Sunday 2 September 2012

CQJP 2012 - update

Well since I've been out of action, stitching has been my therapy, and it's wonderful to be able to sit up and just stitch.

I was behind with my CQJP blocks, and now I'm up to date with them also.
 So here are my latest three blocks.

June:  These lovely 'noel' buttons I bought recently at the Proserpine Show and Tell.  I've added a gold work Santa sleigh, and a ruched ribbon.



July: I've used some gold braid my friends from India gave me, and some lovely satin reindeer ribbon.

 August: I got to make myself a beetle, he's pretty big, he's nearly 4 inches from top to tail.
Still deciding on how I'm going to put them all together, as I'm not a 'sane' quilter, I'm having troubles deciding, please read on and any suggestions greatly appreciated? Here are the blocks so far:

Then laid out in the way I had it in my mind, from my original idea.
I don't think I'll be making any more fans, although I do have two left, but I think I might have to make four inner sections,  I also think my 'Noel' block is out of place, it needs to have a white line edge, not the buttons, but then also the gold ribbon one with gold edge would also be out of place, maybe they complement each other? Oh dear, now I'm looking way to deep I think. Here is my original idea, all good when I started, but not so sure now, what do you think?


Arlene



11 comments:

Marjolein said...

I absolutely agree with you that the Noel block and gold ribbon block are out of place allthough they are beautiful on their own. The white ric rac asks to be continued.
I like the original idea, it is more balanced.

Linda Steele said...

I love the blocks Arlene, your embroidery is absolutely beautiful.
Linda

Denise :) said...

I like your Noel block ... but what if you switched it with the block to its right ... and take an aerial look at it ... I think perhaps the blocks would be better balanced, perhaps? But don't change it! It's so fun! This is going to be beautiful! Can't wait to see a finished project! (And just so you know, I followed the link over from StitchMAP!) :)

quiltlion said...

My suggestion on how you should finish out your skirt is to find more fabric to put inbetween your fan blocks. Make it curve on the inside. This will give you the opurtunity to tie in the Noel block and gold ribbon block that you are worried about.

craftirn said...

I think the word NOEL takes the place of the rick rack. It does not have to match. It could be the focal point of the tree skirt. Under a tree no one is going to look for continuity of rick rack, but the NOEL is like the part that should be in the center of the tree display!

Ozjane said...

What beautiful work. My comment echos the second one....I think you need the points looking outwards and plain fabric in between would show them off well. All my Christmas tree skirts are circular and have a tie a little like an apron.
http://five-minutes-of-fame.blogspot.com.au/2011_12_01_archive.html
shows a picture of my white tree with a white battenburg lace skirt under all the boxes. Not sure it will help but may five an idea of zize

cait said...

I agree with craftirn above! Don't take NOEL out - it's lovely and adds dimension to the whole piece. Add something else - wider ribbon, more buttons or ruched ribbon - to the block diagonally opposite the NOEL block to give more weight to that side instead. cheers, Cait

Nola said...

I love them together the way they are. I think they'd make a beautiful tree skirt, with something simple in the middle for structure.

Suztats said...

Arlene, your blocks are gorgeous!
I like the noel block and think it should be front and center. My first thought was to then place the gold ribbon block opposite the noel, and then the white rick-rack would run down each side of the skirt, balancing the weight.
Perhaps diamond-shaped blocks (with the center cut out for the tree) could form the skirt center, made in various materials and CQ'd in the main colour of the skirt, adding interest but letting your other blocks sing. Then perhaps a simple border or ruffle on the outside tying in with the skirt slit and ties. Hope that makes sense.

Susan Elliott said...

The design is fabulous Arlene!

At first glance, I didn't notice the gold at all and I think it complements the rick rack well. It's nice to break up the white line a bit. It makes it interesting.

As for the Noel, I thought that was your focal point or center of the skirt. The only thing that might help would be a "string" from which the buttons hang...like a garland.

Just my two cents and probably not even worth that!

No matter what you decide, it's gorgeous and I love it!!!

margaret said...

Thank you for sharing your blocks Arlene new to patchwork being an embroiderer mainly so all inspiration is good