tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31178744236113750902024-03-09T20:46:03.788-06:00Pie Lady QuiltsJill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-59915926363996287212022-03-16T10:45:00.000-05:002022-03-16T10:45:00.114-05:00The Light at the End of the Tunnel<p> I do love working within parameters, and it's been a tradition of mine to do a bunch of quilts with the Pantone color(s) of the year since 2014. Over eight years, I've managed to make a lot of Pantone quilts.</p><p>Even though I am a few months late in sharing my quilts from 2021, I did finish an entire series of quilts based on Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. I really think that the choice of gray and yellow for the colors of the
year were meant to be a metaphor of the light at the end of the tunnel. I
tried to incorporate that theme throughout all of the quilts that I
made. I will post them now in the order that I finished them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7D-_pzty2q-2e2-_OkLl8I80NikhLVG4oOy-uAvkpAAql86IQn3zItnkyXhqggpXWfPztqij-l_Y9Ivk7FPeV8V4KLCjv35QNjLLNMMoh8fXpGUqSLJMexLkv3H3yGb6N9Oywyg2UOG6ia_TpsYeZC-k9Cqqp1sMPgHZOQhbOZyE4onAksx6iUS6q-g=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Resolution: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7D-_pzty2q-2e2-_OkLl8I80NikhLVG4oOy-uAvkpAAql86IQn3zItnkyXhqggpXWfPztqij-l_Y9Ivk7FPeV8V4KLCjv35QNjLLNMMoh8fXpGUqSLJMexLkv3H3yGb6N9Oywyg2UOG6ia_TpsYeZC-k9Cqqp1sMPgHZOQhbOZyE4onAksx6iUS6q-g=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8VB_1j7tBmC_gM7klZyoJHG7pG8ZS6elpNlY4hMbx2nFR9fr1U6vlIciEXRAy_hibRXo5utHwn-w38bcAJQJTAUuU5W2wFAEjLXTcl1tCzo3FT2CThnTE99aud8pLLZrjJFSCIpe6zAwVhQkbX5i2F1LNcz-SCl254DZo8Fbjfa4sYobS_3z5UA2Ciw=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Resolution: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8VB_1j7tBmC_gM7klZyoJHG7pG8ZS6elpNlY4hMbx2nFR9fr1U6vlIciEXRAy_hibRXo5utHwn-w38bcAJQJTAUuU5W2wFAEjLXTcl1tCzo3FT2CThnTE99aud8pLLZrjJFSCIpe6zAwVhQkbX5i2F1LNcz-SCl254DZo8Fbjfa4sYobS_3z5UA2Ciw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p>First is "Resolution," a quilt that I finished way back in January of 2021 while I was participating in last year's Project Quilting. I didn't cut into any new fabric for this quilt, deciding instead to dump out my solid scrap bin and see what I had first. That act of dumping the bin led to the wonderful discovery of how nicely gray and yellow play with blue and turquoise. I saw the relationship when a piece of turquoise fell near the piles of gray and yellow that I was sorting.</p><p>I played with the theme of "light at the end of the tunnel" by using yellow as the light. I used a piece of it in every block as the light. I think it's what makes this quilt work.</p><p>This quilt is very small, only 18" x 18." My scrap usage determined the size as I used what I had. It is finished with quilting in monofilament thread. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcpmM_HgoCyR9d1SEdnPv5tuLiWA9U1cFbAxuJPlXECTyJsvj-7Tknd8nT1vz1f2pqmjV-2ChgrmHXRv2cmAWwv8DrZL-FnKqP6CdiaShYFgo-3yz5cvzJkgZ73nNiOKZJ2GE-2Xr8XTgUsAImOzn4uhd3wi4jPvaIzlUOfT8Ag8N7qTDW4F2rj2tO7A=s2656" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="2656" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcpmM_HgoCyR9d1SEdnPv5tuLiWA9U1cFbAxuJPlXECTyJsvj-7Tknd8nT1vz1f2pqmjV-2ChgrmHXRv2cmAWwv8DrZL-FnKqP6CdiaShYFgo-3yz5cvzJkgZ73nNiOKZJ2GE-2Xr8XTgUsAImOzn4uhd3wi4jPvaIzlUOfT8Ag8N7qTDW4F2rj2tO7A=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQAmh8JkL1MdEvNFm3bo1dOvCpCE5tm2NTlVucYmbxjWKKq8ShPdIdU2n2Ua61ibetH5_7crMUaKHIHZciuT0VrvIwzO_5D84sHT22IPqdxbNb7BtUWb77BTQ14YmR0nz3d5IYpu1YOxvxptqVoeKuTa-t_IIf7WPCaxegoQlU0PYlvqx2bE3IPlGYQQ=s2951" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ab Intra: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="2951" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQAmh8JkL1MdEvNFm3bo1dOvCpCE5tm2NTlVucYmbxjWKKq8ShPdIdU2n2Ua61ibetH5_7crMUaKHIHZciuT0VrvIwzO_5D84sHT22IPqdxbNb7BtUWb77BTQ14YmR0nz3d5IYpu1YOxvxptqVoeKuTa-t_IIf7WPCaxegoQlU0PYlvqx2bE3IPlGYQQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Next up is "Ab Intra." This quilt also was made for a Project Quilting challenge last year. Ab intra is a Latin phrase that means "from within." I thought that I could combine the metaphor of "light at the end of the tunnel" with my personal ab intra, which is my faith. My faith illuminates my heart and mind and provides the light by which I see the world. My faith animates my life and gives purpose and meaning to my actions. My faith guides my steps along the path.</p><p>I combined the gray and yellow with the colors of the world waking up in spring. It felt appropriate for what I was trying to say, that faith brings growth and life, and also for the time of year in which it was made. I finished this in April of 2021. I used the yellow in the center as an illuminating light within. Even though I used a heavy hand with the gray, I love how much life is in this quilt. It makes me happy. This quilt finished at 37" x 37" and is quilted with straight lines in golden thread.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1I49bbNcm3IRLqbjnacg3s1KBy9cpDYJ1KK982NZMTj4HAg6jF7Gwvl4lzENVLBXkMAqFbbHMgY84iUdPn6IofqxuETER5tbxGeUFFb0ReufOCv_xnc0fp6ZEwbOJ2q7izHWpXqfi_0aCQrINTi_oPPruG1dw82qDpJXx7vq6tmLX-UC2Epo_XooQDQ=s2128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2128" data-original-width="2128" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1I49bbNcm3IRLqbjnacg3s1KBy9cpDYJ1KK982NZMTj4HAg6jF7Gwvl4lzENVLBXkMAqFbbHMgY84iUdPn6IofqxuETER5tbxGeUFFb0ReufOCv_xnc0fp6ZEwbOJ2q7izHWpXqfi_0aCQrINTi_oPPruG1dw82qDpJXx7vq6tmLX-UC2Epo_XooQDQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I didn't begin work on the next Pantone quilt until December, but in the meantime I created an entire set of hand dyed fabrics to work with. Since my discovery of how nicely blueish turquoise played with the gray and yellow, I made sure to include some blues in my dyeing experiments.</p><p>I also ended up with some hand dyed and hand painted fabric to use (shown in background). I had just poured the gray dye on a piece of fabric when I heard one of my children throw up from down the hall. Suffice it to say, that batch did not get stirred at all and ended up being a pretty unusable blotchy mess. I didn't want to waste it, so I used my Gelli plate to hand print a combed design over all of it. I think it ended up being one of my favorite fabrics in the set and was the basis for another quilt I'll show later. Thank goodness for improvisation!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMNGYwidFZSxG3f336enLSZ6ynfvMtUOwcUBk3wEZmcDCfhmXRV_boX7-XiNShgk1Qe-H5LGAym1HXZ2PKArw8gnpR0u9_ms255LUzGaCBGAE1ltAvOEzutp6FeQnEOQqlp9ymofBtTcd8BtmOMBlbM6Lqcm-eLnFCpWQ9CNGFUCAtxXlXyAwZAWRr0Q=s2698" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pantone Pillow: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2698" data-original-width="2695" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMNGYwidFZSxG3f336enLSZ6ynfvMtUOwcUBk3wEZmcDCfhmXRV_boX7-XiNShgk1Qe-H5LGAym1HXZ2PKArw8gnpR0u9_ms255LUzGaCBGAE1ltAvOEzutp6FeQnEOQqlp9ymofBtTcd8BtmOMBlbM6Lqcm-eLnFCpWQ9CNGFUCAtxXlXyAwZAWRr0Q=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6-RzNyOIC522oqRB34Ax34OzPe_ybORgxG5mnkK9iPXkc4yHtbQgXZDm9S1_qgQkPNKroj4QDFgSiRN_kmAnz0A0-icwl4BvOtKsBr6K579M1Klbu1BSLtrmaIva4bq4yN8bSV-dfhhVlCYg58O_SkkEVXg3vlsCdM5T_d2s8-9RyRmojXt1YUk2aAg=s2630" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pantone Pillow: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2630" data-original-width="2630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6-RzNyOIC522oqRB34Ax34OzPe_ybORgxG5mnkK9iPXkc4yHtbQgXZDm9S1_qgQkPNKroj4QDFgSiRN_kmAnz0A0-icwl4BvOtKsBr6K579M1Klbu1BSLtrmaIva4bq4yN8bSV-dfhhVlCYg58O_SkkEVXg3vlsCdM5T_d2s8-9RyRmojXt1YUk2aAg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjke5CbwNk5qPR5YsrcJNWsLQHiKh0R7zE5aRBo-EXLNsjTu2XDbe--JzOkjtWJcHqWUK2PPuXLgn8k4CoDlS4hrZHqVg3tA27qIsMwyQIyWCJG3AGKOOO-F7bX4GDlxU3B7AvavRNsa69kSjDdLNswOjlsx8Roihe0w08e2CCTfhYbkUN1ruE47YZtFA=s2754" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pantone Pillow: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="2754" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjke5CbwNk5qPR5YsrcJNWsLQHiKh0R7zE5aRBo-EXLNsjTu2XDbe--JzOkjtWJcHqWUK2PPuXLgn8k4CoDlS4hrZHqVg3tA27qIsMwyQIyWCJG3AGKOOO-F7bX4GDlxU3B7AvavRNsa69kSjDdLNswOjlsx8Roihe0w08e2CCTfhYbkUN1ruE47YZtFA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The next quilt was turned into a pillow. My son's 6th grade teacher was married over the winter break and I only needed to take a quick glance at her online wedding registry to know that gray and yellow would work for her too. I used a very light touch with the yellow and had it act as a focal point. The strips of fabric were purposefully cut freehand and wobbly. I used hand dyed fabrics from my Pantone set. I really love the watercolor, sueded look. I finished it by stitching in the ditch with matching thread. This is an 18" pillow.</p><p>I hope this pillow has a long and happy life with the newly married couple. