Thursday, September 17, 2009

My Creative Space - Redwork Quilt Square

It was with a mix of relief, satisfaction and sadness that I finished and posted my contribution to Kirsty's Quilt Project this week. After too much stressing, I was reminded that this project was about being part of something. So I stopped worrying and got started. As this square is part of a community quilt, it got me thinking about being part of the blogging community. I have found so much inspiration, support and friendship since blogging, an unexpected benefit of being a mum. Not that you have to be a mother to blog.... but for me, it was being at home with the kids and rediscovering the creative me that lead me to blogging.

So I decided to stitch my family on my quilt square, to represent the best things in my life and to acknowledge them as the reason I am part of this project.

quilt3

The idea came from a photo our friend Jamie took. This verison has been blurred to protect the innocent... and not so! The original is beautiful and amazing thanks to the incredible talents of Jamie. You can check out his work here.

Quilt_photo_final_blur3

I traced around the outline of each of us to get the design for the quilt square.

sketch

Because it was such a simple design, I practised a few fancy stitches thinking that I needed to "tart" it up a bit but realised that the simplicity was what I loved. After all, I am but a simple girl! So there is a tiny bit of satin stitch but otherwise it is just stem stitch.

quilt5

I loved being part of this project and am so thankful to Kirsty for making this project happen.

I suspect there will be a common theme of red in many creative spaces this week.


58 comments:

One Flew Over said...

Oh NIKKI!!! This is just stunning x

CurlyPops said...

That is so lovely - and you're absolutely correct that the beauty is in the simplicity.
It lets the story of the family shine through.

Unknown said...

That is so sweet...I love the way it turned out!

Melanie said...

simply stunning. very clever and what a personal gift.

Selina said...

wow Nikki, just fabulous. And the simplicity of it is just perfect :)
well done.

Aussie-waffler said...

Simplicity works so well with your design. It's very sweet.

Unknown said...

It's beautiful!

Anita said...

Your approach to this project is truly inspirational. What a beautiful idea. I love blogland.....finding posts like this one gives me such a warm, fuzzy glow. TFS. Happy Thursday. Anita. xx

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

I love it! I think knowing when to stop is just as important as deciding what to do.

Leonie Guld said...

Simple is always best.....I think its fantastic!!

Christina Lowry said...

So beautiful, your family is the best thing in your life and the reason you are a part of the project. Sniff sniff, so very lovely, makes my heart flutter.

Your square looks fantastic. You have done a great job and I love the simplicity too. :)

handmaiden said...

Nikki, the simplicity is fab, u have done such a great job

Kate said...

It is a gorgeous piece Nikki. I love how your head is tilted towards your little one. I think the simplicity will really have an impact when placed alongside the heavily detailed pieces. Well done. Lots of discussions about blogging and community at our place this week too.

CC said...

Gorgeous! What a lovely idea.

Jodie said...

Hell woman !!! That is stunning in its simplicity . I can't wait to see this project as a whole.

Unknown said...

It's amazing what happens creatively when you relax and stop worrying and thinking and trying to be creative!

Cathie said...

stunning lovely, what a fabulous idea, LOVE it!! ♥ (innocent..you ;))

midge said...

a lovely thoughtful post and a fantastic piece of work. lovely to hear the process that got you to the final destination in the planning of your block

Anonymous said...

Nikki it is just so fabulous! A great idea and such a lovely result I love it

june at noon said...

Oh, Nikki, I just love it. I love how you chose to keep it so simple. It communicates so well just as it is, and I love the theme. Beautiful!

TracyC said...

It's fabulous!

MooBear Designs said...

Spot on... I'm red with envy.. no wait... green damn it!! I LOVE IT!!

xo Steph

dillpickle said...

Isn't it amazing how something so simple can capture so much?

Jennie said...

You're right, the simplicity really works.

Can't wait to see this famed quilt!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

Nikki, this is so beautiful. You're stitching is so fine. What a stunning addition to the quilt. I can't wait to see the whole project.

