Working on my Peach Quilt Blocks

I thought I would post some of the progress I've made on my peach quilt. I have four of the twelve blocks nearing completion with only eight remaining blocks to embellish.

I love my color theme but they do not photograph as well as I would like. The velvets are luscious and the peach dupioni has a beautiful sheen.

I am guilty of finding projects I would like to do and setting my quilt blocks aside. Perhaps all of us are guilty of that. There are so many things to experiment with and I find myself easily distracted.

The picture on the right is a ruched ribbon rose made with 1 1/2" wide silk habotai ribbon. I purchased the ribbon from Vic with Ribbonsmyth and hand-dyed it in the variegated peach colors.

For those who haven't ruched I've include an example of how it is done. Using a matching thread do a running stitch in a "V" shape.

There is one important point to remember: when you come to the edge of the ribbon circle the thread over the edge and begin stitching on the reverse side. I hope you will be able to see this in the photo.

After making about 4 or 5 of the "V's" I gather the ribbon and begin again. I wish I could give you the yardage it takes to make the rose but I haven't stopped to do that. To make the rose you will circle the ruching and tack it down to your fabric. Continue to circle by placing the remaining length under the first layer. Do this until you like the size and shape of the flower.

Another design is my tiny table setting with the sterling silver flatware and napkin sitting beside a mother of pearl button. I wish I could take credit for this beautiful motif but I can't. With the permission of my dear friend and mentor, Jan, I have copied one she did on a recent quilt. I want to add some leaves and silk ribbon embroidery so I'm not quite finished but I just had to show you. I've used a small vintage motif for my place mat.

I showed her what I had done Tuesday at our quilting bee. I asked her if she had done the napkin with the silk ribbon. Her answer was no but she planned on adding one. It's great to have such a wonderful group of ladies who love to create and love to share their creations. What one doesn't think of the other one will.

Queen Anne's lace is a simple yet elegant flower and I've tried to reproduce it in ecru pearl cotton. Another one of those creative friends I was discussing earlier had a picture of this and I liked it so much I just had to see how it looked in thread. Linda is always sharing something beautiful with the group.

And my last photo is my initial B. The satin stitch is not one of my favorites but I decided my quilt needed my initial.

Yesterday I spent my day making a pair of dichroic earrings with a beaded bezel. Occasionally I get in the mood to bead and set my crazy quilting aside. With that project finished I'm ready to begin working on my quilt blocks once again.