Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The Latest AHIQ Stuff Going On Around Here

Just a quick round-up of the latest AHIQ work being done around here. No improv. piecing at the moment as I am mired in hand work. And no, I'm not the least bit upset about it! Chunky Crossroads below is moving on, gaining a border. All the prep work is sooooo tedious, but it is what it is and applique work cannot seem to exist without some effort.
Chunky Crossroads
That interesting border motif was inspired by a 'Mad About Folk Art' book {by Gerry Kimmel}. I found this oldish book in a collectible-type store bargain bin early in the year. Hello! Come to mama! My mind is busily considering whether or not the open leaves need a little addition of color--perhaps a round little flower bud instead of the single fabric print suggested in the book.

Improv. Wheels below is what is left of my improv. pinwheels, straight out of the Sujata Shah book that I can't seem to put down. After all the centers are sewn down, then we will start getting serious about a layout. I'm really hoping to keep the slight vintage feel to the blocks so probably won't get too crazy with the setting.

Improv. Wheels
The Tumbler Big Basket 'centerpiece' is all set, ready to go forward as well. I lumped it in with the other AHIQ projects because of the tumbler block experiment. Such an improv. attitude to take a full sheet of 'piecing' and cut it up! With the basket stitched down now, it just barely needed that little bit of 'framework-type' border to make me happy--set the stage for the rest of the quilt. And yes, it has a lot of open space around that big 'ol basket. Something I can work with later if turns out to be too white and bright!
Big Tumbler Basket
All these smaller baskets will be sewn onto the big basket {top and right sides only}, and are now totally completed. Would you look at that? A couple of them even get an extra pop of applique in the guise of a cheerful little flower. I know. Just can't seem to stop myself....
Little Baskets
Then I'm thinking maybe a long flowy vine thing down the left and bottom of that big basket. Hopefully with some roses and rosebuds too? I keep drawing lots of berries in my vague 'what-if'' drawings, then remember that no, this particular vine seems to need more of a flower shape. Do you ever do that?

The little block below is what I'm testing out for the bottom right corner of the quilt. Sort of a 'title or introduction' block for the quilt. I do love words on a quilt. So yeah, if the vine side of the quilt ends up being slightly wider than the little baskets, the entire quilt will present slightly asymmetrical. If all works out as currently envisioned of course!
Gather Ye Rosebuds block ready to applique
And the Improv. Woven Basket has been left on the wall. Still pondering border ideas so as to make that quilt larger without losing any of the current charm. It's something I worry about because little quilts are not nearly as 'usable' around here. I find myself constantly trying to push all these quilt projects into something more efficient for the long term, because in my world, quilts need to be well appreciated to make this all worthwhile!

So..., lots of applique work in the queue before moving on with any of these projects, but it's usually very intriguing to push through the steps. Right? Gotta love this wonderful process in quilt building: What's next? What works? What color? What shapes does it really need? My mind as always, is constantly working in the background, making those wonderful connections that can {hopefully} lead to a better, more individual, quilt.


21 comments:

  1. I love your improv wheels! They are going to look great in whatever setting you choose. Those baskets too - love them. You are working on so many things as always - sometimes I wonder what is wrong with us quilters that feel the need to work on 5+ things at once!! I don't think I could ever settle back to working on one quilt from start to finish with nothing else going on - I know I did that years and years ago.

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  2. I always enjoy seeing the progress on your projects. I don't think you can go wrong adding a little flower here and there :0)

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  3. I love the shape of that tumbler basket, and all the coordinating baskets too. I also feel more words on quilts in my future -- every new idea has involved some words, somewhere. It all looks great, and I love the mix of techniques!

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  4. you certainly have not be idle while you away! Love reading and seeing what you are up to

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  5. I think I have all the old Red Wagon books. If you like prim style, they are good ones.

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  6. Love all these projects! Your little blue baskets look very pretty with the occasional flower! And I'm looking forward to seeing how you do end up setting those vintage-y improv wheels!

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  7. Audrey me gusta tu cesta vasos
    saludos

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  8. All of this thinking, planning creating is the best kind of brain exercising you can do. Love what you're doing.

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  9. Love those blue baskets with blue backgrounds. And, of course, the lettering on your quote is too fun.

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  10. certainly lots of applique going on here, not a process I have learnt yet!The brder is very different and looks so good and all the baskets so much work there

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  11. Nothing I don't like here. I think I would like a little flower on your border on Chunky Crossroads and still love the colours in that one. Love the little baskets you plan to use with the tumblers basket and it's really interesting to see the different components before you start putting them together. It's exciting to keep track of these improv projects - I can't wait to see their next stages

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  12. You certainly have a lot of irons in the fire these days. Cozy applique work for chilly autumn evenings sounds like a perfect combination. I love the little blue baskets. With a slightly different placement of the elements on the chunky crossroads border, you would have an improv paper-doll chain!

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  13. You always have so much good stuff to share. Since I learned how to knit, my quilting has really taken a back seat. But coming here gets me all pumped up again. I just bought Sujata's book last week. Looks like fun!

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  14. Wow! Everything you posted looks great! I especially like the colors on the Sujata quilt on top. Sometimes brights get out of hand but the mix of green / purple / yellow / grey ia a nice intermediate. I like the folksy border too! cheers!

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  15. Woohoo! The colors in the Chunky Crossroads are so delightful, that border really speaks to me! I love them all. I'm going to go make something totally improv now....

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  16. Love seeing what you are doing with the border on the Crossroads quilt and then oh the baskets are wonderful and the "Gather Ye Rosebuds" idea is amazing. As usual, lot of quilty goodness here! :)

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  17. You are really jumping in to improv, Audrey. So many lovely projects. I like your use of the leftover wheels/pinwheels. My Crossroads are still squares waiting till I finish quilting a bunch of tops. So inspiring to see what you're up to.

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  18. I love the way baskets feature so very often in your quilts. And I love what you're doing inspired from Sujata's book. In fact I always love what you do.

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  19. Every time I love reading your blog and see how projects grow. Thanks for sharing and giving me inspiration. Love the baskets, the big one as well as the smaller ones.
    Many greetings Aurora

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  20. So many fabulous projects on the go!
    I LOVE the improv wheels!

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  21. Beautiful Quilts, Love your Blog and work ! Hugs, Mary

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