March 14, 2014

Ruffled Pillow For Dear Charlotte

This post is centered all around my sister Charlotte.  Charlotte loves to read, has tons of flower gardens.. I think she and my hubby are in a competition to see who can have the most flowers... and she has a heart as big as Texas!
I entered a crazy quilt round robin a few months back and the theme was Kate Greenaway. I googled images from her works and found this woman sitting under a tree reading.  Just perfect for my block.  It was at that time I decided to give the block to my sister once it was completed. I have Carol, Diane, Judy, and Nark to thank for such a gorgeous gift to give to my sister.

Funny thing... tonight I was upstairs stuffing the pillow getting it ready to ship to her.  I called Charlotte to chat while I was working. She could hear the beads clanging on the table as I worked the stuffing in and around the inside of the pillow.  She asked what I was doing.  I told her that I was stuffing a pillow.  Well, she wanted to know why I was stuffing a pillow and I told her that I had made a pillow for her.  She said "yeah, right"... you aren't making me a pillow.

After 2 or 3 counters back and forth of "yes, I am" and "no, you aren't", I gave up and said ok, I'm not.  It is now in a box ready to head for Alabama tomorrow morning.  Won't she be surprised!! haha!

Do you think she will love it?


86 comments:

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

Thearica the pillow is marvelous!!!! Oh my...such beautiful work...what a lucky sister (and oh boy yes...she will be surprised when she discovers you were NOT pulling the ruffle over her eyes...lol)! Crazy quilting was one of the first techniques I ever learned in the world of quilting...I apprenticed with a craftswoman in NH during my hs and college years...we made tons of blocks...some ended up as quilts...some as rocker pads....and in college I remember making a crazy quilt with several friends as part of history project...sure would love to see that quilt now (the aunt of one of the friends bought it from us for $150 and we thought THAT was something...talking the late 70's so maybe it was...something..haha).

Stacey Napier said...

OOH, love it! Crazy quilting is on my to-do list and I love that you combined that with the ruffle theme - fantastic!!

Scrapatches said...

Charlotte will love it! I know I do. Beautiful stitching and embellishing. I have done crazy quilting. Years ago I made a small quilt in the traditional manner that was all handwork. Recently I made my Valentine heart using my sewing machine, too. I like this method and am thinking of starting another project. Thanks for sharing ... :) Pat

Amy said...

Your sister will love it. Hopefully, it will take her a couple days to read your blog and she will be completely surprised to receive it in the mail. Love the crazy quilting. I have never tried to crazy quilt (maybe someday), but I do enjoy looking at all the creative additions. Beautiful embellishment!!

jan said...

I think your sister will love it. It is the most beautiful pillow I have ever seen. I just love all the embellishments. Really a beautiful job!
I haven't tried Crazy Quilting. Don't know how. :)
xo jan

Judy B said...

What a lucky sister! I love crazy quilting and your pillow is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Cindy said...

If your sister doesn't like it, you can send it to me. I have never tried crazy quilting. It would be right up my alley as I enjoy handwork, but I need order. Thanks for the giveaway!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

What an amazing pillow…your sister is one lucky lady!!! I've never tried crazy quilting but will have to look into it..love all the embellishments…great job…thanks for sharing :)

Jill Rimes said...

What a great keepsake and the embellishments are so pretty!

Christine M said...

Your cushion is just lovely Thearica. I'm sure it is going to be a lovely surprise. I made a crazy patchwork quilt with the scraps from my wedding dress, the bridesmaid's dresses, my veil and all the buttons and beads I used. I also added some wedding photos.

Anonymous said...

I did a little crazy quilting a few years ago. I was making my daughter a quilt out of men's ties she had collected, and I really liked it, then her brother got attacked by the Green-eyed monster, and threw them all away when I moved. I'm still having trouble with that....sigh. I love your pillow! If your sister doesn't love it, I'll change my name to Charlotte and you can send it to me!!

xo Linda

GranChris said...

Very nice job. It will be treasured. I love your wallets. Birds are my favorites.

Anita said...

Lovely pillow!
I have done a little bit of crazy quilting, but my intension is to do a lot more. Just have to find the time...

vicky myers said...

I'm sure your sister is going to love the parcel through the post:)

MalinisQuilts said...

