Monday, December 8, 2008

Cottage CQ...Beach Grasses

The section on the right between the woods and the beach was the object of my attention this week-end.
Embroidering over photos is such a forgiving process....the imagery guides the thread and stitch choices, and then acts to blend them as well.

This area gave me the chance to test out how well the "representational" stitchery of the grasses combines with traditional CQ seam treatments. (The seams above the grasses are grass colored but made of cretan and detached chain stitch.)
I think the jury is still out on this, but I will carry this concept on throughout the whole piece.

Now I'll do the grasses section on the left side of the quilt. The scale will be quite different--the view is from farther away, so the grasses will be smaller--so there is some extremely fine straight stitching in my immediate future...

Meanwhile....we are still harvesting! The maritime Northwest climate is still generous in December....

Along with our homegrown potatoes and herbs, this made for a nice soup yesterday.....

20 comments :

Judy S. said...

Very nice, Allie. I hadn't noticed your birch tree before. Are those mushrooms underneath it? The grasses are perfect! We read just recently that the beach grass in OR was put in to stabilize the sand, and is now considered a noxious weed! Lucky you to still be growing edible stuff....we've seen roses with a few blooms on our walks but nothing to eat. Soup does sound yummy!

Diane said...

It's looking amazing! I especially like the wilder grasses section to the left of the birch tree. Your stitches and the colours you used make the area look so real

Summerset said...

Coming along nicely!

Soup with homegrown vegetables can't be beat.

Susan Elliott said...

I'll take soup over here in Maryland with our 20 degree temps and 25 mile per hour winds! First of all, the grasses are looking so life-like it's scary. Second, you'll find a way of blending the trad'l CQ with the realistic stitching because that will be the FUN part when all of the structural embroidery is done. Then, I know, you will really start to fly! (I've seen it before...)

Susan Elliott said...

your flying I mean...

Debra Dixon said...

Having the background photos as stitch guides is very helpful and clever. I am sure it helps to make quick decisions about what/how to stitch.

Marty52 said...

Love the grasses, Allie. They should really soften the overall picture and let everything blend in. Lovely!

Mmmmmm, soup. I made ham and bean soup this weekend... in fact, I just finished a bowl for lunch at work. Yay, homemade soup!

Paula Hewitt said...

the seam treatment grasses look more solid and linear than the free form grass - but if they didnt they would not look like cq seams and this would look like any old landscape quilt (so says the 'expert' lol) - i like the distinction between the seam treatment and other embroidery. nice veggies - im jealous

Sandra said...

Beautiful grasses! I love the subtle colors and the handling of light and shadow. You're doing a great job on this!

Mary Corbet said...

Hi, Allie! I think the grasses and the seams look great! So far, my favorite part of this project! I love the realistic look of the grass. It looks just like what it's supposed to look like!

Kay said...

I like the combination of traditional crazy quilt and landscape quilt; I don't see any conflict actually.

Vicki W said...

Wow, your garden is still producing! Ours is DEAD! LOL! The beach gras looks great.

Momma Bear said...

the prevailing 45 mile an hour NW wind is feirce in Chicago today!Since we have snow on the ground those fresh veggies look yummy!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Allie, I have not commented in awhile but I just want to say what a joy it is to look at all your wonderful CQ creations. I wish I had your artistic abilities. Your Lake Michigan Beach grass interpretation is great. You have given me some wonderful ideas for a future CQ of the place I call home. Hugs Judy

Amy Munson said...

It was 12 degrees this morning on my way to work and we may hit 0 for an overnight low tonight. Nothing is growing in ND, well except my belly.

Jane said...

Lovin' the grasses you're creating and happy to see bounty your still reaping ... unbelievable. Your fans have turned out so elegant.. what great gifties they are!

Barbara C said...

Great looking grasses. The realistic images are really looking lovely.

JoWynn Johns said...

We love leeks. I often cook a batch in the microwave with vegetable buillion so that I have it on hand in the refrigerator as a topping for fish, to add to any other vegetables, or add to various sauces and dressings.

As I and others have said before, it's so enjoyable to watch your work in progress, to see it come to life. The grasses certainly have.

Susan said...

The seam you chose to do fits right in with the rest. The jury says you win. =) Beautiful section.

crazyQstitcher said...

I am absolutely rapt with your landscape embroidery. I can't wait to see each new addition.