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Monday, January 14, 2013

WELCOME! In MY OWN WORDS










100,000 WELCOMES!!!


Yippee!  Today is my day to share with y'all the project I thought of to reflect a part of me.
First off, I'd like to thank the hostesses that set up this terrific Blog Hop.  Linda of Buzzing and Bumbling Blog and Madamme Samm from the  Sew We Quilt Blog, both are super talented ladies and so organized to host this and cultivate all the lovely talent that has been shown.  This project came to be because of your inspirational thoughts on  hosting this hop.   Thank you Both! 

How it began  is when I noticed on Linda's blog an invitation to join in a BLOG HOP about In Your Own Words and I put on my big girl panties and pledged that I'd  participate in  my first ever hop!!! 
 
Over the years many words have found there way onto my projects in different ways.  Since one of my desires this year is to focus on my PROGRESS.  Progress with my life, crafts, learning, maintenance of myself, home, family, friends, reading, beading,  and practice them all routinely.    I knew this hop was a synchronistic opportunity for me.  While thinking of the many different ideas of what to make or which word(s) to convey,  I mentally completed many and then ruled them out just as quickly in the next breath.  There were many words floating around in this lil' old head of mine while trying to figure out which  project could be done, be unique, besides something that would share a bit of my WIP self with you at the same time as hopefully make something that was on my HSY list.  (HSY stands for hasn't started yet.) 
Since I love to decorate different monthly themed runners, wallhangings, pillows and such around my home through out the year, a table runner for my antique refrigerator in the dining room would do nicely.   Reading through my Creativity Journal from a time period of about 5 years ago I wrote, "Make a green scrappy tablerunner" an  ahhh.. haa... moment came and I knew what was meant to be. 

An Irish Table runner!   Because of my Irish Roots from my Dad's side, I've always loved anything Irish.   I remember as a little girl, my Dad singing to me, "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and feeling safe and totally loved.  This project needed a word conveying my Irish nature.  Thinking that it should be in Gaelic  I started searching  Google to see which Gaelic phrase would be best as well as doable.   I didn't want something with too many words and I also wanted  something recognizable yet unique.  That's when I stumbed across Céad Mile Fáilte, A Hundred Thousand Welcomes and knew, that's it!  Thankfully, our home is busy with many visitors, both friends and family stopping by often and we love welcoming each and every one.

So into my little studio I went.  Going through my stash of greens pulling out the hues/prints/tones  that appealed to me and then rumaging around the cream section for a little contrasting  pinwheel accent I  envisioned going through
the 40 shades of green rails.    lol       PAY DIRT!  
 I just happened to have in my stash a perfect cream, a tone on tone print with just a hint of  peach,  but it also had gold sparkles going through out it for those pinwheels besides using it for the background of my word.     Now I'm thinking leprechaun, pots of gold, lol,  I know I know, I need help!!  Anyways,  I  did a little test of my idea of  using a magic marker on a small 4" x4 " piece o' that cream metallic sparkley fabric to make sure the color stayed colorfast and could hold true without bleeding.   It did.

 Little tip:  Always try out any markings on a small disposible sample before writing it on your  project!  This will check if it can stay if wanted or be able to wash out if needed.

Well, to get that word on my fabric I used Microsoft word and typed  the  Céad Mile Fáilte phrase about 10 times.  Then I played with the different styles and sized fonts, trying to get the look I knew in my head but couldn't find in my available  type fonts.  After reviewing and auditioning the printed out words for several days weeks  I was wondering, what to do?
Then it came to me, I could always use one of the larger size 92 in theTempus Sans ITC font that was the closest look for my pattern,  draw it on the fabric using it as a guide.  Afterwards it could be embellished in ir's style wherever I thought it needed to be.
I used a glue stick to hold the pattern guide and fabric together after centering both the fabric and the paper guide. {Thanks Linda for that tip about GLUE from the hop about quilting tips! I used to use pins but this was much easier!!!}
 
I laid them on my Sand Board so it couldn't slip then traced the words with a regular green permanent marker to outline the letters and colored it too.  In my mind it looked good but still wasn't done.  (This is my usual trend of thought, add a little bit more of this and perhaps more of that...... until typically it gets shelved as a UFO.  I am trying very hard to overcome this trait.  Making myself work through these rough spots and just get things done!)  Sorry... I digress.  
When it was totally colored in I used a hot iron to set the color  several times.

