It is monumental that I am quilting. I hope you appreciate the momentousness of the occasion. 😉
Really, I do quilt small things, but most of my larger pieces are quilted by someone else. Part of the reason is an old injury, which doesn’t allow the pushing and tugging a quilt through the machine required. I also have an older machine (though I bought it when it was a top of the line machine) and the arm is the old normal size, not one of the super sized free arms that look so fantastic. The other part of the reason is that I quilt very densely. I quilt about 1/8th – 1/4 of an inch away from the nearest line of quilting. I don’t know why, but it takes a long time.
Still this is a small piece, perhaps 18×24″ and I wanted to quilt it myself. I have been working on the background in small increments. I am really nearing the end of that part of the project, which makes me want to jump for joy. There are parts that I would have free motion quilted, but my machine is not up to it, so I just did straight line stitching. I like the quilting to melt into the background so it works for me.
Garden sky detail
In order to melt the quilting into the fabric, I needed to quilt the sky in three different sections using different color thread.
Another reason I quilt this way is to reward the ardent viewer. If a viewer comes up and puts his/her nose to my quilt, s/he will get the reward of seeing some additional details. I like to try and layer my pieces in an overt way, above and beyond the textural quality of the quilting.
I don’t really use special thread. I have a number of different colors of Aurifil and I use those to quilt with. I like that the they are thin.
Garden Background detail
I was particularly pleased with the blue background. I used some of Libby Lehman’s Bottom Line purple thread and it just melted into the background. I get good results when I unwind the thread from the spool and lay it on the area where I plan to use it. I find that the color on the spool – when the threads are laying nicely next to each other – is very different than the color of one strand.
I am sure more experienced machine quilters have better tips for you than this, but this post describes what I do and since I am pleased with the results, I thought I would share.
I am pleased that this project, which is on the 26 Projects list is moving forward!
Several BAMQGers got together and entered our Kona Challenge quilts as a group. My friend, Kathleen, went to the county fair today and sent me an email saying that I had won 2d place in our category!
I couldn’t believe it. I don’t make my quilts to win prizes, but when I do win a prize it is VERY exciting.
I am planning on going to the fair next weekend. I need my chocolate covered banana fix! I always spend a lot of time in the quilt pavilion and can’t wait to see what my quilt has been doing while it is out of my hands.
Kona challenge detail with ribbon
I don’t know what the hierarchy is for prizes, but I think this is the best prize I have won so far. I, once, won Judge’s choice and another time I won an Honorable Mention.
I am not going to become rich and famous from quilt prizes, but I can’t tell you how excited I am that I won this prize. Yay!
Those long thin rectangles aren’t very popular in classic blocks (that I remember), but I like them and thought I would give them one last hurrah before the end of this project.
I mixed up the squares and smaller rectangles as well. Have fun.
If you have made blocks or a quilt from these patterns, please post a link in the comments section of the relevant block or on the AQ Block-a-Long Flickr group. I would love to see what you have made.
Nota bene: The AQ Block-a-Long is ending. This is the second to last week. As I have said, I am starting to repeat myself and run out of ideas. Since this has not been a wildly popular Block of the Week, I don’t feel bad about ending it. Next week’s will be the last block. I haven’t decided what I will post on Monday after next week’s block. Perhaps antique blocks? Perhaps inspiration? Stay tuned!
I sewed some of the Corner Store blocks together yesterday in the 87 seconds I had to sew between political events, laundry and general keeping the house together stuff.
I do find that after a quilt has been around for awhile I don’t even notice the colors that cause such drama for me when I am making it. Perhaps, because I gave myself fits, the quilt is so perfectly balanced that it doesn’t bother me.
Corner Store detail
In the Corner Store piece, there is a lot of blue and red, actually aqua and red. There is also quite a bit of pink. It is a challenge to place the pieces in such a way that all the blues are not globbed together.
I accidentally placed the blue dot and reddish-pink flower print near each other and those two fabrics sing together. I knew I had to sew them together and I did. I placed them together even though there is quite a bit of blue int he neighborhood. I am sure I won’t notice a year after after the quilt is done, but I know now and, at the moment, now counts.
Sometimes, I wish I could spread my papers around and kick off my shoes like I have drawn in this picture. often my desk looks slightly more orderly, though with no fewer papers than this.
