Don’t you like the name of this block? I think it provides ‘scope for imagination’ and evokes mystery. That is one of the things I like about vintage blocks. They, often, have great names.
I thought that background fabric in the middle might look like the viewer was looking through the block to the background, but I don’t think I achieved that semi-goal.
It took a little more time than the quilts in this series normally would take, but I am thrilled that it is done, not only from a finished point of view, but also from the point of view that I really like this quilt.
I have to say that I wasn’t really thrilled with the result when I finished the top. Colleen did a great job quilting it and really made the whole piece.
I am trying to decide whether or not to hang it in my office or in my hallway.
Finished: FOTY 2011 back
One thing that I have been trying to do with the pieces I have been finishing lately is making beautiful backs. I am pretty pleased with the back of this one. It feels light and airy to me.
As you know, I have been using larger prints or prints that don’t look good cut up into small pieces to make the backs. This one uses some prints I bought with lettering on them.
In my heart of hearts I would love to have a show with all of these quilts.
I was somewhat unclear, apparently, about what I was doing with the Star Sampler, the general idea of this piece and how it came about. Apparently, I just started babbling on and posting a zillion blocks. I thought you all just mind-melded with me and knew what was in my head! 😉
So sorry! Thanks to Mrs. K for pointing this out to me.
Really, what happened is life. I went about, in a leisurely manner choosing my fabrics and cooing about them, then all of a sudden it was time to start and things heated up at work and I had several weekends in a row out of town and WHAM! I needed to get myself in gear.
The idea for doing the Star Sampler started when TFQ and I talked about doing a project together. The idea of doing a project together came up, I think, when I saw the announcement for Easy Street, the recent mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter. Both of us were a little leery of doing a project when we didn’t know what the end result would look like. We both kind of wanted to know what direction we were headed.
Due to the distance and our crazy schedules when we are together, we decided to leverage technology and work on the same project, but in our own spaces, using our own tools and fabrics. We have worked on quilts together in the same physical space and I expect we will again, but this time, we are using the same pattern and doing the work on our own.
We looked at books, Flickr and various blogs to try and find a project we both liked. We used a joint Pinterest board (great tool, BTW) to keep track of our ideas. We eventually chose the Oh My Stars Quilt-a-long. The rest of the universe did it in 2012, but we just found it and since the directions and information are still posted, we are able to do it. We chose it because we both like Sawtooth Stars, there was enough scope for both of us to stretch our creative wings, use fabrics we liked and a wide variety of blocks.
Sheila is the owner of Thought and Found blog and the creator of the Oh My Stars QAL. She seems to post regularly to her blog. I have been hanging out there a bit more, but mostly referring to the layout or the block information. She set up a Flickr group for the QAL and I have been posting photos there even though everyone else is finished. It is a great group for inspiration, even if you are just looking for color combos.
The quilt is made up of of 12″, 8″ and 4″ Sawtooth Stars. Sheila includes patterns and tutorials for each of the Sawtooth Stars needed to complete this quilt. Scroll down on the first page of the QAL information to see the blocks. We are using many of the stars she lists, but we also went through EQ and created a group of stars that we wanted to make so some of the group’s stars will not be in our quilts.
Star Sampler Layout (Thought & Found blog)
One of the attractions for me of this project is the layout of the blocks. This is not your typical straight set. This layout makes the viewer work for their view. It is interesting and the viewer is rewarded for their work in looking at the quilt for longer than the typical 30 seconds.
I am toying with the idea of sewing the 4′ blocks to the larger blocks before I have finished all the blocks. There are a couple of reasons. First, I don’t have enough space to store the thousand (ok, it isn’t a 1,000, but sometimes it feels like a thousand!) blocks I am making and they would be easier to store in larger chunks. Second, I might like to take a chance at some random color choices near each other. Third, I am not sure I can face a bunch of single blocks needing to be sewn together. I need to think about it some more before I decide.
We are keeping ourselves to a strict schedule so this project doesn’t take forever. I have already posted bunches of blocks and I will continue to do so. You can also see my Flickr set for these blocks. TFQ has a Flickr set also. She said I could link to it, so take a look and comment.
I hope this clears up the mystery of this project and I would encourage you to join in.
