A Lengthy Post About Summer Finishes and Other Stuff

Okay, wow! This is exhausting trying to learn a new photo editing program. I'm not very good with new techy stuff at all. Or change. In fact, I think this is probably going to be a new chapter in my life all the way around. The new normal is well, just a bit different. My family keeps urging me to continue on with my quilty blogging in spite of the fact that I feel it can't possibly be done 'right' these days.

Some new finishes..

So I'm going to try and lower my expectations, just blog when I can. Not worry about how consistent I am or who might be disappointed. If I disappear for two {or three} weeks then that's just my present life--c'est la vie! Maybe there'll be times I can surprise us all and get in a couple posts a week too. 

Low Volume Scrappiness

Or maybe I'll combine several posts into one, like today. Three finishes this summer! Wowsers. And I thought there was little to no quilting going on. But here they are. The scrappy 'make-piece' quilt was a fast one. Relatively. The quilt top was finished a couple years ago, but the sandwiching and machine quilting only took a couple days. The blocks were all  made strictly out of my scrap bin in a low volume experiment. Then I was scratching my head trying to figure out what to do with them. Aha! Put more color with them obviously! And I adore the country, happy look to my quilt. The organic straight line quilting looked better towards the end of the quilting than the beginning. For the first little while I was gritting my teeth and feeling positive I had made a huge mistake. Thankfully it worked to the good and I'm happy as can be about the end result.

Very snuggable, huggable and lovable....

And I'm just thrilled to have my own bow-tie quilt finally all completed and being put to use. You remember all that was left to finishing this one was the binding? This Bow-ties quilt is all hand pieced quilt block and then machine sewn into rows. Sacrilege to the earnest hand piecers but it's what made sense to me at the time and I don't regret it. Here's my original inspiration for those who have chided me lately about not giving credit where credit is due. As if any quilters anywhere {no matter how famous or art school learned they are} ever truly come up with brand new ideas without years of quilty influence. Seriously folks, we don't have to defend their precious creativity. It really should be able to speak for itself if it's truly original! And most of us homegrown quilters do link back quite a lot actually....

The Bow-Tie quilt is done!!!

I did see some bad hand piecing areas when I was doing the hand quilting tho. At first I thought to fix them as I went and then decided, no. Not necessary. This is the first hand pieced quilt I've ever made. and I'm gonna love it, mistakes and all. Besides, working on this quilt helped give me the confidence to make....

Hand quilting texture is the best....

This quilt--my Cactus Basket quilt. I would never have had the courage to sew so many of those diamond shape pieces before the bow-tie quilt. Once I figured out how much simpler some piecing is with hand piecing, well, I was raring to play with a long loved block.

The Cactus Basket Quilt

Learning, growing and trusting in our desire to create takes us many places in quilting. I was able to finish this one quickly even with the chaos in my life because, drumroll.... I first machine quilted in the ditch to stabilize it! Yep, I'm learning to ask first if it's even possible. Honestly I'm not terribly thrilled about the details of where the 'in-the-ditch' stitching meandered out of the ditch, but it's just what it is. This folksy quilt feels so very 'me' regardless. Sometimes I get away from those quilty elements that speak the loudest to {and of} me in my pursuit of something I can't even properly name. Taking this blogging {and piecing} break has given me a much needed new perspective once again.

Loving the lollipop flowers so much.....

It's actually quite refreshing to come back and look through the different quilty projects in all their odd stages. What was I doing here or there? Do I still like it? Does it feel important. Worthy? Will I love it even after it's finished? Am I excited by it or possibly challenged? That can be enough sometimes.

Finally believing --If I can see it, it can be made.....

This break has been good for me in a lot of ways. I'm sure things will be different from here on out, but hopefully not in a negative way. No quilt shows this summer, not a one. I'm still a process quilter at heart and I want to focus more on the in's and out's of  how it all comes together--sometimes magically and sometimes not so much. Working with color and fabric really makes my world a happier place. How about you?

