Friday, February 26, 2010

Gotta love those Spring Chicks … New Design!

This is what I’ve been working on this past week.  I haven’t named it yet though.   As always, if you have a suggestion for a name, I’ll certainly appreciate it!

100_3511

I almost don’t even want to show this because the pictures are so bad.They are the best I can do on this dreary snowy day…. not very much natural light. Better pictures will come once I get the pattern finished for this.

This one is a little better to show the colors and details …

100_3515

This springtime tablerunner measures about 24” long .  What’s nice about making tablerunners is that they can always be eaily adjusted to the length that best fits the table you’re making it for. 

Anyway, I’m in love with this tablerunner.  It was so much fun to make.  I love the long and short legs on these chickies. 

This design was inspired by my “It’s Spring, Chicks!” candle mat design.  I love those cute little chicks and thought it would be cute to put bunches of them in a garden.

Here’s my original sketching of the idea …

100_3517 The finished table runner turned out pretty close to the original idea.  The final finish is missing that butterfly though.  The butterfly that I wanted to make would have introduced more colors into the design and it took too much attention away from the chicks, so I scrapped the butterfly idea. 

I get asked quite often how long it takes me to make something like this from start to finished item. 

I do stitch rather quickly but for something like this, I can’t really say how long it took me because so much time was involved with the trials and errors of getting the design just how I want it to look. 

Little things like the color thread to use for the cracks in the egg take time.  I used a brown thread for the crack the first time and then took it out because it blended too well.  Then the black thread that I used was too thick so that was pulled out.

It takes SO much time just getting the colors and the shape sizes just right that I really can’t even guesstimate how much time it might take to make this from start to finish other than saying lots and lots and lots of hours. 

Once this is made into a pattern though, I’d think that it could be done rather quickly.  It does have a lot of shapes and pieces but the chicks and eggs are whipped stitched on so that goes fast.  The embroidery is mostly straight stitches for the flowers and grass, so that goes quick too. 

Maybe next time I make this, I’ll keep a log of my time just to see how many hours it really does take from start to finish.

Gosh, I feel like I’m rambling now … I’m going to shut up and go shovel some snow!

Happy Day everyone!

15 comments:

Kathy said...

I LOVE your chicks! They are so cute. I even like the name "Spring Chicks". Thanks for sharing!

Cat Haven Craft House said...

Just too cute! Wonderful!

Kristen said...

I too love it, how about a name "spring peeps"

Darlene said...

Those long legged chicks are adorable.

Unknown said...

"Spring Hutch", I know it's a table runner but it could cover a hutch, which is like hatch...probably not the best name if it has to be explained lol.
Its adorable.

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

Love it, Love it, LOVE IT!!!

ohiofarmgirl said...

How about Spring Fling...cute. Dianntha

Nancy said...

Oh, so cute! I remember those dreary PA days. (Vermont is worse, though.)

Friendship Crossing said...

Love, love, love your new design! It is just darling!

I vote for the name "Spring Peeps" like the other gal(Kristen) came up with. It just seems to fit.

Now you have got me in the mood to make one.

Tanya ~ new blogger
www.friendshipcrossing.blogspot.com

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Another adorable design Cathy! You got it just right....again!

Lisa said...

Super cute! You are so good at the designs!! I love chicks!! Your pin keeps will start blooming around the house again soon!
Hugs, Lisa

Lisa said...

Super cute! You are so good at the designs!! I love chicks!! Your pin keeps will start blooming around the house again soon!
Hugs, Lisa

Beertje Zonn said...

Lovely your new design!
Bear regards,

Beertje Zonn

Linda said...

You are just like the Energizer bunny...designing, and designing, and designing! Love the long legged chicks. Spring Fling or Spring Peeps. I like both.

Simone de Klerk said...

You are so talented, Cath! Your designs are always so cheerful and happy. Congratulations!