Okay, You Win...

I've been saving images of Monarch butterflies (among other things) in my "inspiration" binder since Lexington. Yesterday, I pulled them out of the binder, and took the silk thread assortment out of my silk thread cabinet. Yes. I have a cabinet full of only silks. (It's actually a jewelry chest, and I'll share a post about that another time.)

I'll be setting up the components for this project over the weekend, and you'll get the first peek at my Monarch butterfly beginnings on Monday.

I'm excited to share my progress with you, but as the comments said, you may find me working on the goldfinches, too. I'm making no promises one way or the other. You'll have to stay tuned to find out. 

Happy Weekend!

 

Completely Done...

"Summer Serenade - Bluebirds" Label

The label is now affixed, and the smaller sleeve has been replaced with a four inch sleeve featuring the selvage from the bluebird fabric.

"As long as there are bluebirds, there will be miracles."

I sewed the selvage to the sleeve before I assembled it. Then I hand sewed it to the back of the wall hanging.

Now that I've done those things, my bluebird wall hanging is completely done. The three seasonal bird pieces will hang together until a fourth season - American goldfinches for autumn - joins them. 

I may do a pair of black-capped chickadees before the goldfinches. There are a number of these sweet birds who wait for me to fill the feeders every winter. They're usually about a foot over my head when I trudge through the snow to bring their food. I'll say, "Chicka dee dee dee", and those little birds chirp right back at me! I'll really have fun doing them!

Well, it's time to begin my gift sewing now. Best get back to the studio! See you tomorrow.

Nearly Done...

Freehand Quilting The Bluebirds

I was hard at it yesterday, quilting on my bluebirds. I spent hours quilting a meander pattern around the main block that will highlight my birds.

Border Details

The meandering was the easy part for me. I'm working on the borders now. I've done a straight stitch "in the ditch" (along the seams) for the straight borders. Those were all complete, leaving the half square triangles. By dinner I'd completed two sides of the wall hanging. I have two sides and corner details to do before I've finished the quilting. Once that's done, all that will be left is to trim the excess, bind, attach my hanging sleeve and my label.

I work today, so I know I won't get it all done until tomorrow...My Birthday! It will be a perfect day to finish this piece! Then I can really celebrate!

Fresh From The Hoop...

Completed "Summer Serenade - Bluebirds" Quilt Top

I completed all the embroidery on my bluebird quilt top yesterday. It was my plan to begin assembling the wall hanging in the afternoon, but I got a call from my boss at work asking if I could come in early (which I did). Needless to say, the process stopped here. I took this photograph before I even had a chance to press the hoop marks out of the corners!

Today is Craft Day in Portage, so I'll be away this morning. If Handsome doesn't have some outdoor tasks for us when I get back, I'll begin where I left off on my wall hanging. I'm hoping I can share a completed piece early next week. I'll definitely have it completed by Thanksgiving!

I'm going to make a coffee for my go cup and get on the road. I need to be there by 9 am, and it's about an hour and twenty between here and there. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Time for me to fly!

It's Here!...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Summer Serenade - Bluebirds" Jelly Roll For Binding

Who would have thought that mail service from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin would take so long, but it's finally here! The jelly roll I need for the binding has arrived. I'm still working on the feathers, but plan to finish them today. 

Quilting the panel will be next on the agenda, and then I can add the binding. That won't all happen today, but it will happen soon. I've promised to share a closeup of the wall hanging when it's finished, and I'll also photograph it with the other two so you can see them the way I do...all together. I'm looking forward to that more than you know. I'm so enamored with this piece.

I'll close for now so I can get back to work. Fun times in my happy place...