A forest of pins

I've been busy trying to complete my challenge piece for Tangled Textiles.   I had written about the process here and here and here.  I've added some embroidery and done some cedar boughs with free motion stitching.  I just need to wash away the stabilizer on the cedar boughs.

I had already done some of these, but forgot to pin the boughs down.  I ended up with a jumble of thread.  Each needle on the bough had to be pinned down.  Looks like a forest of pins, doesn't it?

Reveal day is November 24th so I still have a day or two left.  The quilting and binding still need to be done.  I'd best get going.  Stop by to see the end result.

Thread University

I'm finally able to get to the project envelopes I've received from Superior threads.  They have set up a "university" in which various "courses" give you the opportunity to try out the various threads that they have to offer.  I love their sense of humour.  They've named their courses "Course 101, Course 102", etc. just like the listings in some university course calendars.  I've completed the first three and have been left with these envelopes to work through.

Course 101 gave me a chance to work with their Razzle Dazzle brand.  A bit of bobbin work and I ended up with these cute little coasters.

Course 102 involved a bit of thread painting with Superior's line of Rainbow thread.  The project this time, in addition to the thread, provided card stock to produce a fabric inspired greeting card.  Using some of my own fabric, I was able to create this card.

Here are a couple detail shots.

 

The next one, Course 103, sent along a spool of King Tut thread along with instructions and pattern for creating a pincushion.  The thread was used for decorative stitching; the suede for the ears was also supplied by Superior.  So what do you think of the little hedgehog?

Now I'm working on completing the next course which includes Fusible Thread and Monopoly filament.  I'll post the resulting project when it's done.  In the meantime, why not check out Superior University, and give it a try.  You have nothing to loose and spools of thread to gain.

Till the next time, if I stitch fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise?

Thread painting is done!!!

Remember I posted here about doing some thread painting on a quilt for my Guild's show.

I was so worried about taking that initial stitch and then when I actually got started, I just couldn't stop.  Here are some more close ups of the work that I did. 

This was the flower petal and the next picture is of one of the leaves.  I was using Sulky 40 weight rayon thread and ended up using 3 different yellows on just this flower petal.

 

This is another one of part of the flower.  sorry for the blurry picture, but I still haven't figured out the proper macro setting on my camera.

So here is a full shot of one of the flowers on the quilt,

 

and here is the full shot of the quilt.  Oh ... that little purple thing hanging on the right side....Yah, uh huh it's a ribbon alright!  I couldn't believe it.

This quilt taught me a good lesson.  Don't let fear stand in the way of trying a creative technique that you haven't tried before.  To say it another way...Just become something is difficult doesn't mean you stop trying, it just means you try harder.

Thread, Thread and more Thread

Just a quick post while I'm taking a break.  My Guild is having a quilt show October 20 and 21, 2012 and I have been FMQing like a mad woman trying to finish a quilt that is registered for the show.

Here is a peek at the thread painting that I've been doing, but I'm not so sure that it's looking very good.

These are close ups because some members from my Guild may be lurking and I'd like to be able to reveal this at the show.  If you are in the neighbourhood, do come by and see the show.  There are going to be over 100 quilts on display, a merchant's mall and tea room.  Come join us!