I didn't sew this week......but !

I've been giving it a lot of thought:

Alison Glass has a new fabric collection, "Clover Sunshine."  But I don't have that collection in my sewing cupboard!  What's a girl to do?


I found her free pattern on Andover Fabrics yesterday and immediately set about selecting just the right mix of fabrics for my cobblestones.  A great design for a remix of scraps left over from other projects.  All that is needed for this quilt top is 72-  9" x 10 1/2" rectangles.  Or something there about.  The way this one is cut and then sewn together, as long as the width of each rectangle is the same, just about any length would work well....4" all the way up to 10 1/2".  Can't wait to play with this one.

It costs a little bit more for shipping, but this bundle was well worth the cost.  It's Anna Maria Horner's "True Colors" fat quarter bundle.  Sometimes, you just can't find the newer lines locally so when I find them online, I don't think twice about adding to my shopping cart.


 



A friend stopped by yesterday and gifted me with two of the newer modern quilting magazines.  AND, on the cover of  Issue #1 of Love Patchwork & Quilting  was Holly DeGroot's "The Plus Side."  I think my Anna Maria Horner fat quarter bundle will work beautifully.  Don't you? 


 

 
 


 



 







































and, while I didn't sew at all this week, it's been so much fun just planning out a few more projects. 

 Here is a picture of  a Valorie Wells quilt made with her Novella fabric collection....found at Free Spirit.  I picked this little card up last February while at Quilt Con and have been looking  for a way to put this quilt top together.     Well, here we go! 

Not Valorie Wells fabric, but just as wonderful is Tula Pink's Acacia .  Now, if I can figure out how!!!

 

 

 

 

 

and still browsing through Make It Modern.  The day isn't over. 

Oh, I'm wishing for a jolly, merry Christmas ~

A December calendar for your desktop and mine!  I'm finding myself going more and more

minimal these days

and am lovin' the look

 

 

Minimal is good when time is of the essence.  I found this picture in my "I made this paper" folder
and decided it would make the perfect minimal December calendar background.  Just a hint of color and bangles and streamers (all paint, of course). 

 

The challenge was met!

In going through the inspiration motions for the Macro Challenge for Art Quilts Around The World, I had to first check out the definition of macro:

•  Large scale; overall
• Very large in scale, scope, or capability
• A macro is a symbol, name, or key that represents a list of commands, actions, or keystrokes
• and my own definition:  up close and personal

There is macro as in photography, or environment, computer, economics and this macro and that macro and on and on! 

With these thoughts (and by this time, other thoughts) in mind, I finally decided very simply, very minimalistic PERIOD as in large scale PERIOD.  My PERIOD is thread-painted in black on a white fabric which represents a sheet of writing paper.  The exaggerated lines on my 'paper' are hand-quilted with pearl cotton embroidery floss.


 I was in luck when I found the white script on black for the binding.  Just the cat's meow for the finishing touch on such a fun art quilt project.   PERIOD

 

Skill Builder BOM year-end review ~

I did it!  While I didn't get every block made this year, and still have one to finish, I so enjoyed participating in Alyssa's  Pile O' Fabrics Skill Builder 2013 BOM.  Oh, and how I increased my quilting skills.  At times, I thought I was way out of my element.

In all of my quilting years, I've never done English paper piecing so,  I am sew much enjoying the quiet time on the sofa.  Whip stitch by whip stitch, these little hexagons are coming together to form my pyramid.  Soon, very soon, it will be done.






 

 

Did I mention that I didn't get all twenty Skill Builder blocks completed this year.  Twelve out of twenty isn't all bad and  I'm loving the size my twelve block quilt will make.  I'm also loving the way these quilted blocks are joined:  the quilt-as-you-go way.  This lesson was worth sticking with this Skill Builder BOM 2013. 

 



Just a sampling of my honed free-motion quilting skills. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

I'll take a walk outside today
I'll look around me
I'll look up
And give thanks for it all
For every single ray of sunshine and every breath of air
For the flora and the fauna
On the ground and in the air. 

I'll take a walk outside today and give thanks
For the beauty and bounty  that surrounds me. 






 

Music...it's everywhere ~

See what thinking outside the box can lead to.  How many more people did this orchestra reach than when in an auditorium?  Perhaps not as many, but, oh, what a beautiful group they inspired. 



 

Flowers Squared - A quilt

It's been raining here for the last few days....not complaining.  Well, not much.  I've gotten lots of sewing done but no pictures taken. 

At first glimpse of the sun's rays this morning I bundled up against the wind and cold and headed out for a couple of pictures of my newest quilt that I've dubbed 'Flowers Squared.'

