Preoccupied

Looking back on this year, I can say a lot of work has been started and some has been completed.  Some of it was easy breezy and some was lost in a fog of proccupation of one thing or another.  Resulting in UFO's, starts and stops, and downright bin fodder.   Not complaining here, just simply remarking of the processes in growth and development of the art form.  Sometimes being preoccupied and diverted is a very positive thing.  

Note:  the top portion of this post was drafted at the end of 2023, many months ago, and I never finished it.  More preoccupation.  But, now being September 2024, I look back on this year and am happy with the progress made.  I will always have some UFO's that linger for months or even years.  Motivation and interest has to keep me going.  Letting go of things I don't even like anymore is important for me to grasp.   Inspiration is, luckily, something I think I may always have.  So many topics and techniques to explore. 

For now, back to sewing...

More stitching

 

Long stitched concentric circles on rough 4-patch squares.  Hand stitching is very satisfying and therapeutic.  My mind is fixed on doing one motion, one direction, and no crossed lines.  Small scraps are transformed into interesting blocks.   Easily tucked in my bag for on-the-go stitching I can take anywhere.   When I get enough of them, I'll stitch them together.   For now, I'm enjoying the process of choosing scraps from my overflowing bag.  I also have a rainbow of threads to choose from to either contrast or match.  Lastly, the buttons.  Lots and lots of buttons.  

I blogged some time ago about my button box.  I actually have more than one button box, more than 3, no I have 5 tin button boxes.  Not tiny ones, those big ones that cookies or other goodies once held.    Maybe I will make a dent if I keep making these squares. Hearts, ornaments, and whatnot called for some buttons, but, I've also been incorporating buttons and beads in some of the landscape art quilts I made like this one.  My DS shot some videos while he was traveling in Amsterdam.  My interpretation depicts the amazing acres and acres of fields of tulips and wildflowers he saw.   It's an awe-inspiring sight.  

Round 5 of NQM/BOM

 The National Quilt Museum (NQM) Facebook page has put out the BOM round 5 which started in May and will go until December.  I really debated whether to participate or not.  I've never been a real fan of sampler quilts and all the rounds except for one have been samplers.  But, it is a great way to learn something new and see what other members are doing.   In this round, the size has been changed to 12.5" X 25", and were instructed to orientate it as we want, either horizontally or vertically.  I want to do both vertical and horizontal, so I will plan as I go.  

I am using some of the ice-dyed pieces I made previously for this round and will incorporate commercially dyed fabrics that match when or if needed.

May's block was a good start and not too challenging.  

It took me all of June to come up with the second block, finishing it up a couple days before the 30th.  I was put off by the blocky style of it.  My DH thought it looked pixelated.   So, I interpreted it as a river with rocks, nearby trees, and fireflies dancing in the moonlight and instead of making the pieced leaves as they did, I appliqued my own.  

Here we are in July already.   As soon as it was released, my DH said that the block reminds him of the old Trivial Pursuit game that comes with pie pieces and fits into a circle.  He does not like pie charts, so I wasn't keen on making the block as the pattern showed.  I wanted the block to represent something personal.  

This is what I came up with for my July block.  It's whimsical and fun, so I hope I can stay on this track for the remainder of the months.   

I have a feeling I will run out of the dark background fabric before finishing the final block.  I bought it a few years ago when it was on sale and maybe it's not available any longer.  But, I'll search for it.  If I have no luck, the alternative plan is to find something similar in my stash and make it blend in enough to not take much notice.  

Now I can sit back and wait for the August block to be released.  It's fun to imagine what might come next. 

Maybe that's part of the allure to make the NQM Block of the Month project as they are always released on the first and you have no idea what will come next.   

 

Diary of a quilt

 Dear Diary, 

Remember those 5-year diaries from years ago?  Writing entries as if the diary itself is somehow a sentient being with thoughts and possible answers.    Instead of the archaic term "diary", I refer more to journaling these days, with thoughts, doodles, drawings, ideas, or even poems.  Journaling has less to do with personal struggles and more to do with my life journey, artistically.  This is National Quilting Month.  I have been re-evaluating myself and what I want to achieve on my quilting journey.  I went to Quilt Con in Atlanta in February.  It was a good show, but a little disjointed in presentation.   After seeing all the quilts, attending 2 of my 3 classes, sitting in on a couple presentations, and purchasing too much, I've come to a couple realizations.  

  Number 1,  I need to be more prepared and make a checklist of items or products I want to purchase.  I was completely prepared for my classes, but less prepared for the weather, packing light, walking long distances, and time management.   

  Number 2,  Bring extra memory cards.  My camera ran out of space, so I switched to my phone's camera.  This was my only option, but not a good one. 

