I promised you I would show you the finished bookshelf bee block didn't I? Did you guess what I would add to the shelf?
A Russian doll. I have always loved them since I had one as a child and as my daughter collects them and has several on the shelves of her bookcase it was a no brainer. If you have seen my Facebook page the header is a pic of the Russian doll mug rug and coaster I made her too. Yes it is about time I changed it! I used Heat 'n' Bond and stitched it with a buttonhole stitch and did french knots for eyes and a backstitch for the mouth. However, Emily from The Darling Dogwood, for whom this block is intended, guessed it might be a bookworm, I asked what a bookworm would look like and Velda from Granny Can Quilt sent me a pic of 'Gloom'. They both loved that idea, so I added Gloom as best I could.
You can see better here. I added him the same as the Russian doll and stitched glasses, well. on the side of his face you can see, an eye, and a mouth in a sort of grimace. If his name is Gloom then being gloomy he would probably grimace anyway. I hope you like him Emily, I made him especially for you because you are so nice.
The only other thing I got done this week was to cut the fabrics for Tina's wedding quilt.
Only I just realised I missed the pink so I have that one left to cut. I have decided to follow all your advice and make the autograph blocks the back and I am taking two of the colours through to the front along with the white solid background which I have cut but not photographed because I'm sure you have seen white solid fabric before, and another neutral, maybe a grey, or a blue/grey. I'm going to use the gold which I draped across the others, and probably the burgundy as I love the contrast they make, even though they won't be next to each other on the front. The pattern? Not telling. Can't tell won't tell. Hehe, I love a secret.
The input you all gave for the autograph blocks was fantastic, thank you all so much it really helped, especially Anja from Anja Quilts, Karen from Karen Quilts and Linda from Scrapmaster who sent me pics of her lovely quilts and told me her thinking behind them.
Oh, I have to tell you I now have an outfit for the wedding, as it's in three weeks and I was starting to despair I would be going in my jeans. I made an appointment with a personal shopper at Debenhams department store at my local shopping centre, it's a free service and I must say I would definitely recommend it if you are struggling for an outfit for a special occasion. I was in a private room and my shopper, Karen, left me with a cup of coffee while she gathered lots of dresses, coats and jackets for me to try after taking all my details and discussing colour and the sort of things I like as well as the occasion. Karen also found me shoes and a bag AND a fascinator, an alternative for a hat fastened on with a clip or a band. Now I have an outfit all I need is to finish the blocks and I am all set for the wedding, and by the time it comes I will be able to wear make up again.
The only thing I haven't decided is should I use Pigma pens or Sharpies for signing the autograph blocks. I have read that Pigma pens can wash out, then someone said not all of them have archivable ink and thats what you should use. I then read something else that said not to use Sharpies because they were not acid free, so now I am totally confused. What would you use?
Time to get on with my day, I have batch cooking to do for Jack who is still on pureed meals, minced beef with onions and mushrooms, potatoes, carrot and sweede mixed together and peas. All pureed separately and frozen in individual meal boxes so he only needs to defrost them and heat in the microwave. Oh and I also have to make pureed apple, Jack loves his puddings and he only needs to heat it up with an individual carton of custard, it's his favourite.
So until next time when I SHOULD have made all the signature blocks,
With smiles from,
Kate x
Linking up with:
Midweek Makers
Wednesday Wait Loss
Needle and Thread Thursday
we used fine point sharpies on the signature quilt I made but she uses it as a wall hanging not a quilt so I don't know if the signatures would fade from all I was told about them they don't.
ReplyDeletePureed food only! oh no, I would hate that hope it isn't for much longer and are your eyes doing ok now or still dealing with it?
Both the doll and the worm are adorable. Well done. I figure either Pigma or Sharpie, the colours are eventually going to fade/disappear. I want a quilt to be enjoyed now -- not worried about 50 years down the road.
ReplyDeleteThat bookshelf bee block is so cute! Love your bright fabrics!
ReplyDeleteI just had to tell you again that Emily's bookshelf block is adorable right down to the little worm! I tend to use the Pigma and then press with a hot iron (no steam) before you quilt to set the ink. Your shopping trip sounded marvelous! Good luck with the eyes. I understand and relate to what you are going through.
