Monday, July 11, 2011

Applique with attitude

Its been a long time since I have done any applique, well it seems like it anyway. I have a new and exciting little project on the go. This pattern is from Sandra Leichner. I'm loving the challenge of getting back to layered small pieces. This is applique with embroidery for a more realistic rendition that gives it that extra visual punch. This pattern is called the Goldfinch block and is part of a series called the naturalist notebook block series.
This is the first flower that I've done and is an Osteospermum also known as the African Daisy.
I haven't been able to put it down and this is how far I've got. I'm not happy with some values of a few petals in the second flower so I'll replace those.
The hardest part was the tiny piece for the birds eye. There is the option of embroidering it with satin stitch but I decided not to wimp out and applique it. Can you make out the tiny circle in the middle of the head? It will stand out much better when the embroidery is added.
I have to say that Sandra's patterns are incredibly detailed and beautifully presented. I opted for the kit and freezer paper templates and I'm so thrilled with them that I can't speak highly enough about them.
I haven't been slack about visiting, I have a good excuse, really. I've had to change computers, mine finally slowed down so much it was just about dead. Now I'm back with more speed and promise to do more blog visiting soon.  We've had a lovely dinner invitation for tonight so must dash.
Janet

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous work Janet! The patterns are quite delightful, no wonder you have found the Goldfinch hard to put down. Look forward to seeing your progress.K

Anonymous said...

Wow Janet thank you for sharing, the pattern is just beautiful.

Will go and check it out. Have been busy today so I too can do some more applique on my Kmcl quilt.

Christine

dutchcomfort said...

This is absolutely beautiful Janet! Love the blue/purple layers of applque and the bird, so detialed!

antique quilter said...

the flower and bird are just beautiful....
hoping to get back to applique soon too, I am itching to work on my Mary Mannakee again as well as a few other projects I have in the works ;)
good luck with the eye, there are some great eye fabric out there you have to look at fabric differently :)
Kathie

Deb said...

It's beautiful Janet. Does it grow into a big quilt or are they individual pieces? Would love to know what the background fabric is.

Cheryl (aka Kayly) said...

Your work is absolutely beautiful!Looking forward to seeing some more of this project.

Raewyn said...

I can see why you were taken with this pattern - it is beautiful and your handwork is divine!! Good on you for appliqueing the eye - that looks tiny!! I am going to the link now - thanks for including that.

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Wow! It looks amazing!

Deb said...

Awesome work, it looks exactly like the gold finches that are at our feeders. I know what you mean about the eyes I have a Maggie Walker all done except for the eyes of my roosters, still thinking what is the best approach I too don`t want to embroider it but what fabric...it is still a thought but it will come to me.
Can`t wait to see your eye..

Barb said...

so beautiful, your work is just amazing.

Steffi´s Candy Quilts said...

Wow! You are really the appliqué queen! So many tiny pieces - would drive me mad!
The design and the colors of the block are very beautiful!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

This is going to be a beauty! Your applique is really amazing. Have fun!

Nat Palaskas said...

Lovely colour scheme. Are they hand dye fabric? I like the background fabric too.
Enjoy
Nat

Oops-Lah said...

Absolutely stunning! I'm also wondering if you used hand dyed fabrics (and did you prewash)? I also love the background fabric!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful block and simply stunning work, Janet, I can't say enough how original and beautiful this block is
Is there a series of them?
So nice to have something do different

Crispy said...

It's wonderful seeing you back to applique!! That birds eye is amazing. I tried my hand at a 1/8" circle one time just as a lark and know how hard they are to do :0)

Crispy

Mary said...

Janet your work is so lovely! I really like the background fabric with the gold lettering. Very nice :)

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Amazing appliqué! Thank you for sharing those great pictures of your work.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Stunning! Your work is amazing. Love the pattern - thanks for the link.

Betsy said...

Janet, I love Sandra's designs. I have her new book and I have been very tempted to buy some of her patterns. As usual , your work is always beautiful and so crisp. How do you think the finch design will work with the basting method of applique?

Mary said...

What a beautiful design, and your sewing of it is gorgeous. The bird is incredible. Thank you for sharing.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow -- that eye is teeny tiny! It's all just beautiful -- your work is gorgeous!

Shirley said...

Oh my word Janet. That applique is just amazing and looks like a painting. I love it and it looks great on that background. So different. I may be in danger of gushing now. Beautiful.
Lots of love.x

Donna~~ said...

Really gorgeous--as always! :)

Cathy said...

Very pretty, I like the unusual background fabric you used. You do great applique work.

Monica said...

Simply beautiful! I love the soft purples used for the flowers. And that background is perfect!

If I live to be 100 I still couldn't hope to applique as beautifully as you do Janet. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us.