Nato Camp: During the Cold War “the West” was often used to refer to the NATO camp as opposed to the Warsaw Pact and non-aligned nations. The expression survives, with an increasingly ambiguous meaning. (your history lesson for the day from Wikipedia)
In Chinese Buddhism, the West represents movement toward the Buddha or enlightenment (see Journey to the West). The ancient Aztecs believed that the West was the realm of the great goddess of water, mist, and maize. In Ancient Egypt, the West was considered to be the portal to the netherworld, and is the cardinal direction regarded in connection with death, though not always with a negative connotation. Ancient Egyptians also believed that the GoddessAmunet was a personification of the West.[1] The Celts believed that beyond the western sea off the edges of all maps lay the Otherworld, or Afterlife.(Wikipedia)
West is the direction opposite that of the Earth‘s rotation on its axis, and is therefore the general direction towards which the Sun sets. (Wikipedia)
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.
We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
I feel like this block came out really well. It is pretty, but has a delicate feel, too. The purple is from an ombre print, so I don’t have much of it left. I’ll have to use it judiciously.
If you’d like to make this block, I am posting the Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer pattern. This project is from the Oh My Stars Quilt-a-long from the Thought and Found blog. Join in the fun and make some blocks.
One of the things I like about this block is that there are two sets of Flying Geese units in it and because of the way they are colored, they look really different and do something really different to the look of the overall block.
I realized around the time I made this block that I am going to the same fabrics over and over. I need to broaden my palette. It isn’t easy, but I have to try.
I was plowing through some older blog posts over the weekend trying to fill in some information for a Threadbias entry when I ran across an old On My Mind blog post. I haven’t done one of those in a while and since I have a couple of projects on my mind, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get them down on “paper”.
I know there are a lot of posts about this project, but we are working on it fast and furiously. This post is a milestone, I think, because I have 12 blocks made and you can see them all together.
One of the things I like about seeing them all together is I can see what fabrics I need to repeat.
I also like seeing them because it makes me feel like I have been making some progress. I *know* I am making progress, but it is great to see the progress.
I actually have an additional 4 blocks made, as of this writing, but I am experiencing a shortage of design wall space right at the moment so you will have to wait until that clears up to see them all.
I have to say that I am tempted to start sewing all the different blocks into chunks just to get them in some kind of order. The layout is pretty clear; it would just be a matter of deciding what goes where. I’ll need a lot more 8″ squares before I can make any real progress in the layout, though.
I am very surprised that this block is called Football Star. The name seems so unlike the actual block; the name doesn’t reflect the look of the block at all.
As leaders and enders, I am trying to make progress on the 89 4″ star blocks that are needed for this top. It is working pretty well and I have 7 finished and one in progress at the moment. I have also cut a bunch of pieces to make more blocks as I go along.
We only have a week or so more before we have finished the 12″ blocks and start on the 40(!!!) 8″ blocks.
If you’d like to make one of these, here is the Star Sampler: Football Star pattern. You can also find it in EQ7.
The Food Quilt is made from the Disappearing 9 Patch pattern. I saw a variation of that pattern called Double Disappearing 9 Patch. Why didn’t I think of that?
Katie, of Katie’s Quilting Corner podcast fame, has finally posted about the resolution to her Viking Topaz drama. This makes me wonder if machine dealers get audited by the companies for which they sell? Do mystery people come in with broken machines for repair and then grade the dealer on:
Selection
Friendliness
Communication
Customer Service, e.g. length of time to fix machine, communication during repair process, etc.
Seems like it would be good business for a machine company. If you have a business remember: Customer Service is Everything.
GenQ magazine started following me on Twitter. I don’t know what it means, but I was kind of excited. Perhaps they will pay me to post my tutorials in their magazine? Doubtful, but a girl can dream.
Joyce Gross, one of the most influential quilt historians died on Christmas Eve (2012). Her collection of materials now resides in Texas.
GOLDEN QUILTER AWARDS
Voting has begun for the 2013 Golden Quilter Awards. Judy Martin is honored to be nominated in 3 categories: Best Quilt Designer, Best Quilt Book Author, and Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, her Star Power CD is nominated for Best New Product Introduced in 2012 (Software).
There are a total of 11 awards to be handed out on March 1. The nominations are teeming with worthy recipients. Vote for Judy. If you don’t know who she is, she is up there with Ruth McDowell in my book. Voting is open until February 28, 2013. When you go to vote, click on the star immediately UNDER the name of the person, store, or item you are voting for.
