Creative Life Sampler

Adding a New Element When I had the inspiration fabric spread out, I noticed that, from a distance, the configuration of these little squares actually forms a subtle zigzag. You might be able to notice it better if viewed in black and white: One of my other fabrics also has a zigzag and another has little triangles. It seemed like a natural fit to incorporate this new geometric shape into the elements for this quilt. I've just gotten a bit of practice with the Flying Geese block, having just completed the crib quilt for a baby shower, (check out this link if you missed it: https://creativelifesampler.blogspot.com/2019/03/flying-geese-for-baby-this-quilt.html ), so I was able to sew up a few pieces to test it out... could be an interesting combination.

Flying Geese for Baby This quilt measures approx. 53 x 45 inches.  Apparently the millennials are choosing grey for their babies' nurseries. I was skeptical when my friend shared that her daughter had picked this color for the grandchild she was expecting. Then I went shopping for a gift and found that it is indeed very popular right now. Luckily, I had stashed away a playful polka dot on a pale grey background which became my inspiration fabric. Then I pulled out several colors for accents. The basic block used in this quilt is called "Flying Geese". A little research on line will give you several time saving, easy ways to sew these up. Then I randomly arranged the blocks with lots of open space for this modern looking crib quilt. The background is a darker grey with small dots in the same color palette. Happily, I found that this background fabric also comes in a flannel, so the backing matches the front and is nice and soft... perfect for cuddl...

And So It Begins... As promised last week, I'm starting a new project and documenting the steps. To be honest I have no vision for this quilt, no preconceived idea of the final piece. I originally thought I would look for a new block pattern to try. But, going through my remnant collection, I found 1.5 yards of this bright, playful pattern. It's a colorful "inspiration fabric" which suggests many possibilities, ... and there were a few other pieces that go nicely with its color scheme, repeat the geometric theme, or add a bit of texture. Instead of starting with an established pattern, I'm adapting the squares of the inspiration fabric as a starting point. It turns out some color combinations work better together than others, (but that doesn't mean these strips won't serve a purpose in the final quilt.) Viewed together they do start to feel predictable though. Perhaps it needs some size variation, or another element to "spice...

National Quilting Day This Saturday is National Quilting Day ! Since I've just finished up a couple of quilts, I'm ready to start something new. There couldn't be a better day to start than on National Quilting Day when so many other quilters will be happily working away. It will be like one great quilting bee!! So many ideas...so many fabric choices... I'm not sure which direction to pursue. Try a new pattern? Experiment with a different technique? Go with an unfamiliar color combination?  I'm just certain that I want a new challenge. And I've decided to bring you along for the ride. I'm going to post the progress of this creation each Monday, until the quilt is finished. I won't guarantee lots of drama, but hopefully it will be interesting to see the stages of this quilt and the points where choices need to be made in order to move forward. It will be like a home renovation- make a choice on day one and that leads to many, many, many more ch...

Linen Closet- Working Small (2 of 2) Having finished the matching quilts, I found I had over bought on the fabric… substantially. Even the trick of using the remaining fabrics for the backing didn’t get rid of it all! (You begin to get the picture of how much extra there was.) There was also a sense that I hadn't really done this block unit justice. What would the effect be if the color configuration was consistent throughout the top? The crib quilt was a perfect size for testing out dominant colors. Smaller projects are always a good way to experiment and gain proficiency. They come together faster and, if it doesn't work out as planned, you have invested less time and energy than you would on a larger project; it's easier to move on to the next challenge. It turns out this is a tried and true method used by many a new quilter throughout the evolution of quilting. No doubt artisans and crafts people of many disciplines have also applied the "baby...

Linen Closet- Matching Quilts   (1 of 2) Many moons ago I decided to create matching quilts. Looking back at them, I can see that they were an experiment in color and my first brush with the "sampler", though these blocks are variations on a single pattern, rather than a collection of different block patterns. Each square in both quilts is different; what ties them to each other is the fabric choices, the color of the sashing (grid), and the border.    It began with this fabric: I pulled together several fabrics in the pink, blue and pale green of the "inspiration fabric", and settled on a pretty simple pattern. But, apparently I couldn't decide which color would be the most prominent. Each fabric takes a turn in the various positions within the quilt block. The result was a sampler of how this block pattern could be interpreted. In 1998, I had zero interest in quilting once the tops were finished, so these quilts were simply tied in the cent...

Finished Project Presenting Circles III- Off the Grid...  As a family we try to disconnect from the world and technology once a year,... we go "off the grid". Of course that leads to a lot of down time, but I still like to be productive; I put that time to good use. Last summer I packed up the materials to start this project and took it on vacation. (It's taken about 8 months to finish.) This is the latest in my series of circles designed to improve my appliqué skills, especially as applied to curves. Circles 1 & 2 were set against squares that formed a grid. I've let these circles loose, they are no longer uniformly centered within their backgrounds or on each other. After three of these wall hangings, I'm gaining a bit of confidence and speed, but the illusive perfect circle will be an ongoing quest. The quilting around and on the circles was done by hand, but the negative space between the circles was done on my domestic machine. This adds ...