H said...

It's superb! I can't imagine appliqueing that teeny tiny eye and admire your skills - simply gorgeous!

Fischtown Lady said...

excellent work!

Greetings, Marita

Pat said...

Have long been an admirer of Sandra's designs
and in your gifted hands they will be beautiful. Have also been a fan of backgrounds with vintage look script & can see why you are so taken with it!

Enjoy the journey!

DACHA ARTESANA said...

¡¡¡que maravilla!!! ese apliqué está precioso.Saludos

Lori said...

That is an amazing quilt block and so detailed! What a fun new project.
Congrats on the new computer.

Lori said...

That is an amazing quilt block and so detailed! What a fun new project.
Congrats on the new computer.

Annette said...

The little bird and flower are beautiful and your stitching is amazing!

Janet said...

WOW Janet!! Your applique is incredible!! I love your bird and flowers - they're so beautiful. The background fabric is wonderful as well. Are you going to do more of the series?

Arantxa puntadas said...

Es un trabajo precioso, te ha quedado perfecto, felicidades

Browndirtcottage said...

OH MY! I'm VERY impressed you didn't wimp out on that eye!! Fabulous!!!

On this 'layered' appliqued, I was wondering if you stitch a-l-l the way down to the background fabric or do you just stitch the pieces down to the next layer?? I'm assuming just to the next layer, I guess it could get too thick to reach down to the background!

AmyJo said...

Wow beautiful work, that little bird is just adorable

Judy said...

Lovely choices for fabric for the flowers!

Jolcia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jolcia said...

Janet, jestem zachwycona Twoimi aplikacjami! Pozdrawiam serdecznie :)

Jolcia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachaeldaisy said...

You appliqued that teeny weeny tiny little circle!?! You are amazing!! I wouldn't have thought it possible! Your new project looks wonderful, you'll enjoy making all those flowers and birds come to life with your stitches. I really like the text background.

Darlene said...

As usual, Janet, it's stunning! You're incredibly talented. :-)

Julia said...

It's beautiful Janet..amazing work...love the different shades in colours of the flowers..that eye is so small I can barely see it!
Julia ♥

Cardygirl said...

Beautiful work.

Ann Champion said...

Your applique is absolutely stunning! That eye looks tiny..and you did it so well. I love that background choice too.

SewCalGal said...

Beautiful applique'. I too love Sandra's designs. Met her at Asilomar Quilt Retreat and she is just as lovely in person as her designs. She has some lovely new designs that will be released soon too.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Dixie Howard said...

Beautiful - your applique is way beyond my capabilities, so will enjoy your progress! I did spy the little eye...

Karen said...

Stunning applique Janet. It sounds like you have come across a 5 star pattern and kit.

Lisa said...

Janet, it's just gorgeous. And not just because purple is my favorite color! The background is perfect for it. Can't wait to see more.

Donna Keating said...

This pattern and your work is just lovely. Can't wait to see more.

Donna K. from N. TX @ http://www.quiltingbeargal.blogspot.com
“My soul is fed with needle and thread, my body with chocolate.”

Lurline said...

Lovely, lovely - I can see you will be thrilling us all once again!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Unknown said...

WOW! the Colours in this Flower are Gorgeous...Looking forward to following you in this Project...
Nice to have You Back.
cheers

Kristen said...

This is beautiful! I can't see the petals you talk about either. If it were me I would wimp out and use a bead! :) I know I'll love it either way you choose to do it. Again, don't worry about the colors in your petals they look perfect!

Terry said...

That's beautiful! I love goldfinches and coneflowers! :0)

Miriam said...

Beautiful work, Janet!
Are you going to make all of the series?
The detail in the Goldfinch is amazing! Congratulations on that tiny eye!

Digna said...

Wow, Janet, this is really amazing! How tiny is this eye? It looks really lovely (the whole picture, I mean..). Lovely colours too!

Teresa Rawson said...

Oh, this is absolutely beautiful and you do such nice work! I could sit and look at this all day! I can't wait to see the next block!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

M and M plus 3 said...

Absolutely stunning!

Doris said...

Wow, Janet that is breathtaking... Love your fabric choices and the finished applique is stunning.

Carrie P. said...

Wow! it is gorgeous. I have seen her patterns before. She has some amazing stuff. Well done!

Barb said...

Sandra's work is so beautiful and your excellence in stitching is the perfect combo.
I was lucky to have seen her work in person last year - incredible detail.

ranette said...

Beautiful patterns and amazing applique work Janet. You are always my inspiration...lol...I enlarge the photos and study your stitches in hopes that I can someday applique as wonderfully as you do!

Robin said...

Oh, Janet! Your work is beautiful and inspiring. And, OMG... that little tiny eye! Wow.