Play--An Improv Piece (Formerly Called Free Hand Curves)--post 2

Where I left off in February

Goal number eight on my June list was to make progress on the piece I began in the Cindy Gridsdela class I took last February. 

Auditioning a curve layout

I left the pieces on the design wall and have turned them in a number of directions looking for the layout that felt "right." I had an orientation that was a long gradual curve; but I didn't take a photo of it. In that layout, I was stuck with what to fill in the space around the curve. Instead, I have a photo of a shorter curve.

Auditioning some parts

I decided that I needed to decide whether I wanted to spend a lot more time on the project or did I want to finish it and move on to another project. Gertie, my inner squirrel, was all in for creating a circle and finishing sooner rather than later.

Piecing the bits as a leader/ender

I began with my pile of scraps. I began piecing more curves and adding length to an insert piece. I continued to audition a fabric and the orientation of the curve until I could live with the result. When I had the quadrants mostly pieced, I auditioned a sashing. A challenge one of my small groups currently has is to make a traditional block modern. There is a size rule and cream has to be used. This is a variation of a drunkard's path block. I wasn't feeling the sashing.

Quadrants mostly pieced

After a few days of adding a piece of fabric, rearranging, adding another fabric, rearranging, I managed to piece most of the quadrants. On purpose, I didn't piece a square nor did I square three of the blocks. I liked the wonkiness of the organic blocks. 

Lower right quadrant needs a bit of green

Next steps are to determine the frame. I was considering a dark frame around the piece; but that plan felt too traditional. The lower right quadrant needs a bit of green. Perhaps, a pieced strip would add some interest.

Green in lower right quadrant; pieced 
strip added to upper right quadrant

The upper right was too boring. I pieced a strip of scraps and liked the results. The upper left quadrant was now too boring. My small group that stitches on Friday, suggested I put some cream in that area. Rosanne even drew me a shape as an example. I love Friday Sit and Sews. The conversation is good and the advice shared is helpful. We chuckle that we are quilting by committee!

Rosanne's suggestion

I cut the shape. I'm becoming more comfortable cutting free hand organic curves! Then, I cut the shape into sections so I could piece a few confetti squares into the area.

Curved shape cut into segments
for confetti

Looking at the section spoke "too much white."  I subbed out the uncut segments for the dark green fabric and that action "felt" better to me.

Beginning to piece the curve

There was still too much white, so I added some green strips on each side of the white segments. The green was a good add. I liked the direction that corner was going. 

Left corner audition

The top half is wider than the bottom half so I pieced another strip of scraps together. I wanted a horizontal orientation for this section. Initially, I placed it on the lower left side of the piece; but, after a group discussion, Su suggested I put it in the center of the two bottom blocks. I liked the suggestion.

Center pieced strip added

The photo above is where I was at the end of Friday. The top still needs some work. I am rethinking the black strips on either side of the bottom half of the project. The lower right quadrant needs a little more interest. Saturday morning, I removed the dark strips from each side of the lower half of the project. I separated the lower quadrants. I plan to insert a fabric next to the green and do something in the gray. Let's see how far I get today! In spite of all the changes, I feel like it will be a finished top soon!

This is going to be a book club quilt for the book, "Prayers for Sale" written by Sandra Dalles. The main character in the book is a quilter. She fell in love with a blue fabric and bought the bolt. Fast forward years, the reader learns that each project has a bit of this fabric in it and that her quilting circle of friends' projects also has some of the treasured blue fabric. Using some blue fabric was my inspiration to create this piece.

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday; Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilting and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

Welcome Aboard to Bust Your Stash Challenge

Welcome aboard to the Bust Your Stash challenge!!! 

The outer border fabric said "stitch me"

If you are new to the challenge or don’t know what I’m talking about, you will find the rules here. Read the rules and think about what you want to create.

When it comes to designing, it can be daunting of where or how to start! Inspiration is behind every quilt. For me, inspiration could come from:

—a particular piece of fabric that says stitch me

—an event like a wedding, a birth or a graduation is on the horizon

—nature, the colors of a blooming plant, a sunrise or a landscape

Stitched to celebrate a special birthday

—exploring a technique, a concept, a shape or a pattern (If you’ve a pattern that you purchased, you’re on your way!)

—reading a blog, Bonnie Hunter’s for instance, you might want to try a pattern, tip or technique. You can find Bonnie’s blog here.  

If you are concerned that you won’t have the time to create a quilt, consider a leader/ender project. As you piece your projects, have a stack of parts ready to stitch as the beginning and ending to your pieced sections. It is a way to keep continuously stitching and a way to efficiently use more of your thread! Last year, Bonnie introduced a leader/ender project that used two inch squares. You can access the pattern here.

