Four Yellow Blocks

Since I was tagged on Facebook by Susan Leslie Lumsden to show some of my work every day for five days, it’s made me work. Good show Susan. Caroline S. Daley is the tag for today. Her work is such fun.

Yesterday I showed an old piece. Today I’ll show what I’m currently working on – a yellow quilt which will be a gift for someone who likes yellow. Here are the first four blocks, untrimmed. There will be a total of 16. Yes, it’s certainly YELLOW.  The squares that are off center in each block are from a vintage butterfly fabric. Each butterfly in the fabric is about 8″ square. Much too large so I’ve cut 6″ square out of it getting pieces of butterflies. Looking at them I think they are almost flower like. I’m not overly fond of yellow but I think it’s going to work. I keep trying to tone it down and I can see that one lighter yellow strip it too big so I’ll trim it down. This is a Quilt As You Go project and will have a narrow sashing of a darker, gray-ish color.

Wild and Crazy is finally fishished

The last couple of weeks have been more than frustrating. I finished the Wild and Crazy quilt and was very proud of it. Laid it out on the bed and thought it looked super; pillows excluded.

Then I washed and dried it to get rid of the cat hair and to puff it up. Oh Woe. The hand dyed red fabric (which had been previously washed) faded on to the narrow white strips making them a dull pinkish-grey.

There is no contrast between the “white” strips and the grey pieces. What I thought was going to be a great quilt was now a disappointing quilt. I tried to get over the disappointment but it was always in the back of my mind. A few days ago, I wondered if the strips could be painted. Not practical. Then I woke up two days ago and said, “Dots.”

So – by dipping a half inch wooden dowel into white fabric paint and touching it to the strip the quilt turned into this.

Detail:

Now, I think I’m happier with the quilt than I was in the beginning.

 

Wild & Crazy, 3 & 4

I’m at it again. Another Quilt As You Go quilt. This one is bigger than the last. Hopefully it will be about 74″ x 74″. I want to keep it and use it on a blond mid-century bed that used to be my Mom’s.  These are numbers 3 & 4 of four made. Five more to go but the rain has finally stopped and I’ve GOT to get out into the garden. Yes, I can sleep under it. The room will be dark and my eyes will be closed.

Winter’s work

You saw each of these block individually as each was finished. Now you see them all together as one. I’m not even going to bother cleaning up this photo ’cause Spring has sprung and there’s too much to be done.  Glad this got finished before work began outside. I should mention that this was made of all scraps, a little cotton, a few silks, and lots of polys. 44″ x 44″. You see some of the stuff that either inspires me or is awaiting use.

And here is what I’m proudest of:  a Jack in the Pulpit that was gifted and planted last fall. Larger than life!

Latest Challenge

The latest challenge in the Uncommon Treads Art Quilt group was chosen by Carol Bormann and entitled “Transportation.” I really felt challenged to come up with an idea and in trying to think of some unusual mode I decided on a woman carrying a baby on her back. Obviously, the woman doesn’t get any kind of transportation but the baby sure does.

The work of the other members can be seen here.

Birthday Quilts

There are two wonderful, young women in my life who are the same age and have birthdays on Oct 1 and Oct 2. Natascha, my daughter-in-law and whose favorite color is blue. I made a Log Cabin inspired, bed size quilt for her.

The only place where I could photograph it in total was at the recent, local quilt show and I think there was a slight current of air moving. Hence it looks out of focus. Maybe a couple of details will help.

Note the beautiful quilting. I can say that ’cause I didn’t do it.  It was done by Ellen Replogle on her long arm machine. She’s another wonderful, young woman in the family – Harry’s niece.

The other quilt was for Susan, Harry’s daughter. She preferred a smaller quilt, 60″ x 60″, that she can use as an accent in the living room. Well, it’s an accent alright. I hope it doesn’t take over.

Front

Back

This is a QAYG. Quilt As You Go. Refer to The Quilting Edge. Marianne gives excellent tutorials on her blog. You’ll find them by scrolling down the right hand side. Thank you, Marianne.