House & Garden Finished!

House & Garden, finished May 16, 2009
House & Garden, finished May 16, 2009

I know I showed this earlier this week, but I wanted it to have its own celebratory post.

House & Garden Finished!!!

This quilt was started in Pamela Allen’s class at EBHQ in May 2007. Two years, almost to the day later. Hopefully, the ones I started last month at CQFA won’t take that long

Learning Something New

It is always a good day when I learn something new. Yesterday I learned out to make a facing, made a facing and am thrilled! Maureen, a quiltmaker whose work I greatly admire, was making a facing at the CQFA Retreat. She pointed me to Jeri Riggs’ directions later.

A facing is a way of finishing a quilt so that the edging (binding) does not show on the front. You may not always to want a frame (binding) around your quilt. This is a design element that will work with some pieces. I think that this technique will work for a number of my Pamela Allen pieces.

I learn best when someone shows me how to do something, so reading the directions and trying to make the facing left me scratching my head in confusion. I finally called Maureen and she walked me through the process. She sprinkled in a few tips and tricks she has added to the web directions.

It isn’t difficult at all. It reminds me of making a tote bag the first time. Once you do it, you know it and can make the process your own.

This means that the House & Garden Quilt is done! YAY!

House & Garden, finished May 16, 2009
House & Garden, finished May 16, 2009

Well, it still needs a label and I need to decide about a sleeve.

Deadly Flax

We have an independent art store in the City called Flax. It is art and inspiration nirvana. I didn’t mean to go there, but I ended up there on Friday.

I went to an appointment and then out to lunch. My last stop before home was the shoe store, which is in a completely different neighborhood. In looking for the shortcut street, I overshot and ended up in the no left turn land of Market Street, heading downtown. I wasn’t lost; I knew exactly where I was. I was just not where I wanted/needed to be to get to the shoe store. I tried to recalculate and readjust and each time I did I ended up where I didn’t want to go. Suddenly, like a beacon of light and hope there was Flax on the correct side of the street with a parking place conveniently located. How could I not stop?

It has been a few years since I have been there as it is off my beaten path. Amy of the Creative Mom podcast (have to get that woman out of my mind!!!) mentioned her trip there recently and it stuck in my mind.

It is wonderful. Big and open with helpful, CHEERFUL workers and lots of art supplies. I decided while I was there that I would get a Pitt pen (again, Amy mentioned it) and do some Christmas shopping.

Christmas, you ask? Yes, never hurts to start early and I want to spread out the financial pain.

I bought a Pitt pen, I bought some of the Miguelrius journals in a color I hadn’t seen (can’t ever have too many journals! Especially now since I am writing a lot), bought a book, gel/scrapbook pens and a couple of other things for gifts. They also have stationery that I used to buy by the pound as a teenager. It is thick and heavy and you can buy it by the sheet as well. I bought a couple of sheets, a folded card and an envelope so I can write a nice long letter.

Colorful Stationery
Colorful Stationery

They also have a line of organizational boxes and files called Semikolon, which have dot designs. Have to have some of those once the financial situation eases.

They also have a ton of gorgeous ribbon. For embellishing art quilts, the prices were quite reasonable. It is high end ribbon, so they start at a ~$1.50/yard, but you don’t need much, right?

It was refreshing and I know I have to take TFQ and Julie there next time they come for a visit.

An Aside

I tried out the Pitt pen on the Tree prompt response, which I will post later. It is a little thn for my tastes, but like the waterproof quality. I will have to investigate and see if they have thicker ones. I liked the line and color black better than the Sharpie fine linr I have been using since the plane ink explosion incident.

Belated Thank You

Top Down View
Top Down View

K and Mrs. K came down for the Pamela Allen class. They had a four hour drive, which was above and beyond IMO. Still, I was (and still am!) so thrilled that they joined us, because they (not in any particular order):

  1. did great work
  2. added great comments to the class critiques
  3. brought loads of fabric that we all rummaged through
  4. are FABULOUS company

I invited them to stop and have dinner with us on their way down to Santa Clara. After the long drive I didn’t want them to have to forage for food as well. I thought we could have a nice chat; they could get a look at the Child and we could talk about projects.

They showed up and I come to find out they have a gift for me! I love gifts, especially unexpected and perfect gifts. It was a perfect gift: dot fabrics. It was a perfect gift with a wonderful presentation.

Perfect Presentation
Perfect Presentation

I love seeing the fabric the people think I will like. K and Mrs. K know I love dots! Perfect!

Whole Dotted Enchilada
Whole Dotted Enchilada

Thanks, for the fabric, for your friendship and support.

