Black & Red Improv Quilt

I was kind of shocked to realize that the last time I devoted a post to this project was back in September. I did mention it last week and meant to write a full post. I was out of town for most of the week for work and it never happened.

Red & Black Improv Top
Red & Black Improv Top

On Saturday, I got back to the machine. I worked on this top, in between other projects. For the Improv top, I seem to be able to make progress on this project, but only while working simultaneously with other projects. For some reason this project does not inspire me to buckle down and work on it by itself.

I tried Improv again and it still doesn’t inspire me. I guess I like the technical precision of regular blocks. Does that make me boring? Perhaps.

Three blocks was the sum total of what I needed to finish to put this top together. The end was in sight! (Let’s not talk about back or binding at the moment). I finished one block completely on Saturday and made major progress on two more.

Sunday, I finished the blocks and then put all the blocks together into the top.

I started on the back, for which I am making different color choices just to give it a different feel. I am choosing some blues so that the back will have a different feel.

Almost there.

Donation Block Extravaganza

November Donation Blocks
November Donation Blocks

Yes. More donation blocks. They were part of my sewing work over the past two weekends. I am now out of cut background squares so I will need to cut more. I have some blue dottish on white fabric scraps leftover from the Star Sampler, which I might use. Since they are scraps, they won’t go far and will be a stopgap.

These are on the dull side. I cut up a bunch of foreground fabrics some time ago. I didn’t feel like I wanted to use those fabrics in a quilt and am working my way through them for donation blocks. Someone will like them, right?

I am not doing that again. I decided that if I have fabric I don’t want to use, I’ll just donate it rather than using it like this. It isn’t enjoyable and I want to infuse these donation blocks good energy so that is my plan.

Carpenter’s Wheel #3

I really tried to recapture the sewing mojo I talked about last week. I didn’t quite feel that adrenaline rush of excitement this past weekend, but I did get a lot done.

Carpenter's Wheel #3
Carpenter’s Wheel #3

I finished the Carpenter’s Wheel block that was named #2.5, but is really #3. I called it 2.5 last week to denote its unfinished state.

I was really lackadaisical at the beginning of the day about working on it. I think I didn’t want to get confused by leaving pieces and parts in the machine by using this block as leaders and enders. I worked hard at placing the fabrics, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t get get confused about where each patch belonged. Towards the end of the day, I set a goal to finish that block and did.

The cherry on the sundae was that I also laid out the last variation I imagined.

I might make a four block quilt, but I don’t know. I don’t want to commit to a full quilt with these blocks, but I may get inspired. I am loving the low volume background. It really adds interest to the blocks without making the background too busy.

Low Volume Journal Cover

I have been working with a lot of grey lately for the Carpenter’s Wheel experiments and for the Flying Geese exchange, so I have bits and bobs of scraps around. After making Henry IV, I thought I should make a snowy owl version. That led to me starting to piece leftover bits of grey and white together.

LV Journal Cover in progress
LV Journal Cover in progress

Somehow making a snowy owl was put on the back burner and I decided to make a journal cover instead. I have made some headway, but am not finished. I like the calm look of what I have, but also think it might need a bit of color.

I have to make the piece long enough, but I am thinking of making a strip of 1.5″ squares alternating a grey and a color and inserting it into the journal cover somewhere.

As I have mentioned before, the greys are very different in the way they look. Those Bonnie and Camille strips look positively beige next to some of the other greys. The Paris writing fabric looks dirty, or something. I still like this piece so far and these observations are just noting thoughts of interest.

Flying Geese Inspiration

Moda Flying Geese Blocks
Moda Flying Geese Blocks

TFQ recently sent me a link to block that I really like made from Flying Geese. It was on the Moda Instagram feed and I can’t tell if it is a historic block or if the maker added another FG to a Dutchman’s Puzzle block.

We have been doing the Flying Geese Exchange, which I highly recommend, BTW, and I have started to look around for interesting design in which to use the Flying Geese. I have begun to start thinking about something interesting to do with the blocks. TFQ is clearly on the same page.

