I worked on a paisley this weekend and was surprised how little time it actually took. Usually on the weekends I don't even pick up a needle. I took the outline of the paisley from Carole Samples Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches. The outline is pearl cotton size 8 and then for the remaining I used pearl cotton size 12. Thanks to Jo in NZ for the tutorial on the paisleys. I really had fun doing them and I see more in the future. =)
More work on Melissa's block that I did this evening. Instead of leaving the paisley motif plain, I added some colonial knots to the motif. I think it helps pull the motif and the block together more. 
The details in the first pic were done be Debbie. =) Sorry it's a little blurry.
Center area of block
I auditioned so many pieces of lace for this area of the block to balance the lace on the other corner of the block but nothing seemed to click. I tried this paisley motif and it just seemed to fit perfectly on the patch. 
What can I say??? I love button/seam embroideries cause I think they look so 'vintagey'. The buttons on this seam ARE vintage- approximately 1930's or older. I bought them on the card and they are pretty small- about a quarter inch in diameter.
I hope you like your block as it is approaching its final journey home. I still have the olive green patch to work on and already have some ideas to play around with.
I think I am finished with my first heart for the chain of hearts group. I covered the pinked edges with lace to make it more presentable for viewing. =)
On another note, Jo in New Zealand has been so kind to share a tutorial on how to make paisley designs on her blog here- I have to try these- they are so neat! Thank You so much Jo!
http://nzjo.blogspot.com/
Another project using the same paisley funky fabric I was so smitten with a few years ago. I think it was inspired by one of JBM's books.
Have a great weekend all! I am off to do some shopping! Look out Taegu- HERE I COME!
Hee hee- Long ago I made some tissue case covers that fit in your purse as gifts for many friends. The pattern came from Suzanne in Michigan, listmom for the CQ Embellishers.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CQembellishers/?yguid=251264892
Here is the link to the tissue holder at Suzanne's blog.
http://suzannemi.blogspot.com/
Seeing it, I had a mixed reaction. =) I still loved it, but couldn't believe my stitching is so big and clunky!
At that time, I was very smitten by the paisley fabric that had orange, tans, purple, fuschia, and went perfect with some batik fabrics.
I pieced my Gypsy Purse block this week and wanted to post a pic before it gets embellished. In the hand embroidery group we are working on the Gypsy Purse together starting with an 8 inch block. The purse and pattern are by Lilla Levine and the link and pics can be found here-
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/lillapurse.html
The tone on tone silks used in the gypsy bags (minus the goldish paisley) are silks that I purchased here in Korea at Seo Mun market. They sell 'hanbok' fabric in the market. A hanbok is the traditional Korean garment usually worn to special events and holidays. The colors are luscious. I will post a pic of a hanbok tomorrow so you can see what it looks like.
The silk print was made using vintage dover books and the heat transfer method used by Pat Winter. There is no color to the print so I used my micron brown pen and colored over some of the lines.
I asked the hand embroidery group for any suggestions and I ask the same of any of you.
Stay tuned for more progress! =)
Lillian
