This year, I am making blocks using Flower Fairy Fabrics (a Michael Miller fabric) with images by that renowned artist, Mary Cicely Barker. I'm also an herbalist. When I can blend my two loves together, it's a good thing.
This year, Elderberry is Herb of the Year. I had the elderberry print from the fabric line, so, it seemed a natural for the January block. All the work is by hand. Even the beaded fringe at the bottom, which I had made years ago and had waiting for the perfect project. Because elderberries are often found in hedgerows in England (I lived there for four years), I wrote Hedgerow Magic on twill tape and added it below the fringe. Elderberry is exceptional medicine - every year I make elderberry syrup, elderberry tincture and sometimes, elderberry glycerite. And, of course, elderberry pie! Often, elderberry chutney makes it way to the table. I make elderflower syrup and fritters as well.
I painted the fairy charm, she started out as silver. The silk ribbon flowers above the fairy are elderflowers.
I dyed the lace flowers that are on the right side of this photo. The heart is stitched with a cable chain stitch in silk pearl. Gold #4 braid for the intersections within the heart. Then, burgundy pearls and the beaded dragonfly were added. The flowers on the green velvet patch are made with pearls, seed beads and twin-hole beads.
The fairies wings were stitched #4 braid. The leaves are silk ribbon and silk chenille with silk floss for veining. The elderberries are size 6/0 beads.
I'm sure you know that folklore holds that if you sit under an elderberry bush on Midsummer's Eve, you have a chance of seeing the Fairy Queen and her procession ride by!
6 comments:
My that is truely lovely. I have always wanted to make a crazy quilt, but I cannot sew. It becomes this future thing I will do when I give up everything else:) Thank you for sharing! Marcy
Oh Betty ! it so beautiful!
I think i have a new word for this year "patience"
I am always in a hurry to get "Everything" together or do it "all at once" and then I see one of your splendid pieces and I begin to realize it takes patience to get it just so.618
Just amazing, Betty. I try to x-stitch once in a while! I just have to make time to do more items! Thanks to Tina for sharing your talent with us! xxoo Nancy
Momma Bear, it takes TENACITY, not patience! ;-)
So beautiful!
The colors of this block are gorgeous. Especially the beaded berries in the fairy print. They really do catch your eye. I liked your idea of painting the fairy charm. She really stands out on the block.
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