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiefTXbfewGGCsCShIoqWW-2Uz9GZW9r3qJ8UqFbC_2zGpzH6VRosaH7d21GD08FWR8yUQRJ-bNxaLyJrBcjJE6-ztRTE6a5K6Ad76WfipzzP5ziCEYQp4db6NUFqDWZMFDrQvn-5lJCQ7oRq1gw2x1JiaND7l56-schQue_Pcuai0Fu_bD7o-GYPF8kQ=s2781" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Light at the End of the Tunnel: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2779" data-original-width="2781" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiefTXbfewGGCsCShIoqWW-2Uz9GZW9r3qJ8UqFbC_2zGpzH6VRosaH7d21GD08FWR8yUQRJ-bNxaLyJrBcjJE6-ztRTE6a5K6Ad76WfipzzP5ziCEYQp4db6NUFqDWZMFDrQvn-5lJCQ7oRq1gw2x1JiaND7l56-schQue_Pcuai0Fu_bD7o-GYPF8kQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZbBNjJoVv-gGU0fZ0VEXoIxkRTGYIuR1txQGByOBPnhRN3mPu8N8AwIeRr6sYcy2xwmcGwD2Y3jFpnooL4XcF2-5d5aVZ-1BmVUsEz0IWstCeTz6QHjI89EIP08mysrxF7e6F7JQVBemp5FPrHQozcWTZD1KRX452wP2DPgyotMBAFm7Nb0X7mWdPaw=s3000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Light at the End of the Tunnel: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZbBNjJoVv-gGU0fZ0VEXoIxkRTGYIuR1txQGByOBPnhRN3mPu8N8AwIeRr6sYcy2xwmcGwD2Y3jFpnooL4XcF2-5d5aVZ-1BmVUsEz0IWstCeTz6QHjI89EIP08mysrxF7e6F7JQVBemp5FPrHQozcWTZD1KRX452wP2DPgyotMBAFm7Nb0X7mWdPaw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz9UACUqMrOL9iEt-F0DFYMx5BGYYPlnluowFBYju0p2xbqGtYm_7T-iFJFU6Zv1gNMARlS6sjbxWIP8ObpnEjCi21iJjGeZiGOgQa6A_j5yGmFmutZ4tLgcOWyCmdEvXqBadxrkDmBS3Dhz-KekZaY2xzUP4fibc5jCCAJmIjKt5gbTAWXQx33ePHTg=s2891" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Light at the End of the Tunnel: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="2891" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz9UACUqMrOL9iEt-F0DFYMx5BGYYPlnluowFBYju0p2xbqGtYm_7T-iFJFU6Zv1gNMARlS6sjbxWIP8ObpnEjCi21iJjGeZiGOgQa6A_j5yGmFmutZ4tLgcOWyCmdEvXqBadxrkDmBS3Dhz-KekZaY2xzUP4fibc5jCCAJmIjKt5gbTAWXQx33ePHTg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQzA5NUnTKNoH4q8O1PFXsPy0vTIFeSqPKC8Ht4_CFZk6Wu5RRG4umuiF8EzrpcNNezp4RXilMAmjT4OTEoRIjQyCLUNHQ9i3Z_kNJ1xwvmSEEbpcossomoZbXrWsXB20yCEAM4M7OjwCSHZy9H9Lb9NfjZxFUVF3XIRssioGk8YggEIgvSbuN1zKvpg=s2477" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Light at the End of the Tunnel: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2477" data-original-width="2477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQzA5NUnTKNoH4q8O1PFXsPy0vTIFeSqPKC8Ht4_CFZk6Wu5RRG4umuiF8EzrpcNNezp4RXilMAmjT4OTEoRIjQyCLUNHQ9i3Z_kNJ1xwvmSEEbpcossomoZbXrWsXB20yCEAM4M7OjwCSHZy9H9Lb9NfjZxFUVF3XIRssioGk8YggEIgvSbuN1zKvpg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyL2946vId_abx_BP451OhtFClvxirVBB6lqX7ayYcrVeauR4aRahluiz4-qmTxWRJ9eBZFl1yLXup6tJaZ8SU9Nv9yGAH6flaOyMT4WNKsTNTmQ6zP4Nu2eJIg-jD64WAuzAmS1g6jV8PpEhboDWdnqHtrw9ccM4Ixq3YL1pKMl6_kH6G-YUwjyTaNA=s2227" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Light at the End of the Tunnel: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2227" data-original-width="2227" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyL2946vId_abx_BP451OhtFClvxirVBB6lqX7ayYcrVeauR4aRahluiz4-qmTxWRJ9eBZFl1yLXup6tJaZ8SU9Nv9yGAH6flaOyMT4WNKsTNTmQ6zP4Nu2eJIg-jD64WAuzAmS1g6jV8PpEhboDWdnqHtrw9ccM4Ixq3YL1pKMl6_kH6G-YUwjyTaNA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The next quilt is called "A Light at the End of the Tunnel" and is 40" x 40" I used the metaphor that I keep coming back to as an inspiration for the name and so many of the decisions that I made while constructing this quilt. Either gray or yellow is used in every block. The pattern is fixed but the blocks were constructed in a free pieced way. <br /></p><p>It is made with a combination of hand dyed fabrics and shot cotton. I love the depth it gives. It is finished with matchstick quilting in gray thread and finished with a matched binding.</p><p>I'll admit here that I had this quilt 75% of the way quilted in monofilament thread when I decided that the yellow was showing too many of the dark threads from the wrong side and that the problem was only made more obvious with every line of quilting I put in. I spent more than a week ripping out quilting only to start matchstick quilting it in gray thread. My back, neck and shoulders definitely paid the price for it, but I liked the quilt enough to work hard for the save. I'm much happier with the result. Imagining that better result was a light at the end of the tunnel for me while I was ripping! I definitely could have done without that real life example, though. 😏 <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJBEBRiH_8m6j6az1qV0Z4mUS2ND-vox1H_dNhq9sBY0Z9XXvhotRjwSnamqUrJK8GzOzi0y9zCB4qXTb7-65jsjfmORpqkQzwWryMechGYXQfW0-1Yr1O1ePP5bh91AcRihcr-j_7JP9wpQ2vlzxVTl8NJ0r5OoZ8xfiasnNfCObna3ZIDTxkjwJsTQ=s2875" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Bright Spot in a Dark Time: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2875" data-original-width="2875" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJBEBRiH_8m6j6az1qV0Z4mUS2ND-vox1H_dNhq9sBY0Z9XXvhotRjwSnamqUrJK8GzOzi0y9zCB4qXTb7-65jsjfmORpqkQzwWryMechGYXQfW0-1Yr1O1ePP5bh91AcRihcr-j_7JP9wpQ2vlzxVTl8NJ0r5OoZ8xfiasnNfCObna3ZIDTxkjwJsTQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh46DqutnzoTRgruW1a4dbEl4rjIBCbedtrYCrLDfwRCx5kJszAztDZWpdobsb8uekoBRRO-Dmfi5pvb67WpSzpmbAoA7o7Uz0pW7MIMIfZ1gveKpAyCwTdGUVbiGgB90vtxX6hTWK3lsfRIs3_HnwqMLT8KpH0oFtyvrJb6N5DE69ZpWNw0b0NLDlFBQ=s2731" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="2731" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh46DqutnzoTRgruW1a4dbEl4rjIBCbedtrYCrLDfwRCx5kJszAztDZWpdobsb8uekoBRRO-Dmfi5pvb67WpSzpmbAoA7o7Uz0pW7MIMIfZ1gveKpAyCwTdGUVbiGgB90vtxX6hTWK3lsfRIs3_HnwqMLT8KpH0oFtyvrJb6N5DE69ZpWNw0b0NLDlFBQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKIDzcdqxNxhFeFmPJb1W8-sc-y6a0-MPqJcOhydyneb4eMf858uTgev1_XYCl_kdmj3SVi0xwC-PF2D7_trU2-BLIe4MBa3l25HKEKXuQPAmf5SNb8khT39hmovgafvPxlA8XwM1F2fc-8gOj5e_4oqgIuh7wHPTTAxG0SPkBVnWkjfcfRjQ4w9w-SQ=s2697" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Bright Spot in a Dark Time: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2697" data-original-width="2697" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKIDzcdqxNxhFeFmPJb1W8-sc-y6a0-MPqJcOhydyneb4eMf858uTgev1_XYCl_kdmj3SVi0xwC-PF2D7_trU2-BLIe4MBa3l25HKEKXuQPAmf5SNb8khT39hmovgafvPxlA8XwM1F2fc-8gOj5e_4oqgIuh7wHPTTAxG0SPkBVnWkjfcfRjQ4w9w-SQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhONOwFXU4RS2xLzcXG2vJI97mhhvA8f6XSVpDBMjQGKNJLVHSV3LSaeo9b6QNjNWotlKm3qXCYzmf5SvwQJ4biBrbFcNoDredugzP3d4iP5Y1DO9EQlOEkfdeq5pQYkBrfdgxZYZoILyBCLAp76FCXW-QDfo783OJad-iQs4xsJZI1lPicJ-YofSQcBw=s2747" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Bright Spot in a Dark Time: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="2747" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhONOwFXU4RS2xLzcXG2vJI97mhhvA8f6XSVpDBMjQGKNJLVHSV3LSaeo9b6QNjNWotlKm3qXCYzmf5SvwQJ4biBrbFcNoDredugzP3d4iP5Y1DO9EQlOEkfdeq5pQYkBrfdgxZYZoILyBCLAp76FCXW-QDfo783OJad-iQs4xsJZI1lPicJ-YofSQcBw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqTcQVUXyTqDwVwuLRM08bqFchb1__jCN4ywKZGg8QepGuyIUuL3fMY5AB5JoTsy5NIy1qKofiyJAXvQ5ESCeNNBAzmmZ1IFv5LgoXg7TAjYPqwOfJbS_hkLC5gnSSMOBJ6xk04TKMgEL98YUg9tnLmTfiZn3HA44kk4LLjtLjliPiq0cGFuL67jsFlw=s2986" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Bright Spot in a Dark Time: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2985" data-original-width="2986" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqTcQVUXyTqDwVwuLRM08bqFchb1__jCN4ywKZGg8QepGuyIUuL3fMY5AB5JoTsy5NIy1qKofiyJAXvQ5ESCeNNBAzmmZ1IFv5LgoXg7TAjYPqwOfJbS_hkLC5gnSSMOBJ6xk04TKMgEL98YUg9tnLmTfiZn3HA44kk4LLjtLjliPiq0cGFuL67jsFlw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjToc0oyaa2X_UFcpEtxCv2jNPTm7CXDlP7jt6gkK-q9cnJ4FSK2usb5VFGpg24raGs_Jfg8Uo02Fj9hlrHzMHujmW4W5Q87leXsmPqb-bxJkjCBwYq8W6sZiDkw6w-s--kHbWc09_llm3BuuNEg12grSHpYQorVArCzixkgIPNlLHcJrmrgLfA277OUg=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjToc0oyaa2X_UFcpEtxCv2jNPTm7CXDlP7jt6gkK-q9cnJ4FSK2usb5VFGpg24raGs_Jfg8Uo02Fj9hlrHzMHujmW4W5Q87leXsmPqb-bxJkjCBwYq8W6sZiDkw6w-s--kHbWc09_llm3BuuNEg12grSHpYQorVArCzixkgIPNlLHcJrmrgLfA277OUg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The last quilt I'll share is "A Bright Spot in a Dark Time," which is 27" x 27."</p><p>I made this quilt from the leftover scraps of the previous quilt. I also used hand dyed and hand printed fabric along with the scraps. I used the fabric I made from printed over top of the blotchy mess as my background. I included a shot of my fingers on the quilt. I noticed that I had inadvertantly left some of my painted fingerprints behind when I had printed the fabric. The temptation to use the "Jill has her fingerprints all over this quilt" joke was too strong, so I pieced it in. 😁<br /></p><p>The whole concept for this quilt came from a comment made on my last blog post that had personal significance to me. That is where the title comes from. I also played with the light at the end of the tunnel theme that has stretched across the making of all of these quilts. This might be the eternal optimist in me, but I believe it's even more important to look for the light *during* the dark. Life isn't meant to be endured until it eventually gets good. If you look for it, there's light and good to be found in the darkest of times along the way. "The darker the night, the brighter the stars."</p><p>This quilt was quilted in improv waves with monofilament thread and finished with a matched binding.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO8nFaFZ6p_dK53QfNK7wtfXz9odCpWnF_n4wYCdxn2ffpY35Q5PBijKWBei6QBnAsCnssCUJwlQWZcvNXLJZA38ILbRPjTk8kDdyvle6H4_A1jzAcKFSjWNwsxBUBe4_H4fx8QAR4vLpK4yNDzr4RqzOJZ5ewktjElfpBdg77XV91xMgMspfN7tbNSQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pantone 2021: Pie Lady Quilts" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO8nFaFZ6p_dK53QfNK7wtfXz9odCpWnF_n4wYCdxn2ffpY35Q5PBijKWBei6QBnAsCnssCUJwlQWZcvNXLJZA38ILbRPjTk8kDdyvle6H4_A1jzAcKFSjWNwsxBUBe4_H4fx8QAR4vLpK4yNDzr4RqzOJZ5ewktjElfpBdg77XV91xMgMspfN7tbNSQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Thanks for reading the whole round up of Pantone quilts. I'm trying to make good on my promise of blogging more. 💖 If you are interested in reading EVEN MORE, the IG Quilt Fest, hosted by Amy's Creative Side, is currently happening on Instagram. I've made a commitment to post every day in the month of March. Who knew there was so much to say about quilts?</p><p>You can find me and follow along at @pieladyquilts.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-81205166922716575622022-01-19T11:10:00.001-06:002022-01-19T11:10:54.398-06:00Rio Linda<p> Happy New Year, everyone! One of my goals for 2022 is to blog more, so here I am with a couple of quilts to share.