Monday, May 21, 2012

Rainy Day and Seam Shells

It was a beautiful weekend here in Maryland.

Made better by exceptional weather, the fact that I had time to finish up the seam treatments on my shell block...and, as if that wasn't enough, an unexpected gift from my BNF (blogging needle friend), Shirlee Fassell.

An envelope containing vintage crochet shell trim from her stash and shell buttons she'd found at the Brimfield Antiques show...


I was thrilled! The package came in Saturday's mail and, before I'd even finished my lunch, I ripped out the old trim and inserted this new one. Perfection!

Lucky for all of us, Shirlee has a blog where she shares her embroidery talent. I've posted about her award-winning crazy quilt which I had the honor of photographing once...you can read that post here. And you can follow Shirlee's magical work with a Luneville hook on her blog here...She's been to Paris THREE times to study at Ecole Lesage and is returning in July for another lesson. Her work is exquisite.

As for me, I'm doing my best to get five more blocks completed for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project. I haven't gotten off to the best of starts given the fact that I've only completed one if the first four months!  Let's see, I finished January's block in Spring so if I finish this one before Fall, that will be an improvement.  

Ever the optimist, I believe I can still make six by August. It means lots of stitching between now and then but, with Jack working as a lifeguard this Summer, I hope to have a little more time to myself. 

Here's where the block stands today after Shirlee's gift...


Just some simple seams to start. I tend to layer embellishments as I go so I'd rather wait to add complexity to the seams.  Waiting ensures that I don't waste threads and beads on something that is going to get covered up.  Plus, it allows me to reserve color/texture/bead selections until the design is further along.  Next up is a red sea fan.

We're having one of those drenching Spring rains where the all the green glows in the gray light...Speaking of rain, did you see Allie's finished quilt, Rainy Spring...?  It captures that glowing-rainy-green-feeling beautifully...

Good Monday everyone!

14 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Wow, that shell trim is perfection and what a timely gift too! I am blocking along, but then, I am not creating art. But I am telling my story.

Lilli said...

Dear Susan, I love your fantastic work!!! Thank you very much for your wonderful blog!
Lilli

gracie said...

Great trim and the buttons! I always intend to ask, do you hand stitch your pieces togehter or machine stitch all your seams?

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Wonderful additions to your exquisite piece. What a gift to receive.

Your work as always is inspiring.

Happy creating ~ FlowerLady

Suztats said...

This is a wonderful base on which to build, and the lace is perfect! I shall be watching for more lovely stitching.

Vicky aka Stichr said...

you will be covering up the grass so i better speak up now...

oh the grass...i love the grass.

ok, i spoke up.

Wendy said...

How wonderful to have a friend that sends such wonderful trim and buttons! The trim looks so pretty on your block.

Don't feel bad about being slow. I am hoping to have six completed by August also. My muse has been so slow with this project.

Rachel said...

Yes, a very appropriate trim - it's already coming together beautifully!

Createology said...

How wonderful to have friends who share and just the perfect embellishments at just the right time. Love the shell lace edging and soft pink buttons. Shellicious...

Judy S. said...

What a great surprise! I'm dying to know what's going to go in that white sort-of triangle. Beautiful work, as always!

kaiteM said...

So very feminine in that genteel olde worlde sort of way, quite lovely. A fabulous gift from your friend, it was made for that space.

Gerry Krueger said...

SIX by August????? I fainted on the floor

Catherine said...

Such pretty goodies from Shirlee! Looking forward to the red sea fan!

Catherine said...

Such pretty goodies from Shirlee! Looking forward to the red sea fan!

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