................................We are 8 quilters inspiring and challenging each other while having loads of fun playing in fabric!..........

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I'm Thinking......

Have picked out some silks and some Aurofil thread. Now I am thinking "triangle trees"......

Monday, November 28, 2011

Mama's quiltlet

tiny triangle morsels...
will this be it?
or will I play out a few more ideas?
I'm in a very Christmas-y spirit... Since I will be giving away all the lovely quilts that were sent in for BASICS on Thursday!  The perfect thing to get me in the Holiday mood! ;-)

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Yeah!  Feels good to get back to sewing stuff again.  I was beginning to seriously pine for my sewing machine and that messy room.  I did spend a couple of hours in here cleaning up some stuff, but you would never know it.  I don't think anything LOOKS different, it is just a bit cleared and organized.  Notice I said "a bit", that is all - a tiny tiny tiny bit.
See my helper?  See how beautifully her ears fan out?  Why couldn't she do that when she sat with Santa CAAWS for the picture that goes on my Christmas Card?  Why?  Aughhhhh!  #%$*& Bassets!

I can't show you the entire thing I am working on because this is a December Challenge from the Modern Group.  So here are some peeks. 

I am in South Louisiana and I used to think those Christmas cards with all the snow and the trees, and the horse drawn sleighs were all make believe fakes.  Our Christmases are very, very green around here!  (You would think I could match the seams on the flying geese after all these years of quilting, wouldn't cha?  I guess not.)
I am liking the way this is turning out.  I am lusting after it for myself.  Will I have the willpower to mail it off in two weeks.....stay tuned and see. 
PS.  I could make another one but I don't have anymore of that footprint fabric.  And those footprints go so perfectly with the entire thing.  Aughhhhh!
glen

Two More Peeks


Making this for Brenda
really put me in a
holiday mood!
Hoping to mail tomorrow.
:-)

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Just to let you know I am still here........

I have the most marvelous idea that I am sketching out for the December Challenge.  I am hoping it will work because this will be a unique and wonderful thing.

No peeks just yet.  Maybe tomorrow........

It was a bleak and dreary day, warm with no sight of cool yet.  A day for sewing. 

glen:  This, unfortunately is not my back yard, we went to False River (a bend in the Mississippi River that got cut off from the river where it went straight) for Santa Photos for the Bassets

Thursday, November 24, 2011

triangle trouble.

This fun tree was made with LOTS of little traingles I've been saving
as I trim off the edges of the bindings.
PLUS....other little bits and pieces!

I got so excited with this project that it ended up
BIGGER than the rules.
Ah well....
Rules....shmoolss!!!!
:0

Hoping to add a bit of handquilting today
as I let my FOOD digest.

Friday, November 18, 2011

December challenge

For our challenge this month, I have two guidelines: triangle trees and 50 inches.
I'd like you to make a seasonal quilt (Christmas or winter, whatever you prefer)
with evergreen/Christmas/triangle trees.
I think triangles have a modern esthetic.
You can use one colour or many, made fabric or not,
but try to reflect the season in some way.
Where I live that means snow and cold and dark.

This is a quilt I made for an earlier online winter challenge

As for the 50, please make the entire project (pieced, quilted, and bound)
 no larger than 50 inches in circumference
eg, 12 by 12 inches is 48 inches around.
I'll leave the shape to you, but I'm asking you to make it 50 inches or less
so that it can fit into a mailing envelope easily (maybe by folding)
and because all of you said you're up for a small  challenge.

So to recap:
1. triangle trees, seasonal colours
2. 50 inches or less around
3. mail it to the person underneath you on our sidebar list by Dec. 31
(eg. Beth to Miki, Miki to Shelly....and I mail to Beth.)
4. Post about the process/and or finished quilt.



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Are you up for the next challenge?

I'm on for the December challenge and I was thinking I should get to posting it soon. I was planning a small swap, but I realize this is a busy time of year, especially for the Americans as you gear up for T'hanksgiving and Christmas. What's the thinking out there for a swap with a mid-December deadline?

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

waves

I'm making waves over here....

Using this palette.

Looks like it needs a little green.
I found out it's hard to choose fabric
walking back and forth between
the computer screen with the colors
and
the closet
IN THE OTHER ROOM
with the fabric!
:/

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Nov Challenge


For inspiration I'm using Jessie Pettway's "Housetop" .
My color choices are based on the Urchin Tones seed card below.
I'm frustrated because fabric ordered weeks ago
from two places is backordered & I have been waiting ... & waiting.
And not wanting to wait any longer I am using what I have
even though my colors are off.
Just HAD to start!
I so love this process ... slow & meditative:
choose a fabric ... cut one strip & sew ... cut another & sew ...
using scissors ... & my eyes ... no ruler
(except for the 6" solid)
I have no plan yet for how the blocks will be arranged ...
so many possibilities.


Monday, November 7, 2011

Brenda's three little quilts for November


I quilted my November challenge pieces
and now I have three little quilts for AAQI.

When they're all together, you can see the variations
of the theme of red bars.
Thanks for a fun challenge, Miki.

I'm on for December. Who feels up for a swap?

Saturday, November 5, 2011

A Wall Hanging


Right now, it is 40" x 18".  I am liking it as a wall hanging, but will wait a couple of days to finish it until I decide.  So far, I have learned a few things from this project.
1.  It is important to pay attention to your light and dark values and make sure I get some contrast that adds excitement.
2.  Stripes and dots can work very effectively together.
3.  Tearing the fabric instead of cutting it with a roller blade saves time, but gives weak edges in loosely woven fabric.
4.  It is hard for me to stick with just five colors.
5.  I am easily discouraged when I forget that I am doing this for myself.
6.  I really love these colors and these fabrics, but I don't really want a big quilt of them.  A wall hanging is just perfect.
When I finish this, I will be hand quilting it with pearl cotton.