Another Finish for 2015

Another finish for 2015! I had this quilt done in time to enter an application for the Primitive Quilts and Projects quilt show in Texas later this year. Alas, it did not get accepted. Apparently I'm not primitive enough, nor modern enough, honestly traditional or really, anything you can put a label on. Oh well. I do love my quilting and am quite happy with whatever it is that I do!

X's and O's--the LV log cabin quilt

And this quilt was enormously fun to make. It flowed from the very start in a constant stream of 'what if's'. Nothing about it ever seemed to be those major risk taking types of  'oh no! I could be ruining my quilt right now' decisions. You know the ones--they that cause us to chew on on fingernails until we can see positively that it was the right and good decision.

Looking at the stitching

The color isn't just right in these pictures {a little too much sun and not enough time to do it up properly} but I think you can see the bit of whimsy I added to my quilt. It makes me smile, these busy, busy birds. I love the big stitch quilting too as it adds to the primitive, antique, perhaps vintage look. And those floral fabrics I added.... swoon....  I really need to get in the habit of buying more of them.

The scalloped border probably seems a bit odd to some persons as it sort of blends into the large floral fabric, but it was one of those ideas. I really had no choice because it just had to happen. Yep, and I love the way the color in the big flowers adds unexpected energy around the outside of the quilt. And in such a 'formal' setting too! So interesting to me for some reason. Because of the whimsy? The unexpectedness?

My busy birds

I do so love those quilts that make people question 'what was the quilter thinking, anyway?' So happy to add my quilting to that part of history!

And the quilt below is my second entry, finished sometime last year. I've always thought it had a slightly primitive vibe even if the color isn't quite true to the genre. I don't regret trying at all.

The red and blue 'My Tree' quilt

Oh well. On to the rest of my week which is crazy busy. You probably won't be hearing from me until sometime next week as I have a funeral and a wedding to attend and all the family that is coming into town to take care of, feed, and keep stocked with clean towels. Some day soon I will have more time to quilt. Some day soon I will have more time to quilt. Some day soon I will have more time to quilt.......

Sometimes It Just Flows....

So who cares about square? I decided to sew the log cabin blocks together into rows, just centering the seams block to block as I went.

Sewing the log cabin blocks together

As I sewed each row of blocks, I would add an extra fabric strip either at the front or the back of the row to help match the rows up in length. Then when it was time to sew the rows together, I smoothed out the extra bits of fabric overlap {in areas where blocks were longer than others} by cutting a very slight curve in the row where the longer blocks nestled up to the shorter blocks. The important thing is just to make sure that everything lies completely flat before you start cutting. {Yes, it truly was flat when I started cutting....}

Cutting the rows so they nestle together well...

This resulted in the log cabin blocks having a more free appearance, especially as the vertical lines {that naturally appear as you set rows of blocks together} sort of disappear. Love that! At that point I just folded the quilt top in half and cut fairly straight sides. Then I did it again vertically. My quilt is not 100% square, but it's relatively square and I'm 100% good with that.*wink

I played with the idea of adding some applique. How could I not?

Thinking about some applique work...

Then I played with the idea of adding some borders. In my opinion, it needs both! But then, you probably know by now that I'm a die hard applique fan and also, that very few of my quilts have ever made it to the finished stage without a border. Or two?

Pondering a border...

Yeah, lets go with two this time. I made up my mind that the inner border needs to be scalloped. The whimsy of it really appeals to me, especially with these subdued colors. It's like the little brown hen who in a close up has the glossiest feathers in the flock!

I like to cut my scallop borders out of freezer paper, making them the exact length of the border. Then I figure out the width of each scallop, find a template or shape to use as a guide and get going. It really doesn't matter if the scallops on two borders are slighter wider than the scallops on the other two borders. Well, in my world it doesn't matter. Maybe in yours?  I think the eye is easily pleased with the symmetry after it's all appliqued together and doesn't even notice slight discrepancies. Anyway, using a pencil is very much preferred as I often have to erase and restart in an effort to get the scallops {relatively} evenly positioned.

Getting the scallops all figured out...

Before I actually cut the scallops, I sew the two borders together with a slightly less than 1/4" seam. If you notice, I draw a line at the bottom of the paper to indicate the lowest possible point of the deep curve. This is to ensure that there is plenty of room for seam allowance both for sewing the border on, and also for turning under the seam on the scallops. It's the line that saves my sanity!

