28 July, 2011

Life Before Patchwork and Quilting!

Before I discovered patchwork, I used to be a cross-stitcher! So I thought I'd show you some of my work. Some of the photos are a little blurry with reflections. That's because I've taken them in their frames.This Cats on a Picket Fence was my first attempt at counted cross-stitch back in 1990.I love these Quilts on the Line (1992). I was asked by my friend Kathy to make it for her. The quilts are 3-dimensional and the sheep is covered in hundreds of French knots. It now lives in Philadelphia in the US. I got to see it again in 2005 when we had a trip to the States. It was lovely to see it again but I could never re-make it! I hadn't got into patchwork at that time although Kathy tried her best to convince me that I'd love it. I didn't start quilting until 1993. I'll show you some of my older quilts another time.
The Welcome Sampler was finished in 1993. This pattern really wasn't for a novice but I managed it and was very pleased with how it turned out.I then made this companion one for my Grandmother for her birthday.I was certainly busy in 1993 as I also made this Blooming Rose!Next came the Possum as I loved collecting possums. It was a pain working on black but the effect was worth it. This was the first one I made after I was married as I had changed my name. This was probably my last one as by then I was hooked on patchwork and it grew so much faster than cross-stitching! I made the Teddy Bear House when I was pregnant with Mitchell.I thought I'd show you this. It was the very first cross-stitchI did at school when I was about seven years old. One day we came across it in the linen cupboard at my parents. I framed it as a memory piece, showing how far I had progressed from this first piece to my last one.Finally, I came across this doily when Mum and I were going through her vintage linen for me to have. It was made by me many years ago, not too sure when. I think it may have been about 20 years or so. I'd forgotten all about it. I don't think it's too bad as I didn't really know what I was doing!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I use to do before I became addicted to patchwork. I also used to do ceramics and perhaps I show you some of my pieces one day.

12 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Thank you for sharing your past projects in stitching - just love the cats on the fence! And a 3-D piece - just lovely. It's fun to see what quilters did before (and during) quilting.

Cheryll said...

That was a nice walk down memory lane. Thanks Christine! I enjoyed it! :)

Miss Hillbilly said...

I was a very avid cross stitcher too. I did very victorian ladies. I had one favorite designer but I don't remember her name. Cross stitch is making a come back along with all the other hand stitching but cross stitching doesn't interest me again. Does it you?

Unknown said...

I Love the One with the Quilts so detailed...
They are All Beautiful..Well Done.
I Love X-Stitch too but just can't fit it in for now..lol
cheers

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

I have loved your show and tell....your pieces are all so beautiful....love your earlier pieces...

Bev C said...

Hello Christine.

Thank you for sharing your cross stich samplers. Lucky to have found the piece you made when you were younger.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Jeanette said...

Your cross stitches are fabulous. I love the cats on the fence one. Happy Stitching,

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your patchwork pieces are all lovely! I think it's fun that crafters "cross train" themselves on all sorts of needlework. Keeps a person from getting bored.

Michelle said...

I went from cross stitching to quilting, too (with a detour into knitting along the way). I think it was the Dian Phalen patterns that convinced me I wanted quilts!

Congratulations on winning the Go!

Anonymous said...

Really like the Quilts on a Line Cross stitch. Would love to stitch it, can you remember where you got the pattern?

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine, Love the Quilts on the Line Cross Stitch. Can you remember where you got the pattern as I would love to stitch it?
Kez

Unknown said...

The Cats on a Picket Fence Cross Stitch is a pattern I have been searching for. Would you happen to still have a copy? Or know where I could get one?? Thank you.