MAGPIE'S MUMBLINGS

A blog about my interests, which include fabric landscapes and various and assorted other artsy pursuits and sometimes known to contain mumblings of a random nature.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

A series, and a wondrous creation

As I continue to work on 'The QuiltS', I am in quest of something to post about that you might find interesting.  I suddenly realized that I haven't shared photos of a spring-themed box I covered awhile ago.  Since we're all hoping for spring (at least on this side of the hemisphere!), what better time?  I will share one photo in each post so thereby create a SERIES!!  Wow, who knew?

FRONT - or BACK - OF BOX

The box, which originally held tea, measures approximately 7"x 9" and is made of probably balsa wood.  Too nice to toss out so perfect fodder for covering with crazy quilting.

Most of you will have noticed that I have signed up to take Kathy Shaw's beginner crazy quilting class. Now, before you go getting all bent out of shape by my taking a 'beginner' course and telling me that it's not something I should be doing...I am self taught and I know there are lots of things that I am doing either the hard way or completely wrong and I know I will learn a LOT from Kathy.  She also teaches Intermediate classes and one of the pre-requisites to take those is to have completed a beginners class.  I completely agree with her! 

Anyway....my point (and I do have one, believe it or not) is to show you this....

Embroidery Frame

Kathy advocates using a hoop when crazy quilting.  It's not something I've ever done, so I'm happy to try it.  She has come up with her own design for an embroidery stand (clever lady!!) made from simple PVC plumbers pipe and fittings and has the instructions on her blog HERE.  The stand is useable in three different ways, either on a table or in your lap, with a working surface of either 12x12" (as you can see in the above picture) or 9x12".    With the help of DH I now have a great frame!  It requires ordering clamps from Amazon (Snap Clamp for 3/4" Pipe) and they're on the way - probably via slow boat and mule train and a lengthy sojourn in customs.

Today the quote is from Benjamin Franklin....  "Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn"


14 comments:

  1. It's an ingenious frame. But not a hoop, which can only be circular.

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  2. Hello Mary Anne! Love your covered Spring box.... it is very pretty. You will learn so much in Kathy's class... I had know idea there was so much to crazy quilting! Love the frame! Have fun! :) x

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  3. Love your quote. It is very, very apt for me. These days, a lot of training is computer based and I hate those with a passion - what I read just goes in through the eye and flicks straight past my brain and out my ears!
    The box is lovely. Lots of cheerful colour on that.

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  4. Always a good idea to get our loved DH's involved in projects then they leave us in peace to get on with things!!! Your Spring box would have taken some time, love all the details the daffs and the tulips and the little bird. Hope the postie arrives soon with a little package.
    Have fun!
    Wren x

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  5. Ooh! Your box is gorgeous!!! I cannot wait to see the next picture.

    I need to finish adding beads to my block from Kathy's class. I would love to take the next Intermediate class so I can take the Intermediate painting class. :) I look forward to seeing how you make your block unique. (They all follow the same patterns, yet end up totally individual. I love it!)

    Great quote, too!

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  6. I Love the colors, and true quote.

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  7. Now that is a clever frame! Your Spring box is lovely; so much pretty detail!

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  8. The box, of course, is beautiful.

    I just got the fittings to make this frame. I have several frames that I bought that are made of the pvc, but I wanted to have this one so off to Lowes for supplies. I will mention here that I thought I would be able to interchange the fittings from my "store bought" frames with the PVC you can buy at lawn care centers...but most likely you would not be able to. The OD of the PVC you can buy is smaller than the store bought frames, therefore the fittings will not interchange. So much for trying to save a buck!
    xx, Carol

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  9. Very nice especially Love the X stitch tulips!

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  10. Beautiful covering for the box. You will enjoy the class and seeing what everyone comes up with...it is amazing all are working on the same project and all are a little different.
    Deb

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  11. Oh my gosh-- that box is so beautiful-- you are so creative... It truly does shout Spring!!
    I'm so happy to finally be trending towards warmer days-- I want Spring to be here so badly!!
    Vicki

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  12. Hi Mary Anne, I'm quite new to crazy quilting. I love your stitching! It's so pretty. How do you decide what to put where? Do you have ideas for stitching before you piece the fabric or lots of ideas in a notebook and add them afterwards? Do you draw it on paper first? Those frames are good but I don't like to throw away the old wooden ones.

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  13. Such a pretty spring box! Lovely design. Do you suppose it'll hurry spring along a little?

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  14. a series? You spoil us!! This is crazy gorgeous??? Why have you been hiding it?

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Thank you so much for leaving comments! I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy life to talk to me. It's wonderful to know that someone is actually reading my mumblings and even more fun if I can connect with you and visit your blog.