Modern 8 Create

My March Mini

2012-03-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

My mini is a bit over 12" x 12". I decided to use an orphan block I made a year or so ago because I didn't want to lose the tiny piece of fabric with the moth. The original block goes out to the gold corners. I don't know why I was drawn to this moth, but I think she is very lovely. I went through the stash and found some fabric I wanted to add, including the last of the Harvest Gold. I am such a throwback to the 60s sometimes.

Because I wanted this to be a learning experience, as well as just fun, I decided to add a flange (I think that is what it is called when there is a piece that is only attached on one side between borders.). I learned that I need to miter the corners of the flange and the next border to get the look I want, but I decided this time to leave it the way it turned out. My next new thing was to do some thread drawing with the machine.

The first thing I did was the little moth in the center. I used my favorite King Tut variegated. Then I did some meandering on the first border.

I had drawn in some little moths in the corner squares because I didn't feel confident enough to freehand them. I think they turned out pretty cute. The rest of the quilting is meandering.

I have hung this on my wall of minis. It is fun to have one of my own up there.

Woefully Behind

2012-03-02T20:21:00.005-08:00

How do you guys sew so fast and get so much done? I'm always behind!

But I promise, I'm still in the game, and chugging along . . .

Here's the beginnings of my October challenge:I've decided to make a fairly large quilt for mine, so it might take me awhile, but since it's not a race . . . I'm making what I want to make, and enjoying the challenge and the process for what it is.

Here's my January challenge piece:
I don't have it quilted yet, and I'm toying with the notion of outlining the letters with black embroidery before I do, since they don't seem to stand out as well as I'd like from my made-fabric background. What do you think?

And I have a plan and a recipient in mind for my February challenge, but I simply haven't taken the time to start it yet.

I also have plenty of orphans to use in the March challenge, so I'll be getting busy on that one fairly soon.

I'll post more when I have more to show!

Practical and pretty

2012-03-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

These orphan blocks were constructed LONG ago

with some very thin fabric.

I knew it wouldn't be the best to include them in a quilt...

but I did want to get them out of hiding!!!

So I made some table mats for the senior lunch I serve twice a month.

I know my friends there will enjoy these homemade centerpieces.

And I WILL too!!!

Log Cabin Orphan

2012-03-01T07:14:00.003-08:00

How old are these fabrics? The second from the right (white fly) was in my very first quilt made back in the seventies. The others are "newer" but not by much. I made this block for my Long Island guild's raffle quilt years ago. It didn't measure up, but I just could not toss it....too many memories. I am hoping to recycle it into a Kindle carrier.

MARCH Challenge

2012-02-29T06:42:00.001-08:00

Not exactly VINTAGE BLOCKS, but I made these a few weeks ago, only made a few, and put them away... Hmmm, where was I going with these? Don't know, BUT! They happened to make great setting fabrics for my Lilies AAQI quilt.

Do you see the original blocks all chopped up in there? I like the touches of bright here and there... Looks like my flowers are dancing... ;-) Off to hand quilt it....

March Challenge

2012-02-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

Give an OLD orphan

NEW life!

Make a quilt.

Make something little.

Or...

Make something practical.

Your OLD orphan will thank you!

February Hearts

2012-02-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Darn, Darn, Darn, I did not take a picture of my cousin WITH her heart, but I do have a picture of the heart. I tossed it together (and it looks like it because I did not use stabilizer) the morning I left to meet her for lunch.

She was totally surprised! And loved my little crazy heart! And she certainly did not expect it.

(Well, I guess I DON'T have a picture of her heart postcard. Hmmm. So I will entertain you with my heart blocks for Block Lotto.)

glen

Big Heart for Christel

2012-02-14T07:23:00.001-08:00

My dear friend Christel has the biggest heart. She shares her first picked asparagus and her seat at the opera among many other things. She is now very ill and I want to give her my heart along with this guardian angel today. Happy Valentine wishes!!!

A Little Heart for Tom

2012-02-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

I made Tom a little heart mini quilt last year and it was a big hit. When I saw this challenge, I decided I would make him another one this year. He bought me the stripped fabric for Christmas because he fell in love with it. I hope he likes it in this small piece. The back is the same as the heart. I machine quilted it doing a sort of echo quilting with Superior King Tut in deep purple tones.

String hearts for February challenge

2012-02-13T07:02:00.000-08:00

String hearts, 8.5 by 19.5

I played with some red strings to make hearts

machine quilted hearts into the background

and bordered it with a ric rac fabric

and hung it in my front hallway.

I know Victoria asked us to give our challenge quilt to someone who wouldn't expect it,

but I kept this one for two reasons:

my son's birthday is on Valentine's Day

and I give nearly everything else away.

