Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

It's been awhile since my last post.  Been walkin' a bit on the wild side.  Lots of stuff going on in my life.  My oldest son is graduating with an Associates degree on May 13.  My daughter is starting Dental Assistant school on May 31, even with 5 children.  My middle son has just escaped a major layoff due to sale of the company he works for.  I am in the process of going back to work.  Like I said, just a bit wild around here. 

Been working a lot in my sewing room but not too many finishes to show you.  I did get the Patriotic Denim center sewn together.  Not what I originally planned, couldn't work in the white stars, but I still like it.  I have an idea for the borders, but Flit has to play around with the idea for a bit before I know if it will work.  Here is where it stands now.
It is so heavy, I've really been debating whether I should even add borders.  But it is only big enough for a twin size bed and I need it to be queen size.  So borders it is!

Finished this piece of embroidery.  Started it months ago but got bored doing the sky.  It only took me an hour to complete.
I really hadn't intended to do so much stitching on this piece, but I tried one thing, liked it and that led to another.  Just one of those kinds of things, you know?

That's it for new projects.  I thought you might like to see some very old ones.  When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I got hooked on crewel embroidery kits.  One of my favorite motifs was Jacobean design.  I had a new apartment.  Need I say more?  I just pulled these out and washed them up.  Some are in pretty bad shape due to age and the fact they had been pillows on my sofa.  Not sure what to do with them now.  Have a look.



 Can you tell which ones were used as pillows?  The next two were supposed to be framed and hung.  Never happened but they are in much better shape.  You could probably date the lion, LOL.

This next piece was finished only a few years ago.
You can see that I still love Jacobean designs.  You can also tell, if you look at the back, that my skills have improved a lot.  Here is an early back.
Here is a recent back.
I have lots of these kits, some started and some not even open.  I want to finish each and every one, so I am thinking, once I go back to work, that I may choose one and work on it a bit each day during breaks.  Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Love from Liri

16 comments:

  1. The denim quilt is looking great. How about more blocks instead of borders? (But I know how heavy denim quilts get!) The embroidery is wonderful. And after seeing your "early" back, I guess I should feel better...I'm still in the very early learning stages and mine look only a teensy bit better than that one! (If they ever get as good as your "recent" one, I'll jump for joy!) Could you frame some of the more favorite pieces and hang them over the sofa they used to sit on?

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  2. Oh my gosh -- all of your embroidery is absolutely amazing!! The lion is adorable, I love the pansies, and the recently finished one is just beautiful. I love the Patriotic Denim top, too.

    I hope everything goes well for your kids, and you too.

    Sandy

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  3. Your embroidery is wonderful. I love that one thing led to another with that recent piece with the wagon and barn :) It looks lovely. You're making great progress on the denim quilt.

    Good luck to you and all the grown up kids with the carreer changes!

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  4. Busy you andf busy family. The denim quilt is looking so good. I really have to figure out what to do with all my denim.
    The crewel embroidery is just beautiful. Your stitching is amazing. I sure would keep every bit and find a way to use them.
    Stitching a bit every day sounds like a good plan to get some of your new pieces done.

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  5. Your quilt looks wonderful but the embroidery is stunning to say the least , wow I am really really impressed and the back could be the front on the newer work ,just amazing!

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  6. I love the embroidery! I've only done a couple crewel stitcheries, but I have a pair of lovely florals that my sister made. She made 2 sets of them, so she has one set also. I don't have mine hanging up any more, because quilts have taken over. Will you be working full time? That will cut into your sewing time a lot!

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  7. Your denim quilt top looks great! I know it is heavy but it will look wonderful. All of your stitching looks so good. I use to do crewel, then got into cross stitch, now I am busy with quilts! I enjoy doing a little embroidery on quilt blocks. Your are gorgeous!

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  8. I think I've told you before, but if I could embroider like you do, I'd give up quilting! Your work is gorgeous! The denim patriotic quilt is beautiful too! Hope you find time to continue all your stitching somehow when you go to work. Best wishes to all the familly too in their endeavors. ---"Love"

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  9. What a lot of gorgeous sewing. Your work is wonderful.

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  10. Oh my Liri, you are such an accomplished needlewoman. Your embroideries are stunning! The denim quilt is fabulous. How will you quilt it if it's so heavy? Ann :-)

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  11. You have been keeping busy! Hey, I am having a big yard sale at my house Saturday May 7, yes that's tomorrow. I have tons of stuff, folk art, textiles, hooked rugs, housewares. Cleaned out closets, attic, cupboards. Email for address if you are inclined to come.

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  12. Yes I love Jacobean embroidery too. It is because my embroidery is so unneat that I do digitized machine embroidery- your backs could be used as fronts- they are lovely too!

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  13. Your embroidery is fantastic. The filled in work is just too slow for me even though it looks fantastic when finished. Good luck with the job.

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  14. I just happen to drop by on your blogg and had to write a little note to say what beautiful hand work you have done. The backs are every bit as lovely as the fronts. Good luck to you and your family.

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  15. If you decide to sell the Pink lion crewel embroidery I would like to buy it. My email is noelle.1@charter.net.

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  16. i love that lion!!! I want it! If you ever decide to sell, let me know at bcullen123@rocketmail.com

    Thanks!

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