After pondering some more, figured that I'd embroider around all the letters.    Using a DMC Rayon thread (it has a lovely sheen) of a dark green # S501 that BTW, that actually matches the color of the dining room curtains,  I started embroidering using a back stitch with all 6 strands of thread on the first letter of each word.   This gave the  capital letters a bolder and more dramatic appearance.   I always use an interfacing fused onto my cakground fabric when stitching, it eliminates the shadow effect if youcarry a thread a little ways on the backside, but most times, I don't carry. 
I'm happy now with this but wondering what to do for the smaller letters? Six strands of thread on them will look awkward and chunky.  Wanting it to be organic in form but not defective is you know what I mean.  Also what if the green marker fades with washings and the years of service besides setting near a window with the UV rays shining in, how will this word hold up?
My answer:  "I'll embroider around every lower case letter too but use 2 strands of floss instead and use a stem stitch to change it up." YES, that's it!!!! 

They'll be outlined so something will remain, but won't compete with the capital letter of each word.  I'm happy now that it's coming to fruition.  At this stage it is now Saturday  night at  9:10 pm and I just finished the last letter. 
That rayon DMC was tricky to use since my skin on my fingers are chapped and my thunb is iterally  torn up  and keeps fraying a bit of thread every once in a while.  Yes Rayon is that fragile!  Band aids helped cover those areas so my thread would hold up without shredding.  I Looked hideous and ridiculous while stitching this  but it got done. 

With that end embroidered I now thought, what now?  It needs to be balanced and another embroidery needed to be made for the other end, perhaps Erin Go Bragh (this means Ireland Forever).  How ever will I get 'er done in time to share early Monday morning?   
 
Bobbin work! 
 
So I wound up some of Superior Threads, Razzle Dazzle thread onto a bobbin to create the phrase Erin Go Bragh.  I did that like I stated on the first section  but did a mirror image print out then  traced it onto the paper side of fusible interfacing.  Fused that with  the background fabric  and went to work stitching very carefully.  The worst part of this was getting all of those thread tails to the underside and tie a little knot after stitching each letter.    Ahh, sweet Success!  Next, onto my piecing. 
 
 
To make the blocks for the runner, this is what I did:
 (All of my photos can be enlarged to see the details better.)
 
 
 
To make the green fields I sewed a cream 2-1/2" square onto a green 2-1/2" X 6-1/2" Brick.  Marking a sewing line diagonally in the cream  square and sewing them in a half square triangle configuration with right sides together.    See photo at right.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Assemble 3 bricks together into your block.  This consists of 2 bricks with the HST ends laid on opposite sides with a plain green unsewn brick laid in oreo cookie style in the middle.   Make sure you have your HST placed on the block in the manner shown or you'll get a diamond center instead of a pinwheel spin when 4 of these blocks are sewn together. 

The pink fabric used here is just because of it's high contrast to the block's colors.
 
 
 
 
The pink fabric is just contrast - to show how those units will spin if laid out correctly.
Lay it out to be sure the orietation of the HST bricks are spinning around like a pinwheel. Make as many of these as you need for your finish.  I made a total of 16 blocks for this runner.
 
 
While working on this I actually thought a quilt in this pattern would be easy and fantastic. I'll probably get to that in another 5 years or so,
 just kidding!
 

    Sew the blocks together using an alternating direction  or a basketweave style.  Another way to phrase this is to have a vertical block next to a horizontal block, etc...  never have two blocks with the same orientation next to each other. 
    I pressed seams open to alleviate bulk.
    Center,  measure, measure, and MEASURE then cut  the embroidered panel to size.  I cut the 2 of  mine  5" x 12- 1/2"  each and then sewed to the ends of the runner.  
    Hand embroidered phrase with Rayon Thread and colored with a green permanent marker







    This was  so long and skinny that my photos didn't look right when I snapped a shot of the whole thing in one photo.  To show it I snapped several shots so you see all of it via different frames.   There are 4 pinwheels in the center of this runner with the ends in that cream finish.  It should look great with that mottled green print shown on the bottom, second one from the right.





    This project was so much fun creating and want to thank Linda and Madamme Samm again for inspiring it's design.  





    All that needs  to be done is to press, layer, quilt and then bind it. 

                





                    Piece o'cake!
     