Just spend 5 minutes working to develop your creative habit. It takes patience, but you can do it. You can start with the original prompt.
Then, please post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of the original prompt post. Keeping all the artwork together provides a way for others to see the gamut of responses. It is also a great showcase for your work and way for people to find a link your blog or website.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, to which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created that spot so those of you without blogs or websites would be able to participate as well. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted.
It is hard for me to sew during the week, but I am making some progress.The iron issue is not resolved, so I have to figure that out (return current iron, which stinks to high heaven when on), but I am trimming and arranging blocks. My design wall is starting to be too small, but I will have to make it work.
I have 289 blocks to work with and I may make more. I don’t know what size I am aiming for, but my mind keeps saying “BIGGER!!!!”
I probably have enough triangles to make at least 50 more blocks, I don’t plan on making 50 more blocks, however you never know what the muse will scream at me.
Trademark dilution, a type of unlawful trademark use outside of the relevant market
Stock dilution, the result of new shares of stock being issued by a company, thereby diminishing the percent ownership represented by previously existing shares
Dilution gene, a gene that lightens the coat color of certain living things
Definition (straight off Google; no real link): di·lute/di?lo?ot/
Verb:
Make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it.
Adjective:
(of a liquid) Made thinner or weaker by having had water or another solvent added to it.
Synonyms:
verb. attenuate – water down – thin – rarefy – weaken
adjective. diluted
Make your response simple. It doesn’t need to be a masterpiece. Take 5 minutes. Just respond and create a creative habit. Please 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, and how your work relates to the other responses.
The Creative Prompt Project has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created that spot so those of you without blogs or websites would have a place to post your responses. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted.
Nota bene: Daisy Yellow is having an Index Card a Day Challenge in June & July. I think this project fits in well with the Creative Prompt Project and I agree with Tammy that an index card is a great canvas size.
I just wanted to remind you about the Skillbuilder Series. I haven’t been by in a month or so and I can’t believe how much they have beefed up their class list. If you need basic skills or a nice refresher on a technique, take a look at Sandy and Jeanne’s blog.
I stumbled on Katie’s From the Blue chair blog on a day where she posted a truly fabulous project: a gorgeous, spiny New York Beauty. It is a pillow and has the most gorgeous quilting. Nice job!
You know I love Danny Gregory’s work. He posted a video recently that I really enjoyed. It is a short video, but shows him drawing and made me realize that his drawings aren’t perfect in the sense that all of the lines are straight. The lines are a big crooked and he goes over some of the other lines and makes them different. Very inspiring! He also, in the course of report on a visit to RISD gives some great insight into making art AND going to art school. It is one of those posts you need to read every once in a while to get back on track.
Lyric Kinard has the Kindness Chronicles. In a recent post, she shows a heart made by Beth Wheeler who has project called Joy Jam. Not only do I like the heart pictured in Lyric’s post, but, I also like the idea of it. It is a good way to spread some joy. It is a good way to just make something. The hearts are probably fast to make and you could use any technique, which means it is a small commitment to try out new techniques. The Kindness Chronicles post includes a recipe for White Bean Chili, FYI.
Pam, of Hip to be a Square podcast, posted a video of her Timeless Treasures Plume quilt. Well done video, lovely quilt.
Jackie of Tallgrass Prairie Studio is starting a feature called Walking Foot Wednesdays to follow up on her post called Straight Line Quilting Hints and Tips. Want to get better at using your walking foot? This might be a great place to start.
Quilt Market was held last month. I did not attend, but will some time on a blogger press pass. I’ll put it on the list. Lots of great tweets and the blog posts are showing up as people return and get back to normal, download photos off their cameras and find their notes. Here are some:
I keep thinking of this blog as Diary of a Mad Quilter, but it is really just Diary of a Quilter. Really like the photos in her Market post.
Camille Roskelley’s thoughts. She also has a video and more photos of her booth. Lots of pretty pictures of fabric. Marmalade is her newest line. I’ll get some charm packs and see if I like it.
Little Bluebell slideshow definitely highlights Adrianne’s style.
Thanks to Oliver +S, here is a radio show about Quilt Market.
I love the Martingale shots of their crates. I can’t even imagine dealing with something that size filled with things I really needed.