Preserving a view; exploring techniques

I created a Pinterest board to store some ideas. I might sketch a few ideas with a pencil. I often will make a number of small sketches on a page. Later, I will pick a couple to draw larger. I might even use color pencils to enhance the sketch. 

Believe in yourself and your ideas. Most important. . .have fun!!! Since we are a community, please leave a comment regarding what inspires you to create. I plan to post an article the first Wednesday of the month along with a few examples of past work. You can also check out #2020bustyourstashchallenge on instagram. Next month, our topic will be where to find scraps. 

Crayon Doodle post 1

Miss J's doodle filled in with coloring

This quarter, our book club read "Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie," by Alan Bradley. In January, I purchased a couple fat quarters that spoke to me for making a project which was inspired by this book. At that point, I was a few chapters into the book.

By the time that I finished the book, I wanted to focus on another element. The character rides a bike as she solves a mystery. She rides that bike, which she has named, "Gladys," all over the countryside. It made me think of a cartoon where the cartoonist has shown the path a kid has traveled to bring his mother something she requested or the path that he traveled to come home. . .in both cases, the path was far from direct!

Our youngest grand had made a drawing for me months ago. It was simple lines. I decided that I wanted to preserve her work in my art. So I asked permission--it is important to ask the artist for permission to use their original work! She said yes!

Drawing with marker applied over crayon

Doodle outlined with black marker

In February, I took it off the refrigerator and we colored it. Then, I had the idea that I would transfer the design to a piece of fabric.  The transfer didn't work well because we hadn't colored with Crayola brand crayons. So, we filled in the spaces with Crayola brand crayons and ironed it again. The color choices and most of the color placement are all Miss J.  I liked it better; but, it wasn't vibrant enough. I had some fabric markers so I colored over the crayons.

The drawing at this point reminded me of looking down at the countryside while flying over it. I liked the drawing better with the marker applied. I think it needs a little machine embroidery and of course, machine quilting! I'll let it set and talk to me for a bit. It will be interesting to see what results from our conversations!

Mt. Hood Quilt Guild

Dad with his Dad's Star quilt

In July, I joined the Mt. Hood Quilt Guild. This is a group that meets about a 15 minute drive from my house. It can take several hours for me to drive to the Clark County Quilters Guild (CCQ) meetings because the traffic traveling over the bridge from Oregon to Washington backs up easily!

I'm still an active member of CCQ. I joined the guild in 1998! The past couple of years, I've been looking at the time I spend getting to events, board meetings and general meetings.

This year, I'm taking a break for being a board member. I've assisted or led a committee six times in the last five years! (Last year, I headed two committees.)  I have helped at the Featured Artist show in October. I plan to teach a class at Saturday Workshops in February and I plan to help with the quilt show in April so I'm still a "supporting" member! From September through November, the meetings were held at a location that added about another half hour each way to my commute.

To get ahead of the traffic for a 7:00pm general meeting, I leave my house about 2:15 in the afternoon. Plus, in the winter when it is dark and rainy, traveling to the meetings is a chore. I often don't return home until 10:30pm! That is a lot of effort for a 90-120 minute activity! Granted I'm blessed that there are at least four of us that carpool together which makes the journey whiz because we engage in conversations, we shop at a local quilt shop and we have dinner before we attend the social hour that begins at 6pm.

At the Mt. Hood Quilt guild meeting, I was pleasantly surprised to see many people that I already knew! I loved arriving at the meeting and returning home from the meeting in 15 minutes! The program in July was Quilts of Valor (QOV).  The moving part of the program was when we witnessed a QOV presentation.  My dad was a veteran. He was deployed to Korea at the end of the Korean War. I'm sharing the quilt that I made him for his 80th birthday. You can read about his quilt here. I've made blocks for QOV and I've participated with a group in making several extra special quilts for servicemen. I even have a little red, white and blue in my stash to make a QOV on my own.

I missed the next couple of meetings but, next week, our book club will be the program. The plan is to feature some of our work.  I'll be sharing my Mt. Hood quilt, Rue, the hexagon wall hanging IF I can complete it and my Remember Me wall hanging if I don't finish the hexagon wall hanging. I plan to also share the first quilt I made through the book club. We read "The Davinci Code." I think there is room for two quilt guilds in my life! I guess I'd better get back to working on Rue!