The blocks above are from the Moda Instagram feed. I have always liked the Dutchman’s Puzzle block and actually made one for my first Sampler quilt. This block puts a little twist on the idea, but it might be just enough to keep me interested.

Mary Fons posted a link to a block she made, which I originally thought would be great for our Flying Geese. After looking at it again, I don’t think it will work. I still like it, but there is an extra color that exaggerates the motion in the block. Our Flying Geese do not have that extra color. Of course, we could still put the block together, but  we would miss out on the motion.

Love of Patchwork and Quilting had a block made from Flying Geese (Issue 24, Darling Dorothy) that is mildly appealing. I don’t think it will work for me for a whole quilt.

So you can see where my head is with these Flying Geese. Any ideas? Any interesting ideas?

BAMQG IRR Progress

More progress has happened on the BAMQG Improv Round Robin. I worked on Cindy’s and then handed it off to Michelle. Jen posted in the guild forum that she worked on mine.

Cindy's IRR Before
Cindy’s IRR Before

The first thing I did with Cindy’s was look through all of the fabric she provided with the piece sitting next to me.

I thought it had a lot going on. I decided to use the turquoise solid (shown at left) as the background with my signature fabric to continue the Flying Geese motif already used a couple of times by other contributors. With a vague plan in place, I got busy cutting and piecing.

The piece I made was a little too short so I added a pink square. There was a  pink solid in the group of fabrics, so I used that.

Cindy's IRR After
Cindy’s IRR After

I really did, mostly, cut without a ruler, but my piece looks very precise compared to the rest of the sections. I know that my arm injury is affecting my cutting. Mostly I have to rotary cut much slower and, apparently that equals more precision.

I like my part. It balances the turquoise on the left side and the Flying Geese do bring repetition and continuity to the piece.

This is also a good exercise in what I can do in 20 minutes. I am not counting cutting, because of the injury, but sewing and designing. I think looking at the fabrics first was a good thing to do. I think it helped jumpstart my process.

My IRR after Jen's work
My IRR after Jen’s work

Jen posted about my piece. Michelle had worked on it and made it into a L. I was a little concerned about that, but only a little. I knew my Club Doodle (the name of our group) pals would come through for me. Jen did with flying colors.

It is still keeping that turquoise background feel, which I am happy about. There are more Flying Geese, which I am also happy about.

I am also glad that the Queen Street fabric is finally getting its day in court.

In terms of administration, I have worked on Jen’s, Michelle’s, and now Cindy’s. I feel like I have worked on more of them, but, perhaps, that is because I also worked on mine. I need to work on Claire’s, Diana’s and Rhonda’s.

Creative Prompt #334: Witch

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble

Bewitched

Tennessee’s Bell Witch

witch hunt

Salem Witch Trials

W.I.T.C.H. – 2004 to 2006 TV series

The “witch of Agnesi” is a curve studied by Maria Agnesi in 1748 in her book Instituzioni analitiche ad uso della gioventù italiana (the first surviving mathematical work written by a woman). The curve is also known as cubique d’Agnesi or agnésienne, and had been studied earlier by Fermat and Guido Grandi in 1703.

The name “witch” derives from a mistranslation of the term averisera (“versed sine curve,” from the Latin vertere, “to turn”) in the original work as avversiera (“witch” or “wife of the devil”) in an 1801 translation of the work by Cambridge Lucasian Professor of Mathematics John Colson (Gray).

The Witches of Eastwick

Leland’s witches do not see Lucifer as the evil Satan that Christians see, but a benevolent god of the Sun and Moon. The ritual format of contemporary Stregheria is roughly similar to that of other Neopagan witchcraft religions such as Wicca.

The Witch (2015 movie)

Witch Skincare

Witch of Hemwick (Bloodborne Wiki)

Kitchen Witch Bone Broth produced nutrient dense, healing bone broth from local and sustainable ingredients.

