Wednesday, January 18, 2012

bindings and borders

Yesterday, I finished the machine quilting on the little chickadee hanging. I'm auditioning a sample binding which I think I will go with.

I didn't feel like putting it on last night--too fiddly when I'm tired, so I turned to my birch tree to see how I would proceed there. I got the idea that I might like to do crazy patches which represent the fall birch forest colors, and put them around the narrow batik border. I did one last night and laid it on the wall; however, I will need to do more before I can decide if it they will work.

We've had a few inches of snow over night which may turn to rain later; I hope not because we've already got a layer of ice underneath this fresh snow. I watched the chickadees and gold finches while I ate breakfast, but they had disappeared by the time I got the camera out.

School was cancelled as well, but it doesn't seem bad and it is currently not snowing, so I plan to go to my usual Wednesday swim this morning at the spa which is only a few minutes from here.
I'm linking to the Needle and Thread Network  for WIP Wednesday. go check out the lovely variety of stitching and quilting blogs.

11 comments:

greelyrita said...

I really like the chickadee border. It looks sort of snow-like. The trees are lovely. I was wondering how that was going to turn out. Good work!!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Wow!! That border makes your chickadee and the birches jump right out at you....lovely job. We just got some rain here...more snow gone.....

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

Wow. Those polkadots are just PERFECT! It always amazes me that such oddball fabric can look so good as a border! Very sweet. One of these days I'll take the plunge and make an art quilt.
~Monika K.
sewing in Saskatoon

ps thanks for linking!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I try to remember to take my camera to the kitchen in the morning so I won't miss a photo op. The birds just move so fast.

I like the dotted border too. Sometimes on small pieces I lay the binding choice on a table and then lay the piece on it so I can see it as binding all the way around.

Wendy said...

I am not sure if I read correctly or not, but I think I would prefer the look of the black and white dot border over the fall colours. Simply because this just screams winter to me, the chickadee, the patches of snow on the branch, the snowflake...the dried leaves are just stray ones that got caught up on the birch bark and have not blown away in the winter winds yet... I am not sure you asked for advice, but ...lol...I know you well enough to say it...and also know you will do as you see fit. After all you are the artist ...not me.

Katherine said...

Love your chickadee hanging and I think your choice of binding is lovely. He is adorable!

Sheila said...

I love your chickadee wall hanging , my favorite little bird , really great job!Love the border print , just perfect.No snow here the ground is bare and the temperatures are 10+ amazing .

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Hi Holly...thanks for your nice comment. my FMQ changes daily....I never know how it is going to be. but getting more comfortable with it anyway....Beautiful here today tool.cold tonight. But perfect for working outside in the daytime and walking...lol

Peggy said...

Your painting is looking fabulous!

Mary-Frances said...

Your chickadee wall hanging is wonderful. I think the white and black binding finishes everything off nicely - love that polka dot fabric too!

elle said...

The binding is great and the texture on that birch tree is amazing.