Saturday, February 17, 2018

Roman Stripe Improv Art Quilt Finish



Roman Stripe: Variation I


I laughed a little when I typed the name above. Variation I. I wrote I because there is already a II in the works. I need this kind of work in my life to balance me. It makes me whole. This play on a traditional pattern that I would call an art quilt. Very traditional scraps spun into something that begged for stitching. Stitching that took on a life of its own. My fingers knew. My head did not. 

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

A Sweetheart of a Quilt



Vintage Drunkard's Path Blocks 
c. 1930-1940


Happy Valentine's Day to YOU!


Is this a big day at your house? Not for us either, if you said no. Our big event today was lunch out after an optometrist's appointment together. I am having problems seeing in the studio, and wanted to make sure nothing was wrong beside normally ageing eyes. Gratefully, everything is up to par, but I simply need more light. It's become a bit of a joke in our house.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

How to Create Quilts with Drama



High Contrast Creates Drama

I have quilter friends who never want their quilts to be the center of attention. They carefully choose a few colors to blend well, and avoid large prints at all costs. Their quilts are calming, and quite beautiful. They look at some of my work, and all they can say is, "I would never do that." Folks, let's not tell them I have happily painted whole rooms both Tupelo green and bubble gum pink. I think you either love dramatic design or it scares the britches off you. 

Friday, February 9, 2018

Give Me a New Name for Hurricane Stars


 Hurricane Stars a.k.a. Insomnia Block


This top is done. I worked steadily on the sashing and connecting 9 patches Wednesday afternoon, and started back early Thursday a.m. Around 2 p.m. I had sewn on the last corner. Big quilts can take a long time to sew together. This was the first time my design wall had been empty since October, and I was reluctant to put it back up even for pictures. 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Busy, Busy Design Wall!



Cutesy Pie: Quilt No. 5


I'm wondering if this post should have a subtitle of, "How Quilters Survive Winter" Do you have time for a brief catch up? I need a cup of coffee, and a little break from these past busy days. I can't believe it's Wednesday already, and more snow is on its way. We are winter weary here in Ohio. Not just from snow, but from flu, colds, and all the miscellaneous viruses we've been fighting. Sewing group was cancelled again for the month because many are recovering, but I still did a good clean up and reorganization in the studio. The tables even got washed down and disinfected. 

Sunday, February 4, 2018

3 Baby Quilt Finishes


So Close to the End of this Love Affair

I adored this fabric when I first saw it so I bought enough. I purchased 1/2 to 1 yard of most fabrics in the line knowing there would be enough for twin baby quilts last summer. (Seriously, how well do you estimate yardage when you're not sure what you're doing with it?)

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Ice Dyed Mandala Flowers Quilt



"Divinity"


The first theme presented by The Endeavourers  is Nature. For two long months, I let the word roll around my brain. Such a broad topic needed narrowing, and so I asked the question, "What mental image do I see for the word nature?" Weather? Mountains? Animals? No, when I close my eyes I see flowers both wild, cultivated, and magical. Newly opened, allowing these eyes the first glimpse of  seductive blooms--never ceasing to amaze me with spectacular color and detail beyond the imagination of the greatest artist. And no matter how I pose the question, "Who could dream so vividly?," I am brought back to a divine creator. Therefore, I've titled this piece, "Divinity."

The Endeavourers: Nature: Ice Dyed Mandalas Quilt


"Divinity"

Last year seemed to be too busy to breathe, so I thought carefully this year before I committed my time. One pond I dove in to was joining The Endeavourers. They are a dynamic, adventurous group of quilters willing to take risks exploring their world. Sure, it's with fabric, but still it's a unique opportunity to express our opinion or feeling through fiber. That's typically more than we focus on when piecing a standard quilt. It's a bonus.

Monday, January 29, 2018

Farmhouse Star Baby Quilt Finish


Farmhouse Star for Baby


There is an indecisive moment just before you start guiding a long arm machine. It's deja vu if you aspire to writing. You have a plan, but a creative muse swoops in and takes over your hands. In the first several seconds of stitching, you are fairly committed. Thread goes down faster than words on a keyboard, and is far more permanent! So went this baby quilt. I had one thing in mind until I stared at the flowers in the border print, and suddenly my original idea disappeared. 

Friday, January 26, 2018

Farmhouse Baby Quilt & Stars


Farmhouse Star 

The plan I had for January was to sew a stack of baby quilts with stash so I had some on hand. Little did I know that most of what I sewed would be spoken for before I had finished. The baby announcements just keep coming! 

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Star Quilt from Strips: 3D Groovy


3D or '70's Groovy Star Block

This 36" block was created to pattern test an EQ7 project I was working on. When I pulled fabric from my stash, it had a definite 70's feel, and I was transported back to the summer I had a sundress in these colors. How vividly I remember the colors and patterns of clothes my mother made for me growing up! I'm sure my early memories influence a lot of color choices without me realizing it. Have you found this too?

