Dolmades

Today is my day for the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop.  Now if you know what a Dolmade is, you know where I am going, if not - maybe the photo helps?  I wanted to be inspired by a different 'leaf' for my project.  Being on an old farming homestead, these are found almost everywhere!  Wild Grape Vines!!  And I'm reminded of my great Grandmother and great Aunties.  Oh, the scrumptious Dolmades or Dolmas - stuffed grape leaves.

 
There was, also, tea from the leaves, grape juice and of course wine - shhhh, great gran's wine was well known and well loved.  And the arbors were trimmed in the fall with the cuttings used for basket making, dolly furniture, and wreaths.

And there was Carnival Glass and Milk Glass with grapes and  leaf design thru-out the house.  And as I think back there was metal and tinware and plaster molds.  And hearing Aesop's Fables - 'The Fox and The Grapes'.  Rich memories which inspired my project.

 
First some background fabric and some iron-on batt.

Find one of those useful 'kitchen templates' and make a circle.

I found two verigated threads - yes, threaded both through one machine needle - and just follow that circle having fun free motion quilting and doodling and tentrils dancing.  My grape vine wreath is made.

Add a second thin batt and backing and pin baste out.

Some meander quilting with a yellow thread and bind.  No - I am not done yet...........

  
I hate to say it - I save it all.  Old sprays, sprigs, pluck apart old flower decor and keep the leaves off flower picks.  But there was a wonderful grape vine spray!  So I cut off some leaves and tendrils and found some tiny grape cluster bits on another treasure.

I just chose a leaf and sewed a few leaf veins to hold, wanting a 3-D look.  Make sure your leaves are simply fabric or have plastic veining/stems - no metal or you will break you needle and/or damage your machine.

And my finished piece.  A 12.5" mini for my table topper stand.  I hope you enjoyed. 


GIVE AWAY

A mini star bundle of FQs of 'Fellowship' by Brannock & Patek for Moda.  Just leave me a comment - you don't have to be a follower, but everyone is welcome.  I will ship international.  Comments will close midnight (est) October 10th and winner announced on the 11th.

Thank you Madame Samm for inspiring and Cherry for being Head CheerLeader (she keeps the daily schedule posted thru the Hop).  Please be sure to visit these people who share the day with me:

Plum and June

The Recipe Bunny

It's Sew Kiki

PigTales and Quilts

Quilting fiesta

GrammieQ's

Nancy

Just Let Me Quilt

Selina Quilts
The Learning Curve~Quilts and Such

 

 

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon