Unfettered and Postcards

This quilt is applique, 27" x 23" and quilted in the ditch. It started with a photo of an old gate. The fence and everything else in the photo was falling down and ruined, but the gate stood, an image of strength. After several sketches and value studies, I picked colors from two favorite paintings, raided my stash, and this is the result. The gate turned sideways, in spite of the power of the uprightness of the original image. It just looked better this way. I don't know where to hang it, but am enjoying the results. I also learned that if pieces must hang down, they need to be carefully planned.

These are postcards that I made and will be sending one a month to a "secret sibling." Since she doesn't know me, I doubt she will see them on here, so decided to post them. They are 4" x 6" and were lots of fun to make. I've received two from whoever got my name. When I have all six from her, I'll post them. She is doing a holiday theme. They are yummy!

This is a great way to use bits and pieces. I love the sky in the upper right (I put in the birds with a pen) and the rocks in lower right. That one curled up on me for the photo, but it isn't in real life. A friend ran with this idea and is making all her Christmas cards from bits of fabric leftover from last year's gift-giving!

Unfettered progress...

 

This one is now in fabric... and pinned to my design wall. I'm waiting for the Quilt University teacher to say "change this..." or "go for it" and then will sew down the pieces, sandwich and quilt it. I'm planning to put a facing around but there will be three parts that refuse to be inside the box... they are already faced and will be tacked in place last. It is about 22" x 28" - big enough for a fairly simple design. I was dreading trying to do an abstract piece, but this is turning out to be a lot of fun. There are about 30 others in the class and watching what they are doing is very interesting.

Quilt University class

Signing up for a class at Quilt University was likely bad timing for me, but I wanted something small to work on alongside that huge Mariner's Sunset, something that didn't tax my muscles or make them ache. 

However, the class has been a challenge nonetheless. I've not done any sort of abstract art, at least not recently or with gusto. This class has pushed me to give that a try. I selected photos, did the sketches, and came up with this one as my choice for the quilt. It was originally a photo of an old gate. It was still upright and the posts and angles said "strength" to me. Even though the fence was down and the gate no longer had any purpose, it also said, "unfettered" strength. So that is what I am going to call it... even though I tipped it over.

This is my drawing, not the quilt. The fabrics are laid out and ready to cut into shapes and sew. I'll post it when completed. Right now, it is only this drawing and an expanded drawing and a big pile of fabrics in these colors!