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.

Achieving balance

I dropped out of this RR because of overload at home so I am watching closely as it progresses and wishing I was stitching along....  This is Hideko's work on Cathy's block and CQ doesn't get more luscious and elegant than this...  I love the flatwork ribbon technique she used for the frame and the eye movement around the block is easy and direct...The ties on the fans are beautifully used to lead the eye to the image.

And it is the perfect  example of achieving balance.  Balance, unlike other elements of design, is easier to recognize because it can be related to your physical being..  Try standing on one foot very long and you immediately grasp the concept of balance.  Everything you add to a block has "density" or "weight"  Dark colors are denser than light colors, many smaller elements balance out a larger one, etc. If you squint your eyes or stand back from your work, you can learn to see the weightier areas...

In this block Hideko added a very dense (weighty) floral element to the bottom corner of the frame... To balance this she added the the delicate fly stitch spray upper right..  Even though it is more delicate, the color is deeper and stronger.

Look at what happens to this block if the darker floral spray is removed. Even adding something lighter but heavier helps some but not as much as the solution Hideko used..









It is really evident how important that delicate spray is when you see the two examples together.

 Cathy made some superb choices for her images as they are all Victorian women engaged in some meaningful activity...  If you keep a file of extraordinary blocks, you must add this one...

From my list of the "Best of the Best"

 "Crazy Quilting = Harmony... a pleasing arrangement of parts to their whole and to each other..."

I am a self-taught crazy quilter and worked for years in isolation using books, but a whole new world opened up when I found CQI and the internet... By far I was most dazzled and inspired by Jo Newsham from NZ and sadly she no longer does any CQ at all...

It was her seam work that was most extraordinary.  She never fell into a habit of using a variation of a limited number of stitches..  All of her seams  were unique and I especially loved the ones that incorporated  ribbon work as you see here.  This DYOB block was part of  Fab Fans RR. 

Do click on it to enlarge and study the detail.

Most everyone, and especially myself, used conventional fans but not Jo.. Hers were all very creative and not a machine-made lace fan motif to be seen.. 

Most noteable was the focal fan of this block... a paddle fan..   She could have used just a piece of lace with a handle but she took it a step further by putting a circle offset in a circle... much more interesting. Doing it white on the light center patch makes it stand out on the block while the darker work on the darker lower right patch recedes and makes a perfect balance

This was the other piece of Jo's I had in my collection of great blocks...  But first I must share that Jo is color blind. To compensate she most often stuck to a very limited color palette or a monochromatic selection of threads and fabrics.  These techniques defined her style and should be a great inspiration to anyone struggling with color theory. . You can see here she chose only lavender and soft green.. This limited palette gave her work a  simplicity that ensured all the parts of the needlework would complement each other.

My favorite on this block is the elaborate seam running diagonally up the block.  It is  a seam treatment but is much more as it creates the path that takes your eye around this block... It is so creative.  Look closely at it and don't overlook the little white needlewoven leaves. There is so much movement in this short section of thread, beads and buttons that it almost seems alive.

And of course her  ribbon embroidery work is second to none... Please take note also that there are very few "doodads" on Jo's work...it is all about needlework and superb needlework at that.

As I mentioned she doesn't do any CQ work anymore but much of her work is still archived on her blog under "round robins" label and you can also see what she is doing now...   I often think her tidbits of sage advice and wicked humor... I do miss her.

Let's Talk Block

In Sharon Boggon's class last April she felt the key to what makes a successful block was contrast and we discussed it at length.  I had to think about that for a very long time and while contrast is vitally important, there is one more thing more important in my opinion....  "Harmony... a pleasing arrangement of parts to their whole and to each other..." After searching through the many blocks this summer I am even more convinced of this and you will hear it often from me and this block by Sharon Boggon is a perfect example.  Here are some of the reasons I chose it to be among the best of the best...

Look at all the parts of this block and how they relate to each other and how they combine to one complete whole... Nothing stands alone in this block... Every part is unique but complements every other part...



