Saturday, September 17, 2016

Watercolor Summer

"Watercolor Summer"   25" X 28"
I feel good about this. I am sewing again.
It may be the end of summer but the summer abstract is now done. It felt good to be sewing again. The quilting is a mix of straightline sewing with a walking foot, some programmed stitches like the spiral and the key design, and free motion, see...
The swing was a bit too subtle with just the couched ribbon, so I added the "seat" from scrapbook words.
Look at all those fun prints... note the stitching on the tree, the swirls of air...

The free motion feathers in the two bottom corners.
It's very subtle but I know it's there...



I have made four seasonal abstracts now... and will show those together later... for now to recap...
I started with these 2" cut squares
Then used this
And these
I like a mix of color and texture, but mostly did a lot with the madeira copper metallic twist, the madeira metallic variegated for the sky, and YLI metallic for specialty stitches.                              All behave well. I did a thick 30 weight black cotton along both sides of the inner border.                                                                            As I worked I listened to this book next in the series I've listened to before....                                                      
These are the ribbon floss colors I used for the swing. I used one next to the other, and couched over them with silver YLI metallic. It's subtle, and I quite like the effect in person.       Note the little flower buttons, and the adorable little mushroom glass beads!!! What a find! They sprouted up along the tree line...
 I didn't get a close up of the spiral stitch, which is one reason to keep that aging Bernina 1630, but I here's  the key stitch, straight stitch, then the spiral stitch all on the little inner turquoise border. I like the little word peace hanging there under the swing. I sewed again. That's a good thing. 
Linking to parties, including these
quiltstory tuesdays 
sew cute Tuesdays
quiltinfatuation 
 

29 comments:

PaintedThread said...

I love how this came out. The swing is really cute.

Huzzah for sewing again.

Jennifer said...

looks great! can't wait to see all 4!

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a WONDERFUL piece you've created!! I'll be looking forward to seeing all of the seasons together.

Kate said...

Beautifully done! It really does convey the summer vibe. Congrats on a gorgeous finish.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Yes! That is such a good thing, LeeAnna! So happy to see your beautiful art. I love how it came together with all of those 2" squares, and then the quilting and embellishments you added. Really a neat piece!

PaulaB quilts said...

It is truly a happy memory of childhood. The little girl ran off but the swing is still moving. The mushrooms are a part of a forest setting, which is where we find peace. Trees are such splendid parts of nature and nurture it and us in so many ways.

Joanne said...

There's still colour to be found in September!
A great quilt for that time when Summer feels like it's at it's end and Fall hasn't quite kicked in!
Great to see you sewing! And it's a finish!
It's a great thing indeed!

easyweimaraner said...

I love it... and I specially love the part with the two little bees ... it's like a magnet, my eyes always land at this bees LOL

Julierose said...

Lovely summer wash...so happy to hear you are sewing once again...amazing what you did with 2" squares....
hugs, Julierose

Maria said...

Yay! I'm glad you're sewing again. It looks beautiful!

Jenny K. Lyon said...

This. Is. Beautiful. It's so good to see you back sewing again. Love this post!

Tails Around the Ranch said...

Nice to see you creating beauty again. LOVE the spirals and the feathers.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! ღ

Nell's Quilts said...

It always feels good to get back to doing something you love. Great little artsy piece.

claudia said...

I love this piece! You have outdone yourself again! Glad to see you are back in the "swing" of things. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself)

MissPat said...

I knew you would get there in your own time. Now I expect to see a bit of a sewing frenzy. You have a most creative mind and it can't be at rest for too long. Looking forward to seeing the others.

Pat

Sara said...

I've never tried couching. The swing is such a fun feature of this quilt.

AlidaP said...

It turned out amazing!! The little details of the mushroom and flower buttons is just so perfect! Thanks for another inspiring piece... I have to go through my scrap box and see what I can come up with :)

Ann said...

So many lovely details. Aren't these part of what make quilts so special. I'm glad you're finding your creativity again.

Pamela Arbour said...

You did a very nice job on your quilt. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Pale Blue Corner said...

I really like this quilt, it is amazing!

gayle said...

I'm glad you're feeling like playing again. 8)
(And I adore that swing!)

Kaja said...

I like how the thin borders interact with the areas made from squares - it's ended up nicely balanced and evocative. Lovely that you are sewing again too.

Daytona Damsel said...

Very nice. I like the colors and the swing definately says Summer.

Marsha Cooper said...

I really like it too and your embellishments are cool.

Susan said...

This turned out beautifully, especially with the added embellishments. With that and the quilting, it really makes you take a closer look. Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers.
PS Glad your sewing again!

Ruth said...

It's lovley - the swing detail really cathches the eye and draws you in!

Muv said...

Hello LeeAnna,

It's gorgeous, such a cheerful riot of colour!

Thank you for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks - your quilt is this week's featured project!

Love, Muv

Lena Pugacheva said...

Lovely details all around in it, it has a wonderful impact as a whole and must be really fun to study all the prints and details!

Heidi said...

Really beautiful, and the swing is perfection. Thanks for sharing how you did it with couching! It will be fun to see the seasons all together!