Misc

This quilt is a blast from the past.  It's large and needs a big wall space to display.  It was inspired by my son saying.  Hey Mom, one of these days you need to make a quilt of the US with a eagle flying over.  So this is what I came up with.

Edge treatment is a bit unusual -

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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.

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://www.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.