Mom's get well Valentine

2012-02-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

Knowing that this site is not in my mother's blog roll, I can post the finish here! I just finished putting some embroidery hearts on the side panel. I think she will be delighted to have heart quilt after her heart surgery Tuesday... This took me 4 days to whip up... You'd think I would have thought of it sooner! Hope she likes it! Into the wash it goes then into my suitcase! Like the one purple heart for courage? ;0)

February Challenge

2012-02-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

A 9x12 for AAQI

My random act of kindness for today ...

Finish the binding, add some hand-stitching & off it goes.

So simple!

Random acts of kindess

2012-02-09T05:13:00.001-08:00

I nearly forgot it was my month, thanks Miki for the heads up!

I've been scattered this month... I whipped up a HEARTS quilt, that I will be giving to my

mother when she comes out of heart surgery on VALENTINES day!

Of course I only thought of this Monday, and I leave Sunday for MN.

I figured it will be just the thing to perk her up...

So sticking with that idea, Can you whip up a few SMALL HEARTS,

random free pieced style,

and make a mini Valentine for someone special?

Give it to someone as a complete random act of kindess...

(or even an AAQI quilt would be nice.)

( I repeat a SMALL gift, not a whole quilt like I did... I will make another small one)

Who would least expect to get a little gift from you this month?

It doesn't have to be given by Valentine's day, Since I am so late,

but just make something sweet and surprise someone in the near future...

Happy Valentine'sDay early!

Are they trees....

2012-02-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

or just triangles?

I thought I was making a triangle quilt for AAQI

when someone at my retreat walked by

and said she loved my trees.

Since we've been playing with solids and trees here,

I thought I'd show you.

It measures 9 by 12 inches.

January Word Challenge

2012-02-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks for taking up the January Challenge! You all did a wonderful job with the words. I am so impressed with the thought provoking words you chose and how they got into material.

I hope your word inpsires you this year, and that you feel a bit more creative, confident, beautiful and willing to stretch when you look at it hanging in your sewing room.

Albondigas to all!

glen: LOL, still laughing at that silly word!

One Word Challenge

2012-01-30T16:51:00.000-08:00

This year I'd like to break some more quilting "rules".

I'm going to "live dangerously" in 2012!!!

LOL!!!

Word for the Year

2012-01-30T07:56:00.000-08:00

My first attempt at letter piecing reminds me of first grade Penmanship class. Lots of ink smudges...but I did it!

ENOUGH

2012-01-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

I AM

Going to do some Hand quilting, perhaps add a nice border...

Enough said.

;-)

OK, I'm back....

FINITO.

V

Apropos of, no?

2012-01-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

One Word Project from Christine Sneddon on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/35413872

It's not a race, but.....

2012-01-23T11:52:00.000-08:00

My word for the January challenge

is more of a theme for my activities outside my quilting life,

although it could be applied to quilt making as well.

This is the year I'm going to tackle a large writing project,

a mid-life master's thesis

so I thought my word should reflect that.

I want to complete that thesis in 2012,

so my word reflects that goal:

a finish line.

Here it is, hanging like the banner at the finish line of a race,

in front of the window behind my sewing table.

The Amish quilts on top of the window

are calendar pages mounted on foam core.

My Word Is ...

2012-01-21T08:03:00.000-08:00

This is not my original word.

But the more I thought about my original word

the more associations I had -

until finally I settled on the word Trust.

It's a personal word & does not refer to trusting others

but rather trusting myself ...

my instincts, impulses, thoughts, decisions, etc.

Thanks for the challenge, Glen.

I know I can look at this for a year & it will have meaning!

Enjoying Word Challenge

2012-01-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

Wednesday was my first day back after vacationing in Mexico ....

And I was eager to start something new ...

Two peeks for you all ...

January Challenge - glen

2012-01-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

I got inspired today and took advantage of a clear calendar. I only need to bind my word and it will be finished.

I still did not find the Word Play book so I had to wing it. I wrote the letters out on a notebook page and then drew them so I could see how to set up the fabric. It was really easy that way. I listed 6 of the "O" units and made them easily into a, b, d, and g. I and L were simple. But the S and N gave me fits. Mostly because I made the N part and accidentally used it in the S and had no N when I went to sew that one...aughh!

And quilting was interesting. I sewed my quilting gloves into one of the letters. AND....I also sewed a pin cushion into one of the long side strips. Now how do you figure I did that?????????

It is odd, I must admit. But it is decidedly me.

And for my word, if you can't figure it out, I chose the albondigas.

Huh? Well, it is not an English word, it is Spanish and it happens to be my favorite word. Both the a's are short a's and the accent is on the "bon" part of the word. Al-BON-di-gas! Say it with feeling!

Ever since Spanish Class in High School I have loved this word so it has special meaning to me. Oh, it actually means "meatballs". But it makes me laugh. And last year was a horrible, sad, terrible, icky year, and looking at this word always makes me laugh.

