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| book by Jenn MacKinlay and hilariously read on audio |
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| 6" wide X 4" long |
I used some Mary Engelbreit fabric on the sides, and after seeing how cute this was decided not to put it on the top and bottom too... I LOVE the size and shape. I put batting on the back, quilted it, then backed it and did an envelope turn.
This tiny project helped me to finally face the BIG BAG of walnut shells I bought at the pet store long ago. It was so heavy I never opened it. DH toted it downstairs, where I divided it up into 4 ziplock bags to make using it easier. I admit I made this for my friend Pat in NY (Miss Pat) who said she would love to have the painting. I also admit to being slightly attached to this which is why it's still sitting on my table... and I just cannot risk going to the post office yet because of the doubled infection rate.
It is for you Pat and will be sent later.
While going thru my blues bin, I spied some cut off curvy pieces from making a flowering snowball one year... looks like flowers!
oooo promising...
then because the colors were so close in value the growing whole artwork began to look messy, with no distinct feel of flower field like in my mind.
when that happens with an abstract work, I start moving sections around on the design wall. The sections are all raw, odd shaped, so there is overlap, or open areas to be be fitted together eventually.
Finally I settled on sort of a spiral setting with one applique flower shape in the center, and the true work began of fitting and seaming the sections together one by one, changing the layout slightly as they were combined.
It's a fun puzzle to me!
this is the plan... add in some great greens to showcase the petals and give me a finished edge. I don't have to even up the outside but I want to as it will give order to a chaotic piece with so many fabrics in it. I will admit working abstracts is still challenging for me but made for a change after finishing the pattern used in last week's cabana quilt.
So if you need me, likely I'll be in the studio working on this, and hopefully go right into quilting and finishing it this time.
Lessons learned
1. value plays the largest part when using a lot of fabrics, so even color change isn't enough to create strong lines
2. pieces look different when under the needle than on the wall in one larger piece
3. keep a vision in mind but allow for right turns during the creation
4. too many patterns can blend or become distracting... figure out what's going on in your work
5. don't throw away little scraps as good art from little scraps grows...
the first book I mentioned was Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson a story of relationships, mysteries about your great grandmothers, Paris, Food, love and life.
LOVE how the petal piece evolved, LeeAnna!! You've got some good lessons in that list, too. Thanks for sharing what you learned!
ReplyDeleteParis is truly *always* a good idea, like your book says. Love the giant hexies!
ReplyDeleteAw, the pincushion is so sweet, but I think you should keep that one since you are attached to it, and make me another pincushion with flowers, since I love the ones you paint. No rush, I know you don't go out these days. I can wait.
ReplyDeletePat
The pin cushion is too cute! The more hexies you add in new colors the more fun that piece looks.
ReplyDeleteSuch adorable sewings!
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to read and see where your creative play is taking you! That little pin cushion is too cute!
ReplyDeleteyour petals are so creative and I love the addition of the dark blue to your hexes!
ReplyDeleteLoving your hexis, the darker blue adds a real interest. Your lessons list is great, I'm constantly 'turning' with my projects!
ReplyDeleteBrave! Curvy pieces I would have thrown away! Or more honestly, put away never to use! Thanks for the list! Maybe, just maybe…I’ll get brave!
ReplyDeleteThose hexies are brilliant and I liked getting an insight into your process with the flower petal parts. Paris is good at any time as far as I'm concerned!! :)
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing someone playing in their scraps. I look forward to seeing where you go with your project. Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteNice use of your blue scraps, the hexagons are a great idea. Gorgeous pincushion. xx
ReplyDeleteYour blue hexagons add depth. The flowers are a clever way to use tiny scraps. Lots of lessons here. I read Paris is Always a Good Idea and remember it was entertaining. It would bug me if any of my family wanted to marry on two weeks aquaintance.
ReplyDeleteI like your RSC project. I look forward to seeing how you assemble them.
ReplyDeleteThat pin cushion is so pretty! No wonder you haven't let it go just yet. In the meantime, be careful with the COVID out there. The improv garden is lovely and free! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletePretty blues. The pincushion is adorable. The piece made with the curvy blues is intriguing. Looking forward to how you finish this. All good observations which I could take to heart. I have to beware of using too many colors in too many prints of similar values. I am inclined to blur the lines in quilt blocks. I do look at grayscale photos sometimes to see what I am sewing. Thanks for sharing and linking up this week ... :) Pat
ReplyDeleteYou got busy!!! LOVE those big hexies and seeing all the colors together! and thanks for the book recommendation!
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