Thursday, March 19, 2015

Meet & Greet




I have been cross stitching for many years.  Although I love some projects framed and wood frames to add to pieces. sometimes it is difficult to find a good wood frame or expensive to have framed professionally.  So over time I have developed a method of fabric framing - TUTORIAL FOUND HERE.

I have a fondness of old buildings and rustic and country.  This little piece wraps it all up - Apples For Sale.



And samplers - so many possibilities with settings, color, thread play, beading - all in a piece that gives me a connection to my greatgran and aunties.


With my new found skill in quilting, I have improved and expanded and experiment with the two fiber arts.  The Grape Vine Wreath set with reverse applique and circular quilting.



This was one of my earlies pieces in combining quilting and cross stitch and now belongs to another lovely blogger.  This was designed for our regional Quilter's Hall of Fame challenge - Life in Africa.  These are African women doing a ceremonial wedding dance in their  tribal attire.  A number of different threads were used, beading, and quilted.


This is my newest piece.  I designed this Eagle in the Sun pattern and used it in many wallhangings and quilts for awards for Boy Scouts who earned their Eagle Badge.  Some how this one got lost over the years, so I went to work to designing a setting for it.  


This is the first time I have used a layer of cotton batt and wool batt with one of these ( I usually use a heavy weight craft felt layered with cotton batt).  And I have found that the Big Foot FMQ foot works so much better when quilting over the cross stitch area - to prevent distorting or catching stitches.  I used monofiliment thread over the cross stitch on this one - just to pop the design and not add to the thread. 

Thank you for visiting and please visit all the other ladies.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon



19 comments:

Kaelyn Angelfoot said...

Thanks for posting this! I took up cross stitch again last year when I dove into all my old UFOs from back when I was in college and I was wondering recently how I could possibly get them all framed, assuming I ever finish them of course. You've given me some great ideas.

Lesley said...

Beautiful display of stitcheries! I especially love seeing your apple cross stitch finished and that wonderful circular quilting!

Pattilou said...

The African ladies and anything with Native American catches my eyes right away. Love how you are mixing your skills.

Sandra said...

You are truly an artist in many ways. Love all your work. I agree, sometimes getting cross stitch framed up can become quite expensive. Your using quilting is a fantastic choice for finishing. Love all your pieces. The circular stitching on the grapes really stands out for me.

Sheila said...

Beautiful work Sharon , you are indeed a talented lady . Thanks for sharing with us :-)

Quilter Kathy said...

Amazing collection of your work Sharon! Such a great idea to combine stitched pieces and quilting!

Barbara said...

Beautiful work, Sharon. I especially like the African one...it looks like a quilt I made once.

Needled Mom said...

Your work always amazes me, Sharon. I love the way you have framed your pieces. It is so expensive to have them framed professionally and this does such a nice job.

Anita said...

I love your work,Sharon!

Scrappy quilter said...

Beautiful work Sharon. You are such an inspiration.

Natashahcoy@gmail.com said...

I love the Grape Vine Wreath. The quilting and colors really pop!

Marei said...

Really like the way you finished off the Eagle and the Sun. I like the way the triangles move my eye around. Now the big question is....do you have wall space to hang all your creations?

Sheila said...

Thank you for the idea of pieced framing.
Your sewing skills have grown during your blogging years. You inspire me. Taught me so much. Now to pick up the nerve to try cross stitch again. My first attempt, an animal, resulted in a mutant. Kept loosing count, then over correcting : (

Joanna said...

The Apples for Sale finish is super. Lots of diversity in your beautiful projects.

Carol Swift said...

Beautiful pieces...you are such a talented lady!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Wonderfully lovely projects. I love the old truck and the ladies dancing...:))

Beth said...

I'd love to read your tutorial for fabric framing, but the link leads only to a picture. (A nice picture, but no tutorial.) I'll check back later. The internet can be a quirky place...Thanks for sharing photos of so many inspiring projects.

Denise :) said...

Sharon -- oh my gracious, this is wonderful! Thank you for sharing. Your Grape Vine Wreath piece is simple *stunning*. All your work is great -- but the grapes knocks my socks off! :)

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Thanks for rejuvenating your beautiful work at Tuesday Archives this week! :)V