Lisa A. Fan2 RR block

I chose the center portion Lisa Alf's fan block and I finished it yesterday...

The metallic  thread I used for the butterflies picked up the glitz in Lisa's fabric just as I hoped it would..

When you view it with just one fan finished, the motif sort of overwhelmed the fan.... but when you visualize what it looks like with all the fans finished, it will be in balance.

Which way is up????

 Once I have an idea  (like the bird on Judy’s block)) I post it on the blog before I stitch so the block owner has a chance to see it and to give any input.. I wanted Judy to see what I was going to do before I actually did it. 

 

 The question arose if the placement of the bird affected the directionality of the block..  When I posted the block "on point" it looks like it might have done just that... But in actuality  it mattered not what position you put the fan..  I think it is because birds aren't "grounded" and are fluid in space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  I always try to run things by the blog owners if I’m doing anything that might need approval.. ex:  I recently contacted Lisa Alff about adding colors besides black to the center of her block... good communication never hurts.

 How you are going to use your RRs is important.  Is it going to be a gift to someone else, part of a hanging etc.  If you know this may affect what stitchers do. I speak from experience that the more explicit you are in your booklet the happier you are with the results.

 

When I get a block returned that I'm not happy with it is always because I wasn't specific enough in my little booklet about what I wanted... 

sometimes you don't know until it happens... It is never too late to add to your directions...  On the same note things can be changed as a   block goes along...or when it comes home.  My most important advice:  "Remember the last person to work on any block is the owner and we don't want her to feel guilty about any changes she makes!!!!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the pink!!!

Lisa's block has arrived... She put 4 fans on one block so since there are 5 in the RR someone gets to work the center and I am looking forward to doing it... I'm thinking flowers and butterflies and want to bring in other colors as well as use the dramatic black accent that Judy started... 

I remembered seeing a sane quilt pattern that had butterflies with fan-like wings on black which will be perfect... 
If others follow the black on the fans, the finished block should look something like this!!!   I think it will be gorgeous.  I will have to wait a week or so to start until I finish the suffrage quilt...

Judy's Block in Fans2 DYB

I am always disciplined in sticking close to the colors that the block owner has chosen...in this case lots of blues.  You can be assured that whatever you do will not disappoint them.. There are times I may want to try something wild and crazy but I do it on my own blocks to be safe...  I mention this because I have had blocks returned that will be unusable because of the colors used... When in doubt.... play it safe!!!

Fans RR2 and tip for the day

 This is my progress so far on Judy's fan block..  Her center fan section has silver in it... I seldom get to use silver so I had lots of silver treasures to use...  As you can see I stuck to her colors of blue and white... You can never go wrong building on the colors already in a block.












But at this point I want to introduce another color and it will probably be pink or yellow...

Judy said she'd like a spider web and I can do that at the bottom and although she didn't ask for a bird, I can never resist adding one.

Tip for the day:  So you have to do a seam on a very busy pattern and you know it will just disappear.  Well this is the perfect time to stack chain stitches together..2 or more layers. They will hold their own against any pattern..... I guarantee it.

Quick RR Tune Up and My Two Cents..

 

 Susan B. joined a "Butterflies & Dragonflies" RR and she came up with this innovative design for her block... a lace butterfly within a silk butterfly..
So obviously the block was to return encrusted with lots of butterflies and dragonflies... and it did.

We all like to add to our blocks when they come home so Susan and I were discussing what she could do to finish the block off... But at first glance I felt the metal dragonfly at the top must go... It just didn't fit with the rest of the needle work..

It is my personal policy that anything I remove from a block either goes somewhere else on the block OR goes into a special bag to be used on another block in the future.  I'm sure there will be the perfect place for that dragonfly...

Then I studied the block a bit before I touched what was missing...  The lace butterfly was well embellished and had a body.

But the large butterfly had lost its definition as a butterfly...  All butterflies need a body. This one needed a spectacular body to anchor the entire composition.

Susan's large butterfly has this  void in its center where a body should be.  And the two pink leaves were lost at the bottom of the wings.  I felt they needed to be integrated into the overall design somehow...

With all the lovely floral and ribbon work, what a perfect opportunity to give this butterfly a body worthy of a Paris fashion runway...