 

Hannah's Quilts had one similar in her shop and I snapped a picture of her quilt for inspiration.  In my usual fashion, not being sure what I was doing, I botched the third layer...the layer surrounding the center floral square should be heading out to each of the four corners....not side to side, nor up and down, but out!  Oh, well!

Alas, the big floral dahlia border would be so pretty if the seams had been mitered.  But, woebegone, I didn't have enough fabric.  Oh, well! 

Not complaining, just saying!

What I really love about this quilt top is that it is finished and perfectly pleases me.  I used Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably and probably some Philip Jacob fabrics, all from Hannah's Quilts,  and for sure Cherrywood hand dyed....yes, that's the lush turquoise outer borders.  Did I mention the Bali shot cotton too. 












 

Name-Dropping

Jennifer Paganelli
Vanessa Christenson AKA V and Co.

AMY butler

 

Okay.....I'm doing a little name-dropping today:  Just because I needed to share some of my favorite fabric finds (some on sale, some not) from my recent trip to Lafayette. 

 My hostess made sure we had time to drop in to two quilt shops while I was visiting:

The Borne Quilter on Kaliste Saloom Road

 and Lola Pink Fabrics on Arnould Blvd. 

 

 

 

A fabric from Lotta Jansdotter's Bella Collection

and a most delightful part of Anna Maria Horner's Field Study 

,Name-dropping is the practice of mentioning important people or institutions within a conversation
^[1] story,^[2] song, online identity,^[3] or other communication. The term often connotes an attempt to impress others; it is usually regarded negatively,^[1] and under certain circumstances may constitute a breach of professional ethics.^[4] When used as part of a logical argument it can be an example of the false authority fallacy.^[5]

A shout-out is a type of name-dropping where a list of names is spoken out expressly to direct attention at these groups or individuals, often as a means of expressing kudos or making a referral.

 

Name-dropping....what's not to love about these names.

 

 

 

 

 

Quilt As You Go......easy little doll quilt ~

I needed a quick and easy project this afternoon.....and I wanted to figure out how to do the quilt-as-you-go....adding one strip at a time. 



A Quilt-As-You-Go Doll Quilt

 

I gathered material for the backing the size of the doll quilt I needed to make, cut the batting large enough to cover the backing, then gathered strips of fabric.  My strips were anywhere from 1" to 4".

 

 

Layer backing right side down and place batting on top, then begin by laying one of your top strips  face up on the batting.  Add another strip, right side down on top of the first strip and sew through all layers using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Continue adding until the entire doll quilt is covered with your strips. 

TaDa...learning experience over.  I trimmed excess, added binding (by machine) and this little doll jewel is ready to gift to my housekeeper's baby girl in the morning. 

 

Now that I know I can, I think this will be a great way to make larger community service quilts.  All that will be needed is a variety of strips cut width of fabric and batting and backing about 42" x 50" or so.  How easy can that be. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shut up and Sew!

It is time.  Time for me to shut up and sew a bit: 

Therapeutic:  producing good effects on your body and mind ~

 

It has been a most delightful three days just passed.  Spending time talking to a receptive group of quilters about the modern quilt movement and sharing my modern quilts with Quilter's Guild Acadienne in Lafayette, Louisiana, where I was received with open arms.  The food was hot, the weather perfect and a good time was passed. 

 

A whirlwind of a trip filled with shopping, talking, laughing and sharing.  Modern quilting, yeah, it's a movement and it has now moved into Louisiana.  I'm excited and energized to be a part of it and hope to share even more in the days to come.   Just a spark can start a fire! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thread sketched lady with hot lips and an attitude ~

I didn't like  her attitude!  All hot lips and pouty.  No, I didn't like her attitude at all ~

 

 

 So, I gave her something to have an attitude about....a feather tattoo!

 

Here's looking at you, BABE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

From here to it took me an eternity to get back here ~

You know, you've heard it said, when you want something done, just ask a busy person!  Well, don't ask me for anything else.....I'm busy enough.  It feels as if an eternity has come and gone since I've visited my blog. 

 

 

I've been wanting to make this wide-mouthed bag for an eternity and just today decided that today was the day.  It's Saturday and therefore, my day for a little fun.  It started with the Noodlehead open wide zippered pouch tutorial.    Since I knew I wanted to use it as my travel makeup bag, the largest size was the one for me.....starting with 11" x 14" rectangles and a 14" zipper and then, an eternity later, a completed 13" x 7" standing size.   Now that I know what I'm doing, I may make another one, perhaps the mid-size.   It was okay that it wasn't the easiest pouch I've ever made because I learned a couple of new techniques....especially how to make the wide open mouth for easy entrance, search and exit.




