a little bit in process

So I am easing back into a bit of a schedule with sewing each evening. 

This week I have worked on the following:

Dutch Rose block from this tutorial.

Mending my son's blown-out belt loop with a bit of Aneela Hooey. 

Working on my 2014 Quilt for the Stokes County Humane Society. 

This is my 4th raffle quilt for this worthy organization!

Drawing feathers.

And quilting this, for an old family friend. I started the FMQ in March, and I am almost done. 

More pictures, and it's story to come.

Liebster Award from Katie

Imagine my surprise to set about my blog reading to find I have been nominated for a Liebster Award by my friend Katie from Snuggle up with a Dish from Karma! Katie is a new-ish blogger, a friend, guild-mate and student! She is also a fearless quilter, and quite FIERCE (in the positive aspect of the word). So I am quite flattered!

The nomination includes

• Telling 11 things about yourself
• answer the questions posed to you be the nominator
•  choose other bloggers to nominate (must have under 200 followers)
• create 11 questions for your nominees

once nominated link back to the blogger that nominated you so they can learn more about you.

Katie's questions:

1. Biggest quilt inspiration? Everything. And nothing. I am an observer, so my brain categorizes everything I see. I look at a lot of magazines, websites and books. I go to museums and shops. I travel for work which exposes me to many other influences. Sometimes an idea for a quilt will just appear in my brain, and I have to make it!

2. Favorite spot to get away?At home, it's my studio/sweatshop. I am lucky to have the "bonus" room over our garage. I have slowly been transforming it to a peaceful and efficient office/sewing space. Away from home? Anywhere with my husband. After almost 30 years, I still would rather spend time with him more than anyone else in the world!

3. Why do you blog? Mostly as a journal. I have tried various diary/scrapbook formats throughout my life, but blogging is the only one that has really stuck. I have been blogging since 2006, and really use my blog to keep track of my creative pursuits as well as events in my life. It is also a good way to connect with others, and I feel a lot of my blogging friends are very special to me!

4. What is one thing from earlier in your life that you wish was still available today? 

Summers off and Spring Break.

5. Favorite TV show. I don't watch a lot of TV,and could live without it. But my husband couldn't!

6. Favorite place to get fabric? Ugh! That is a hard one! Since I travel with my job, I always try to find quilt shops in whatever city I am visiting. Locally (Winston-Salem area) my favorite places are: Sewingly Yours; The Little General; Knit one, Smock two; Sew Original; (in King) Papanana's; (in Walnut Cove) The Thread Bear. I also go to Mary Jo's and Sew Much Fun when near Charlotte. I love Batik's, etc in Wytheville, VA and Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd, VA. When in NYC I can't miss going to The City Quilter and Purl. At the beach, the Quilted Butterfly and Sew it Seams in Morehead City and the Cotton Patch in Jacksonville. And I am always on the lookout for more!

7. What are your thoughts on scraps?I love my scraps and I think that quilts that I make from my scraps are "free" quilts! But that being said, I have gained the ability to discard scraps when they just don't inspire me any more.

8. Where do most of your quilts end up? Donated to good causes and gifted.

9. Favorite time of year? Summer. I like the heat. I do not mind feeling the humidity of August, it seems like the universe is giving me a hug. And battling depression as I do, I feel more alive with the longer days.

10. What are you most proud of in your life? My son, my husband. My son because he has always been such an interesting person and I really like the man he has become. My husband because we have grown so much together, and have shared each other's gains and losses. And we laugh a lot together!

11. What kind of quilting helper do you have? I have 2 canine helpers: Sarge is a Belgian Malinois we rescued from a kill-shelter; and Pepper, who is colored like a Mal, but shaped like a barrel. 

11 things about me:

1. I like my morning coffee. I like the ritual of it.

2. I can not sew with my shoes on.

3. I am really an introvert, and really get "peopled-out" from being around a group, but I enjoy people, so there's a conundrum.

4. I am a Parrot-head and have seen Jimmy Buffet 4 times, so far! (the first time was in 1980)

5. I was born in W-S, NC, lived in West Virginia for 2 years when my husband transferred there, then we lived in Lenoir for 22 years. So glad to be back in W-S!

