2011 – Page 23 – Artquiltmaker Blog

Stealing Mom’s Thunder

I bought a lot of food fabric fat quarters (say that 3x really fast) for my mom last spring while she was taking care of Super G and trying not to lose her mind. This is one of the blocks she made with those food fabrics. She made a lot of blocks like the Corner Store pattern I talked about in the review of Pretty Little Mini Quilts, then she didn’t like them for the food quilt, so she redid them and this is block one of the result. Check her blog for progress.

FOTY 2010: Week of 2/14 Progress

This is what I was working with last weekend. Remember when the blues were a problem? Well, at the point I took this photo, the yellows and greens were giving me fits and I could tell the pinks were next.

It is very difficult to figure out where the pieces are going to end up when the piece is done. At some point last week, I dug out my Ruby Beholder (which required quite a bit of searching and some tidying) and tried it to see if it works. My values are all the same – or similar, so it didn’t help much. I am glad I know where it is, though.

At this point, I realized that I had too many diamonds and might need to add another row. This was weird, because of all the math we did to get the layout correct. I think EQ should add a function where you tell it how many patches you have and it tells you options for different layouts.

After a really busy week last week and a day of quilting on the Tarts (Friday), I got back to FOTY 2010. I’d like to get this to the quilter and move on.

The reds and oranges are getting in order in the photo above, but the pinks and reds on the bottom are starting to really be a problem.

The above is me working on the pinks and whites. Lots of rearranging was happening as I was trying to figure out what patch went where. I think, after this project, I will have diamonds out of my system. Perhaps not, but I am thinking yes.

FOTY 2010 - 2/20/2011 - det. pinks, reds

See that big space towards the top middle? I didn’t know, at the point I took this picture, whether that was a space from seam allowances shrinking or was a space because I had arranged fabrics wrong.

When I left the piece yesterday to go do laundry, make dinner and all that other stuff, the above photo shows the state of the piece. That space I described above shifted to the middle of the left side. Sigh. That one means I really don’t know if I am missing pieces. If I need to cut more, I am resolved to do so. The other space resolved itself, so I have hope.

Almost all the pieces are sewn to some other piece, which is good. I did add an additional row, so there could very well be some extra space I need to fill in.

Stay tuned.

Sugar Pop Progresses

I can’t wait until this bag is done, but I also haven’t worked on it much! I know, really I do, that they don’t get done by magic. The side shown above is half sewn together.

The side show above is completely sewn together.

I was really busy working on FOTY 2010 over the long weekend. I tried to work on it every spare moment I had, because I don’t want it lingering. I want to finish that baby and take it to the quilter. Since I am using the Chubby Charmer (CC) piece as leaders and enders, I didn’t get much work done on it, because I just used other FOTY 2010 diamonds as leaders and enders.

I was thinking about the inside of the CC, the straps and the filling, however. I think that I will add some interfacing to the straps as well as batting just to give them a little more substance. If I have enough fabric I will use the icky green/white dot (bottom photo, 3rd fabric from the right, 2 up from the bottom) as the inside. I may only have half a yard, which won’t be enough.

I was also thinking about using some leftover batting instead of the fusible fleece. I have batting scraps and would have to buy fusible fleece. I wonder if there would be a noticeable difference? I don’t remember the fusible fleece sticking all that well when I made the first Chubby Charmer. I do remember it being stiffer, though. I could add fusible to the batting I have. I do want this one to stand up like the first one does, but I would also like to use what I have. I’ll have to think about it.

Comments and opinions welcome!

New Fabric

Sonja gave me these pieces of fabric for my birthday. She brought a big bag of them over to my house and let me choose. I think I took all of her best ones. I tried to take a few, but she insisted that I take 6 pieces. She makes them with a soy wax resist (don’t ask me anymore questions about the process, because that is all I know!) and they turn out to be gorgeous. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful and talented friends.

Tarts Return

I rearranged my workroom yesterday and quilted on the Tarts. The quilt was calling from where it was neatly hung in the closet and begging to be worked on. Since I had no good excuse NOT to work on it, I pulled it out and quilted some blocks. I did lots of straight line quilting, because the tension on my machine needs to be adjusted. I also didn’t feel like taking the time practice.

I set a goal of doing the yellow section that I had to pick out last Fall. I surpassed that modest goal by quilting that small section, the section next to it, a cup and a piece of pie. I am pleased.

Creative Prompt #107: Illuminate

Illuminated Manuscript

Have fun and link to your responses! Ask a friend to join, too! You can do the prompts together.

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.

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted. Post yours and get kudos!

From Wikipedia:

Illuminate (band), a German gothic music band.
Illuminate (album), the second studio album by David Crowder Band recorded for sixstepsrecords
Illuminate (Karmacoda album), the fourth album from Karmacoda
Illuminate (Lydia album), the second studio album by Lydia

illumination

light

The illuminate correlation database uses data-generated schema to build data warehouses with automated database design.

David Crowder music

an ability in Bulbapedia

Definition:

–verb (used with object)

1. to supply or brighten with light; light up.