Daisy Yellow Inspiration Charms

Amy of the Creative Mom podcast, once again, pointed me to another creative blog, Daisy Yellow. It took me a few days to get over there and when I finally did, I was thrilled to see her inspirational word charms project. My mind started to whirl around with ideas for adding little messages to quilts and, perhaps, the Teacher Pillows. I was looking at Diana Swim Wessel’s Inspiration Odyssey book the other day and the little doodles she has in it would also be great in place of words.

I don’t have any Shrinky Dink material, but can easily get some. I’ll put it on my craft supply list.

clipped from daisyyellow.squarespace.com

daisy yellow: a vivid life with kids
clipped from daisyyellow.squarespace.com

How to Make Word Charms

shrinky dink plastic + markers = inspiration

The Ingredients

  • Shrinky Dink plastic paper. 1 sheet
  • Fine point Sharpie permanent marker or PITT pen
  • Optional: Colored pencils, sandpaper
  • Small hole punch
  • Embroidery floss, raffia, or thin twine
  • Oven
  • blog it

    Book Review: Quilt National 2007

    In honor of Quilt National 2009 opening soon, I finally wrote the book review for QN 2007 from Lark Books.
    Quilt National 2007: The Best of Contemporary Quilts (Quilt National) Quilt National 2007: The Best of Contemporary Quilts by Lark Books

    My review

    rating: 2 of 5 stars
    I have to admit that I have a love-hate relationship with Quilt National. I love the idea. I often intensely dislike the quilts the jurors choose.

    In this year’s work, I love the photos, but, in general, my initial reaction was that the quilts look the same: lots of squares intersected with a square or another piece of fabric. I felt like I was judging the book too harshly, so to be fair, I went back and read the entire book and scrutinized each quilt and thought about them.

    The jurors, Tim Harding, Robin Treen and Paul Nadelstern (whose work I greatly admire), seemed not to be as motivated by notions of beauty or status as they were intrigued by the possibilities of transformation.

    Nelda Warkentin’s quilt, Harmony, has a calming ocean-like feel to it. Part of her description/artist’s statement includes the words “quiet, flowing movements,” which I think describes the quilt very well.

    Spring Cascade by Virginia Abrams reminds me of calming fences and certain motifs in my my quilt The Tarts Come to Tea. Next to Abrams’ quilt is Dress Circle by Thelma McGough, a black and white piece with umbrella reminiscent motifs. Although it is made up of photos, it retains its quilt-like quality.

    Weeks Ringle also has a piece, Tankini, in this book. Hearing the name and looking at the piece don’t mesh instantly, but the concept comes together after a bit of gazing. I love his piece because of the simple lines and the fact that she uses commercial cottons in an innovative technique. It isn’t just the type of fabric she uses, though. The simplicity does not mean simplistic. I think that there is a lot to look at in this quilt.

    I am not a fan of realistic faces made into quilts. They freak me out for some reason, but Kristin Tweed has created a successful quilt in #42 Big Head Series: The Gladiator. One successful part of the success of this quilt is the lack of quilting on the face.

    There are some good designs in this book. Mostly they are simple, linear designs. There is more digital photography manipulated into blocks and quilts than I remember from the past.

    View all my quilt and non-quilt reviews.

    Creative Prompt #13: Trees

    What do trees mean to you?

    Are they sentinels of nature or something to provide shade? What is the creative inspiration that can be obtained from trees?

    See the Creative Prompt page to learn more about this project.

    Post the direct URL or deeplink where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted in the comments area of this post. It will keep all the artwork together.

    There is more information and inspiration on the Creative Prompt Page, which I update frequently.

    See * Draw * Quilt * Learn

    Sarah Ann Smith of  Art & Quilting in Camden has set up a new blog, soon to be a group blog, with the intent of encouraging people to learn to see so they can improve their drawing.

    Sarah started the blog on May 5, so you are not too far behind. She mentions The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain book as one of the resources. You can add this to your list of drawing sites to review, in addition to Gabi Campanario (who now posts at the Seattle Times site) and Urban Sketchers.

    Infinity Blocks Progress

    Infinity Blocks, May 10, 2009
    Infinity Blocks, May 10, 2009

    I made about 8 of these blocks over the weekend. They are pretty fast to make and I get a big bang for my buck. The photo to the left shows all the blocks I have made to date. Actually, half of all of the blocks I have made to date. I make two of each fabric so I can send one to my SIL.

    The weird thing is that I kept counting the blocks, periodically, and coming up with the same number. Not sure why except that my counting was obviously off! Two blocks aren’t in this picture, because I wanted it to be symmetrical.

    Teacher Pillows 2009

    Teacher Pillow (Aide) 2009
    Teacher Pillow (Aide) 2009

    Yes, I am doing it again. If you want to read the torure from previous years, I have gathered the posts into one search just for you.

