Make It Right Challenge – Follow Up

A while ago I submitted this quilt for the Make It Right Challenge.  The idea was to use Angela Walter’s Textures panel and Art Gallery solids to create an original design.  The winners were announced here.  You should visit if only to see the first place winner.  It was pretty darn awesome!

My quilt shown here was chosen for Best Use of Color!  I was seriously excited.  There were some wonderful projects submitted so it was an honor to place in this group.

Last week I came home to a box by the front door.  There were some seriously wonderful goodies inside. Take a look.

Included is Quilter’s Dream batting which is what I have been using lately.  It truly is a dream to quilt with.  I have a piece of their wool batting that I will be trying in the near future.

The ‘pink’ fabrics are Art Gallery Nature Elements and there are fat quarters of Angela Walter’s Textures.  I’m actually working on a medallion quilt using Textures, cranberry tones, and other coordinating fabrics.  These are going to come in handy.

There’s a signed copy of In The Studio by Angela Walters.  Sweet!  I have both of her books already.  They are my go-to when trying to decide on quilting designs or just to play.  I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to play with free motion quilting.  My copy, which isn’t signed, is going to my niece who is just learning FMQ.  The signed copy I’m keeping!  I got to meet Angela at Quilt Con when I took two of her workshops and she is not only extremely talented, but a total sweetheart.

Then there is a Bari J Splendor Aurifil set.  Love it!  I’ve been wanting to try both the 28 weight and the new embroidery floss Aurifil just came out with.  This set is the 28 weight thread in some gorgeous colors.  I started doodling with it and they are great to work with.

 

 

Lighter than DMC embroidery floss, but it shows up really well in embroidery designs.  I can definitely see how this would be fun to hand quilt when you want the thread to show.   There was no tangling and it laid on the fabric beautifully.

Craftsy.com 

Not shown above is the coupon included for a free Craftsy class.  I’m a huge Craftsy fan.  I have taken loads of quilting and sewing classes from them and have found them to be a fantastic value.  I’ve been wanting to take the Tilton’s t-shirt class for a while and took advantage with this coupon I received.

So that was my early Christmas present.  😀

So much fun!

 

 

Enjoying a giveaway courtesy of SewSweetness and Lark Crafts

I recently won a copy of New Crewel: The Motif Collection by Katherine Shaughnessy, courtesy of SewSweetness and Lark Crafts.  It uses relatively simple designs to show different stitches and techniques.  I really want to create a collage of the designs and give crewel a try.  My mother had done many different forms of needlework when I was growing up and I can remember some of the crewel pieces she completed.  I’ve only done cross stitch and embroidery and haven’t touched it in years!

This book inspired me to pick up embroidery again since I had many of the supplies on hand.  I started with an iron on design that allowed me to try a few different stitches.  When I started I told my daughter she could give it a try and she completed the red flower when I wasn’t looking.  Don’t believe Cumin has red flowers.  LOL.  I am using DMC Pearl Cotton #8 and #5 thread and playing with stitches and textures on this one.

I actually completed most of Cumin during a trip to Florida and luckily had created a template for the bird piece below.  I found this design on NeedleCrafter.com.  They have a huge selection of embroidery designs.  Once I had finished Cumin, I started this in red.  I felt much more comfortable by the time I started this piece and think I will like it once finished.  I am using DMC Pearl Cotton #8 thread.

I had really wanted to do this alphabet sampler, but could not get it transferred on this fabric.  It is Robert Kaufman’s Essex Linen in Camel.  I tried tracing carbon, which didn’t show, and then tried the transfer pen on a reversed design that should iron on.  That didn’t work.  I’m still trying to find a way to get this to transfer.  It just occurred to me to mark permanent design on organza and then use a blue quilting pen through the organza onto the fabric.  I will have to give it a try.

I found the alphabet sampler on SublimeStitching.com and thought it would allow me to try a great assortment of stitches.  I’m looking forward to working on it.

There are so many wonderful giveaways online.  I want to thank SewSweetness and Lark Crafts for offering New Crewel.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to trying a collage of the patterns offered.

So, what about you, are there any embroidery or crewel books or resources you really enjoy?  And if you have a reliable transfer method that address my problem here, feel free to share!  I would love the tip.