Sunday, June 19, 2011

Monster Bubbles 4 + CQ

There was one quirky design from last year's JCS Ornament issue that had been on my 'to-do' list for a while. I just loved 'Four' by Monster Bubbles for the four calling birds with their pretty beaded collars. I stitched it up on a piece of 32 count linen from Vikki Clayton and then I waited for inspiration to call me so I could finish it. I decided to try something new for me and see if I could make a kind of Crazy Quilt block. I cut the stitched design into a 5-sided shape and used the sew and flip method of foundation piecing to create the block. Then I used some embroidery stitches as seam treatments... closed blanket stitch, blanket pin wheels, coral stitch, spiny chain stitch and a poor imitation of the cretan stitch. Nothing perfect like the way Pam Kellogg would do it with waste canvas. Just my eyeballing everything. And I only barely read instructions for sew and flip.. just muddled through on my own. The charm is a little heart from Blue Moon. Special thanks to Kerry for all the stitch ideas in the sidebar on her blog. This finish is going to Attic Needlework for their annual Breast Cancer fundraiser.


at

24 comments:

  1. MargaretJune 19, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Ok, that is amazing. Just stunning. I just love what you did!!! I love the design too, but the crazy quilt that you made around it. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  2. NancyJune 19, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    A gorgeous ornament Annie, and I love the way you finished it. So pretty and so creative! I think one of the most beautiful things about something handmade is the imperfections. Don't you love Monsterbubbles designs from JCS? I have a few on my to do list, but I have gotten so behind in my ornament stitching.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MelanieJune 19, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    That is FANTASTIC!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. JaneJune 20, 2011 at 1:40 AM

    That's turned out really well, you should do it again sometime. It looks fantastic

    ReplyDelete
  5. mbroiderJune 20, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Somehow the last 2 comments did not go through, LOL.

    Love your project. Both the design and the finish are beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ArchangelDeckerJune 20, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I love how you finished this off. It's so pretty! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. NickyJune 20, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    WOW that is such a cool finish! Your embroidery stitches are perfect. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  8. PumpkinJune 20, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Well I think it's fantastic Annie and very unique indeed :o) You did a perfect job on those stitches as far as I'm concerned!

    ReplyDelete
  9. geeky HeatherJune 20, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    That finish is glorious. I love that ornament as well, and I think your finish perfectly compliments the whimsical design! I love the stitches you chose for the edgings. Major kudos!

    ReplyDelete
  10. MyleneJune 20, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    You are very creative, so neatly finished...looks beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. CarolJune 20, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    What a great finish, Annie--I love those specialty stitches--they really add so much to the whole appearance! And they look pretty darn amazing to my eye :) The colors you chose to do the crazy quilt portion are just perfect--hope it brings in some big bucks for the breast cancer auction!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Liz in KansasJune 20, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    The four calling birds are adorable. You do find the neatest patterns! And I think putting them in the center of a crazy patch was inspired. As always, you've done a great job.

    ReplyDelete
  13. BrigitteJune 21, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    What a lovely ornament this is. And so beautifully and creatively finished. Wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ♥ NiaJune 21, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    I just saw your post on PPCBF blog! Great work sweetie! :D
    Very creative! I really like those seams!! :)
    Hugs&smiles to you

    ReplyDelete
  15. KarenJune 21, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I love this, Annie, it's fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gina E.June 21, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    It really is gorgeous, Annie! CQ around a focal point of cross stitching looks great; I've plans for several of my old cross stitch finishes that I can't think what to do with!

    ReplyDelete
  17. SandraJune 22, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Wow! Great finish Annie! Crazy quilting is gorgeus.

    Thanks for the link. Now that I'm experimenting with embroidery it will come handy.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnnetteJune 22, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Wow how beautifull...Love the design and your sewing skills are really beautifull!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. VinnieyJune 23, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    I love love your beautiful finish, Annie! Very nice fabric combination, love the colors. Your embroidery stitches are gorgeous. Well done! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. CalamityJrJune 23, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    That's a gorgeous finish - don't put yourself down!

    ReplyDelete
  21. KarenVJune 25, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    What a fantastic finish Annie! You're so inventive; I would never have thought of anything like that and it fits the stitched piece so perfectly. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  22. SiobhánJune 29, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    Oh my gosh!! That is amazing! I love the way you finished it--great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Terri MJune 29, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    Beautiful, Annie! WTG. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  24. NimaJuly 4, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    wow..that's lovely...i love the cq too...i have not tried yet...you have inspired me to try it

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I love to read them and really appreciate each and every one.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.