 Now about these parts!  The first thing that attracted my eye was the fabulous seam treatment upper left.. It alone is a work of art... Basically it is quite simple... chain scallops with stacked sequins and beads but the colors echo every single color in the block.. This simple seam adds immeasurably to this block.  Look at the block without it... The block feels incomplete without it... If you ever had any doubts about the importance of seams and what you can achieve with them...here it is..

Next is the rich surface texture of the flowers.  It also incorporates all the block's colors but for me the drama is in the size of it.  It anchors the block and frames the silkie.. It wouldn't be nearly as stunning if it were any smaller...

And of course there are all the  elements placed strategically  for your eye move smoothly around the block...

And finally one of the least  talked about design elements  in crazy quilting...quiet spots for the eye to pause.  There are three kinds in this block..  First is upper right.. It is not just a patch with a button stuck in the middle...  The buttons are complements to the seam but the patch is small but quiet.  The second  quiet spot is lower left..  Even though it is heavily embellished with a lace motif and beads, the dark color recedes and does not draw your eye at all...  The third and loveliest is the pink patch that is unembellished except for the seams..  The upper left seams and the flower treatment would all mesh together if it were not for that quiet pink patch between them... There is also the quiet but gorgeous beaded diagonal seam  lower left...  Lesson.... Not every thing has to stand up and shout to be an important part of the design of a block.

What makes your day!!

I don't know what makes your day but getting a "You're awesome" from Susan Elliot made my day yesterday.  She posted about the butterfly on her Audrey block and asked for opinions on the size of her butterfly.... And you know as always I had an opinion... not on the size though so sent the following email and this photoshop editing:

"I think the size of the butterfly is fine a little larger or smaller..and the pink is delightful... It is with the orientation that I have a suggestion...  It is starting to look like everything will be converging  on her head.  How about orienting the butterfly to the lettering and leave the lovely quiet spot on the left of her head since the right is busy... Since it's a Tiffany pin, attaching it to the sign "Tiffany" seems appropriate"  And it seems to anchor that corner.  Just a thought.  Gerry"

She agreed but wanted to see how it looked with flowers to the left of Audrey's head as that had been another suggestion so I put that into photo shop!

So after a little more photoshop tinkering and a bunch of emails she wrote:

"You're awesome!  OK...I agree...through the head doesn't work...I totally like them over on the left and it does help unify the piece.  YAY!.........................   
P.S.  You can use the whole thing on your block talk if you'd like...I mean...you already did all the photoshop work and somebody might learn something...Thanks again!"

She is so close to finishing and is now making more flowers to go by the butterfly...  We're all waiting with baited breath to see the final version.... 

If you don't have someone to talk about some decisions...  put your work up on a wall and think and study it a bit or photograph it and put it up on the computer screen... Things really pop out then...  But the most fun is having a friend to talk things through... but then you can always send it to "Block Talk" also...

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..

A Frame to Make You Smile

Sometimes I run across some crazy quilting that's so delightful that it leaves me smiling all day...  This block is so delightful and creative it has had me grinning all week whenever I think of it.  It's the work of Cathy LaBath and she confided to me that she was sipping a little homemade wine while she was working on it...

I did several posts on "framing" an image but this will be my all-time favorite.. Look at everything she has used to create her rainbow frame... embroidery, beads, buttons, ribbon work and all in such a delightful and varied ways...  I urge you to take a minute to really look at it closely..

I can certainly see how I could adapt this to other CQ....everybody needs a rainbow now and then...

At one time I was paralysed by having to work on such strong color but was cured by Laurie B... Even still it's a challenge to work with...  I bought DMC's neon colors for just such blocks because most of the threads and ribbons in my stash are just washed out next to it.  The blocks were done by Misty.  Now I find strong intense colors joyful and applaud people who use them....

Anyway I love Cathy's solution and where can I get some of that wine?

Deb's Block - My Two Cents!!!

