My ATCs for the Annual EAC Swap

LOL - Well, this photo is a bit of a tease, isn't it? You can't tell much from this other than that I got them done! This is the second year I have sent ATCs in for the Embroidery Association of Canada's annual swap. It is so much fun receiving ones back from all over the country that I didn't mind burning a little midnight oil to meet the deadline.

All seven are in a series I called "Crazy Bits" - because that is actually what they are - bits of crazy quilting. I had a round robin block I did not know what to do with. The individual elements of the block were wonderful but somehow it didn't seem to mesh into a cohesive whole. (This is the difficulty I most often encounter in my crazy quilting) So, I sacrificed the block and used them for ATCs. I am glad I did because it gave all the individual bits of stitching a chance to shine on their own. This first one featured my favourite seam treatment from the block with staggered chain stitch scallops.

Number 2 in the series had wonderful silk ribbon embroidery sunflowers and a sweet little bird charm.

The third one had more of the sunflowers and a bit more of the feather stitch seam treatment with the beads. I love the flower beads on the edge of the scalloped seam treatment.

How could you not love this large swan charm gliding across the waves? I also just loved the silk ribbon catstails.

This mass of flowers doesn't need any further explanation - a blaze of colour in this garden!

This part of the block was much more elegant and serene than the rest and I love the way it gets a chance to shine on its own now.

Last, but certainly not least, a lovely embroidered "K" for Kerry, framed in silk ribbon roses.

I don't think this is a cheat, cannibalizing a block to create a series of Artist Trading Cards. What do you think?

Comments

Unknown said…

Kerry very pretty, I cannot even tell you which one is my favorite..
i also like to collect ATC from around the world...

February 27, 2011 at 4:44 AM

Rachel said…

I think it is a great idea!

February 28, 2011 at 3:19 AM

Giveaway Day! (CLOSED)

I am very happy to be joining in the Giveaway Day through Sew, Momma, Sew . I have chosen to share one of my finds from a shopping trip, or treasure hunts as I think of them. This is an antique sewing box - I could not resist it when I saw it for sale! Were you able to guess the item from the sneak peek earlier in the week? The box itself is fairly small, 8 inchs X 6 inchs and 4 inches high (20 cm X 15 cm and 10 cm high). From my research it is of Asian origin. Inside the sewing box is lined with hand-painted silk. The inside of the lid features a neat little needlebook. In the bottom of the sewing box there are more beautiful hand-painted blossoms and an attached pincushion. I hope you are as charmed by this little box as I was when I found it and that you will enter my giveaway. I will be pleased to mail internationally so everyone is invited to enter. To enter, visit my Etsy shop and then come back and leave me a...

BAS - Week 81 - Sequin Flower with Tutorial

This Build a Seam (BAS) Challenge is a little different - not exactly a stitch per se. It is a technique for making sequin flowers which can be a wonderful addition to a seam treatment or motif. You will need cupped sequins for this - flat ones will not work properly - and some seed beads. Mark your fabric with a center dot and five evenly spaced dots around the outside. Bring your needle up through one of the dots on the outside and string on one sequin (cup upwards), a bead, another sequin and two more beads. Take your needle down through the middle dot. Carry on making another leg in the same way on each of the other four outside dots, always going down into the center dot which will be the middle of your flower. This is what you end up with after you have done all five legs - a nice little sequin flower! You can add a bead or two more in the center of the flower if you wish. You can also vary the number of legs depending on the size of t...

Giveaway! (Closed Midnight Monday!)

While packing my stash for the move to the lake I found duplicates of a couple books. What can I say? It must be really appealing to buy it twice! So, I have two books to giveaway. The first one is "45 Fine & Fanciful Hats to Knit". My knitting skills aren't up to this, I'm afraid - I wish they were because it is a gorgeous book! The second book for giveaway is "Tatting Doilies & Edgings", edited by Ruth Weiss. This is a good one because it has lots of edgings that can be tatted and used for crazy quilting. Of course, you could tat the doilies and edgings for anything you like! lol So, to enter the giveaway simply leave a comment with your email address and indicating which book you would like to go in the draw for. I'll draw names sometime on Monday. Thanks!

kerrykatiecakes

Search This Blog