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Possibilities

The fresh colors of summer inspired this baby quilt – probably my favorite fabric is the red Liberty print from Sew to Speak in Ohio. Picking out fabrics and designing with half-square triangle squares I find relaxing. 
This quilt original had a bit different vibe, but it didn’t feel right, so I listened to feedback from my mom, took out the tree fabric, then took out the bright reds, and persisted until it ended up here. I’m still not sure, but I do like where it ended up. Thanks to filminthefridge.com for idea for the straight line quilting with alternating double and single lines.
This quilt began while the girls were studying abroad this summer and I finished it just before the school year started. Once its washed, it will be on its way to a good home somewhere for someone who needs it. Another procrastination stopped and project finished!

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And they are off

Just over a week ago Saturday I delivered the last of Kelsey’s things to Wheaton. Two daughters in college. Wow! Monday was a thoroughly relaxing holiday, a light breeze wafting through open windows, as I picked up the detrius of two people moving out and into college housing.

The latest quick project was pillow covers to help with college decorating …. turns out we didn’t guess so well on color coordination, but new tries are getting better.

The couches are eggplant (not teal), so here is an updated pillow cover matches!  I’m never going to be a fanatic curve sewer. This pillow is actually my test run – stay tuned for the next one that hopefully matches up even better.

Assuming a teal couch, the original color scheme was red, gray, and lighter with white … not so great in a cream/eggplant/odd blue/mauve room! However, these covers below are finding homes anyway, in a bedroom and guest room at home!

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Pinwheel Beach

I designed this pinwheel quilt back in March and its design didn’t come together easily. In the end, I incorporated some of the new fabric I printed for the fabric swap at Maze & Vale along with a printed blessing in the lower right corner. Originally I wanted more of a sense of trees with autumn reds beginning coming down to a serene reflection in the water. Colors wouldn’t flow with more green in the palette, so I simplified and went with more blue. The final design ended up a bit more conservative than I was hoping for, but I have to admit that I simply love the colors. Each pinwheel block looked complete on its own as I pieced the top and the khaki gray top-stitching ties it all together in an earthy way.
Now, to pick a color thread for quilting – I think vertical lines about 3/4 ” apart. Rust? And, traditional binding or a clean edge? If binding, a dark edge or blue edge or rust edge? Hmmm.

The blessing in the lower right corner:

A Blessing of Solitude May you recognize in your life the presence, power and light of your soul.May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.May you have respect for your own individuality and difference.May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the façade of your life there is something beautiful, good and eternal happening.May you learn to see yourself with the same delight, pride and expectation with which God sees you in every moment.

John O’Donohue (1956-2008) (from Anam Cara)

(See the post here for a little more about this blessing.)
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Why so long?

Finished! This table runner that evolved out of mostly hand-dyed scraps of fabric from my stash is finally finished. I’m not sure why each phase took 4-5 months, but it is fun to see it all together. The binding makes it feel finished. Not sure I would attempt the same thing any time soon, even though I have many more scraps. Time to eat the bananas, though. (Hopefully they will help legs dragging from mountain biking.)

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Wisdom waiting at the door

I’ve been quilting, but progress has been very slow as I get back into the rhythm of art quilting. I’ve been working on a couple of my wisdom quilts, the first isn’t worth posting because I am still seam-ripping out a bunch of free-motion quilting that just didn’t work. However, I’m starting to enjoy where this quilt it going, so I wanted to share the “work in progress.”

Finally decided to keep the lower portion simple, and just start to quilt. Turned out the be a little too simple, so I got to work with watercolor pastels. Definitely wasn’t where I was going, but I’m going to keep at it, and see where it takes me. Stay tuned.

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Creative energy

design wall – lap quilt in progress

Today in worship I was reminded of why I love to create so much. The communion table cloth was part of a multi-generational community art project we used as part of our learning and musing on wisdom. The original project was an installation (see here) but today the brightly-colored, quilted circle was on the communion table with a beautiful silver chalice, pitcher, and plate with rustic bread.

When projects seem to continually stall, I find myself re-energized when I remember that I can do this! Sometimes working on more straightforward projects helps me get back in the groove. The quilt above is one of these projects. Right now it is in the design phase – I mostly like it, but can’t quilt decide……… but, I’m getting back in the groove, and hopefully the creative energy will get me past the block I’m having with a mini-wisdom quilt I’m working on.

Blessings on the week.

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Beach anyone?

Life has been crazy with a high school senior. Not enough time to sew lately, but I’ve been designing a couple of things. Was hoping for a calm, serene beach feel to this quilt. I like it, but I’m not sure I am there with the feel – seems more wintery than springlike, and having been pulling weeds all weekend, it seems a little cold! Ah well, I can keep pondering. Taylor graduates this week, so I’ll not have much time for sewing.

PS I incorporated some of my fabric I printed .. enjoyed this part!

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Finally

My camera has been giving me grief. Turns out the CF card was giving errors. I’m back in business, and finally can show some photos. My first big quilt in a while, but it felt good to get back in the groove.
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Rusty

Skills get rusty. My “large quilt” skills are rusty. However, I am making progress on the Sandy Quilt and should finish this week. Here is a peek!

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Wisdom – font of life

  

I’ve been machine quilting the twin size quilt I am working on to donate, and pondering the design of this quilt. I like the idea, but the person-like “arms” and “legs” aren’t working for me. I have a notion of how I might be able to reverse applique aqua semi-circular arcs that run from edge to edge of the fabric instead. Hmmmmmm … a work in progress (just like me)

The machine quilting on the Sandy quilt (which may turn into the “….” quilt at my speed) is going well. The quilt looks even better with the stitching (which is always a good thing) in brick red up and down.

Blessings on your Lenten musings, whatever font of life God is leading you towards.

PS Sorry for the horrible photo – Photobooth on the mac works, but not super well!