Unknown said...

It looks fantastic!! A really lovely design. I'm so looking forward to seeing this quilt!

Pippi creates said...

Your design is simple and very effective, it actually shows alot of what is going on through the detail (you're both looking down at the twins, the arm up in the air). I love it. Unfortunatley I missed out on this quilt project, but I have really enjoyed keeping up with the squares that everyone else has been doing. Great job!

tea with lucy said...

Wow. I love it.

Your line drawing of the photo is very well done. Perfect amount of detail.

Sandrine said...

Wow you did such a brilliant choice and work...that would have been heartbreaking to let it go as it is so close to your heart...Your little family even thought blurry looks beautifulxx

Mookah Studio said...

Clean simple lines...and stunning. Well done it looks fab!

woollywotnots said...

I love it. What a great idea. It looks fantastic. It is such a lovely thing to do with favourite photos and capture memories

Tania said...

Sweetpea - it is BEAUTIFUL. That's it. BEAUTIFUL. (and I hope you're not swapping it and it's living on your own wall and being your own family treasure).

Tammy said...

Oh Nikki, this is just simply stunning, knowing why you chose this image and the thinking behind it making it even more beautiful. I totally love it!

RedorGrayArt said...

nikki...the way you chose to approach the project is very touching and I feel at times in art "less is more" ~ elk

many thanks for your comments in my space, they mean a lot to me

Unknown said...

Genius idea ! Love it , really really !

Maria Rose said...

Oh my, that is so cool. I seriously love it!

Ooty said...

Brilliant!!!! I love it!!

Cathy said...

great idea Nikki - yours looks great.

snowflakes4sam said...

absolutely beautiful. it must have been hard to send away.

Bianca Jae Makes Stuff said...

Incredibly Beautiful! Your stitching is so perfect! One of my favourites xox

Treacle Beak said...

Beauiul job, Nikki. It realy depicts the closeness of your family in a gorgeous, simple and beautifully crafted way!

yardage girl said...

What a lovely sentiment for a lovely square - great idea and great work - love it! Nic

OneLittleThread said...

Well, I love handmade - especially gifts - as it gives and brings a small part of that person with it. Handmade sends a message of caring, rather than mass-produced, impersonal and big profits.

BTW, love your quilt block - it "says" so much.
Alison

Angie said...

It is perfect. I hope you are making another for yourself, it looks like a beautiful family momento.

Little Munchkins said...

That is gorgeous Nikki! I love it.

BTW, you have won the pattern giveaway in my blog :)

Little Munchkins said...

Forgot to mention, I have sent you an email.

Tricia said...

Gorgeous! I'm guessing you had to give it away?? How hard that would have been. I guess you can always make another one :-)

Very special.

Miss Muggins said...

Nikki I absolutely love your square because of its simplicity and the feeling of connection that it evokes. Well done!

Gina said...

I'm the 49th comment on here!!!!!! Wow!!!!
I'm not surprised though. Your square is just beautiful, and so very YOU. Unpretentious, natural, meaningful and honest. I love it.

Liesl said...

Nikki, I love the modest way that you speak about your "simple" design. Not only is the concept both special and clever, but your your finished work is beautiful. Congratulations on producing such a fabulous square.

kellie said...

Truly beautiful ~ so heartfelt too.

Kirsty said...

Your contribution is absolutely breathtaking Nikki (& even better in the flesh). Thank you for being a part of the project. Your square is really something quite special & they way you share your thoughts & ideas is pretty special too. xx

admin said...

2 words - ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

you amaze me :)

Karen said...

Nikki this is perfect, just perfect.
Nothing mroe to say really.

Renee said...

wow! What a cool idea! It looks great :)

Karin van Dam said...

What a gorgeous piece of embroidery. I really love it!

Cath said...

It's delightful - simple says it all.

Ammieloris said...

I'm finally getting around to commenting on these blocks. (My husband participated in the project, too.) I left my comment on the Quilt Project blog, but I'll mention here that your portrait is incredibly charming.