Glinda the Good Witch

WITCH (World Induced Technical Change Hybrid model) is one of the main modelling tools developed within FEEM’s Sustainable Development research

Every Witch Way (Nickelodean)

Kitchen witch

Wicked Witch of the East

The Ale and the Witch is an American Small Craft Taps and Casks House located in Saint Petersburg, FL.

Witch Dungeon Museum, Salem, Mass.

Witch Baby Soap

The Last Witch Hunter

Definition: “A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft.” (Wikipedia)

witch doctor

Bubble Witch 2

Fat Witch (NYC’s legendary brownie)

Rediscover the magic and synchronicity that unfold when you come back to yourself and your center. Join Maia Toll for Witch Camp – The Course!

The Switch Witch Halloween book and doll brings a magical, fun tradition to your family and solves the problem of too much candy in a way that kids love!

Salem Witch Walk

Bad Witch is an Australian based online store. Necklaces, Rings, Earrings. Stones including: Moonstone, Amethyst, Rose Quartz and Clear Quartz.

Sarah Graley has created Pizza Witch as the very first webcomic for Comic Book Slumber Party!

The White Witch Golf Course is carved from the rolling countryside of Jamaica’s historic Rose Hall Plantation and is an 18-hole championship golf course.

 

Animals

Books and fairy tales

Film and television

Music

Plays and ballets

Ships

Video games

Other uses

(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 get familiar with your blog or website.

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.

We are also talking about this on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #CPP

Tissue Covers

Tissue Covers
Tissue Covers

Since BIL died back in June, a number of us (SIL, Nephew #12, YM, DH) go over to MIL’s and have dinner on Wednesdays when we are available. We use it as a time to catch up. We are also trying to keep Wednesdays (when BIL would go over and have drinks with his mom) from being too sad.

The other Wednesday SIL told us that she was, once again, in charge of the Secret Santa Shop at her son’s school. This is an event to raise money for the school, but also to provide an opportunity for the kids to buy nice gifts that aren’t too expensive.

The first year she did it, they contracted with a company to provide the gifts and she, as well as other parents, proclaimed them to be junk. Some broke as the helpers were bringing them to the wrapping table. Also, the prices were already on the high side so the PTA couldn’t mark the prices up and still keep the gifts affordable for kids, thus they were not able to make much money.

Last year, they scoured shops and websites for nicer gifts that were of good quality. She said that it was a lot more work, but it paid off in that they also made over $3000!

Tissue Cover Backs
Tissue Cover Backs

Upon hearing this, I thought of the gift ideas list I made last year (?) and, more specifically, of the tissue covers that Valerie inspired me to make. I went home and started cutting fabric. I finished 9 the next day and sent them off.

I might make some more, but we will see. It might be good to see if they sell and then make more next year. On the other hand, it might be good to make a bunch so at least one person from each grade can buy one. We’ll see what SIL says.

I am going to try and think about other gifts that might work. The problem is that I am used to making bags, cushions or gifts that quiltmakers like. The people at the school are not quiltmakers and the gifts have to be small, so I need to think a little harder.

 

Various & Sundry #13 – Mid October

Websites & Blogs

One of the reasons I am interested in journals, thus all the journal covers you see, is because I write in my journal almost every day. I draw pictures and ideas. I doodle. I use my journal as a way to work out problems and relieve stress. Thus, I am the recipient of links and information about others who journal. Maureen sent me a link to a blog, Judy’s Journal, and as I scrolled through it I saw this quote “We are in a new time when fabrics are suddenly relieved of all science, of all utility,
of all function other than aesthetic. ” It turns out that this is an older quote; she did not write it. I was struck by how apt it is for today. It made me think about the quilts I make. Many of them I make because I feel a compulsion to make something and then they hang on the wall or over my banister for weeks, months, years. They have the possibility of utility, but are not being used at the moment. What does it mean to us to buy and have fabric just because it is pretty?

