Creative Prompt #198: Wash

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.

Brain wash

Wash Tubbs comic strip

wash the dog

body wash (product)

wash day

baby wash

wash tub

fruit wash

car wash

washer

Definition: (Merriam Webster) transitive verb

1

a : to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (as water)

b : to remove (as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid
2
: to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw moistened with saliva
3

a : to flush or moisten (a bodily part or injury) with a liquid

b (1) : to wet thoroughly : drench (2) : to overspread with light : suffuse
c : to pass a liquid (as water) over or through especially so as to carry off material from the surface or interior
4
: to flow along or dash or overflow against <waves washing the shore>
5
: to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force of water in motion <houses washed away by the flood>
6

a : to subject (as crushed ore) to the action of water to separate valuable material

b : to separate (particles) from a substance (as ore) by agitation with or in water
c (1) : to pass through a bath to carry off impurities or soluble components (2) : to pass (a gas or gaseous mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it especially by removing soluble components
7

a : to cover or daub lightly with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (as whitewash or varnish)

b : to depict or paint by a broad sweep of thin color with a brush
8
: to cause to swirl <washing coffee around in his cup>
9
: launder 3 <how the mob washes its money through corrupt bankers — Vincent Teresa>
intransitive verb
1
: to wash oneself or a part of one’s body
2
: to become worn away by the action of water
3
: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water
4

a : to become carried along on water : drift <cakes of ice washing along>

b : to pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current <waves of pioneers washing westward — Green Peyton>
5
: to serve as a cleansing agent <this soap washes thoroughly>
6

a : to undergo laundering <this dress doesn’t wash well>

b (1) : to undergo testing successfully : work 4 <an interesting theory, but it just won’t wash> (2) : to gain acceptance : inspire belief <the story didn’t wash with me>

— wash one’s hands of

: to disclaim interest in, responsibility for, or further connection with

 

FOTY 2012 Back

FOTY 2012
FOTY 2012

I have finally finished the back of FOTY 2012.

I decided to show the front again, one more time, as I don’t know how long it will be before I have it back from the quilter finished.

I have used another Philip Jacobs prints for the back. It turns out I had two pieces that worked well for opposite corners. I was surprised, though, to find the yardage in two pieces as I usually don’t cut up large pieces until I need it. Still, I may have bought it on sale and was only able to get to large pieces rather than one. Alternatively, I could have bought a piece and then decided to buy more. I don’t remember.

I was pleased to take the parts for the back off the design wall. I like the front of this quilt so much and it was great to see it one more time.

FOTY 2012: back
FOTY 2012: back

My only concern with the front is the border. I didn’t put one on and I am pretty sure it doesn’t need one, but still, I wonder.

Star Sampler: Basic Star

Star Sampler: Basic Star
Star Sampler: Basic Star

This block might be a little bit disappointing for you after the wonders of all the other complex blocks. I am posting it rather than just quietly putting it in the quilt, because I think it is a good example of how to use special fabric effectively.

Yes, I have used the Martha Negley fabric in small doses in other blocks, but I really wanted to show off as much of blooms as I could. Perhaps I could have fussy cut a little better, but I wanted to use the fabric in a reasonable way and I liked the off center nature of the fabric in the large square.

I can always make others in the 8″ size, if I want to use more of different sections of the fabric. Here’s the Basic Star pattern.

Also, take a look at the original Quilt-a-long instructions. You can see all the posts on this topic by searching the tag “Star Sampler.”

Star Sampler: Shelburne Star

Star Sampler: Shelburne Star
Star Sampler: Shelburne Star

This block was kind of a pain to make, but the effect is really good. I am glad it came out well in terms of contrast, because if it had been a pain and looked bad, I would have been really disappointed.

I think it was a good choice to use the background fabric in the center of the larger star around the smaller star as it sets off the smaller star.