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnvcpLlmuVHkmhoNazntiXCDa3VHm_cNy40gA4NE5meEUnTZoCogmZ5dZ3NWxXZ72py7rnzsm5LPr5sdN5L2tP1zyyaRC4LAVSXRnCQ6K3iGRCsBxKmm81JRG2pczAEXg54uqYMd6znGwfBf9cGw60NLOhzN6Qe839cM_qiv4H937FhuTnZSEra0X08Q=s2459" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="1973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnvcpLlmuVHkmhoNazntiXCDa3VHm_cNy40gA4NE5meEUnTZoCogmZ5dZ3NWxXZ72py7rnzsm5LPr5sdN5L2tP1zyyaRC4LAVSXRnCQ6K3iGRCsBxKmm81JRG2pczAEXg54uqYMd6znGwfBf9cGw60NLOhzN6Qe839cM_qiv4H937FhuTnZSEra0X08Q=w514-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda" width="514" /></a></div>"Rio Linda"<p></p><p>54" x 70" <br /></p><p>The story behind this quilt is fun. I gave a Zoom lecture on scraps to a guild in upstate New York that had been organized by a blog reader (Hello, Linda!!). In my remarks I mentioned the rule that I use for myself to prevent my scraps from overtaking the world. The rule is that if a scrap basket starts mounding at all, if the drawer won't close or a lid won't snap on, I have to make a scrap quilt. Linda was motivated by this advice and found a creative solution for her solids tote that had a lid that wouldn't shut. She peeled off the uppermost layer and sent it to me! Voila, fixed!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJIipLTbsFdxt-kubB2FQq1YQKRyrEkDNhjbdM_U2u3h92fPHlopQ4V-p9ehTu1LizC_6_3BaiEqd7-voQjFKtmD5-ESC4X2oOimH5Ouyf_f7jN9a3AdD5pJff0qocA8Xij_my6YeafP1iEigCJrTPSZLR8eFOqe2vH2vu6gkL2zrZm478-FQ8mVovjw=s2503" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2503" data-original-width="2503" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJIipLTbsFdxt-kubB2FQq1YQKRyrEkDNhjbdM_U2u3h92fPHlopQ4V-p9ehTu1LizC_6_3BaiEqd7-voQjFKtmD5-ESC4X2oOimH5Ouyf_f7jN9a3AdD5pJff0qocA8Xij_my6YeafP1iEigCJrTPSZLR8eFOqe2vH2vu6gkL2zrZm478-FQ8mVovjw=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I'm a sucker for a good story and a stack of solids, so to honor her ingenuity, I challenged myself to make a quilt with her stack without any additions or subtractions. Luckily for me there was a good range of values in her random pick. I think this quilt is a wonderful example of how value is just as important as hue. I included a black and white photo so you can see the great variety of lights and darks.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP9tkl4Z2bzjVtdmhXFHiahxOSURh7w7zqxGywFmwAs8Ji4_NhPOTbh3wt2NZvYXQQlcLv3p-3IOdp-KL1J2ElkW7-X_SyG4h-sGy4MpnYV02i-Cq6oHU8KZtHO8HMf5ODnbn7H4HbKekLf9hQBStVmt-WyT986AlaYId3k7BKjwbqnRptfiDt_rz_EQ=s2459" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="1973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP9tkl4Z2bzjVtdmhXFHiahxOSURh7w7zqxGywFmwAs8Ji4_NhPOTbh3wt2NZvYXQQlcLv3p-3IOdp-KL1J2ElkW7-X_SyG4h-sGy4MpnYV02i-Cq6oHU8KZtHO8HMf5ODnbn7H4HbKekLf9hQBStVmt-WyT986AlaYId3k7BKjwbqnRptfiDt_rz_EQ=w514-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda" width="514" /></a></div> There were a couple of times that I ran out of Linda's fabric and had to use a little of my stash, but they were either exact matches or so incredibly close that I'm the only one that would ever know the difference. The vibe ended up being kind of Californian so I found a fun way to name the quilt after her.<p></p><p>All the strips were cut freehand without a ruler. I pressed carefully and consistently to help combat any waviness in the piecing. Once I cut into my wonky piecing to get the squares and rectangles, I lost any of the slight bubbling I'd developed by not cutting the strips to match. A flat quilt is a point of pride for me and I'm happy to say that despite some unconventional piecing, this one is as flat as a pancake! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjAtUEv4EqoghcTIP-K4ufUlJjtYO4UFaLNnGMuL8x5iSJw0tHjLGS_S9RC1nb5VXlP-2C2XjuuO0NJQr33mYISpFoNj1-u3CKjhJspvSEzX2NSpy_3IpJ4qkPXj_E3hNhLdBy20ySnHJ1sab-Rt2Stw1jtNnQey0d9MdkR8ciFvod-46c6GAW5fLt3Q=s3000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjAtUEv4EqoghcTIP-K4ufUlJjtYO4UFaLNnGMuL8x5iSJw0tHjLGS_S9RC1nb5VXlP-2C2XjuuO0NJQr33mYISpFoNj1-u3CKjhJspvSEzX2NSpy_3IpJ4qkPXj_E3hNhLdBy20ySnHJ1sab-Rt2Stw1jtNnQey0d9MdkR8ciFvod-46c6GAW5fLt3Q=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQouFg2Pv1MaXjWcc5NDe-OmWjf_xcAQno1mnyz1_ceGznFeYuibuNMaKLyGbot1gtysteRxbSi57riD5Xuyd6w0GA7HRswWX8tFMIg-LeLlM8HT8B3BCQ522KcWm8ylIQsLgvrNsOylTletTho5mBbukomshYBF49jIQoUx5TB36ZNFsTz9msng1JwA=s2873" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="2873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQouFg2Pv1MaXjWcc5NDe-OmWjf_xcAQno1mnyz1_ceGznFeYuibuNMaKLyGbot1gtysteRxbSi57riD5Xuyd6w0GA7HRswWX8tFMIg-LeLlM8HT8B3BCQ522KcWm8ylIQsLgvrNsOylTletTho5mBbukomshYBF49jIQoUx5TB36ZNFsTz9msng1JwA=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-mW60N_DFAukiMP69MaeawuxPkooWONxL4bXDBdm9Z9hmvVe5KVBISrkRF0A5qv8q4_3RVwULCxKygJ5P5hd9y0qesvqVUaTCXIu7D04PlVE1tgvBTu9bp9tk9j8jbAB5Au5-s9E65yMLf4FFbPc6cr3ROuqze77GBa_ut1nPlK-76bR5NEIE-r3mfg=s3631" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3631" data-original-width="2723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-mW60N_DFAukiMP69MaeawuxPkooWONxL4bXDBdm9Z9hmvVe5KVBISrkRF0A5qv8q4_3RVwULCxKygJ5P5hd9y0qesvqVUaTCXIu7D04PlVE1tgvBTu9bp9tk9j8jbAB5Au5-s9E65yMLf4FFbPc6cr3ROuqze77GBa_ut1nPlK-76bR5NEIE-r3mfg=w480-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicqTjQp8tCwL8DSIzZ6Jv3kG60XUvmBp1G5Xf2FXgp7co5zRiarSOjIrpFu3k1o3U-lEDngpCXB5AvHM37PVZR5t-mGlWRqJ7LVrysWm2luZPRVmcWYqGlTXlo0M1Hm_Fzo4uK3jnGYsmaB2Nqgd-iM9O3KqksPS1yEnQcQA5ihKwEOF-RLCpS87If2w=s2904" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="2904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicqTjQp8tCwL8DSIzZ6Jv3kG60XUvmBp1G5Xf2FXgp7co5zRiarSOjIrpFu3k1o3U-lEDngpCXB5AvHM37PVZR5t-mGlWRqJ7LVrysWm2luZPRVmcWYqGlTXlo0M1Hm_Fzo4uK3jnGYsmaB2Nqgd-iM9O3KqksPS1yEnQcQA5ihKwEOF-RLCpS87If2w=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda" width="640" /></a></div><p>This was hand quilted with perle 8 and 12 wt. threads in the car during our many trips this summer. It's driven to Idaho and Connecticut and has warmed my lap through plenty of piano lessons. When we were on the NY Thruway, I made sure that I waved in, what I hoped was, the general direction of the guild that inspired this quilt.</p><p>"Rio Linda II"</p><p>~27" x 27"</p><p>This is the quilt that I made
with the scraps. I've shared before that I like to cut strips out when
I'm working on a quilt and place them in a bucket right next to the
sewing machine. I enjoy challenging myself to empty that bucket by
making a scrap quilt when I'm finished. I've done several of these
checkerboard style quilts and I really enjoy making them. They are also a
great way to empty the bucket! </p><p>I finished this quilt with crosshatch quilting in monofilament thread.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-ilpmeQ3OytSBwiIqcrnKrTpDX7Z1ZtMlvndcGKxShHcYxEWR7F9yyIf5h5SXbWUG1jJfYr3OCZQIrat_8twXeUo2VlCF0dZQiyW3yEl2K2PITb7Ri0R5fTY0pFe3ongFc4ealMr1PLVBthZkinNyhKx1YC8c3rfE1O0A_ObP0Z4BYvk_7bQ1glzjPg=s2651" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="2651" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-ilpmeQ3OytSBwiIqcrnKrTpDX7Z1ZtMlvndcGKxShHcYxEWR7F9yyIf5h5SXbWUG1jJfYr3OCZQIrat_8twXeUo2VlCF0dZQiyW3yEl2K2PITb7Ri0R5fTY0pFe3ongFc4ealMr1PLVBthZkinNyhKx1YC8c3rfE1O0A_ObP0Z4BYvk_7bQ1glzjPg=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda II" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1NjoGUn7nMCn51FNIPRtxAuyBcKCczA-AWRCgbEDAZBp68WR-oaZpvitSA8LYCLiTv5A_e1iBuHMZE25sxyfebXnSkIhqCPWX3wqKmm4kvAPevUTS1pmqX28qLpRdVxzADzkXZVIMY0U8x7BOBcJEAAo5-kTCmrBwkr7pvTZN4S5zmF0q0LXhZ77u6g=s3000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1NjoGUn7nMCn51FNIPRtxAuyBcKCczA-AWRCgbEDAZBp68WR-oaZpvitSA8LYCLiTv5A_e1iBuHMZE25sxyfebXnSkIhqCPWX3wqKmm4kvAPevUTS1pmqX28qLpRdVxzADzkXZVIMY0U8x7BOBcJEAAo5-kTCmrBwkr7pvTZN4S5zmF0q0LXhZ77u6g=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda II" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3I3kugp7VBMip03_mai-yQNloKBP6xA8pPFR_ljXZ9ZLBaR52DBrunjmkL3lhQb-Rt0a_I0oMFdQ8BmJiCczgd3rMqn9rxa_P7PhIfbBRCln09EwINZ36Lw5Y_JnNxzyZxZvxhV99_7YDtb4qDBDEPr53ZLOjta9ODgGxIjAB9dXAodTsqcMnSeM9UQ=s2231" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="2231" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3I3kugp7VBMip03_mai-yQNloKBP6xA8pPFR_ljXZ9ZLBaR52DBrunjmkL3lhQb-Rt0a_I0oMFdQ8BmJiCczgd3rMqn9rxa_P7PhIfbBRCln09EwINZ36Lw5Y_JnNxzyZxZvxhV99_7YDtb4qDBDEPr53ZLOjta9ODgGxIjAB9dXAodTsqcMnSeM9UQ=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda II" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYkApX5L8iub1ypX5rRoMffA8Crg3FMvu4r0Ba_9_q53b_2A5opHSCqEO9d8DA9h9QurTq58wNdUazlv6ZAFNJO1VMMp6XmUCLWmiGLuFQZah4ab7fy0QSpYIB3oGixDI4dYlO0KFpMmY6lgiTsrUH_NQtctIIg31ODiBcyY2FI9YhTgvAxFqk4lY7rQ=s2926" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2926" data-original-width="2926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYkApX5L8iub1ypX5rRoMffA8Crg3FMvu4r0Ba_9_q53b_2A5opHSCqEO9d8DA9h9QurTq58wNdUazlv6ZAFNJO1VMMp6XmUCLWmiGLuFQZah4ab7fy0QSpYIB3oGixDI4dYlO0KFpMmY6lgiTsrUH_NQtctIIg31ODiBcyY2FI9YhTgvAxFqk4lY7rQ=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda II" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRG1lWkMpyaPRj8Q_3gpLT-W2VCVWl_3Tp9J-BMc7wXbTdBj4HdatWjiixojuF0Wt1C9Xf5-iZQWlnElN3ChKbjtOd4ZLdbqr1M23WyR5TcZzsaGN-mZacO9UbhWTFn3wBVNwj0N8wHUS7tDDAsdoKNpXiDWdK9jFGty6JXG7QGzlmSoaKXKdGXpCZJg=s2934" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="2934" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRG1lWkMpyaPRj8Q_3gpLT-W2VCVWl_3Tp9J-BMc7wXbTdBj4HdatWjiixojuF0Wt1C9Xf5-iZQWlnElN3ChKbjtOd4ZLdbqr1M23WyR5TcZzsaGN-mZacO9UbhWTFn3wBVNwj0N8wHUS7tDDAsdoKNpXiDWdK9jFGty6JXG7QGzlmSoaKXKdGXpCZJg=w640-h640" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rio Linda II" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Thank you so much, Linda, for the invitation to speak to your guild and for the hours of fun I had playing with the fabric you sent. And, if there are any members from the Ottawa MQG that happen to be reading this blog post, let me assure you that it is NOT a shameless plug for more packages of fabric. If you have a lid that won't snap and no ideas of what to do with it by the time I'm done with you on Monday, you're on your own. 😆😂<br /></p><p>If your guild might be interested in a Zoom lecture ("Unlocking the Joy in Scraps") or if you're local and would like to have an in-person trunk show, hit me up at yellowsmoke1010@hotmail.com.<br /></p>Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-3233129416843298742021-08-20T08:46:00.000-05:002021-08-20T08:46:13.391-05:00Adventures in Dye<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a long time and I'm so happy to be sitting at the computer and writing out a blog post! Of course I have a huge backlog of quilts to share!