Pencil vs. Mouse

Camellia  21" x 21"

This is one of my newer applique designs and I'm currently working on a pattern for it.  I did machine quilt it and will have a good photo of the finished quilt soon.

I design all of my appliques using paper and pencil.  I do a lot of sketching and keep files of ideas and also collect things I find in nature to use as patterns. Once I've designed a quilt around my appliques, I use graph paper to map out the exact size appliques I will need and then draw them to fit.  Lots of erasing goes on before I'm happy and have what I want.  If I am drawing a symmetrical flower for example, I do one half on graph paper, fold it on the center line, place it on my window and trace the other half.  Perfect!  Sometimes I  use a simple light box.  I have a set of circle templates and a draftsman's compass for making circles big and small. 

I do use my Electric Quilt program to lay out quilts and color them, but I have never used the graphic drawing part of it to draw appliques.  I've been thinking that I should get myself up to speed and be a little more professional with my design work so.....recently, I enrolled in an online quilting class through Quilt University:  (www.quiltuniversity.com).The class is EQ Applique Design and teaches exactly what I need. I started Lesson One over the weekend and became hopelessly stuck trying to draw a heart.  The teacher even sent me a separate video and I still can't do it.  I think there's a problem with the software - yeah right! 

I could have drawn 1,000 hearts by now on my paper - any size, any shape I chose.  Maybe I should stick with what I know and can do.  I'll keep trying though:  I don't want to "drop out" of university!

The rest of my time right now is devoted to preparing a quilt book proposal with the far off hopes of having it published.  The proposal itself is daunting, but I am working my way through it.  

Wholly Moda!

Here is a quilt I made a few years ago entitled "Wholly Moda!"  The Fabric Patch in Ironwood, MI sponsored a Moda fabric quilt challenge contest requiring you to use a pack of Moda neutral background fabrics in your quilt entry.  There were several categories one could choose to enter and I chose "The most Moda fabrics."  From my stash entirely, I used 88 different Moda fabrics, all documented by the Moda logo cut from the selvages of each fabric.  I do love Moda fabric!!

This pattern is "Flowering Vines"  from the book: "Flowering Favorites" from Piece O' Cake Designs.  I pieced the background in the border blocks using the challenge fabric and then appliqued them.

This quilt hangs in my upstairs hallway and always makes me smile.  Oh, and I did win a sewing machine as first place in this contest.  That made me smile big time!

I have completely finished (including sleeve and label) my "Essence of Self" quilt for our applique group challenge.  I can't say another word about it (secret identity), but I am happy with it and will look forward to seeing everyone and their quilts in September at our next meeting.

Also:  "Flower Power" is presently in Colorado where Quilter's Newsletter is creating their own pattern from it, to be featured as a series quilt in their magazine starting this December.  I had just finished creating my own pattern to be self published, but that will be on hold for now.

If you subscribe to Quilting Quarterly (NQA's magazine), my quilt "Woods and Wildflowers" is pictured in the Winner's Gallery in the current issue.

I will have more news to share next time.

Tulips in July?

Aren't they just beautiful?  These are not tulips, but lily pad flowers pulled from Echo Lake.  Yes, it's legal.  Why am I writing about this and not quilts? 

OK, I'll write about my quilt adventures of late. I've been a little stalled getting started on a new quilt;  I have 2 waiting on deck.  But I have been working on my "Essence of Self" project for my applique group.  I can't share a photo as the rules are:  no one sees them before the grand unveiling in September. We will have to guess who is who!  I am machine quilting this small wall hanging and after adding some detail stitching to the applique, I did not like the thread color contrast at all, and so I ripped all those stitches out yesterday.  I sat on the deck and it wasn't so bad - kind of mindless.  Once finished ripping, I took a pedal boat ride down the river, and there were so many wonderful water lilies.  Not tulips.  

My bug quilt (still unnamed) is off to my machine quilter Lisa Arndt - I am attempting to machine quilt small items, but I have sooooo far to go, that one had to go to the pro.

More bugs

But There's a Bug in my Bouquet!

I designed and made this quilt a few years ago.  It measures 89" x 89" and is based on the traditional quilt block "Friendship Bouquet" -hence the title.  I designed the beetles and drangonflies after studying some real insect specimens (dead of course). 

