Not my favorite

So, I finished a quilt that is not really "me".

Model is my delightful sweet husband!

I started it to test my "Stellar" pattern on my measurements and it fulfilled that purpose quite well.

The strips/strata that make the star are made of the re-issue of "Flea Market Fancy". I got caught up in the excitement over this line. It really is not me. There are a couple of the prints I like, and I am a big Denyse Schmidt fan, but this line, on the whole, is just not my thing.

I used Kona Coal in the background. In theory this was a great pairing, but in reality a fail. The gray felt dark, heavy and flat. And I think the quilt lacks a spark from good contrasts. Now all this is purely my opinion, so no haters please!

It looks better in the photo than it does in person.

I FMQ-ed it in my meandering swashes on a larger scale. I think the quilting helped by adding a bit in that dark gray.

Why finish something I don't love? Well, I like to finish what I start AND fabric is expensive. Also, as a creative exercise, I think it is important to try things I don't necessarily like as it makes a great learning opportunity. I learned my pattern calculations were correct. And it is one less UFO.

One more UFO to go. And I am not in love with this one either.

September Free Motion Challenge

Once again squeaking under the deadline, I got to work on this month's FMQ Challenge hosted by sewcalgal. September's expert is Paula Reid and she gave really good tips on her video about moving a large quilt under the arm of a domestic sewing machine.

Paula shared a stencil design to fill a block and offered insight to completing this design.

I decided to transfer the design using Don Linn's tutorial from April.

Then I stitched the center design using a bright pink Isacord polyester thread (I used a gray YLI cotton in  my bobbin).
I then filled in the center and edges with the gray YLI thread.

I need to work on backtracking.

I love the back!

Yet another excellent tutorial in a great year-long challenge to improve Free-Motion Quilting skills.
Thanks sewcalgal!

Catching up

This has been a busy month. We held the auction of my late, beloved MIL's property on September 8 and I have had to travel for work.

Also, I have been preparing for my first solo quilt exhibition. Hosted by the Stokes County Arts Council, it will open September 28 and hang through October at the Apple Gallery, 500 N. Main Street,  Danbury, N.C. The opening reception is next Friday, September 28 from 5:30 to 8.

I am excited to hang all these together. And I hope others enjoy seeing them. The Stokes Arts Council folks are so supportive, I know the reception will be filled with good vibes.

Some eye candy from DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) in Brooklyn.

IT is part of a mural on the exterior of a Mexican restaurant. Vivid!

Lisa Call Exhibit

Spent last week in NYC for work. We started each day at 7:30 and went until 9 most nights. It was an intense and productive week of work. But highlighted by quilts!
I did get to the City Quilter. And I saw an exhibit by one of my quilting heroes, Lisa Call.

a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Rich, velvety colors. And stitch detail to die for.

Stuctures #115, my favorite

Detail of Structures #115. Look at the stitches!

I have been a fan and follower of Lisa's for several years now. She posts a lot about treating art as business, which is so crucial to success.

She and talks about taking care of yourself in order to make art. (I need to learn this lesson!)

Lisa is so strong at working in a series. Each of the quilts was unique, yet they hung together as a beautiful, cohesive group. No, these are not ALL the quilts! Go, see the show! 

I found these quilts to have a very strong, quiet presence. Beautiful, just beautiful.


My pictures do not do the quilts justice. (Lisa granted me permission to post my photos of her quilts. Thanks Lisa!)


The show runs through October 20.

whats goin' on

Posts have been light, but I have been busy.

Quilting on a gray/orange quilt:

Getting Halloween projects done EARLY for a change:

 Detail of "Boo" a Halloween crazy quilt

Detail of Retro Hallow'een

(Check out my "Completions 2012" page for details)

Preparing for my first SOLO SHOW-details to follow!

Trying to get my mojo working to complete a UFO:

 Too many little pieces, I call it "Total Tedium". Need to add a border for stability.

Late summer eye candy

My son, his sweet GF and I visited the beautiful Reynolda Gardens on Labor Day. The late summer garden is spectacular and inspiring!

These fronds are ENORMOUS!

Passion Flowers grow wild here in NC. This one was along the driveway at my MIL's house.

And yes, since I was at Reynolda Gardens, I ducked in to visit Gina at "The Little General" and took home some Tula Pink and Denyse Schmidt!