WOW! this is an amazing pillow, love all the embroidery and bead work. Amazing work and the ruffles is icing on the cake!
I am sure she will be totally thrilled to get the pillow, now that she knows ;). She will still be surprised by the beauty of it!

Britt-Inger said...

Your pillow is so awesome with all the embroidery and bead work. Thank your for sharing your creativity.

Shari said...

This is a fabulous pillow. Won't she be surprised! I've never tried crazy quilting...not sure what is stopping me, will have to try it soon because I am just loving it more and more!

Joan and Kevin said...

Love your pillow! I have not tried crazy quilting, nNow that I have seen your beautiful pillow I think I will give it a try.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Betsy said...

Wonderful idea for a ruffled crazy quilt pillow. I actually finished a crazy quilt last year. It is on my blog

charlotte said...

Love your pillow. It is sew old fashioned looking. I have never tried crazy quilting, although I have thought about it. Maybe we need a revival of that style of quilt to get it going.

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

I have never done any crazy quilting, but your block is lovely!! The ruffle is the perfect finishing touch to a sweet, sisterly gift :)

Gill said...

I love your cushion Thearica and I'm sure Charlotte will too! The Kate Greenaway' centre is perfect!
I've never tried crazy quilting!!

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Your pillow is beautiful! I have never tried crazy quilting because I'm intimidated by it lol.

Anonymous said...

You know, I have a HUGE respect of all the crazy - things you do, really! I mean, all the lovely details, the stitching, the perls, I don't think I would have the patience and knowledge to do like you!
Wonderful pillow, great, and I am sure that your sister will love it!

Carol Swift said...

It's gorgeous! Your sister is a lucky lady to have a sweet sister like you make her a pillow. Love it!

Mhairi said...

Your pillow is beautiful, such a work of craft!!!
Love the colours, thanks so much for sharing this.
I love all the little details .

Dorian said...

I am not a fan of crazy quilting, but your pillow is sweet and I know your sister will love it! Great job on it.

Shirlee Fassell said...

Love your pillow especially the embroidery er I mean the ruffle!! What do I love about CQ welllll the first 2 quilts I made were Crazy Quilts and now I do crazy art quilts .... not a sane quilt have I ever made. I just ended up in this hop because I love ruffles!! Your sister will be surprised and delighted at the great pillow I am sure!!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Your sister is going to love this! blessings, marlene

Sparky said...

ohhh the details of the silk roses and embroidery and those ruffles…T…this is really dainty…your sister will be out of her mind with ruffle love

Kay said...

You have a very lucky sister, she will love this. All of the work is exquisite and i am sure the cushion will be treasured. Thank you for a fun giveaway too

Jo said...

I have not tried crazy quilting yet as I am still trying to figure out the basics maybe some day

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

This is one fantastic cushion Thearica!! I love it...and I have made a crazy quilt bag. I really liked it, but haven't managed to get back to it yet. One of these days though......

Carol said...

That is one awesome pillow! I love all the embellishments (and the ruffle!). I have never done a crazy quilt yet--it is on my list--just seem to have too many other projects to get to first. One of these days... Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

She will love her pillow! How pretty!!

Emily C said...

I love your pillow. You added such nice detailing to the lady. She is very pretty.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Thearica your pillow is beautiful and your sister must be thrilled with it. (please don't include me in your giveaway because I have been making lots of wallets and I don't need another one).

Carla said...

WOW. Your stitching and embellishing for your sister's pillow is beautiful. She will LOVE it! What a wonderful gift and keepsake. I have a friend that crazy quilts and she made a quilt that took her 22 years to complete. Talk about stitching. I am more of an instant gratification quilter and don't think I have the patience it takes to make all those little stitches and embellishments. I have a lot of appreciation for those that take this kind of time on one project. :)

Linda C said...

I think once it arrives via the mail delivery person she MIGHT just believe you OR hopefully she reads your blog and knows for a fact it is headed her way. You did a great job on it---lovely. I've done some crumb quilting blocks that were part of a basket quilt from Fons and Porter and also have some materials to make a small crazy quilt project. Other things seem to take precedence though I love the idea of crazy quilting.

Carolyn said...

WOAH!! What a lot of work you put into this beautiful pillow! I know she will LOVE it!

Mokki said...

