Sunday 6 March 2011

Coming up for air...

It has been some weeks since I last posted, but until last weekend I had been unable to put needle into fabric due to my workload. But... all the marking is now done - well, until April 7th anyway and now I am catching up with the housework, gardening, stitching and just life in general!

Even Hamish was wondering whether he would ever get fed? Hey, remember me...?

And at times pointedly reminded me that he did still exist by jumping onto my work table and then sat and stared at me until he got his way. He knows he is not allowed on the tables etc, so he also knew that this was one of the quickest ways of attracting my attention, which he certainly knows how to do!


Beyond the Cherry Trees Album Quilt



I finished another block earlier this morning. This one I struggled with, not necessarily with the techniques required (although I do need to practise my reverse applique!), but with the colour combinations, especially the flower spray, which went through several re-incarnations, and the two side flowers which I have done in the purple fabrics which I will also be using in the centre block on the grape vine. This block is central and just above the centre block so hopefully the purple will blend in.
I completed the centre flower first by stitching all the layers together in the hand i.e. off the background, and so this, along with the material for the vase, formed the foundation for the entire block. I became a little worried that the centre flower would come to dominate the block, but I think with the red flowers on the vase material, plus the strong colours above and on each side, I think it all blends in well together.
Since looking at this photograph, I note that some of my curves are not as smooth as I would like, which I suspect was not helped by the fact that I had initially stitched it to the wrong side of my background fabric, so I will revisit it and tidy them up at a later date, but for now it is as good as done! I have three more blocks prepared and ready to stitch, so hopefully it will not be too long before my next blog.
Have a good week!






4 comments:

  1. Your Cherry Trees block is beautiful, Fiona! I don't think the center flower dominates at all. It's as you said - the strong colors scattered around the block keep any element from dominating in my eyes.

    Gwen (my cat) wants to know if she can meet Hamish. She says he's really cute.

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  2. I think it is a beautiful block. I love your fabric choices. I am also happy to finally see Hamish as I have heard about him before and wondered what he looked like.

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  3. Love it. Your beautiful softer colours are beautifuuly balanced. Still haven't started my cherry trres but hope to do so soon!!

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  4. Very pretty block - I like your vase fabric too. I finished this one last week, and am now three behind...I think you are too critical of your lovely work - thank you for sharing!

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