While I greatly admire her skills and work, her tastes lean toward Victorian. She told me in an email that, "I could have quite happily lived in the Victorian era.” Knowing my preference for all things modern, she added, "I can’t see you there!" Val's right. I prefer designs that are simpler, with less frou-frou.
But I like to embroider, and I really appreciate her talent for creating designs with Biblical messages.
When I contacted Val to say I was thinking of adapting her 2013 "Apples of Gold" BOM
to suit my tastes, what did she go ahead and do? Sweetheart that she is, she resized and redesigned the layout!
Now, she's offering the alternative design to anyone who would like to join in on this 11 month BOM. So, for those of you who prefer brighter, more streamlined designs, here's the Google docs link to Val's "Alternative Apples of Gold." You'll get to choose your own fabrics and embroidery floss colors.
For mine, I chose Essex linen for the stitchery background. For the tree block, I used Vanessa Christenson's "Simply Color" orange ombre; "Nature Elements" from Art Gallery fabrics; and Cosmo floss.
As my salute to the 2013 Pantone color of the year - Emerald - three strands of DMC #562 were used for the running stitch around the tree. Guess I've come up with my color scheme!
The tree is the first (January) block, and it was surprisingly easy and quick to make. Embroidery stitches include a stem stitch; blanket stitch; and running stitch.
That's my block on the left. Val's is on the right.
I guess she and I are like a couple you may have known. The husband and wife team who sang, "He's a little bit country. She's a little bit rock 'n roll." Remember,
Our lyrics would be more like, "She's a little bit genteel. She's a little bit modernistic."
It's not too late for you to join us - genteel or modern - we're all friends! Linda
While I do love Fig Tree, I am with you on a simpler version. Hhmm. . . need to check this out.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have made the tree look so modern and streamlined! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a real friend. :) You should hare this at BOMs Away.
ReplyDeleteYour friend is so lovely. I am very impressed. Thanks for linking up to Boms away. That is how I found your blog. XX Kathleen
ReplyDeleteI've admired Val's creations for quite some time. It doesn't surprise me that she revamped her pattern!! She's like that! The first pictured quilt came out great.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet of Val. I love embroider as well but just haven't pulled mine out in a while. Love the modern adaptation of your project.
ReplyDeleteYour January stitchery is wonderful! It'll be interesting to see this project develop and to see how different it is from the first version.
ReplyDeleteWasn't that Donny and Marie?
You're so right, Jackie! Duh me. Thanks for bringing my mistake to my attention. I corrected that in my post.
DeleteI look forward to seeing how your more modern stitchery turns out. I'm with you on style preference. Haven't done much embroidery yet. Maybe some day.
ReplyDeleteLove your tree and the other blocks too!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteYour guess on the Buderim Blog was the closest, could you contact me with your snail mail address so that I can post you your winning fatties.
Tried to e-mail you but to no avail, so trying the comments, hope that's o.k.
So enjoying following you and the other gals on Scatterdays, such fun!