Measure, measure, sew.

Having the scallops cut out of freezer paper also means that when I'm ready, the pre-marked scallops can be ironed right onto the proper border. I haven't done that yet  here {just checking to make sure the length was correct}, but after it's ironed on, I either mark the scallops or just start cutting with the paper still on. Whichever, both--it all works! The important thing is to remember to only cut through the top border fabric and not both. lol

Check, check, checking....

And before I forget, look what came in the mail for me! A lovely package from Rachael at Blue Mountain Daisy. Towards the end of December I won her giveaway of a copy of Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine!

Very sweet package!!

Looky, looky what I get to see in wonderful pictures! Rachael's beautiful 'Happy As A Clam' quilt. Such a happy quilt. I love all the little details. Thank you Rachael for a very interesting read this week!

Very fun read!

And now it's time to get back to the bookwork that I'm drowning in these days. I really, really dread the end of January for exactly this reason....

Playing With the Log Cabin Blocks

I don't know what there is about this quilt that just keeps drawing me in. Lately it's somehow become my 'go-to' project for those extra minutes in the quilt room. 'Oh I know, I'll just sew up a couple more log cabin blocks!' And now there are 42 blocks in all.

Log Cabin blocks on the wall

The colors are very muted and low key, but the difference in prints is just delightful. Very intriguing to this weirdly wired brain of mine! I love working with the light pinks and the more blocks I make, the more pink I add. It's completely out of my control, I assure you.

With potential strippy setting

Originally I had big plans.  My thoughts were to make about four long strips of log cabin blocks intermixed with strips of that gorgeous floral panel fabric I won from Barb awhile back. When I only had 20 blocks it seemed like a good plan. I liked it.

A topsy turvy look

But then I made more blocks. Hey, there was plenty more strips already cut out. Why waste fabric? I threw them down on top of the panel fabric one day all topsy turvy and sucked in my breath. Oooh. Maybe that was what really needed to happen.

Topsy turvy, but smushed together
{My personal favorite}

But then Tidy Tilda got ahold of me and I started arranging them in {sort of} neater rows. Hmmm... That was even better. But made my head hurt trying to figure out how to get it all worked out properly without losing too much fabric bits.

And anther potential setting...

I played with a couple other ideas and then I stacked it all up and put it away. So many ideas to ponder. And... the kicker is, because I was originally going to do rows of blocks, the blocks are not what you would call square. Each log cabin block is at least 9 1/2" in width, but the length is anywhere from 9 1/8" to 10 1/2". Yikes! To square up or not to square up--that is the question! Lots to think about, isn't there? So much fun. It really doesn't have to be shiny new quilt patterns or the newest fabrics to get us all fired up. Just quilting what we love.....

New Log Cabin Blocks

I've slowly cut strips from the stack of low volume prints until I had enough to do something with. It took me awhile to get in the mood to start sewing though, mostly because the charm of these particular fabrics is very, very subtle. Working on the crumb blocks helped a lot, allowing me to see wonderful texture from combining unexpected prints together into a whole. We really shouldn't underestimate the ripple effects simply caused from playing!

My fabric strips

After thinking through different ideas about how to use these fabrics together, I decided on making log cabin blocks. I used to get stuck on the idea that difficult or complicated blocks made for better quilts, but more and more, I'm trying for simplicity {whatever that may be} in order to let the fabric, prints and/or color combination speak 'louder'.

 I cut the low volume strips into random widths from 3/4" to about 3", usually with a mix of several widths per fabric. I wanted the different strips widths so that I could more easily create a 'free' looking block, but I did use a ruler {and the straight of the grain} so I didn't have to worry about weird bias stretching. The fabrics may be quiet and subtle, but they can still have character. Mixing different widths seems like a super easy way to achieve this.

