Wednesday, June 23, 2010

I should be quilting

As soon as I got back from the quilt show, I decided I had better make something from the loot I picked up, unlike last year where things got put away and nothing done with them.
My little pack of antique kimono strips, the cording and the book from my last post resulted in this needlecase that represents a leaf and cherries.
I first saw it on the Bearpaw blog post here and I vowed to make one for myself. It can hang on a knob of my light right next to where I sew.
I had to dig out my beads from the dark recesses in the sewing room. I've decided I have way too much stuff by the way.

It took me way back to BQ, (before quilting) when I was trying out different crafts. I made just a few teddy bears, nothing like the artisan bears you see now but this is one dear fellow I kept, all hand stitched. I had dreams of making the kids teddies back then.
I even dabbled in some crazy quilting and did a class to make Charlotte. She's not a particularly nice shaped bear but dressed up with lots of embroidery transformed her and she scrubbed up well.
This was going to be a ring cushion for my own wedding but never got finished due to the interruption of being evacuated with bush fires, that's another story.
I did dabble in ribbon embroidery for a short while so added some of that.
I'm not even slightly interested in this type of work anymore but you know how it is, you take classes in your own area depending on what's on offer. I couldn't even take a beginners quilting class as nobody taught it so I ended up joining a guild and winging my way through a few classes and taking lots of books out of the library.
After trying out all these other crafts, quilting is the one thing that has endured, I never get sick of it and I think since it's a cold drizzly day, I'm going to go do some hand quilting. If I keep going, I might even have a finish by next week.

48 comments:

Lisa said...

That needle case is to die for, Janet! And I love your teddies. I know what you mean about crafts coming and going. I even did stained glass for a while. :)

Janet said...

Janet,
I love the needle case. You do such
beautiful work. I am really surprised you did not continue with the ribbon embroidery and other crafts. Again, beautiful.
Janet

Lori said...

The needlecase is so cool and unique!
I have a hunch most quilters did various crafting before landing onto quilting. I know I did.

Danielle said...

The needle case and the teddy bears are adorable! Your ribbon embroidery is spectacular, but I think we all go through phases of crafting, just trying to find what makes us most content...

SandyN said...

I just LOVE the pincushion. It is so different and just so cute!!

Sandy N

NEEDLE BENDER said...

I have made the same needle book and posted it a while back on my blog. I love that needle book because it is big enough for even my doll needles. Here is the post url: http://needlebender.blogspot.com/2010/04/cherry-needlebook.html
Just thought you might want to look at it. Love your blog and look at it often.

Laurence said...

Beautiful little book.

Marjorie said...

I know what you mean. I was a cross-stitcher & needlepointer before quilting. That's why I keep getting drawn back to other needle-skill techniques or ideas.

Janet said...

You certainly made some marvelous things before you started quilting! What amazing embroidery and the teddy is wonderful. Your needle case is lovely.

mbroider said...

Did i tell you before that i admire you?? You are so talented. Visiting your blog is like bringing home ideas!!

Thanks:)

Anonymous said...

such a gorgeous pincushion!!!
I also love your crazy work.

Barb said...

You have certainly tried your hands at alot of stuff and looks like to me became very good at what you tried.....glad quilting stuck...cause I love what you produce.

Nat Palaskas said...

The needle case is so adorable. That book must have so many lovely things for you to make. Love all your dabbling crafts too. You are mend to be a quilter with all the skills you have learned on the way.
Hugs
Nat

Cardygirl said...

Love that needlecase...stunning! Looks like we have had a similar crafting journey...loved seeing part of yours.

Cathi said...

I love that needlecase!! I made a few using that pattern as well and loved them.

Marit said...

Thank you for sharing, Janet. I think all your work is beautiful! The needlecase is so pretty in all those colorful vintage kimono silks. Thank you for the link.
; )

broderie said...

oh yes janet ! we have shared the same highway of things we have made along the way, i still love embroidery and cross stitch, but have many unfinished bits and patterns galore that in this lifetime i will never complete or start. i might show some of mine.

Rachaeldaisy said...

That needle case is amazing!! As is all your ribbon work and lovely teddies!! I've washed some of my show fabrics and am going off to sew now!

antique quilter said...

adorable teddies, beautiful needlecase, so different.
Kathie

Valerie said...

The needlecase is really unusual, I've not seen that design before. It's very pretty.

Jenny said...

All of those things are really beautiful, I've always wanted to have a go at ribbon embroidery since the first time I saw some.

Shirley said...

Beautiful work as ever Janet. I think if you love to create then you try everything going and it is ok to move on to the next thing. I cannot ever imagine not sewing something - it would be a very poor existence. What the quilting books don't tell you though is how to hand quilt in a heat wave whilst having a hot flush!!!!
Shirley.

Sue-Anne said...

Your ribbon embroidery is beautiful! I love your needlecase and a bit fat congratulations on making something from your purchases. I still have two quilt kits in the cupboard from last year's show!

