Flowering Snowball

I intended to spend the rest of the year quilting flimsies and finishing other projects.  

Then Mary posted this Flowering Snowball Quilt Along, and I just couldn't stop thinking about it.

I thought it'd be a great opportunity to use my retro ditsies that have been on the shelf for years.  

That's finishing something.  Right?

I ordered the templates here.  My blocks are 9" finished.  

So far, I've only cut them, and I'm having a wonderful time.

So there's my summer project.

And here's my summer companion, with her new haircut.  

  

Exciting New Book!

I can hardly wait for this book to be released on September 9!

Unconventional and Unexpected--American Quilts Below the Radar 

features about 150 quirky utilitarian quilts from Roderick Kiracofe's extensive collection

plus other quilts he borrowed for the book.   All were made between 1950 and 2000.

AND

It includes essays on art and quilts by big names in the art and quilt worlds.  

Kaffee Fassett and Denyse Schmidt are just two of the names I remember him mentioning. 

Here's Roderick Kiracofe, the author, and the nicest man you could ever meet. 

I got to have tea and pie with him recently in his home town, San Francisco.  

He's also written major quilt history classics that most of us have in our libraries:  

The American Quilt: A History of Cloth and Comfort 1750-1950, 

Cloth & Comfort: Pieces of Women's Lives from Their Quilts and Diaries, 

Going West!: Quilts and Community

Although he encourages us to support our local book sellers, Amazon has the book on pre-order here.  

I've ordered mine.  Like I said, I can't wait!

Freddy Moran Collage!

Back in April, I got to take another workshop with Freddy Moran in Mt Vernon, Washington.

Freddy, showing one of her latest works.  The one behind is also made by her.

Here's Freddy saying something like, "I never know what I'm going to make until I start."  

She demonstrated with the piece behind her, saying, "Just start...glue this flower here (as she plops it on), and this one there...(another plop), then a stem, a leaf, whatever.... Then take a look and see what you want to do next."  

She also said, "If you don't like it, leave it on your wall and keep looking at it.  

Eventually, you'll figure out what you want to do."   

Mary Keasler came all the way from Tennessee and made this beautiful piece.

I spent two days making one big mess, but I had fun and learned a ton!

The last of the tulips were blooming nearby.

And bringing color to the local farmer's market.  

Since then, I went to San Francisco and met a wonderful man who's creating a very exciting book.

Stay tuned!

 

Dancing with Fans

"Dancing Fans"  76" x 61"

I had fun playing with the many design possibilities of the fan blocks.  

It took awhile before the final idea "unfolded." ; )

It began with a charcoal background and layout inspired by this quilt.

 Then I visited my friend, Patricia, at Okan Arts, 

and bought some of her vintage yukata cotton for the border.  

The charcoal had to go.  And why not play with the fan setting?  

Hmm, wheels?

Straight rows?

On point?

One row up, the next row down?

Snake?

Ah, now we're getting some movement.  I love the way they almost spin.  

This is the same design I settled on, but the fans aren't paired by color here.

Happy spring!  Wishing you lots of pink snow.

Tennessee Lightnin' Strikes Again

Tennessee Lightnin',  54" x 70",  is now quilted!

It started back here, with some old shirts bought with friends on a trip to Tennessee 

and inspiration from the book, Bold Improvisation by Scott Heffley.

It had another border for awhile, but it just wasn't working for me.    

I quilted it with straight lines, using the free motion foot.  

The trick is turning the quilt at each corner, so you're always sewing forward or backward, 

not side to side or diagonally.  At first I tried it with the walking foot, but the fmq was faster.

I kept the diagonal quilting lines going in the border.  

It's hard to see, but it makes a nice overall texture.

Even the binding got to join the diagonal dance!

Now for more play with fans.  Hmm, straight or diagonal?

Eyelashes is Quilted!

"Eyelashes" (80" x 80") is quilted at last, just in time for the local quilt show.

I finished the top a few years ago, and quilted it over the last few months.

I used black perle #8 cotton and wool batting.

The design and quilting is inspired by Kathy Doughty's "Gypsy Kisses" in her book, Making Quilts. 

I used Kaffe Fassett's "Pickle Dish" pattern from his book, Quilt Romance.

Next up more fans! 

This one is inspired by this quilt made by Julie Fukuda and her quilt group in Tokyo.

Still Here

Just finishing a few things.  

One in the machine,

And one in the hoop.  

Only 18 blocks to go, out of 64.  As long as I quilt one block each evening, 

it'll be finished in time for the quilt show next month!

"Hourglass"

I finally finished this top, after starting it last summer and putting it away for awhile.

"Hourglass"  (aka Courthouse Steps) 64" x  78"

Made from shirt scraps and vintage fabrics.

It's my rendition of this quilt from Roderick Kiracofe's collection.  

Photo courtesy of Roderick Kiracofe

"Housetop, variation" c. 1950-1975, African American

From the book, "Quilts" by Roderick Kiracofe.

  

I'm not sure how I'll quilt it.  I'm thinking about lots of red ties. 

Whatever I do, it'll be awhile before my hands are free.  

They're occupied with this one for the next six weeks.  

It's got a date with the local quilt show in March!

A Finish and a Start

Finally finished hand quilting "A Bold Expression."  It's been "in the hoop" for over a year.

It didn't take that long to quilt it.  I'd set it aside for several months between start and finish.

I started out with one of those large frames that's the size of a small table.  

I found it hurt my arm and neck to quilt that way.  

So I went back to the hoop, and finished it in a number of weeks.

I love the corduroy binding.  It's fun to rub your fingers on it.  

Next up, "Eyelashes."  

I'm hoping to get it finished for the local show in early March.  

WISHING YOU A FUN, HEALTHY, INSPIRED 2014!