CQI Winter/Christmas DYB RR - Barbara's Block embellished by Renee |
Below, you can see the block as a beautiful blank canvas.
Barbara's Block before embellishment. |
Looking back at my sketch, I believe this is the most I have actually stuck to the original idea. (In the end, I added three angels in the upper-left corner and did not stitch in the metallic silver stars I had planned on.)
Santa and Teddy Bear - pattern from 501 Cross-Stitch Designs by Sam Hawkins |
In early July, I picked up a copy of 501 Cross-Stitch Designs by Sam Hawkins at Goodwill for a whopping $3.99. It includes a chapter titled, "50 Santa Designs" and 3 of those designs would fit patches on this block. I chose Santa on his sleigh because I thought it would go well with the reindeer trim I purchased from Evening Star Designs anticipating this round robin.
Sadly, my family could not tell what the teddy bear was until I told them. But, I just loved Santa sitting on the metallic gold sleigh.
Small pearl beads for snow finished up this section.
Beneath Santa, I did my best to make holly leaves for a border and added a red seed beads for holly berries. If you look too closely, you will see my leaves are not all the same size and shape. (I decided they are not in nature either - that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)
Tree adapted from Pencil Pine directions in Diana Lampe's book: Embroidery for All Seasons |
The gifts had me baffled. I attempted using a long and short stitch to create them. Luckily, I tried that on separate fabric first. I did not like my results. In the end, I found silky fabrics and cut them into small squares and rectangles. I ironed the edges under and stitched them onto the block with clear quilting thread. I suppose I should have used a bit of interfacing. They may have held their shape a little better.
My husband told me several times he thought I should have a red package under the tree, but I worried I may have too much red. I chose the silver and blue because the fabrics in the top corners both had blue hues to them and a couple of the fabrics included silver. I did make my husband happy by adding a 4 mm red silk ribbon to the silver package. I couched size 5 DMC metallic silver "ribbons" onto the blue packages.
Using a fishbone stitch and variegated green EdMar rayon floss, I created a seam of small pine trees to the right of the Christmas tree scene.
Barbara's Block - North Pole close up |
A single strand of white metallic floss enhanced two snowflakes on the fabric and I added a couple more for good measure.
Red and white glass seed beads treated the seam to the left of the sign. And two strands of a light blue DMC rayon floss were used to make lazy daisy and straight stitches to create bows. Clear Mill Hill petite glass seed beads (#42010) were added to the center of each bow. (This is a seam treatment I used with my Valentine's Day block. The idea came from An Encyclopedia of Crazy Quilt Stitches and Motifs by Linda Causee.)
The angel border is also from An Encyclopedia of Crazy Quilt Stitches and Motifs. It is a border I have been itching to try since I first saw it. However, I found closed blanket stitches a lot trickier than I thought they would be.
Angel seam from An Encyclopedia of Crazy Quilt Stitches and Motifs by Linda Causee |
Candy Cane button on Barbara's Block. |
Reindeer and Stars on Barbara's Block |
The gold metallic star is right-side-up when the block is right-side-up. And a scattering of the clear Mill Hill petite glass beads add sparkle for the other stars in the sky.
Wreath adapted from motif in The Silk Ribbon Embroidery Bible by Joan Gordon. |
The area needed something more; so, I added a few snowflakes using two strands of white rayon DMC floss.
Wreath adapted from motif in The Silk Ribbon Embroidery Bible by Joan Gordon. |
Thanks for visiting!
Renee
12 comments:
This Christmas block is fabulous! May I ask where you found the reindeer trim?
Thank you! I ordered the reindeer trim from Evening Star Designs (www.eveningstardesigns.net) when I ordered their Winter Challenge 2013 Kit.
so interesting!! Thanks for posting.
xx
Jenny
Love the block!!!
Love the block and really apprechiate your post and naming (and linking) the various resources. Great ideas for future blocks!
I agree with Melody - your idea of posting different parts of the block and telling us what you used and where to get it is brilliant. I may borrow it in future, if that's OK with you.
Thanks.
Thank you!
Thanks! I am looking forward to seeing more of the project you are working on. :)
Thank you! An on-line friend is wonderful about sharing resources with me that she finds inspiring. I try to do the same here with books and blogs that inspire me. I'm glad you found something you like, too!
The block is just perfect and makes me remember that Christmas is actually closer than we think! Love that you used so many different techniques to create the holiday magic. The Christmas wreath and the santa are my favorites! I'm not a fan of the reindeer trim, but don't enjoy the leave trims of the same style...so think that is why. It does certainly fit well in this specific block..so good choice! And the silver and blue packages under that wonderful Christmas tree are just perfect!
Kathy
Borrow away! When I first started blogging about my projects, I decided it would be a great way for me to record what I did and what I used in case I needed to go back to fix anything in the future or wanted to make something similar to go with it. I always worry I am being too verbose in doing so, so I am glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Kathy! As for Christmas, it certainly is sneaking up quickly. I keep thinking of the gifts I want to make and realize I need to get moving. I am looking forward to working on your blocks next!
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