Monday, January 22, 2018

Comparing Methods for Trip Around the World Quilts


Scrappy Trips Around the World

I've made this quilt pattern more than any other. You might even say I have a thing for it. One patch quilts are very similar in design and creation, and I love finding new variations on both. 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

27 Quilt Finishes in 2017



Quilting Mandalas: 
New Work from Old

I labored and debated when titling this post. It's packed with so many big ideas while trying to be subtle. Yes, I know 27 finishes is not so subtle. But I'm excited--newly inspired, and self-directed for the New Year. But first, more about last year.



Worthwhile Working Vacation

It's hard to work on vacation, but last weekend I forced myself. It was foggy and cold in Florida even for a northerner, and the wind was fierce. After a chilly swim I stayed in, and worked on Pink Doxies' webpage. 

I pinned to Pinterest. I cleaned up picture files. I added quilt photos to the 2017 Quilts page at the top of this page in the header. And finally I counted the quilt pictures there. Missing one I had not photographed, I had 27 quilt finishes in 2017. There were additional finished wall hangings, completed quilt tops, and several dozen quilts happily laid out for MCC. I longarm quilted for customers and friends. I hand quilted several of my finishes, and have others presently in process. I dyed 25+ yards of fabric, and I had fun with an abundance of creative energy!

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Churn Dash Baby Quilt II


Churn Dash II


I had some minor problems with the points when I made the first Churn Dash baby quilt. Check it out along with the book I'm working from in A Two Quilt Tuesday. I needed one more quilt in similar colors so I made another one.

This time I starched the squares before making the large HST, and was very careful while squaring up and trimming them. Once again, it was problematic piecing the giant nine patch. Goodness, you think I would have stopped, ripped, squared the other pieces, and then sewed it together. But, No, I just plowed on. The points aren't cut off as bad as the picture shows above, but one or two will be. I think I need a third try to work this out.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

A Two Quilt Tuesday


Cabin Under the Stars: Quilt No. 1

Yesterday was Monday, and it felt like a typical Monday for me in spite of the ice and snow storm. I am a self-proclaimed Monday Lover because it is the day of new starts, and I get so much done!

Starting mid-morning, I had all but a couple of these stars done before I went home for lunch. By 2:00 that afternoon, this sweet thing was sewn together. 

Some little details: The fabric is beach-themed. Swimmers, sling chairs, umbrellas, flamingos, and so one. I'll show you more when I quilt it, but this piece has been fun to work with.

The fabric wasn't pre-washed. That's really unusual for me, but I bought it on vacation, and set right to sewing. I didn't notice any difference in working with it, but it's not something I would do normally. All the other fabric in my studio is pre-washed so I chose not to mix them. 

The finished top is just under 40" x 40". 

Friday, January 5, 2018

Cabin Under the Stars Quilt



I'm Back to Sewing &
Oh, Baby, It Feels So Good!


My urge to sew finally returned. (Did you ever wonder about me? I did.) It came back with clear, strong intentions. 

Make what you love. Use what you have. Listen more. Talk less.

I can't say these are resolutions or even goals really. Simply put, they are intentions.  I want to live like this right now--not when I figure it out or jump through impossible hoops. Resolutions have such high expectations, and great chance of failure. Without success, we give up and quit. My daughter termed that kind of resolution-centered thinking as, "New Year--New Me." No, that's never worked for me or the other 92% of people who tried it.

This positive idea of living with intention has more to do with envisioning the kind of life I want to live. It has so much to do with my recent purging and clearing, as you might guess.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Holiday Slow Down & Time to Think



My Favorite Quilt
 (At this Moment)

It's been 10 days or so since I've blogged. I finished that post, shut my computer down, and pretty much unplugged for the holidays. Why, you ask? Well, you know those people who think the holidays are the best time ever, and love to shop, wrap presents and bake cookies? Who wait for the first snowflake with hot chocolate in hand and furry hat on head? Yeah, I'm not one of them. I'm the Grinchy, bah humbug person who was told she was ruining Christmas for everyone else this year, and to please shape up. 

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Quilting the Vintage Log Cabin


Hand Quilting a Vintage Log Cabin Quilt

It's December, and everywhere I go I hear coughing. Deep, gripping coughing. There's a rotten cold going around our area, and I'm two and a half weeks into it. I did my duty of self-care, and canceled the monthly sewing group. I rested, t.v. binged, and quilted. Still, a dry cough just hangs on. This one is a doozy.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Modern Freefall Quilt Finish



 Freefall Finish

The days have been gentle, and almost slow around here despite Christmas approaching. The major purge is over, and it's become more of a daily maintenance to keep things fresh. There are still small spaces that call for attention, but nothing is screaming. With this steadiness, it is easier to let go. I know they are just things--baggage holding me back from better things to come. I have control of them. Not the other way around anymore. I choose a few spaces each day to stay committed, but I'm back to quilting with new vigor. It's hard to explain how settled I feel, but let's just say it's a cross between relief and curious amazement. It's new found balance I didn't expect.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Goodies of Quilting & Purging


Lone Star Beauty

One of many red quilts currently on display at the 
Southeast Ohio History Center in Athens, Ohio