Stitching Genes

Sometimes I conjure images of being brought into this world with skis on my feet and a sewing needle in my fingers. Actually it was my mother who taught me to love and crave all things creative and specifically sewing. The first daughter after two sons, the day I was born my father marched to the Bernina store and bought my mother the nicest sewing machine they made...she still has it! They don't make them like they used to. Mom taught me that the inside of everything I stitched must be as beautiful as the outside, and to have pride in everything I create. Making something with your hands with nothing but the simplicity of thread moving in and out of fabric...is so satisfying. Being of Danish descent, I come from a line of creative women...you might even say it is in my genes. Since I've stitched a few quilts in my lifetime...ok quite a few...I've started making quilts that are challenging, often taking months or even years to complete.

This is one of those. The pattern is a Sue Spargo design which shows off Sue's love of vivid color and folk art.

At first glance you may miss all the details on this quilt. For instance this Eagle's chest is filled with tiny punched wool circles sewed on with french knots.

 Every single applique has been embellished with Valdani threads, silk threads, buttons, and more using a myriad of embroidery stitches.

Finishing the quilt late last summer, I decided to share it at our local county fair. Handing my quilt off to the helpers accepting all the local hand-made quilts, the woman gazed off-handedly at my work, thinking I had embellished the quilt with a little trim here and there.

Upon closer examination, her mouth gaped when she realized the hours and hours of work I obviously had put into this little wall hanging sized quilt.

These little adorable gold stitches are called drizzle stitches.

This quilt sat in my lap for months as block by block I added details,

and fell in love with every single inch of it.

As it turned out my quilt was well received winning the grand prize ribbon of the fair. Not long after, I received offers to purchase it. The price seemed so extravagant for such a little quilt. But this bright piece of my handwork had stitched it's way into my heart and there was no way I was willing to give it up. Today I finally hung it on my quilt wall...and it makes me so happy to see it hanging there.

An Heirloom for Olivia

Olivia, my gorgeous rosy cheeked baby grand daughter would need an exceptional dress...an exquisite dress...an heirloom gown for her special day.

I found the perfect pattern in an Australian smocking magazine.

 My sweet friend Leisa of Deer Hollow has an authentic pleater machine.

She helped me stitch in the pleats and then held my hand while I attempted smocking for the first time.

This was such a fascinating process to watch...21 needles with 21 different colors of thread to mark each row.

Smocking began in England around the 13th or 14th century. But it wasn't until about 1940 that the pleater was invented...eliminating the tedious process of making row after row of pleats.

After MANY, MANY hours of smocking, it was time to block and steam the bodice. I've always enjoyed handwork in various needle arts, and this was so satisfying...I'm addicted. 

And to finish it off...some tiny beading.

I had exactly one day to construct the dress once the smocking was complete. Not to worry, I work well under pressure. Cass was never worried, she has faith in me.

Yards of exquisite lace, entredeux, and silk ribbon....

and finally...my first heirloom dress.

Only the very best for Olivia!

62 Quilt Blocks

Quilters are some of the kindest people I know. I belong to the quilt guild Needles & Friends. This year my friend Debi and I are in charge of the friendship blocks. We chose a spool block pattern, which 62 of us will be making and sharing with each other. Unfortunately one of our members has been recently diagnosed with cancer and asked to be excused from the project. Well, that just won't do. Secretly we gathered together this week to sew 62 spool blocks for her. Shhh don't tell it's a surprise!

Debi and I chose pink to be used in her block, since she is fighting breast cancer.

Jill is always doing sweet things for others. She just helped finish a project for a dear boy in our neighborhood who is having a life-threatening struggle of his own.

Debi is one of those people you dream about being...everything she touches is magically perfect. We decided to have a light lunch for our group, so we could keep them sewing...clever girls aren't we? It was supposed to be a simple bowl of soup and a slice of bread.

Surprise...Debi of course had something else in mind. She set a beautiful Valentine table with dreamy coconut macaroons filled with cranberries and dipped in chocolate. Knowing how to always add that special Debi touch, she also had a Valentine pin cushion for us each to take home. I know...you want to be friends with her too.

Tammy and Nancy also devoted the day to stitching with us. We learned some very fun things about these  two close friends, like they have been painting buddies for 25 years. Tammy's beautiful mother passed away from breast cancer, and she was eager to be involved.

Tammy is also a photographer. She knew how to use my new Nikon and sneaked this picture when I wasn't watching.   

We laughed and we giggled and we made too many pieces of one section and had to do some unpicking. It took us most of the day, but we finished all 62 blocks and they look wonderful. I can't wait to see the look on this sweet quilter's face.

The journey through life for most of us, will likely have some difficult steps causing us to stumble. I know I'm profoundly grateful for friends who came along to support me during those stumbling steps. 

And here is a funny thing...

Which bobbin container do you think belongs to Debi and which bobbin container do you think is mine?

I'll give you a hint...here is Debi's ribbon cabinet. Isn't that incredible? I must have Debi come live at my house for about a month and organize my home...on second thought, I think she'd pass out when she saw all my disorganization.