How about some beauty for balance?

Whew! I feel better after yesterday's semi-rant. I got my new quilt basted last night and got started with the FMQ. So how about some pretty for inspiration? 

Source: modishblog.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: inthefashionloop.com via Jelena on Pinterest

Source: seesawdesigns.blogspot.com via elisha on Pinterest

Source: s3.amazonaws.com via cindy on Pinterest

(quilt by Marianne Haak)

grumbling along

I haven't been much for the blog lately. After finishing this top last week, I took ill from a belly issue. Now I am still on meds and they are making me queasy, so I have been on the sofa in the evenings. I have been reading a bit about quilting, does that count? I recently subscribed to this magazine and bought all the back issues. LOVE IT! I taught this on Saturday. Had a great class.

I have been cruising the web and still reading views about the "tempest in a teapot" surrounding Traditional Quilting and Modern Quilting. (Reminds me a lot of the petty battles fought between stay-at-home moms vs. working-outside-the-home moms; we're all moms so lets just get along!)

Why do we have to be one or the other? In my experience, the ones who insist on exclusivity are really frightened of any change to their status quo.

Perhaps the staunch traditionalists are afraid they will be left behind or forgotten? I haven't seen it happen.

On the contrary, I have seen young quilters brought in through the modern quilting movement. Once they build their skills and confidence, they want to learn more and look to the traditional skill such as needle-turn applique and complex patterns like the Radiant Star/ Lone Star, giving these new challenges their own spin with brightly colored modern prints. Many modern quilters are young mothers with children to care for and enjoy the creative jolt and sense of completion they receive from a "quick quilt". These young whippersnappers share their creations through awesome blogs and message boards, virtual guilds and e-zines.

Personally I feel the modern movement for all crafting is very good for all of us. We have so many talented designers providing wonderful inspiration through new color combinations, new techniques and new patterns. I enjoy interaction with all types of quilters and crafters. 

Would you really want the gentle art of quilting to fade away?

Not me. I love the energy and passion of avant garde ideas.

I see the world as a big pond: if it doesn't get aerated through activity, it becomes stagnant.

AWESOME Thread work!

Makes me look at at my own work in a different light!

Star crazy

No, I am not that fast. This has been in process for about 2 weeks and I finally got the border added.

 

I didn't use a pattern, just made it up as I went along. You can do a lot with half-square triangles. This is totally made from scraps! Just needs basting and quilting. So, now it is 2 in my new UFO stack!

WIP Wednesday

Here's what I've been working on this week:

And I love it! I took this pic before I added the outer border. I am calling it "Summer Wind", and it is ready to quilt! I will get some backing fabric this weekend and then start FMQ. 

My Dad

Its Father's Day, a day to honor our Dads. Here is my Dad:

He is tall, and very handsome; charming, witty, incredibly funny, loving, giving and silly. I am so lucky to have him, and very proud of him. I love you, Daddy!

whats goin' on

The hubby and I spent 3 days and 2 nights at the magnificent Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. thhis week. He had a professional conference to attend ,and since I had never been to the GPI, I took some days off and went with him.

Yup, beautiful place, fantastic, authentic Arts and Crafts stling, but what caught my eye?

Quilts of course!

This is a newer quilt hanging in the Vanderbilt wing.
 (Sorry for the dark shots, but I did not use my flash.)

And this is an older quilt (hand-quilted!) hanging in the Sammons wing.

I haven't yet discovered the story behind these beauties, but the design really suits the Inn. And they were a happy little discovery for me.

I am in between quilts at the moment. No UFOs left (yay!). I have a show in September to prepare for, but I am waiting for the right project to come to me.

I am going to the Mecca of fabric, Mary Jo's of Gastonia, tomorrow. Doing some stash building, and then I will dive back in.

Completed Commission

Designed, started and completed in record time! This star is a table topper I was commissioned to make:

Measures 48" square, the blue print is from the Denyse Schmidt for JoAnn line.

FMQ with white PolyX thread. I love the texture the little mussel shells create after laundering!

Issues and completions!

I have reached the bottom of my UFO stack! YAY!

Got this beauty "Batik Windows" completed last week:

60" by 72"

My own design. FMQ with neon green Isacord polyester.

I love the rich, summery feel.

On the issue front, my home PC was zapped with a nasty virus that hides all my files and accesses. Since the old Dell is 9 years old, I sent it to the compeuter spa to see if it is worth saving. Posts will be limited until that is resolved! I am also going to Asheville with the hubby this week. One scheduled post to come. Happy summer!