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last fall I got an unexpected rebate check from my insurance company. I decided to invest it into turning a "someday I'd like to..." into a checkmark on my quilting bucket list. I ordered 25 yards of unbleached muslin and all the chemicals I needed to hand dye my first batch of fabric. Carol Johnston's DVD "Color By Accident: Exploring Low-Water Immersion Dyeing" was tremendously helpful to me. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I think I've mentioned before, I have four children. My older three elected to do online school and I knew that I would be pulled in a lot of different directions to help them succeed. My sewing room is tucked away in a corner of the basement and is too far removed to be a base of operations. The kitchen sink, however, is the center of the house. From there, I could effectively manage my troops and get them to meetings on time, answer questions and monitor assignments. Dyeing all this fabric was a tremendous boon for me because in the middle of all that activity/controlled chaos, I could still move forward and make progress on something that was important to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It probably surprises no one that I started with blue and purple! I used two colors of dye, Deep Navy and Ultraviolet, to dye 25 yards of fabric. I weakened the dye to get lighter values and I mixed the two dyes in different proportions to have colors that related to each other. This is the palette that I got. I found it to be very versatile and fun to work with. I love that hand dyed watercolor look so much!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQUDXWiu67RuwoS43l1ppOiVCwmhrhGI1WsyXz99uNRv1Eu1f4RISuM-R_nZzEwEOCqsXBje2JMSLNv8M-Mv6kk-xHALqBeuQk22pbnFOOJjK4y6RbNUqaYF4gcsQy-V1z_T7SDnK8ys_/s1380/Screenshot_20210819-063916-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQUDXWiu67RuwoS43l1ppOiVCwmhrhGI1WsyXz99uNRv1Eu1f4RISuM-R_nZzEwEOCqsXBje2JMSLNv8M-Mv6kk-xHALqBeuQk22pbnFOOJjK4y6RbNUqaYF4gcsQy-V1z_T7SDnK8ys_/w640-h640/Screenshot_20210819-063916-01-01.jpeg" title="Adventures in Dye: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In fact, the watercolor look was what inspired my theme for this set of quilts....watery disasters! Just like dyeing fabric at the sink during online school kept me going, listening to a grown up read me a book was just what I needed. Many of the quilts in this series were inspired by audio books that I listened to with the theme of watery disasters. Inspiration doesn't generally just strike me out of the blue. I'm usually inspired when I'm curious, problem-solving or pondering something. Listening to these audio books gave me something to think about and I was able to distill those thoughts into a shape or a feeling that I wanted to explore in a quilt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's start looking at the quilts!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBfyPtpRGeq70adNzSOiGBTFPB_hYT_6CmKVPCU03G6MvifcCpoAFGI9BTbzJToeMdoPU8wnLrWA4csE3vUeQhwF0gk2Bl5yVqEDKHfiry1wa08OkFzr6guN8atJBMGJdh8fSu2-NUWcW/s2048/IMG_20201123_081326590_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBfyPtpRGeq70adNzSOiGBTFPB_hYT_6CmKVPCU03G6MvifcCpoAFGI9BTbzJToeMdoPU8wnLrWA4csE3vUeQhwF0gk2Bl5yVqEDKHfiry1wa08OkFzr6guN8atJBMGJdh8fSu2-NUWcW/w626-h640/IMG_20201123_081326590_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Stormworthy: Pie Lady Quilts" width="626" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxRUljathDk9h_QLRNKKoSATm51T-jpY8CKU-FbFHqPVRiyePoVnb2kvjcleYmaco3Z37Fxo5zCvC3vT3lY_zVEzI4K8-Oo_zRsQwnI-H_zKE1RZYi_SZsWCCSC65Yc_N4uqCkfo28odw/s2048/IMG_20201123_081528917_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="2048" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxRUljathDk9h_QLRNKKoSATm51T-jpY8CKU-FbFHqPVRiyePoVnb2kvjcleYmaco3Z37Fxo5zCvC3vT3lY_zVEzI4K8-Oo_zRsQwnI-H_zKE1RZYi_SZsWCCSC65Yc_N4uqCkfo28odw/w640-h530/IMG_20201123_081528917_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Stormworthy: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbk28ior2uuj8HSLCYWAUDcmlPswpu_4Dfmiq8xfwMb_UqiMvhindD3aMrUfBlLJoDEnjdci8Fii0YdGF1XFGoV1uKLCuosouobUgAkiPCtpKF2U6UCbAXbrSruxNbmcPHgROVHahAbXX/s2048/IMG_20201123_081614536-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1950" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbk28ior2uuj8HSLCYWAUDcmlPswpu_4Dfmiq8xfwMb_UqiMvhindD3aMrUfBlLJoDEnjdci8Fii0YdGF1XFGoV1uKLCuosouobUgAkiPCtpKF2U6UCbAXbrSruxNbmcPHgROVHahAbXX/w610-h640/IMG_20201123_081614536-01-01.jpeg" title="Stormworthy: Pie Lady Quilts" width="610" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Stormworthy"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">29" x 29"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was listening to <u>The Finest Hours</u>, the story of the dramatic rescue of sailors on 2 tanker ships that broke apart in a terrible nor'easter storm off Cape Cod while I made this quilt. Coast Guardsmen went out in 35 foot boats over the Chatham Bar in monstrous 70 foot seas to rescue the sailors. Dramatic, inspiring stuff. I lived in Weymouth, Massachusetts for 2 years. (That is South Shore Boston on the way to Cape Cod.) This book definitely brought back some memories!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The audio book was the inspiration for this quilt (down to the snowflakes on the backing), but it's nowhere near the cold, wild ride Bernie Webber and crew took to save lives. Their willingness to serve, even in the worst of circumstances, was truly inspirational.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite part of this quilt is the way the colors work. You know that feeling when you have a peppermint in your mouth and then suck air in? It feels just like that to my eyes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaWRERD1RHXgVOLdR7Gl3uH4lKhPkW_JbzjVv7TMW0PlkxX_uJ2Be5lxQfabTU4cVxvkWNamClkAmPVFf-BaLnFJaEAiqs2nhH-aXux-CbD9VrvJtGeBD6QET2FRYY9wRx_DJRgh4i2FQ/s2048/IMG_20201215_084943375-02-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaWRERD1RHXgVOLdR7Gl3uH4lKhPkW_JbzjVv7TMW0PlkxX_uJ2Be5lxQfabTU4cVxvkWNamClkAmPVFf-BaLnFJaEAiqs2nhH-aXux-CbD9VrvJtGeBD6QET2FRYY9wRx_DJRgh4i2FQ/w640-h640/IMG_20201215_084943375-02-01.jpeg" title="The Advancing Mist: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwfMylO-O3LF6kzW77uESMk7Yll4xLqMDsC6u5_C_wyeTUbBivDN8-6zGBXUd_GN36NKwtuUX1oyLdSA7PqeOQwZuRCS7nEj5xovljNOmNO6ajbELXVzSs0EdNxINviLyyYeoAa2pXxbJ/s2048/IMG_20201215_085003064-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwfMylO-O3LF6kzW77uESMk7Yll4xLqMDsC6u5_C_wyeTUbBivDN8-6zGBXUd_GN36NKwtuUX1oyLdSA7PqeOQwZuRCS7nEj5xovljNOmNO6ajbELXVzSs0EdNxINviLyyYeoAa2pXxbJ/w640-h640/IMG_20201215_085003064-01-01.jpeg" title="The Advancing Mist: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0-G1lXB1a4yEQkmlCx26-EsaiNhaubcrr_Dl19kShV6Z22uvmSCRUakhkJbCXpQ70gTyhJNAK13r3uuyLVVdMaV8owYw_S-GL1nn0B0Cj2Hn_6imGrR2z7KE5D4uvxirS6fevNSM8RWk/s2048/IMG_20201215_085027451-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0-G1lXB1a4yEQkmlCx26-EsaiNhaubcrr_Dl19kShV6Z22uvmSCRUakhkJbCXpQ70gTyhJNAK13r3uuyLVVdMaV8owYw_S-GL1nn0B0Cj2Hn_6imGrR2z7KE5D4uvxirS6fevNSM8RWk/w640-h640/IMG_20201215_085027451-01-01.jpeg" title="The Advancing Mist: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Advancing Mist"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~42" x 42"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To continue my audio book theme of watery disasters, I listened to David McCullough's <u>The Johnstown Flood</u>. I admire his historical writing so much. This quilt is based on this book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Johnstown Flood occurred in Pennsylvania in 1889 after a dam broke upriver. More than 2,000 people were killed in the flash flood that ensued. The book describes the towns impacted before, during and after the flood. You also find out more about the dam's construction, why it broke and who, ultimately, was responsible (or not). There are countless heroes, victims and a really breath-taking study of all the varied facets, good and ill, of human nature. I dare you to read and/or listen and not think about what it means to have moral duties and what it means to be a member of a community.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used fabrics that I hand dyed and an improvisationally pieced sawtooth to convey the destructive tumult. The flood waters went through several ironworks that had fires blazing, so survivors recounted that the advancing water was a black spray of blurriness, also called a "death mist." The flood waters also picked up a great quantity of barbed wire from the ironworks and sent that crashing downstream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used ruler-free piecing and left the quilt edges in a natural shape. It is quilted with monofilament thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The interesting thing about this quilt is that it generated an enormous amount of triangle shaped scraps. I had to trim to match the angles for each piece of fabric that I sewed on, so each triangle in this quilt left a smaller triangle of scrap. I was able to use up these pieces in two additional quilts that I'll share later in this post. As is often the case, I like the scrap quilts more than I like this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlVMi7JYNZvZVW2Ym2FYa7xL3AYQkUsF9sMqJfHdMaojOt3gbIiw7Srd-YQQdRuq4P3tax2kGyAbuXeJcbPwmDbpW3wGDT8oGaemDbV31x9LayiB-xfWeC9F27XkH-BKmDaDL1VZE8XN8/s2048/IMG_20210205_111041551-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlVMi7JYNZvZVW2Ym2FYa7xL3AYQkUsF9sMqJfHdMaojOt3gbIiw7Srd-YQQdRuq4P3tax2kGyAbuXeJcbPwmDbpW3wGDT8oGaemDbV31x9LayiB-xfWeC9F27XkH-BKmDaDL1VZE8XN8/w640-h640/IMG_20210205_111041551-01-01.jpeg" title="Tempest: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmT7hiOriE77S9cBDRlOw-IjQyo-hw1p3pZ6_kzj9fBHV7T1VZ_7PzXJPP8df4Gn7Opf22OMJSSVL_7AjHV2yhvlfqwQuNMS5Itrt-AsEHyzbHz6RQhT82Ixxk7layXniQzbJZf3Vxaj7/s2048/IMG_20210205_110839247-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmT7hiOriE77S9cBDRlOw-IjQyo-hw1p3pZ6_kzj9fBHV7T1VZ_7PzXJPP8df4Gn7Opf22OMJSSVL_7AjHV2yhvlfqwQuNMS5Itrt-AsEHyzbHz6RQhT82Ixxk7layXniQzbJZf3Vxaj7/w640-h640/IMG_20210205_110839247-01-01.jpeg" title="Tempest: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbjJ6U5ZjwIDBRp3-kAm7MMV9k5DVgZlTfMksMIPgEBIRg2NxHlWWT1TMBc2FDVKdoCHBMKkFbtqRQLqlhYiY-PPfn6mYYXnv8QpxQ1pQLPDg2nOJWk9PFKWjdD9S2nHYzpp3PgQqeTg5/s2048/IMG_20210205_110931937_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbjJ6U5ZjwIDBRp3-kAm7MMV9k5DVgZlTfMksMIPgEBIRg2NxHlWWT1TMBc2FDVKdoCHBMKkFbtqRQLqlhYiY-PPfn6mYYXnv8QpxQ1pQLPDg2nOJWk9PFKWjdD9S2nHYzpp3PgQqeTg5/w640-h640/IMG_20210205_110931937_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Tempest: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Tempest"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">41" x 41"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is another quilt inspired by audio books that I was listening to. My theme has been "watery disasters" and the book that inspired this quilt was <u>Isaac's Storm</u> (a story of the unnamed Galveston hurricane from 1900) by Erik Larson.