unfinished...

Just a WEE portion of the whole quilt

Eeeek! I'm working on the Quilt Doodles quilt from last year for a blog hop. I said I'd do the hop, with my (ahem) (panic) finished quilt. And I'm set to post on Jan 24th.
And I just finally finished piecing the top row!!

Uh.  Oh.

So yesterday I pinned the rows to the design wall and they are so pretty as is. I started planning how large to sew the segments to be quilted.  When you have to quilt a bed quilt in sections because of a troublesome back condition plus a small home machine, it takes planning. It is do-able but takes forethought. 

 

Since the rows are already nearly 60 inches across, I won't be able to do the embroidery in the quilting stage so I started blanket stitching around the blades and the noses. I used variegated gold thread on the noses and YLI silver thread around the blades here. I  was trying to do it quickly before a physical therapy appt. and took a shortcut in not putting stabilizer under the stitching on curves. It pulled up a bit, so when I am able to continue with them I will put a piece of typing paper under for the embroidery then pull it off easily. 

During the quilting process I will cover the already silver embossed blade with straight line quilting stitches and the silver metallic thread, to make it glisten. Gotta keep to threads that can go thru the washer and dryer, since this will be large enough to at least be a coverlet on our king.

When I signed up for the hop, I thought I'd be done with this quilt, no problem!! Well, life intervened, know what I mean jellybean?   I always think I can get more done than I do. I always have many many projects and commitments and deadlines looming. 

I'm never bored. 

So, yesterday while feeling overwhelmed I did what many people do when they foolishly think they can get it all done... I made a LIST!

what happened to this color?! The ironing board is lime green in real life!

That's right, just follow the list! Easy peasy!

Until I lose the list.
LeeAnna

If you want me, I'm in my nest...

What would the caption be here??
If you need me I'll be in my nest?
I was wasting some time letting the TV suck intelligence from me, while I played games on the IPAD when I glanced up and saw this.

He's never reclined this way before, with forearms on his pillow facing his toy box. Maybe he was wishing he had a poodle version of an IPAD.
"Angry Squirrels!"  "Critter Match" "Word games for Poodles"
Cole is waaaay overdue for grooming. He is really cute and really smelly. It would appear that being an (ahem) older pup he just might dribble a bit when he pees. I know he stores food particles in that 'stash, like many men. (have I told you how much I dislike the trend to the unkempt beards??)
So even though there was snow and ice outside, and we cut his hair on the front porch, we buckled down and gave him a bath yesterday.
POOR my husband!
Afterwards, even though dusk was approaching early from cloud cover, we three went to the porch where Cole had to suffer the indignity of having his nether parts shaved.
NO ONE ENJOYS THIS
I put on my hazmat suit, face mask and do my best to shave a very intimate area. Poodle hair grows almost everywhere. And curls. And clean poodle hair floats in the air like dust.
We had to stop at shaving the face and er, important areas and forego the rest of him for later. Then we went for a little walk before dark, and he fairly DANCED.

I figured he was thinking " Wow felt like I was only being groomed for a minute this time, and mom only nicked me once! No Feet?!? Score!!"

Poor boy! Little does he know today, the grooming continues. LeeAnna
linking to Monday Mischief Pet stories
ps  the fabric bundle under the tree, which is STILL UP, is from my friend Kaja. How did she know I like fabric? This is her place sewslowly
pss I bought this calendar to give to one of you... leave a comment about it if you want to win it!! It's so cute.

UPDATE: I drew names and Shannon won the calendar! Congrats Shannon, hope you enjoy it, and thank you so much for being a constant reader of my blogposts! Cole thanks you! LeeAnna

If Monet had a French Poodle...

"A FRENCH Poodle in Monet's garden"  12" X 12"  

The Stat project this time was to make a quilt inspired by the artist Claude Monet. The size must be 12 " square, and the quilt made with an emphasis on textures. 

How would you approach this challenge? 

This is the 10th artist we've studied, see  list of STAT pictures here

I usually study technique, and try to interpret an aspect of their techniques but this time I wanted to capture his waterlily paintings with bridges, and focused on content. I also researched quotes and fell in like with his words.

I knew the components would be flowers, willows, a bridge and a poodle. I found a collection of monet inspired fabrics and the sheer hand-dyed I used for the sky. What I didn't know was that the sheer would bubble up when I pressed it to the fusible interfacing. The poodle was a crystal studded embroidery applique from Joann's. The bridge was ribbon sewn down with a straight stitch.

 Sometimes I don't want to over think, or over plan a piece, and I work quickly to keep the creativity flowing. This was one of those times. The ribbon curled a bit, and I didn't plan the placement but didn't want it centered as I wanted to see if some kind of perspective or surprise emotion emerged from working freely.
I free motion quilted the piece first with metallic threads, sometimes vertically, sometimes circular waterlily shaped.

As I told you in the first post (HERE or keep reading) I felted some roving to add flowers. That didn't work, so I deconstructed some yarn and piled up a colorful bit, and using mylar thread I zigzagged over the lumps to bring texture to the flowers.