Silly, I know. But I am hoping for a fun, silly, wonderful year in 2012. And Albondigas just might get me there!

glen

January Pondering

2012-01-15T19:30:00.001-08:00

I was lying in bed this morning pondering my word HOPE, when my eye landed on this block which I had put into my Dear Jane quilt. I thought of my early days in 4-H and could actually remember the pledge! "My head for clearer thinking, my heart for greater loyalty, my hands for larger service, and my health for better living..." Aha! I believe it makes sense to renew this pledge after sixty years. YESSS!!!

Getting started with Wonder

2012-01-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

Today, I wondered what would happen if I tried this, and this, and this,

It was with great wonder and amazement, I actually came up with these letters. My word for this year is Wonder, as in looking at the world with wonder. I don't have Tonya's book on putting letters together, or anybody elses, so I just decided to wing it. After about an hour, this is what I had. Hmmm.

Then, I pulled some other fabrics and came up with this.

I wonder what would happen if I added some applique, did some hand quilting, bound it with the curved top. I will look at it on the design wall for a few days and see what happens.

January Challenge Update

2012-01-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

I want to know how you are doing! I want to know that because I have been totally and unproductively searching for my Word Play book for two weeks now. I was doing that big clean up in my room and I had the darn thing in my hands. Now, it is nowhere to be found!

I even started a process post and had to stop because all I did was search through stacks of books for my precious book.

Doesn't that make you want to AUGHHHHHHH!

I Got Trees!

2012-01-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

See what Miki made for me?

I squee-ed when I saw it, cos it's just so cheery, but would you look at it? One big tree all decorated . . .

. . . and a medium tree, complete with birds, and then a little tree hiding in between.

AND . . . hand applique and hand quilting . . . and all that beading! Such an amount of work! I'm so honored!

But wait, there's more . . . check out that binding! I LOVE THAT! So unexpected, and very awesome indeed!

I know it's kinda Christmas-y, but I wanna leave it hanging all year.

And not only that, but look what else was hiding in the package for me! How did she know? I can hardly wait to use this in something . . .

Thank you so much, Miki! I really love it all . . .

January Challenge

2012-01-07T21:12:00.000-08:00

Oh Oh Oh......I am soooo scatterbrained these days. Someone should have rattled my cage!

For January I want you to take one of those words you thought about and make a small hanging for your sewing room/area/closet that will inspire you throughout the year. Think about what you want to look at in June and in September and in December and hopefully into the next 50 years.

Make it a positive word of course.

And size is up to you, but I am thinking something smallish like a 12 or 20 inch rectangle or square or circle even.

What will inspire you, what will make you feel good about your work, what will make you happy? What will keep you grounded?

Give this one to yourself, you deserve it. And let it take you through the new year!

glen:

Any more triangle trees out there?

2012-01-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

As the instigator of the December swap, I feel slightly obligated to check:

Did everyone get their tree quilt/project?

Have we seen them all here?

I've had lots of great comments on the one I got from Margaret (top)

and I had fun making the one for Beth (bottom)

as well as an extra for a friend.

Poppies in Bloom

2012-01-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

Well, not really....but those colors really brighten up my winter blacks. I added my Gee's Bend inspired blocks to some silks and a scarf was born. A bit of quilting to hold those logs in place and I'm ready to wear.

December Swap

2011-12-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

Oh, my Swap Partner Shelly sent me the most beautiful and wonderful piece of all! Beaded and triangulated it is so beautiful.

The picture really does not show the work with the beads and all the crystals. Each triangle is totally beaded all the way around! And the whole thing shimmers when you move it!

Thank you, and to answer your question: YES! I love it!

glen: Definitely!

January challenge

2011-12-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

I have not forgotten I am January. Now that Dutch has crossed that rainbow bridge to meet his best friend Bonnie Doon, my life is much less complicated. January is a new beginning, a fresh start. It is the first of twelve. The expectation is lots of promise through the next eleven. Think of words and things with which you can express that feeling.

More next week, enjoy the holidays my friends.

Come back excited!

Love, glen and the two lonely little Bassets

Fabulous FIVE!

2011-12-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

It looks wonderful from ANY angle!!!!

And is hanging now

proudly on my kitchen wall....

so I can gaze on it ALL day long!!

;)

Thank you BRENDA for all the loving stitches you put into this beauty!

My wonderful tree

2011-12-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Isn't she beautiful! Look at all those tiny pieces. Look at the wonderful hand quilting. The border is to die for. I love my tree. Thank you so much Beth.

Fabulous tree!

2011-12-08T08:19:00.001-08:00

I got Margaret's fabulous challenge quilt yesterday

and it's already hanging in my front hall.

She had posted little peeks earlier, but it is sooooo great in person

with all those little bits and pieces in it, the rick rack, and the sequins,

and I love the zig zag quilting in the background.

Thanks so much for the great swap, and all the extra goodies.

I finished Beth's quilt last night.

Here's a little taste before it goes off in the mail.

Merry Kaffe-mas!

wahoo!