So by expanding and building on the existing work, a gorgeous body could be added with just adding a lot more pink floral and lace work..  I moved the two pieces of pink lace leaves and integrated them into the floral cluster.  At the same time I would use either pink cording or ribbon to add some swirls to echo the fancy antenna at the head...  Other than moving the two lace leaves, no one's needle work has been disturbed.

And that is my................

Don't overlook black!

When you're laying out colors for a project it is easy to overlook black as your accent color.  I was reminded of that again today when Sharon Boggon posted her new CQJP project.  Not only is there black in the focus fabric in the center, the black and pink braid is a stunning addition... I can hardly wait to see this stitched.

I post about Sharon often so you've probably already looked at her famous "I dropped the button box" quilt.. I know I urged you recently to check out her colors combinations but now go again and see how often she uses black as an accent color... especially  with gold , beige , and brown.

The crazy quilter who, in my opinion, uses black most effectively and with great drama is Maureen Greeson.
She also does the most elegant ribbon work.. You must browse her blog just to see her ribbon flowers.

Maureen's work
















Maureen's work.  There is great simplicity and elegance in everything Maureen does..

This is lovely block of black and pink is by Pam Kellogg... Pam is starting a new series of online classes where you pay by the class,  She posted her schedule on her blog today. She is a master at intricate and unique seams and has her own method of using waste canvas to do them.

And don't think that it's only with  pink where black is fun.... it can be dramatic with any color... This a RR block done years ago by Jo Newsham and the beautiful seam work was done by Leslie Ehrlich.

It can be easy being green

 You may  have a problem getting 3-4 shades of green to blend well together but you can't go wrong using 12-15 shades of green...  I'm repeating a 2010 post because it addresses this problem and directly relates to the [previous post.

(2010): Cheryl A. brought this green block to show me when we were in CT for the CQ Adventure... It is from a tone-on-tone RR and was made by Cathy L. It will be a great exercise in using contrast without depending on color. After she showed it to me and then we weren't able to connect again to discuss it . That night at dinner Cathy K, Diane M and I began discussing green plants, animals, etc. to use as a focal point... Sharon had had a fantastic Brazilian grasshopper which would be great and we thought of alligators, frogs, turtles, lizards and various bugs....I thought maybe even a John Deere tractor.

But if it were me doing a the block I immediately think of birds and a parrot or parakeets would be at the top of my list. When I start looking at images to do a bird I am especially looking for birds that are "doing" something or in an interesting position such as both of these photos..The bird eating is a photo from the archives at this site.. a fantastic site for anyone loving birds...do visit it... I'd probably do the bird in embroidery on a hoop or it could be printed and appliqued on... but another great option is a method Alison Aller is using a lot and would work here beautifully. She would print the parrot on fabric, add fusible interfacing, cut it out, and iron it on the block. So now we have added our first contrast... size! The parrot immediately changes the perspective of the piece... Then I would begin finishing the seams in as many ways I could think of using stitches of vines and leaves wandering here and there on the block... starting to work on another contrast...texture! Then I'd add branches using a heavy perle such as a 3....bringing the parrot to the foreground... Another contrast... dimension!

To further these steps I'd add the largest leaves using heavier threads, ribbons and textured threads such as velour with maybe even weaving some leaves attached only at the branch. As the final steps why not including a dragonfly with green organza wings and a jeweled body...and maybe a hide a lovely tree frog and even a salamander...  So to sum it up we have used all greens but have added variety and interest with contrasts in dimension, size, and texture...

Addendum:  Later I was able to see Cheryl's solution which was very clever indeed... a green man tree... I went looking for a photo of it this morning with no luck...  I'm hoping if Cathy L. or Cheryl read this post they will send me a picture of her block..

My "two cents" for Lisa A.

 A note from Lisa A. "I was wondering if you would look at what I did on Rengin’s block that could have been better and where I am lacking and what needs work. I take criticism very well and look at it as a way to learn and improve my skills."  

I'm always hesitant to critique a block for fear of hurting someone's feelings.... but if they ask, you can be sure I always have an opinion.... But keep in mind it's only my opinion....someone else might see things entirely different.

There are a LOT of really nice things going on with this block... But the theme is Victorian Ladies and there is a lovely image that fits the theme, it is completely overwhelmed by the lace lady on the left.. It is much bigger and stronger and your eye just goes back and  forth between  the lace lady and dark flower center... Not that the lace lady couldn't be the perfect touch for another block....but not this one...

