by Sandra | June 14th, 2010
I think I have just about reached my limit for the computer design work now. With my short-term attention span kicking in, I think it is time to switch back to the actual applique work. I am feeling the itch. The sunshine we are finally seeing is having an impact too. The flowers above are from my garden and inspired me to finish the next Nature’s Notebook block design below.
I have got a lot done and have ticked off several things on my computer designing list. I do hear you when you request things and I worked on finishing up that next block design for the Nature’s Notebook series–The Goldfinch.
Here is a peek at the preliminary block design for those of you who have been wondering and waiting patiently. Can you just see those colors in the flowers above with the yellow of a Goldfinch? Wow. I was a bit tired of the redundant thistle and Goldfinch combo you know what I mean?
I included the grass embroidery stitch design I came up with from Jason’s Pumpkin quilt so that will add some nice texture here too. When I get a sample stitched up and solve any of the issues/changes that may be needed, I will publish the pattern and put it up on my store site. The measurement as it is now is 10″w x 16.75″l.
I want to create sashing borders that will tie all of the odd block sizes together that have outline style embroidery imagery. That is where my brain is taking me at the moment anyhow.
Things are starting to pile up in the stitching department! Procrastination is a character fault of mine. One of the reasons I entered my quilts into competition was because it made me finish!
My stitching to-do List:
- Asilomar project sample
- A small quilt using the “Tea with Me” pattern in a different colorway
- Nature’s Notebook Goldfinch block
- Jason’s Pumpkin Quilt
- The Margarita Quilt (I am going to try to get to it Denise!)
All of this by done by March 2011. Now that may seem like a long time away, but anything under a year and with more than two things to complete is major crunch time. Yikes.
For a cuteness factor….
Here is the baby bunny we rescued on Friday. Jenna and her friends have been showering it with affection and too much lettuce.
Have a really good week.
The Goldfinch is spectacular. You are brilliant. I’ll wait patiently while I stitch some of your other patterns. Thanks so much.
Take care.
That is going to be AWESOME !
I hear ya with the overload!!
Why do we do this to ourselves. I have been asking myself this ques for years and still have no answer or resolve.
I love the flowers and the bird is going to just pop too !
I’m embroidering some sea weed . I want to try out the stitch you talked about . is that Woven Pecot ? If I do sea weed do I just use a long Like really long ) needle ?
Gorgeous color in the flower photo. Way cute bunny. “Nature’s Notebook”–?? This will be a collection of patterns? I’ll be ordering. The Goldfinch pattern is so appealing.
Gini,
Thanks for the positive response. You shouldn’t have to wait too long for this as these small blocks don’t take me much time. Well, that is if finding the perfect fabrics don’t give me fits.
Hey Frances, you already have the Wren! I just mentioned I might make a series and since it went over so well and I have had many requests, I now am committed.
The light last night for the flower photos was really incredible for bringing out the blue in the photo. It was fleeting, but I got his one and loved it!
Boop,
No long needle needed, you will be weaving horizontally back and forth, over and under with two or three threads. I would suggest three for the seaweed.
Even if you use a thick thread like a no. 5 perle cotton, the largest needle (chenille) will accommodate.
How wide are the seaweed leaves going to be?
I don’t know how wide yet , but what you said makes sense I think , but I was thinking unattached at to so i can twist.
Check your mail and you’ll see what I want to do with it .
The goldfinch is great! I will have to purchase the wren and get started on her. Now… if you could add, um, let’s see… a male cardinal (or, really, maybe a female would be a bit different…), and a downy/hairy woodpecker, a rose breasted grosbeak, and an eastern bluebird, and… I’ll get back to you on some others… I LOVE birds.
And I also love those flowers – what kind are they? The pink and blue are amazing colors together – I don’t think I’ve ever seen that one. Great photo.
Okay – now back to work!
I do not recall ever having seen something from the Margarita quilt. Is it my memory ?
Your design is, as usual, gorgeous.
I love The Goldfinch and the whole idea of The Naturalist’s Notebook. I only hope I can do the designs justice. I had been lusting for The Little Wren pattern and then there it was, available to purchase. Thank you so mucn for sharing your artistry . Is there any chance there will be a pattern derived from Jason’s Pumpkin quilt? It is so very beautiful!
Love the Goldfinch, and I am so glad you are going to do a series of Nature’s Notebook. I have the Wren ready to attach borders, but I think I will wait to see the the sashing borders you create to tie the blocks together. I can see how full your stitching-to-do list is, so I will wait patiently for the Margarita Quilt!!!!
That baby bunny is really cute.
Michele,
They are Osteospermums (Cape Daises) an annual around here since they are from a warmer climate–South Africa.
I love, love, love them and every year when I replant my pots, I look for them in the nurseries. There are several of color variations. I have this one paired with some thyme in a pot and it looks really good.
I will take note of your “laundry list” of birds. LOL
Sandra, this will be another stunner! Are you going to do a quilt on bunny cutie too?!
Sara,
There is a Margarita quilt protoype block that I carry around as a sample to classes and it is on the home page on my website. It is the block that is most behind in the main image.
I try not to show all of it so it is a surprise when it goes public. It is only a portion of the overall design.
Fran,
I know you can do it justice! When Jason’s pumkin quilt is finished, I am going to make it available. However, it may be in a self published booklet format or a second published book format since there is so much! I am trying to take lots of notes so it is relatively easy to follow.
Denise,
I have to make another Wren block because I made the one I finished into a sample quilted and bound.
I don’t want to make the same old boring sashing strips so I have my brain working overtime on something “different”.
The next block formulating is a “bird’s nest” block. Oh the embroidery fun we will have with that one! Now that Michele has given me her laundry list, I suppose I better start thinking on the block after that now too. LOL
Wendy,
You can bet that bunny will show up somewhere!
Yeah – I REALLY want to see the whole Margarita quilt!
Will you be using a different background for the Wren for the series? I used the same background as your Workshop Wren, so maybe I will be making another Wren too!!!!! I think a “bird’s nest” block will be great! I cannot wait to see what embroidery fun you have with it. What fantastic news that Jason’s Pumpkin Quilt pattern will be available. That Quilt is going to be breath taking. I’ll be waiting for that bunny to show up somewhere.
Yes, I can’t wait for Jason’s Pumpkin Quilt to be available as a pattern!! What are you planning for the next Block Party Quilter’s workshop?
What shows from the Margarita is fantastic and I look forward to its completion, as well as Jason’s pumpkin quilt.
Any chance that your book will come out before Oct. first ?
Sara,
I have no idea. I haven’t even seen anything but the cover yet. I keep telling myself it is because I handed in a “ready to be published” manuscript complete with nice photos and professional graphics instead of a box of paper to sort through and organize. (yes, this happens to them…a lot I am told)
I know the meat I handed them, I have no idea what will survive and what won’t, which to a control freak like myself makes me VERY nervous. I have faith in my editor since she fights for my vision as best she can. She’s a winner.
Fall Market really dictates these things and I know they want it out for Fall Market. If anything slips or other news, I will let you know here on the blog when I know it.
Oh lord Frances, I can’t think that far ahead! LOL
Denise,
The bunny may show up in Jason’s quilt.
Michele,
When it is done, trust me, you all will be the first to see it. OK, maybe after it’s show debut….IF I decide to enter it.