You can't tell in the photo but the sky fabric is just so shimmery and sparkling as are the threads.

The willow branched hang loosely, free to move around.

The binding on sides was hand whipped to back. The top and bottom, I left extra fabric in place to pull to the back, turn under and whipstitch to backing.
I printed out some quotes onto prepared fabric and the BrushScript font. This became my label.

 I cut out this quote, "Color is my daylong obsession, joy, and torment" sewed ribbon around it, then appliqued it to the back of the quilt.

Speaking of backs, I do try to use somewhat pretty fabric on the backs of quilts. It goes against the grain to use up pretties on the back but this came out of the overfull scrap bin and the flowers soooo fit.

I hope you enjoyed the latest STAT quilt. We have several more to go. At the end I'll have 12 quilts.


Please continue reading for another post on how threads and fabrics were chosen and what they looked like before the choices were made.
Remember you can see at a few other STAT quilts from the link listed above or label on side ==>

When you make an original composition, it's all about decision making. From which fabrics establish a mood, to size of pieces, whether to border, what to include or not, how to achieve a component, how to quilt and bind it. Then embellishments. It's sometimes uncomfortable in the process but very rewarding to see something come from bits and pieces!
 I hope you spend some time today creating something from your heart.

Making Monet

  My Artist Study project this time is Claude Monet.

I pulled these fabrics from my stash. I firmly believe you should buy fabric when you see if, if you think you'll need it sometime in your life. I would never have found these nowadays as they are almost vintage yet PERFECT for this project.

The project is a 12 inch square quilt inspired by the artist, with an emphasis on texture.
The first photo is the quilt during the thread work decision-making process.
I thought I would share how I decide on threads...

 These are four of my thread cases, arranged by type as that's how I work and think. For this project I wanted metallic, rayons, and  mylar threads to glisten on the surface. I pull the case with that type of thread...

I use these hot wheels cases that open on two sides, and hold many spools of thread. I pulled the metallic container and colors I wanted. I pull more spools than I'll use, and pool the threads on a top, to see how they'll look.

This pile is some of the textural and 3-D items to be used. This time as I approached the challenge, I decided to focus on content, and do a water lily style quilt. I wanted a bridge. After considering how to do the bridge in a way to showcase textures, I decided to make it with trims.
I dug through my trims box, and found this ribbon in a great color mix of brown, gold and purple with a metallic gold thread shot thru. It's see thru and mashed up a bit. I love that.
Then I looked at the holder, and lo and behold! The title of the collection of trims is Bridges.
HA! Isn't that fun!?!
What didn't quite work out were the felted lilies. I thought I would take this roving, and felt in a few colorful threads into lily shapes to add to the piece. Well, they felted beautifully but repelled the added threads. And the colors went very muted and organic, but too blendy for this piece. 

No worries! I'll save them with the rest of the stuff in my studio for another project. I found some weird knitting yarn to use for the lilies instead... it's a furry black wound into a bobble bright yarn. I separated them, and used the colorful bobbles mushed together and it looks subtle but terrific. You'll see tomorrow.

I love words, so I always google quotes by the artists, and actually loved, yep loved, Claude Monet's words.
I printed them onto this fabric prepared for printing. I have some concerns as it says dry clean only. I know I will never wash these stat quilts but what if they get damp and the words smear? I plan to put a quote on the back of the quilt this time, using the blank area as my label. I'll just have to keep 'em dry.

I plan to show you the finished quilt tomorrow and discuss how I approach making a story quilt. I'll have lots of close up pics of the adornments and stitching.
Feels good to finish something doesn't it?

Look here for the finished quilt   CLICK RIGHT HERE FOR MONET

 For more STAT quilts look under (This Label)

Feeling blue? or Aqua?

Oh how I want him!!
Do you buy stuff like cream pitchers just for the color and shape? I guess I do. I haven't bought him yet but..
And look at these

that color resonates with me. I need a set of everyday dishes and considered Gordon Ramsey's new line, that same shade of aqua but the pattern is like a bullseye and the curve of them would cause trouble in the dishwasher.

This little teacup on feet!! I'm smitten! I want it too!

And... to a store employee of Antropologie, just wrap up the store, I'll take it.
 As if the elephant and teacup weren't enough...

Their displays are like entering an art gallery.
The scale from enormous in the window, to this little tiny city scape above the housewares.

They must hire artists to design their displays.

What becomes of displays when the store is done with them?? Are they thrown away? What a waste when they could come live with me.

(I can hear my husband now... "where?! in our little house? " )

Mischief in Mt Airy

 On a recent trip to see some open houses, we stopped for a stroll around the historic city of Sykesville (and Mt Airy) Maryland.
Cole found an interesting window to look into...

A closed realty office has as it's greeter The most loving beautiful friendly cat. It danced for us. Cole was so mesmerized he just watched with no barks. We did too. The cat did quite a show!  I suggest you click on the pic to read the cat's story. The office promotes rescue. We checked out the town's history in the window next door but Cole continued to commune with Grey Goose.