What do you have if you remove the lace figure.... a very lovely block indeed...  The block itself if monochromatic with just a dash of muted rose... a clue. There are three very strong angles on the right.... why not balance that with the only angle on the left...

The ribbon work in the triangle is lovely and the seam across the bottom is delightful and anchors the block perfectly...  I don't think the  sequin flower is needed where it is.  I would move it to the center of the flower cluster on the right.

Now about that angle...  I just used some snippets of the lace lady's skirt to create the fan shape to fill the angle and added some of Lisa's ribbon work to the other side of the image frame.... which is ruched ribbon and I do love.  You can see I put the sequin flower in place of the dark rose..

Now the  image is the main focus.... So I really only made one dramatic change.... the lace lady removal... other than that Lisa was on the right track.

Here are the two blocks together and you can form your own opinion..  and thank you Lisa for offering your block for me to discuss.

And once again that's   

Rengin "blazes a gothic trail!"

Rengin's work on Hideko's block has me so excited. Again this block is from the new RR "Victorian Ladies".

One of the things I feel strongly about is teamwork in RRs and just because this is a DYOB (do your own block) in my mind that does not translate to "do your own thing". There is a theme and the blocks are sent out as a unit and when finished should still work as a unified body of work.

So being first and setting a path for others in the RR to follow is especially  important...  Well Rengin has not only just set a path she has "blazed a dramatic trail"  If I were following this block, at this moment I would have every black piece of lace I owned spread out on the table.

Hideko chose all black and white images for her Victorian ladies and requested a "gothic" look...  The black laces Rengin chose are so reminiscent of the black iron fences, railings and balconies of that era and are the perfect mood setter for Hideko's block...

Hideko's blocks had not only black and white images, the other patches were of a very neutral hue except for one very delicate subdued print... Rengin handled this print with great finesse and did not overwhelm it with heavy pink roses...  The tiny pink flower beads repeat the small flowers in the prints and pick up the colored patch to the right and carry it across the block...  Rengin carried the black from her laces into every seam... The image is framed beautifully with the black laces and the tiny Victorian charms are a perfect addition.

Since I talked about balance yesterday I want you to notice how Rengin put the fan lower left... This patch needed something to balance the block but not overpower the delicate patch..  This neutral fan does it nicely.

I love how bold and dramatic the black lace is juxtaposed  with the delicate stitching and print ..A job well done and these blocks have the potential of being a spectacular set when  all are finished...

More gold from the Fool's Gold RR.
Flora in Washington state was doing this block for Kerry...  Kerry had specifically asked for a romantic look... 

The same time Flora  was doing  her bird in Washington, clear across the country Barbara was working on a gold bird for Maire.

And everyone was watching as Kerry worked on Wendy's block.  Wendy specified no color other than gold and wanted a peacock theme... The entire feather is chain stitch with gold thread.  I am getting this set next and have a design in mind already.

I love looking for gold I sent out in the packet and the tail on the peacock is a gold mesh ribbon I found in California...  I will want to use it also somewhere

I had request Jacobean flowers and color and this is the block Maire did for me.  I love the flower and the color....  I will be tempted though to outline the flower with gold cord when it comes home... just to set it off...

Finally Cathy L. did this block for Karen in Australia.  Cathy really got creative with her materials and the grape theme was really an ideal choice... You need to go to Cathy's blog to see how she did the leaves and butterfly.  The colors on this set of block is just so festive... I haven't seen Karen's booklet but I'm thinking it would be fun to do a dragon on one of her blocks...

In about 5 more days the first rotation will be over and the block will all be traveling.  I can't remember when I've enjoyed a RR so much...

A little problem with scale......

While at the CO retreat I mentioned I wished I had joined the "For the Birds" RR when it came up as all the blocks were just great...  Connie just happened to have her last block available   and while I was working on it, Janet just happened to have her last block available... So I worked on Connie's and took Janet's home and it was the perfect size for something to work on in the plane to Wichita... I did the focal area around the bird going and all the seam work coming home...  I wanted the color to be concentrated around the bird which is the focal area...and that is why all the seam work is green...  I did stitch around the bird, then made a slit in the back and stuffed him a little to make him plump. Then I added a nice quiet little spider web near the center.

