A few random photos
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| love this flying geese maze |
Inspiration everywhere
Hexed
It all began innocently enough. Last Saturday I rejoined the Chattanooga Modern Quilt Guild. First let me just say that this is one fun group of ladies. They even handed out goodie bags from their visit to Quilt Con in Austin, TX. In my goodie bag was a little package of precut 3/4" hexagon patterns and 2" inch squares of fabric, along with instructions on English paper piecing. At the top of the instruction page was the warning. "Addicting and Contagious!" Yeah right, I thought to myself. I do not. hand. sew. anything. anymore. Way too slow for my lack of patience. But then, as I was sitting in front of my sewing machine, contemplating how to proceed with the quilting on my totally machine made tree quilt,
I was somehow distracted by that little package of hexies.
I was somehow distracted by that little package of hexies.
Okay, just for the heck of it, let me just see what the internet hoopla is all about.
Before I could blink twice, I was hexed!
Before I could blink twice, I was hexed!
I quickly checked the instruction page to find out how to order my own set of precut hexie patterns. Being the impatient person that I am, I proceeded to google hexagon printable patterns. To my delight, there were all sorts of available patterns. Instant gratification, almost. I still have to patiently hand cut all those little hexies. So why not increase the size. Easier to cut, to sew, for faster quilt finish.
But those darn 3/4 inchers are so darn cute.
After printing out a couple of pattern pages, I patiently and precisely as I possibly could, cut out the paper patterns. After a night of watching "Call the Midwives", "Mr. Selfridge", and "The Borgias", practicing patience has paid off.
I must say that no matter how painful my arthritic hands might be, the mental joy, calmness and satisfaction outweigh that pain. Patience, is indeed, a virtue that I need to practice more often.
It seems a strange coincidence that I opened up my email box on Tuesday morning and saw the latest newsletter from Robert Genn regarding patience.
Time to slow down and smell the proverbial roses, methinks.
For now, back to the machine quilting.
I just cannot wait to make more hexies. I may be "watching" more TV in the coming days.
It's a never ending battle in my mind . . . . .
New Ways vs. Old Ways
I tried a new technique with this project. Rather than dividing the pattern into often oddly shaped pieces, I opted for panels. Let me tell you, it really made a big difference when sewing all the sections together. All the panels lined up perfectly (well perfectly for me) and was quite a bit easier to stitch together.
"The Old Road to Home", measures 45" x 70" unquilted.
The gray geese are also sewn together and ready to be quilted. Now to get this one quilted as well as it's mate, the bird house. Methinks these guys will get along well together. 
Now to get busy with the quilting part. I do know I want to use silk batting for light, summer quilts. What I don't yet know, what to use for the backs. Try as I may to choose a softer, neutral, perhaps solid backing, I keep pulling out all sorts of my old large scale, patterned Alexander Henry fabrics. Can an old girl ever get on board with the new ways?
Flying off in a new direction >>>>>>>>
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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. |
Fits and Starts
After a business trip & back home, catching up with odds and ends, I find more stress relief improv is needed. Trying to downsize the content of my scrap bins, I pulled out neutral scraps, found some leftover geese, & began to play.
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| original idea |
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| try as I may |
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| the geese will go on the back |
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| close up of blocks |
Now then, all de-stressed, ready to go back to the trees for more improv.
"Dream Again"
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 .
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| full size sketch on freezer paper |
pattern drawn and begun
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| 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
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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.
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