 

Gratitude:

Let the blessings overflow into gratefulness around you ~

 

I'll come back to rename this post....just give me a minute ~

I don't mean to do it.  When I set out to follow instructions, I really want to follow along, but sometimes there are minor distractions along the way!

Case in point:  I've been making the Gen X Sisters' Ten blocks of the month.....starting in January, finishing the blocks in October....two each month, using my blue linen as the background fabric in all 20 blocks to compliment the Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mabley fabrics I used in each block.   

BUT....this month, when I downloaded the quilt layout instructions, I measured and re-measured my blue linen fabric.  Moaning and groaning, I measured again just to be sure I was right.  Well, HELLo,  I obviously didn't read all the instructions about how much fabric might be needed to complete the quilt top way back in January.  I DID NOT have enough blue linen. 

You've heard it said before, when you can't change the situation, then re-think the way you think about it.  And, so I did.  I've had a piece of white linen in my fabric stash and have been wondering how I could use it.  Well, today is the day.  I did a happy dance and  merrily went about completing my quilt top.  Admittedly, it is just a tad smaller than the instructions, but you know about fabric limitations by now!  It finished out at a very nice size:  48" x 60".  I'm lovin' it.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 and then, continuing along with my diatribe about my inability to follow instructions. 

When in New Orleans last month, I caught a glimpse of a Victoria Findley Wolfe quilt in the Better Homes and Gardens "Make It Modern" quilt magazine. 

I assured myself that with my photowhatsit memory, I would remember how to make this one once I got home.  Well, you've guessed it already; however, I did find the magazine in a local shop and did a happy dance, merrily set about making my quilt in the same style as! 

Almost.....While Victoria's design called for two slightly different 9-patch blocks, I didn't catch that until I had my 25 blocks already made.  But that's okay, I liked my mix-breed 9-patches.  But what I didn't like was the busy-ness of the Anna Maria Horner Field Study fabric in the bottom panel.  Oh, yes, I do love all of her fabrics, but just not in this quilt so I ripped and substituted a Bali shot cloth for the 18" block but left the AMH field study in the four 6" squares. 

All done, and yes, I'm lovin' it.   Sometimes it just feels good when I don't follow the leader. Perhaps tomorrow I'll be more attentive. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need space - S P A C E

Just thinking over the possibilities of space, something I need just now....space ~

 

 

 

 

I was just the other day bemoaning my lack of a large design wall

and not having the space to leave my ironing board up all the time

and not having the space to have a BIG ironing surface

and I want all four of my sewing machines out all the time

and I want space to long arm quilt

and

 

then, there is the need for my art supplies

I know I could learn to draw if

I had space

to draw

and paint

sketch

and play

 

And I need space to display

all this stuff I want space to do

I want space that is

unencumbered

not pinched

and most certainly

uncluttered

 

 

But, it's not going to happen

so with that

I

move on 

 

~ Happy Friday ~

 

Before, During and After Breakfast ~

We took the weekend (past) to drive down to New Orleans.  I was invited to speak at the Gulf States Quilt Guild quarterly meeting and their reception to my topic (The Modern Quilt Movement) warmed my heart. 

It was a whirlwind trip but I did have time to get a few snapshots to highlight the colors of New Orleans - my inspiration for the inprov quilt I made this morning - before, during and after breakfast.  Quilted in concentric circles. 

 

 

For lunch Friday on the way down, we stopped at Creola's in Grand Coteau.  They served us a cup of shrimp and okra gumbo.  So good.

 

 

 And for dinner Friday night we were joined by quilting friends and shared a good time at the award winning seafood and Italian restaurant, Mr. Ed's in Bucktown, where I enjoyed soft shell crab and an extra dry martini.

On the way home Sunday, we stopped for lunch at Lee's in Lecompte.  I topped it off with a huge slice of hot apple pie.  Since I had already indulged in a Snickers Bar early in the day, I didn't pile on the ice cream.  Now that's showing an unusual amount of restraint! 





 

It's a TABLE RUNNER Contest

.....and I'm in, well, err, my pearl bracelets table runner is in the contest and would appreciate your vote.  Pearl Bracelets is #8 and the voting starts October 19 and runs to November 2. 

I'm thanking Stitch N Frame in Vicksburg for the fun.  Also thanking Lizzy House and Andover Fabrics for the Pearl Bracelets 5" charm pack I used to make my newest table runner.

The prize....well, that will be a whopping $75 gift certificate from Stitch N Frame in Vicksburg where fabric and books and patterns and Bernina sewing machines and more abound. 