Fabric, Tools, Spools & Machines
Amy of Amy’s Creative Side wrote a blog post for the Accuquilt newsletter and website. I never knew that Accuquilt had diamond dies. I am hoping to be done with diamond quilts, but if not, I have a perfectly good ruler. The thing I didn’t like about this post, which has nothing to do with Amy, but with Accuquilt is that they refer to the diamonds in the post as 4×4 diamonds. I don’t know what that means. I know what 60 degree diamonds are. I know what 45 degree diamonds are, but 4×4?
I like the look of this Paper Panache Design. I am not fond of the colors, but the design is great. Thanks to Gretchen for sharing!
People & Places
Sometime ago I reported the loss of Jean Ray Laury. I think of her fondly as starting me on the path to art quiltmaking. Recently, I read an article where a quote of hers from February 1985 was quoted. At that time Ms. Laury said
“Women in particular seem to have difficulty setting values on their quilts. That comes, I think, from the fact that so many of our major life works are not equated with income or price.”
I find this quote to be so profound, and also sad. What do you value in your quiltmaking?
I was irritated not to have my quilt chosen for the Modern Showcase Challenge, but I was very excited for Ruth, a fellow BAMQGer to have her quilt, Two Margaritas chosen. She must have shown this quilt at a meeting I didn’t attend, because it is new to me. I really like the curves and the way she used the color. Her blog post includes a list of all of the quilts chosen.
Other
A few posts ago, I talked about making a pillow top. My SIL and Mrs. K both, helpfully, commented on how to fill out the corners. Mrs. K found a tutorial to describe what she was talking about. the tutorial talks about about a completely enclosed pillow, e.g. not an envelope style finish, but I am sure you clever people could adapt it if you wanted the envelope style of closure. You can find it at Dixie Mango.
Deanna Raybourn, whose books about Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane I enjoy immensely, wrote a blog post recently on two kinds of people in the world: diminishers and enhancers. This theory might be a bit simplistic, but her words are worth thinking about.
In case you didn’t notice, I am making some little changes to the blog. Hope you find them and like them.
As I mentioned the other day, I worked on small projects on Memorial Day. I had cut the background for this Swoon block a couple of weeks ago, but hadn’t cut anymore. Then I cut a bunch of 2.5″ squares before I remembered that I use the Triangle Technique to make the half square triangles and didn’t them. I added those pieces to the donation block pile and the Super Secret #3 project pile. Duh!
Even though I was tired, I was able to get my act together and figure out how to make this block again. I made some notes, so perhaps it won’t be such a drama next time.
I also took a photo of all the blocks I have made so far. Not a great photo, but I wanted to see how they would look together. Fun, huh?
All Swoon - May 2012
I thought I would make 2 more and have a nice even 9 blocks, but am thinking about making 9 more blocks and making the piece larger. I’ll make two more and then I’ll see what I think when the Corner Store is off the design wall and I can look at these blocks on the wall.
Do I say this every time I make a block? I really like these blocks. YAY! Camille Roskelley!
This is another one of the responses I drew on Monday. It doesn’t include the detailed bird I had hope to draw, but it includes a number of simple birds and will have to do.
Just spend 5 minutes working to develop your creative habit. It takes patience, but you can do it. You can start with the original prompt.
Then, please post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of the original prompt post. Keeping all the artwork together provides a way for others to see the gamut of responses. It is also a great showcase for your work and way for people to find a link your blog or website.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, to which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created that spot so those of you without blogs or websites would be able to participate as well. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted.
I was tired on Memorial Day and think I needed a break from the Corner Store. We were out late the night before watching the Bridge fireworks, so I got a late start. My head was spinning from the work I accomplished on the Corner Store, so I worked on some smaller projects.
I finished my current journal, so I needed a new journal cover. I really like having a journal cover on my journal now. Need and desire convinced me to make a new for the fresh journal. I wanted to use one of the Philip Jacobs fabrics, but I also wanted to add interest, so I did a bit of piecing.
Journal cover open
The back is all Philip Jacob, which means I can look at it whenever I want. The bits of pink peeping on the front make me smile.
I sewed on a merit badge, fixed my pants and listened to a book. I also beefed up my supply of donation blocks. I think I am up to 6 of the pink one now.
I also worked on the next Swoon block. Stay tuned for more on the Swoon blocks.
