This lovely CQ block was made by my dear friend Diane Matheson of Canada. You may remember that she came to visit me for a few days in September before we drove off to the CQI Retreat in Colorado. While she was here, she finished up this block.
 |
| “Mother” Block made by Diane Matheson |
This block had originally been a challenge for Diane in another online group where someone else had picked out some of the fabrics, and Diane had to Do Her Thing with it. Upon completion, she donated it to the Crazy Quilting International “Making Memories” fundraiser for the Colorado chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. CQI auctioned them off on Ebay, and I bid on this one, and won! I am so thrilled to have this, and I got it arrived last week, which was eerie timing. October 31 was the 5th anniversary of my mother’s passing, and November 4 would have been her 83rd birthday. Naturally, I`ve had it hung up and have been contemplating it, saddened because my mom is gone, but warmed because of the love I know my dear friend Diane put into this.
And while I am on the subject of Things That Dear People Have Made, my friend Jennifer at Wheeler Farm made this lovely bobbin lace rocking horse for me as a going away present. Isn’t it to die for? It is about 8” square. I will put it on my next CQ for sure.
As always with the pictures, you can click on them to “embiggen”.
I will take lots of pictures at the Retreat and give a full “Show and Tell” when I get home.
Hugs,
11 comments:
Both items are beautiful, but the rocking horse is particularly gorgeous! I can't even begin to see how it is made.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT!
That rocking horse is gorgeous!
Congratulations on your Retirement!! Hooray!!
That's a wonderful CQ block, and a gorgeous rocking horse.
That's right Cathy, I did finish the block at your place, in fact you provided the red backing/binding fabric for it. I'm so happy that you have it in honour of your mum. Enjoy the Retreat with those wonderful teachers.
Gorgeous little rocking horse! How special they both are though :)
Have fun at the Wichita retreat, make sure you say hello to the OKC M'bellishers... they are the ladies I get to meet up with once a month for CQ! Wish I could have manage to go, but maybe next year?!
I'm so happy Diane's piece has found such a good home! I know how much you are enjoying it for sure.
LOVE the bobbin lace - that must have taken forever to make.
Hugs,
Kerry
Congrats on your retirement! Just think of all the time you'll have now for stitching!
Such a cool rocking horse! Can't wait to see how you'll use it!
Congrats on your retirement... I predict you will be busier then ever and love doing it all. The rocking horse is to die for!!
This is awsome! Very jealous. (-;
Sooo beautifull work!! Congrats for your retirement!! Also, Do you know how to find or send me the pattern of the rockinhorse?? Please!!!! My email is glisenid@gmail.com Thanks!!!
The rocking horse pattern is Russian bobbin lace and can be found in one of the two books written on Russian lace by Bridget Cook. Probably both out of print but often available from ebay or try The Lace Guild in the UK who sell their second hand books at very competitive prices and will ship worldwide. Say you want the one with the horse in it!
The outline is simple braid, using only about 4 pairs of passives, one or two thicker gimp thread pairs and one worker pair. The fillings are mostly plaited which is very simple to do with only two pairs, but must be done neatly and carefully or it can spoil the rest of the horse.
The mane on your horse has been adapted from the original and was worked in a strip along the neck. On the original is zigzags up and down with very tight turns.
One of my students has made this horse in strong red, orange, yellow, blue and green, using one strand of embroidery thread for the passives and workers, and cotton perle 5 or 8 for the thick thread. It was absolutely stunning.
Post a Comment