Sue Spargo BOM

Yesterday was the monthly meeting of "Woolie Women", my wool appliqué group. The group was formed several years ago after a workshop with Sue Spargo. Many of us wanted to get together and inspire each other to continue with our wool projects. It is a lovely group and returning to it after moving back to the area has renewed my interest in wool appliqué. I had sorta let my Sue Spargo BOM from 2012 go by the wayside until returning but yesterday I finally finished the 3rd block of Earth 'n Twig.

Mostly we just sit and stitch during these meetings and I do so much chatting that it is slow going but I am determined to get this project finished someday so I am already prepping the next block. Hopefully next month I will think to take some pictures of everyone's work to share!

 

 

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Embellishments completed

 Another full day stitching, yay, and I have completed the embellishments for the first Sue Spargo BOM block. I took this close up so you could see all the little bullion knots and bullion loops.  I'm actually not sure that my loops are quite right as they started twisting, but I still think that they are fun.  Each month we practice some new embroidery stitches so I hope to learn a lot through the year.  Being left handed does make learning stitches a little more complicated but I did buy a book for left handed embroiderers and that is helpful.  Anyway I am having fun and should end up with a bright and happy quilt.

I really wish you could see this in person, so much brighter and the texture the embellishments add is great.

And finally a little project for a nursery.  These are little animals that I cut and then simply fused to fun fabric and framed.  The hopeful mommy-to-be and I also made a quilt for this room but I forgot to take a picture before I delivered it.  I will have to check out the room soon and see how everything is coming together! 

Sue Spargo BOM 2012

 Last June I was fortunate enough to take a few workshops with Sue Spargo when she came to our quilt guild.  It was so much fun working with wool and all her fun embellishment techniques that I wanted to do more.  While I love many of her designs I was uncertain about signing up for her 2012 BOM because the one from last year was not in my preferred color palette.  However after seeing a sneak peek of this year's colors, on the Sue Spargo Twee blog, I was smitten and signed up quickly.  Now this is not an inexpensive BOM (though I am not complaining cause you really do get some wonderful, unique materials) so it isn't one I want to linger forever in my "to do" pile.  I am in the week 3 mailing so I have only had the package for about 1 1/2 weeks, but other obligations have not allowed me to work on it until today.  A full day in the studio and the applique is complete and the embellishment can begin. Lots of embroidery on each block and hopefully I can start tomorrow. Oh how I am loving these happy colors!

 This is another wool project that I am trying to embellish using the same idea. The project is from the book
"Pennies from Heaven" but I am adding lots of extra stitching and some applique with silk.

And speaking of silk, a wonderful quilting friend recently gifted me with some wonderful Jim Thompson silk sample pieces. I am so excited that I am trying to plan the perfect project.  Maybe an applique project all in silk.  Makes me happy just imagining how beautiful that could be!