Who really likes insects anyway?  Right now in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, deer flies and mosquitoes are rampant and especially annoying.  But if you look at an insect in detail, it can be beautiful with amazing detail and symmetry, some with beautiful colors.  They all have a purpose of some sort.  Now don't get me wrong here; I'll swat and squash the buggers when they bug me!

Right now this quilt is on display with several of my other quilts at the Fabric Patch in Ironwood, Michigan - one of my all time favorite quilt shops. 

And you may recognize these bug designs. I liked them so much I used them again in a recently finished quilt.

Wings or petals?

Summer time and it's hot here in quilt world.  This old house does not have air conditioning, but there is always a lake breeze blowing to keep things tolerable - and it really cools off at night.  It seems I have been away from my quilts for months!  I am outside most of the time now. My bug quilt top though is finished (still have to name it) and I added the borders.  The final detail, 3 petals --or are they wings ---was added.  Now it's ready for quilting.

Leo and Lily cool off

Recogition award

Woods and Wildflowers

Woods and Wildflowers was just returned to me from the National Quilt Association show in Columbus, Ohio.  I was surprised to receive the Judge's Recognition award.  It was selected by one of the 3 judges as one of her two favorite quilts.   An honor;  I really respect and admire certified quilt show judges knowing the amount of education required to be certified and what a huge job it is to judge all the beautiful quilts at a major show like this one.

All the winners photos will be posted soon on their website:

www.nqaquilts.org/2011show/

While you're on the website, notice that the header is my quilt Flower Power's border! 

Summer solstice

 Show Me a Summer Day in Missouri

Yesterday June 21 was of course, the summer solstice.  It was hard to celebrate based on the weather we've been having in the Northwoods.  But I remembered another summer when I spent a week at my sister Ellen's home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  It was late August, and oh my was it summer!  Hot and humid; everything lush and green, cicadas and tree frogs yelling all night.  I just loved it!  I collected leaves from trees different from our  northern Wisconsin trees:  sassafras, sweet gum, pin oak - and when I returned home I designed this quilt around these leaves.

******

So, the rainy, cloudy, cool weather we've been having has forced me back into my sewing room (not a bad thing).  Today I finally morphed the border of my bug quilt and I'm appliqueing the border "swooshes" today.  I got the border idea from a traditional appliqued quilt, made in 1852. I have more details to add to the border where the inner points of the swooshes meet and at the corners - then, it may really be done!

Quilt world

Here I am in my lovely sewing room with the windows open and a breeze coming in from the lake.  How lucky can I be? I've spent many hours outdoors doing yard work lately and have been totally exhausted at the end of the day.  Now that everything is green growing, it seems well worth the efforts.

I still manage to work on projects here in quilt world, though in shorter bursts.  The photo above is our applique group's new project.  It will be donated to the Mercer Library when finished.  I designed this quilt using my Electric quilt software.  The appliques are set on a black pin dot, tone on tone  fabric which everyone loves - purchased at the Quilt Cottage.  We all brought piles of fabrics to chose from for our individual blocks - each of us will applique one block. 

Another work in progress is this quilt of glowing dragonflies and beetles - the blocks pieced together and pinned to my wall are looking at me asking:  What will my borders be??  I have some ideas, but that's it so far.  I really like the way it's turned out so far and am excited to do the borders.

Last week, with a wonderful discount coupon at the Fabric Patch I purchased fabrics (in addition to my stash) to use for my Shore Birds quilt - the design I want to do popped in my head the other morning on my walk.  Have to get out the big graph paper, and sharpen my pencils.

Quilt delivered

This quilt was created by our applique group at Your Arts Program.  After our show last weekend where it was displayed, I shipped it to the Alzheimer's study project.  

I received a very nice thanks from the project coordinator saying it was one of the most beautiful quilts they have received.  It will be donated to a study volunteer and should be a welcome gift.  We were happy to be able to create and donate something for a very worthy cause.

On to our next project:  details soon!

A rainy day

I've decided the binding will stay after all, and now I like it.  After seeing this quilt hang at the Your Arts exhibit in a different light, the binding looked much better to me.