I LOVE a historic town so we parked and strolled through the town, imagining it in the late 1700's and early 1800's when the mill was started. This is the train station now a restaurant that has murder mystery dinner parties.
How fun is that!? I want to go with friends to eat and solve the mystery.

Drew and Cole waited outside while I looked around and got the flyer. I sneaked a pic through the door. My patient menfolk...

As we continued our walk, I noticed the buildings were not quite touching...

What in the world?? A hand widths apart. They must have built the second one from the inside out, not caring about the windows and doors on the first one! How would you maintain either?? There were several like this. I guess when you start a town in 1830 there might not be too many rules.
I wish I could peek back to the real people who lived here, and chat with them.

Another window, this time with a poodle in it! Cole totally ignored this one for some reason. 
I saw this in one store, and thought it would give you a chuckle...

We needed a snack and stopped at this Mt Airy Burger King and were happily surprised to see this

In the seating area. I had to wait til the family of four left to get a picture! I wanted to eat there but we were done with our snack. They also had cool lights and etched glass dividers...

Someone was very creative!! I expressed my delight to an employee and she said management wants to "update" the look. Too retro. Oh no! It will look like every other Burger joint! Not every change is good.
So, to recap, this was the last day of our holiday stay-cation. We didn't find a house but we spent some great time watching videos, hanging around together and Cole will have a hard time accepting the end of constant together time. LeeAnna
More Walks with poodle posts can be seen here!!
linking to monday mischief party of pets 
and blogpaws hop

What will you make this year? (Goals and machines)

Happy New Year to you all!

Do you have any sewing  goals for this year? Did you actually write them down so you don't forget?
Anyone put finish a few UFO's on their goal list?

I have spent several days in the studio, moving things around to sort and see what I have, and clear out some space for three quilt deadlines. I need to figure out how to get back on the exhibit entry circuit this year and take a class on how to use my new SLR camera for entry pictures. I also want to draw more, not to impress but to learn scale and shading. I want to use my books, do more beading, finish some started projects and start more. I want to look through my old quilting magazines and clear off the dining room table. (post on my magazine obsession click here!)

As if that will ever happen.

For me, there is a balance between cleaning up and putting things away, which gives me clarity and space to work... but...the other side of that is forgetting what I have and possibly not remembering where I stored it.

 I have many other goals as well. I finally bought a featherweight so I need/want to learn about the care and feeding of it, and use it to sew some scrap projects  in bee. Under the tree this year were two important black cases...

 One holds the SLR digital camera I need to take a class on digital photography. Hopefully that will lead to understanding of how to take a great picture for quilt show entries. The other case held this...

A 1951 centenial Singer featherweight.
I have wanted this machine for years, toying with the idea of getting a red one, but when a local woman approached our bee with the desire to sell her two I went over to see this one. It needs a tiny bit of adjustment, possibly a new belt and a bit of oil but it is so cool!! I am thrilled.
Now I must allow myself to use it. One of my goals is to learn the care and feeding from my hive mate Lynn and then start a sewin'

Each year I choose a word to explore for that year.
 Last year was ( enjoy another monk photo from last year)   ENJOY

Awe, here's my happy monk, the one who stayed on the mantle all year to remind me to enjoy the moments between the pain. This year he's joined by this year's Snowbaby. I try to get one each year, and didn't display them all this year but this one needed buying.
The gesture of love, the holding of the sweet bear close, the connection between them... had to have it.
Because
This year my word is connection, a verb or connections a noun and goal. 

When a person chooses ( or often a word chooses them)  a word to focus on for a year, it is surprising all that comes up.
 The universe kicked my butt when I chose RELEASE. I won't try to explain all I had to release that year but it wasn't easy. It was good, not easy. 

So this year I hope to explore connections in all forms, connecting to friends, myself, my work, my long term goals, the Earth and my spirituality, and not least of which my husband and poodle. I sure hope those of you here will consider being a part of my process this year!! I have made fantastic friends here. Friendships that can grow and blossom. 
A short story... we went contra dancing New Year's Eve.

  We met contra dancing in Tampa and have danced together in the greater DC area since we moved here about 20 years ago. We have gotten to know many people at these friendly dances but only a few that we see outside of the dances themselves. This year, during a break I bravely approached one of the couples we really like and told her about my word, and that I would love to set up a dinner date with them this year. I feared she would come up with excuses to keep a distance like so many people here do... but she didn't! She said, great! We'd love to. 

It's a start! 

I have written down goals in several categories. One of my goals is to start a link party of my own this year and I sure hope you will come share that with me. I spent the morning developing a quilt to use as the image for the link button!! It's really cool and I'm excited about it. 

What have you been up to and have you set any goals for yourself and quilting??
Thanks for reading and please stay in touch y'all!

Love, LeeAnna
linking to 15 sewing goals  as well as my other faves listed on links page