April Showers bring May Flowers

I'm enjoying the Crazy Quilt Journal Project for 2013.  My blocks are 6.5" x 6.5" most of the time. The embroidery tends to shrink the block a bit but it is big enough for me to explore new stitches and just  small enough that I don't get bogged down.

April Shower bring May flowers...the lady with the parasol is appliqued to the block using silk thread.  I believe in using silk thread for applique. My favorite is YLI Silk #100 fine silk.  The silk sinks into the fabic and disappears, never to be seen again.  My rain drops, Ricky Tims Razzle Dazzle, polyester from Superior Threads, color 251.

My teacher and very dear friend, Glender Irvine of Silver Springs, Florida introduced me to Di van Niekerk's silk embroidery.  I was luck enough to pick up a copy of Di van Niekerk's book Roses in silk and organza ribbon at Jo-Ann's for 50% off the regular price...great deal!  I experimented with the twirled ribbon rose and I'm looking forward to trying the different techiques including the two stumpwork birds presented in the book.

Stay tuned for the flowers of May.

Enjoy!

Way of the Cross...Fabric & Lace Book

Lace Remnant

Small holes and yellowing, this remnant of antique lace, found at this year's Broward Quilt Expo inspired this fabric and lace book.  The lace reminded me of the vestments worn by priests and in honor of the Catholic Church's first priest, I created this small fabric book.

The book consists of nine images on eight pages. The cover, the image of the Last Supper was satin stitched over the lace and red Radiance (cotton and silk blend fabric).  All of the images are satin stitched on red Radiance. I hand stitched gold thread in the arms of the cross and tied the blood drop with red thread.

Close up of blood drop and Lace

The following six pages depict seven of the stations along the Via Dolorosa.  

Blue lace trim, the color associated with the Mother of Jesus was used on this page as well as burlap to represent the prison Jesus was held in overnight.  The words of Simeon "...a sword shall pierce through your own soul"  is printed on organza, stitched on and the edges were burned both to age it a bit and to prevent it from fraying.  The strong and courageous women in Jesus' life are presented here.  It was not my intention to do so but in retrospect I think it's perfect.

Tea dyed lace trim edge the image of Veronica, who full of compassion and courage wiped the face of Jesus with her veil.  Her reward was the imprint of his face on the cloth.  I printed the words "His face shone like the sun..." on organza and stitched to the side.

A black metal ornate cross with a red crystal in the center, symbolizing his blood adorns the page of the Crucified Christ.  The pocket on the last page is behind the circular image of the dead Christ and could be used to hold a Rosary or prayer cards.

Back of Book, Christ's Resurrection

I worked on this book during Holy Week.  It was not planned, it just so happened that I started to work on it at the beginning of the High Holy Days and found it to be a wonderful form of meditation.

Enjoy.