6. I traveled to China alone. Spent 9 days there. And LOVED it! (look at my blog archives, I kept my blog while there!)

7. My favorite foods are homegrown tomatoes, collard greens, hamburger steak, steamed oysters, and blackberry cobbler.

8. I am not fond of buffets, too many people handling the food.

9. Can't commit to a favorite color, I love them all.

10. Free-motion quilting, yes, FMQ FOREVER!!! (living it, loving it)

11. I would rather travel and have experiences than own stuff.

My nominees:

http://periwinklequilts.blogspot.com/

http://tammyscraftemporium.blogspot.com/

http://cyarnell.blogspot.com/

http://www.maychappell.com/

http://tanderwencrafts.blogspot.com/

http://www.stitchingbystarlight.com/

http://sarah.lidbom.com/ 

http://ginabeanhandmade.blogspot.com/ 

My 11 questions:

1. What is your favorite quilt block or pattern?

2. What is your guilty pleasure?

3. What inspires you?

4. Tell me about your pets!

5. What is your music of choice?

6. Favorite vacation spot

7. What is the most influential book you have read?

8. What quilts are on your "bucket list" to make?

9. What is your favorite quilt making technique?

10. What is your favorite color combination?

11. What quilting tool or gadget can you not live without? (other than your sewing machine!)

Thanks in advance!

Weeks just zip by!;And quilts still get finished!

The past 2 are evidence!
Recapping my presentation visit at the Davie Quilters Guild:
This was a warm, friendly, delightful group of talented quilters. I was inspired by the variety of styles of quilts during their show and tell. I guess, all we quilters love show and tell!

They were attentive and quiet at first. Then the questions started! I gave a demo, showed quilts and tried to recruit more to the Free-motion side! I have been invited to teach a workshop near there. Just have to set up the dates! All in all, an incredible experience. Inspired me to make some new pieces for trunk showing!

We were hit by winter weather on Friday, but the ice had receded enough for us to visit the Quilting and Needle Art Show in Statesville on Saturday. We first visited the Needle and Thread Quilt Shop in Statesville. They have a great location in a wonderful building. Fun samples, a variety of fabrics at great prices. Well, worth the visit!

Then we spent the afternoon in the Civic Center. The thing about quilting is how you meet new friends so easily and how we congregate at these events. Every where I turned, were guild mates and friends. Oh, and fabric and gadgets and quilting inspiration. Yes I made purchases and had fun.

I have been sewing a bit, among the busy-ness of the past 2 weeks. And I finished a quilt!
Here is the Joy & Love quilt, which will be auctioned to benefit the Stokes County Humane Society.

51" by 48"

I used the left-overs to create a striped-pieced stripe on the back.

The grey backing + the grey light= really shows off my quilting.

Next up, I tell you about the class I have taken!

Quilting inspiration

Yes, I am sewing, but I am trying to slow down and enjoy the piecing more! So here, gentle readers, are some neat things I have been enjoying lately:

This great story, with pictures, of an amazing collection of commissioned art quilts. Be sure to look through the slide show!

The above link lead me to the discovery of a wonderful quilt/artist, Joy Saville. Her work is breathtaking.

Needing some color as winter sets in? Look at this potholder installation! I could stare at it all day.

Oh, yeah, I have 3 quilts hanging in a group exhibition, Winter Heat, Not Your Grandmother's Quilt. I am sharing wall space with some amazing quilters!

My quilt, Aztec Portal.

I am still sewing for the Scrappy Trip-along. It is a nice way to unwind each evening while using up scraps.

And I have been perusing the net for ideas for my next, big quilt project. There are so many free patterns and tutorials out there. I have found a great resource at the Fons and Porter's site. They have this free e-book called Build Your Best Log Cabin. You should go there, now, and get your copy. The Log Cabin has always been a favorite of mine. The pattern is a great way to use scraps, and I love how it can take the chaos of said scraps and translate them into a work of beauty and order. This book features different styles of the Log Cabin as well as providing pictures detailing the steps to building your blocks. There is also a great chart for calculation your strip size and color for different block sizes, a very handy reference! And the color pictures are luscious! I am thinking of trying the Chevron version. And I love the quilt made by Ricky Tims that is featured. (It's called "Bears in Bertie's Log Cabin") The pattern is provided for this as well. This pattern also includes instructions for doing bobbin work quilting like Ricky does, I love this extra info. The "Woven Log Cabin" by Shon McMain is also featured. WOW! Both contemporary and traditional. This is a beauty as well. Go check out this free e-book, it is a addition to your quilting library.

So this winter's day will be spent doing some errands in the morning, then some afternoon quilting in my sweatshop, hope you have an enjoyable day.

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!

Some crafting going on!

I bought 2 pillow case kits that match my "Lark" quilt. These will go with the quilt as a gift. Love to make these!

I am quilting on a patriotic-themed quilt. (Yes, I will post it when I

am finished)

 My son made a bracelet for his girlfriend, and a matching watchband for himself. We are just so crafty!

 

Free motion thoughts

And a work in process!

I had this top cut in about 20 minutes, pieced together in about 2 hours. Takes 1 yard each of the large patterns, 3/4 yd each for the sashing patterns.

Now I am quilting (my favorite part!)

The zen of quilting relaxes me. And I begin to ponder.

Who ever said you CAN'T turn your quilt while quilting?