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not going to sugar coat it, this book was difficult to listen to. The description of the storm and tragic aftermath were horrifically detailed as was the utter and complete failure of any type of warning system.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well-documented squabbles were happening in the US government about who had the power to call a storm a hurricane and who was authorized to forecast one. Warnings from Cuban forecasters who knew they had just experienced a hurricane (the same one) and accurately predicted a strengthening path through the Gulf were actively suppressed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the end, no one had any warning and by the time anyone had the vaguest inkling that something was coming, it was already too late. It was truly a heartbreaking read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chose concentric boxes as a reference to a hurricane and used 18 of my hand dyed fabrics to piece it. It is quilted with monofilament and finished with a faced edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6cqiu9qAPktVAWgpCDA1Z9TWiFkRtG1sh-6bMMd-pB4D2vnQvx8pYfvzINmZVJ_3ZH87TZorARDSVhGKem3YhDbZ4rIhMt1MMWRmSHjFfPeqe24Nw1dxebUF48NS75cRBTr7pfFStvPT/s2048/IMG_20210425_111236775-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6cqiu9qAPktVAWgpCDA1Z9TWiFkRtG1sh-6bMMd-pB4D2vnQvx8pYfvzINmZVJ_3ZH87TZorARDSVhGKem3YhDbZ4rIhMt1MMWRmSHjFfPeqe24Nw1dxebUF48NS75cRBTr7pfFStvPT/w640-h640/IMG_20210425_111236775-01-01.jpeg" title="My Kind of Crazy: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IkcxoBM32u1YB99S4PRBF6MqrUjHkF_2VorKrDuZiHZLCkwgK0qphZDXzfX3vCqL9cfyULKrT6a2Pr_FW9UD3j6HcUdwLFrGKqVb1RKPG-BlQxWNIwwR8nuMteAGAQl3aqeHvD8qnDWe/s1743/IMG_20210425_111527459-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="1742" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IkcxoBM32u1YB99S4PRBF6MqrUjHkF_2VorKrDuZiHZLCkwgK0qphZDXzfX3vCqL9cfyULKrT6a2Pr_FW9UD3j6HcUdwLFrGKqVb1RKPG-BlQxWNIwwR8nuMteAGAQl3aqeHvD8qnDWe/w640-h640/IMG_20210425_111527459-01-01.jpeg" title="My Kind of Crazy: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj0IjRKUmuBECY0OoQLJ1BkeZoeZe0oi5IbIr-bhKPlasRzZEqQSJ8GgHObfwpaO6jlyc0o8MU03yHuqSmOA5Nsvsj5Xz2hN8ZaPDe8VpJebkkumFr1oUqNlxP7SR8X3JQQ7vjg_it5FJ/s2048/IMG_20210425_111551415-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj0IjRKUmuBECY0OoQLJ1BkeZoeZe0oi5IbIr-bhKPlasRzZEqQSJ8GgHObfwpaO6jlyc0o8MU03yHuqSmOA5Nsvsj5Xz2hN8ZaPDe8VpJebkkumFr1oUqNlxP7SR8X3JQQ7vjg_it5FJ/w640-h640/IMG_20210425_111551415-01-01.jpeg" title="My Kind of Crazy: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"My Kind of Crazy"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">42" x 42"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This quilt is a little bit of a departure from my audio book theme of making a quilt based on a watery disaster. I made this while participating in Project Quilting. The theme was "Crazy Quilt." I love traditional crazy quilts, but I had no desire to make one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought about what the elements of a crazy quilt were, and then tried to incorporate them into something closer to my aesthetic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Made with precious fabrics, often scraps</li><li>Includes irregular shapes that can be angled</li><li>Includes decorative thread and hand embellishment</li></ul>I used the scrap bits of hand dyed fabric I had collected thus far and some of the last of my favorite deep purple from a cut up Goodwill shirt. I used the shirt to piece in the angles. It is machine quilted with Yenmet metallic thread and embellished with 12 wt. cotton along the binding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My theme was chosen for me based on the challenge I was participating in, but I did listen to an audio book while I pieced it. You may have noticed that all the books I'd listened to so far were sad. Um, me too. I desperately needed a break, so I listened to a shoot-'em-up spy thriller. In it the hero was wounded and survived by floating out of Paris in the Seine. A true watery disaster? Maybe not, be good enough for me. 😁 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfg3vUqCZsiX4x2GFwiE1VAlxZZ7u9EUw7s1RMBM70_qwr-bOkdX_wAl6Bg29N03K-kKirPNIUj89KuBF_3T1cpepWRg8EL58kZChCa3fi5jZZpOFKuK_qsepu1ffpOoqTtaWLCjl3PWC/s2048/IMG_20210524_071631872-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfg3vUqCZsiX4x2GFwiE1VAlxZZ7u9EUw7s1RMBM70_qwr-bOkdX_wAl6Bg29N03K-kKirPNIUj89KuBF_3T1cpepWRg8EL58kZChCa3fi5jZZpOFKuK_qsepu1ffpOoqTtaWLCjl3PWC/w640-h640/IMG_20210524_071631872-01-01.jpeg" title="The Waves: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZt0KKjRImDAgzz85oMjD6-mXws6zsobfpHfkrVwfrGBMX4ihlKl5yovT4bbxmMexR-TgN9An1kRl9NbcRoEQg8x5uAPc9elA2Ugx3Y6gYEcJnIP-uae2zxmTzFdAd4MR0vPRsRxh2VU9/s2048/IMG_20210524_071735133-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZt0KKjRImDAgzz85oMjD6-mXws6zsobfpHfkrVwfrGBMX4ihlKl5yovT4bbxmMexR-TgN9An1kRl9NbcRoEQg8x5uAPc9elA2Ugx3Y6gYEcJnIP-uae2zxmTzFdAd4MR0vPRsRxh2VU9/w640-h640/IMG_20210524_071735133-01-01.jpeg" title="The Waves: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHf0IUYpfHa0IHxmVXvMr9aFxeL5xbyAGu7Zx-40yErxjCdo3N0AxAsnjpTxL1Nx4RnyGM8KRPQVsz6BzRPjnzZhHNnrU6FdtT1U9JyZglVG926S3iCwzrcHjIsEylfKOnNxG9YzJUHvg/s2048/IMG_20210524_071756371-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHf0IUYpfHa0IHxmVXvMr9aFxeL5xbyAGu7Zx-40yErxjCdo3N0AxAsnjpTxL1Nx4RnyGM8KRPQVsz6BzRPjnzZhHNnrU6FdtT1U9JyZglVG926S3iCwzrcHjIsEylfKOnNxG9YzJUHvg/w640-h640/IMG_20210524_071756371-01-01.jpeg" title="The Waves: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Waves"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">22" x 23"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is one of those triangle scrap quilts that I mentioned before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book that inspired this quilt is <u>438 Days</u> by Jonathan Franklin. This book is the story of a fisherman who lost engine power and his radio in a terrible storm off the coast of Mexico. He could see the mountains from where he was, but was unable to get to shore. He spent 14 months drifting in the Pacific Ocean, traveling 7,000 miles in 438 days before he landed in a small island in the Pacific and was rescued.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the surface, it's a survival book. However, I found it to be a story of physical and mental resilience. Alvarenga (the fisherman) concocted elaborate stories for himself about the truck he would buy and would mentally wax every inch of it. He'd take detailed walks to the store to buy fresh tortillas when he was hungry. He would imagine himself rocking in a hammock to sleep better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's impossible to read his story without thinking of your own coping mechanisms and imagining what you would do to stay sane. I know I would sing. The song that I kept being reminded of was "The Things I Regret" by Brandi Carlile <a href="https://youtu.be/bem32zF_w48">(here's a link if you want to listen)</a>. Alvarenga also thought of his regrets, chiefly his estrangement from his family and vowed to fix those relationships if he survived. He did both.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This quilt was made from the larger triangle off-cuts from "The Advancing Mist." I quilted it very heavily in a free-hand wave pattern with monofilament thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhfG3eFkga52GzYclYj4494X_JIYuUFW1MQuSQVIkYd8_Qwi0G_tflv0iEkocX9TRfvBF8iMW18Y-7ta60JdWns0zxLKAah1WKTchyphenhyphenxQ4vNf7Qo_Dy3VASHroTFllzihc-9iGwPj_T3Hu/s2048/IMG_20210613_165431027-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhfG3eFkga52GzYclYj4494X_JIYuUFW1MQuSQVIkYd8_Qwi0G_tflv0iEkocX9TRfvBF8iMW18Y-7ta60JdWns0zxLKAah1WKTchyphenhyphenxQ4vNf7Qo_Dy3VASHroTFllzihc-9iGwPj_T3Hu/w640-h640/IMG_20210613_165431027-01-01.jpeg" title="+SSS: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq2INLnL48b85cVu8SWQJldH6t2b8oaNajZXe5U2lTXzDY2n8TDsoWKJkwFnOJLf50wu2WY10IcTXHIEDS9n8vOME9H2iY-MYmYcutwFIaHbBXZrfeQsNZbvUiGepo104WFUCx6Es7fTj/s2048/IMG_20210613_165732024_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq2INLnL48b85cVu8SWQJldH6t2b8oaNajZXe5U2lTXzDY2n8TDsoWKJkwFnOJLf50wu2WY10IcTXHIEDS9n8vOME9H2iY-MYmYcutwFIaHbBXZrfeQsNZbvUiGepo104WFUCx6Es7fTj/w640-h640/IMG_20210613_165732024_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="+SSS: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY4_wRS6Um_jDcRYvm2othirclyDpeeM4KI8BCrIIgavK42KLm47STP25RyOoK_gpssMy2sefAupoVyTX1Vpy14NbgvJL7FvSv4dKUuiHt35peCGwA06AitOf0-XV8EOAZF4PAuaQpuzh/s2048/IMG_20210613_165506167_MP-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY4_wRS6Um_jDcRYvm2othirclyDpeeM4KI8BCrIIgavK42KLm47STP25RyOoK_gpssMy2sefAupoVyTX1Vpy14NbgvJL7FvSv4dKUuiHt35peCGwA06AitOf0-XV8EOAZF4PAuaQpuzh/w640-h640/IMG_20210613_165506167_MP-01-01.jpeg" title="+SSS: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"+SSS"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">31" x 31"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just couldn't walk away from this batch of hand dyed fabrics without knowing what else it could do. Most specifically I was interested in the combination of hand dyes with recycled dress <u><b>s</b></u>hirts, <u><b>s</b></u>craps and <u><b>s</b></u>tash (thus, the name).