Starting the log cabin blocks

Starting with a set of five, {working in a chain piecing manner}, I made the first log cabin blocks. I sewed the lengths together, ironed them open and then trimmed at the end. Rinse and repeat around the center square. They don't look like much in the picture, but let me tell you, I am very excited to see them come together! The part between envisioning a quilt in my head and then trying to make it happen is often very difficult. Those wispy ideas seem very mercurial and uncertain when in reality, I need to remember that those ideas are just the spark. It's the place where I get started is all. And how many years did it take me to figure that out?*wink

The first 5 blocks on the wall....

Onto the next set of log cabin blocks! I will keep adding strips of fabric until they are approximately 9 1/2" square. Right now I am tentatively planning on making at least 32 blocks. Depending on how I end up setting them though, the number might increase to 40 or more. I like to keep my options open and um... free wheeling? This quilt is much more serious to me than the crumb blocks, but really, it's just a different kind of play.

Starting a new set

And why not? That's the best part about quilting for me, never quite knowing where I'll end up. Every now and then I actually get a result that feels rather brilliant and then all the frustration and agony of making the next decision feels totally worthwhile. When I get bogged down with indecision... well, then I just go play with something like the crumb blocks! Something that feels very no-pressure to me because honestly, I don't much care about the end result. Of course I'll be thrilled if it turns out to be really cool, but if not? What have I really lost? A bit of time and a handful of scraps from the scrap bin!

Crumb Blocks play

And yes, I did end up sewing the little strip of orangey-yellow into the crumb blocks after all. I really like the energy it adds to the quilt, that little unexpected bit of zest. Hmm... I think it's time to leave this on the wall and let it simmer for awhile. There are other, more important, projects beckoning right now!

Not Much to Show For a Weeks Work

It's been a quiet end of the week here with the quilty stuff.  Pretty much all that's gone on is a little bit of time spent appliqueing these wobbly circles to the background fabric.

A little bit of hand work on Low Volume #2

Totally enjoying the low key fabrics mixed with the shirting type print background though!  Amazing how different fabrics can affect our moods isn't it?

Although most of my fabric starts out nicely folded in the storage totes, it usually ends up being stuffed, crammed and jammed back into them right after I go on a mad digging binge for fabric. Which means that I do have to iron my fabrics before I cut them out.  Everybody has their methods.  I'm not really a steam or starch person, so although I do actually use an iron and occasionally even a spritz of water, it's not terribly unusual to see creases while I work even though the fabric is perfectly flat.  The thing is, it always seems to quilt out in the end.*wink

Finding Time to Hand Quilt and Prep on Low Volume #2

Hand quilting is almost always a slow process around here.  It is my absolute favorite late evening sit-on-the-couch-and-unwind-from-the-day method of relaxation.  With kids and a busy life, I must say though, that there are lots of evenings the poor quilt never even makes it out of the bag.

Hand quilting

For the last two years or so I have had a general goal of completing one hand quilting project every two months.  It doesn't always happen, but since my drawers are overflowing with quilt tops, this sort of keeps me on track to at least occasionally celebrate a 'real' finish.*wink

Progress on Vintage Reproduction

I'm trying to keep the hand quilting on this quilt relaxed and fairly organic.  I did mark the straight line on the green fabric, but otherwise, there has been no other marking on this quilt so far.

So much loveliness!

It's amazing how much can be accomplished in a couple hours here and there until eventually the entire quilt is done.  Again, it is a SLOW process, but I think the rewards are well worth it for me.  Our life has been very stressful the last couple years with all of our financial difficulties and hand quilting is incredibly soothing and calming.  A few stitches in and out and I am usually well on my way to a better frame of mind.

Inspiration pic

I dug around the other day and finally came up with my original inspiration picture.  It was a 'no-name' antique quilt published in Quiltmania magazine several years ago, but I can't find the date on the front or back of the page. Funnily enough, I just discovered the same picture on Pinterest early this week, so apparently it's making it's way around there right now too!  You can see I took the liberty to change a few things, but the integrity of the quilt is still the same. Oh how I wish I could see the original!

Low Volume #2 circle prep.

On another note, I started in on the initial prep work for my Low Volume #2 quilt.  (Yes, I am entranced with circles right about now.)

Cutting circles freehand...

I cut them out ala 'Country Threads' in all their freehand beauty.  I'm enjoying the results from my drunkards path project, but I really want these circles to have an older, less contemporary, appliqued look.

