June flowers and a fallen willow

By on 10-29-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

A very pretty ground cover grows under our Chinese elm tree. The variegated leaves below the flowers gives the photo a painted look….the photo was taken from above in the shade of the elm.

flowering ground cover

This wild asparagus plant has been growing for over 40 years. We had a little dog that used to seek it out and chomp it down as quickly as it could grow, she loved it. It grows into this huge tall fern every year and this year it has numerous blossoms.

wild asparagus flower

These little bells give a misty quality to the photo, so many different shades of green.

fallen elm

Our weeping willow still has one living side, for how long I don’t know….it is one of my favourite trees. It is over 40 years old as well. Poor old tree has been hit several times by lightning, lost large limbs during the ice storm in 1998 and the half that is missing was blown down during a winter wind storm. It would make a good subject for a landscape quilt.

An old fashioned girl and boy to embroider

By on 10-29-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

What a great pair these two make. As pillows they could adorn a young girl’s bed. They were published in the McCall’s Iron On Transfers, Volume V, Memory Lane book.

old fashioned girl

Embroidered on muslin, the girl in pink and the boy in blue, they would be very traditional. They could also be used as a quilt pattern, the girl with a pastel pink dress, hat and shoes, the boy in a royal blue suit with embroidered gold buttons. I think they would be fun on a quilt with the fronts on the top of the quilt and the backs on the bottom.

old fashioned boy

They could also be reduced to a 6″ size and worked in redwork to join with others in a quilt or quilted in red dress and suit for Christmas pillows to decorate the couch during the holiday.

Embroidery patterns….one for the new baby and the other for the man in your life

By on 10-29-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

baby embroidery

This embroidery pattern for ‘baby’ was published in the McCall’s Iron On Transfer Book, Volume V. Wouldn’t it look sweet on the ‘overflap’ of a baby’s blanket? What a great way to show off your needlework skills along with your latest addition.

deer

Another embroidery from the McCall’s Iron On Transfer Book, Volume II….A full sized deer with a youngster. They would be perfect on a dark background in a man’s den or even dad’s chair. I can also see them on a whole cloth quilt or a Christmas table cloth.

Fantasy Quilt….”Camelot rising through a misty dawn”

By on 10-29-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

Camelot in a misty dawn

Another challenge quilt with the Valerie Hearder Landscape Quilt Yahoo Group….what fun to do. The willow in the quilt was created in honour of our fallen weeping willow. It fell so hard this winter it has ‘drilled’ itself into the winter earth. I created the willow branches using untwisted poly/cotton strands. I tripled a strand, tied a knot in one end and then sewed each strand by hand onto the tree trunk. It took over 14 hours of work. I also couched the strands down with matching thread to keep the branches from spreading outside the working area. Although it was time consuming I think it was very successful….it does look like a willow tree. I also used ribbons, chain link, lace, crocheted cord, beads as well as watercolour pencils to add to the ‘fairytale’ look of the quilt.

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do…….

By on 10-29-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

These vintage cyclists are too cute ! They are more patterns published in the McCall’s Iron On Transfers, Volume V, Memory Lane book. Blue or black work on a white background and framed would stand out on any wall along with a shadow portrait or two.

vintage lady on bike

In my mind I can see this couple updated and appliqued onto a homespun pillow top along with embroidery for the faces and bikes, resting on a wicker patio love seat. What fun !

vintage man on bike