I spent some time today catching up on a couple of prompts. I am continuing my series of this little curly haired girl in her various colored dresses. I really only had about half an hour, but drew out three responses. I had them planned out in my mind to a certain extent so it was easier. I like to formulate the idea in my mind before I sit down and draw it, then I can just worry about the details.
Just spend 5 minutes working to develop your creative habit. It takes patience, but you can do it. You can start with the original prompt.
Then, please post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of the original prompt post. Keeping all the artwork together provides a way for others to see the gamut of responses. It is also a great showcase for your work and way for people to find a link your blog or website.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, to which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created that spot so those of you without blogs or websites would be able to participate as well. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted.
If you have made blocks or a quilt from these patterns, please post a link in the comments section of the relevant block or on the AQ Block-a-Long Flickr group. I would love to see what you have made.
Nota bene: We are closing in on the end of the AQ Block-a-Long. I am starting to repeat myself and run out of fresh ideas that aren’t completely bizarre. Since this has not been very popular, I don’t feel bad about ending it. I am going to try and make it to #60 so you have an even number with which to work, but we will see.
I am just back from the meeting and it was a crazy meeting! Crazy in a good, packed and exciting sort of way. Julie of Intrepid Thread brought me a giant (did I really buy that much??) package of fabric. At this writing I haven’t opened it yet. I know the Vintage Modern is in there. I’ll have to get started on that second Stepping Stones quilt soon.
A-B-C Challenge Blocks
Quilt in Light & DarkRolling Stone
These are my A-B-C Challenge blocks. Both blocks are from the Around the Block series. There was only one block that started with ‘Q’ in the whole series (that I could find). In EQ7, there isn’t really a way that I found to search successfully by the first letter of a block name. Later I went to Quilter’s Cache and the owner has several blocks there as well. None of them are 6″, though, so I would have had to resize one.
Rhonda's Blocks
I like this block well enough, especially in the 6″ size, so it worked out. Kathleen did the same block in the 12″ size so you can see the difference. It would make a great exercise in negative space. I will think about making several to demonstrate negative space for the upcoming design series podcast on that topic.
I am having a very hard time with the Pure Elements Empire Yellow. I used it in the above ‘Q’ block as the background. Pat Bravo says that it goes with everything. I am not so sure. I am using it, because I have a limited number of fabrics to use and it does add an element of interest. Still, I am just not sure I would use it in another project.
Kathleen's Blocks
I also brought my blocks for May, which I talked about in the last BAMQG post. There were only a few blocks this time – Leslie, Kathleen, Rhonda and I. Rhonda is catching up so she included her C & D blocks as well.
Leslie & my blocks
QuiltCon/BAMQG Block Challenge
Blocks for both challenges are due in July. There was just a brief mention at the meeting. I thought they were due in July (BAMQG) and August (QuiltCon). Something must have changed. I have a block or two for the BAMQG challenge done. I think I will just send in my QuiltCon blocks myself. We’ll see. Perhaps I’ll just do them and move on. If you are interested in participating the QuiltCon blocks have to arrive by August 15, 2012. See the QuiltCon Directions/information to get all the info.
Workshop!!!!
I was excited to hear that BAMQG’s first workshop ever is coming up!!! It is a dyeing workshop with Joy-Lily. As you know, I don’t dye, but if you want to participate, check out the BAMQG blog for contact info. Space is limited.
QuiltMarket Report
Adrianne & Julie
Julie and Adrianne spent 3 bliss-filled days at Quilt Market in Kansas City. They brought back stories, catalogs, fabric to fondle (not for us to buy or take!) and their enthusiasm. Someone asked if they ate BBQ and they said they did.
I didn’t have much of a chance to look at the stuff they brought back, but what I did see what interesting. Not sure what I’ll buy in terms of new fabrics, but we will see.
They talked a little about what was coming and what they saw:
Trends:
nautical themes
butterflies
magazines: GenQ’s new issue came out in a small format (think Ellery Queen Mystery magazine size), because they said they had printing problems. The content reflects what has been showing up on their Facebook page. Amy and David Butler are coming out with a new magazine called Blossom, which will pull in many of their creative friends and include non-quilt related artwork.
Fabric:
Michael Miller has new fabric laminated on the inside. I can’t quite picture this, but Julie said it would be good for diaper covers and shopping bags.
