More than 15 minutes of obsession

I have a new addiction. Victoria over at 15 Minutes Play has provided a spot for creating outside the box, and just plain play time fun.  I've already posted a couple of ongoing projects on that blog that I have been getting together for using up bits and pieces.  Not wanting to be a blog hog, I didn't go into a lot of detail.  I also intend to join in with Rossie and her Process Pledge group.  That is, if I hear from anyone who has an interest in my processes. But just for today, I'll post a few pictures of things that I've got going on.  Maybe seeing everything on screen will remind me that I've got to learn to focus.  HA! 


I named this quilt "The Aspens at Muddy Pass".  It's my attempt at an abstract design using a sketch that I did several years ago.  I've gotten it sandwiched and ready to quilt. 


Last winter I had the brilliant idea of making an abstract log cabin quilt inspired by the Gee's Bend artists.  I challenged myself to use very large pieces of fabric and make only 3 blocks.  And if you knew me, you would know what a challenge that would be for me.  However, once I had it pieced, it wasn't happy with the result.  I kept thinking that it would be the perfect practice piece for free motion quilting.  Nah.  Then I thought, hummmmm, maybe the log cabin needs some flowers to jazz it up.  And voila'


One day not too long ago, in a wild burst of organizational madness, I sat down in the middle of my studio floor with my box of scraps that I just could not bear to toss out.  Using an old mesh- over- the door- shoe -holder, I sorted, by color, all of those bits and stuffed them into the pockets that once held shoes.  (an obsession I've given up, well almost)  Now all I have to do, is reach in and grab a handful of color to make my posies. 

 

Or other free style pieced blocks that may go into a quilt or a pillow or maybe even a few place mats for the dining table, one day soon.


Next delimma:  Obsession/compulsive purchasing of  Kaffe Fasset, Philip Jacobs, et. al., fabrics.   Seems I can't stop myself from buying fat quarters of many many many of their fabrics.  What do you do with all those fat quarters?  More log cabins?  But with a definite purpose.  I have someone in mind who enjoys bright, happy quilts.  And what could be brighter and happier than a jillion Kaffe/Philip/Brandon fabrics?  Along with Amy/Carla/Heather - the list could go on forever. 


Then there's the selvage thing. For years I've checked out the selvages of every fabric that I see. Always thought I was a little weird that way. Seems I was not the only one. I would cut & toss all those selvages that into a basket, thinking that I would figure out what to do with them one of these days. I stumbled into  Karen's blog and yippee, I'm off and running.   With info and guidance from Jacquie and her tutorial I've got a good start on using up that basket full of selvages. 

In my spare time, I've been doing a bit more fabric dyeing as well as using soy wax to learn how to batik my fabrics.  Got a couple of cabinet shelves loaded up and waiting for some experimentation a la  Jean Wells and her inspirational book "Intuitive Color and Design" .  Maybe even an Amish style quilt in the manner of  the Lazy Gal Liberated Amish 2010 Get Together
I'll write about that in more detail at a latter time.  Right now I've got some more fabric soaking in a bucket of soda ash calling for color.