Leaves, Logs, and Rainbows

This one is finished. I made the label last night and will sew it on today. It is from the leftover blocks used in "Home Sweet Hearts" and shows how different a block will look with a different background. I also did the sashing in the same fabric as the background, which makes the blocks look like they are floating. The two on the sides extend over the outside edge, so the binding goes in a little 'hiccup' around them.

When I quilted "Home Sweet Hearts" I tried doing the traditional cross-hatch and not only felt it was messy, but didn't enjoy the process. (I guess it is hard to like making mistakes.) So this one got the kind of quilting that I love - make it up as I go. There are some inconsistencies in leaf/flower sizes, and I'm still not crazy about what I did in the logs, but this was fun and I like it. Double-click for a better look.

Right now, this new one is hanging across shutters folded back so the window is letting light through it and giving a stained glass effect. I can enjoy it from my computer chair and when I walk into the studio. It is 35.5" x 48.5" and has a hanging sleeve.

My main level is still a mess, but most of the new floor is done. Pictures later, after the dust is cleared!

Dusty Reno & Half Crazy quilt

Dust is everywhere. The installers came yesterday, ripped out lino and carpet in kitchen, dining, living, and L-shaped hallway. They have put down a bit of the new flooring, a patch that I have labeled "Hope"!


I'm doing something quite fun along the line of patches. These are out of my scrap drawer labeled "Blue" and are crazy patched onto a 7" very lightweight pellon square. When each was finished, I trimmed to 6 1/2" so will have 6" squares, finished. 

I'm thinking sashing right now, but will have only enough blue to make a row. So I'm now thinking maybe a rainbow that goes around the color wheel. I sorted blue-green fabric last night and have more of it than these darker blues. This is easy and fun and using up even the oddest shapes!

I'm not doing the traditional Crazy Quilt embroidery though, so am going to call the quilt "Half Crazy." 

I've also another PHD finished, but haven't made the label yet on so will take a picture then, and post it soon.

Paint Chip Pony - Finished

Well, nearly finished. This one needs a label. I might not put a sleeve on it, hang it instead with those rings that have a clip on the bottom. This was so much fun to make. Again, a big thank you to Bob Coonts for his inspiration and permission to make quilts based on some of his creative ideas. This is only 14" square. I'm thinking a full-size horse could be a dramatic quilt, but also a challenge!

Trade books?

Does anyone have a copy of 

Strips that Sizzle 

by Margaret Miller 

in really good condition? I would like to trade you. I offer one new copy of either of the following:

Ruth McDowell’s
Design Workshop
or
Jane Sassaman’s
The Quilted Garden
or
Katie Pasquini Masopust’s
Color and Composition 

 

Let me know!

Home Sweet Hearts

Another finish. The name of this quilt is courtesy of Peg at Pieces on My Mind. While some like this, I'm not all that fond of the pattern or the fabrics that I put in it. I tried to quilt it on my HQ 16 with the same freedom that I have on my domestic machines, and was humbled by the results. Sigh. However, all that said, it is done, and it looks better than my grumbling. Best of all, that UFO pile is a little smaller.

Paint Chip Pony

This week I'm working on a "paint chip challenge" given at "Grad Club" at Earthly Goods. Each participant has to find three (or more) colored paint chips that begin with their initials, in my case, EPM. I have one called Midnight Blue. The E's were harder.

Anyway, I started with this horse painted by Robert Coonts. It is much more brilliant at his website! Also, he generously gave me permission to interpret his art as quilts as long as I gave proper credit. This is my first attempt.

I drew my own version, not a lot different from his, but I didn't trace it, and put in another background. I liked his color scheme, so mine is going to be something like it. 

Now I am layering it with fabrics in the colors of my paint chips. I want to paint the eye so that it looks real. The quilt is about 16-18" square. I used to have horses, draw and paint horses, so am hoping that I can quilt it somewhat densely, in lines that work with the contour of the horse and yet make it quiltery. So far, this is what Paint Chip Pony looks like - a bit of a blank stare, but he has some blue fire in his nostrils!

Full size photo of "Just a Tad Over Par"

With the comments on Judy's quilt, I realized my post for my golfing quilt did not have a full view photo. Here it is.

It was in a show, hence the fingers at the top holding it up. I've never take a full photo myself, so this is a scan of the one taken at the show. Remember, par is average in golf. Over par is below average, so the title is a play on words. It is heavily quilted, free-motion. I even put a hot air balloon in the sky. My golfing husband loves this quilt.

The pattern was in a McCalls quilting magazine, 1995 or 1996 and is called "Follow Through" by Cynthia Wheeler. I saved it, but no dates on the pages. Try this link to contact Cynthia. It is not in the McCalls archives.