Thank you for your vote

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cottage on Cane River

I haven't done any serious Photoshop playing about in quite a few days.  This was the morning to re-visit pictures taken several months ago while we were in Natchitoches.  I've always loved this little cottage on Cane River.  Friends of ours once leased one of the apartments in the cottage and Tom and I had the opportunity to say here one year during the Natchitoches annual  Christmas Festival.  The cottage was as inviting from the inside looking out as from the outside looking in. 

This picture was taken from across Cane River.  Great view of the back of the cottage but a little busy with the barbeque grill, lamp posts, chairs and rug hung over the porch rail! 

I do enjoy before and after.

 

 

 

 

Not just another bowtie ~

I wish, oh how I wish, I could remember where I saw this bowtie quilt block pattern yesterday.  But I can't find it after searching Pinterest, FaceBook, BlogLovin, Instagram and all those other places I go each day. 

So, my disclaimer is this - this is not an original idea - I found it elsewhere, but did enjoy the online tutorial enough to make my own 12" scrappy bowtie quilt  block.  I hope to go this afternoon to find a pillow form and then can add the border to get just the right size for my newest pillow.  Yes, it's another work-in-progress.  There's always something in the works around here. 

It's as easy as clipping on a bowtie.
Cut (18) 2 1/2" squares from scraps and make 2 nine-patch blocks.
Cut (2) 6 1/2" squares from background fabric.
Cut (4) 2 1/2" squares from same fabric.  Draw diagonal line corner to corner on back of each and with right sides together place a square on one corner of each of the 9-patch blocks and on the two background squares.  Sew on the drawn line, then trim off excess fabric 1/4" from seam line.   Lay your four blocks together to make the bowtie and complete the stitching. 

Thank you unknown quilter for keeping me inspired.

 

Edited...........Edited.............Edited.................Edited...............Edited 

 

 I found it....I found the blog where I found this bowtie block pattern.  How could I not have remembered that one of my favorite blogs to follow.......Gen X Quilters.......was where I found it!
Thank you AnneMarie. 

On a sad note:  I'm too old to be a part of Generation X.    However, since I've never dressed, looked or acted my age, I'm fitting right in with the Gen X Quilters!

 

Curvacious and more ~

I've been going improv curve crazy:   Mini sampler

 

and more.    Starting with scraps sewn together, then stacked and cut into curves....sewn back together, more fabric added, stacked, cut and curved.  The solids add a calming effect....don't you think?  It may take you a while to agree! 

 

Going, going, gone around the improv curve ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Challenge: The Road Less Travelled

Entitled "Don't Go Near The Water!"

 I can express myself just as I see it in the standard 11 1/2" by 16" format  when meeting the bi-monthly challenges of  The Arts Quilts Around the World group.  Our last challenge theme - "The Road Less Travelled" -  was an easy one for me.  You see,

my road less travelled is to the clear blue ocean water, waves lapping on the beach with the blue sky overhead.  I took a simple approach down the path - right to the nitty gritty as to why I don't travel this road, literally and figuratively! 




I'm afraid of water....oh, no, not bath water, just deep water, as in a lake or river or the ocean.
I learned to be afraid of water at a very young age.  You see, my mother was also afraid of water  and so every time we kids went near any body of water, we could hear her say, "don't go near the water:  you'll drown."  I took that statement seriously. 

Look closely - there's a definite line between the water and the sand.  And, yes, that slash of red is symbolic as is the tornado-like stitches starting at the top of the heavenly blue sky and ending in the depths of my water's hell. 

There's more to the story, so I'll continue to tell until I get this out of my system once and for all ~

I was perhaps 30 years old when I decided I could not and would not allow my mother's words to continue to plague me.  I signed up for swim lessons.  Admittedly, progress was slow.  But surely,  I learned to swim! 

 

 

But wait....there's more to the story.

 

On graduation day, I was told to jump into the pool and swim back to the edge.  The obedient part of me jumped in

 

and

panic

set

in

 

The instructor had to jump in and drag my wet, soggy, sorry, scaredy-cat,  panic-stricken body back to the pool's edge.  It was not a pretty sight and I never did get my swimming lesson diploma.

 

I haven't travelled that path again!

Mom was right all along. 

 

 

 

The Final Gen X Sisters' Ten Modern BOM

Sometimes you know from the very start that the going is going to be good....and that's been the case with the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month.  This is the final month and I continue to think that I did the right thing by committing myself to making my two blocks each month. 

Here's color way I and II of "Aunt Lee's Frame", the October BOM.

 

All twenty blocks are made and measured and ready to be sewn together -  that's coming up in November.  Can't wait to see them in a modern setting.