Searching for a new direction

had me stumped until I realized that I needed to clear off my studio space, the cutting table and ironing table.  Step 2 ~ pull out some fabrics and just do something.  Anything.  In cleaning up my space, putting away some blocks that didn't work with a previous quilt top, I thought to see what I could do with these quarter square blocks.  Got them placed on my design wall and thought, so blah! 

Step 3 ~ sew the blocks together into rows.  Step 4 ~ cut 'em up into random widths.  What could I lose, right?  

  

Blah Meh! Yuk! Now what?  Check out my Pinterest boards for inspiration, where I found plenty.

One being Adolph Fleischmann. Especially his paintings with stripes of colors within an oval shape.  Step 5 ~ sketch some ideas with ovals or circles.  Something that I rarely do, as I normally go improving on my way.  Step 6 ~ add colors to the sketch.  Another rarity.  Step 7 ~ make more quarter square blocks in other colors. Sew them together and cut 'em up.  Which resulted in this.  

Today I began sewing these strips together.  While doing so, I made notes to self.  If I decide to try something like this again, remember to incorporate seam allowances in the design.  And perhaps cut the strips in one size rather than random sizes.  That would certainly make for ease of assembly.  As is normal for me,  I don't stop to think it all through.  Why make it easy when I can make it difficult.  

However, it will be interesting to see the final composition once all those seam allowances reconfigure my original shapes.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Let's make 2018 great. 

And More Progress

Bicycle 101
pieced and ready to quilt
@ 30 x 36

I had this next piece hanging on my design wall since August 2013.  It was done during a workshop with Elizabeth Barton at Arrowmont.  Elizabeth graciously complimented the composition, but all I kept seeing was the big CBS eye.  It began to make be a big crazy, as it stared at me day in and day out on the wall.  A few days ago, as I was cleaning up some the the piles of fabric from a project, I decided that I was tired of it's glare.  And I had exhausted all ideas of what to do with it.  This thing had become an intrusive monster.  I snatched it from the wall and hacked it up with my rotary cutter. There! I said as I tossed the pieces into the trash and went back to my cleaning.  Feeling much more relaxed.  

However, those pieces were still wimpering for help the next day.  I reluctantly salvaged  them from the trash and began to play with them again.  The results were very pleasing to my eye, and as it hangs on the wall today, I am at piece with it's rebirth.  

eye to eye
@ 20" x 28"

WIP struggles

When I was a little girl I always wanted a purple bicycle.  When I was a little girl there were no purple bicycles to be found in my hometown.  Daddy bought me a pink bicycle.  I did not like pink at all.  But it was a bicycle, and so begins the education of accepting what is given to me with grace and thankfulness.

A few years ago a took some photos of bicycles snuggled into their stanchions. It reminded me of the dairy cows in my daddy's milking barn.  The juernesys were semi locked into a space with piles of oats as enticement while they were being relieved of their milk.  Later on they were replaced by the more productieve holstiens.  You might ask, what does this have to do with anything?  I might reply, this is just the natural progression of my thoughts.

This piece began as a deep violet bicycle with golden wheels.  Those colors were just not as enticing to me as a golden yellow bicycle with violet wheels.  Sometimes what you think you wanted is not really what you want at all.

The subdued background may be changing as well.  Life is, after all, a work in progress.

Walking among the trees,

I always take note of a dead cedar tree.

Mostly grey and sad in appearance.

Decided to give it another life

A bit happier, not so gloomy.  

  

It was  more difficult than I imagined.

Revival is often difficult, I guess.

Everchanging

Back from my whirlwind trip to Italy, full of new ideas, sensory overload, unable to settle down and start something new (well, sorta). I committed, (yet again) to get some pieces finished.  So stick a fork in 'er, she's done!  44" x 68" of heavy quilting.  

This old gravel road is long gone.  

I had taken lots of photos before everything changed on the farm and chose to document some of my memories in fabric.  A sign of changing times, new roads to be traveled, out with the old, in with the new, 

you get my drift.  

So, since I am not able to totally commit to machine quilting for hours on end, I did play around with some more ideas on the side.  

A couple of months ago, I got waylaid by 3/4" hexies.  Hundreds of hexies later, and several design idea changes, I am hand piecing (gasp) in a semi improv fashion.  I think I will call it "secret garden".

currently approximately 33" x 30ish and growing.

And then, there's the boxes of solids strips still hanging around from the Nancy Crow workshop last year.  Cannot seem to get them out of my system.  As if I don't use them, it will be a total waste.  Time to change that thought, doncha think?  Oh well, I did have a flashback idea as I was digging through those boxes waiting for something brilliant to happen.  The sights of Venice, Pisa, Sienna, Florence, Rome worked it's way into this.

the colors are not showing up correctly on my computer ,
(read terribly off),  so

I thought it might be a good idea to change it to gray tones to see how
 the design and values are working.
yet to be determined.

The ideas are still flowing.  Maybe I can stick to one of these for a finish before I begin another.  hahahahahahahaha

Flying off in a new direction >>>>>>>>

I got carried away by the geese.  The thought occurred to me that it would be fun to make a coordinating quilt to use with my low volume quilt. 

Besides, I was stuck for a bit on finding just the right look for the middle section of the trees.  All it took was a nice walk on a sunny day for some good inspiration. (We finally had a couple of days of sunshine down in the "sunny South")  Now I am on a roll.  Up and down the ladder, pinning pieces to the wall.
 

Note to self
* next time you get stuck, take a walk*
Now I really must grab one of the tops that is languishing in the pile of the unquilted,
get it sandwiched together and quilt it.
That will only give me 3 projects to work on for a few days.  A day filled with designing, piecing, quilting.  How could a person ever get bored, I ask you.  So many quilts.  So little time.