I sure did not want to rip off the old binding and replace it anyway.  Binding is very time consuming since it sewn on by machine, then tacked on by hand to the back of the quilt. 

Right now, I need to start designing my self portrait quilt.  I will not be able to share any of my progress as this is a challenge project for our applique group at Your Arts and one of our "rules" is that we not discuss or show our work with each other.  The unveiling of these quilts will most likely be at  Manitowish Waters Colorama the weekend of September 24.  

I've finished the applique on all my glowbugs quilt blocks.  Now I need to assemble the quilt, design and applique the border!!  A rainy day today is just the thing I need.

Applique Show

This past weekend, Your Arts Program held a wonderful show to allow our applique group to display our work.  Director Frances Whitfield did an amazing job presenting our quilts - not an easy task especially with my big quilts.

Woods and Wildflowers made it's debut showing.  Suspended from the ceiling,the expert machine quilting by Lisa Arndt showed nicely on the back of the quilt. One friend commented that he liked the back better than the front! 

Oh, and the gentleman in the photo with me is Steve my husband.  He made his first appearance at one of my shows.  He was duly impressed.

Birds are ready to fly

Kiwi and Tara-iti

I have finished my New Zealand birds quilt, officially titled:  "Kiwi and Tara-iti".  And this means I have added my label to the back, a hanging sleeve and the binding.  I used a contrast binding fabric matching that tiny piping in the border and now I'm not sure if I like the binding or not.  I have to look at it for a while - if it still bothers me later on, I would have to take it apart and redo it!  Horrors!  It's looking better and better every minute.

Close up of controversial binding

If you can zoom in, you will be able to see the expert machine quilting - done by Lisa Arndt.  Note the details she did on each bird.  Just beautiful.

This quilt will be on display at the Your Arts Gallery Applique show May 14 and 15.  Check the website for directions and details:
www.yourartsprogram.org

The Show Must Go On

Flower Power wins third place

I enter and attend lots of quilt shows, but the annual American Quilter's Society show held in Paducah, Ky is my favorite.  I spend the week at my sister's home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri - a short 80 miles away and we go to the show together.  


This year was my 8th show to attend.  I've entered a total of 6 quilts, 4 of them juried into the show, and this year I actually won an award:  third place in my category.  So, that was a thril to say the least.  


But, another part of the story is that the show was almost canceled this year.  

Shortly after having the entire quilt display had been set up, the city of Paducah informed the AQS people that they would have to vacate the Expo and Convention centers due to the rising Mississippi river and threat of flooding.  


The AQS "rose" to the occasion, found other sites for the displays and vendors and the show went on without a hitch.... well, at least from my perspective.


It was actually a wonderful show this year.  We enjoyed going to the different sites and overall the variety and quality of the quilts was outstanding.  

I won't soon forget my award, and will never forget this year's show and the determination and positive attitude of the AQS.

Firefles and Glowing Beatles

I just finished preparing these nine blocks for applique. I had designed these nine bugs for another quilt, but now I had visions of using them again in a new quilt.  Here they actually represent flowers in a traditional looking wreath applique block.  



Here's the first block, before adding flowers and leaves.

 If I add a red flower applique where the blocks meet, a new design emerges.  I don't know yet;  that empty space may look best with a neat quilting design.  

Now, on to the borders. 

Artist unidentified

I am reading, studying and marveling over this book:  "Quilts:  Masterworks form the American Folk Art Museum". 

A quote from the book's intro:

'Each quilt tells a story about its maker and her community;  seen together, these textiles paint a broad picture of the development of a national character and uncover the hidden history of women's contribution to art.' 

What really struck me looking through these quilts was that many of them are labeled "Artist unidentified." The year can always be estimated based on the design, pattern and fabrics, but isn't it amazing and sad that the quilt maker is not always known.? Some of them date back to the 1700's. 


Just imagine creating a work of art that lives on 300 years later. So,don't forget those labels and documentation I talked about last week!  

And don't forget to support your local library.  I was able to borrow this wonderful book through our wonderful Mercer library.

Applique Arts Group

Another great applique group meeting tonight at Your Arts Program.  The photos speak for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toots Kellett displays all 13 finished Flower Power blocks;  each one is unique, bright and colorful.