    My goal is to have them done before school ends this year, which is June 12. I actually have until June 11 this year as I am, sadly, not attending the conference I usually attend that week. Still, I want these babies done and out of my hair ASAP.

    Some weeks ago, on a rip to IKEA for light bulbs (now I know I can get the same ones at Lowe’s, which is closer!) I found pillows for $1.50. They are an ugly baby blue, but solid and they will make fine pillow forms. They are not as fluffy as the ones I have bought in the past, but tough times call for economies.

    Yesterday, I corraled The Child and had him choose blocks. I also had him do drawings for the back.

    This is the Greek Cross block and it is for the aide. The others are Tangled Star, Omega and one with a lot of triangles. I am working on the latter. Another day I will post all of the photos.

    Next up: copy the drawings to fabric and piece.

    Tarts Progress

    Tarts, May 10, 2009
    Tarts, May 10, 2009

    I wasn’t done with the Tarts, as TFQ suggested. I feel like I made some significant progress yesterday. the blocks take a long time for me to make. I have to do the drawing, trace a couple of times, put the pattern on fusible, cut out the fabric, make sure the pieces are all going in the correct direction and then I can press and machine stitch.

    Tarts detail, May 10, 2009
    Tarts detail, May 10, 2009

    Here is the whole section that I worked on, so you can see how it fits into the whole. I thought the area needed a bi of blue. I wanted to use turquoise, but didn’t want to overwelm the piece with it, thus the aqua color. I think it is a little light to be on the edge, but we’ll see how I like it once my brain has a chance to rest from it.

    Yellow China Cup, May 2009
    Yellow China Cup, May 2009

    The yellow “china” cup wasn’t planned, but entered my head and got a place at the table, temporarily, a least. I am not sure I like the fabric for this area, though a plainer yellow would have melted into the aqua. As I mentioned, I really like the juxtaposition of different patterns on the fabric and that is what I was going for with this cup. Also, the fabric design relates to the blue china cup. They may even be part of the same group.

    Blue China Cup, May 2009
    Blue China Cup, May 2009

    I am pretty pleased with the blue china cup as I was able to work in that pinky rose fabric that I wanted to use for the background of the green teapot. I think it is a good transition fabric between the background of the green and the orange of the sugar and creamer.

    I realized recently that showing you all of these process shots means that you never get a surprise. I will have to think of a project I never show you just to give my readers a surprise once in a while.

    All Quiet on the Quilt Front

    Or maybe not.

    I have been struggling with the Tarts lately and with traveling so much in the past three weeks it has been hard to get back into the creative mode. TFQ and I had a nice looong chat last night which helped to get me back into the groove. She knows about design. Aside from the fact that we share a lot of the same ideas about design,  I really trust her judgment. If I ask for advice, she will give me good advice. I appreciate the way she helps me through the design process when I feel like I am struggling. As I mentioned in my essay, design, etc is partly an intellectual effort for me. TFQ and I can have the right mix of intellectual and creative in our discussions.

    I talked with her about my struggles. She suggested that I take the Tarts off the wall for a month and let the project simmer in the back of my mind for awhile. The idea appealed to me, in a way, because I worked on the Infinity (Crazy Eight) blocks and I was really wishing that I had more design wall space. If I take he Tarts off the wall, I’ll have the space. It might be time to get the portable design wall out of the closet again…or stop working on so many projects at once.

    I don’t really want to take the Tarts off the wall, because a month can easily turn into a year and by the time I drag it out again, I might want to remake all the blocks AGAIN. Needless to say, despite the merits, I wasn’t thrilled with the idea. When TFQ suggests something, I give it serious thought because she usually has a point.

    That was the start of the conversation, however. We looked at the piece using the Tarts Arrangement post, the way I had arranged the different blocks and what was working and what wasn’t working. Now I am all fired up to rearrange the pieces, make some new blocks and move forward a bit more. I am not ruling out putting it away again (with a calendar reminder!), but I am not doing it quite yet.

    Tarts, May 10, 2009
    Tarts, May 10, 2009

    I do know that the teapot block (bottom middle, mauve with blue bubble background) with the view from the top is going. It was damaged somehow and I can’t fix it. Since I have to remake it anyway, I am taking it out and putting in a new block. TFQ made a good point about that block. It is a different view than all the other pieces and, thus, really stands out. Not sure what yet. TFQ suggested another tart or pastry. I don’t have any ideas for one, but since there are only two in the piece, another would a good design choice.

    You also get to see the cake plate block in it’s native environment.

    FOTY Blocks, May 10, 2009
    FOTY Blocks, May 10, 2009

    Here are some new Fabric of the Year blocks. I haven’t pressed any fabric lately, so this is the end for the moment. I am not short of fabric to press, I just haven’t done it. I love that red polka dot. It is the same fabric I used for the to go cup.