A closer look at Crimson Tweed

I finally finished the top! I am so excited to start quilting it. I think the machine quilting is really going to make the applique dance. I hope so anyway!

I changed the vines to ric rac because I love ric rac, and I really thought it would be fun here.

I also did a bit of editing to this pineapple after the photo was taken. It no longer looks like its tipping to the right. It was a very slight change, but I knew it would bother me if I didn't straighten it up. The pineapple is my addition, the original version has a pomegranite here.

Right now these birds have button eyes. I like them but they are too thick, so I am almost positive that I will change them to black thread before it's all done. I think I will be happier with them that way, but still not totally sure.

I also changed the center of the flowers from the original pattern. I loved the way Sue designed it, but I thought this would be easier, and it would give me a chance to use some cute stitches.

I think I actually made this block almost exactly like the directions. I changed the embellishments on the leaves a bit, and I tweeked the placement of the branches. I'm starting to see that I have a hard time leaving things alone...I hope that's not a bad thing!

I made the tree almost directly from the pattern as well. I might have added a few more ornaments. I do plan to embellish them with quilting. I will add some texture to them with lines or maybe swirls. This is totally still a work in progress.

And this is what it looks like as of right now!!! I am super excited about the way this is coming together. I hope Sue Spargo doesn't mind about all my "alterations"...you can see the ORIGINAL here at her website. Really special isn't it?

I was lucky enough to buy the book from her in person and she signed it for me!

Now I'm itching to quilt it!