    "Bobbin Play" work for the embroidery with the binding fabric shown underneath
    If you have time, please make time to visit the other bloggers who are participating in this hop.  The creativity shown is as beautiful and diversified as the bloggers who are sharing this "wordey  journey".

    Here they are:

     

    Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)


    Simple Sew (Shirley T.)

    Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)

    RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)




    Quiltsmiles ( that's ME!  )

      Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out this lil' bit o'me.   I'm now enjoying a cup of tea while I resume some of the housework duties I've neglected while I've been creating!   VBG!!!  

      Make sure you try to visit the other quilters sharing their projects on Day 6  of the In Your Own Words Hop aka Wordey Journey.  lol


    Jane

    PS:    If  you're interested you can hear the correct pronunciation and learn more about Céad Mile Fáilte, A Hundred Thousan Welcomes at these links.  Once again, 100,000 welcomes! and thank you for stopping by.   

    PPS:  I even thought a Ransome note styled letters in a phrase could sum me up too since most times I can get so scattered with all the time snatchers kidnapping around here! Though I always  find Joy in my journey along the way,  but that will be in another project on a different day!  Perhaps that kindle bag I'd like to make with a pocket for the cord...... 

    71 comments:

    Robin said...

    Love your table runner, Great job well done.

    Robin in Washington State
    assweetaspeaches hotmail

    Scrapatches said...

    ... and just as many smiles!

    Thanks for sharing ... :) Pat

    Nati said...

    Love your table runner, thanks for sharing it!

    Vroomans' Quilts said...

    A lovely heritage inspired piece. Thank you for sharing it's process.

    Martina said...

    Love your table runner. Great idea! Thanks for sharing the process and the words.

    Mara said...

    I'm so glad you got the pictures in, because you did a wonderful job on the tutorial. And the addition of the pronunciation is awesome, I am going to steal that for my Greek blog. I love Ireland and wish the Irish people could all live in Greece, then it would be a great country with all the warmth of the Irish people.

    Sunshine Girl said...

    Its very nice - I love all the colours you have used.

    Just Sew Sue said...

    I like that block pattern.

    Britt-Inger said...

    It was very interesting to read your story and follow your work with you project. Thank you very much for sharing

    Jeanie said...

    Lovely runner and welcome to the world of blog hops! I'm sure we'll see you again!

    Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

    Very impressive work and I love the saying. =)

    charlotte said...

    Sew very pretty and spring-like with all the beautiful greens. It looks very Irish to me. Love it.

    Just Quilt It said...

    Green is my favorite color, and you used such beautiful green fabrics. Lovely work!

    Quilt Doodle Designs said...

    Your table runner is lovely! Thank you for sharing :)

    Happy quilting,
    cindy at quiltdoodledesigns dot com

    Patty said...

    Nice project - like the table runner.

    Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

    My daughter has always loved anything Irish too. Lovely table runner.

    Sparky said...

    yes a 100 thousand welcomes is gorgeous and I learned a new phrase today...thank you ...

    Sowing Stitches said...

    What an awesome collection of GREENS! You've inspired me...I need to make more table runners!

    Quiltin Jenny said...

    What a great table runner! Thanks for this great tutorial.

    I love the words you chose and the beautiful fabrics.

    Thearica said...

    Terrific tablerunner!

    Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

    I love this runner!! Great job on the words

    Linda said...

    What a beautiful project! You did a GREAT job! (and I'm so happy you tried the glue and liked it!)
    By the way, you have tomorrow's schedule posted there. We won't have anything up until then!:)

    gpc said...

    Wonderful! And good for you in your first Hop -- you did a fabulous job!

    Calicojoan said...

    Wow, that's gorgeous! Bobbin work too! :-)

    Martha said...

    I love the words, the colors, the patterns. It is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

    Agnes B. Bullock said...

    This is GORGEOUS!

    KaHolly said...

    Love it! And, enjoyed visiting your blog!

    JudyCinNC said...

    A Hundred Thousand thank yous - wonderful project and so meaningful. Judy C

    Anonymous said...

    Jane-Love your Irish table runner. McCall's has an Irish quilt block of the month that is on my "to do" list. I am half Irish. Hmmmm, that saying would make a great banner for my front window From CA, thanks for sharing.

    Pamela Kieffer said...

    loved your word

    carla said...

    Hi!!! Love your table runner!!! Love the greens and the pinwheels!!!

    Nancy M. said...

    Beautiful table runner. I love the saying.

    Carol Swift said...