2011-12-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

I didn't have to stalk my PO man, he showed up bright and early today, with a box that maybe should have said, "don't open til xmas!"

What a gift! Thanks GLEN! Check out the sweet trees around the basket!!
yum!

A few triangles over here

2011-12-05T07:00:00.001-08:00

I've seen some great trees growing on this blog already

So yesterday, I planted a few of my own.

Stay tuned.

To and From

2011-12-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

My little triangle tree quilt for Margaret was so much fun to make. Have been wanting to quilt with silk for a long time. Never channel quilted in triangles before, so this was new territory for me. Have to say I was a little nervous about joining this very creative group, but I am enjoying the freedom and the challenges so far.

And I am also enjoying V's triangle trees! That little beaded red one is my favorite, of course, but they are all so utterly charming. And the hand embroidered chain stitching is delightful. Love the red checked border, too. Reminds me of my husband's favorite shirt. Oh, I really get so sentimental at Christmas. Thank you, Victoria!!! Your work is now on my front door for all to see....

Helen rcvd her's yesterday!

2011-12-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

I gave Helen her SWAP yesterday at our MOD guild meeting... She was showing her fabulous swap for Margaret, so i gave hers then too.. all swap swap, and smiles! ;-)

Dec Challenge

2011-12-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Helen brought this simple, elegant 11.5" creation to the NYC Metro Mod Guild Meeting as her Show & Tell.

She then presented it to me for our pass it forward holiday exchange.

Thanks, Helen!

A Sneak Peak

2011-12-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

Today, I got a chance to work on my little quilt for Shelly. I made some fabric in three values. I wanted to see if I could create a little depth. I also did some foundation piecing once I got the fabric made. I am still learning how to make my own foundation designs from my designs. This one worked pretty well. Now, I have some borders to add and a little applique to do.

Last Take on Card Trick

2011-12-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

I think I'm finished ... backed, self-binding, quilted ... maybe a little more quilting here & there as I study it from time to time. I took this as one project on a weekend away in PA with some quilting friends. All were quite complimentary on the piece but I found it interesting when someone asked, What are you going to do with it? And my response was, I don't know ... it was just a challenge. Two people voiced their opinion that they would never embark on making a quilt with no purpose in mind. I explained that it was the process, the making of it that intrigued me. I don't think they understood.

triangle tree swap

2011-12-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

Got mailed. But I stood in line at the post office and thought, Wow......I totally forgot to take pictures of the finished product.......duh!

So it will arrive! Unphotographed in its entirety.

Hope you like it!

glen

finito

2011-11-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

I'll be hand delivering mine this weekend... oh, so much fun!

I'm Thinking......

2011-11-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

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

Mama's quiltlet

2011-11-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

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! ;-)

2011-11-27T18:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

Making this for Brenda

really put me in a

holiday mood!

Hoping to mail tomorrow.

:-)

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

2011-11-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

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

Just One Peek

2011-11-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

Having fun with this!

triangle trouble.

2011-11-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

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!!!!

Hoping to add a bit of handquilting today

as I let my FOOD digest.

December challenge

2011-11-18T07:33:00.001-08:00

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.

Are you up for the next challenge?

2011-11-16T17:17:00.001-08:00

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?

waves

2011-11-09T07:49:00.000-08:00

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!

Nov Challenge

2011-11-08T06:23:00.000-08:00

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.

Brenda's three little quilts for November

2011-11-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

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?

A Wall Hanging

2011-11-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

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.

I'm Known Around These Parts . . .

2011-10-31T17:54:00.000-07:00

For my inability to make a decision very quickly. It infuriates My Cowboy that I can never decide where I want to eat, what I want to cook, if I want to go ride my horse or not, what time I want to go to town, what I should wear, or if I want to go with him when he goes somewhere.

I can't explain it, but so much of the time, it's due to the fact that I have too many choices and I like them all. Such was the case with choosing a palette for this challenge! Whew!

I must have looked at every single one of those palettes 2 and 3 times each. I slaved over the decision, and killed SO much time staring at the computer screen, still never coming to a conclusion. I'd think I had it nailed down, walk away, come back, and nope! Start all over again . . .

But I finally just HAD to decide, even if I could still go on looking for many more hours. Just. Had. To. Decide.

I know Miki said to try to choose colors that you don't normally work with, but I have to admit right from the start that I did not do that. I chose reds. Red is my favorite color, and I work with it a lot. But if I had chosen colors I don't normally use, I'd have had to go fabric shopping, most likely. That's bad for me for two reasons:

1) I'm trying to reduce my stash and use up fabric I already have and not bring any more into my studio . . . for now.

2) The nearest quilt shop to me is over an hour away, and I don't have time to go there as often as I'd like.

So . . . I've picked a palette, and while I still haven't pulled any fabrics for the piece yet, I will soon. I'm going to Houston this week, and after that, I can come home and play in the studio again . . . with a fresh dose of inspiration, no doubt!

