More Little Red Baskets...

Here are the rest of the little red baskets for the small quilt I’m making. The fabrics are all Daiwabo taupes.  I think they're looking really cute and they are super fast!  Using the prepared edge technique for appliqué, it only takes a couple of hours to do one of the more complicated baskets.  The easy ones are even faster!   Once the appliqué is finished, it's on to the fun part -- embellishment.  The basket above makes use of some lovely Mokuba organdy flowers that I dyed.  The ribbon bow is a lovely taupey color called "twig" from Mary Jo Hiney Designs.  The feather stitch on the basket is done in silk floss from Gloriana Threads in "alpine taupe" and "dried roses."  I am always fascinated by the names for colors!

This basket has a more minimalist design and looks a bit Native American to me.

This basket features what my husband calls "whirly flowers."  They are done in Gloriana 4mm ribbon, "dried roses."  The Queen Ann's lace is Gloriana silk flass in "gilded pink" and Thread Gatherer's "honeysuckle white."

The simplicity of this little basket is sweet.

This one is a bit on the fancy side.  The flowers are 7mm ribbon from Gloriana in "gilded ink"  and Mary Jo Hiney in "floribunda."  In the style of Japanese quilters, I used French knots to highlight the handles and upper rim of the basket.  The Japanese quilters will put French knots in abundance just about anywhere to achieve a beautiful outlined look!

Stay tuned for the little quilt top all put together -- it's coming soon!

In the meantime, March Madness is a big deal at my house. Although my husband was briefly unhappy that his Kentucky Wildcats didn't make it to the big dance this year, we're happy to have a great team to cheer to victory -- the University of Miami!  GO 'CANES!!!

Little Red Baskets

Several months ago, I began working on some little red basket blocks inspired by Japanese design and fabrics.  Now that I'm home from Appliqué Academy, I've had time to get back to them. There's this gorgeous large leafy print with Queen Anne's Lace flowers that I've been saving for a dramatic border and it is the inspiration for the colors in these little blocks.  More on that later when I have the rest of the blocks embellished.  In the meantime, here are the baskets I've finished with embroidered flower embellishments.

All nine blocks are appliquéd.  They were very fast -- gotta love that!  The blocks will finish at six inches and there will be a total of nine blocks in the little quilt top.  I'm planning to bite the bullet and actually hand quilt this little piece myself.  Wish me luck!

In quilting news, be sure to check out Tresa Jones' new blog:

        Baltimore on the Prairie

It's full of inspiration and reflects Tresa's positive, giving nature. 

And here's something to make you laugh:  Stella seems to think she's top dog.  Probably because she is!

Here in Florida, it feels like Spring is just around the corner.  As we head into that magical time of transitioning from one season to the next, I wish you gorgeous days with time spent stitching something you love!

Fun at Appliqué Academy!!!

Elly Sienkiewicz and I are standing in front of my quilt, "Love's Horizon,"
a valentine for my niece, Emerson.  It was expertly quilted by Anita Shackelford.

I spent this past week in my version of quilter’s heaven at The Elly Sienkiewicz Appliqué Academy.  This was my second year as a faculty member and it was a blast!  My students were all devoted needle artists focused on learning new skills and working on their beautiful blocks. And we had lots of fun.

Our project for the two-day add a day class was "Nature's Gifts."  We focused on completing the cornucopia, making at least one stuffed ribbon rose, and constructing the bird's nest.

By the morning of the second day, the cornucopias are underway and we had
made a padded rose and the bird's nest.  Claudia (kneeling in front) holds her
nest, ready to appliqué to the block.

Our project for the main conference was "Miss Lucy's Garden."  In this class, we focused on weaving our baskets and stitching them to the background, constructing at least one padded ribbon rose, a rosebud and calyx, and leaves and stems in one section.

A happy group, well on their way with their own versions of "Miss Lucy's Garden."

I can't say enough about the wonderful women who were in both classes.  They were kind and generous, focused and fun, and they laughed at my bad jokes.  Their energy was inspiring to me.  Elly and Bette, the conference administrator, outdid themselves again presenting the conference.  All in all, it was an amazing experience.

On a more personal note, Appliqué Academy was a healing time for me as well, because stitching and teaching and being with friends is comforting.  Before I left  for Williamsburg, our beloved dog, Carrie, who would have turned 10 on March 1st, died suddenly.  She was the poet of our three dogs, very sensitive and attuned to us, the gentle one.  She was the smart one, too.  She loved coffee and almonds and knew the moment you left either within her reach.  Our sweet dog... we are all adjusting to the vacant spaces she has left in our home and in our hearts.

Sweet Carrie