    I'm so glad you put on your "big girl panties" and joined in the hop. I love your runner and it's meaning. Thanks for sharing. :O)

    Hooked on Quilting said...

    Wow, love it! Thanks for sharing.

    Kathy H said...

    All those greens really made the runner beautiful. Fun idea.

    Judith said...

    Table runner is sew beautiful! Love your tutorial and the fabrics. It all came together. Thanks for sharing...Judith, Texas

    Judy B said...

    Beautiful table runner ! Thank you for sharing.
    jbechosend at sbcglobal dot net

    Patricia said...

    Great idea for the table! Lovely!

    Katie said...

    great project -- This looks like something that I could do to start using up some more of my scraps. Thanks for sharing.

    Dee said...

    Lov your runner - awesome job!

    sew.darn.quilt said...

    I really like your table runner and the words are lovely :)

    Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

    Lovely words - great projects :)

    Jodi - usairdoll said...

    Love your runner and what a beautiful phrase! Love your post, you had me cracking up in several places. I also have a list of HSY projects. My friend and I were just saying we have to live to be 200 years old to get all our projects done. We have so many patterns and ideas! hehe. Thank you for sharing your runner and process with us, wonderful job!

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    Jane's Quilting said...

    Wow, that is really impressive. You did a great job. Thank you for sharing with us all.

    Jane's Quilting said...

    What a beautiful table runner. I just love the colors that you choose for it. Thanks for sharing.

    Farm Quilter said...

    Great bobbin work! Never had the nerve to try it, but my LA can use Razzle Dazzle (love it) as a top thread. This will make a lovely table runner for anyone, especially a fellow Irishwoman!

    Tammy said...

    Thank you so much for ahareing your beautiful project with us. It is absolutely gorgeous.
    conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Jenny said...

    oh my word, I LOVE that quote. I have loved it since being in Ireland in 2000...I bought a plaque with the words "Cead Mile Failte" on it while I was there....it still hangs next to my parent's front door. Such beautiful work, I love the greens.

    Tammy said...

    Thank you for shareing yoru lovely Green project. It is amazeing.
    conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

    SIMPLESEW said...

    cute and looks complicated.

    Kate said...

    Love your runner and your words are one of my favourites - now I even know how to pronounce it. :) Thanks for sharing your how-to!

    ~Marica~ said...

    Wonderful contribution to InYourWord's Bloghop!

    Lyn said...

    Very nice!

    StitchinByTheLake said...

    Wow! What a wonderful journey of creativity to a beautiful project! Blessings, marlene

    Darlington Delights said...

    Great words and I love your runner! Such beautiful colors and fabrics. It's very eye catching. Thanks for sharing!

    Rosemary B❤️ said...

    Rosemary B here:
    This is really a wonderful table runner. I love it!
    Thank you for sharing today

    pinsandneedles said...

    Love your table runner! Thanks for your tutorial and sharing a piece of Irish.

    Barb Neiwert said...

    I'm just about ready to get myself a cup of tea, too! Love your quilt, and thanks for taking time to write up such a nice post. I'm doing my first hop in the Dresden Hop coming up next, so be sure to come over and visit!

    Robin said...

    Great runner!

    In stitches and seams said...

    what a nice way to welcome your guests and have a touch of your heritage too.
    in stitches

    CeLynn said...

    Thanks so much for sharing how you this lovely table runner. I really love all the green,as it is my favorite color :) Your words are great too!

    sandra said...

    Beautiful table runner . Thanks for sharing how you got there.

    LJ said...

    All the green fabrics are wonderful and the cream adds just the right touch. It really is a large project; congrats in getting the piecing work done. Now...you have a month to finish the quilting so you can display it for St. Patty's!! :)

    Mary Ann said...

    I love culture and quilting - what a fabulous combination!!

    lefuntz said...

    Love your table runner! Such beautiful green fabrics. Your letters look great.

    Brenda said...

    Beautiful runner! Love Irish also. I would love to have some celtic patterns to use some day.
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

    ✄ Erin @ Sew at Home Mummy ✄ said...

    Beautiful! I love it!

    Karrie said...

    BEAUTIFUL table runner! So pretty! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

    Sheila said...

    Beautiful runner and I love that Gaelic phrase being of Scottish heritage . Thanks for sharing .

    Mrs.Pickles said...

    That is very very pretty! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

    Love your Irish runner. Thanks for the tut!