Spicing it up

2011-10-31T11:01:00.000-07:00

I've been slow getting to my challenges with this group, but yesterday I got started on Miki's challenge.

I totally didn't get to the card trick challenge, so I decided to combine the two by using only solids and building one block from the previous one.

Here are my fabrics in the spice palette, with some curries and greys and browns.

I'm using Jean Wells as my inspiration.

I decided to make a quilt 9 by 12 inches so I could finish quickly

and then donate the end result to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.

I also work best with scraps rather than yardage, so I made some scraps by

putting together this little Amish Bars quilt in the colour palette:

Then I took my leftovers and made a wavy bars with curved strip piecing (above)

They both measure around 9 by 12 inches.

Then I decided to go Gee's Bend and I took all the neutral bits left on my cutting table

(greys, browns, beige, gold)

and sewed them together to make a canvas like this:

I cut 1 inch bias strips of the maroon and started inserting bars in curved cuts

like this

Here's the completed third attempt

And here's all three together:

I've already quilted the first one with freehand feathers and

I'm contemplating quilting designs on the other two.

Thanks Miki for pushing me out of my comfort zone in colours and in process.

Milk shake

2011-10-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

My MILK SHAKE quilt is now about 76'' square... Will fit nicely on the TOP bit of my king size bed... Now to decide on borders.... I want to add more navy and grays to the border... to frame it all...Perhaps will be purchasing those colors in Houston this week... Good to have a buying plan! LOL!

Lotta done.

2011-10-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

Officially done with the LOTTA quilt... proof. ;-) I woke up this morning with an idea for the next challenge, what a wonderful way to wake up! have a lovely day friends!

Lotta quilt

2011-10-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to quilting my ''Lotta'' quilt... I still need to do the white borders, and hopefully will have it done tomorrow. I'm thinking it will be my first Christmas gift checked off the LIST! Wahoo!

Finally Decided

2011-10-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Urchin Tones

Can't believe how much time I've spent on this!

But since I have never made a quilt to put on my own bed,

I am making this my goal.

It will be soft, calm & muted.

This fits the challenge since my color preference is just the opposite.

Now to assemble fabrics ... i.e., shop!

It's a Start

2011-10-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

Little bits of poppy colors and some greenery....Gotta get something started today. These Ombre plaids don't match..... And to think I was a Home Ec major before I switched to music!

Progress

2011-10-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

I found another thrift shop skirt to add to the mix. It is the red/orange strip fabric. I also found some pale purple, almost gray, batik I will start adding in. I need more dark purple, but don't have any in the stash. I think a trip to the LQS may have to happen. I have a feeling these colors aren't to everyone's taste, but I am sure liking them.

Pushing past intimidation

2011-10-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

When I came up with this challenge, it was because I wanted to work within a limited palette, and try something that was sort of like a Gee's Bend style quilt. Then fear set in. What made me think I could pull this off? I found a palette I really liked and wanted to work with. I pulled some fabrics from my stash. Look at that fabulous Kaffe shot cotton red/orange. There are a couple of grey fabrics I won online. There are a couple of fabrics from thrift store garments, and a couple of pieces of batik. They sat on the table staring at me for a while, totally intimidating me.

Then, I decided to start tearing strips. That's right, tearing. Not cutting. Not slicing, Just ripping from a small clip to the end of the fabric. I am not sure if this will make a difference in the final product, but I thought I would give it a try. The torn strips sat in a nice pile for a few days while I pondered the next step.

I started out in log cabin fashion, then pieced a strip to add to one side. Until I saw this up on the wall, I didn't realize how many stripes and dots I had. I really need new glasses. The dark is a really nice rich purple.

This start is about 11" x 13" at this point. I think there will be more blocks like this joined by irregular strips. I would like it to grow to lap quilt size. So far, I am very happy with where it is going. I am very happy I overcame the fear to just dive in.

Picking Poppy Fabrics

2011-10-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Well, that was fun to do. Now what?

Choosing palletes is not for sissys

2011-10-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have been taking a few minutes here and there to look through the palette colors and see what I liked. I did have definite preferences, I found. The pastel or pale colors were not grabbing me, nor were the pinks and purples. I decided I must like the deep rich tones, the jewel tones. Which is surprising because that is not what my stash looks like! Hmm.

I copied the ones I that grabbed my eye into a file I created about 2 weeks ago. During that time, the photos just shot themselves into that file without much thought from me. Which was a bad thing, because when i sat tonight to look at them to narrow them down, I had no idea where the file was located!

Then I realized the pictures were probably not in a simple JPEG format, so by process of elimination and some brilliant detective work, I found them --- converted them -- and was astonished!

I had copied 8 into my folder. Four were grey palettes with either a deep teal, green or purple added in. Two were given Oriental names (which may have drawn me) and were similar except for one color. The other two were orange and orange red palettes!