Wendy Osberg designed, appliqued and machine quilted this Loon bag.

 Jane Nicholson dropped by to say Hi and check up on us.

 Liz Sykes is hand appliqueing her original design:  Hot air balloons viewed "from above."

Photo Finish

The sun came out, the wind died down and I  finally caught a photo of the totally finished "Woods and Wildflowers."  I would say though that it needs to be seen close up to catch all the details.  Ahhh, now on to something else.

Finished Circle of Life block close up

 

Label me

Do you label all your quilts when finished?  I didn't always do this, but I do now.  I just finished binding 'Woods and Wildflowers', I attached the hanging sleeve and have sewn on the label pictured.  Even if you never enter a show, you should label your quilts - your name, address, phone number, the quilt title and year completed.  This label is a bit large, but I wanted to be able to SEE it and read it.  I've added the titles of each of the blocks along with all the other required info.  I used EQ's inkjet fabric sheets to make this label. 


Do you photograph all your quilts when finished?  I have always done this and have kept scrapbooks of the photos with the quilt description and special ntoes about each one.

More recent quilts each have their own file since I keep records of shows, awards and patterns I've drafted.

 

 

 

 

Stunning

 After spending a  long weekend earlier this month in Minneapolis puppy sitting for Fern, (my daughter and son-in-law's lively wonderful Golden Doodle), then a week in Mexico Beach, Florida, I'm back to reality and my quilt world.  


What a great thrill to hear that "Woods and Wildflowers" was quilted and ready to be picked up.  I had to race to the Quilt Cottage in Hazelhurst this morning because I couldn't wait to see it.  Lisa Arndt, Creative Quilting has done an outstanding job with her machine quilting.  I chose the feather design, but from there she was on her own, adding wonderful applique outline and detail stitching, micro stippling and pebbling in the backgrounds.  The photo is just a sampling.  When seen as a whole it is stunning.  As they always say:  "quilting makes the quilt."


I will apply the binding and take photos this weekend.  My plan is to enter it immediately in the National Quilting Association's show in Columbus Ohio.  Deadline for entry:  April 29.  Get to work!

I did love the colors of these Florida shore birds:  black and gray with dark red beaks.  I thought there could be a quilt here with other beautiful colors of the sand,sea shells and the gulf waters..... 

Shore birds (photo courtesy of Katy Zillmer)

Flower Power to go to Paducah show

Flower Power has been accepted into the 2011 American Quilter's Society quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky.  The show is April 27 through 30 and it is my favorite show to attend.  It's always a surprise and an honor to  have one of my quilts shown among all the beauties from all over the world.  I don't aspire to win, but then again of course I do or I wouldn't enter. 

It's especially fun to attend the show each year with my sister Ellen who lives about 80 miles from Paducah.  I spend that week at her house each year.  This year, I'm also taking a machine quilting class, something I've always wanted to do, but just never got around to signing up.  Can't wait!!

Pizza Quilt?

The other day, Steve told me that every time he saw this quilt on my machine, he thought it was a pizza.  You can tell who loves pizza.  

He said: "Why don't you make a pizza quilt?"  I replied, OK, what would you like on it?  "Cheese, sausage, mushrooms and onions!  And... pepperoni!"  

What size would you like?   "King size" ... of course.

Well, my little camellia wall hanging is finished.  I machine quilted it and I like my finished results!  It's no pizza, but then, what is?

Spring air

Hello from the Northwoods!

I went out for my morning walk pretty early today.  The sky was still gray;  it was misty and quiet and very mild.   I realized how nice my footsteps sounded in the soft snow.  And if I stopped and listened, except for a few birds chirping it was totally still.  Lovely.  

This time of year, everyone has either fled the northwoods for somewhere warmer or is desparately seeking spring in one way or another.  But, I love a day like this for what it is.  Why think about another day or season or what else might be?  


I've started a new quilt with a sample block shown.  There will be nine different blocks with golden bugs, beetles and dragonflies set on a black background:    My design is based a traditional applique wreath block using the bugs as flowers.  The rest of the block will be built around the bugs;  more flowers, leaves, stems etc but will look whimsical and not really  traditional at all.

  I guess maybe I am thinking of spring after all, creating another bug quilt....