Monday, October 3, 2011

a star and a spirit ....

Today I met with my patchwork friends (first Monday each month).  We've been meeting for over 20 years ....quite often lately there's a lot more chat than stitching! 
I follow Jude Hills blog and have been doing the Magic Diaries workshop.  I've been a bit quiet on the stitching front for a while,  so I thought today was a good chance to pick up my cloth again and get a bit of stitching done.

I have always admired Jude's wonderful story cloths and the non traditional way she often approaches her quilt making.  I have always loved patchwork stars,  so I began with a primitive style eight point star..just eyeballed the points and then invisibly basted (all as per Jude).  I was happy with this relaxed version of the eight point star.  Still lots of stitching to be done....that can come later and at this point I have quite a few patches completed. Maybe I need to start thinking about the size and placement of these patches?  

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When I was visiting my son in Switzerland last year I started this piece.... my sunflower spirit.  Often my husband and I walked through the amazing woods near my sons home...there must be spirits live in those woods,  they were so magical.  After one such walk my little spirit was born.  Still a bit of stitching to be done on her.


I think she will fit in well with my cloth.  I am sure there will be more spirits and beasts to join her soon.


LIVE IN THE SUNSHINE,
SWIM IN THE SEA,
DRINK THE WILD AIR.

-EMERSON-


Jacky  xox

26 comments:

MulticoloredPieces said...

To see the different interpretations of Jude's techniques is a real pleasure. These two pieces are just so gentle--it will be interesting to see how they develop. Lovely colors and designs.
best, nadia

Karen said...

beautiful work Jacky and I adore your piecing.

Heavens2Betsy said...

Really lovely stitchery. I love the gentle colours and shapes. penny

Judy Martin said...

I wonder if you made more stars, what that would be like?

Your relaxed points and soft colour choices make for a gentle, twinkling block.

If it were me, I would make more of those and see what they looked like in their simple repetition.

Beautiful work.

deanna7trees said...

glad you're stitching again. I am drawn to the center of your star.

ArtPropelled said...

Glad to see a new post! The piece with the star makes me think of a Spring meadow. I'm also drawn to your sunflower spirit. Happy stitching Jacky!

Anonymous said...

i really like this star. very nice.

Robin Olsen said...

Yes, the softness of both of these pieces ties together really nicely. I'm coveting that soft gray polka dot fabric! Did you make that?

Els said...

Love your star: it's probably the back side of the polka dot fabric...
Will the harvest moon be part of it too?

Nat Palaskas said...

Hi Jacky, it's nice to see you stitching again. Lovely star block. I always love star in on cloth. I love the background fabric - have a great day - Hugs Nat

Pat said...

I love your eight pointed star! The colors are just gorgeous.

Jen xo said...

Jacky these are going to be lovely, hope you are enjoying the longer days....

Peggy said...

Jacky, I adore these pieces! The sunflower spirit touches my heart, what a lovely, wonderful creation to come through and from you after your walk. I like that you have a stitching group, how fun that must be! I'm sort of jealous about that!

Mo'a said...

These are such wonderful pieces. I love the embroidery that you have done.

Caterina Giglio said...

I adore your star... just fabulous... xx

martha brown said...

the star is beautiful, Jacky! the colours are so soft and pretty.....

Anonymous said...

i love this star. your choice of fabrics make it seem translucent. love how the floral center's colors are reflected in the dots & your sunflower spirit goes along beautifully.

Emma said...

Such gentle stitching you inspire me to do something more quiet. Loved the scarf you made a while ago, it was huge!

Gaby Bee said...

Beautiful, Jacky! Your star is simply wonderful!

Hope all is well at your end!

Have a lovely day!
Hugs,
Gaby

Eva said...

Such a charming beetle pope!

Joe Madl said...

these are simply wonderful, jacky! i love the, what appears to be, use of the backs fo those polka dot fabrics! (and if they aren't the backs...then they are lovely, soft dots!).

i, too, have been very quiet on the stitching front and have been turning my hands toward stitching again. must be the impending winter...longer, colder nights...seems to naturally bring the needle chanter out in me.

namaste'

Karen said...

those pieces will go so well together..

iHanna said...

Such beautiful colour choices, so subtle and yummy!

suze said...

I love your eight point star Jacky!
And I hope you got yourself some swiss choclate when you went to visit your son. It's the best!

Hoola Tallulah said...

Your star and spirit are beautiful, loving these restful tones you are using, so pretty. Can't wait to see how this cloth evolves, hoping you will be back with more soon. Big love to you, lovely lady :) x

Linda Vincent said...

Love your stitched pieces Jacky ...always so graceful and subtle.