Michele said...

My goodness, is there anything you can NOT do??? Everything you make is so beautiful, and it seems like you whip them out so quickly! I am in awe. Michele

Betsy said...

Janet, lovely projects. I am very fond of the crazy quilting since that is the stage I am presently in. Wonderful needlecase. You find the cutest things to make.

Marina said...

Wow, that was quick! I'm still just admiring my new fabric and poring over the delicious photos in my new books.

Kaaren said...

Most of us try or dabble in a lot of crafts and excel at none or very few. I think you're the best exception to that rule, Janet.

Your ribbon embroidery is exquisite and is something that I've always wanted to try but wouldn't even know where to begin.

Your bear is second to none and would look wonderful displayed amongst Steiffs.

The needlecase...well what can I say that hasn't already been said. It's so unique.

I certainly know whose blog to visit when I need some inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Can cute and elegant be used to describe one thing? If so, that's how I describe your new needlecase. You seem to have a crafting gift or perhaps it's a gene.

Barb said...

I adore your new needlecase it is stunning. I especially love the cheeries (or berries).
Your needle skills are remarkable, I love your stitches and silk flowers.
The teddy's are too cute.
what a fun post.

*karendianne. said...

Janet, what a lovely post. It has such a smooth, soft flow to it. The written word I mean. I enjoyed this. The bears are fabulous and the ring cushion has all the elements of beauty and background to capture my imagination.

(I completely dig the needle case and giggled too. You know the monstrous cats would LOVE this! Ack. Sometimes I can't even speak of their cruelty towards me. hee. slightly in jest, *kd.)

Terry said...

What a sweet little needle case! Love the bears and the crazy quilting too!

julieQ said...

I totally love your needle case...so pretty. I gave up on the crazy quilting and made a pillow for the guest bed instead of the quilt originally planned...but isn't it fun to work on?

dawn said...

You are truly multi-talented! The bear is certainly artisan quality as far as I'm concerned. I love, love, love, your crazy quilt block. The ribbon embroidery is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing the pictures, it's very inspiring.

dawn (ddraper (at) rogers.com)

Crispy said...

WOW I love your needlecase!! I think we all have a lot of the stuff from years gone by....I don't have nearly enough quilty stuff though LOL.

Crispy

Anonymous said...

Your handwork is positively exquisite, Janet! The little needle case is wonderful! Enjoy it. ; )

Arantxa puntadas said...

Tienes unas manos maravillosas, qué flores tan bonitas y el needlecase es precioso, muchos besos.

Ann Champion said...

What a wonderful journey! I also did embroidery, knitting, crochet, doll/doll clothes making, and oil painting before I learned to quilt. Most of those have now fallen by the wayside.
I love your needle case, it's so different..and your bears are wonderful..the ribbon embroidery is spectacular! I learned that for a crazy quilt, but haven't done it since. Your work is always beautiful. :)

Anonymous said...

The needle case is gorgeous! I've done lots of other crafts as well ..... and like you, quilting is the one that has stuck!!

jean said...

Janet , nothing short of spectacular, I think we have all been through a range of crafts to find our niche. I simply adore your needlecase it is divine.You are so clever.

Munaiba said...

Janet your needle case is gorgeous. What size is it? It's hard to tell from the photo. And I really love your Teddies - very cute. You're about the classes you take because they are available. In my time I have taken everything from weaving to stained glass. :)

Thimbleanna said...

Not even slightly??? Your work is all so beautiful. I love the needlecase!!!

Dandelion Wishes said...

Just beautiful work - the needlecase looks too good to even use - a piece of art! Suz

Vivian said...

Oh, you're ribbon needlepoint is fantastic. I don't know what size it is, but you really should put a back on it and make a pillow. Or a table topper. It is gorgeous.

Teresa Rawson said...

Beautiful needle case!

Isn't it funny how we hop around until we find quilting?! Your teddy and ribbon embroidery are awesome.

I'm still finding good homes for counted cross-stitch stuff...LOL

Still want to try stained glass, but I'm pretty set on quilting.

Teresa :o)

Kim D. said...

What a fun and unique needle case, love it. That Teddy Bear is adorable too!! I also love your beautiful crazy quilting and ribbon embroidery work. Sorry you weren't able to finish your work before the wedding. It's fun to try out the different techniques to find out if it's your passion or not.

Dixie Howard said...

The needle case is so unique and wonderful! Your teddies are just adorable. I'm thinking of getting back into making bears and dolls - their little faces are so cute. The ribbon embroidery is beautiful. Would love to hear about the story, and looking forward to seeing your hand quilting project.

kim mclean said...

What lovely things you've made! I did the same things too, smocking, needle point, cross stitch and beads. I still fiddle with them all.
Do you do rug hooking? I need someone to teach me this craft!! Bought the frame - which is a start. Cheers, Kim McLean

Carrie P. said...

I love that needle case and your ribbon embroidery is awesome.