What crazy quilt would be complete without a spider and her web??? This one is missing some threads, but that's understandable since she's been spinning away for over 125 years!! And isn't that blue dotted silk interesting?
And, of course, more nice stitching. Below are more stitched chenille flowers. AND ISN'T THAT OMBRE FABRIC TO DIE FOR?!?!?
Finally, an overall shot is below. It doesn't show everything, because I have to find a way to hang it (no sleeve) to get a proper angle and complete picture. But it gives a good feel....
Tomorrow, I'll post a series of miscellaneous motifs that I haven't posted up to now. Everytime I study the quilt, I find more interesting things....... like the switchblade motif, the cat in the hat, and........ well, just check back!!
As you can see, it's not in the best of shape. However, it's the metallic fringe at the bottom that fascinates me. It is actually a separate trim in and of itself, with the header part of it stitched on with a purple herringbone stitch. The fringes are coiled.
On Monday I showed you the 1888 patch. This is the other dated patch - 1885. Presumably the quilt was made between those dates.
Above is some more incredible stitching and applique. This daisy motif is one of my very favorites.
This shot shows several motifs. The maker was apparently very fond of applique, as we've seen previously with the horse, leaves, palette and other items. In this picture we can see a hare and a crescent moon. We can also see an embroidered cat in the upper left and stitched flowers. And, of course, many more lovely seam treatments.
More symbols and traditional motifs. The initials in the friendship rings are F, L, T. There are other circles and other initials on different parts of the quilt; we'll see those as we go along. Then we have the traditional Masonic symbol of the square and compass. Perhaps the family had Masonic affiliations. The bug is very finely stitched. Usually bugs, in symbolic language, meant death or disease. Tomorrow we will see the spider and its web - probably THE most traditional crazy quilt motif. It's symbolism is generally interpreted as good luck and defense against disease (per the AQS appraiser of this quilt). So, the seamstress ran the gamut of symbols (and we haven't even talked about the meanings of the flowers!!).
This is a beaded piece on the quilt. I'm not sure what to make of it. Was it once a choker necklace? (It's about 9" from tip to tip of the horseshoe ends) Did she bead it just for a quilt decoration? Is it something else? If anybody has some thoughts about this, I'd love to hear them.
Here are some more chenille flowers - pansies this time - placed along the left edge.
This is a fan that is actually along the upper right border (I've photographed it upside down). The motifs throughout the quilt are very randomly placed and are oriented in different directions. These tabs, with alternating pointy and rounded edges, comprise the right border. There are a couple instances of cross-stitch work on this quilt, too. I wonder if she used some sort of waste canvas? Or just carefully cut away the woven base?
This is a photograph of the right half. I had the quilt down on the floor to photograph it, so it looks a bit wonky. Before the week is over I'll try to get it hung to get a full picture, without distortion.
"The Vacant Chair." This embroidered piece was done in black thread. The lettering was painted, however. It's a rather crude drawing, but I get the feeling it came from another source - an ad? A book of designs? The style itself is so different than the rest of the quilt. Maybe it had some special significance to the quiltmaker. The rest of the photo is just fun for purposes of looking at the fabrics and stitching.
It measures 3 1/2" square and is securely attached with stitching to the quilt. And it feels like there's a thin layer of cardboard or card stock at its base. Maybe it was covered in a fabric that has long since shattered away? Or a print that has totally faded?? The "tufting" is done with stitches. Any ideas on this one?
This is the center piece of the quilt. It is not symmetrical, but it is definitely the focal point. The bird sits on a leafy branch and is stitched in chenille threads. As you can see, the colors are still very vibrant and the stitching is in remarkable condition.
This section contains more chenille embroidery, but also an embroidered butterfly and flowers. Note some of the unusual fabrics and the variety of stitching on the seams.
The daisies on the black patch are very finely stitched. Can you spot the rat and the Victorian shoe? Below is one of the two dates embroidered into this quilt. The patch to the right looks like needlepoint. My guess is that the maker salvaged a portion of a print.
The final picture for today takes in the lower left portion of the quilt. You can see the pieced triangles that comprise the border along the left side. The palette motif was hand painted, although some of it has faded away. I thought that was pretty clever! The leaves are velveteen and appliqued on. The lower red patch has an embroidered owl. And I really like the effect of the stitching on the triangular patch to the right of the leaves.
More pictures tomorrow!!!
Starting in the backyard along the back garden wall, we have a rose bush of an unusual lavender color. Don't remember the name and right now I'm too tired (from my extended morning walk and the heat) to go out an check the tag... My daughter loves this color and I promised I'd give her this bush next year for their new home. It's very lovely and fragrant........
Below is a scrub jay who's been hanging around lately. The scrub jay is native to this area and is related to the blue jay. The males always have a blue chest, but their heads are more brown. As they age, their heads get more blue, so you can see this is a more mature bird. And let me tell you, he is defintely the alpha male jay around here - he even squawks at my cats when they're IN the house looking out the window at him (watching "cat TV", LOL)
Here are some of my irises along the garden wall bed:
This rose loves the south-facing perennial bed anchored by the apricot tree in our backyard. The buds are actually BLACK, and then they open to this deep crimson, velvety rose. I've never seen a rose as thick and plush as this tea rose. They dry black, too. Naturally, the picture does not do it justice.
The old saying for perennials (and, I believe it holds for roses, too) is that the first year they Sleep, the second year they Creep, and the third year they Leap. This rose is 3 years old!
My contributions were the peacock in the upper left corner, several seams, 
and this feather motif which mimicked the printed fabric beneath. I used a vintage millinery "leaf" as the eye. Then, with clear thread, I stitched the rest of the feather using furry yarn (don't remember what it's called!). What do you think??? 
I hope Susan likes her block! I think it turned out wonderfully.
Here is a close-up of the detail on the right side of the purse front. The lace is hand-dyed with potassium permanganate, the jeweled trim is "recovered" from a vintage dress, and the diva has a feather in her cap.
Below is a picture of a stumpwork purse on the upper left of the purse front.
The interior is lined in silk with a moire pocket (ran out of the silk, LOL). I fused some lightweight fleece to the back of the lining to add body and strength to the purse and strength for the magnetic snap closure. 
The back isn't very exciting. I made it purposefully simple. Again, the laces are hand-dyed. I think I'll probably sell this purse when I get my Etsy shop running.......
Next week I start my summer job as a morning Kids Camp Counselor at Wheeler Historic Farm, the Salt Lake County-run working farm about a block from my house.
This 6" block is for Jo from our Crazy Quilting International (Yahoo) group. In our round robin, we each decorate an entire block pieced by Jo in NZ (every participant pieces six blocks and sends them around for embellishment). When she gets all six back, she'll have enough to make a wall hanging or whatever. I completed this block last night, and it is now winging its way to Debbie in Oregon.