Amy Butler’s new Cameo line looked amazing to Adrianne and Julie
FreeSpirit’s new lines have a very sophisticated look
Robert Kaufman had adjunct color cards which have their new colors
Moda has Brigitte’s ZenChic
Demos
Today’s demo is the beginning of a 4 part series loosely around the idea of making a quilt. The series includes:
Design (June 2012 meeting)
Piecing (August 2012 meeting)
Quilting (September 2012 meeting)
Binding (November 2012 meeting)
I gave a short demo on design. You can see the Design Overview from when Sandy and I did our podcast, but I will post some new notes with some changes on the BAMQG blog soon.
Swap
“A Stud & a Dud” went forth with much hilarity. I did not participate. I didn’t know that there would be stealing going on and I don’t really like activities where that happens. The reality was that I just didn’t have time to organize myself and get some books together. There was choosing and swapping and stealing that all went on. I think the library where we meet benefited from some donations as well. Thanks to Amanda for organizing the swap. She is really a creative swap organizer.
Show & Tell
Sheetal's quilt
As usual, Show & Tell was great. There is so much good work happening in this area!
Right is Sheetal’s quilt. I encouraged her to finish out the pluses into the border. I think this is a great pattern for large prints. The question was about the fabrics. They are flannel and she hasn’t washed them. She wasn’t sure if she could get more of the same fabrics again (they are old Anna Maria Horner fabrics), but she liked the idea of continuing the motifs out to the border and will try.
We talked about another quilt of hers that she made from old shirts. I really liked it as it was and she did, too, but her husband complained that it wasn’t large enough. I think we decided that not all of her quilts had to keep his 6’4″ frame warm and toasty.
Jennifer's quilt
Jennifer made this quilt (left) with 10 fat quarters. It isn’t very large (large lap or nap quilt, definitely bigger than a baby quilt), but it isn’t tiny either. It makes me think of how much fabric is really in a fat quarter, a half yard, a yard and…. I don’t think I want to go there.
Jennifer’s quilt is really effective. I like the movement, which I think is partly the fabric choices. There is something about the pieces interlocking with each other that I think would be fun to play with.
Jennifer does so much for the Charity project that I was really glad to see that she is able to do her own work as well.
Kathleen's Improvisational Challenge
Kathleen’s Liberated top is somewhat of a departure for her. She said it was the first piece in this style that she has made.
It is wall sized. She explained the exercise (online) and it sounded like a lot of fun, but also lot of frustration, too. She didn’t know what was coming, so it was hard to make design decisions about the part on which she was working. I think it sounds like a good exercise, but you have to be willing to go back and change elements that would make the design better. It sounds like she is going to do that for a couple of the parts and I look forward to seeing how this turns out.
Woven Quilt
I didn’t make a note of who made this quilt (so sorry!), but I really like the design. I can imagine it with fabrics placed a little differently so it would look even more woven than it already does.
I definitely get the feeling that I am looking through some kind of lattice or bamboo screen.
Notice the equilateral triangles? I love those, as you know. 😉
Door Prizes
WOW! There were a ton of door prizes! I won a book, but there were charm packs, fabric, patterns – all kinds of things. Thanks to Angela for her hard work.
Charity Quilts
Jennifer was there with her well prepared table of packets and prepared fabric. There were at least 5 tops and one finished quilt handed in. The guild members are amazingly generous with their time, materials and enthusiasm. These quilts will be filled with good energy when the children receive them.
Amanda's Charity Top
Amanda made the top with the circles. It is fabulous. One of the things I like about it is the 4 rows of squares in the middle. There are a lot of possibilities using that element. My mind is swirling around that element.
I know I already posted today, but I have posts for the whole week waiting to be posted and I just couldn’t let another week go by without posting this finish!
I finished the binding last week, which means the Food Quilt is FINISHED!!! Hooray!!!!
Aside from just finishing something, this is great for a lot of other reasons:
can move on to other projects without guilt (not that I have much anyway)
The bad part is that I am out of hand work. Really out, not just sort of out. I am diligently quilting on the Garden quilt so the beading and embroidery on that quilt can be my hand work, but I am not there yet.
Still, I am thrilled to be done with another project. The Young Man piled this quilt on top of the other ones and has slept under it for a few nights already. I took it to BAMQG without washing it and hope no boy smell permeated the room! People liked it.