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had thought I'd make several different block shapes for this quilt, but once I saw all the wonderful new shapes that were created as the triangles were sewn together, I felt satisfied leaving it with one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also decided to use one more surprising element and quilt it in metallic thread. I included one picture in full sun so you could see it in all of its sparkly glory.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was very pleasantly surprised to get a blue ribbon for this quilt in a piecing category at the Iowa State Fair. Every year I buy 10 entry tags and the 3 quilts that I did the "Meh, they probably have no chance but I'm going to enter them anyway because I'm contrary and I like them" were the blue ribbon winners. So funny. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y73O0NzlXhzhuw1ht13xoQp7kbfictheY-jraSZ0bAEbnknZZCgwSxnMXV7GMtb8vDdHfdtYH6E0YcUnVPKe-PDUzOxAVDKeaSVGIEMicc795DXEJa9h3tVpMGD9f-tBJjDIyS_HXlmC/s1080/IMG_20210817_080927_253-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y73O0NzlXhzhuw1ht13xoQp7kbfictheY-jraSZ0bAEbnknZZCgwSxnMXV7GMtb8vDdHfdtYH6E0YcUnVPKe-PDUzOxAVDKeaSVGIEMicc795DXEJa9h3tVpMGD9f-tBJjDIyS_HXlmC/w640-h640/IMG_20210817_080927_253-01.jpeg" title="Copenhagen: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPBHD3KjhzdCKWLQtlzJM9Burkhn3aZr6HASdGvKtsqottV-WU5zBJn1mu238dfcdr4DTAicOqFXWs1uB9N3WozU6bsntp1lEK6hPiM4JaRJKHOea9RHnP2TpzhlX5c9Nfrei9EGbkHzK/s1080/IMG_20210817_080927_240-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPBHD3KjhzdCKWLQtlzJM9Burkhn3aZr6HASdGvKtsqottV-WU5zBJn1mu238dfcdr4DTAicOqFXWs1uB9N3WozU6bsntp1lEK6hPiM4JaRJKHOea9RHnP2TpzhlX5c9Nfrei9EGbkHzK/w640-h640/IMG_20210817_080927_240-01.jpeg" title="Copenhagen: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUch1b-2DdNUcPFFaloXj_klMtPsEPv0vrbOwEoVk825PydoTVTREcWE9zMHtf2rJbIsTYomXmaD4VnfL3vzHkxFUDhybs6u1Px54E_N3CZqCLqXX1UH978VUPAZ6-ocgsSNupyND5cmi_/s1080/IMG_20210817_080927_274-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUch1b-2DdNUcPFFaloXj_klMtPsEPv0vrbOwEoVk825PydoTVTREcWE9zMHtf2rJbIsTYomXmaD4VnfL3vzHkxFUDhybs6u1Px54E_N3CZqCLqXX1UH978VUPAZ6-ocgsSNupyND5cmi_/w640-h640/IMG_20210817_080927_274-01.jpeg" title="Copenhagen: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3pg_F34i2aNCrtqXi3dzxb8yw4r1Ms0Z1wMl5mSnu2njwwmcdwzEuMREh6tM-lD5YGHaWkJ47X45vJGcvo-W_XZfHuvj4AfLphJB-DWAhCUGErwkNsHP9v8WDnozlUhymeTFXuqMncQS/s1080/IMG_20210817_080927_265-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3pg_F34i2aNCrtqXi3dzxb8yw4r1Ms0Z1wMl5mSnu2njwwmcdwzEuMREh6tM-lD5YGHaWkJ47X45vJGcvo-W_XZfHuvj4AfLphJB-DWAhCUGErwkNsHP9v8WDnozlUhymeTFXuqMncQS/w640-h640/IMG_20210817_080927_265-01.jpeg" title="Copenhagen: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Copenhagen"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">40" x 33"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really thought I'd be done with these fabrics with the last quilt, but then I was inspired by a really strange thing. I was watching "Somebody Feed Phil" with the kids and vicariously enjoying the foods and sights of Copenhagen. At one point Phil mentioned that a feature of new Nordic cuisine is to use local ingredients that are often sourced from the area directly around the restaurant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That comment made me think of the pile of half-rectangle triangle scraps from "The Advancing Mist" that were still on my cutting table. I had thought that they might be a little too small for even me to consider using, but listening to him made me change my mind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Freshly inspired, I decided to make a Copenhagen quilt with the scraps located right next to my sewing machine. I vaguely remembered that there is a color called Danish blue, so I looked it up, color matched and began by piecing a small strip to all of my triangle units. I used spray baste to temporarily affix the units as I drew out an architectural wave shape. I simultaneously quilted and qppliqued the pieces down with more waves and more blue. I even used fish for my backing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've never seen "Somebody Feed Phil," you can find it on Netflix. It's one of my favorite series. Watching it will make you want to give someone a hug and I'll gladly consume any media that makes me feel like that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkWaLDaLaqAKkA8jLS5qUE5Y999sioTnmgT4ktiAg8rcGskgzMDVSFzTH1gNggT69rDcb0W89O9hXrbsAZrb0pFCRy0RzFF_n0GtG17hEDIC958I1Ezv2QE8u2oX4D3KGZ6sKoLo8vp9a/s2048/1629373211181-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkWaLDaLaqAKkA8jLS5qUE5Y999sioTnmgT4ktiAg8rcGskgzMDVSFzTH1gNggT69rDcb0W89O9hXrbsAZrb0pFCRy0RzFF_n0GtG17hEDIC958I1Ezv2QE8u2oX4D3KGZ6sKoLo8vp9a/w640-h640/1629373211181-01.jpeg" title="Adventures in Dye: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63OKZkPxUUePHivU_gkB0kKdURuOeSwAitS8J7mhD_-TrFRmAjwXsGmj6B3dC1SXhrzm1dISN_bL04x__ENidzgkAbEX0AG_ZJMmEgdJoj-521YNLa6zsXNQQZUNBxTitv1o-aMwkB20z/s2048/1629372958686-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63OKZkPxUUePHivU_gkB0kKdURuOeSwAitS8J7mhD_-TrFRmAjwXsGmj6B3dC1SXhrzm1dISN_bL04x__ENidzgkAbEX0AG_ZJMmEgdJoj-521YNLa6zsXNQQZUNBxTitv1o-aMwkB20z/w640-h640/1629372958686-01.jpeg" title="Adventures in Dye: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's what I've been up to. It's been a crazy year and I've been so grateful for my sewing machine, an online library and a stash of fabric to work through. I know that it's helped me keep my head in the game and be there for my kids and my husband. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also wanted to mention that I tried a new quilting thing this spring. I was asked by the Lake Superior MQG to put together an online trunk show/presentation about using scraps for one of their programs. I wasn't sure about the whole Zoom thing, but they were so nice and enthusiastic that I've embraced it and presented for other guilds. I've had a great time virtually connecting with other quilters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The presentation is called "Unlocking the Joy in Scraps." I talk about my process, color/value, storage and how to be inspired by what you have in front of you. If you're interested in me "visiting" your guild, you can email me at yellowsmoke1010@hotmail.com. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jill<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-83576599838078780782020-12-16T10:58:00.000-06:002020-12-16T10:58:08.584-06:00The Closet Game<div><p>This is a running record of all the quilts I made during the lockdown/quarantine. There are a lot. My cellphone had a catastrophic failure a couple of weeks ago, and I lost a lot of pictures. Many of these quilts will have only one picture, but since there are so many quilts, that just might be for the best. You can find more detail shots on my Instagram page, @pieladyquilts.</p><p>The creative theme I used to prompt myself this time was "the closet." In my sewing room, I store many things in that closet. Maybe *too* many. All the quilts in today's post began as bags of scraps, orphan blocks, a stray quilt top or from fabric stacked in that closet. I will go in chronological order.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4tY2HqpCc9m0jX1g9xYAMlYIUmzvFSvO6IZuLGGqgSfjxjx0EuFnMdDChBvehcFmgR6UPEnYCUQlslM9UJPwj_muB-Bn7kDHFwx9tUZxq1HtvqhBNGmHe9msSUN1SEeVsF6fORje-HsT/s1080/Roses+and+Thorns-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4tY2HqpCc9m0jX1g9xYAMlYIUmzvFSvO6IZuLGGqgSfjxjx0EuFnMdDChBvehcFmgR6UPEnYCUQlslM9UJPwj_muB-Bn7kDHFwx9tUZxq1HtvqhBNGmHe9msSUN1SEeVsF6fORje-HsT/w640-h640/Roses+and+Thorns-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Roses and Thorns" width="640" /></a></div><p>"Roses and Thorns"<br />
23" x 23"<br />
<br />
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." --Abraham Lincoln<br />
<br />
Last spring, while I was making the coral Pickle Dish quilt, I needed to rip out part of a seam on one of the arcs. I ended up ripping the seam AND the fabric. I saved the ripped arc and the angled scraps from the project in a plastic bag to work on later. A year later, here we are.<br />
<br />
I try hard to be an optimist, but I have to admit that when I dumped out the bag, I saw the "thorns" first. I used all of the angled pieces to create three roses as my penance. <br />
<br />
The background fabric is from a men's brushed woven dress shirt (thanks, Goodwill). There was a definite right side and wrong side to the fabric, but I ignored that. I like the subtle variation in color and texture. I also experimented with one of the utility stitches on my machine to stitch in some more texture with invisible thread.<br />