Commission

Last October, asked by my city's Chamber of Commerce if I would accept a commission to make an art quilt to hang in the lobby of the new Jetport, I paused about 3 seconds.  My brain was shouting, "WHAT! are you crazy to accept a commission?"  My mouth never listens to my brain, and it said that I would be delighted.  Of course the panic quickly dissolved as I was told that I would have free rein on the design. The new Jetport terminal is a rustic, craftsman style building, so I thought it best to create something to fit with that theme.  I listened to suggestions and thoughts from the committee.  They liked the idea of a autumn trees with a sunset.  So I am off in a tizzy to have it completed by the first of December .

full size sketch on freezer paper

pattern drawn and begun

November progress with deadline looming

          Thankfully, there was a bit a construction delay on the Jetport and I was able to get it completed in time for today's grand opening

.

The quilt was delivered and hung on the stone fireplace on Tuesday.  I was thrilled to see another of my art quilts hanging in a commercial location.  

What an honor.  

Now back to a more relaxed schedule. 

Ms. Iris is waiting to be quilted. 

Ties

The time has come to do something with all the silk ties I have stashed away.  Some belonged to my father, my uncles, my son, my husband, my nephew and others came from thrift shops.  I have an over abundance 

Then there are the old silk blouses and slacks that I kept saving with the though that they might be back in style one day.  Alas, I have tossed the shoulder pads that should be velcroed into the blouses for that 80's look, so needless to say, the fit is no longer very attractive.  So they've been cut apart.  Let me just say right now, that it finally keeps me from wearing them in public.  

Then there are the pieces of silks that did and did not make it into garments

               Next step, I washed everything all up and began taking the ties apart

when I needed a bit of "sit down, put my feet up time".

A few days ago, I took rotary cutter in hand and began slicing and dicing 

the ties into approximately 2" inch strips.  

Like so

Not having much experience with silk, I felt that it should be sewn onto some sort of backing.  Making an executive decision, I cut 6 inch squares of muslin for the backing.  Now to decide a pattern for the silk strips.  Mulling it over and over, it's time to make the next executive decision.  Let's sew these suckers down and get on with it.

Like so

All the original ideas that I had are out the window, and now it is audition time

on a silk blouse sleeve, a new look for garments: or maybe not

silk blouse strips, oh so traditional

use the silk ties center sections for sashings, tradition with a twist?

but then, why use all silk; use recycled linen slacks

The original intention was to use silk and only silk.  The question of the day, do I want contrast? Tonight, methinks, it is all about the contrast.  Dare I go back to both sides now?
Yes, Miz Scarlett, tomorrow is another day.
No telling what it may bring.
I am wide open for suggestion here.  Don't be shy

the last bloom of the season

I was compelled to cut the last one.  It was already beginning to get brown spots and the beetles were having their way with the edge of one of the petals.  I spontaneously snipped it, brought it into my studio and placed it in shallow dish  with a bit of water.  I placed it on top of my inherited aunt's cedar chest so as to enjoy the  beauty and fragrance all day.

In case you might ask, I adore magnolia blossoms.  And I have been tempted forevermore to create an art quilt depicting a blossom that I could enjoy throughout the year.  In the south, we use the leathery leaves from our magnolia trees to decorate our house all year long.  But only in the late spring and early summer are we captivated and delighted with their most magnificent blooms and enchanting fragrance.  So here's the teaser for my next quilt.  It is not nearly as large as the last one, but a challenge, none the less.

I drew up the pattern for Miss Magnolia on Friday morning, selected my fabrics and played around with the whites for a while.  Not to be neglectful, I felt obliged to at least begin quilting on Ms. Lantana.

In the midst of my intense machine quilting today, my husband ventured into the studio, "er-ah, are you ready for lunch/?"  Which translates, "come make my lunch for me."  While he was lingering in the doorway, he casually mentioned the number of projects that I have on my walls.  Well, yes, there is a bit going on around in my AADD mind which somehow leaps onto the walls.  One of which is an online quilt bee in which I am participating over at Bumble Beans 15 Minutes Play.  You must make the jump over there to see what is going on with that.  No need in me being too redundant, yet again.  Victoria has set up a wild, wacky wonderful playground which has enticed me to play along.  

Oh, so, back to my wall.   I just received a delightful package from Beth with the requested strips for my 15 minute play project.  LOVE 'EM

Thank you so much Beth.  They are perfect.

And Margaret posted hers on the 15 minute blog, which I cannot wait to receive.  Luscious!

 What I failed to mention in my request on the 15 minute play blog for said strips of fabric rectangles, is my ultimate goal for said strips.  Which I am anxiously awaiting from 9 other lovely ladies.  Yes, yes, I know you think that this is going to be a simple repro of the elegant quilt of my friend that I have been lusting for.   But I have some secret designs in mind for this beauty, which will be reveled at a later time. 

Eeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyiiiiiiiiiiiiii

I see fireworks as I type.

Happy Independence Day to All

Phases

Not to be redundant, but does anyone else encounter this dilemma
when working on a quilt of your own design?

Phase 1:  Brilliant inspirational visions

Phase 2:  Fascinating fabric choices

Phase 3:  What the heck was I thinking

Phase 4:  Oh, yeah, this might work

Phase 5:  What the heck was I thinking

Phase 6:  Oh yeah! It's coming together just like I planned

Phase 7:  What the heck was I thinking

Phase  8:  Whew!  This might work after all

Phase 9:  How in the world am I going to quilt this thing

Phase 10:  To be determined