Ornament Exchanges

Items for the online ornament exchange

This year, I'm participating in three ornament exchanges which is two more than usual! First, I'm participating in an online ornament exchange. In addition to an ornament, the rules were to include an introductory letter and send a Christmas themed item. We were to mail the item between December 2 and December 4. This is the package that is working its way to Ohio. I'll share what I receive when my package arrives. Miss J, the youngest grand, went shopping with me and helped select the items for the package. I especially liked the box and sentiment!

Butterfly ornament

Second, my neighbor who is also a quilter is hosting a get together in a few days. She wrote in the invitation that homemade, silly and simple ornaments are perfect so one of my butterflies will be wrapped for the ornament exchange. It will be a potluck so I need to be thinking of what kind of dish I'll prepare to share! She says we are going to play a dice game as a way of distributing the ornaments. What a fun way to celebrate friendship during the holiday season!

Folded stars

Third, Quilting Delights has an all club Christmas party complete with an ornament exchange in about a week. Many of the ornaments exchanged are homemade. I enjoy getting a glimpse at so much creativity! I'll be taking one of my folded stars that I made earlier in the year.

A Little Feedback on Mt. Hood

The range of blues that I had in my stash.

In mid-November, Joen Wolfrom taught her Color Play class through our Clark County Quilters (CCQ) guild. Picking fabrics has been the most challenging part of the quilting process for me. The "been there, done that" method, has helped me produce some projects that were more pleasing to my eye. I still wasn't comfortable about choosing fabrics though!

Since her class, I have some confidence that I can make fabric choices that I will be happier with and even more importantly, I can explain why. Joen would share slides of quilts showing examples of various color principles. Then she would share fabric examples of the principles and finally, we went to our class stash and

My class exercise work

made our own example of the principle. A few times, I was right on, sometimes I was a little off and occasionally, I was right on!

As I worked through the class, I had many aha moments about why I had a challenge with this part of that project or why that fabric didn't show up enough in that project. I liked that when we finished an exercise, we put it up on the wall and she critiqued our work. By the end of class, we were critiquing our own work. That critiquing process was priceless to me!

I learned that the fabrics in my stash are mostly tones and that many of my fabrics have too strong a print to be used in a landscape quilt. I don't have enough fabrics of the same color family to produce a graduated change from light to dark. I've too many mediums or darks or lights that are the same intensity. I also learned that it is a challenge to find "pure" and "tinted" fabrics. So, I practiced using toned fabrics from my stash that could read as "pure" or "tinted." This was an invaluable part of the class!

Class work displayed

As part of the class, we were invited to bring in a project of something that didn't work well for us or if we wanted feedback on a project that had us stalled. I brought in Mt. Hood. She asked me what I thought now and I said that I should have made the proportions different as it would have shown better if it were shorter and wider. (She agreed.) I learned that when I listened to her lecture! But, since this was the view from my window, my proportions are what I would see. I can make a change for the next landscape quilt.

Mt. Hood--My View 

I said that my reflection wasn't quite right; but, I didn't know what was off. She said that because the view is straight on, the reflection would be the same size as the actual mountain/tree line. (I hadn't considered the size of the reflection at all!) Later, I saw photos of a mountain and reflection that illustrated that point. She also said that it is easier to work with the reflection when there is a little breeze on the water rather than a calm day because the movement of the water distorts the reflection.

I said that as I looked at more landscape photos with water, I realized that my water was too bright for my sky.  She said that the water should be the same color as the sky and that next to the shoreline, there is often a bit of illumination in that the water is a bit lighter.

She said that my flowers could have extended just a bit past center which would have created a more pleasing look. She thought the flowers added a lot to the piece and she loved the crystals in the water. She also said it was a beautiful piece and I agree. Moving forward, I believe that I can create a more lifelike example. I'm not changing anything on Mt. Hood. I'm continuing to enjoy it as it hangs in my home!

A Little of This and a Little of That

Painting details to a piece

I'm still working on my embroidery project. I have finished making the heavy chain stitch which represents branches on a piece. Mary Corbet, over at NeedlenThread, has a tutorial on this stitch. I enjoy her blog and she shares so much of her craft.

With JoJo's help, I used some of her fabric paints and I did a little more fabric painting.

Then I decided that I needed something a little more on the branches. . .so I am adding another embroidery stitch to the branches. Photos to come!  I sure thought that I would have had this project to the finished stage by the end of this month. . .but, it looks like the finish will come next month!  Well, my fingers are crossed on that guess! I will reveal this project soon. For now, I will report that it has been fun!

I finished the prepped portion of the chicken that I posted about here. I thought that I had three or four more sections to do. In reality, it is one section! I'm preparing the pieces and perhaps tomorrow, I'll be ready to begin stitching the final section!