I love Deb... not only because she does extraordinary needlework but also because she follows this blog and comments often... (and we all love comments!) Recently I visited her blog  and she had posted this block and asked for suggestions...  You know me I ALWAYS have a suggestion and I will tell you about it but first let's block talk about what is so great about this block..

The thing that I felt most compelling was the repetitive elements in the stitching..... a long loopy cadence... This ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! throughout the block actually gives the block rhythm..  Can you feel it...? I'm sure she didn't set out to do this intentionally but it happens in some stitchers' work and it is a mark of their style. The stitches are different but the unifying characteristic is the length..  I also mentioned this recently in someone else's block.   If you are aware of it you can almost feel the beat..

The next thing I want you to notice are the fans... same shape - completely different.. That arc element is even echoed (repeated) in the top of the heart.  As I say often it is this echoing of shape, color, or other elements that bring harmony to a block...  This IS something that you can do intentionally as you work on a project..  It can be subtle but should be there in your work and something to strive for...

I know I sound like a broken record but the one thing I learned from teaching primary grades is that if you repeat an idea often enough it starts to sink in...

Finally there is this patch with the all-over treatment which I refer to as "surface texture"  It has an entirely different purpose than a motif.  A motif is a focal point and draws your eye...  It says "look at me!"  Surface texture not only enhances the "encrusted" quality of a work, it give the eye a place to rest...  It fills a space quietly and elegantly. I love the way she let the pattern ease over to the adjoining patches... a very nice touch.

Here are three other examples..  The top one was done by Manya of Romania and if you do not follow her blog,   you should because she is an extremely talented needle person. 

The next one is by Lisa Boni whose work I praise often.  This is from a work she is finishing up now and has been long in the works..

And it doesn't always have to be monochromatic.. The bottom is from a small corner of a block I worked on..  This block had some pretty dramatic things going on as focal points and this bit of needlework quietly filled this corner.  Usually, but not always, surface texture is vine-like in nature because it is easy to fill space this way.  I'm collecting examples as I go along and will devote an entire post one day to surface texture...  You can watch for it and send me examples when you see them...

Now remember the picture of Deb's block at the beginning...  When I looked at it I felt the poor little butterfly far right was lost and lonely...  I would have liked to have seen more to the left of the heart in that space left.  The heart touches two other seams and leaves that space.... a perfect place to add a few butterflies for some "action"    I also felt that seam by the butterfly could be extended to balance the one of the left of the heart. 

So with the magic of photoshop I sent this to her.... On the whole these suggestions were very minor and quite irrelevant....

but she did add to the seam on the right and added another butterfly and a darling little beetle to appease me..

Thanks Deb for letting me use your block on "Block Talk" and that's

Subtle repetition.

I have a dear friend whose home's interior is modern/shaker/primitive... She's extremely adept at mixing the very old with the very modern...  I love to visit and just sit in her house..  It is so healing and relaxing...  That is how I feel about visiting Lisa's blog and about her work... Her photography, her home, her garden, her sketch book and her philosophy are all reflected in her work...  It's all is very healing and relaxing for me. Even among her list of favorite words are peaceful, serenity and contentment..

This is a small DYB block ...only 6" but how lovely it is. Lisa does the most beautiful ribbon flower, especially pansies but for a different reason I am posting this particular block...

Sometimes repetition in the smallest and most subtle ways can unify a block.  And in this block it is the little flowers with the bead pedals and the similar shaped beads repeated in almost all the seams.. When you look closely you see it throughout the block  And notice the button with the beads filling the little worrisome corner lower left...

In addition the most elaborate of the seams form a strong triangle which captures your eye and hold it in the block..  So in essence even though the pansy is the showstopper, it is the seam work that is pulling the load.  Enjoy!!

As a contrast my favorite word pairs on my blog include handy man, hired help and thrift store... Hmmmmm maybe I had better rethink my word philosophy....

Hats off to Gayle

You have to see Gayle's inspiration piece to see how clever her design solutions are on this Artist RR piece sent out by Margreet in the Netherlands.