I mentioned the CQFA meeting the other week. Someone brought some copyright guidelines from The Blue Bottle Tree.com that are written in a decision tree format. I am always skeptical of advice given by people who are not lawyers, but this set of guidelines is basic and looks well thought out. She does have the appropriate disclaimer. Scroll down to find a version for Crafters and Hobbyists.

Johanna Basford, the coloring queen, has a new YouTube channel. Go look and get some tips for coloring.

Sarah Ann Smith reviewed the Schoolhouse Tunic. I bought this at the Fabric Depot in Portland and my dressmaker whipped one up for me.

My report on PIQF report was included in the Fair Vendor paperli newsletter.

Patterns & Tutorials

Here is a new pattern for a tote bag. It is billed as a Hallowe’en treat bag, but if you made it with different fabrics, it would just be a tote bag.

I was surfing Pinterest while I listened to my book and found some really cute apron patterns on the Seasoned Homemaker blog. My favorite is the Halter Chic Apron pattern. I love the plunging neckline. 😉 I didn’t go and look at the site right then, but when I finally did, the author also had a recipe for gluten free pumpkin spice muffins with maple cream cheese frosting. I am not a huge fan of pumpkin spice, but the frosting! YUM! She has other posts about finding time to sew, crockpot recipes and a list of online tutorials and online learn to sew sites.

Kati posted a link to a tutorial for ornaments. They are really cool.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe posted on Instagram about a free hashtag pattern on the Marcus Bros site. It was a little bit of pain to find, but I finally did. You are welcome. 😉 It is called Revved Up Retro by Sarah Maxwell.

The holidays are coming and I found a really long list of small gifts. Lots of gift ideas were also posted on the BAMQG blog, but not all the entries have tutorials associated with them. I know the blog editor is going back and adding tutorials etc as she finds them.

In just a few days, Modern Quilt Studio will publish Fat Quarter Love, a pamphlet of patterns that use fat quarter cuts. These patterns allow you to “use solids, large-scale prints, your favorite basics and even hipster novelty prints. The projects range from crib-sized quilts that can be made in an afternoon to more ambitious queen-sized bed quilts.” Fat Quarter Love will retail for $10. Look for it at your local quilt shop. If you can’t find it locally, they’ll be selling it beginning October 23 on www.modernquiltstudio.com. They ship free to US addresses. There is more information on Craft Nectar.

Remember Ms. Russian Rubix, April Rosenthal? I used her pattern (sort of) to make my Russian Rubix quilt? I saw recently on Instagram that she has another fantastic pattern called Parcheesi. I love it! One of the things I like is the way she added some Flying Geese to the sashing to add interest. Easy and very effective! We’ll see if I make it. Wouldn’t it look fantastic in scraps? I will definitely keep that Flying Geese design trick in mind. How big are those squares anyway? 1.5″? It is an older pattern (2-3 years old), but I must have missed it. She describes the pattern in a blog post and you can buy the pattern in her shop. (No affiliation)

I found the Astrodelic quilt pattern on the Fabric Depot Website. Looks like a cool block.

Exhibits and Events

Twitter pal, Kitty, shared a Textile artist site. I really like it.

A group is getting quilts together that depict diseases or feelings about health issues and related ideas. If you have such a quilt, get in touch.

My friend Natalie pointed out this piece of art by Jasmine Uy to me (isn’t the web wonderful??). Which side is true for you?

Books, Magazines and Projects

I saw a Fons & Porter show a few weeks ago with Deb Tucker. It was from the 2600 series and the project was called County Fair.  I like her products, so when I saw a Quilt Show episode with her, I sat down and watched it. You may have to be a member to watch. I like her style, because she is positive and confident. She also has a lot of basic knowledge that will help you be a better quiltmaker. I have the Flying Geese ruler (using it for the Flying Geese Exchange) and I am tempted to buy the Squared2 ruler to make that Carpenter’s Wheel version from the Fons & Porter show. It is a block I think I could sink my teeth into. I am able to make it with FGs instead of the diamond square unit, but you know how I love rulers.

