More new projects and one old one

One might think, when they have a meeelion WIP's that one might consider finishing something before beginning another project.
Nope.
I am teaching two workshops soon, "Words on Quilts" and "Binding 12 ways". When I am about to teach or do a presentation my thinking cap goes on and lots of new ideas flow thru to my brain. I can't ignore them, can I??
Nope.

From Sew Precise software

The first picture will become one quilt, and these paper piecing letters will be a valance over the studio window.

Two new ways I will use words on quilts and I've already done it lots and lots of ways.
The point is, there is always a new way, if you listen to your muse.

I have not forgotten the really big winter quilt being quilted in sections.

This is one of two side borders, size 16" by 77.5", layered, ready for basting and quilting.

Then here it is quilted...

It's amazing how long it takes to sew straight lines. First there is the measuring and placement of masking tape to guide the lines.  I especially like lots of repetitive lines on a border but had to take care not to over quilt it, to keep a balance with the middle of the quilt.

Looks like it will match the center. That's a relief!! Measure 25 times, cut once. My plan is to go ahead and bind this outside edge now, leaving a long tail for joining to the remaining borders. Trying to put a binding on this long onto a quilt this big and heavy will be too hard so I had to invent a way to get 'er done. I think kind of a purply blue, double fold turned to the back and hand stitched. They look better for big quilts.

 Next I have to quilt the other side border, put them both on. Then do the final top and bottom borders.

Meanwhile...

My little niece Tiffany, the nurse, just turned 25 yesterday.

She has a picture of me holding her baby-self and says she'll send it to me.  She has 25 yo things to do first...

She wants a tote bag to hold her nurse stuff.
I asked, you have nurse stuff??!
Aren't these cute fabrics to make a little tote?


She has turned into a great adult. With stuff to tote.

I can relate, how about you?
All these fun projects and the studio remains a disaster area. I am still coughing, it's still snowing, the Hampton show is going on with one of my quilts hanging there and I'm NOT there to see it. Life is just so daily.
LeeAnna

Another way to Text

this is a portion of the quilt

 I am still working on my State challenge project. I am finished with the quilting after yesterday's marathon ending with the title quilted into the top border. Love it! It may be subtle but it's there. I had some questions about density of quilting. The past few years have seen wall quilts becoming so densely quilted that they resemble tapestries, if some is good, more is better! 
You'll see the areas I chose to leave puffy in design when I post a finished picture on Monday.
In order to work on this large 35X46 inch quilt, I had to clear the surfaces of my sewing and cutting tables.

 What a difference it makes! Why, it makes me want to actually sort and clean the whole studio finally! All that cleared off surface is enticing, no??
Thought I might show you how I approach a big challenge project. After I decide on a design, draw it out, gather fabrics and start the top, I move on to the exciting bits, the embellishments! Whee!

As I consider beads, sequins, trims, fonts, etc, I pull out one of my empty drawers and use it to corral the possible finishing trims. It holds bits of fused pieces, patterns, threads, etc  until the quilt is finished. It keeps them together and allows my mind to move (moooove) on to the task at hand. Compartmentalization in use.
In this bin is some discarded bias, some wooden fish, some flower beads, the font I used to cut letters for a-moo-ha.
Back to binding choices. Then the embellishing begins!
How do you keep things in order while you create? 
LeeAnna
to see other posts on the hibiscus method (click here!)  and the sun in the beginning (click here!)