Diva's Elegance DYD RR - My work on Fitzy's block

This time I've worked on a special block with a different concept. My RR partner lives in the Sonoran Desert, close to Tucson, Arizona. She likes keys, coins, tiny charms etc. and she would like to have retro style. Her explanations are so clear in her  RR note but I must admit that it is totally a different concept for me to create something with desert, cowboy town theme.

I 've picked one of block with a lovely print with Tucson cactus motif. I  did one of my favorite stitch with variegated color thread at the right side, added green color seed beads.

I did a Chevron stitch at left side using desert color thread, I added neat color beads as well

I used brass like small charms on the Fitzy's nice lace.  I added different keys to catch a different contrast, also did chain with neat metallic treads. 

I tried to remember all those cowboys films that I've watched, John Wayne, Lee Van Cleff were our childhood heros....A cowboy town without bar!!! I stitched a label, afterwords, remembered my small letter beads. I had a cowboy boot and small dollar baggie  charms in my stash, they were all perfect accessories...At last I added another small charms to create a sun according to my fantasy, my metallic Gutterman thread did good job for the sun shines. Due to very hot climate, everyone must wear a hat there, so I added a cap.  At last put a small heart shape charm, too.

I hope Fitzy likes what I did for her big wall hanger. I've never worked on a block with desert, cowboy theme before. I was so hesitant at the beginning, I didn't know what to do...But, after starting first seam treatment everything went so smoothly, I enjoyed to work on that block. I must create something for me too:))

International Flags Project

I would like to give a brief info about Turkish flag before explaining the details of my own work which I’ve made it for the Crazy Quilting International groups’ international flags project.Turkey’s flag  is red color including  with white colors of crescent and a star moving centrally in front of the sun with reference to the meeting of the Turkic solar deity Gün Ana (Mother Sun) and the moon god Ay Ata (Father Moon) brought by the space god Khan Erklig . The event technically constitutes a solar eclipse when the moon partially occults the sun at times of syzygy. The flag is often called “Al bayrak “(the red flag) and referred to as “Al sancak”  (the red banner) in the  Turkish national anthem.

The current design of the Turkish flag is directly derived from the late Ottoman flag, which had acquired its final form in 1844. With 1923's Treaty of Lausanne, the Republic of Turkey was officially recognized throughout the world, and the flag of the Ottoman Empire became the flag of the Republic of Turkey.  Its measures have passed by a law during the Republic period on May 29, 1936 which formed the shapes and measures of the current flag of the Republic of Turkey.

In my 12x12” block I put red color patch in the middle of the block.  I used a silk print of our flag to have proper proportions for the star and crescent. I precisely appliqued them and covered with a chain stitch. 

 When I received  an invitation to join this project, I got so excited....I created a special thing in my mind at first moment... I should use only read&white colors...I should make long seam treatments, so, I prepared my block accordingly. I had fancy fabrics in my stash, both red and white colors, I combined them easily. Also I used various white laces....I selected a red&white beaded lace trim, it is totally handmade beaded form of our traditional oya laces.

After sewing silver star&crescent charms I decided to use only silver tones of metallic threads and other embellishments as well to catch an elegant look. I kept continued to make long seam treatments mostly using Herringbone and Chevron stitches....I like both stitches, they give wonderful alternatives to use sequins, beads, charms, etc.

I had a miniature Maidens Tower charm in my stash. Maiden’s Tower is a symbol of Istanbul. The name `Maiden`s Tower` has its roots in the more popular story relating a maiden`s misfortune. According to this tale, a beautiful Byzantine princess was once quartered in this tower. It is said that soothsayers had predicted her early death by snakebite. Her father, Emperor Constantine who loved her dearly, built an extended castle  and placed her there to avert the fatal end. Eventually the girl died of snakebite, which entered the castle in a grape basket. The other story doing the rounds links it to the Leander-Hero romance and gives it the name Leander Tower. This tale tells that a castle was built on the present site by a Byzantine Emperor for his daughter Hero. When the Emperor learnt that his daughter had a love affair with a commoner named Leander, he imprisoned Hero in the castle. This could not dispirit Leander who, being of athletic-make, would cross Hellespont to see Hero. One stormy night he had no light to guide him and drowned. Hero, hearing of the mishap, flung herself into the sea.

I put this mentioned tower’s charm and did  waves using white seed beads and silver metallic thread. Added stars on the sky...Crazy quilters’ imagination is endless. 

In the Ottoman Empire, tulips played such an important role that the reign of Sultan Ahmed III (1703-1730) has been labeled the "Tulip Era". Ever since tulips are so important in our art world.  I created a special tulip like flower form with my own imagination. I used ellips, flat type pearls and made petals with silk ribbons. Ribbonsmyth’s un-dyed sheer silks helped me a lot to create them, thanks Vic, I love to use your ribbons and highly recommend them for new stash builders.

I believe that birds and butterflies are the symbols of freedom, I added them on my block as a symbol of our independence as well.

I used an old silver metallic thread to stitch my name and country name.  I like to use this thread because it gives an old, antique look. 

I made bullion stitches to make little flower flower form on the  red color buggles...Each of them has 18 and 20 wraps with cotton perle.  

This is the last photo that shows final stage of my block. It is already on its long way to reach Cathy Kizerian. It will take a place on a big wall hanger of the international flags project. I hope I'll be able to see it in person on next years retreat. 

Wishing a peaceful world  to you all....

Camera problem:((

It is another cold and gray day here in Istanbul....
I  completed a few CQ blocks, I was planning to take their photos in day light to upload here but  my camera doesn't work!!! It seems that there is a problem on its battery lid, I have to wait consultation of my husband tonight!
I like to take photos in day light with my Fuji, I don't like the performance of small Olympus, by the way, I must admit that I don't know well how to use it. I also don't use cellular phone to take photo...I'm a typical technological impaired person:(
We decided with one of my stitcher friend to embellish our eachother's blocks. I've already created a 12"X12 block with my favorite mostly blue tones, she is also a blue color lover like me, I hope she'll enjoys my block and works easily on it. Now, I'm waiting the arrival of her block to embellish.
I hope my husband solves my current camera problem this weekend, I start to share new block photos.
It is tea time for me, with a small piece of apple pie.