Jenny Doan has a pamphlet out on Pre-cuts, the Quilter’s Precut Companion.

Janome and Michael Miller have a 100 blocks project where you can win a new sewing machine.

Mrs. K told me about the Sew Powerful Purse Project, which is in association with Liberty Jane. The video shows how to make the purse as well as shows the look and feel of the inside. This project supports African girls in academic achievement.

Reva sent along a link to a book, BiblioCraft, about getting inspiration from libraries. I am kind of shocked I didn’t hear about this sooner. You can read the review or just buy the book. From the review: “BiblioCraft is not just a “how to” project book, but oh-so-much more, because it teaches you how to use the library to glean inspiration so that you can conceive ideas for your own projects.” I haven’t seen this book in person, but I love the idea. I always want more than projects and good photos when I buy a book.

Fabric, Tools, Shops, Supplies & Embellishments

ByAnnies Stiletto Pressing Tool
ByAnnies Stiletto Pressing Tool

ByAnnies has a new tool called the Stiletto and Pressing Tool. It is a wooden tool with a stiletto on one end and a flat pressing side on the other. This seems to me to be useful for finger pressing. The information says that it has a sanded tip so that the tip of the stiletto won’t slip off your project. That could be useful. Cost is $19.95 plus shipping etc. It looks similar (from web photos) to the tool by Alex Anderson. Alex’s is called the 4-in-1 Essential Sewing Tool and includes seam ripper, stiletto, presser, and a turner.

Alex Andersons 4-in-1Essential Sewing Tool
Alex Andersons 4-in-1 Essential Sewing Tool

I bought one of these, but couldn’t find it to compare when I saw the ByAnnie’s tool and don’t remember using it much. I know I have used it as a stiletto on the odd occasion, but my mom gave me a nice gold stiletto for Christmas or my birthday and that has been the tool I keep near my sewing machine.

I think the ByAnnie’s product looks less fussy than Alex Anderson’s tool, but it also do as much. If you have both, let me know what you think.

I saw this Indiegogo campaign for a Quilter’s Planner on Instagram.

Inspiration

If you need color inspiration, you need to take a look at Sweetapolita’s site. She makes cakes. Beautiful cakes that are full of color. I first saw a gorgeous photo of baking chalk (who knew?) on Instagram. Her site is so pretty.

 

Carpenter’s Wheel #2 and #2.5

Carpenter's Wheel #2
Carpenter’s Wheel #2

I worked last Saturday on Carpenter’s Wheel blocks and some other stuff, which you heard about over the weekend. I am really having fun playing with the Carpenter’s Wheel blocks. So much fun was making me feel guilty about the other projects. In the course of resolving that problem, I made good progress on my variations on Deb Tucker’s Carpenter’s Wheel blocks as I mentioned a week or so ago.

#2 is made the way Deb Tucker showed on the Fons & Porter episode. Note that this one has the extra half square triangles along the outside of the block next to the Flying Geese. This definitely gives the piece a different look

Carpenter's Wheel #3 - in process
Carpenter’s Wheel #3 – in process

I was able to finish #2 and cut everything for #3, but not get get much sewing done on it. I thought of the #3 variation as I added some HSTs to #2. This variation has HSTs as part of the ‘wheel on the inner row of patches. I hope that the HSTs in the corners will make the piece look more round.

In do this variation I thought of another variation, which I will also try.

I also opened my second pack of Modern Backgrounds – Paper by Zen Chic, which I bought in Corvallis. I don’t love all the prints in this pack, but most of them will work for me. The ones that don’t work are ending up in donation blocks, which I also worked on in between the Improv quilt and this project.

Good Progress – Fun Progress

I spent almost the whole day last Saturday working on the Carpenter’s Wheel blocks and the Red and Black Improv quilt.

