at long last...

Gah! I had such plans! I was going to blog weekly. Then monthly. Then life and work just got in the way. So to catch up, some FMQ practice!

I like stitching these wavy lines and filling the spaces, very zen.

Using Aurifil Mako 50 wt in top and bobbin. Also using Glide in top on second piece.

Practice keeps me happy!

Just need more time to piece quilts!
 

 

pillows

Sometimes I need a small project. And recently new pillows for the den.

This is all scraps. I love flying geese! FMQ in matchstick lines.

This is 4 paper-piece blocks from an old quilting magazine. I think it was Quilters Newsletter from the 1990s. I made each block to represent the 4 seasons. 

All scraps, improvised piecing. Love the colors, reminds me of a gated flower garden.

 
 
 

February Dragon

My most recent quilt has been in development for several years. I sketched it and hung on to it, then got brave enough to do it!

The background is a patchwork of batiks, the dragon is Moda Cross weave. I added dense matchstick quilting to suggest dragon scales. 

I do like the stencil-look, but there wasn't much contrast between the dragon and the background.

I decided to add some thread work around the dragon in black. This added contrast, and emphasized the dragon more.

 

Much better. Although I can tell you I will revisit the dragon in a different approach again. 

The black thread work helps the contrast.

 
 
 

 
 

January practice

I decided that instead of doing practice pieces that I toss, I would create an entire composition for FMQ practice.

I started with trying a different style of feathers. In a flower shape. With a cross-hatch background.

I added formal feathers in the corners. 

Then I pondered the border. It needed even quilting to balance the intense FMQ in the center. 

I did ruler work to create an architectural border. With loops in the cornerstones.

Finished at 24"square. I used a layer of Quilters Dream mid-loft poly on the bottom under a layer of Quilters Dream Puff. Quilted with Glide thread on top and Aurifil in the bobbin.

Love the texture on the back!
 
 
 
 
 

Oh, dear

I saw this (new to me) magazine, Simply Moderne. It's published by the same company that puts out Quilt Mania. You know, the European magazine with luscious European quilts? Anyway, The cover caught my eye. I browsed around and kept going back to it. I picked it up 3 times. The 3rd time I knew I had to buy it. Why? 

This pattern:

The pattern is called "Stag Nation" by Rana Heredia for Sewn into the Fabric.

I am captivated by the whimsy.

I used low volume prints for the deer. I deviated from the directions in piecing it.

I dipped into my meager supply of Moda Cross Weave for the background.

I free motioned a wood grain adding straight lines to look like a barn wall.

 

Finished at 47.5" by 55".

We have purchased a house, so it will hang in the den.

practicing

Spent this past Saturday in the tiny sweatshop. Me and my Tiara, some quality time together. I just wanted to quilt, to let the thread lines go where they wished.

I traced the outline of a large wood embroidery hoop I have, overlapping the lines. A free-motioned mandala.

Then, I needed to do some feathers. 'Cause I haven't in a while. And I stitched the background with invisible thread. I like the contrast.

And the solitary time was a balm to my spirit!

a transition quilt

We have been here a month now, in our new town. We are mostly unpacked, still settling in, working toward normal.I still haven't found a few items, but there are boxes we haven't opened. If we are moving again in a year, it really isn't necessary.

We are getting used to this house. It is not a bad house, it is just not one I would choose in other circumstances. Our lack of space is just something we will cope with. The dogs are still adjusting. They are quite clingy, and exhibit some anxious behaviors, but they are here and safe.

This neighborhood, though, or should I say are neighbors, are amazing! Could not ask for better!
Truly a gift! They greeted us with open arms and open hearts and we are really enjoying being around them.

Working from home is great! My stress level has plummeted. Now that I am on the phone for meetings, I seem to be able to fend of all the negativity of my workplace.  Yes, I have mentioned that here before, and it had settled down, but here comes more upheaval! But really, being on the phone instead of in the room, makes a huge difference!

Okay, chances are you did not land here to read about yet another example of corparate chaos, so here is my transition quilt. I call it that as I pieced the top prior to the move, and now it is the first I have quilted here. So a mixed bag of emotions. May I present, Dreamsicle:

I used Bonnie Hunter's tutorial to make the blocks. I just made them 16" square.

