Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Collaborative Design 3,400 Miles Apart



Today was wonderful! I had a nice chat with a friend before my breakfast, but she must have already had her lunch by then. It was just getting light here. Such is my life of late, and the beauty of new friendships. There is such community among quilting bloggers, and few considerations for what time zone you live in let alone which continent. I'm so lucky to have found Ann at Anniemac Originals, a Canadian living and blogging in Italy. 



We've struck up a friendship over our love of quilting and color, and found we have a lot in common. We'd never have run into each other if it hadn't been for our quilting blogs. WhatsApp is an app that makes it easy for us to stay in touch.

While we chatted again this afternoon, she showed off her brand new flimsy finish. I was cutting out scraps, and sending off pictures of my ideas. I was trying to figure out how to work more color into this blue and white quilt top. These are just phone pictures, and there's no time for editing when you're collaborating with someone that far away. 

I sewed the star above together, but it did nothing for me pairing it with this one.


I asked what she thought about using these strips. You see, my design wall is completely full, and I've had multiple projects spread out on the floor. I have someone showing up at 9  in the morning to work on their quilt here, and thing are pretty bad overall. As in, it needs cleaned up!


Me: Star in the center, and use the strips as log cabin piecing?
Ann: YES!


Me: Or do a white border around it to set it off a bit?
Ann: Not so much. 


Storms were headed our way so I ended our chat, and continued on alone. I desperately wanted some blue in it. Thin strips were on a table nearby. I shot a picture, and then we ran to the barn to put animals in. My daughter saw the picture, and voted it down. 


I thought maybe I should put it aside for a few days to think about it, but then I looked at my studio. Enough with waffling and indecision! 



I decided on a wider blue strip, and sewed it on. It felt good! Tomorrow will be a flimsy finish for sure.


 

Minnie, Effy, Agatha, and Pipey are all frustrated with our rain and mosquitos, and had to be happy playing inside today. We're hoping for better weather tomorrow, but if not, there's always time for sewing. 

Follow me on Instagram by clicking the button in the top right sidebar, and sew with me in the afternoons. That way I get to see what you're up to, too! It's fun to collaborate, or just have someone to bounce ideas off of. See you there!



Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.

Linking up with~
Blossom Heart Quilts
My Quilt Infatuation
Freshly Pieced
Sew Fresh Quilts


11 comments:

Debra said...

I love long distance collaboration. My girlfriend, who moved away years ago.. and I don't see nearly often enough, do it all the time. I smiled when I saw the picture of your studio. Now there is some creative processes going on there!! LOL. Love the red star :-)

Jayne said...

Blogging opens us up to so many new and wonderful people! I love the blue you added, just enough for a bit more interest! You are the luckiest person in the world to have such a huge studio! I would love to have all my stuff in one area instead of three! That happens when kids move back home!

andrea @ tideline quilts said...

Your collaborative quilt block is lovely - as are your comments about finding friendships around the world through quilting. My wonderful friend, Ange Torlop, lives in Tasmania while I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. We have never met in person - but through our love of fabrics and quilting have developed an all encompassing friendship that is almost a sisterhood. I know we'll be friends for a lifetime - even though we live almost 15,000 miles apart.

Tish Stemple said...

I'm begging to wonder if there is anywhere in the world that it is not constantly raining and or storming. If so, I think I would like to move there. I think the slightly wider blue strip was a great idea. Do you think you will use anymore blue in the quilt? If you do not, I think binding it in a scrappy blue boarder would look really good.

evaj said...

Thank you for your linking Julie and inspiration you give us all on show and tell Monday / Hug Bambi

Val's Quilting Studio said...

SOunds like you had a great sew day! Poor pups really look disappointed to not go outside....love your scrappy, big star!!!

Barb Neiwert said...

Wow - that star is quite large! I thought it was smaller until I saw it on your floor. The wider blue looks great in it! Oh - and remember: a messy room is the sign of genius (I just made that up, but it sounds good!).

Sandra Walker said...

One of these days I might get on Instagram... I think the wider strip of blue was a good decision. I agree with your daughter that the thin one wasn't quite right. I feel like there needs to be another blue round further out...

Mary Huey said...

Enjoyed seeing the progression and results of your auditioning!!

Wendy said...

it's great to be able to collaborate with other quilters online. I loved the shot of your studio, mine is just the same, except smaller and probably messier¬!

Cathy said...

I love this! The star is gorgeous and I love the setting you're working on.