I was really struggling with the Improv quilt and it was taking up space on my design wall so I wanted to get it done and off. Done and off the wall meant making more blocks. Somehow making more blocks has lost their appeal.

3 Carpenter's Wheels + a Stepping Stone
3 Carpenter’s Wheels + a Stepping Stone

I decided as I worked on the Carpenter’s Wheel blocks that I would intersperse pieces and parts for the Improv quilt and make some progress at least. I am so pleased with the progress I made! And I had fun.

The Carpenter’s Wheels are very cheerful and that makes them fun to make. I sewed the second block together (top left) on Saturday and am enjoying looking at the two blocks together while the third block is in process.

Improv Quilt - Late October
Improv Quilt – Late October

 

 

 

I had started out on these blocks, but the Improv quilt was nagging at the back of my mind, so, as I said, I pulled out some black and red strips and started to work on an Improv block in between working on the second Carpenter’s Wheel block. When I finally pulled my nose away from the needle and assessed my day’s work, I found that I had completed a whole side of the quilt! I only have three blocks more to make to finish the top!

This quilt is a monster, which should surprise nobody, which makes it hard to photograph, but you should be able to see some of the work and the progress. There will be no border and sewing the blocks together should be a challenge, but not so much of a challenge that I can’t do it. The seams will be long, but over quickly, I think.

I was doing such good work that I was angry that I had to leave on Sunday for a work trip. I was looking forward to the work trip, but it just came at an inconvenient time and I was hoping I wouldn’t lose my momentum, especially with the Improv quilt.

Blogger’s Quilt Festival 2015

I decided to enter the Blogger’s Quilt Festival put on by Amy’s Creative Side since, for once, I have a really great picture of a quilt that fits the criteria.

Russian Rubix was finished this year.

Materials

  • 100% cotton fabric
  • 100% cotton thread

Techniques

  • Machine pieced
  • Longarm quilted
Russian Rubix
Russian Rubix

Details:

  • Year: 2013-2015
  • Size: 85”x85.5”
  • Fabric: various

Quilted By:

  • Colleen Granger

 

Details

I saw this pattern at Always Quilting when I was visiting there with Susan, the History Quilter. After some back and forth via email, we decided to both make the quilts. I used a selection of fabrics I chose carefully, which I subsequently used for two other projects. I wanted to make the pattern, by April Rosenthal, my own, so I changed it up a little bit by dropping some of the octagons in the center and adding an octagon border. The octagons were a bit of a challenge, but I got into a routine and they went together with no problem.

Blogger's Quilt Festival 2015
Blogger’s Quilt Festival 2015

Books Arts Jam

As you know I have a sincere but underdeveloped interest in making books. I have had a new one on my mind for awhile.

3 Postcards
3 Postcards

It was this plus Maureen’s booth, and the fact that Nancy would go as well that sent me to the Book Arts Jam last Saturday.

I had never been before and I found it to be a really interesting experience. I was expecting a PIQF but with books experience.

It was not like that at all. The show was much, much smaller and the people there were, mostly, selling their book art rather than selling supplies to make books. There were a lot of interesting shaped books and interesting sculptures made from books. I also saw some interesting supplies (mull was one) used to make books and related objects.

The location was in Palo Alto at a community center and, in true Palo Alto fashion, the room was gorgeous.

Maureen's booth at Book Arts Jam 2015
Maureen’s booth at Book Arts Jam 2015

Maureen was there selling her postcards and doing fairly well. She had a simple to set up, but very effective for display, booth. She had cards displayed on the black slant board and then she had cards in the little baskets. Those in the basket were arranged by event, occasion and holiday. Very clever! She said that she had sold almost all the Hallowe’en cards before we got there (around 1:30pm).

I thought it was an interesting experience. I kind of wish there had been some kind of exhibit of vendor’s art with more explanation. I was glad I went, because I had my eyes opened and my creative energy inspired. I was also glad to support Maureen.

