"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Monday, August 9, 2010

Letters and lace......

Back in March, I bought a printer's drawer and blogged about starting to stitch things for each section. It has been hanging on the wall since then but had little more done to it since I started the first letters. You can read about it here.


I have decided that I want to make a couple of things for it each month but needed to give myself a real boost to start it first. The one thing I knew from the moment I bought the drawer is that I was going to stitch the letters for 'borduren' for the top right section. There were just enough spaces for it. This is the Dutch word for stitching.

I plan to decide as I go along what I want to use in each space. I think it will be fun coming up with something each time. While finishing the letters, I knew the four long spaces just under the word would be perfect for scissor motifs. I am using ThreadWorx overdyed thread for this project. I will switch back and forth using color 10351 - Rustic Brown Cherry and 1077 - Pottery. I really love how this thread looks in the dark wood drawer.

As you can see, there is a good deal more work to do on this project. I am not setting myself a time limit on it but just want to enjoy each and every stitch!

This past weekend, I started a new quilt project. I had made a lace crazy quilt tablerunner many years ago for a class I gave on making crazy quilting traditional or modern. I would love to make a large crazy quilt using floral fabrics and lace. There is an old fashioned shop in a village near us that I knew would sell lots of lace. I bought a bag full to add to what I already have and started a few blocks this weekend. This will also be a project that I will make a block or two for as I work on other things in my quilt studio. It will be fun to work on between sewing other things.

So letters and lace means no pressure but a great deal of enjoyment!

Hope you week starts off creatively!

28 comments:

martine said...

Wat een geweldig idee.
Had ik nu mijn letterbak maar bewaard.

Nancy said...

It looks like a big challenge to come up with all the things you will
need to fill all the blocks. I love the scissors and the letters are so nicely done. Can't wait to see the finish.
I know you will have fun doing the crazy quilting. You taught me how, but no way am I going to be a quilter. One item is all for me.
Happy stitching.
Love you, Mom

Hazel said...

Your drawer thing looks lovely. Loving the patchwork. x

Christine said...

Your printer's drawer is going to be absolutely stunning when its finished.
I love the look of crazy quilting, and the lace adds such a pretty touch

Daniƫlle said...

And that's what it is all about!!! have lots of fun!! Mooie avond verder, groeten, Daniƫlle

Margaret said...

Oh my goodness Heidi - your 'letterbak' is looking wonderful already. What fun you must be having looking for each new design to add.

Your new quilting project is going to be lovely.

veel plezier met alles,
hugs, Margaret

Saskia said...

It's looking good! I just finished the letter A... It's fun working on those little things between the bigger projects. And I Love the lace, and the crazy blocks.

Elizabethd said...

What a wonderfully imaginative project, Heidi. I'm sure you will have fun thinking up all the other stitching for it.

Deborah said...

Heidi, that cabinet is gorgeous. You are doing a great job. I love the fabric on the table runner. Can't wait to see it finished.

Jan said...

Heidi, what a wonderful idea for your antique printer's drawer. Lovely start on your crazy quilt too!

Elly said...

Dat ziet er al heel leuk uit Heidi. Wat zal dat ene schaartje moeilijk knippen! Ik ben benieuwd wat er in de rest van de vakjes komt. Je crazy blokken zijn ook erg leuk. Dat wil ik ook wel eens proberen. Groetjes
Elly

Barb said...

Oh ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS-I love that Heidi, what an amazing project-that imagination of yours must be working really well-you are such a talented lady.
The colours in the quilt are perfect (as usual) oh I do like visiting you.
Love the lace you use too.
Take care sweetie hope you are well.
Hugs

Kaaren said...

What an awesome job on your printer's tray, Heidi. It's going to look stunning when it's done. No never mind what I just said...it's stunning now!

Pondside said...

I love your idea for the printer's tray - there may be a few more like yours after we've all been inspired by your post.

mainely stitching said...

Heidi, that is just the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen!!!!

DonnaTN said...

Your box will be so cute. I love the scissors in the longer sections. I can't wait to see how it unfolds. Your floral and lace crazy quilt squares are wonderful. It is so much fun to see all your creativity!

Lida said...

Wat wordt je letterbak mooi! Ik krijg steeds meer spijt dat ik de mijne heb weggegeven! Ook je andere borduurtjes zien er gezellig en mooi uit en ben weg van je crazy blocks! Heb weer lekker even bijgelezen, was weer een heel gezellig bezoekje! Groetjes
Lida

Jantine said...

I am back from my holidays! The scissor fob arrived, thank you very much! It is lovely.
I really love the stitching project and am wondering how you attach those stitcheries to the "Letterbak

Brigitte said...

Oh Heidi, this printer's drawer is becoming a real little gem. Well, "little" isn't the perfect word for it, lol. Such a wonderful idea!

Jenny said...

I simply love the printers drawer. All the little ideas one can come up with! The letters and scissors already look beautiful... I can hardly wait to see more of your ideas. The crazy quilt squares are just precious. The fabric and the lace are perfect together. Another wonderful idea. Heidi you are so creative.... thanks for taking the time to inspire all of us. Hope you are having a good week. Take care my friend. Hugs from CA.

Anonymous said...

Wat zijn die letters leuk Heidi,een heel goed idee voor kleine cadeautjes.Maar alweer een nieuw project,heeft jou nieuwe huis soms een expositie ruimte??????Dat word een leuke letterbak.
Joke.

angelasweby said...

Heidi, your printers tray has been beautifully refurbished and now you are beginning to fill the gaps, it is taking shape very nicely. I love the dark colour against the linen. It will be very pleasurable watching it fill up in the oncoming months.

I love your start on the crazy quilt and the laces are very pretty. If the old shop near you is the one I remember then it is an Aladdin's Cave indeed :>)
Angela xx

Jo said...

wow. I mean WOW! I love the printer's drawers, the scissors you have done are just perfect. And I love the alphabet you have used for the top - who is it by? It makes me think of medeival illuminated letters!

Good luck with the quilt, I really like the way the lace 'lifts' the blocks

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow your printer's drawer will be an impressive work when its done! I really love the idea you've come up with for it!

That quilt will be exquiste if all you've got to show us so far are two blocks!

Sonja said...

Wow, jouw letterbak gaat goed! Leuk dat je hier weer mee bent begonnen. De schaartjes zijn mooi geworden. Goed idee!

Deb said...

Oh Heidi - I just love what you're doing with your printer's drawer. What a fantastic idea. I'm really going to enjoy watching each new thing that you do with it.

And your crazy quilting looks wonderful too. The lace is just the perfect thing for it.

Ginny said...

It never ceases to amaze me how many projects you undertake! I love the different scissors you have stitched already for your printer's box. Your crazy quilt will be quite lovely when it is completed. You are definitely an inspiration.

Teri said...

I love that you are filling your printer's drawer with stitched items. If you get the chance, can you post about the process in terms of how you are measuring the compartment and then finishing and affixing each little work of art? This is such a neat idea, and I'd love to hear and see more!