I am constantly seeking new ideas, inspiration and new techinques, especially those beyond my current abilities. I want to stretch myself and do things which will improve my skills. There is one person that is amazing to see, the quality of her work, and the speed at which her WIPs change to finished projects is jaw dropping! Who am I talking about? Geta! Check out her blog - every post is an inspiration! She also has a giveaway to sign up for! What fun, who doesn't love a beautiful gift? Just seeing her work, makes me want to get busy!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
quilting area coming together, participating quilters increasing
I have not accomplished much lately, there have been ALOT of health issues in our family. I told you about Isa, who we learned has type 1 diabetes. Following that hospital stay was 2 emergencies with Mom, bad cold/flu for son-in-law and I, hubby came down with something, daughter and sister both had kidney stones, and I had a work injury.
But, all are doing better now, and my dear hubby is finishing up my storage cabinet/pressing table. This will slide under my cutting table. And so, soon I may have a space that will be functional to hold everything I need to work on the quilt! Yeah!
Besides the One Couch Quilt, I have several other quilts which will need done about the same time as the Staff Quilt Show that I am making the One Couch Quilt for - so I have my work cut out for me!
Our Staff Show is now up to 17 possible quilters joining us!
But, all are doing better now, and my dear hubby is finishing up my storage cabinet/pressing table. This will slide under my cutting table. And so, soon I may have a space that will be functional to hold everything I need to work on the quilt! Yeah!
Besides the One Couch Quilt, I have several other quilts which will need done about the same time as the Staff Quilt Show that I am making the One Couch Quilt for - so I have my work cut out for me!
Our Staff Show is now up to 17 possible quilters joining us!
Friday, August 28, 2009
so, how is the one couch quilt coming?
I have finished my gift for Ben & Julie and will give it to them Sunday. Hopefully it will be a comfort to them. They are such sweet people, it breaks my heart to see them hurting so. I will post pic of the gift after I give it to them.
I also have been trying to finish up one other project. I had it all done, and noticed it wasn't square, so took off the binding and cut it all apart. Now, it is square in the center, and the borders are square (double & triple checked by me & hubby). So, I just have to put it all back together and bind it again and it is done. This is the last project on my plate before I can fully devote myself to the one couch quilt.
Hubby has built a wonderful cutting table for me, and is working on a pressing table which will roll underneath the table, and have storage for baskets of project materials. So, hopefully soon, it will be easier to work on things! Thank you, Dan! I love you!
Isa (who sewed the wonky star and beaded "stolen snacks") was diagnosed as type 1diabetic recently. She is doing very well, but covets your prayers. She was in the hospital for 2 days, then had doctor appointments all day long after getting out.
Hopefully now things will be on an even keel again, and I will be able to find some time to work on my quilt. My goal is to have it done by mid April.
I also have been trying to finish up one other project. I had it all done, and noticed it wasn't square, so took off the binding and cut it all apart. Now, it is square in the center, and the borders are square (double & triple checked by me & hubby). So, I just have to put it all back together and bind it again and it is done. This is the last project on my plate before I can fully devote myself to the one couch quilt.
Hubby has built a wonderful cutting table for me, and is working on a pressing table which will roll underneath the table, and have storage for baskets of project materials. So, hopefully soon, it will be easier to work on things! Thank you, Dan! I love you!
Isa (who sewed the wonky star and beaded "stolen snacks") was diagnosed as type 1diabetic recently. She is doing very well, but covets your prayers. She was in the hospital for 2 days, then had doctor appointments all day long after getting out.
Hopefully now things will be on an even keel again, and I will be able to find some time to work on my quilt. My goal is to have it done by mid April.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Julie & Ben
Dear friends of ours, said hello and goodby to their little baby girl yesterday. She was born at 20 weeks. My heart breaks for them, and want them to know that I am praying for them.
Their daughter, Aubrianna Faith weighed 1 pound and 2 ounces, she was 11 inches long.
She now awaits at the Pearly Gates, anxious for when she can tell her Mommy & Daddy how much she loves them.
Their daughter, Aubrianna Faith weighed 1 pound and 2 ounces, she was 11 inches long.
She now awaits at the Pearly Gates, anxious for when she can tell her Mommy & Daddy how much she loves them.
Friday, July 24, 2009
it has begun - Isa sews
Every other Sunday one of the grandkids come over for a little one on one with Gramma & Papa. This is what Isa did with her time..........
She made one wonky star block. It is a foundation pieced block. She did a great job, being very careful to stay on the lines. It didn't take too long to get all the sections sewn, and the block put together.
She chose a bright yellow batik type fabric for her star. Yellow will be very minimal on the quilt, just a little accent color.
N
ext, she chose an answer, and began sewing the alpha beads onto the block.
ext, she chose an answer, and began sewing the alpha beads onto the block. Being the "food" gal she is, she chose the "stolen snacks" answer to embellish!
Unfortunately before she could finish - it was time to go to church. So, we will need to finish this later.................
Thursday, July 23, 2009
more details on the "1 couch + 6 kids = ?"
Diana about fainted when I told her that I was going to put the kids in crazy color clothes, and change the background, etc. She had worked so hard to make a fantastic photo (think she accomplished that - don't you? She always does, and it is not just a mother speaking - she gets rave reviews from all her clients), Anyway, back to topic.
I wanted to put the kids in clothing that would help reflect their passions. For instance, Isabel loves all things Chinese and loves art. So, I plan to put her in a little Chinese outfit, and use a couple small paint brushes to hold up her hair bun.