2. to make lucid or clear; throw light on (a subject).

3. to decorate with lights, as in celebration.

4. to enlighten, as with knowledge.

5. to make resplendent or illustrious: A smile illuminated her face.

6. to decorate (a manuscript, book, etc.) with colors and gold or silver, as was often done in the Middle Ages.

–verb (used without object)

7. to display lights, as in celebration.

8. to become illuminated.

–adjective

9. Archaic . illuminated.

10. Obsolete . enlightened.

–noun

11. Archaic . a person who is or affects to be specially enlightened.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L ill?min?tus (ptp. of ill?min?re to light up, brighten). See illumine, -ate¹

—Related forms

il·lu·mi·nat·ing·ly, adverb

pre·il·lu·mi·nate, verb (used with object)

re·il·lu·mi·nate, verb, -nat·ed, -nat·ing.

sem·i-il·lu·mi·nat·ed, adjective

un·il·lu·mi·nat·ed, adjective

—Synonyms
2. clarify, explain, elucidate.

Various and Sundry 2011 #3

Crafts
Since it is never too early to start making gift bags, especially since you can use them for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Groundhog Day, etc. Here is a video gift bag tutorial for another way of making gift bags.

Time
TedTalks is back with a great audio essay on work life balance. That term “work-life balance” always makes me laugh. People take time for their lives in the midst of work here in the US. IMO, of course.

Media
I went to the C&T Publishing Digital Lounge, which is hosted by Lisa of LisaLizaLou, on a recent Wednesday. There were two video demos and a chat portion. Lisa did one demo of TAP and Liquitex products, while SuziBlu did a demo of working iwth the canvas book. She isn’t an artist with whom I was familiar, but it was interesting. Links to the products used:

Transfer Artists Paper: Lisa basically showed how to use this. I still don’t know, because the chat was so distracting, but it looks very cool and I know my sister would love it for her cardmaking and scrapbooking. I may have go back and watch the archive demo again.
Ready-to-Go!® Blank Canvas Book 8 1/2” x 11”: SuziBlu, the featured artist, used this book to show fabric printing, fabric painting and various other techniques. I haven’t never heard of her, but the audience was very enthusiastic. Her faces looked similar to Kelly Rae Roberts and I wonder if they work together?
Silicone Release Paper: – Lisa said that this does not get hot. The sheets are only 8/5×11″, but I think they would be useful. I’ll put a package on my list.
Liquitex paints (inks?) from C&T: I have used something similar at A Work of Heart. Inks are wonderful.
Fabric Art Collage—40+ Mixed Media Techniques eBook by Rebekah Meier:

You can watched the archived replay as well. Lisa received an award at CHA and you can pretend you were there by watching the video.

I ran across Judy Nolan’s blog post on sewing notions. There were some listed that I thought would be very helpful to quiltmakers, including the Cotton Mills Treasure Markers. In the course of the post, she also gives a brief history of Nancy Zieman, of Nancy’s Notions fame, and her career.

Adrianne keeps pointing me (and her other blog fans) to the Fat Quarterly Magazine/Newsletter. I love the idea and think the articles and information would be right up my alley. I don’t love the online aspect and I can’t see myself printing 70+ pages on my little inkjet. I don’t enjoy reading in bed with my laptop. Perhaps with the iPad, but still, I really like the old print versions to read at night. Not sure what I will do, except not buy it at the moment. New business model: printing and binding online mags for people for a reasonable price on a subscription basis.

In some part of Fat Quarterly that I, as a non-subscriber, could access, I was introduced to Modern Day Quilts, a Tumblr blog that showcases one quilt a day. When I went to look I saw one that looked like the mosaic piecing from a recent issue of the AQS magazine and the art glass type quilts by Julie Hirota. It was made by the writer of PinkPlease! blog. Apparently, though, the artist is calling it a ticker tape quilt from a tutorial.

Be*mused has a set on Flickr of quilts from the Tokyo Quilt Festival this past January.

I haven’t always loved video, but I am liking it more. I didn’t used to watch much TV and the video was jerky and weird. Now, there are so many videos on subjects in which I am interested (such as quiltmaking! Embellishing! Piecing! etc) that it is great to watch little bits of videos and learn something. I just found that Laura Wasilowski has a video on making French knots. It is a little over a minute long and well done (except for the wooshing sound in the background). Viewers also get to see one of her fabulous whimsical pieces.

Shows
I’m part of Contemporary Quilt and Fiber Artists (CQFA) and we’ll be exhibiting “Primal Green: Environmental Art Quilts” @ the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library (5th fl) from March 1 – July 30. Artist reception will be held on April 17th @ 1pm. Hope some of you can come! Check out our link for more info: www.cqfa.org/shows.html

Projects
The Young Man keeps asking for his annual quilt. Huh? He recently told me he wants a food quilt. Mom has a lot of food fabric that I bought for her. Robin, at the recent retreat, was making a disappearing 9 patch, which is stuck in my head. I was thinking of working on one of those using food fabric for him. Recently, I talked to my mom and she said that she was thinking about making a disappearing 4patch. I looked up the directions to which she pointed me and it looks interesting, too.

