Aches and pains and a peony!

The aches and pains were really worth the effort

Almost back to normal- and not before time!

We have done it! Bruises and aches and pains aside, the  the living room is livable and the dining room awaits diners- or, in my case, a quilter! I am going to start a new piece very soon. Cannot WAIT! I have really been suffering withdrawal.

This is the peony photo I am going to work from. It was a small piece of this picture that I used for my little foot square piece of just the centre. I kept looking at it and thinking the whole ( or MOST) of the flower would be fun to do now. I have no time just yet but soon. Meanwhile, I will need to do some more dyeing. I need LOTS of pale pinks and a few more yellows and I think I will do a bit of velvet for the centre bits. I am SOO excited to be starting to work again. Right now though, dinner beckons so I am off . Hello to everyone. I have neglected my Blog for a bit but I am back now. It feels great!

Before I get too carried away though, I must do some more housework- mainly dusting EVERYTHING! It is covered in plaster dust! The garden looks horrible too so there may have to be a bit og gardening done as well. I can think of worse ways to spend a few days or parts thereof!

Getting the crinkly crunchy

I am making good, but slowish progress with this little piece! I really want the stamens crinkly and nicely textured. To that end, I am free motion satin stitching, varying the density and the width. My machine makes a maximum 9mm satin stitch so that leaves a lot of choice. The hardest thing for me is "driving" with my left hand while I twiddle the knobs with my right. Adding to this, I feel like the knobs twiddle the wrong way- you know, righty tight, lefty loosey? Well, on my machine ( Bernina Artista 730) Righty makes the stitch wider or longer while Lefty makes it shorter or narrower! I feel like it should be the other way round! I am just an old dog and it takes me a while to catch on, but I AM making progress! Here are a couple of shots to show you what I am talking about . Remember, not finished, just started!

When I get more done , I will decide if I will completely fill some of the anthers

I think I am beginning to see the crinkly, crunchy look I want!

I am linking with the needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com  Drop over for a visit.

Getting there

I have been picking away all weekend and so far, this is where I am . I will haul out my Artistic Licence now and add a few bits to make me happier, then sandwich and start quilting. I am not so much of a "pink person" but I kinda like these colours. The little greenish ovary in the bottom left corner relieves the pink for me . I am just staring at the little 12" square across the room and realizing what a HUGE bloom this would be if I did the whole picture! Wish my "sewing room" had that much space, but it does not :-(

Just a thought- here IS the full photo. Gorgeous flower, eh!

The centre of a nameless pink peony from the RBG in Hamilton ON, taken a few years ago.

I am adding the start of the quilting, mostly to see it side by side with previous shots of the little quilt. BTW, this is another 12x12 inch one. Fun and fast to do.

This is NOW as far as I have gotten. I am toying with the idea of some satin stitch free motion on some of the anthers. I just have to find colours of thread that will work. OK, that's it for now!

Next......!

Remember this picture?

It is a part of the centre of a stunning Pink Peony I photographed at the RBG a couple of years ago. I am working on a mini quilted version of it now, part of my 12" x 12" collection. Just started this afternoon.

Step one- lay down the substrate. I have it all covered   now.

Here is the substrate all covered , ready for detail. I have kept all of my pattern pieces and will reuse them with detail drawn on and I will cut from there. Too bad the background pink of the petals is not more coral pink. Never mind. My own peonies are sugar pink, just like this! More to follow , as and when I get it done.