It was interesting coming up with ways to represent all their interests. Especially when Damon is barely 3, and doesn't seem to have many interests yet.
I had all the kids draw their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up. That was interesting. I got a few surprises.
I will float the couch on a cloud (instead of being in the middle of a field as in the pic), and will put wonky star blocks in the borders. The kids' drawings will float above their heads...............
I wanted to put the kids in clothing that would help reflect their passions. For instance, Isabel loves all things Chinese and loves art. So, I plan to put her in a little Chinese outfit, and use a couple small paint brushes to hold up her hair bun.
It was interesting coming up with ways to represent all their interests. Especially when Damon is barely 3, and doesn't seem to have many interests yet.
I had all the kids draw their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up. That was interesting. I got a few surprises.
I will float the couch on a cloud (instead of being in the middle of a field as in the pic), and will put wonky star blocks in the borders. The kids' drawings will float above their heads...............
Why is it called One Couch?
The picture in the header is the photo which appeared on my daughter's Christmas card - the card that inspired this whole thing!
As I looked at my beautiful grandchildren, I could see all the fun, all the mischief, all the dreams, all the personality of the kids. I knew that the quilt couldn't be an ordinary quilt, one that just was a photo of them. But, it had to be wild and crazy, it had to be fun and make you smile.
When I looked at the picture, I saw all that fun and it popped into my head "what does one couch plus six kids equal?" - and so that became the name of the quilt.
I found a really fun
font to make the title of the quilt, and my friend, Deanna made mold for the buttons for me.
The answers to that question will be alpha beads sewn all over. If you have suggestions, for answers - let me know!
So what does the rest of the quilt look like............................
As I looked at my beautiful grandchildren, I could see all the fun, all the mischief, all the dreams, all the personality of the kids. I knew that the quilt couldn't be an ordinary quilt, one that just was a photo of them. But, it had to be wild and crazy, it had to be fun and make you smile.
When I looked at the picture, I saw all that fun and it popped into my head "what does one couch plus six kids equal?" - and so that became the name of the quilt.
I found a really fun
font to make the title of the quilt, and my friend, Deanna made mold for the buttons for me.The answers to that question will be alpha beads sewn all over. If you have suggestions, for answers - let me know!
So what does the rest of the quilt look like............................
back to how it began
As I thought of all I want to do, and began making my plans, I sort of got drafted into heading up a Staff Quilt Show!
Wow! If I were to head up a Quilt Show, that means I need a quilt to enter! All my quilts to this point have been gifts. I could probably borrow those back, but I wanted MY quilt in the show! This is the first pattern designed with me in mind, that I plan to keep for myself! It has to be in the Show!
With a deadline looming, I am now beginning to create the One Couch quilt of the kids. My goal is to get it done in time for the Show in April.
We will see how that goes! But, I haven't explained why I call it a One Couch quilt..................
Wow! If I were to head up a Quilt Show, that means I need a quilt to enter! All my quilts to this point have been gifts. I could probably borrow those back, but I wanted MY quilt in the show! This is the first pattern designed with me in mind, that I plan to keep for myself! It has to be in the Show!
With a deadline looming, I am now beginning to create the One Couch quilt of the kids. My goal is to get it done in time for the Show in April.
We will see how that goes! But, I haven't explained why I call it a One Couch quilt..................
the creation of the One Couch quilts
As I came up with the title for my quilt inspired by the Christmas card, it instantly put designs of other quilts in my head. Some people don't have grand-children - instead they have pets, or are a childless couple having only each other. As I thought of how to redo the quilt pattern to accomodate these people, designs for these quilts formed in my mind.
I imagined and designed the borders and the blocks, the applique and the embellishments.
Soon, I had a whole line of quilts sketched out.
Now, I need to finalize all the plans, and begin earnestly creating the patterns and sewing a sample of each. But first...............................
I imagined and designed the borders and the blocks, the applique and the embellishments.
Soon, I had a whole line of quilts sketched out.
Now, I need to finalize all the plans, and begin earnestly creating the patterns and sewing a sample of each. But first...............................
It all started with a Christmas card.........
The summer of 2008 saw my daughter, Diana (a professional photographer - http://www.petersphotography.net/) combing second hand stores for the perfect couch to set down in the middle of a field, out in the country, to take the annual picture for the Christmas card she would send to clients, friends and family.
When December finally came, and I could see the pictures and the card, I knew I had to make a quilt!
The “pattern” rumbled around in my mind for 6 months, ever evolving and growing.
I knew that the title of the quilt had to express the fun the kids have together and cause an interaction with the viewer. The title came almost instantly. Being in the form of a question, I had to try to find the answers!
The many techniques used expanded my experiences and challenged my imagination.
My friend, Deanna, created the mold for the title’s buttons, and was a very big encouragement to me as she is an artist herself (see her web site at: http://www.dklstudios.com/). While working on her web site, I told her my ideas, and she suggested I work towards publishing some of my patterns.
So, this blog is the beginning of putting things together.
When December finally came, and I could see the pictures and the card, I knew I had to make a quilt!
The “pattern” rumbled around in my mind for 6 months, ever evolving and growing.
I knew that the title of the quilt had to express the fun the kids have together and cause an interaction with the viewer. The title came almost instantly. Being in the form of a question, I had to try to find the answers!
The many techniques used expanded my experiences and challenged my imagination.
My friend, Deanna, created the mold for the title’s buttons, and was a very big encouragement to me as she is an artist herself (see her web site at: http://www.dklstudios.com/). While working on her web site, I told her my ideas, and she suggested I work towards publishing some of my patterns.
So, this blog is the beginning of putting things together.
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