PIQF 2015

I was looking forward to visiting PIQF this year. It ended up being a mixed bag. TFQ couldn’t come down, but Julie and I went together. I didn’t have a lot of time to look at everything, but I also didn’t spend a lot of money. So both good and less good.

I was excited about the changes that the Mancusos said they were making. Last year they said they would make changes to freshen up the show. I didn’t see many changes and that was disappointing. They added a Modern category and there were a few quilts I would classify as modern, including some from BAMQG.

Historic quilt from SJMQT
Historic quilt from SJMQT

Of course I saw quilts, which always makes me want to run home and sew. One I saw was in the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles special exhibit. This historic quilt from SJMQT is double anonymous (1915 with no named maker and an anonymous donor). It is a very modern design in the sense of the modern quilt movement aesthetic. I am sad that I don’t know who made this because I want to know what she was thinking when she (he?) designed the quilt. This is a good reminder to LABEL YOUR QUILTS!

TQS put up some posts about winners at PIQF. I didn’t look much at the award winners, because the area was always mobbed, so…

TQS PIQF Winners pt. 1

TQS PIQF Winners pt. 2

TQS PIQF Winners pt. 3

You may need a subscription, but I don’t think so. The videos look like they are just on the blog. There may be ads.

Song of the Sea by Kathy McNeil of Tulalip, Wash
Song of the Sea by Kathy McNeil of Tulalip, Wash

After manning the BAMQG Opportunity Quilt booth, I did stop and snap a pic of Song of the Sea. I love this quilt. I love the colors and the movement. Kathy McNeil of Tulalip, Washington did a wonderful job. The design looks inspired and if you have ever seen an octopus, it does look like they are dancing when they move. I was on my way out after the show closed so I had to be quick.

Manning the booth was fun. People stopped by and said hello and I got to invite people to the meetings while trying to sell them tickets. I left the booth with about $140 of sales. Some were from earlier in the day, but that was a good day’s total.

Julie and I did a quick circuit on Thursday of all of the quilts except for some to the left of the entrance. I only had 4 hours that day to see the quilts, because of my schedule for the rest of the weekend, but we had a good time and were pleased to see the quilts we saw.

Cherrywood had a Wicked Quilt Challenge and the quilts were at the show. I really enjoyed looking at them. There is something very appealing about quilts that are made with all of the same colors. I also like the gear and clock details.

Crazy Time (The Clocks Quilt) quilt by Alethea Ballard of Walnut Creek, California
Crazy Time (The Clocks Quilt) quilt by Alethea Ballard of Walnut Creek, California

Gears and clocks appeal to me, I think, because I saw the Crazy Time (The Clocks Quilt) quilt by Alethea Ballard of Walnut Creek, California right when we walked in. This quilt could be a hot mess, but it really works and I love the clocks. I also like the cascade of flowers. I am sad that I didn’t have time to study this quilt, but am glad I snapped a photo, so at least I can study the photo.

I really didn’t take many photos. There were a lot of the same looking quilts that I have seen in previous years.

The few I did photograph really appealed to me or inspired me in some way.

Caroline Wilkinson of the UK did a fantastic job on Not Much Sunshine, Plenty of Shadows.  I stuck my nose right up to the quilt and must have looked at it for 5 minutes. I love the grid (do I have a geometric thing going?) and what the artist did with the stitching over the grid.

Caroline Wilkinson, UK, Not Much Sunshine, Plenty of Shadows
Caroline Wilkinson, UK, Not Much Sunshine, Plenty of Shadows
Caroline Wilkinson, UK, Not Much Sunshine, Plenty of Shadows detail
Caroline Wilkinson, UK, Not Much Sunshine, Plenty of Shadows detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t have much time to look at the vendors, but I did pick up FOTY 2014 from Colleen who was vending there. Normally, I stop and chat, but her booth was mobbed and she was rushing around cutting fabric, so I said I would catch up with her later.