How diverse and yet how similar! I was very surprised to see the commonality of the palettes and the striking differences among them.

I think I have chosen this one. And I chose it because I love that ~~dragon picture~~ yellow gold part and the deep red with the teal. But I may waffle and go back to the orange and red one.

No matter what, this will have to wait. I have one week to pack, I am leaving for Rome next week. Rome, Greece, Egypt and Turkey. Anywhere that you see violence and rioting and tear gas last week is on my travel schedule this week.

How did THAT happen? Aughhh!

glen: PS.....obviously I can't spell p a l e t t e either!

Pulling fabric

2011-10-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

These are some of the fabrics I have pulled for the current challenge. I am a little intimidated to get started, but I am going to try the tear and sew method of the Gee's Bend group. At least until it makes me crazy.

Picking Poppy

2011-10-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

Have been in neutral lately, so I will make this a real challenge and pick poppy and aqua next. Gotta shuffle my stash again....

More Card Trick Derivations

2011-10-14T17:37:00.001-07:00

After posting a few days ago,

I decided I wanted this quilt to be square.

So I made a few more blocks

and added a few specks of color.

(Finding the "right" colors was really hard!)

Now the top is done!

2011-10-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Before I get completely lost in that palette site, I am making a commitment to Beaded Hues.

Part of my decision making process was based on what I might have on the shelves. The other part is based on the fact that I love this color combination, but haven't really made anything with it yet. I will look to pull fabrics later today. I have been reading more about Gee's Bend quilts, and I think I am ready to get started. I want to make this a bigger lap quilt.

make mine mILK

2011-10-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

Well that was fun!

Now you all are making me go shopping for Kona ROSE!

Do they even make that 80s color anymore?

So, is this a palette I usually use?

Don't think so!

When I saw Milk Shake, well, I was swayed...

I have an intense sweet tooth right now...

this should come with a WARNING,

"DO NOT SHOP FOR FABRIC WHEN HUNGRY!"

Not sure I have the fabrics all POI-FECT yet,

but it was fun to pull a few out...

What do you think?

Speaking of fabric.. I just got BACKING for the Lotta Quilt I made back in August...

One more thing to get done!

I made it through the first steps

2011-10-12T12:12:00.001-07:00

I've chosen this spiced tone palette to play with. thanks for the fun challenge, Miki!

Card Trick Challenge

2011-10-11T13:27:00.001-07:00

These are the blocks I've made.

(Obviously I didn't follow my own directions!)

Does that mean I've failed the challenge?

(Who cares?)

It was fun & I'm ready to think about how to put it together

and

maybe add another solid color.

Hope I figure it out soon because

I'm dying to start Miki's challenge!

Diamonds are Trump

2011-10-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Diamond-in-the-Square is an old favorite setting of mine, and I go to it often with my favorite blocks. This block has been a delightful surprise---starting with a traditional design, picking a neutral palette, and adding a new element---but I think I will stop now. I need a new bag (yeah, right) to go with my gray outfits this winter. This design has a "city" look, almost architectural, and I will use it to tote my stuff in style.

October Challenge

2011-10-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

I know some of us are still working on our October challenge, and it is still early in October, but I thought I would throw this out for anyone who wants another challenge.

This will make more sense if you read it through before you do the first step.

First Step

Go to http://www.design-seeds.com/p/palette-search.html

Second Step

Click on Palette Search

Third Step

Choose a palette from one of the first category groups. Try and find a palette you don't often work with, but you still like.

This is one example of thousands.

When you have selected a palette, post it here so we can all ooh and aah.

WARNING!

This may become addictive. Allow enough time for this step.

Fourth Step

Select fabrics in solids, plaids, and/or reads as solids.

Fifth Step

Familiarize yourself, if you are not already familiar, with the styles of the Gees Bend Quilters and with Jean Wells in this book:

Her website is

http://www.jeanwellsquilts.com/gallery.html

Examples of Gees Bend Style Quilts:

http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/

Sixth Step

Start building your quilt. Decisions on size are up to you and your fabric and your process. Please post photos along the way and write about your process from picking a palette and fabric to design choices. That is part of this challenge.

Have a creative time with this challenge. I am looking forward to what all of you create and reading about your process.

I'd love to comment

2011-10-06T05:43:00.000-07:00

but this blog isn't letting me do it....the message box just goes blank when I try to post my comment. I wanted to say Wow! to Shelly's great quilt....and to apologize for my absence here .....I haven't done anything on this challenge, although I'm admiring what everyone else made.

Turning Tricks

2011-10-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

I was afraid the next challenge would be issued before I'd had time to execute my self-professed brilliant idea for my Card Tricks challenge, so I worked hard on mine, and it's finished! (I'm tired of always being behind!)

