Friday, April 10, 2009

Hands, shabby roses, and those Wonky blocks!

If I was my own mother I would say to me, "You SILLY girl! You will never heal your hand if you keep using it!" But mum died when I was 3 so I guess I missed that lesson in life. ;-)

The two previous wrist restraints have not helped me function, so this is the latest one -


- and hallelujah! it works.
I still have the use of the other fingers on my right hand but my thumb is kept very straight and unbendable - a necessity for it to heal. My husband is home for the next two weeks on holidays so he will be the extra hands I need, though he cannot stitch to save himself so I'll just have to keep designing things for when I can sew again.

It was such a boost to my budding designer confidence to hear how much you loved my Shabby Heart embroidery! THANK YOU!! In time I intend designing a full quilt using similar blocks, but for now I am enjoying sharing my fledgling ideas with you all. Don't forget to send me a photo when you have stitched yours, ok? For those who haven't yet downloaded the pattern you can get here.

Jane over at Spreading the Faerie Dust left a big hint on her blog for me to keep those lovely Shabby embroideries coming, so to please her and add a little sparkle to her day, I'll share some photos of the latest one I created a few days ago...and if you all write me a comment on what you think of it I might just share it too.
The photo below is not a good representation of the fabric colour, it is more accurate in the two photos above, but I just wanted to show you the lovely sheen and design it adds to the overall embroidery/applique. I picked up this piece at a garage sale and just kept it waiting for the right project...I love it for the vase as it fits well with the satin threads I used for the roses.
Not sure how I will display this block, but I think I'll paint another old frame and hang it alongside the first one.
Perhaps you have unusual fabrics - velvets, laces etc that you could use on yours??


Before I sign off I want to show you Mai's first two Wonky Houses blocks. Aren't they so colourful!

For those who are about to stitch Block 3, would you send me a photo of your first 3 finished blocks and we can all have a look at the many and varied interpretations across the globe of Wonky Houses. Thanks!!

May you all experience the true blessing of Easter this weekend,
Jenny

25 comments:

patty said...

love it. I especially love the background fabric that you choose. I am so looking forward to seeing the full size quilt that you design. Please share this with us.

Maryjo said...

Please, please, please keep sharing...I absolutely love your blocks! What talent...I am sooooo looking forward to more! Thanks so much!

Mary Jo in Iowa

marlene said...

Look after yourself very much this hand, ailment in the tunnel carpiano?, only look after yourself the inconveniences(troubles) in the joints only they ask time to recover and during this time it is not necessary to move them.
On the design, divine, it is a beauty and of course I like that you share, kiss

soggybottomflats said...

As usual you exceeded yourself again, this is just beautiful. It is so delicate and fragile. I can't wait to dig through my box of what-was-I-thinking fabrics! What an inspiration, thank you for the beauty today..Elaine

Ruth B said...

I love it too! I would love it if you decide to do this as a series. I'd be delighted to get the pattern for Beauty. How about Grace, Faith, Hope, Charity, Kindness, Humility? Any of those inspire you? If not, I will be very happy to have Love and Beauty. Who wouldn't want love and beauty? Thank you!

Allie said...

Oh please please please with a cherry on top please share! I love that! I'll have you know I went out this week and bought embroidery floss JUST so I could do the Love design and start my wonky houses. *giggle* As soon as hubby fires up the printer tomorrow I'll be able to start tracing! I think beauty would look wonderful next to love. BTW, I adore the little rose next to the bottom of the vase.

I'm glad you found a wrist support that will help you. I have pinched nerves in my neck that run down into my hands, and it's NO FUN not being able to do what you want to!

Vicki ♥ said...

I do hope your wrist heals up very soon....most frustrating I am sure!!I love your vase with flowers ...so pretty and delicate.

Cattinka said...

Hey, you really know how to make these shabby chic stitcheries, they are so nice. I hope you will share this one also!
KATRIN W.

jacknjill said...

i love roses.......Symbol of love

Anonymous said...

MY, OH MY ! Your new shabby design is an absolute BEAUTY !;>) Love it, love it ! And IF you're still so generous as to share it, I'd be thrilled ! THANKS, dear...

Wonly houses : these are soo cute, as well. Although I still haven't started them, they're on my working table and I won't forget sending a picture, as soon as they're ready ;>)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
NADINE

barb's creations said...

Ooohhhh yes please share...I absolutely love it.I'm halfway through the "love" block and have decided to make it into a cushion for my bedroom.Please,please,please keep designing more yummy stitcheries and appliques.I have a very dear friend who is happy to print them out for me and send them to me.Thank goodness for wonderful friends or I'd have no way of getting your beautiful designs in my grubby mitts :) Barb.

Cathy said...

Oh Jenny, I love your design, but can I ask..who did the stitching...tisk tisk!!! Hope you have a lovely Easter and a restful break, Cathyx

Vickie said...

Oh dear I second Catherine's tisk tisk....lucky for you there was another splint eh.I can kinda understand how it is hard for you not too stitch when you turn out such beutiful work and you share too boot..you go girl-BUT give that darn hand a rest...
cheers Vickie

Sarah - Kala said...

Alrighty then. You are a very talented lady, but you won't get to use that talent if you keep that injury going by not keeping it splint-up so as to heal properly. So, please stop torturing your dear hand that is a gift to us, too! I LOVE (so far) everything you have made . . . and I love coming round to see your latest . . . and I can wait to see something new again when you're better. Please let your hand/wrist/thumb heal properly. You're in my prayers! I may take a "stab" at all these lovely designs once I get settled in HI . . . and I've learned a bit more about embroidery (plugging along on a certain project now that is slow-going as I make mistakes and I want it perfect - it is for one of my "pay it forwards" so I can't say what it is).

Blessed Triduum and Easter to you and yours.

Sharon said...

What a lovely idea. I've not seen anything like this. Fabric selection is delicate and accents the designs perfectly. Hope your hand is doing well. Hope you decide to share more with us.

Sabine said...

THis one is quite different from the heart, but just as lovely!
You sure have talent!

Siggi said...

"Beauty" is so wonderful. I love it.
I hope You share it too.
Excuse my bad english.
Greetings and a happy easter wish
Siggi from Berlin /Germany

Betty C said...

Your embroidery blocks are sweet and beautiful. Are the stitches in the flowers in the vase regular embroidery or is the thread couched down? It is so perfect.

Jeanette said...

Yes Please Jenny. Do keep sharing. I love the new design. I'd love to see what the full quilt will look like. Hugs, Jeanette

Anonymous said...

Take care of your hand, my dear friend. And thank you for showing more of your shabby chic embroidery. They are just beautiful, and I would be so grateful if you shared them...
and the idea of making a quilt with similar blocks is something I await for with eagerness. I have so much to learn. thank you. xxx

Margot said...

Jenny, his drawings are beautiful, I love it. Thank you for posting for us. I'm finishing my blocks, then send you the photos.

Happy Easter!
hugs

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Betty, the stitches are regular back-stitch, but I used Lola Silk thread - perhaps that adds to finish? I love backstitch and try to do it well as I think it adds to the overall finish of an embroidery.

Terry said...

I love it! Please oh please share the pattern with us!! :0)

Anonymous said...

Your roses are just a beauty, thank you for sharing it with us. And I saw my blocks on your blog, I'm so pleased. Take care of your wrist

GailM. said...

I love your work. Yes, please share...