Monday, March 21, 2011

CQ Adventure Prep and Discovering Fabric

I am happily busy getting ready for the Adventure in Crazy Quilting and the exciting classes and workshops I will be taking.  One of the classes I am really looking forward to is taught by Allison Aller and is called Frame it with Flowers.

In Allie’s class materials list, she encouraged us to prepare a background piece available to arrange the flowers we will be learning on.  At first I thought just a simple plain background fabric would be nice, but Allie did advise that it be something sturdy, and her own piece looked lovely with a lace overlay.  So I began looking through my home dec fabrics and found a lovely green jacquard.   To that, I added a fusible fleece to stabilize the back.  The plan is to add a backing later once I get home from the class to cover up all the “business”.


I also made a small rod pocket at the top and hemmed the sides. I liked the fringe on the bottom selvedge edge, but how to cover the white border? 


My gaze fell upon a piece of lovely shabby vintage lace (I can’t remember where it came from!) that was just about the same size as the jacquard. It is way too fragile to remain intact on its own, but as a layer on this project, it has real potential.  And, it is a floral print.  I think it was meant to be!  The lace covers up the green while still allowing the color to show through.


The lace allows green fringe at the bottom to show through, but not the white selvedge.

The picture below shows how shabby the lace is.  But can’t you just see it with some of Allie’s lovely flowers arranged and attached to it?  Oh, the possibilities!


After preparing the background piece, it was time to gather the flower supplies.  Luckily I had a HELPER!  Here is DGD London (18 months) “inspecting” the blooms.


What a lovely morning it was with my little helper.  Grammy is so tickled that London has “discovered” the yumminess of fabric!  Here’s how it went down...

Grammy has her fancy purples in the wrong place!

Everyone knows they go here with the green cottons!
I will just tuck them in here nicely...

A few more purples over here.  Are you watching, Grammy??
Oh, I pray I have a stash like this some day!



And then it was on to the next lesson:  London shows Grammy how the foot pedal works.....


 Between Allie and London, I am obviously in good hands....
  
Cathy maroon

12 comments:

  1. Precious little one!!Good on you Grammy.What a lucky child to have you as her gran.

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  2. Adorable!!! You are smart to get her started early.

    I love your background for Allie's flowers. I'm going to make mine into a picture frame that I can give to somebody. I really liked the lace over the jacquard. You've given me a few ideas so thanks for that!

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  3. oh, London is so cute! And what a wonderful helper! Gee, Cathy, I'd love to have a stash like that someday, too!

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  4. What a lovely little girl. Those piccies were delightful. I only found your blog on the weekend and I just wanted to say it is wonderful!

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  5. Hey Cathy, I always worry about my kids not wanting my stash, but you're OK, just pass it on to London!
    Isn't it fun getting ready. It's more fun for me because I'm driving and don't have to think about the weight of it all!

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  6. 18onths I can hardly believe it. Time flies so fast - enjoy her as you obviously are.

    Your piece for Allie is wonderful. Would you believe with all the laces I have I do not have a large enough piece to cover. I may have to improvise if I can't come up with something in the next week or so. Annual antique market in downtown Mt. Dora this weekend so who knows what that might bring.

    See you soon.

    Hugs

    FredaB

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  7. London is too cute and obviously a great organizer! I'm loving watching the prep for the CQ Adventure and look forward to all the pictures when you return ..... hint,hint.
    SusieW

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  8. That lace over the jacquard is simply stunning, Cathy. It will be a great background for the flowers.

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  9. Praying for stash! I laughed out loud; so cute!

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  10. I think my comment came under daughter Michaela's account, but it's just me!
    Janet

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  11. Oh, this is going to be very fun, Cathy! I am loving your background and how fun to have that precious London helping you!

    Soon now!

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  12. Cathy, I just visited your blog for the first time, excellent photos, fun commentary, I shared the photos and captions of precious little London with my DH, we have no kids, and really love them. She is so adorable, you are well blessed! It was a pleasure meeting you at the Adventure in CQ, it was so much fun. It was nice to see my pansy motif and card on your blog! I think Marilyn Lynch is great, too! Hugs, Marianne in NJ

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