My Mountain -- just needs a label

This one is finally finished. It is pieced and raw edge applique, first done on a piece of pellon and then quilted. I bound it with a facing (will post the steps next time) and am very happy with it. It is 36.25" wide and 41.25" high. 

I called it My Mountain because I didn't do much of what the instructor in a landscape class said. For instance, dryer lint for clouds would have not been the right thing on this piece.

The close-ups are a tad blurred (will I ever conquer this camera?), but they show how that floral fabric was cut into bits and combined with batiks and quilting to get the effect of a rock garden. 

I'm really happy that it is done - almost. I'm not saying done until the label is made and on it. The following photo shows why I could not take my photos outside today. In AB we say, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute. This is the fence and some bushes in our back yard. The grass IS GREEN under all that!

Do you EQ?

Some days I just want to play and not cut, sew, stir up my stash, or make another UFO! So I open up Electric Quilt and make a quilt, or two, or ten. 

I bought EQ way back when and upgrade to each new version. EQ6 is really a great program, but now EQ7 is about to be released with even more great features. Their website says: "EQ7 helps develop your creativity. Combine blocks, borders and virtual fabrics, turning your computer screen into a design wall. Print quilt labels, draw original block designs, even import scanned fabric and photos. And no math needed – EQ7 calculates yardage and all pattern sizes & seam allowances." See more here.

The cool news is that Electric Quilt is also offering to sponsor a giveaway on 10 blogs, starting May 3. Whoever is chosen as one of the bloggers can give away a copy of the new software and get a copy for him/herself. I've added my name, and hope to be one of the ten. Have a look at the EQ blog for details and keep coming back in case my blog is picked and you want a free copy too.

Candle Mat finally finished, except for the candle

Why does it take two weeks to get at a simple last step? This paper-pieced mat was finished --- except it needed more quilting on the outside border. I decided holly leaves then procrastinated. 

Finally, after less than 15 minutes, they are on there. I used freezer paper and drew one freehand. Then I cut four, turning a few upside down for variety, ironed the results around the edge, quilted around the templates, added a few 'berries' between the ends of the leaves, then moved the templates to the next spot. So simple. 

The finished mat is 15" and has a label with a binding. It was a class exercise, so I had to write on it by hand, but at least it is legible.

My other project, the large mountain scene, has lots of quilting and is nearly done. I've a few bushes to draw into it, and then will be putting on a facing so it looks more like a painting than a quilt. I found a great method by combining a few online discoveries. I'll post the steps next time. Please don't hold your breath. Life has gotten too hectic to make any promises when that will be!

Candle Mat

Just dropping in so no one thinks I've died... I am still quilting my massive mountain, but in the meantime, took a class (to get out of the house) and made this. It was a pattern for table runner and place mats, but I wanted a mat for a Christmas candle so changed the shape. It isn't quilted yet... but soon. The photo was taken on the carpet and I 'edited' that background out... so the edges are a bit furry. One of these days I'll figure out the right way to use that software! Happy Spring!

My Mountain and giant amaryllis

This is the quilt that is keeping me from starting my next project. It is about 37" wide and 44" high. I'm using my DM and putting lots of quilting on it which my body can only take for short spurts. Progress is slow. Also, my camera is still doing the blurry on some settings, so this picture is sharp, but the color is pretty good. Can you see the basting pins? 

This close-up shows a bit of detail in one part that is finished.

The last picture is one flower my late-blooming amaryllis. Wanda's post reminded me to take a picture. There are two stalks, and the second one has yet to come fully into bloom, but this one has four massive flowers, each more than 7" across. It is totally amazing, considering I did everything wrong caring for it so it would even grow. 

Back to the sewing machine... well, I have to buy groceries first. Life getting in the way of quilting - again!

It only takes a spark...

Thanks for the comments and ideas about what to do with my circular Mariner's Compass. Julie sent me a few ideas, but it was this brief comment in her email that set my brain in motion: "or a setting sun with most of the sky above it filled with quilting..." and at that, I was opening my graphic arts program, importing the photo of this round flimsy, and playing. 

This is what I came up with... and now am so excited to get it made. Of course it will need lots of quilting to define the water, and the colors are not right. I've some fabrics in my stash but may need more... hmm, challenges!

We have a large wall in our walkout that will be perfect for it. The top is 36" in diameter, so this one will be large! Thanks again, Julie, for that spark of an idea!

In a quandry over a circle

These days have been busy with many things, but I am quilting another UFO and it seems to be taking forever. Lots of thread, but I'm liking the results. No photo yet.

So here is a photo of another project. It is from a class and rather ordinary in the choices of colors and fabrics. I want to do something to make it more interesting. I could add beads, or maybe set it in an unusual way. I've sketched all sorts of possibilities, including a sling that holds it suspending like a big ball. This is sitting in my UFO bin because I'm feeling a bit brain-dead about it.

If anyone has any ideas, or links to another way to set a circle besides the ordinary methods, I'd love to see them. Or maybe some sort of addition or color surprise that makes this more snappy. The paper-piecing made the points perfect, but I'm looking for distinctive. Even ideas for off-the-wall ways to quilt it would be helpful. Challenging is okay!