I have a really hard time sitting still and idle (which is why I can't watch TV), so I sketched like a maniac while sitting in the hospital with my sister after she had surgery in mid-September. I must have drawn 20 different block ideas, and then started to play with them and how they built on each other from one to the next.

And here's what I came up with:

I'm calling it Turning Tricks. You can see my original block top center. The trick is, if you go either direction from any block, the blocks next to it are derivatives, all the way around the circle. Doesn't matter where you start or end, or which direction you go, they each build on the one next to it -- either side.

I arranged a setting that would make them go sort of circular, and then filled in the boring middle with some plain little squares of my four solid colors. I also thought it needed something to contain it rather than just having it all floating in the white, so I used my solid scraps to make the pieced border.

I quilted it with straight diagonal lines that are fairly random and overlap intermittently. It ended up 47" square.
And . . . I was so thrilled with it that I entered it into the Project Modern: Challenge 4 competition. Not that it'll take a prize, but just for kicks. I'm not usually quite so bold!

Third Strike

2011-10-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

I liked the blue-gray in Take Two, but the rest of the block was blah. Chopped off the good points and added them to my original block, and now I am happy again. I think this block would work set on point, too

took a right turn at Albuquerque

2011-09-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

It's still growing, but my quilt took a right turn at Albuquerque... If I may quote Bugs Bunny!

I cut a huge pile of HST's tomake the card trick block, so it may end up with a crazy border yet...

With perhaps an actual card trick block...Gotta love the fleeting moments of Aha's!

success!

2011-09-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

OK, attempt number three.. after two attempts went into the garbage can.. Ihave now

finally made a proper block... in solids. per instruction! yippee!

I don't know why I chose such hideous colors...

I will be cutting THIS one block up... I don't want to make another...LOL!

But I will be happy to take a rotary cutter to this!

stay tuned!

( don't know why this block made me want to pull my hair out...)

Stay tuned for the final.... to be cont'd

Shades of Gray / Take 2

2011-09-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

Still looks like a Card Trick.....or maybe a Star? No lines have been moved, but a bit of flipping and changing tones has happened. I used a bluish gray and a rosy gray and a pale neutral here....plus my favorite black.

Derivations Continue ....

2011-09-20T11:04:00.001-07:00

Slowly evolving into controlled chaos ....

Shades of Gray

2011-09-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

This block looks so minimalist in solids. Am hoping to vary it in more shades of gray. Liking it so far.....

I Got To Thinking . . .

2011-09-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

. . . before I start posting about the new challenge, I really should post what I made from the last one . . .

I used my Lotta fabrics to make a table runner.
After the fact, I realize that some of these fabrics don't work so well cut up in tiny pieces. I like my idea, I just wish I'd done something different with these fabrics. I may try this on a larger scale some other time with different smaller-scale fabrics or even solids (in bigger pieces). I think it'll work much better that way.

But, what's done is done, and I've moved on.

Seein' as how the first rule of the new game says: "Using Only SOLIDS . . . " and I didn't have enough solids in my stash to even shake a stick at, I had to order some. They got here Saturday, so I stayed up late last night after getting home to make my first original Card Tricks block.I had to sit in the hospital with my sister for the last few days (and I still have some more babysitting to do while she recuperates) so I've had plenty of time to play with my sketchbook, and I came up with a big idea for my Card Tricks blocks, so as soon as I get time in my studio, I'm gonna keep on going with this. More later . . .

Block #3 and then some

2011-09-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

Today, I spent a little bit of time constructing a copy of block #2 so I could alter it. Here it is for reference.

As I was construction each quadrant, I had a brainstorm, of sorts. I decided now was a good time to add pieces for an inner border. After I got each quadrant put together, I found that I could put them together in four different ways.

I think these are all sort of interesting. I think I will make all four using different colors and built a small quilt with them plus the original two. If I get really ambitious, I may try a few more variations. I can already see a couple that would be naturals. Hmmmm. I hope I can find more of that green since I would like to keep it as the unifying color, but if I can't, I will just have to find something else. I do love to consider the possibilities.

Another Variation

2011-09-17T05:13:00.000-07:00

So I made a change on the second block

(maybe the 4 cards in the middle are more obvious)

and

then ...

Second Block

2011-09-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

This was more difficult than I imagined!

Maybe I'm over-thinking the challenge

maybe I've got a perceptual problem

related to this block!

Finished!

2011-09-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

This quilt has become a dear friend.

We've traveled everywhere together this summer!

I DO need to stitch the binding down in back...

but that won't take long.

Silly question:

Is someone handing out EXTRA credit points

for hand quilting our challenge projects???

Wink. wink.!!!

Diving in

2011-09-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

I dug through my solids and found enough to create at least eight blocks in colors I like. I decided I was going to do this right, finally. I measured carefully, cut carefully, sewed carefully, and pressed carefully. It paid off on a block with only one lost point! Of course, I had to make two because I have decided to cut mine apart for the second apparition. I interpreted the challenge as making each block as a variation of the one just before it. So, without further ado, I give you number 2.

