Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My First Crazy Quilt Block Completed!

Although I haven't decided what my CQ block is going to turn into, I couldn't wait to share it. It is my monthly challenge for September also, and since this is the last day of the month, I wanted to show you what I had been doing. As you recall, this is how it started...


After many hours and some ripping out and re-doing I got to this point.



Here is the completed block, mistakes and all, but I'm still pleased with it. The color is way off on the photo. It is done in very soft colors. Some sections I could easily convince myself to rip out and redo, but then I would never finish it, so it is what it is. I know I am all over the place with the colors on the photos. The sections that appear gray/blue above are kind of a soft, grayed teal. The first photo is probably the closest in color overall and the close-ups shown toward the bottom aren't too far from accurate. Of course, then there is the issue of how they appear on your monitor. OK, that subject is dropped. TMI!





The white piece of lace shown below seemed to abruptly end, so I added a couple of stitches so it appeared to taper off more. I would like to have done the butterflies a little more delicately, but after ripping them out once and redoing them I decided to move on. Otherwise I would never finish since they were the first embellishment I added.




I am really happy with my dragonfly. It's wings are made of leaves from a piece of lace and the rhinestone body was salvaged from an old dress I had purchased.




I'm pretty pleased with my little spider too. It is made from pearls retrieved from an old necklace. The legs are made of bugle beads. I stitched two of them together and close together so they are dimensional.




The white flower is an added piece. I have added a lot of beads to my stitching because I love the sparkle and finished look they give.




I added a lot of stitching over the shiny white fabric. It was the only area I used this fabric and it needed toned down just a bit in my opinion.




The cream colored patch near the center looked pretty plain and uninteresting to me, so I embroidered diamonds over it and added little pearl seed beads where the threads intersection. I then did little pearly loops along one edge.



I love the look of ribbon embroidery, so I added some floral clusters using silk ribbons.



This final photo was taken in the sunlight and shows the dimension. Another floral cluster is shown on the lower portion of the photo. In the center of the white flower is a really fun silver dimensional button that really shines although that is hard to see here. You can maybe see it a little better in the photo below this one.




AND...


I came home from work today to find a package. I WON Marie's giveaway at http://spunbyme.blogspot.com/! A box full of lace is like the perfect thing! Thanks Marie. There are some beautiful pieces that I can't wait to use!

16 comments:

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

Oh, WOW, Connie, this is absolutely beautiful! Indeed a labor of love, so much detail!!!

I saw where you had won Marie's box of lace, you lucky, lucky girl!!!!! I'm a wee bit green with envy, tee hee, but then I didn't get my name in either, LOL

xxoo

Terri Gordon said...

Hi Connie, Your work is just beautiful. You are so talented. Thank you for sharing, I love the vintage look and all the details that you used. Just amazing. Have a wonderful day. Terri

Blondie's Journal said...

This is just a gorgeous piece of work, Connie. I love it. How talented you are!!

XO,
Janie

Gerry Krueger said...

Go girl....that is fabulous for your first block...heck for any block! I'm impressed!! Gerry K.
http://olderrose.blogspot.com

Kim B said...

That turned out so fantastic!!! Have a great friday,
Hugs,
Kim

marie said...

Hi Connie,
I'm so glad you received your giveaway prize and that you like it. The lace has found a perfect home. Please let me know when you use soem of it in your lovely creations.
This block is beautiful. I've never done crazy quilting but this piece inspires me to give it a try someday!! Love it!

Pat Winter Gatherings said...

You are a CQ natural girl! Love the entire block, and your first? Amazing! The dragonfly is perfect, love the pearl spider too. After working on this, are you addicted?
Congrats on the lace win, it will come in handy!!!!
Smiles,
Pat

Anonymous said...

Connie, this is just beautiful! I love it all and adore the bugs! Just fabulous!

Laurie said...

Wow Woman! This is so pretty, I can tell you have the bug now and won't be able to stop! You're a natural at this, it shows in your beautiful work!

Mosaic Magpie said...

Connie,
So glad you posted these close up photos! I can really see all the great detail. Now I see the butterflies you were talking about. Such gorgeous SRE, you did a great job.
Debbie

saltbox
treasures
said...

Just gorgeous! So many details!
~ Julie

Wildflowerhouse said...

Connie, this is absolutely beautiful. I love the colors especially. The spider and dragonfly wow. You asked at the beginning what you should do with the finished block. Well this is your first and so beautiful, I think you should frame it. Really it is a keepsake.

allie aller said...

Wow, you sure took to this fast!
Your first block is just beautiful....

Kim B said...

Connie,
I was just relooking at this and all the details with your embellishing this. Did you read a book or is this just coming naturally to you? I dont even know what stitch or where to begin :)

Me! said...

Wow! That is simply gorgeous! Simply gorgeous!
~Debbi

Joan - South Island, New Zealand. said...

What beautiful work. Lovely to see.