Saturday, July 4, 2015

Crazy Quilt Owl Block

I created an owl block at the request of Pamela Kellogg for her Autumn 2015 magazine publication.  I was so excited, yet nervous, when she asked me to do one.  She only asked that it be in fall colors and include an owl and maybe fall leaves.  That gave me a good starting point yet left me lots of room to play.  I thought I would share the full block along with some close-ups with you now since she has made the cover public.

Final Completed Owl Block

For those of you who did not see the announcement, below is the image of the cover of her upcoming magazine featuring my block.  The magazine will be available August 1 which is just around the corner.  Her blog is http://www.kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/ where you will find some beautiful work and a link to order this magazine or her previous publications.  Click HERE.

Final block used for Pamela Kellogg's publication

Planning my block:

Since the main subject of the block was to be an owl I had to first decide how I wanted to incorporate the owl.  Options included doing an outline stitch or use an embroidery pattern stitched directly onto the block, find a silky with an owl feature, paint an owl onto fabric, or (the option which I chose) to stitch onto felt.  I actually chose the latter because I have wanted to try this technique and because the icon could then be moved around to find a favorable placement.  The other options were pretty permanent once stitched.  I cut out a silhouette of an owl I had drawn to check the size and play with placement.

Planning owl size and placement
Here is the owl which I stitched, both front and back.

My final stitched owl

The back side of stitched owl (not so pretty)
Below is the placement I chose at which point I began adding decorative embroidery stitches.

Placement of owl
I then used some leaves from a silk flower arrangement to decide on leaf placement before I actually stitched them in place.  I sort of wish I would have used the same technique for the leaves that I used on the owl...but I didn't.  I think they would have showed better and I would have had more options for placement.

Planning placement of leaves
At this point (below) I had all the seams treated and the owl, branch and leaves stitched.  I could have called it done at that point, but kept thinking it looked a bit blah and uninteresting.

Completed version one
So I kept going...here are some close-ups:

seam close-up

Seam close-up

Button cluster and owl close-up

Close-up

Spider and web close-up

Trailing vine close-up


Shibouri ribbon floral

This was my first attempt at using Shibouri ribbon.  The colors were perfect and I love the texture and dimension it adds.  Below again is the completed block.  I was glad I continued to add details as I think it adds so much more interest without taking away from the focal point, don't you?

Finished block

Although this wasn't part of my CQJP 2015 journey, I learned new things and I will definitely use the stitched felt technique on future blocks.  I will also use the Shibouri ribbon again.  Now to figure out what to do with the block!

10 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Now I can't wait for my issue to come so I can see even more of your work! Congratulations on being the 'cover girl' - isn't it fun?!!

margaret said...

This is a glorious block and you have stitched the owl perfectly. Was amazed how owl like the back was too. So many other bits to see and admire and certainly it deserves a place on the front cover, we all know you are the Queen of craziness, must check in on Pat`s blog more often, have got lazy lately

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Gosh this is such a beautiful block. Perfect fabric selections and the owl is gorgeous. thanks for posting your thoughts while creating it. can't wait til the next issue is published.
xx, Carol

Createology said...

Autumn Owl CQ block is stunning. Each element you added is just perfect. Your amazing stitching prowess is quite evident here and you have superseded the challenge you were given. Creative CQ Bliss...

crazyQstitcher said...

Congratulations for being on the cover of the magazine.
Your Owl is so beautifully stitched and natural looking. I love every element you added.
Autumn is my favourite season, for the colour it brings.

Laurie said...

Wow!! That is beyond gorgeous Connie! It rightfully deserves the cover! Going through the photo's of how you put this together, I could only dream of being this talented!! Beautiful!!!!!!

Renee said...

Connie, your owl is amazing and your block is fabulous! Such a gorgeous, gorgeous block!

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

Thank you ladies for the nice comments. I really do appreciate them. I enjoyed doing the block but am glad the pressure is off now. I always get so worried about what to do and think about everything that could go wrong. It's in my DNA ~ lol.

SuperMomNoCape said...

Your stitched owl is amazing! As is the rest of the block. I love all the details you added. Congratulations on having it featured on the cover.

I host a weekly Stitchery Link Party for all things hand embroidered and I'd love to have you come link up this post so that my readers can come see and enjoy it too.

FredaB said...

Connie you have done an exquisite block for the Fall cover. The stitching on the owl is very impressive.

A plus for your work.

Hugs