The lullaby “Rock-a-bye
Baby” popped into my brain just as soon as I read what this theme word
was! I tried to stop that song from
running through my head. I really wanted
to do a scenic quilt based on a photo I once took of a gorgeous rock-strewn
mountain stream. But that tune and its
words just persisted, every time I thought about making this quilt!
Truth to tell, I actually dislike its lyrics! “Down will come baby,
cradle and all!” Poor little baby! Yikes!
I didn’t even like to sing that song to my own babies and my
grandbabies. I vastly preferred the
gentler lullaby “Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word.”
As for construction, everything is appliquéd down with Wonder-Under, and then I stitched around all elements with a tiny zigzag stitch. I drew the tree freehand, and the tree's canopy was constructed using the "Snippets" technique (as described in Cindy Walter's book by that name). The baby and the cradle were loosely based on an internet free coloring book page.
As for construction, everything is appliquéd down with Wonder-Under, and then I stitched around all elements with a tiny zigzag stitch. I drew the tree freehand, and the tree's canopy was constructed using the "Snippets" technique (as described in Cindy Walter's book by that name). The baby and the cradle were loosely based on an internet free coloring book page.
I had problems with photography this time. I actually took about 10 different shots of this little quilt! Inside and outside in indirect, natural light; inside in artificial light; and finally, outside in direct sunlight. I need advice about how to photograph a square quilt so that it is as square as it really is! Inevitably, it comes out looking out of square! Any advice?
PS January 16: Since I worked "right down to the wire" on this quilt this time, I decided today to tweak my quilt a bit. So this photo is slightly different that the one first posted. I added to the tree's canopy, and I enhanced the baby's yellow coverall by coloring it with an Ink Tense yellow pencil! I think the quilt is improved. AND this time I was forced to photograph it inside, because of the very gloomy and cold weather. But I shone my Ott-Lite directly onto the quilt, and somehow I managed to achieve a photo in which the quilt was as square as it is in real life! Too, the colors, especially the blue background, were "true", whereas yesterday my quilt looked totally washed out, except for the one shot done in bright sunlight outside!
"Snippets"
PS January 16: Since I worked "right down to the wire" on this quilt this time, I decided today to tweak my quilt a bit. So this photo is slightly different that the one first posted. I added to the tree's canopy, and I enhanced the baby's yellow coverall by coloring it with an Ink Tense yellow pencil! I think the quilt is improved. AND this time I was forced to photograph it inside, because of the very gloomy and cold weather. But I shone my Ott-Lite directly onto the quilt, and somehow I managed to achieve a photo in which the quilt was as square as it is in real life! Too, the colors, especially the blue background, were "true", whereas yesterday my quilt looked totally washed out, except for the one shot done in bright sunlight outside!
"Snippets"
Hi Alice. This song kept going through my mind as well, but I kept resisting. A nice quilt reminiscent of our time as mothers of little ones!
ReplyDeleteI thought about that too - you did a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteLove that you used a song to depict the theme. My husband suggested that I do Rock Around the Clock, but it seemed way too hard.
ReplyDeleteI too am challenged with the photography. I use my phone and edit the color and light as needed. Then I mail it to us and Jerry works on squaring it up in Photoshop Elements.
Great job!
Hi Alice ! What a great interpretation of "Rock !" And I love how you described the different techniques you used.
ReplyDelete* Great Big "THANKS" to you for getting my photos posted for me..... [again !]
* And interesting that Jane (and others ?) experience the same challenges I do with getting those photos posted ... Arghhhh !
I like it - fits the song well, too.
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe I didn’t think of this with all the grandchildren enjoyment I’ve had lately. Sweet little quilt. Good work on the baby. I like be the background.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, yes, baby's. I'm enjoying our grandson so much, but couldn't come up with a design that would encompass all that I feel. Your little cradle in the tree is adorable. Sweet quilt!
ReplyDeleteI like that we share the 'rocking babies' theme! I agree with you on the lyrics; I switch the lyrics to many lullabies. with 6 grandchildren from age 7 and under, I get to rock to my hearts content!
ReplyDelete