Mixed reds, oranges, pinks with my low-volume whites, adding blacks at the edge to frame.

Free-motion quilted on my Tiara. Feels good to have a finished quilt. Hoping life settles down for a bit!

decamping

The movers will be here in 1 week. Instead of freaking out, I am trying to just do stuff. They will pack everything, except my quilting/sewing stuff. I will do that next weekend. In the meantime, and when in town, I have been doing therapy sewing (isn't it all therapy?).

Finished this:

Pattern is Moon Dance by Villa Rosa Quilts. These are the little postcard patterns. I can not resist them. Fun, well-written, easy, wish I had thought of this?
A detail, mostly Carolyn Friedlander fabric, with this little goldfish thrown in for fun.

I think it makes a great gender-neutral baby quilt to have in my stash.

On my wall, I am designing this:

Can you tell I like orange? This winter has been tough so I am gravitating toward the bright colors. Orange, red and pink just make me happy. And with my traveling for work, I have a lot of time in the to think about quilts. While I appreciate ALL quilts, I realize each of us has a different aesthetic, and for me, I love scrappy! This one is coming along nicely, if I had a batting, I would get to quilting!

Finally, I have done some quilting for hire. Here is a detail of what I recently finished:

A Downton Abbey themed quilt for a friend, she always lets me do what I want. This beautiful quilt really wanted feathers. And it quilted like a dream.

Next post may be from our new abode. Fingers crossed for a smooth move!

so long to February 2015

cold, cruel February. short on days, long on weather. BUT, I have finished a few things!

Andalusia Light. These were the light FQs from the Andalusia Collection by Patty Young. I used the darks in this quilt. I love the saturated pink, red, orange, green along with the chocolate brown. Different!

Bold Glory #3. My own pattern, see #1 (2009) and #2 (2014) here. I developed this as my design to show appreciation to veterans. I really need to get this written!

Our family received a new member this month, a gorgeous baby boy named Everett. He is the 4th of my nephew's children (the first 3 are triplets, here are their baby quilts)

Something different from me: dessert! But these red velvet whoopie pies were easy, fast and GONE when we had family over for dinner!

Last, not least, my newest medallion (I love medallion quilts!)

72" square, I started with piecing the center using templates from Atkinson Designs' "Winner's Bouquet" pattern. I then added the piano-key border. I tried different blocks for the next border, but the half-square triangles just seemed to work (and the math was easier!). The final border was just what happened! This has Tula Pink fabrics from these collections: Prince Charming, Parisville, the Birds and the Bees, Saltwater and Acacia. The back ground fabrics, white and grey, were in my stash.
I love the saturation of colors in Tula's palette. I love how they all work together. I started this in December and just had fun with it. Some detail and in process shots:

In other news, we are preparing to move at the end of the month. Of course, I am going to sew and quilt as time allows, but I am going to use my stash. So no new additions until after the relocation.

Catching up/year end 2014

The day job keeps me so busy. Traveling is fun, the job is too (most days!). But blogging has taken a back seat to Instagram (follow me: kheliwud). BUT as this is my way of journaling my exploits, here is a catch-up since the last post:

I quilted for hire (3 for this lady, a sweet friend of mine!)

This is also for a dear friend, May Chappell, and this quilt went to Quilt Market (more photos and read about it here) in Houston!:

I made a Brickyard by Bearhug Quiltworks 

(great pattern, goes really fast, designed by yet another awesome friend!)

 I made a leglamp pillow for my son (matches one of his tattoos), from this source

Lunch bags from this awesome tutorial

Made 6 sew together bags (4 shown here)

Did some low-water immersion dyeing

Hosted a private FMQ class (and had so much fun with these ladies!)

Did some Christmas presents form this tutorial (May Chappell ROCKS!)

Joined this mini quilt swap:

 

And quilted the TMQG QuiltCon 2015 quilt:

I am off until Jan 2, so more sewing is happening! 

I hope you have been enjoying a wonderful Holiday Season and I hope all the best for you, and for Peace on Earth in 2015!

Don't forget to check out my Free Motion Tips tab. Feel free to email any FMQ questions as well, I love to help!