful Gooseberry Hills pattern.  I absolutely love the design with the offset panels in the front and the off-center back. 

 

I've always wanted to do some project using only Kreinik metallic threads.   Those who know me well, know this is my very favorite thread.  With this black and gold background  I thought this would be the perfect project.  I have also used the Kreinik Serica and Bella silk threads to create the row on tiny embroidered flowers on the left front panel.

 

Many crazy quilters love the sparkle and glitz that can be achieved with all those bright and shiny embellishments.  The Kreinik metallics provide the perfect seam treatment to accomplish this.
 

I've also incorporated several beautiful things that have been given to me over the years.  I am so fortunate to have many talented and generous friends. 



Our Bee's Charm Exchange

Last year we came across the blog entitled "A Charming Exchange." I would invite you to log on and read about this special exchange. A book by the same name has been published and is available through many outlets. I'm posting the Amazon listing here.

Note: While you are logged on "A Charming Exchange," please check the items being auctioned for breast cancer awareness. Hurry, there's only one day left.

Inspired by this blog, our group decided to do something similar.We gave ourselves ample time to research and decide what we wanted to do. After one year we're almost finished. I wanted to share my charm necklace. I will receive another six charms before the project is completed but I just had to share the progress so far.

This charm is made by our Bee founder, Jan. You can see the reverse side and the spider web if you enlarge the above necklace photo. Isn't this charm wonderful? It's even signed and dated.

Dolores has done a beautiful grouping of charms. It includes an angel, a heart and an oval hanging from this pretty stone.

This one has the beaded cabochon on one side and dainty Brazilian Embroidery on the reverse side. It has been made by Claudette.

This one has a mini crazy quilt block pieced in my favorite peach colors. It was created by Karen



The next three charms were made by Lynnis. The circular ones are beaded with beautiful peach Swarovski crystals. The other charm is a pretty bronze dichroic glass heart. I must admit to asking for that mini Swarovski piece. It's beautiful!

This charm is done by Stephanie in New Jersey. She creates the most beautiful dolls and teaches both online and in classes. She has done this beautiful face with a half moon on the back.

The final two charms are ones that I made. The basket has a small velvet emery insert with a tiny pair of scissors attached. The second one is a tiny cluster of grapes with a sterling silver leaf attached.

A Great Find.....

I wanted to share with you a wonderful book I just purchased online. It's an EBook that you can download in either a .jpg or .pdf format. In her book, ELEGANT CRAZY QUILT SEAM TREATMENTS, Pam Kellogg shares her technique of using waste canvas to produce a perfect seam treatment. Included in this 42-page book are 12 pages filled with beautiful patterns.

I feel I need to make a confession at this point. Pam suggests in her book that you start with the larger size canvas. I had high expectations of myself so disregarded this valuable bit of advice and started with the 14 count. I strongly recommend beginning with the 8.5 count canvas.

If you have ever dreamed of creating beautifully spaced and precise seam treatments this book is a must. It is well-written and the instructions are easy to follow in both written and diagram form.