I cut the copy of the first block in quarters. I then rotated each square until I got this pattern. I can already see a much easier way to recreate this block for the next step. I am not sure what comes next, but it will be fun. I will have to switch colors a bit, but that will be just as much fun. I don't know where this is going to lead me, or how long I will keep going, but I am now over the first hump. Cause for celebration around here.

Discovery

2011-09-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I also got frustrated.

The few blue triangles I had cut out

kept falling off the wall as I moved them around.

And I didn't have enough of one color to make "cards"

and keep track of what I was trying to accomplish.

So I cut out 4 squares of paper for the 4 cards.

Then on each piece I made one slit half way down to the center.

I started at the middle of 1 side & stopped in the middle of the square.

This allowed me to fold under the hidden quarter for all the cards.

(It's easier for me to see the block as a "whole"

rather than a bunch of triangles.)

What I am working on above is distortion ...

the square cards are now rectangles.

learning

2011-09-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

I learned something about myself today...

Rarely do I pick out a particular group of fabrics,

and lay them out in a planned

quilt sort of way and make blocks.

Anytime I have done this, I never finished the quilt... I realized,

I am not actually good at this.

I tend to put every color together, 50 different fabrics all in one block and away I go...

For me trying to pick THREE to use... Made me insane...

I screwed up my first block, then took it apart to fix it, screwed it up again....

and well, this block went in to the trash... after I crumpled it up...

I do, of course, realize I didn't NEED to just PICK three,

I just thought it was a fun way to start,

since it's a different way for me to work, so why not?

I like a challenge... usually!

I cut up 8 different fabrics trying to get a triad I liked...

HST's anyone? I have a bunch!

Alas, I got the FIRST block done. I started at 8 it's now noon. eek! sorry 1pm.

I messed this up too... I ran out of orange and had to piece fabric

together after I cut the orange

the wrong size... sigh.

Now to go about my usual way on all the others! LOL!

Card Trick

2011-09-08T05:20:00.001-07:00

This is my first card trick block ever.

(And now I understand Miki's original comment!)

As you can see I might work with only blues ...

that is still one of those "what if" questions.

Next the FUN begins!

card trick

2011-09-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here's the card trick block.

And here it is with the outside squares flipped out.

Here it is using four colors.

And with the four inside squares flipped out.

I DID contemplate making this wonky....

but I didn't.

Instead......

I made some table mats for a bi-monthly meal

that I prepare for senior citizens.

I just added a 2 1/2" border to the blocks....

flannel on the back...a little quilting.....

Viola!

Ready for FALL!

Still going around in circles

2011-09-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

I know there's another challenge underway, but I've been on summer schedule with my sewing (aka not much going on here) and so I'm still playing with the Lotta fabrics Victoria sent us.

I've pieced together this set of circles in a nine patch, which measures about 22 inches square.

I used up the other charms in four patches as well as some fancy circles too.

Now I'm wondering where to go next. These are a bit too big for pillows, but the wrong size for my sewing machine cover, which was the other plan.

Anyone have an idea for me?

Another thing: I'm having difficulty commenting on blogs lately, more than usual.

This is the message I'm getting when I try to comment:

Your current account does not have access to view this page.

Click here to logout and change accounts.

Anyone else with that problem?

October Challenge for Modern 8 Create!

2011-09-05T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hi All ...

Hope you are looking forward to the next challenge!

Here it is!

Using only SOLIDS:

1. Make a traditional Card Trick quilt block any size you wish.

2. Make it again but change or distort it in some way(s) -

for example, size, color, proportion, orientation. In other words,

play with it!

3. Using your second block as your model, change it some more.

4. Keep repeating this process - always use the last completed

block to change or distort the next.

5. Make as many blocks as you want.

Your piece will be whatever size you want it to be.

6. Sew your blocks together ... if they are different sizes and you

want a rectangular quilt, add fabric wherever necessary.

Have fun creating! Post some sneak peaks and your finishes.

New Pillows/New Place

2011-08-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Too much light coming into the camera so here's another view ...

I've finished moving into my new digs

and

I've finished these pillows!

Many thanks for your earlier quilting suggestions!

As you can see I elected to do vertical straight lines

as I felt this showed off the Lotta fabrics best.

(The covers are removable for cleaning.)

one day at a time

2011-08-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

The front.

The back.

The way we TRAVEL together.

So far we've been to

Therapy appointments....

Swimming lessons.....

Picking up kids from camp....

and now....

We're heading to an overnighter!

I'm loving my handstitched "friend".

What Would You Do?

2011-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Am about to unpick the square box quilting I've done on two of my pillow tops.

Thought it would look like a repeat of the fabric row but that's not

how it comes off.

Have a look at the third pillow ready for quilting ... what would you do?

I have an idea and am wondering if anyone might have the same. Thanks!