ReplyDeleteLast things, first.....pigma archival lens seldom wash out. I have a quilt o made for my grandmother in the 90's that lived with her at a nursing home for 4 years. It was laundered frequently in hot, hot water and probably bleach sometimes, and the writing is still very visible. Sharpies can also bleed, depending on the fabric. Your bookshelf came out incredible! I love the finishing touches you put on it! You’re so clever. I need to make a library bag, and just might steal a page out of your 'book'! Those are awfully pretty fabrics you’ve chosen for your wedding quilt. Did you know that all three of us that you mentioned belong to the Modern Quilt Guild in Halifax? I don’t know Anja as well as LINDA, but we’re still great friends. (My iPad know that LINDA is very important, and automatically capitalizes it!). You need to share a pic of you all dressed up in your new outfit!
ReplyDeleteI have a Russian doll that sits on my bookshelf too - gift from my son when he was very small! Love your bookshelf block - so sweet, including worm! I had trouble with sharpies bleeding out on the edges - pigma worked better for me - a little trial and error in order! Glad to hear your eyes will accommodate make-up for the wedding, indeed a plus, Susan
ReplyDeleteThe Russian doll and Gloom are adorable, Kate! You always make the BEST blocks! I'm afraid I have never made a signature quilt so can't advise you at all on ink. I will reading the responses with great interest though!
ReplyDeleteI think your bookshelf blocks are cute, but if it were for me, I'd need a cat on the books, probably curled around the Russian doll. :-) I use Pigma pens and use the same method as Karen, pressing the writing with a hot iron to set the ink.
ReplyDeleteThe only trouble I've had with Pigma pens is they were a little scratchy, harder to write smoothly. If the fabric is held down firmly that should not happen. The book block just sings your name, Kate. The doll and the worm have such personality too.
ReplyDeleteHa! It seems so obvious that the missing item on the bookshelf would be a Russian doll NOW! I love the little bookworm - very cute! A personal shopper sounds very posh, glad your trip was a success!
ReplyDeleteGreat bookshelf block, the worm is really cute as is the doll. I am making one and am several shelves through, but it will have to wait a while as I have other irons in the fire. My son is also getting married in 3 weeks - fortunately I had a good friend act as my personal shopper. Hope yours goes really well.
ReplyDeleteThat is the cutest bookshelf block! What a great job you did. Loved your personal shopper story too. Happy Stitching from me!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you found an outfit you like. And of course you must have a fascinator! Being American, I had no idea what they were until I heard about them at the last Royal Wedding. Anyway, they are awesome and I would wear one too if I have a special event like a wedding.
ReplyDeleteAs for pens, use Pigma Archival and heat set with an iron. I missed the earlier discussion but I'm assuming someone suggested ironing on parchment paper on the back of the blocks to make them stiff enough for writing? Also, plan on some people not signing as somehow people miss that whole thing and then after learning about it, want to sign--my suggestion is to make extra blank blocks for that. Thanks for linking to Wednesday Wait Loss Kate!
I love the Russian doll! What a neat addition to the block, Kate! And I'm glad you had success with the personal shopper. I hope you'll share a photo of yourself in your fancy wedding outfit. I love a good fascinator :)
ReplyDeleteI used sharpies on my first signature quilt and the letters bled enough that some of the them were unclear or the words were unclear and it looked sloppy overall. Now I always use fabric specific markers and have been happier.
ReplyDeleteYour bookshelf block is co cute, and I *love* the bookworm!!
ReplyDeleteHappy sewing and secret-keeping ~ Tracy
Love the bookcase block! The Russian doll is so cute and the book worm definitely adds a lot of character. I love the colors you've picked for the wedding quilt. Happy stitching this week and hope your eyes continue to improve.
ReplyDeleteSomeone just told me she discovered Nano Liner pens and loves them. I don't know anything about them, but it might be worth looking into. Love the details in your block, but that bookworm - perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love Gloom the Bookworm!!! He's so cute. Kate, thanks for making something so special just for me!
ReplyDeleteFor your signature quilt, I think Pigma pens over sharpies. My experience with sharpies on fabric is that they run and bleed a little. The pigma pen should give the writer a cleaner result.
So cute. So adorable, Such a darling block. OK, I have run out of adjectives. But I love this whimsical block. You just brightened my day.
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