Machinery
I know BryeLynn of Sew*Stitch*Create has had a lot of problems with her Janome 11K, but I would still like to upgrade to one. It isn’t going to happen until we get the Young Man off to college, but that doesn’t mean I am not tempted by ads that Janome currently has running.

More February Stars for San Bruno

Mom has been busy making more stars. She is trying different patterns, which means I never know what to expect from her! On another note, I told her to start showing some of her 19 (!!!) works in progress on her blog. I can’t wait to see what she has started.

The paper pieced block in the upper left hand corner was made by Maureen. It is really a perfect combination of colors. I know Maureen from CQFA. She is wonderful dyer and fabric printer. She does a lot of really good work in fabric manipulation with dyes, paints, etc and is an inspiration and teacher to others in the group in this area.

Mrs. K came to a party yesterday. She lives 4-5 hours away from me and prepared these reverse appliqued blocks for the drive down the mountain. The stars are reverse applique’ and then she has tied some French knots in each inset of the stars. You can just see them in the photos. I will have to take out some of the basting and trim the backs, but that is ok. I would rather do it when I am ready to sew than have the edges unravel or fray. I know Mrs. K from an online quilt group and we have gotten together several times. She loves handwork and crazy quilting. She taught hearing impaired students for many years in public schools. I really appreciate her effort on these blocks.

Mrs. K also made me a cookie. Check it out! I think I need to have a cookie baking and decorating session with Mrs. K!

We now have over 50 blocks!

Want to help? The background for this project is that one family we know from school and my husband’s cousin were affected by the September 2010 San Bruno fire. We are making 3 quilts: one for our cousin and his wife, one for my son’s friend and one for the parents of my son’s friend.

I am thrilled at how many people are making a block or two. Do you want to contribute some blocks?

All star blocks are welcome!

Block background: dark blue
Block design: Yellow star (any pattern, technique, eg. embroidery, painting, silkscreen, etc)
Block size: 8? finished (8.5″ unfinished) or smaller (we will work with any size)
Remember to sign your block!

Deadline: TBA, probably around the end of March. We can’t do it without you!

Inspiration Monday

When I started this blog, I posted a few photos of the view I look at when I am writing. The other day, a very beautiful sunset caught my attention as I keyboard pounded.

Then a minute or so later, a new view:

The camera had a hard time with the screen and most of what you can see of my neighborhood is my chimney cap. Still, the color is beautiful.

FOTY 2010: Week of 2/7 Progress

I hung up FOTY 2009 in my hallway yesterday. It can be seen when people walk in the front door. I received a ton of compliments on it, which was very kind of people. I was planning to take it to work, but needed to solve a quick decorating dilema and decided to keep it at home for awhile. I have to think of something new to hang in my office as I am getting tired of seeing Seeing Red when I walk in.

In the meantime, I am still working on FOTY 2010 steadily, though I wasn’t able to do much more than unpick a few yellows this past week.

Pretty much, this is where I started this week. There were still lots of gaps in the blues, but I had started to piece the smaller pieces into larger. One can ‘chunk‘ this type of quilt in the piecing process, but not as easily, or for as long, as when piecing square or rectangular patches. At some point I had to piece long rows together.

Part of this has to do with the arrangement of this particular quilt. The colorwash type arrangement doesn’t lend itself well to piecing the patches into chunks of four patches, as I was able to do with the Eye Spy quilt.

Aren’t the blues behaving nicely? The placement is not ideal and I would do it differently if I had unlimited tints, hues, values and shades, but my FOTY rule is that I have to use what I have, and so far I am happy.

You can see, above, the whole blue section pieced.

I am heading towards the pink on the bottom. Now that the blues are behaving nicely, the pinks are becoming little brats. It reminds me of the Mandrakes in the book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. That big gap has reappeared in the pink area. Grrrr!

I have been contemplating the yellow and pink sections and doing a bit of playing with their arrangement. I am not terribly fond of a big line of greens or yellows or pinks slashing through the quilt. I prefer more of a blob arrangement (like the pinks are in the above photo – more of an organic shape). I am not sure at this moment how I will have them blend into each other – the blue to pink – if I do the blob arrangement. I don’t have enough yellows, greens and oranges to wash very completely. I think the green to yellow to orange is much easier, but there is a space consideration up towards the top. I’ll have to play around and see what works.

Mary Carroll on Lupine Blocks DoneSaturday, February 14, 2026
It is amazing how your colors all work together. I love it!
JayeL on Amazing Sew DayFriday, February 13, 2026
It was completelly unexpected and really great. We missed you.
JayeL on The Pandora Charisma is FinishedFriday, February 13, 2026
Thanks! I can't wait to see your #12 in progress.
JayeL on Portland: Sewcial StudiesFriday, February 13, 2026
Very cool.
JayeL on Pillowcase Repair CompleteFriday, February 13, 2026
Thanks! I felt good doing this.