Not so perfect looking...

Some of the circles haven't turned out so pretty, but I want that too.  Some people can't handle the look and that's okay. Personally, I find it rather charming.  lol

Low Volume #2 and More Work on the Vertical Basket Quilt

I couldn't resist any longer.  Just had to get started on my next Low Volume project!  These are the first cuts I'm going to play with and see what happens next.  I didn't get very far though because the Vertical Basket Quilt has been weighing very heavily on my conscience lately.  There's actually very little left to do!

Low Volume #2

I had so many side setting triangles left that I just ended up using them for the corner setting triangles too.  Fold in half and slice with the rotary cutter!  Easy peasy.  I know that's not proper 'straight of the grain', but I just can't see wasting fabric when I know all I have to do is be careful and pin a lot.

Corner setting triangles on Vertical Basket panels

I very carefully cut my brown fabric strips so that the same part of the pattern is showing through the width cut.  It probably seems ironic to do that when my baskets are definitely not perfect, but that's the beauty of quilting!  My motto is: It's important to learn how to do things correctly so that you fully understand where you might end up if perhaps you choose not to.*wink

Sewing the panels together

After all the baskets panels were sewn to the inside brown strips, I checked to make sure that I was still okay with the width of the brown fabric strips.  At first I was worried they were too wide in proportion to the baskets, but after I stepped back and looked?  I like it.  I really, really like it!  I think if I cut off more of the width, then I would be losing the cable effect that is acting as a great design element.

Vertical Basket Quilt without borders

I know I mentioned in an earlier post that this quilt was initially inspired by the brown French General fabric that I bought for my birthday a couple years ago. The funny thing was, about a year after my original purchase I discovered it in the bargain bin and then of course felt compelled to buy another couple yards. You know, just in case!  Sometimes my impulses do over-ride my innate frugal streak which in this case made it much easier to settle on a kind of Kaye England look (something I always associate with fussy cut strips).

Looking at it with borders....

Since I haven't actually followed a pattern, I guess it should come as no surprise that simply adding the brown strips to the outside doesn't seem to do it for me. That would be way too easy.  I love how the basket panels 'pop', but right now I'm thinking about adding a coping strip of accent color to frame the main part of the quilt?

With coping strip border and outer border...

Except for the brown fabric, every other fabric I used was straight out of my totes.  Wouldn't it be nice if I could find something for the accent border right out of my totes too?

Just Can't Resist Baskets

After playing around with different settings for these baskets, I went back to my original plan.  I already had the brown fabric from a birthday shopping trip a couple years ago that I've been wanting to use forever.  It seems like a fabric that requires a more formal setting, but maybe that's just me?

Vertical basket project

The other setting that almost made me change everything I had planned out was the one below.  Hmmm... So very interesting.  Of course I love baskets in almost any color or setting so I can always see numerous possibilities.  I played with the different settings so much I actually gave myself a headache.  lol

Another setting to play with....

Then I went back to my Low Volume quilt because really, it was so close to a finish, how could I ignore it for much longer?  I'm really happy with the end result--how old fashioned it looks yet, not old fashioned all at the same time.  I know.  I'm confusing myself.

A completed quilt top (maybe!)

I am going to fold it up and put it away with my other completed quilt tops for now.  There is always the possibility that I will add another border onto it and play with it some more on another day, but for now I'm satisfied with what is done.  I really thought I'd at least add on enough hst's to edge the two sides that don't have them, but it didn't look right to me when I auditioned them.  So--enough is enough.  Moving on.

Low volume with just a little extra.

Playing with the basket settings made me want to rush upstairs and start working on other basket blocks, so of course I did.  No impulse control at all!  I had bought a third of a yard of some interesting fabric the other day when my mother dragged me into a quilt store against my will.  Funny how the colors are the exact colors I see when I look outside the window in my quilting room.

Getting derailed.....

So far it's looking quite different from my current ongoing projects, but it's definitely holding my interest.  I'm thinking this will end up as a medallion quilt.  Hope the baskets will succeed in holding the center down.*wink

Hmm...  Who can resist these baskets?