I also stopped at Deb Tucker’s booth, which happened to be right across from Colleen! I wanted to see the Square2 ruler, which was recommended in the Fons & Porter show I watched that got me on the Carpenter’s Wheel bandwagon. Her booth was also mobbed and there was no chance of me getting to talk to her. Deb was demoing away like a crazy woman. Makes me wish I had gone to the preview. Oh well.

Anyway, I looked at the ruler and just couldn’t see how I could use it for more than the Carpenter’s Wheel block. Also, I like the way I am using two Flying Geese units rather than the Diamond Square unit. The FGs add more interest to the background, IMO. So I passed, but being the ruler junkie that I am I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I remembered the YM’s scout patches and how I want to put the patches that don’t go on his uniform on a block and make it into a quilt. Lots of work! I realized that I could use that ruler to make Diamond Square units in a lot of different sizes that would work with his patches. I had a friend buy the ruler for me and I will pay her back. I better start thinking about that scout quilt. 😉

Of course, Russian Rubix was on display, so Julie snapped a photo of me standing in front of the quilt. I was pleased to see it hung for the first time, especially when I saw how flat it hung. Hooray!

Russian Rubix and the artist
Russian Rubix and the artist

Creative Prompt #333: Crown

Crown Point Press

Definition: “A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, victory, triumph, honor, and glory, as well as immortality, righteousness, and resurrection. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to those on Earth by angels. Apart from the traditional form, crowns also may be in the form of a wreath and be made of flowers, oak leaves or thorns and be worn by others, representing what the coronation part aims to symbolize with the specific crown. In religious art, a crown of stars is used similarly to a halo. Crowns worn by rulers often contain jewels.” (Wikipedia)

Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey

Crown Battery

The Slime Crown is used to summon King Slime, a Boss-type enemy in Terraira.

dental crown

Crown Castle is the nation’s largest provider of wireless infrastructure.

dental crown

Triple Crown

Violet Crown Cinema is a locally owned and operated cinema with four screens devoted to art, independent, documentary and international films.

Crown Princess is one of the largest Princess cruise ships

Crown College, University of California, Santa Cruz

Crown Plaza Hotel

Crown Equipment Corporation is a global manufacturer of material handling lift trucks and technology

Arts

  • Crown (comics), a fictional character in the Marvel Universe, and an enemy of Spider-Man
  • The Crown (TV series), an upcoming television drama series created by Peter Morgan for Netflix

Currency

  • Crown (Australian coin), the Australian version of the British Crown
  • Crown (British coin), a heavy silver coin, parallel in size and weight to the United States silver dollar
  • Crown (currency), a monetary unit used in the countries of Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and the territories of Faroe Islands and Greenland
  • Crown (English coin), originally known as the “crown of the double rose”, an English gold coin introduced as part of King Henry VIII’s monetary reform of 1526 with the value of five shillings; later a silver coin of the same value
  • Estonian kroon, the official currency of Estonia for two periods in history: 1928–1940 and 1992–2011
  • Hungarian korona, the replacement currency of the Austro-Hungarian Krone/korona amongst the boundaries of the newly created post-World War I Hungary
  • Koruna (disambiguation)
  • Krona (disambiguation)
  • Krone (disambiguation)

Dentistry

Motor vehicles

Music and audio

Places

Science

Symbols of monarchy or rank

  • Crown (headgear), often an emblem of the monarchy, a monarch’s government, or items endorsed by it
  • An alternate means to refer to a monarch
  • The Crown, the legal embodiment of Executive Government in Commonwealth countries
  • Crown, a military decoration in the ancient Roman Republic, including:
    • Grass crown, awarded for saving a city in battle
    • Civic crown, awarded for saving a citizen in battle
    • Camp crown, awarded for being the first to penetrate the enemy’s camp
    • Mural crown, awarded for being the first to scale the walls of an enemy city
    • Naval crown, awarded for being the first to board an enemy ship

Other uses

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 get familiar with your blog or website.

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.

We are also talking about this on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #CPP