Crazy for Roses part 3

Here are the blocks in the bottom row of my CQ, Crazy for Roses. This first block, on the left side, features a fan. The black velveteen curved piece on the outside of the fan actually has my city and state embroidered on it, but for privacy reasons, I blurred that out of the picture in PhotoShop. The black piece in the bottom left corner of this block has a rosebud that I painted on, using white acrylic paint, then I beaded around the outline of the rose. More silk ribbon roses are on each side of the fan:

This is the middle block of the bottom row. I embroidered a third quote about roses that I like. I also embroidered the outline of a rose on the red fabric. The lace on top of this block is a piece I cut off some extra lace I've had for 19 years. I originally bought the lace when I made a dress for my brother-in-law's wedding, but I bought too much.

This is the block on the right bottom of the quilt. I used a stencil and some acrylic paint to paint the butterfly on the right side. The gold heart in the bottom red patch has the initials of my three children.

I don't think I mentioned this earlier, but the borders for this quilt are made of red velveteen. When my daughter was 3 years old, I bought a few yards of velveteen to make her a Christmas dress. I was pregnant with my third child that fall, and I was absolutely exhausted, so the dress never got made. Seven years later, when I was making this quilt, I remembered that red velveteen sitting in my armoire and decided to use it for the borders. See, it's good to have a stash and not throw away fabrics and laces. You never know when they may be useful :)

Happy stitching!

Crazy for Roses part 2

Here are the blocks in the middle row of my crazy quilt, Crazy for Roses. I had trouble getting a good shot of the block on the left. I think the shiny fabrics kept making problems. The heart in the black velveteen patch in the center of the block was made with silk ribbon embroidery roses. Mike is my husband's name.

For the middle block, I embroidered my initials. I also used pearl beads to accent the letters. The large ribbon rose was purchased for this block:

The main part of this block is another quote, this time from an old Petra song (I think it's from the late 80's or early 90's). When I was making this block, I sent an email to Bob Hartman to ask if it was okay to use the words on the quilt. I was a bit surprised that he even emailed back, but he said that it was fine. The rose picture on the bottom of the block was one I found online at a copywrite-free website. Unfortunately it's been a few years and I don't remember what site. I printed it on transfer paper, ironed it onto cotton sateen fabric, and appliqued it onto the block.

That's all for now. Have a fantastic day of stitching!

Crazy for Roses part 1

Although I made my first crazy quilt in 2007, I've never posted any pictures of it. So I've got a few to share today. I call this quilt "Crazy for Roses." Roses have always always been my favorite flower. I love their beautiful shape and their scent.

Shortly after I became interested in making a crazy quilt, the quilt guild that I used to belong to had a challenge to make a quilt in the style of the 1800's. Although I didn't finish it in time for the challenge, I thoroughly enjoyed the process! The blocks are all 9" square, and the border is about 7" wide.

This block is in the top row, left side. I love quotes, so I embroidered the famous Shakespeare quote onto the center of this block. Then I added a variety of fabrics, embroidery stitches, beads, and buttons. On the right side of the block, I sewed a curvy vine, then placed some rose buttons going up the vine.

The block, above, is one of my favorites on this quilt. I hand-stitched these roses with a satin stitch. I got the idea for this block from, you guessed it, Maria Wilson Beardsley's c. 1883 crazy quilt, pictured in Penny McMorris' book, Crazy Quilts. I was so thrilled when I found the rose ribbon that's on the seam between this block and the next one!

This is the third block on the top row. That white is a textured ribbon I found at an antique shop. I satin-stitched the purple butterfly at the top of the block. I also embroidered the year I made this, 2007, and some small flowers. The blue circle in the white patch in the lower right is a Czech glass button I found at International Quilt Show.

My son wants me to take him to Target, so I better be off. I'll post more pictures of this quilt in the coming weeks.