The subject is the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian,  known for his abstract use of primary colors and black lines. Margreet limited the colors used to the three primary colors and black and white.... no greens.. Gayle then did some research. The musical symbols are obvious but I want you to notice what is NOT so obvious...

 She chose this painting by Piet Mondrian, Broadway Boogie-Woogie   It was completed in 1943 after he moved to Manhattan.  Compared to his earlier work, the canvas is divided into a much larger number of squares and a departure from his black grid. This painting is inspired by  the city grid of Manhattan, and the  boogie-woogie music  Mondrian loved . 

The painting looks to me like one of those electronic grids tracking traffic movement..

And that is what it must have looked like to Gayle as you can see an aerial photo of traffic on the left and her choice of unique seams on the right.  She not only captured the feel of the traffic she captured the energy of it... Now is that clever or WHAT????

Hats off to Gayle on this one!!!!

The painting is still in New York at the Museum of Modern Art. 

Comments on Vivenne's latest block....

 Vivienne invited comments and you know I always have an opinion and what an elegant block to discuss.  She herself commented that someone asked her if it was a communion block and I can see why...  the angel is such a dominant feature.  After reading your blog I get the impression that you intended the focus to be on the bounty of your valley.  So with the magic of photoshop I do have a suggestion or two.

So if the focus  on the bounty of your valley  is the case I think you need a much LARGER sun to be the focus rather than the angel.. and definitely one more butterfly!!  The fine line gold thread on the spider and around the sun is a lovely accent and would be worth extending into the upper right..

I don't think you should really want your style to stay the same....it should always be growing and expanding..   The more things you experiment with will add depth and complexity to your  antique Victorian/Edwardian romantic work.. 

And for heaven's sake where are the chocolates????  It really a gorgeous block and kudos to you for attracting attention on your train...  Make up little cards with websites about CQ and pass them out to folks who show an interest.

AND read the comments as Cathy K. has a great tip for sewing on charms...

It's the little details.

 I don't often get to all the posts on CQI but I do check the updates and sometimes a 1/2"  thumbnail of a block immediately catches my eye...  That is what happened with this Autumn II block done by Rita.. It would make a great poster and look good on a calendar.  It has strong graphic qualities which I will touch on but she did some other subtle things I want to point out...

First the block by Cathy K. she began with....The colors are perfectly suited to the autumn theme..  There's a nice contrast of patterns... stripes, prints and textures...  I only see two problems....the long diagonal seam that cuts almost across the entire block and a worrisome little triangle upper left...

Well Rita rose to those little challenges and added a lot of interest elsewhere...

1.  In this area Rita put these bold sunflowers... It is not a color present anywhere else in the block so it jumps right out at you.. Three of them makes a nice impact...  But what is really cool is where she placed them... right over the patch with all the earthy vertical lines... can you see what a nice background that makes for the stems and leaves?

2. Then she added one more sunflower leaning back into the composition... a very nice touch... Notice how the centers of the sunflowers and the brown glass leaves are like stepping stones around the block. 

3.  Right now on CQI there is a lot of interest in creating lace with your needle and here are two examples. Instead of covering the seams on the beige patch Rita used two lacy treatments.  The one on the right actually extends the beige patch and if she extended it even further out it would lighten the whole area.  The one on the left adds texture to the green patch making an embellished but quiet  area.

4.Rita  used one treatment along that diagonal seam and divided it with the turkey and the flower stems.  The seam treatment looks for all the world like a rail fence.  Then there was that worrisome little triangle in the corner...  Remember "divide and conquer"? Well she ran right over it two times and that fixed that.   These little triangles appear a lot and it is nice to have some options...

5. Rita ran the bold orange rick rack clear across just above the curved seam...  It effectively lumps all the little patches into a unit.... there is no rule that says you must do EVERY seam.   And the simple stitching she used on the rick rack was perfect..

This is a block with great simplicity and a very graphic composition.. Not all CQ has to fussy and heavily embellished...