Instead of uploading my pictures in blogger from my iPad to computer I tried emailing the pics to my computer and I think they are a little better. 

Finally The Witches Heart is completed!

Name tag on back.

back

Measures 46" by 56"

The Witches Heart

I really have been working on this quilt although it is taking forever.  Finally finished the back.

The lace is and the velvet is sewn on by hand that is why it is taking forever.
I still have to tack down the lace with some sparkles.

You might ask why the name The Witches Heart!  The mother of pearl buttons in the center and the heart on the back with my initials in it have a twist at the bottom are called Witches Hearts.  
A little history I found.......(these are not my words sorry I lost the source) 
"Witch's hearts were worn for their "magical properties", that being to ward off evil spirits and protecting loved ones.  Interpretations in jewelry often change over time, through the changing perceptions of symbolism and society.  In the 18th century, they were tokens of love.  The Witches Heart came to mean that the wearer had   "bewitched" the giver."

I am still working on my other quilt but its on a large frame in my studio which is not air conditioned and just too hot to work on.

I don't like to start other projects till one is finished but I decided to experiment.

I was inspired by Nicki  Seavey's Crazy Quilting on a damaged quilt top someone had given her.  I have had it in the back of my mind  and finally found one  (not nearly as nice) at the Brimfield Flea Market in July.  It was damaged, reasonably priced and worn  so I  took a chance.  

I don't every cut up items that are intact no mater how much I love them but this had loads of damage around the edges.  A friend cut the Hexies out and I ended up with 85 usable ones.  

This is the end result of my experiment and I like it a lot!  There are definitely things I want to do differently.

the block now measures 10" by 10" and I would make it a little wider.  Its white nylon organza over yellow silk organza and you really can't tell that the top layer is cut out in the 4 hexes at the corners and in the petals around the edges.  I plan on 12 blocks so I will need to find or probably make 48 somethings to go in the empty hexes in the corners.

Hopefully it will cool off so I can get back to "The Witch's Heart".

The name of my quilt from the CQJP 2015 project!

These pictures always look great on my I-Pad but don't translate to my blog that well.  Just to show I have been plugging along with the background design. 

The circles aren't sewn down yet.... not till all sequinssssssssssssssss are done! 
The gold beads will outline the circles.

Last Thursday I went to the Metropolitan Museum in NYC to see the the exhibit...........

Manus x Machina 

 Fashion in the Age of Technology

I had heard it wasn't great but I think it was amazing!!   Here are a few pictures.

Made with individual hand cut plastic straws!  Also available in black.

Not a great picture  but it was one of my favorites made of feathers.

Made of little rolls of tulle.  Could be titled no sitting!

This is a court presentation ensemble by Boue Soeurs 1928.

Love the detail.

Hand crocheted. 

More feathers.

These are only a few of the many dresses that are on display until September 5th.  If you get a chance its well worth the visit.

I wish I had taken a picture of the Chanel suit made out of plastic... amazing  

Brimfield Flea Market in July is HOT and sort of quite with a lot  fewer dealers. 

This dealer sells the most wonderful garden fountains etc.  Walking through this area is so refreshing!

There were two pristine crazy quilts both with the same date 1882.  

Each was small but wonderful.  The edging was beautifully done.

The edge with the flower and leaves ends on the right with the herringbone stitch binding.  The fern design is the edging of the
second quilt.

I did find a few treasures.  I couldn't resist this roll of  2" ribbon  .... I can see it as a border on a wall hanging 

I was concerned about running out of 4mm black laquer sequins for my current project.  I tried to order more from Langlois-Martin in France but they closed for vacation until the end of August. 
I found this piece of damaged trim that is about 10" wide and 2 yards long for $20!!  I can rescue more than enough 4mm black laquer sequins to finish my project.  The bugle beads will probably find a home as well.

Thanks Nicki-Lee I couldntt resist this quilt top.  Its not nearly as pretty as yours but I might get to some Crazy quilting on it eventually!! 

I have spent the last week trying to figure out what my background would be.  When I do something like this I need lots of  the item so I have enough to finish without running out.  So I have been counting squares and beads to estimate if I have enough.  

This is the pattern I have decided on.   I have enough of the gold and black beads but the 4mm black lacquer sequins, item I need the most of,  I am iffy on the. I would order another hank from  Langlois-Martin but they are on vacation till the end of August.
I am pretty sure I have enough 4mm to finish the perimeter and if I run out I plan to switch to 5mm for the center bits. 

Brimfield starts tomorrow so I will be off poking around there for the rest of the week.

Then back to business on Saturday!!

I am in the process of assembling this quilt.  Its boring stuff with no pretty pictures so I thought I would post some close-ups. 

Wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July!