</p><p>I found the ripped pickle dish arc and a bag of scraps stored in the closet. I normally don't store scraps this way (I just use them instantly), but I had to move on quickly to other State Fair quilts last summer and put them aside to deal with later.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3ulZ5MdLQB0E7YWruVS4vIIJxNIUqtAehJoa2wbiJytFpP8z8SaiQHy0Ec9aPc2LdKjmUBnscFXGBdL5xhZPIVuvMfSzrK6-frCyw6Gf58gikX4kkqDhHc4fZAxtFyVmhiD_VgZdZ-8l/s2048/Love+Triangles-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3ulZ5MdLQB0E7YWruVS4vIIJxNIUqtAehJoa2wbiJytFpP8z8SaiQHy0Ec9aPc2LdKjmUBnscFXGBdL5xhZPIVuvMfSzrK6-frCyw6Gf58gikX4kkqDhHc4fZAxtFyVmhiD_VgZdZ-8l/w554-h640/Love+Triangles-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Love Triangles" width="554" /></a></div> </div><div>"Love Triangles"<br /></div>35" x 40"<div><p style="text-align: left;">This quilt began with orphan blocks from my quilt "Love At First Glow." I discovered that I could make the blocks have a glowing effect if I started with the lightest value and gradually darkened the values as I added more rounds. These are the blocks that I made before I discovered that.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I floated these blocks in a sea of Kona Oasis. I chose that fabric because it was a nice medium value and also because I had three yards of it in my stash. Specific fabrics were hard to come by at this point in the spring, and I was happy to use what I had.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I quilted this using the zig zag utility stitch on my machine and pale green thread. I like how the contrasting thread looks on the Oasis background and it was a fun way to deal with quilting the negative space on this quilt.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I ended up with a lot of weird angled Oasis scraps after piecing this, so I took a break from digging in the closet and used those scraps as my inspiration for the next several quilts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNQGyxx55zU2Rsn5G1pyy_dhhOqrE78_IbIS4uZU8TSRp9Mr5_FHwYbJbdWuAgkaoFXc0Rt_6b9kNVvg52HqA8KvN3nPPXR5fbgMkRDZHcP0ohGUKKTMeg9HBFTz3zsGIgxIceSAKpwjS/s1080/Not+in+Nottingham-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNQGyxx55zU2Rsn5G1pyy_dhhOqrE78_IbIS4uZU8TSRp9Mr5_FHwYbJbdWuAgkaoFXc0Rt_6b9kNVvg52HqA8KvN3nPPXR5fbgMkRDZHcP0ohGUKKTMeg9HBFTz3zsGIgxIceSAKpwjS/w640-h640/Not+in+Nottingham-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Not in Nottingham" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div>"Not in Nottingham"<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">20" x 20"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I sorted through the Kona Oasis scraps, I found that I had two distinct shapes: wedge strips and triangles. This quilt was made with the triangles plus scraps from my scrap bin. I was thinking of sea glass and wintergreen gum while I picked out the fabric.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You know that Roger Miller song from the Disney version of Robin Hood? I hummed it the whole time I pieced this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every town</div><div style="text-align: left;">Has its ups and downs</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes ups</div><div style="text-align: left;">Outnumber the downs</div><div style="text-align: left;">But not in Nottingham</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had a comment on Instagram from a quilter that lives in that part of England. She approved of this quilt and we laughed about it together.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLHL9ZanNmTtVQ_hVUlFAxcsK3_TdQf3avnH6vu66inDoum3ERJhwe678XMkkPFq3kBckr8ipBcmJ0mpTon7FYZMCz-7D76O6cOsK4_SHbCzhmUyi9r97xtY7k45HmPLs-jbGk9lOsQ3A/s1080/Mysterious+Ness-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLHL9ZanNmTtVQ_hVUlFAxcsK3_TdQf3avnH6vu66inDoum3ERJhwe678XMkkPFq3kBckr8ipBcmJ0mpTon7FYZMCz-7D76O6cOsK4_SHbCzhmUyi9r97xtY7k45HmPLs-jbGk9lOsQ3A/w640-h640/Mysterious+Ness-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Mysterious Ness" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"Mysterious Ness"</div><div style="text-align: left;">25" x 25"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This quilt is how I dealt with the Kona Oasis wedge strip scraps.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the quarantine I was my kids' piano teacher. I assigned "The Loch Ness Monster to my daughter. It's a fun song. There are minor chords that rise from the low end of the keyboard, a silly chorus and then slow minor chords down the piano as the monster heads back in to the deep. She loved the song and I loved the illustration. It was a mustard colored Nessie with triangle teeth in a green sea backed by a blue sky.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are free-pieced triangles that I trimmed to size with a Half & Quarter ruler that I didn't remember that I had. All the fabrics came from the scrap bin and were meant to be deep-valued and mysterious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKKrUO0PIpgT_hELn4izgBuUVBEbVjWwtCzhQSeVbR9qXOO4BbUlEIKV0agynx7TMDVJdem0Se3YRzL4b90xtLbFiRO7WQ1_1sbMTauViRhVr7DXprQ2Fi7q2jUpoOVAMaiiMBlP2xaB1/s2048/Jagged-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1829" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKKrUO0PIpgT_hELn4izgBuUVBEbVjWwtCzhQSeVbR9qXOO4BbUlEIKV0agynx7TMDVJdem0Se3YRzL4b90xtLbFiRO7WQ1_1sbMTauViRhVr7DXprQ2Fi7q2jUpoOVAMaiiMBlP2xaB1/w572-h640/Jagged-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Jagged" width="572" /></a></div><p></p>"Jagged"<br />34" x 39"<br /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought I had used the rest of the Living Coral scraps in "Roses and Thorns," the quilt I started the blog with today. I hadn't. I found a whole bucket of more triangle-ish scraps from piecing the arcs. I dumped the bucket out and started piecing. Originally I was sewing random colors together, but it felt too chaotic to me. I adjusted to use pairs of similar colors and arrange the quilt in color fields. I was on a big true crime kick this spring. I listened to the "DC
Sniper: Monster" podcast. I think I had a visceral reaction against
random and subconsciously imposed order on this piece. Once again, this
is a great illustration how improv work is reactive. I still used those original blocks that I pieced; they are sprinkled in as the "surprise" in the color fields. I also pieced in a little private joke. In the orange field there is one single triangle of Kona Oasis that I hadn't used in "Not in Nottingham."</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This is quilted with freehand waves in monofilament thread and is finished with a faced edge.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37j1rA3bqDve9zsyVTIEOvbPOj0H4lBEly-B4hmRGw6LhhvQUuaPyDTNKQzrG8nb5-F4k52O26yty9E1Oe6hPk3WeRl6ndwxdRgmjWtNGmR2IUvs4MfZWnkNmpnSd2B1OxVM_PxT9YYAK/s1080/Oceanic+Bullseye-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37j1rA3bqDve9zsyVTIEOvbPOj0H4lBEly-B4hmRGw6LhhvQUuaPyDTNKQzrG8nb5-F4k52O26yty9E1Oe6hPk3WeRl6ndwxdRgmjWtNGmR2IUvs4MfZWnkNmpnSd2B1OxVM_PxT9YYAK/w640-h640/Oceanic+Bullseye-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Oceanic Bullseye" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"Oceanic Bullseye"</div><div style="text-align: left;">15" x 15"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was my ten year old son's entry to the Curated Quilts Youth Mini challenge and his second quilt. He designed, pieced and helped to quilt this. I think he really enjoyed having some alone time with me during the time that we were all stuck in the house together. We had to use a prescribed set of colors, but we omitted some and played with arrangements and different tints of color for a long time. He learned about value and how purposely being imperfect makes art more interesting. When the quilt wasn't accepted for the gallery, he also learned about how it's good to be a little different than everyone else and not "fit" in a grouping, but how marching to your own drummer isn't without a few twinges of discomfort. This quilt is hanging in his room and he is exceptionally proud of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_8ZDFrnyDNyautaILZalzqw7P5K9Xdg1xS_arrQCb6edIHSBnLWDvoRle8bdkgeJa_Z1Fr7SwpMD3hrqtM93IGKDjv2_dsezTgEyabbrfS7LlCmUUsmTW42BHXvTnEvzRGSGrMkMjq78/s1080/Happy+Hatch2-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_8ZDFrnyDNyautaILZalzqw7P5K9Xdg1xS_arrQCb6edIHSBnLWDvoRle8bdkgeJa_Z1Fr7SwpMD3hrqtM93IGKDjv2_dsezTgEyabbrfS7LlCmUUsmTW42BHXvTnEvzRGSGrMkMjq78/w640-h640/Happy+Hatch2-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Happy Hatch" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EyuiWRXwk_7w-IGp7j5lWWlExyft0ti98eBpSvUEOCff0h67Cn0Q0wazJGiLLewKLuxSSph3hYY54Ph5AJDl_VZP71BO1k5GItcjhl6G3soL7UYVaDvngm4BKN-bcV3Rn7V5bQj1T8Po/s1080/Happy+Hatch-w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EyuiWRXwk_7w-IGp7j5lWWlExyft0ti98eBpSvUEOCff0h67Cn0Q0wazJGiLLewKLuxSSph3hYY54Ph5AJDl_VZP71BO1k5GItcjhl6G3soL7UYVaDvngm4BKN-bcV3Rn7V5bQj1T8Po/w640-h640/Happy+Hatch-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Happy Hatch" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"Happy Hatch"</div><div style="text-align: left;">41" x 59"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was a quilt top that came from the closet in my sewing room. I had it basted and quilted with a few lines of hand stitching. I decided that hand quilting this didn't really enrich the design that much and ripped out the little bit I had done. I quilted this with an elongated zig zag utility stitch on my machine. I think it gives the quilt a really fun texture. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This quilt was made from the scraps of the quilt I made called "Bucket List," which is pictured below. I added a few extra blues and a navy blue and white maternity shirt I cut up (pictured above).</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrfzhliQQoNc4psm-MKUqxse1lmj6_BPvJOuuMe9ZwXONjmmuCJEUtJfB20GlQyMsOW2PunNM_M_FnfEF9VrJOuh731x_lPJLaLT0JOmnsTRDipSuZj5YcJT9QqUG2hQaKCeDgQ6Suep_/s2048/1608036982137-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrfzhliQQoNc4psm-MKUqxse1lmj6_BPvJOuuMe9ZwXONjmmuCJEUtJfB20GlQyMsOW2PunNM_M_FnfEF9VrJOuh731x_lPJLaLT0JOmnsTRDipSuZj5YcJT9QqUG2hQaKCeDgQ6Suep_/w640-h640/1608036982137-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Classic Blue Trio" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">With "Happy Hatch," I've also decided to check the box on 2020's Pantone Classic Blue. Rather than dedicating an entire series on the color, I'm going to count these three quilts from this year where I swerved into Classic Blue. Even without a stand alone post on the color, I think I have honored it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you seen the announced color pair for 2021? A bright sunshiney yellow (YAY!) and a drab gray (uhhh...?). It makes me think the selection was trying a little too hard to be metaphorical with the whole light at the end of the dark tunnel thing, but I'll still challenge myself to make a quilt. Color is what you make of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl9D53hRPKJu3QpnPg5rCHBNxvZg_i5mkaCGeWjZEwbPOiMDnR-wgEWvU7SSGuDMoFiUlx53Jsp5E8m76cAIW2LanB4o9GJzdFrN0oOfnQhBKJUKOSl383Hw0WMNxcEpObwcu9E0FMCa_/s1080/Evelyn%2527s+Quilt-w%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl9D53hRPKJu3QpnPg5rCHBNxvZg_i5mkaCGeWjZEwbPOiMDnR-wgEWvU7SSGuDMoFiUlx53Jsp5E8m76cAIW2LanB4o9GJzdFrN0oOfnQhBKJUKOSl383Hw0WMNxcEpObwcu9E0FMCa_/w640-h640/Evelyn%2527s+Quilt-w%25281%2529.