J liked the scissors best in her package

The grands were gifted some fat eighths of fabric and some scissors. (Thanks again, Marla!) They delighted in unfolding, folding and fondling the fabrics. They loved the little scissors that came with the fabric. We had a treasure hunt to find the gifts which was so much fun for all of us. There were a couple of clues that were hard to find and the girls thought that they needed "help." In the end though, a little perseverance scored them the answer.

I can see we are going to need to make a "kit" for them to store their treasures!

K was partial to the pink print fabrics

Tag team approach to cooking

Their cooking has now progressed to a tag team event. One "measures" and dumps while the other cuts in shortening for biscuits. One gets out the baking pan and cutter while the other stirs the liquid into the dry ingredients. They both cut the dough and Bailey, our dog, cleans the debris off the  floor. It all works!!

They like cooking and they love to eat what they cook. We bake cookies, banana bread, muffins and bread. We make cucumber sandwiches and egg salad sandwiches. We make soups and pancakes. Currently, bunny salads are the favorite recipe. . .I think because the bunny tails are marshmallows! Of course, we must have an extra "tail" on our salad! :)

This week, our bunnies had carrot stick whiskers. Last week, our bunnies had almond ears. It is fun to hear them discuss what "ingredients" they need for their salad! The best part is that they eat every bite!

Bunny salads. . currently,
the favorite recipe!

Sometimes we "see" a recipe that we want to make. If we don't have all the ingredients on hand, we "get" to put it on the shopping list and we will make it the next time. Occasionally, we really "need" to make the recipe that day so we will go to the grocery store to pick up what we need so we can have instant gratification!

Besides cooking, we draw, color, read stories and play a lot of make believe. Mondays and Wednesdays fly by when the Grands are visiting. Bailey loves to play with them. Life is good!

Why Not and What If?

Washed and ready for the cut

The last time I had my hair cut was in October. Karen has been cutting my hair for the past 19 years. Every haircut is terrific. I NEVER have those times when my hair is difficult to control after a cut. Often, I can style my hair with my fingers and by pass the hair dryer!

Karen is truly an artist. I'll describe a cut or I'll say what about this?? She will expand upon my thought. This time I said I wanted to grow my bangs and I asked about an  asymmetrical cut. She shared the photos of what she did.

I love the back. If I decide that I'm tired of the longer side, I would like the other side looking like this!

Finished side and back

Other finished side and back

The other side is nice too.

It is nice to shake things up for a change. I've been stepping outside my "box" with quilting projects this quarter so why not step outside my usual "bob" cut? After all, the youngest grand, J, usually asks, "Why not?" instead of, "Why?" I've been thinking more about why not and what if.  Changing my hairstyle seemed to be in keeping with my thought pattern this quarter.

The grands squealed with delight about my hair cut when they saw me for the first time. A number of people ask why I only got half a hair cut, some people tell me that they would never be brave enough to wear a hair cut like that. Some people don't say anything although, they do give me a quizzical stare!

Finished view

When I left Karen's shop, I felt like a new person.

Sometimes, it is good to make a change and see what kind of creativity happens because of the change.

Thank You Green Fairy Quilts!

This was the shipping package

In January, I received notice that I was a winner in the 2016 4th quarter Finish-A-Long (FAL)!  Anyone can join the 2017 FAL. At the beginning of each quarter, you list what projects you want to finish along with a photo to a specific link. When you finish a project, you post about it. At the end of the quarter, you link those "finish" posts. Last year, I didn't finish much; but, the whole process has helped me to stay on track with progress to the finish.

When I finish my chicken project that I blogged about in a previous post, it will be because the FAL helped me take the steps to pull the project from the bag and work on it!

My prize arrived on Friday.

The contents of the packag

When I contacted Green Fairy Quilts about claiming my prize, I received an immediate e-mail from Judi Madsen's husband, Clint. He let me know that I had a $25 voucher from their site!

It was difficult to make my selection as there is way too much that caught my eye!  I spent a lot of time perusing their website. Last week, I made my decision and sent in my order.

I was sent an e-mail later that day that my order had shipped! WOW!! I didn't have to wait long at all!

When it arrived, I was impressed with how carefully everything was packed. I received a flyer about an upcoming quilt show AND a Green Fairy ink pen. What nice attention to detail. What great service!

Judi's signature on the inside cover page

Judi signed the book!  I'll share the inside cover page with you.

I love what Judi does with a ruler and fillers. I enjoy her blog. She quilts on a longarm; I quilt on a domestic; but, I'm looking forward to savoring her latest book. Who knows, maybe you will see some of her influence in an upcoming project!

Thanks, Green Fairy Quilts for supporting the 2016 FAL!