Weeks Ringle has posted some homework from her lecture at QuiltCon, which includes a chart that seems like it will improve your life as a quiltmaker. I am going to print this out in color, paste it in my journal and work on the questions. Perhaps I will post them here. Take a look at the homework and tell me what you think.
Buying and Selling
I have mentioned before that I have an Artquiltmaker shop on CafePress (I wonder why they call it CafePress? I am sure I could look it up). Not only do I sell, but I also buy there. I love their cards, especially the ones with my images on them. This time, I bought the jacket I feature in my shop. It tunred out to fit great until the hem got to the hips. Ergh. I sent a return/refund request and they:
got back to me right away
refunded my money
didn’t make me return the jacket
I was perfectly happy to return the jacket, really. I also didn’t wear the jacket and it still has the tags on it. I wouldn’t expect this all the time, of course, but I was very pleased not to have to return the jacket just because of the hassle of packaging it up. I’ll see about giving it as a gift. I was very pleased with their service.
Other
Clip on sewing machine light
I might buy one of these clip on lights. I don’t want one of the ones that sticks on to my sewing machine, because then the case doesn’t fit. I also need a light over my ironing board, because where it sits in the room means that the light is blocked when I press. I saw this at Ocean Waves Quilt Shop, but resisted the temptation. It’s a thought.
I put up a few more projects on Threadbias and earned my 10th Project Badge. Yay, I guess. It was all I could manage on Saturday in the sewing department.
For the Star Sampler, I have to make 89 of these 4″ babies. I have been making these using leaders and enders and they are pretty painless that way. I just have to make sure I have the correct pieces cut so when I need a leader or ender they are ready.
I love this one. It came out really well, I think. I really like the combination of blue and green. I don’t think I have anymore of either, though I have to look in my cool solids box in the Fabric Closet.
A small stick or piece of paper used to light a candle, cigarette etc by the transfer of a flame from a fire. ?[quotations ?] (Wiktionary)
Took a spill
Spill the beans
Oil spill
spill containment
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.
We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
Spill.com Movie Reviews and Community – New Movies, Reviews, News, Trailers and Previews for the Most Fun for Movie Lovers!
Spill is bringing honesty online. We’re making it easy to anonymously share the good and bad moments of your life. Spill lets you vent, get fresh advice and …
take a spill
“The tears that you spill, the sorrowful, are sweeter than the laughter of snobs and the guffaws of scoffers.” Kahlil Gibran
bad spill
fall or crash
n Australian politics, a leadership spill is a declaration that the leadership of a parliamentary party is vacant, and open for re-election. A spill may involve all leadership positions (leader and deputy leader in both houses), or just the leader.
A leadership spill occurs when a member or members of the parliamentary party feel that the leader is taking the party in an undesirable direction or is simply not delivering on their promises to those who elected them, and does not have the numbers to back his or her position. A spill can be initiated by the leader themselves, usually to ensure a fresh mandate to quell dissenting voices in the party.
A leadership election may result in a new leader, or may confirm the status quo. If the party in question is in government, the election of a new leader will result in a new Prime Minister, Premier or Chief Minister; if the party is the opposition, the election of a new leader will result in a new Opposition Leader. (Wikipedia)
“He who distributes the milk of human kindness cannot help but spill a little on himself” James Matthew Barrie
In EQ7 this block is called Nameless (it’s Barbara Brackman number is 2047). I don’t know if that means that its name is ‘Nameless’ or that it doesn’t have a name. It is possible that the name is just not in EQ, though they are pretty good, so I think that is unlikely. If it doesn’t have a name, that is kind of sad. I think it looks like a prism or a crystal, so that is what I am calling it. I’ll look it up sometime and see.
I am, however, not making as much progress as I wanted. I really wanted to make all 12 blocks over the holiday weekend, so I would be caught up. That isn’t going to happen, though, I have made a dent.
I also have to select the next four blocks to make and I haven’t even begun to think about that.
I have to say that my attempts at choosing fabrics were a bit feeble before I started making blocks. I am using the fabrics from the group I chose early on, but I have been finding that I have to add to them as well. I grabbed that light purple dot for this block and have used it in one other. I also have a batik that I think I will add to the group. I didn’t have enough darks (but I think I knew that), so I have added some darker solids. I don’t want to overwhelm the aquas and light purples, so I am trying to use them judiciously.
This is an excellent exercise in contrasts and in making sure that the stars are crisp.
We are working on on the Oh My Stars quilt-a-long, though it was started awhile ago and everyone else is done!