Why? I am quilting this in segments, from center out. And turning as needed to get to unquilted places.

I really like this "doodling" style of quilting. I haven't seen any just like it, so maybe it is my own style developing itself.

No thoughts, no pressures, just letting the quilt speak and come to life.

finding my style

Along my journey, I have learned the visual value of "mood" boards. We use them at work as a way of conveying ideas. But when it comes to using one personally, I am a bit lax. I don't like to tear up magazines, if I do, the tear sheets get lost or left in a file that becomes obsolete.

Enter my new tool: pinterest.


I joined out of curiosity. Let it lie not knowing if or when I would really utilize it. Now, I love it. Easy to keep track of things I am drawn to. Becoming easier to discern my aesthetic. Eye candy deluxe!

on personal quilting style

**this is a rambling post**

As I mentioned in this post, I have been pondering my personal quilting style. Then today, this post brought my own questions more into focus.  

I have been consciously focusing on not only what I like, what draws me in, but what I do, how I put things together, how I stitch. 

With this in mind, I think my FMQ is a lot like Ann Fahl's. Eclectic, whimsical, free-form. I have tried to stitch in a more formal style like this, but I just can't! My hands, the machine and the quilt tend to take on a will of their own. I am able to appreciate both styles, and learn from both artists.

I like artwork that is multi-layered, with lots of imagery, like collage (love Nick Bantock!). Artwork that has hidden elements (like this dollhouse!) and design that makes me smile (like this). I love it when someone looks at my one of my quilts and sees the stitching designs separate from the piecing.

When it comes to piecing, I enjoy free-form, intuitive piecing, following patterns, using templates. I am drawn to color, but also adore surface patterns (batik and print). I can be inspired by antique quilts, traditional designs, folk art; I love visiting museums and being inspired by the work of other artists. 

I do not like to conform to "rules" when it comes to my quilts. I do not want to be put into a box that does not allow me freedom to explore, experiment and evolve. I do like improving my technique and refining my skills.

I guess, while I haven't answered the question of "what is my style", I have clarified a bit. Please share your thoughts! 


So, how do I come up with a description of my work?

Dixie Classic Fair time

The Dixie Classic Fair has always been one of my favorite Autumn activities. Living here in Winston-Salem again means I get to enjoy it again!

My son and his delightful girlfriend came to visit and we went to the fair Friday night.

Not surprising, I visited the quilts on display, here are my faves:

This wall quilt was so cute!

As I mentioned before, I am in NYC for work all next week, so no quilting for me. I hope to refill my inspiration bank.

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.

depleted....

my sweet Pepper gets tired too!

...burned out, washed up, overextended, pooped, sapped, run ragged, fatigued.

Get it?

Well it has me. And so I must take a break. Not that blogging really requires a lot of high-maintenance, but I need to try and rebalance so I can spend more time doing what I want to do, instead of tending to others. Maybe now is just the time I am supposed to be taking care of others? Don't know, I just know that it is frustrating to have an 8-to-5 job, commute, ill hubby and MIL, family commitments, etc, and make time for my passion. So, now, for a little while, the passion has to take the back seat. But I know that situations change and time passes, so I will be able to jump back on in a little while.

Fear not! I am sketching during this time and doing much reflection. I hope to blog next the answer to this burning question:

What kind of quilter am I?

Stayed tuned, gentle readers!

Random, non-quilting thoughts

Stayed with MIL again last night. She had a good night, but I got no sleep! Her oxygen machine started beeping about midnight. I got up, hit the reset button, went back to bed. Then 45 min later, same thing. It became a trend until 4am when it started beeping every 30 min. She slept through it all! I am going home tonight so I can sleep! I told my BIL about it this am and he is calling the home health company to come fix it! Anyway, I fixed my Beef-Cabbage soup for dinner and thought I would share the recipe (not too precise, I like guidelines instead of rules!LOL):

3/4 to 1 lb hamburger
1 to 2 cans beef broth or chicken broth or both
1/2 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 liter V8 juice
1 bag prepared coleslaw cabbage shreds
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
**optional- 1 can diced tomatoes, if you like it tomato-ey**

I put the broth, onions, celery and hamburger in a pot and bring to a boil. I do not pre-brown the burger, I let it cook in the liquid. Add beans and V8 juice, return to boil. Boil for 3-4 minutes, reduce to simmer. Add shredded cabbage, cook til cabbage wilts. That's it!

Very hearty, flavorful and warm. Meme loves it!

We also watched my guilty pleasure "Justified" on FX. My, that Timothy Oliphant is fine as frog hair! And Walton Goggins, who plays Boyd Crowder, is simply mesmerizing. I do not watch a lot of TV, but this show has excellent writing and an incredible cast filled with very interesting characters!

Hope to indulge in some sew-y, quilt-y stuff this evening.