Valentines and a Tea

Tea time!

Last month, JoJo over at Through My Hands, had a birthday and we went to tea. Of course, I got to wear my red hat that Luann over at Let's Create Today, had sent me. My favorite part of the tea was the lemon curd. I think I'm going to have to make some!

It was a nice day. We even had sunshine which was a welcome departure from the snow and ice the previous week! We talked about our quilt projects so it was a terrific day!










Tuesday is Valentine's Day. This year, the grands and I made our cards. Miss J likes to thread the machine; but, the process doesn't move fast enough to keep her three year old mind engaged. She would rather be hopping and jumping!

Glue stick action.

Miss K is a serious designer. She selects her materials and quickly adheres the materials to her project. At 4 1/2, her glue stick work is better than mine!

I fused some fabrics to some Steam-A-Seam 2 that I have had for years. The fusible disintegrates over time. This has held up well probably because I've stored it in a sealed plastic bag.

Then when either Miss J or Miss K picked what they wanted, it was easy to press it with an iron and it was on the card stock.

The blanket stitch was a favorite.

We made a birthday card too! Once the pieces were fused or glued, then we stitched. We found that binding clips worked well to hold the edge in place. Miss K is still working on steering; but, she did enjoy picking out the thread, the stitch and then completing it!

Although, I learned that I needed to streamline the process because it took us a couple visits to make four cards and Valentines would have come and gone before we could have finished all the cards we wanted to make!

So, the next batch, we glued and talked about the stitching and then I did it!

I gave the designer credit.

Button eyes courtesy of J

This is a card J designed for her daddy.

Flower for Momma

K was particular about this card. I cut several hearts before she had the "right" one to go on the card for her momma!

It took a long time to select the buttons!

Buttons and sparkly trims were favorite materials.



















I wouldn't have thought of using the leftovers from the circle; but, both girls used the leftovers. I like what they did with the parts. How would they know to request a stitched line around the outer edge of the card? It sure added a lot!

I chuckled over the lime green card in the foreground. This is one piece of purple cording and one piece of orange Razzle Dazzle thread. I wouldn't have thought of not being concerned if the thread ran out. I liked how they dealt with the purple end. . .they just added it to a previous section.

Three cards ready for "words."

The blue yarn received a lot of discussion

The grands also had a sleep over so we had some extra time to make cards. I plan to make a few cards to have on hand. This project was sure a fun and different way to use thread, fabrics and trims!

Candy containers

Speaking of hearts, I made a couple candy containers. JoJo sent me the link and they were quick. The grands are going to have a blast finding them!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. May you have a sweet day!

A Super Fun Day--Post 3

One pear

Another pear

The all day Saturday Workshop classes were popular with the members too! Lynn C. taught "The Value of Curves" which provided participants a chance to use value to shade a pear and a chance to use her fusible appliqué technique.

Another pear

Lynn on right providing feedback

The fabrics both for the pear and the background varied which made it so wonderful to see all the different colorations. Every pear was beautiful!

Placing the design

Nancy taught "Needle Turn Appliqué" and for the second year in a row, her class was totally booked. I have since received three requests to offer the class again next year!

Appliqué with needle turn

Carol talking about a paper piecing step

Carol taught "Tea Time Placemats" which used a paper piecing technique of Judy Niemeyer's. She is working through the process to be a certified Judy Niemeyer instructor.

The beginning of the stitching

The first part of the day, participants cut their fabric sections. The last part of the day, they started piecing the sections.

Colleen's Lone Star Magic blocks

Colleen taught "Lone Star Magic" and she used scraps for her sample blocks.

I watched beautiful blocks being made! Colleen said these go together "easily" because there are no Y seams!

Half a block

Three quarters of a block!

Robbie and Lela sharing their totes!

Lela taught the "Fantastic Tote" class using 5 inch squares. At the end of the day, Robbie had a finished tote! She shared with me that she had purchased the squares she used for $2 at the fall stash bazaar!

Jean moving some chairs

 Registrations were a challenge because weather canceled two of our meetings of which one was able to be rescheduled.

Turnout for this event was good. About 100 members participated in the event. It was the first time that we had held the event at this church.

Yes, I was "in charge" of the event; but, I had a lot of help! It took seven of us about 45 minutes to set up the classrooms.  Ten of us took about 45 minutes to return all the classrooms to ready for church services. . .including vacuuming!

Jean's expression was indicative of the day. There were lots of smiles and camaraderie. Participants checked out other classrooms often and new friendships formed. The day was a total success!

I've been chair of the committee for two years so next year, someone else will be the chair. I'll be available to support their efforts any way that I can.