So I decided to use some of the more traditional colors in my scrap drawer - dark reds and olive greens, and a Moda Bella Cream for a background.
I cut them into a bunch of 2 inch squares.
From squares to a 9 patch -
And then to here - alternating greens and reds for an Irish Chain.
These are 5 inch squares.
Meanwhile, I'd been wanting to try embroidering some Gail Pan designs, because I've been so inspired by the sweet designs I've seen on Kathy's Quilts and Gretchen's Little Corner recently. I decided to see if I could check out a Gail Pan book at the library, and found this one -
After borrowing a light box from a friend, I traced up a simple design, and a short time later, I had it completed!
I will definitely be stitching up more of the projects from this book! In fact, I have another one traced to work on this afternoon.
So now I'm thinking about changing out at least one of my plain cream background squares in the Christmas project with some embroidery - like this!
If I add another column on to the right, the heart would be the center square. I think I like that!
Linking up with Cynthia at Quilting is more fun than Housework for Oh Scrap today
and also Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching.
How fun for you to try something new, and have a project ready to put it into to is awesome! Your stitching looks wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteI like where this is going! The embroidery is darling. I love Gail Pan and did a Patchwork Loves Embroidery SAL in 2014. I need to check out her Christmas book.
ReplyDeleteThe heart looks perfect in the quilt. I really enjoy embroidering Gail's designs.
ReplyDeleteI love the embroidery block! I have been looking at starting some embroidery myself. No time like the present, right?
ReplyDeleteI have decided that I need to make a new Xmas tree skirt and ordered a kit from Craftsy - your Xmas book looks great - have fun stitching
ReplyDeleteAaaah...the embroidered blocks are perfect between your patchwork blocks! Between Gail Pan and Kathy Schmitz, there are plenty of darling designs to chose from! I'm going to have to check out this book by Gail Pan! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet little embroidered block! I can't remember the last time I embroidered. It would be a great addition to your nine patch blocks!
ReplyDeleteWouldn’t it be fun to have an embroidered block between each of the 9 patches...? Someday, I will make an embroidery block or two. Your little Christmas project is looking great!
ReplyDeleteThat's going to be very sweet! I'm not an embroiderer, but I do love the look of redwork :)
ReplyDeleteLove your 9 patch blocks and the embroidery block would be so sweet to add to the piece you are making. I love Gail Pan's embroidery patterns and have to pull out my books and get to tracing this week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great plan you have going! And all without buying a thing! I think it's going to turn out so sweet. I need to start collecting Christmas fabrics. I have maybe one piece of Christmas fabric to my name! :)
ReplyDeleteNice fabric play! I love your embroidered heart, and it looks very good in the center of these beautiful blocks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty way to combine those projects. I really like the idea of adding the embroidery to that pretty nine-patch piece.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have some Christmas music playing in the background while you work on those lovely projects. That little redwork heart is so pretty, and your next one looks like it will be a beauty!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to use that adorable block with your nine patches. Your first try at embroidery is so good! I am glad you are making mote designs. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteThe added embroidery is going to look wonderful! Simple but so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think I like that too!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, great idea.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the start of another pretty project!
ReplyDeleteLovely project you are starting.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful project! I love Gail Pan's embroidery patterns, and they're going to be perfect with your nine patches!
ReplyDelete(I've been gathering stuff to start a bluework embroidery project - I might get around to it in the next year or two!)