  Number 3,  take notes, and bring a journal.  Not only in the classes but if an idea sparks, I want to notate it before it escapes me.   Make a sketch, jot down an address, and so on. 

Being National Quilting month, I tried to search my UFOs to find the oldest and get at least some progress on it.  I found one from 2012.  It was an idea with materials and embellishments attached.  I vowed to dive in and finish it by the end of this month.  Well, this mental push worked in a way.  The piece is nearing completion, but will not be "finished" by 31 March.  It's OK, though.  I'm good with that.  Knowing that I can push all other things aside and prioritize to meet a deadline is important and I'm so thrilled with my accomplishment so far.  

Every quilt has a story, so I'm told.  I look at my work and think, "what is my story".  I'm not sure there is one.  All I do and have done, I've done because I want to learn or try out a technique.  Beg the question, "what if..." I change things, add things and sometimes never revisit things.  I find out what I love, what I hate, or what I can tolerate.  If I had just made everything using one technique like paper foundation piecing...how boring would that be?   For me...devastating. 

I believe all artists have to grow and expand their work, and their knowledge moving on to better things.  Discovering their own style along the way.  Is this discovery ever finished?  I believe...no.  

Big Stitch along

 Stitching a line of running stitches can be relaxing and calming in a frazzled non-stop world.  To start a big stitch project let's gather some materials and tools and get started.  There are not many and this project can be a compact work that you can take anywhere. 

I have chosen a square from my scrap bag that's been discharge dyed on black grunge fabric.  It measures about 12" square.  Cut a batting and backing square the same size.

Next, I chose threads of various thicknesses in blues, grays, and black.  Some of them are variegated colors.  Most are DMC embroidery floss and some perle cotton by Wonderfil. 

The tools we will use are embroidery scissors, basting needle/straw needle, size 24 Chenille needle or embroidery needles, and a thimble.  No ruler or hoop is needed.  

Layer the top, batting, and backing like a quilt sandwich.  Baste the layers together using a very large stitch (these will be removed as you go).  

Use 3 strands of DMC/embroidery floss, if using, cut it to about 14" length.  Just enough to go the width of your square in one direction.   You will be using a running stitch across the length, making one line and tying off, then starting a next line with a different color or thickness of thread.  It is your choice.  

Put on some music and relax.  Lay down as many lines of running stitches as you would like.  Space them out at first and fill in later as you would like.  I put about 1-2 inches between the lines and filled in.   

Your stitches should be big in your perception.  Not like hand quilting stitches, where you try to get 10-12 stitches per inch.  However, you do not want too big of a stitch like basting stitches.  Keep a comfortable size stitch and don't worry too much about how even they are.  The purpose of the project is to relax and enjoy the process of big stitching.  

This last picture is of the back.  My stitches are not evenly spaced or straight and I'm OK, really OK with that.  I love this handmade look and if I tried to replicate it exactly, it wouldn't look the same and that's what I want.  A natural flowing running stitch that's not measured.  

When you have stitched all the lines you would like, now you can finish off the block as you like.  Turn it into a small pillow or table mat.  Or do a whole bunch of little squares and join them together in a larger quilt-as-you-go quilt.   Finish the edges with binding or a facing and enjoy your little big stitch project.  

Retrospective 2022

I'm a little late in writing this post and reflecting back on the year has me thinking I have actually accomplished a great deal more than I thought I would.  The photo above is Improv curves zoom class given by Cindy Grisdella.   This was finished at Quiltville retreat in July.  

In January, the Hickory Knob retreat was a success as I thread painted and finished a cheater panel as well as working on 2 UFO's and making blocks for a donation quilt. 

Mid-March was the Mystery quilt workshop I attended.  Not liking it or the direction the quilt went in, I abandoned it and will be giving it away.  

We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary this year, by renewing our vows in Savannah at Forsythe park.  It was a glorious day, despite the weather.  Touring this old historic city was on my bucket list.

DH and I went to Maryland together and while he went to work, I stayed in the hotel room sewing up

blocks like my own private retreat and binge watching Law and Order.  It was fun, away from home, eating take out and sewing.  We even went on a road trip to Annapolis to a quilt shop there.  Antique shopping, having crab cakes and authentic Greek food, and just spending time with people I love made this trip very memorable. 

In October, DH and I went on a road trip to Elijay, Georgia being the apple capital and where the apple festival is held every year.  This was a fun and exciting trip where we visited the town, bought too many apples and stayed at a hotel atop a mountain with a beautiful view of the changing fall colors.  

I made over a dozen ornaments, baked many types of bread, including sourdough breads, collaged and finished a couple before the end of the year, and the best of all of this is that my son came home to visit from Germany over the holidays.   Here's to 2022, cheers!