Sunday, October 4, 2009

A new showcase for my tatting!

I have been fascinated with crazy quilting for a long time, and I spent a lot of time reading blogs and books about crazy quilting when I broke my wrist (almost two years ago!). Melissa at Honey Bee's Bliss became a particular CQ friend and sent me some lovely supplies to get started. I frequently pull out my stash and look at it, but I just didn't have the confidence to begin!

In the meantime, I found Pat Winter's blog and continued to dream about creating lovely CQ pieces myself. This summer, Pat announced that she would be giving CQ lessons in her summer kitchen as soon as she and her hubby finished transforming it into a studio for lessons. When I found out that Pat lives about an hour or so away from me, I jumped at the chance! I called my daughter Alison and my friend Pat, and I asked them if they would join me for a day of fun. Of course they said yes! Pat W. asked us if another lady from Michigan could join us, and we were happy to meet someone new. So, three Pats, one Alison, and one Diane spent a lovely day together yesterday!

Pat made us all so comfortable! She put kits together for each of us that reflected our individual preferences, and provided plenty of inspiration! We spent most of our time working away... if you can call it work! Our morning task was piecing,


and our afternoon task was embellishing.

Alison seemed to catch on more quickly than the rest of us... maybe because she's so much younger! ; )

We had a perfect day for creating beautiful pieces. There was just enough rain that we would not have been able to pursue many outdoor activities... not that any of us needed an excuse for playing with luscious fabrics, ribbons, laces, and beads! The sun peeked out through the rain clouds on and off throughout the day, and it kindly shone at lunchtime so that we were able to eat our lunches outside.

I would highly recommend one of Pat's classes to anyone who is interested. In fact, we enjoyed ourselves so much that I'm sure I could talk Pat and Alison into going with me again!

Look at all the goodies that I brought home with me!


Pat generously put together enough materials to really hook us on crazy quilting. I had to have a copy of her book. After all, I am a librarian!


Here's some of Pat's hand-dyed silk ribbon for embroidery, and a little wire teapot filled with goodies (candy, cookies, tea).

Thank you Melissa and Pat for sharing your love of crazy quilting with me! Now, if I can only manage to spend 8 hours every Saturday dedicated to crazy quilting...

13 comments:

  1. Another lovely craft, guess we wont be seeing you tatting as much now!!

    Don't tempt me or tatting may become a thing of the past!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another addiction, how wonderful. I can just picture those gorgeous quilts adorned with tatting. Go for it!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey. let me know if you go again. She's only about an hour and half from me & I'd love to play too! I've been saving fabric for years for that special quilt. Time to get at it. Well...after I finish my son's quilt....and make the youngest one his. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, what a gorgeous collection of STUFF! Looks like you had a really wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Diane, I am so envious that you got to go to one of Pat's classes. I have been a big fan of her blog for a long time and have wanted to learn CQ for well over a decade!!! How lucky you are to have gotten to go to one of her classes! ☺ WOW! I can't wait to see what you do with that! ☺

    ReplyDelete
  6. AWWWWW That is so cool!!! I'm so glad you got to learn from Pat Winter! Her work is so dreamy! AND your block looks beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pat is great teacher and wonderful hostess also! Glad you had a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just picture those fancy quilts, all adorned with many kinds of esoteric tatted edges and ruffles of picots and chains in unexpected places... Look out quilting world; there abides a tatter amongst you!
    Fox ♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! Your quilt block is BEAUTIFUL - I love the girl in the center block and the different textures of fabric and the colors are SO peaceful... You stitch very well with ribbon! I've never been successful with that, but I really love the way it looks. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

    Have you seen a book called Elegant Stitches? I like it a lot (thought the librarian in you would be interested). You can check it out here:

    http://www.amazon.com/Elegant-Stitches-Illustrated-Stitch-Inspiration/dp/091488185X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246421083&sr=8-1

    I think CQ and tatting are a PERFECT combination! Have fun with them both!

    :) Ann

    ReplyDelete
  10. looks like a lot of fun! pretty quilted stuff and embellishing. the little teapot is cute!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, I love all your beautiful crazy quilting things! I can't wait to see how you incorporate your lovely tatting into a CQ...How I wish I was closer to Pat's so I could come too! Hugs, =D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Librarian,

    I've seen so many interesting CQ blocks online lately. We love to use our old costume fabrics and silks to create interesting ad unique blocks. I personally take advantage of Bernina and Baby Lock's decorative stitches on the sewing machine- but your handwork looks absolutely stunning.
    I'm very new to hand-tatting and hand embroidery, so I'll certainly be checking out your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The quilt block is truely a work of art! I was looking further down and saw your sock. Just gorgeous. But why haven't you converted to the 2x2 sock knitting technique and get both socks done at the same time on 2 circular needles.(It was in a book at the library honestly!) You have to try this way-you will NEVER go back to the old way! Love your little tatted pieces too!

    ReplyDelete

Just like you, I love getting feedback!