My local guild, Redwood Empire Quilter's Guild, has an annual Basket Auction. This year I decided to do a theme: Fun in the Sun.
Here's the Basket - then a picture of the small quiltHere's the basket - then the small quilt.
Misc
Here we go...to Las Vegas -October 18-20 Presented by Las Vegas Quilters
Classes check it out
Mosaic Piecing - Forest
Mosaic Piecing & Applique - Let Your Light Shine
Beginning Landscapes--Mountain View
Thread Motifs--Leaves and Flowers, Trees
I did it! I finished the Morning Star Bed Quilt!! finally. This is a quilt which has been worked on in small little bits of time for several years. The first recorded date I have on it is when I scanned the sketch into my computer in March of 2011. I would get all enthused and try to finish it only to put it away and work on something else. I began to think that it would never get done --but finally--complete--accomplished--yipee. I'll show the sketch and a couple of other shots, along with the completed quilt.
When I do a quilt from this type of sketch, I have to invent the pattern as I go. This one was built around a center, so that's where I started. As you can see the finished quilt is a bit different from the original sketch, but that's just how it goes as I quilt. - need I say, I'm glad it's done!
Why do I quilt? Gifts of the Father
I've been in a challenge #CreativePassiontoProfit and one of the questions is "Why?"
Thinking back to my early childhood, I always felt sort of "arty". gifted by God, priviledged to be able to sketch, etc. My Mom sewed most of my clothes which I'm sure was a great influence on me, though I didn't really realize it at the time. When I was about 12 yrs, I began to make most of my own clothes. Through my early adulthood, I continued to make clothes for myself and for family members and friends. When birthdays came around, I was often gifted with a dress length of fabric. Seems strange to some folks, but it was a perfect gift for me.
Connie (sister) left, me on right. New dresses looks like a special day of some sort.
Amy and Christina (my granddaughters), in dresses I made for them. Below you can see how much fabric is involved in this project.
After the children were out of the house, I had more time, different priorities, and such. I began to experiment with quilting. Not like Grandma Jennie did, but by machine. I really enjoyed the design, the math (another gift), etc.
Most of my early work was traditional. I didn't really know there was anything else. As time went by I made more quilts and finally entered one in an #AmericanQuilter'sSoc show. Here it is http://patdurbin.com/quilt-gallery/traditional/15-piecemakers-barns
It was in Nashville and Gary thought we should go. It was so wonderful! I saw quilts that were more art centered. They jump started my mind to look at quilting in a whole new way. I went home and started on my journey of making picture quilts. This has become one of my passions and has led me to where I am today. (saturated in quilting).
So that's sort of the start of my journey. Now I'm headed to Daytona Beach to teach in one of those AQS shows...funny how that happened. http://www.quiltweek.com/locations/dab18/
Have you any stories to share?
Hope you have a fun day.
Early work --traditional
I went through the archives to see what I had for Valentines Day.
One thing is a very well used favorite quilt which I made in 1993.
Made from scraps of sewing clothes, this is unique, and shows early work. We hadn't quite perfected photographing quilts either:)
Another Valentine style quilt is made from a few Block of the Month squares I won at Redwood Empire Quilt Guild in 2006. My Granddaughters made the alternate squares and put it together. It's kind of cute.
I enjoy this small painted quilt as a seasonal addition to my home. It was inspired by a photo of a past plant and now has a longer life expectancy. :)
The surface is painted with So-Soft paints and then it is machine quilted to enhance. I enjoy this type of quilt making --it's quick and fun
I decided to make some easy ornaments for my friends. These are made in "prairie point" style. Pretty easy.
I used a 4 1/2" square, a 3 1/2" square, and a 2 1/2" square. I had a bag with left over Christmas fabrics to use--and found a tiny ribbon in a notions drawer. I was set. (You could change the size of the squares and even use 4 if you wanted).
- First I cut the squares from the fabric
- then pressed them using starch spray to stiffen a bit
- Folded each square diagonally - twice.
- I tied a knot at the top of the ribbon for a loop
- I used a bit of glue along where the ribbon would go--pressed it dry
- Then I zig zag stitched along the length of the centers - where the ribbon was.
- I just used a crystal at the top because I was in a rush. You could embellish these with lots of sparkles.
Here they are--pretty simple, but would go well on top of a package.
Merry Christmas to all.
December - lots of celebrating. When I designed this block for my guild (Redwood Empire) I thought it could be used for whatever kind of celebration a person wanted.
The instructions call for the background to be any seasonal print.
I decided to make a skinny wall hanging with 4 of the blocks for myself and then one to take to guild of course. I finished it today and it's the first of my Christmas decorations to brighten up our home.
If you'd like a copy of the pattern, email me at stitching@suddenlink.net Once I have your email address I'll send you a PDF.
