In the Tree Tops Project Lesson

I'm working my way through Nancy Zieman and Natalie Sewell's book:
The Art of Landscape Quilting.

 The first project spins off of Sewell's art quilt In the Tree Tops. These talented ladies claim it is an easy one to start with as there is no ground cover and it is a close up view. As they recommend, I used only three fabrics. They do a very good job of teaching you how to enhance the tree trunks and background with fabric markers and oil pastels. I'm not disappointed with the book. However, I may be overly criticizing my first attempt, or.... maybe not.

 I shadowed the right side of the trunks with black Sharpee Marker and black oil pastels. It takes a lot of nerve to draw on a lovely batik with a black marker! I found I could soften the effect by going over the stark black with gray oil pastel. Then I took a deep breath and forged on. It was very scary! My background trees do not look like the authors. I guess when they do I'll write a book.

The authors advise you not to FMQ the tree trunks. Stitching the sides in place is all that is necessary. I do have to admit that they seem rounded and three dimensional. So... they must know what they're talking about! I did FMQ the drawn in trees, but left the tiny drawn branches alone.  ** I didn't FMQ any of the blue background. Do I need to? The picture shows ripples. Maybe I should stretch this on a wooden frame. (Oh, honey... build a frame for me.) I've got to research and see if this calls for background FMQ...Maybe it would make it too busy. SCREAM! I need a glass of wine, you say?? Sensational idea.

I plan to use a black/brown batik as the binding. I think that will help draw out the tones in the trunks and bring them back to life. I was also glad to see I hadn't forgotten how to do mitered corners. My borders are from the ever beautiful Stonehenge collection.

Keep stitchin' for the ones you love... I do.
Hugs,
Mary

Comments

  1. Karen MSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    It looks wonderful to me. I think it is very brave of you to follow their directions even though it seems scary. Go for it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lucky Duck DreamsSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    It looks wonderful! Im of the school'whatever I like works' so I wouldnt stress about doing it exactly like the book says.

    ReplyDelete
  3. FranSeptember 5, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    I think it's wonderful too!! Might be something I have to try too. WTG!

    ReplyDelete
  4. evelynSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Oh Mary-it is awesome! Seems like you are a perfectionist, and your own worst critic. I would be floating on a cloud if I could do half as well. Pat yourself on the back. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. MelodySeptember 5, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    I love it! I may have to get the book just for the trees.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jean(ie)September 6, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    I love that piece!!!! Just love it!!!! Enjoy the wine...LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jennifer M.September 8, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    This is looking so pretty! I'm not brave enough to try one of these quilts yet. I really love how yours is turning out.

    Enjoy the wine!

    Jen

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
 I don't have my beautiful sewing studio anymore. We decided to get out from under the mortgage. That means we sold the house including my awesome sewing room above the garage! Bummer! But we're going to Italy in the Fall for a month.... not a bade trade off at all. Italy always inspires new quilts. So we got creative with space. This house is 1400 sq' compared to the 2800' we sold. There are two bedrooms. That's it! The "guest bedroom" is my new sewing room. DH converted the closet into a lighted sewing center with my thread racks on the back closet wall. Not too bad. From now on I'll make smaller art quilts :-)  But, what to do about a bed in the center of the room???? DH to the rescue again. He built a Murphy Bed from a kit and directions off the web. His next project is a large work table that will fold up and go under the lowered bed when company comes. The picture below is of the Murphy Bed. We've already had several overnight guest
Read more

A Ghastly Party... It's BYOB!

Image
Welcome to Crooked Gulley's Ghastly Project! If you go into the city tonight you're in for a scary surprise! For every Ghastly that ever there was Will gather there for certain because... Tonight's the night the Ghastlies are having their GALA! What's that you say?? It's BYOB? I need a wine carrier that's made just for me? I've got it! I've found it!   It screams, " LOOK and SEE !" It's chic and carries the best Chardonnay, There's even more room for Merlot and Cabernet! Sparkly with pockets and secure compartments. And think of all the marvelous compliments! There's room for a cheese board, knife, and bread, Oh what a marvelous, delicious spread! Check out the pockets for napkins and corkscrew. How about the backside? It's cute and chic, too. It's simply sublime, and I'll look divine! And... now, I'm done with this silly rhyme!!!      Well... I can hardly wait for the next BYOB party at my golfing
Read more

April Showers Mug Rug Blog Hop

Image
Welcome! So happy you could stop by to visit on this beautiful spring day. Erin Davis  and Madamme Samm  have done a fabulous job of scheduling and coordinating this event...  To them I send ~   A Grand Thank You! My mug rug is a bit on the large size and does not have a thing to do with rain, showers or April. In fact, I should have saved it for next month's bird blog hop. But it is the one and only mug rug I've ever made, and I just love it.  (Oddly enough, so does my DH) It all started with this litte table located in our cozy reading corner of the kitchen.    It's functional because it holds magazines and has a lamp.  However, the top is not real wood! Tacky!  And, our kitchen is pretty nice... We love its open style and views.  Enjoying coffee there in the morning is quite nice. I wanted a nicer looking table. That little table was just screaming... MUG RUG! We have a bird feeder just outside the window that bird
Read more