Wow, your cushion is so pretty! Such a lot of work has gone into it. I'm sure your sister will love it. I've never crazy quilted because I don't really know how to.

Margaret said...

That pillow is gorgeous. What a lucky sister Wouldn't you just love to see her face when she gets it. Thanks for sharing

Purl Buttons said...

Your sister should LOVE the pillow. It is so pretty! I do enjoy Crazy Quilting and have two or three in the works. Okay, one. But I have assembled the makings of another. I have used the crazy style to invent a rose block for my niece about 10 years ago but she was so young, I did not put buttons or decorative stitching on it. Good thing. Her mother washed it every week until it totally shredded.

Marilyn said...

Very nice job on the pillow - I'm sure your sister will love it. And of course, you know I love crazy quilting. I love to take plain pieces of fabric and embellish them until there isn't any more room and then use it to make something beautiful. And I like it even more if I can make something useful as well as beautiful but my two current projects are more decorative - another fairy book and a book using images from Singer's American Songbird trade card collection. I'm having way too much fun

Calicojoan said...

Wow wow wow, that is an heirloom of epic proportion! Absolutely stunning, and I know your sister will cherish it forever!

Vivian said...

I am sure your sister will be quite surprised, that is something my sister would so also. I have never been a fan of crazy quilting, so no I have never tried it.

Lana said...

What a lovely pillow...and all those ruffles make it so inviting! Great Job!

LittleHouseontheDairy said...

Wow! So pretty. I haven't tried it yet but I love the embroidery in crazy quilting. Maybe I will give it a try sometime.

DeAnna said...

Beautiful pillow. She will be surprised. I've never done crazy quilting.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I have done a little crazy quilting, but not to the extent of this. Just beautiful and I am sure the pillow will be much loved.

barb said...

i have never tried it, but i think i am going to have to. over the weekend, my best friends grandmother had to give up embroidery so i wound up with a huge and i mean huge box of brand new embroidery floss. there are doubles and triples of every color made. i love the pillow. i love the wallets, i go nuts for anything with birds. love your blog and love my emails from you. babscorbitt@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Love your pillow, Thanks for sharing

Brenda said...

I make all cotton crazy quilts. I just use the decorative stitches on my machine to pretty them up!

OhioLori said...

No...have never made a Crazy Quilt (although, ones I have made could be called crazy!!! lol I am kinda new to quilting...)

Your friend will be soooo delighted when the box arrives, huh? Toooo fun!!! Pillow is amazing!! Will be a Treasure to her for sure!

Marcy said...

Your work is over the top. Very creative and a true beauty. Wish I could stitch like you.

Createology said...

My Grandma and I made Crazy Quilted quilts with double knit fabrics in the 70's but no beautiful stitched embellishing. I keep wanting to try your style but I just feel intimidated by the lovely silk ribbon flowers. Charlotte's pillow with the ruffled edge is stunning. Thank you sew very much for Hopping...

Leah said...

Your pillow is beautiful, love all the details. I have tried crazy quilting, but only in small scale, fabric postcard sized. I like being able to add charms and practice my hand stitches. It is a fun medium to play around with.

LJ said...

Charlotte's going to love the ruffley pillow. Your crazy quilting is spectacular. Love it!

barbara woods said...

i haven't but it's on my bucket list

vicki said...

Love the pillow! Your sister is going to be so surprised! lol I haven't tried crazy quilting yet. Thanks for the giveaway. vickise at gmail dot com

barbara woods said...

i haven't but it's on my bucket list

Suze said...

Your sister is going to be thrilled. You are at the top of the list of one of the most giving people I know. I, too, think it is wonderful to give. I think it's funny that your sister doesn't think you are making a pillow for her. It's phenomenal. I haven't tried crazy quilting. A few years ago, it was a challenge for the quilt show and I didn't choose to participate. I guess I felt that my embroidery skills were not up to the challenge at all. Since then I have taken one embroidery class with the owner of one of our LQS and loved it. It's not something I practice, yet I find it very relaxing when I take time to do it. I did have to have surgery on both my eyes at the same time at the end of last year and finally that is resolving and I think I might be able to do embroidery and possibly medium size cross stitch again. It was trying to do cross stitch that made me realize that I just couldn't see well enough. It's difficult to thread a needle with double vision - lol. All's well with that now. Driving is still a challenge. It is scary to realize that the Department of Motor Vehicles checks each eye individually and I can pass the eye test without my glasses and yet I have double vision. They have no clue. My nuero opthamologist does. Anyhow, you always bring wonderful projects and great inspiration to every hop. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Have you finished the quilt for the gentleman for who you thought you might make a lap quilt and he asked if it was going to be for his bed and he has a king bed? I know that turned into a large project. Again, I hope your sister enjoys her pillows complete with ruffles as much as I have in just seeing it.

