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!
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.
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/
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.
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.
