Still Fascinated with Wire

I'm still fascinated with wire work so I thought I would post several of my latest projects.  One of the neatest things I have discovered through a friend is the Lazee Daizee Viking Knit tool.  Created by Stephanie Eddy, this wonderful tool makes the most beautiful chains.  Check out Stephanie's site for a youtube video and demonstration.  You can order directly through her website as well.

Viking knit chain
 

Crocheted apple tree

The chain pictured here is made with the 1/4" tool and 28 gauge wire.  I covered the cabochon with a free form crochet frame made with 26 gauge wire.  I've added the apple tree using 2.5mm Swarovski bicones in olive and siam.   I created the design as I went and it was an enjoyable project. 

Tree of life pendant

I took a class at the Brazoria Library's bead club.  It was a fun project creating another tree.  It's wonderful to have willing teachers to share their knowledge.

Bird nest pendant

Last month I took a class at the Bead Attic, our local bead shop.  We made this cute bird nest pendant.

After completing my crazy quilt I seem to have lost my creativity.  I'm hoping it will return soon.  In the meantime I am thoroughly enjoying my new source of creativity.

Learning to Wire Wrap Cabochons

Picture Jasper

My wonderful son has given me many beautiful cabochons over the past few years and I am just now attempting to learn how to wire-wrap them.

One of my dear crazy quilt "sisters" offered to give me some lessons so I thought I would share my work.

Picture jasper - back view

Lois got me "hooked" when she offered to wrap one of my cabochons. Jason had given me this picture jasper several years ago, and it was one of my favorites.  Pictured here is the exquisite work she did for me.

The back of the cab is almost as beautiful as the front as you can see in this photo.



Chinese Green Turquoise

I chose this Chinese green turquoise for my first attempt.  Although I had lots of help from Lois, I am pleased with the work I contributed.


It's very difficult for me to wrap those 4 wires and have all those tiny wraps uniform.  If I just had one more hand I think I could do a better job.  I've added some Swarovski bicones and bronze seed beads and wrapped it in a vintage bronze.


Turquoise

I did this turquoise piece for my second attempt.  I'm not as pleased with how I shaped my wires so I will probably redo it.  I need a lot more practice with designing my wires.

Jason was in South Africa last year on business and brought back a gorgeous tiger's eye cabochon.  I'm working toward getting good enough to wrap that one.

Sunrise on Surfside Beach

Once again several friends got together for a week of stitching and relaxing on the beach. I wouldn't be surprised if neighbors sell tickets for opening day.

What a sight it must be to see eight women with all their crazy quilting supplies, Ott lights, food for a week,  and suitcases converge on this small house. It's a perfect setting for a perfect week!

I wanted to share several photos. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. All we have to do is walk out on the back deck and view the splendor. It reminds me of the hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth." I am indeed grateful to God for the "glories of the skies."

One of the girls issued a challenge after one of her walks on the beach. She came back with a number of the butter clam shells and suggested we make pincushions. I had no idea what I would do until I got into the project.

I've glued a magnet in the bottom of the shell and covered it with a tiny cushion made with Hanah silk velvet. I've added a few tiny shells and a turtle charm. The tiny shell is probably about 2" wide. It was loads of fun and I wanted to share a photo of the finished project.

Crazy quilters can embellish anything, can't they?

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. 



Woven Embroidery

      I'm always looking for a new embroidery design  and recently found this while searching the internet.  I'm sure I haven't done it exactly right but I do like the look of the woven threads.

I've used a #4 Kreinik very fine braid.  The designer button in the center is the perfect touch and matches the thread exactly.  The button was a gift from a friend and had been in my "stash." for several years.  It couldn't be more perfect.

I've used an awl to make a hole for the shank of the button.  A 1/4" plastic ring secures it on the reverse side and allows the button to lie flush against the fabric.



"A Crazy Year in Texas"

I  cannot believe I'm almost finished with my very first crazy quilt design.  I call it "A Crazy Year in Texas" but it's actually two crazy years.  I began on July 12, 2010.   My local crazy quilt bee and several other friends have been stitching along side me and testing my patterns and instructions.  I wish you could see all the work these amazing ladies have done.  With each one adding their own personal touch and interpretation, no two blocks are alike.

I would love to list all my favorite tools, products, threads, ribbons, etc. but space does not permit that.  Some of my very favorites include:  Kreinik Threads, Hanah Silks, Carole Sample's Dream-a-Seam templates, Connie James' Diva Custom Cordmaker, Sulky Heat-away and my Igolochkoy Russian punch needle.  A very special thank-you to Linda in New Mexico for creating the beautiful tatted ghosts and crinoline ladies.

All that remains is the final assembly, tying and adding the mitered three inch borders.  This is the part that really strikes fear.  Crazy quilting is forgiving. There is no such thing as a mistake - just an opportunity for embellishing.   If I make a "mistake" I can always cover it with a silk ribbon motif and you will never know it's there.

Mitering those corners and stitching everything together isn't that forgiving when mistakes are made.  So wish me luck.

MIA Once Again

When life gets busy I seem to forget my blog and I always regret doing that.  I will try to do better.  I logged on today to retrieve some photos.   I ruined my laptop last week by accidentally spilling water onto the keyboard.  I have many photos of my work saved here as well as in Webshots. 

While browsing around and surfing with Google I noticed some of my work had been posted on Pinterest.  One member stated she would like to make the silk flowers in the photo so I thought I would post some directions. 

I saw flowers similar to these on a very old vintage crazy quilt and loved them.   They reminded me of the yo-yo's we used to make so I began my experimenting.  I found if I made a slight oval instead of a round circle it worked better as a petal.  It's also necessary to gather them extremely loose and allow the silk to fall into place.   I call them my yo-yo roses.

I love working with silk, especially the Hanah silk ribbons; they are as lightweight as a feather and easy to manipulate.  You can use any lightweight silk (habatoi or blouse weight but not as heavy as dupioni.)  You can often find silk blouses at a resale shop and use this silk for flower designs.

Start by cutting out five pieces of silk by the oval pictured below.  It should measure approximately 2 1/8" by 1 3/4".  With each of the 5 pieces fold the raw edges inward, approximately 1/4", to wrong side of fabric and stitch with a running stitch in a matching thread.  Pull thread and gather each oval very loosely.

Draw a center onto your fabric at the proper placement.  I use a blue disappearing pen.  With the first gathered yo-yo, tack one of the longer edges to the outside edge of the drawn center.  Tack the opposite edge directly across.  Loosely work the side edges of the oval into place being sure to hide your gathering stitches as much as possible.  Tack in several places.  Add the remaining four petals.

In order to gauge the size of your center make the 5 gathered petals and lay them in place.  You will be able to see the exact size your flower will be and know what size center looks best.

I like to fill the center with beads and add several silk leaves.  I burnish the edges of the leaves to prevent fraying and use a fine metallic gold featherstitch to attach them.

I hope you will enjoy experimenting and making the flowers.  Remember to let the silk drape into place and do not pull the petals so they appear taunt.