Jane's Quilting said...

She is deffinately going to love it!!! It is Beautiful!"""

Mary said...

That pillow is gorgeous. You do such beautiful work. She will love it.

Michelle said...

Fabulous pillow! You did such beautiful! Love it!

Brenda said...

I wish I were your sister; the pillow is beautiful. Your pillow friends did you proud, and the ruffle is a perfect finishing touch.

The two wallets are fun looking also. Wondered what that picture was in your enlarged series of five pics, until I got to the end of the post. If I can't be your sister, would love to win one of them as second prize .

Mary Pat Callihan said...

As everyone has said, the pillow is wonderful, beautiful, amazing! We all wish we could be your sister! What an heirloom. I have never done crazy quilting, but the woman we taught me to quilt made beautiful crazy quilts. One year she made us each a crazy quilted stocking for the Christmas tree. It is a treasure. I saved your pillow pictures into my photo file.

maggie said...

What a lovely pillow. You did a great job and I'm sure that your sister will just love it.

I love crazy quilting. I made one about 15 years ago and I enjoyed it so much. I found that every time I thought I had finished embellishing it with embroidery or lace etc. I'd spot another spot to add on to it. ! It was so much fun. I have more of these in my head, and want to make at least one more, or 2..
cheers
maggie

maggiemine42@gmail.com

Marian said...

WoW, if she doesn't like it, you can send it to me.. I LOVE IT!! Just beautiful!!

gpc said...

Adorable! I have never tried crazy quilting, but I've started making crazy fabric squares with the thought that I will some day embellish them. When I was a girl, I bought a silk and velvet crazy quilt pouch and fell in love with the idea.

Nancy said...

I have done crazy quilting back in the early days of quilting (1980s). I liked it, but I am one who has to try every new quilting idea that comes around. So one pillow was all I did.
I must say your sister is going to just fall in love with her pillow. That is beautiful.

MoeWest said...

Your sister will love this beautiful pillow! I haven't tried crazy quilting but it would be fun to try someday.

sandra said...

What a beautiful pillow your sister will certainly love it. Thanks for sharing.

Doris Rice, The Quilting Queen said...

I haven't tried crazy quilting and I really don't know why. Your pillow for your sister is fabulous. I bet she'll be surprised when she gets the package!

Lynn M said...

I have tried it, and its very hard.

Kim said...

Your pillow is so pretty! Love the decorations. I love the look of crazy quilts but have never done it myself.

Jan Baker said...

It's on my bucket list very close to the top. I love embroidery and crazy stitches so I think I will love making a crazy quilt.

Sherry said...

I have tried a little crazy quilting and I have plans for a quilt with pictures of my kids in it to do some time in the near future. Your pillow is beautiful and I am sure that it will be treasured. Thanks for sharing your project and inspiring us want to be crazy quilters.

Missy Shay said...

I want to try crazy quilting, I just have not yet. I love your pillow, that would be a good way for me to start, is by making a pillow!
missysaprons@gmail.com

Bonnie said...

I have a small project that I have been working on for years. The piecing wasn't hard, but finding the time for the embroidery has been my problem. I have several pillowcases that my grandmother made.

Bear Creek Quilting Company said...

Amazing and beautiful embroidery and your ruffles finish the pillow perfectly. Great job! ~Shari

Nupur said...

I've never tried crazy quilting but it is on my bucket list!

Vickie said...

The pillow is very very gorgeous ! I was never interested in crazy quilting until I met you, I am now pinning crazy quilts in Pinterest and exploring the possibilities !

Janarama said...

Fabulous pillow. Your sister is going to LOVE it.

Anonymous said...

I've never tried crazy quilting yet, though I've meant to. Maybe it's time to jump right in. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

Vickie said...

I had heart palpitations for a second when I saw Vicki....Congrats to the other Vickie !