If you’d like to make one of these, here is the Star Sampler: Shelburne Star pattern. You can also find it in EQ7. Check out the Oh My Stars! Flickr Group to see all the other renditions of the final project. You can see all the posts on this topic by searching the tag “Star Sampler.”

Sketching #183

CPP Response #183: Drink
CPP Response #183: Drink

I went out with a work vendor a few weeks ago. It was a nice outing; a relationship building kind of event. We sat the bar and I faced the wall of bottles, which are endlessly fascinating to me. The arrangement of them is a kind of art form all its own. I have taken some liberties with the colors of the liquor. If you prefer, you can imagine it to be sodas.

Take a look at the original post. Try one of your own.

Star Sampler: Wheel of Time

Star Sampler: Wheel of Time
Star Sampler: Wheel of Time

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.

If you want to make a block like this, review the Star Sampler: Wheel of Time pattern, which can also be found in EQ. Also, take a look at the original Quilt-a-long instructions. You can see all the posts on this topic by searching the tag “Star Sampler.”

Finished: FOTY 2011

Finished: FOTY 2011
Finished: FOTY 2011

Fabric of the Year 2011 is finally finished!

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
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.

Star Sampler: Background Information

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)
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.

 

Creative Prompt #197: West

“East of the Sun and West of the Moon” Source: Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, Østenfor sol og vestenfor måne, Norske Folkeeventyr (Christiania [Oslo], 1842-1852), translated by George Webb Dasent (1859). Translation revised by D. L. Ashliman. © 2001.

Taliesin West – Frank Lloyd Wright

Great Western Bank (now part of Chase)

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)

Best Western

Southwest Airlines

Kanye West

Farragut West

Mae West

Go West, young man! – Horace Greeley

West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography. (Wikipedia)

West End (London)

West Africa

West Germany

The West Wing

West Valley College

West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south. (Wikipedia)

Nathanael West (author)

West Nile virus

Upper West Side

Nine West

Western Addition (San Francisco neighborhood)

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 Goddess Amunet 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)

Western hemsiphere

American West

In American literature (e.g. in The Great Gatsby) moving West has sometimes symbolized gaining freedom, perhaps as an association with the settling of the Old West (see also Manifest Destiny).(Wikipedia)

West Elm

West Portal, San Francisco (Wikipedia, again)

West Seattle

To go west using a compass for navigation, one needs to set a bearing or azimuth of 270°. (Wikipedia)

Western Union

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)

West Point

Moving continuously west is following a circle of latitude, which, except in the case of the equator, is not a great circle. (Wikipedia)

West Virginia

The word west is derived from the name of one of the four dwarves in Norse mythology, Norðri, Suðri, Austri and Vestri, who each represented one of the directions of the world. (Wikipedia)

Cornel West

Western Europe

The West (PBS program)

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.

And now for the homage to the law…

West Publishing

John West

West Group

Fenwick & West

Westlaw

Thomson West

 

Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer

Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer
Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer

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.

Star Sampler: Chevron Star

Star Sampler: Chevron Star
Star Sampler: Chevron Star

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.

If you would like to make one of these blocks, I am posting the Star Sampler: Chevron Star Pattern. This whole project is based on the Oh My Stars Quilt-a-long from last year.

On My Mind

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”.

  1. Make three notepad covers using the Pink Chalk Notetaker pattern as gifts. I want to use fabrics I bought at Quiltology.
  2. Need to make another journal cover or two
  3. Finish blue journal (style of the Purple Journal, Red Journal, Well Done and Good Job journals)
  4. Make a bag or two from the patterns I have purchased recently.
  5. Try another version of the Bird watcher bag.
  6. Thinking about another Sparkling Cider quilt using the Half Moon Modern fabrics
  7. Repair purple turtleneck
  8. Comparison of various methods of making Flying Geese on blog
  9. Living room throw pillow covers

And, of course, continue my progress on the 26 Projects list.

What do you think?

Star Sampler: First 12

Star Sampler: First 12
Star Sampler: First 12

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.

Star Sampler: Football Star

Football Star
Football Star

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.