Last I wanted to add just a little more pink upper right to balance out the pink in the bottom patch and the pink flower...so I added a little lace dragonfly... and therein lies the problem of scale...  It is much too large.. almost as large as the bird and detracts from the bird.  The pink flower, the dragonfly and the bird are all about the same size and my eye hops from one to the other... When that happens the best thing is to make something smaller or bigger...  In this case the bird and the flower were predetermined by the block so it was only the dragonfly which could be changed.

I should have hand stitched a dragonfly and you can see the difference that would have made in the center photo...the bird again is the main focus. It  would even look better with no dragonfly rather than with the larger dragonfly on the left.... There is a point to this post and it has taken me a while to get to it...  Sometimes when you are not satisfied with a block it's not easy to identify why... Trust where your eye travels and why!  Often it is some small thing that makes a huge difference..and it is easy to change the wrong thing...  And most of the time if you don't change it, it is not long before you forget what bothered you.... so relax and enjoy!!!!!   On that note the  important dragonfly decision is going to be left to Janet.

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Here are the before and after shots of the block....and as you can see I chose to extend the image out into the block....  Now next on my UFO list is Kerry's beaded block and it will be a block makeover to show you...I have just one corner to do on it but since it is beaded I have to work on it at home...  Then Ritva's and I will be caught up and can think about setting up the RRs...

Why can a RR block go wrong and does it matter anyway!!!!

This post is in response to an email I received yesterday... Not every block goes out and returns the block of your dreams... and here are some of the reasons why..

What the block owner has written in the booklet is too little and too vague...  She has forgotten to mention she hates orange, anything plastic and abhors any spiders on anything....  Her team (I always like to think of us as working together as a team) immediately feels adrift on the block and would love a little more direction... It would have been more helpful if she had added she loves lace, roses and all butterflies..
I have been guilty of being too vague and when the block comes back and I'm not happy with it I have myself to blame... If you are in this situation why not ask the owner a few questions?

What the block owner has written in the booklet is too specific and restrictive...  I have been guilty of this also.  Once I asked for colors to be limited to what was in the fabric...  And everyone did that and what a boring bunch of blocks that was...  If you are in this situation, toss your ideas out... Could be the block creator will love it..

Also by being too restrictive you may be putting out demands unable to be met by someone on your team... someone who may be unsure of bullion roses or expanded seams for example and if that is all you want than you might be disappointed and the team member will be frustrated.  Be flexible.

Also by being too restrictive you might be stifling some creative additions...  Encourage people on your team to contact you if they want to do something other than you asked and be open minded.  I have a a favorite block of mine that is a perfect example...

This block went out and Leslie did all the whimsical lace and bead work by the silkie and added a cluster of buttons above the silkie...  Then the block went to Ati who wanted to put a cluster of roses above the roses and move the buttons elsewhere.

Ati wrote to me as block owner AND to Leslie as the previous stitcher about her thoughts and we both told her go for it...and she did.

But as is the case in EVERY RR,  the block is never complete until it is home and the block owner has her go at it...  In this case I decided I didn't want a trail of buttons and wanted a trail of hearts instead.  So the all the buttons (except the big red one) went into my button box and I added my trail of hearts.  Obviously the point being is communication and the exchange of ideas..but the owner has the last say about everything on the block....

But sometimes things go awry because not everyone can work as a team...  The block arrives home out of sync the owner has every right to move, change, or edit the block to her satisfaction...and indeed she should because we don't want blocks languishing in drawers unloved...  Sometimes the creator of a block sees it in an entirely different light when it arrives home.... There are very, very few blocks that have arrived home to me that I have not modified..  Team members should not be offended in anyway... They did their part and the block moved on.. 

As I have said many times before what really matters is NOT the block but everyone being challenged, learning along the way and making friends..... You cannot grow in a vacuum and working with others is always stimulating.   I've been reworking an old RR block for Kerry (beaded dragonflies)  and one corner just wasn't speaking to me. At the retreat someone walked by, leaned over my shoulder and whispered "You should put put a frog there!"  I could have jumped up and hugged her.  I would have sat there forever and NEVER thought of that... I can hardly wait and what an impish frog it will be!!!!

Wilma's up next!!!

I'm leaving in 2 more days and will not be back from the retreat until next Monday but what a treat I'll have for you for the next "2 cents worth" post.  Wilma in the Netherlands is reworking her block from Sharon's class and has made a lot of changes and a masterpiece is in the works....BUT of course as usual, I'll have a few suggestions so be sure so check back next week..