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Pixelated Heart" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It turns out that you can't just make a quilt with one of your children. After seeing her brother make a quilt, my daughter insisted that she have a turn. I found a free pattern from Robert Kaufman called <a href="https://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/pixelated_heart/">Pixelated Heart.</a> It looked like a perfect pattern for a beginner. I dug in my closet, stash and scrap bins and found enough Anna Maria Horner fabric to use in the quilt. The background is a lightweight denim and we backed it with turquoise minky. I asked Sarah Yoder Parker to longarm it for us and she did a beautiful freehand design of interlocking hearts. This quilt has received HEAVY use. And by heavy, I mean I have to remove it from my daughter's face every morning to wake her up for school. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There was another very positive outcome of this quilt. While I was digging through my scrap bins to find more pieces of Anna Maria Horner fabric, I found Tula Pink Nightshade scraps. Years ago I bought a fat quarter bundle of Nightshade ON SALE for twenty something dollars. I briefly considered hoarding it, but decided that I wanted to stay true to a personal belief that fabric is meant to be used. I bought it because I liked it, so of course I'd want to make a quilt out of it. A few years ago I made a Nightshade quilt that I still love and still display every fall. I didn't have a clear idea of how much the fabric scraps were worth, so I decided to put it up on an eBay auction and let the market decide what it was worth. I had a couple full faces, a couple partial faces and scraps from the coordinating prints. All told it was about a yard of fabric. The market decided alright. It decided to the tune of $450. With the proceeds, I bought the backing for the scrap vortex quilt I'll share later in the post and with the rest, totally revamped my sad clothes closet. I threw away all my sad, stained, holey mom shirts and some skirts that were older than my oldest child. I went on an eBay shopping spree and bid and haggled my way to a fresh new closet of cute clothes. I bought new leggings, a style of tunic that I love in many different prints and colors, a couple of dresses, skirts, a new pair of sparkly silver Birkenstocks and a new pair of sneakers. I LOVE that playing the sewing closet game solved another closet's problems. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I will share a picture of the quilt I made a few years ago with the Nightshade bundle just for fun.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYv7M9zIn7HdF6yhJCsJ7GaaZ5OS9H6RbRF58B4PuxaDmqC17aTPkofoJ4fTynWn8QncUWI7arBzDcRE84kJ3J04DpW7os2krD9E0BfZ8sejuttirnWZUgqH-tulIhhLK0VL57SKRHxlN/s1396/Screenshot_20201216-061631-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1396" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYv7M9zIn7HdF6yhJCsJ7GaaZ5OS9H6RbRF58B4PuxaDmqC17aTPkofoJ4fTynWn8QncUWI7arBzDcRE84kJ3J04DpW7os2krD9E0BfZ8sejuttirnWZUgqH-tulIhhLK0VL57SKRHxlN/w640-h640/Screenshot_20201216-061631-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Nightshade" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR5hT_JrucShcS0NVvI7uNCo4n7NiApv8kXyBnMgeHAtMkTt82uHwuAtA8YDYedwxh6O6sJhOfbgN2ciJNb95iXLIr97T_3TH5i3ab7vV8w0kHD3XRI1IrKJppDKb2JSwTdXkN6Sp95SV/s2048/Don%2527t+Be+Crabby-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2029" data-original-width="2048" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR5hT_JrucShcS0NVvI7uNCo4n7NiApv8kXyBnMgeHAtMkTt82uHwuAtA8YDYedwxh6O6sJhOfbgN2ciJNb95iXLIr97T_3TH5i3ab7vV8w0kHD3XRI1IrKJppDKb2JSwTdXkN6Sp95SV/w640-h634/Don%2527t+Be+Crabby-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Don't Be Crabby" width="640" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Don't Be Crabby"</div><div style="text-align: left;">31" x 31"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The name for this quilt references the cute crab print that I used for the backing. It also references life events (I took my sewing machine in to a local place for a needle jam and it ended up being a fatal repair. I had to buy a new machine.) It also references the provenance of the fabric used to make it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Long time readers may remember that I have played the trading game for fabric. I offer notions and/or fabric that I am no longer using for trade. One of the participants told me that she had a great deal of solid fabric that she'd like to trade me. The large amounts of solid fabric ended up being large petal shapes that were cut on the bias. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This summer I was asked to give a Zoom lecture for the German National Quilt Guild for their Summer Series. All of the other offerings were method workshops, so I wanted to add a tutorial at the end of my Zoom presentation on scraps to give a concrete example of how to use the scraps I'd just spent 90 minutes talking about. I checked in my sewing closet for some likely scraps to use as a demo and found the giant bias petals. I cut them in on-grain strips and started piecing this. I also added some red prints and tonal solids from my scrap bin to get the color proportions right.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj380ZpeTT9JdysqJNanRY92XfDABJlepMQKq3UDGvcJmU4bn-quKHSQ2WFNwHReLec_JK0XMVbHqAhd1sNqXIneHD4zSYmfm8e0TtOttGFbGTOo7GEMNv3ijkp_XPtGGxVkGfKTV-CWcYS/s2048/Stress-Eating+Starburst-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2048" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj380ZpeTT9JdysqJNanRY92XfDABJlepMQKq3UDGvcJmU4bn-quKHSQ2WFNwHReLec_JK0XMVbHqAhd1sNqXIneHD4zSYmfm8e0TtOttGFbGTOo7GEMNv3ijkp_XPtGGxVkGfKTV-CWcYS/w640-h632/Stress-Eating+Starburst-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Stress-Eating Starburst" width="640" /></a></div><br /> "Stress-Eating Starburst"</div><div style="text-align: left;">23" x 23"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I wrote about "Don't Be Crabby" on Instagram, I ended the post by saying something snarky about how I pieced that quilt while stress-eating Starburst. I was thinking about that while I was contemplating how to use up the scraps and had the thought that it might be funny to actually piece a quilt with the theme of stress-eating Starburst. I used the red, yellow and fuchsia from the first quilt and color matched an orange fabric to a Starburst wrapper.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think the whole idea of stress-eating Starburst resonated with people because all of us have had to find ways to deal with the stress, pain and uncertainty that have come with 2020. I was stunned when my silly tongue-in-cheek quilt was so popular. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, it was the response to this quilt that made me end a years long embargo on Quiltcon. I submitted this quilt along with four others this year. My mom told me it was time to start submitting again, so I listened. As of this writing, the acceptance emails haven't been sent yet. We'll see how it goes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR0wvPPcLW9UeEYeMTQttF4VBytEU5KmasQhDb61CaBGzjXJyyc1cwphD8n0RZ_o1CpSi3nvbGKGNl_Wg0bgSumL2KDxmU5bkTVlL_2JNzyoj-S90Un5_xQZ7fXRj15l6kq_S-J277LVy/s2048/The+Old+Ninety+Sixer+2-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1153" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR0wvPPcLW9UeEYeMTQttF4VBytEU5KmasQhDb61CaBGzjXJyyc1cwphD8n0RZ_o1CpSi3nvbGKGNl_Wg0bgSumL2KDxmU5bkTVlL_2JNzyoj-S90Un5_xQZ7fXRj15l6kq_S-J277LVy/w360-h640/The+Old+Ninety+Sixer+2-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Old Ninety Sixer" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">"The Old Ninety Sixer"</div><div style="text-align: left;">96" x 96"<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have been saving the pieces to make one of these scrap vortex quilts for 4 years. I sew together print strips from leftover backings and facings as part of the clean up process after I finish every quilt. I'll grab random pieces from my print scraps and sew them onto the leftover strips. Then, I cut them apart and store the sewn, unpressed pairs in a bucket in my closet. I also do this with the scraps from quilts I make with prints. This summer, the bucket was full!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I listened to four audiobooks on George Washington while I pieced this. The audiobooks helped distract me from the insane amount of piecing and ironing this quilt entailed. I had just enough pieced fabric pairs to sew this large top, and then gleefully used the leftover backing strips from this quilt to start filling my bucket all over again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My husband is a notorious cover-stealer (shameless, too) so I am glad to have a quilt that's big enough to give me a fighting chance!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I received the pillow in the picture from Tina, @13quilts, in the Great Pillow Swap I participated in a few years ago. This quilt was also quilted by Sarah Yoder Parker.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next picture is a closeup of the work as I was piecing it. I even spy a few pieces of the notorious Nightshade fabric!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD4hMju4H8WH7YQbPMnRQhTb5oGY09h1ZJUmSznDO3L0Fm-9K5fqw8ajciABTcGJfXlhhbRhTWx-sAHY4ItzV4rBQB3NkrXaxCjVcUAcgFxUsPL8PKXvpefRUJ_tEJQinceoPTd7vHdJ0/s1080/The+Old+Ninety+Sixer-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD4hMju4H8WH7YQbPMnRQhTb5oGY09h1ZJUmSznDO3L0Fm-9K5fqw8ajciABTcGJfXlhhbRhTWx-sAHY4ItzV4rBQB3NkrXaxCjVcUAcgFxUsPL8PKXvpefRUJ_tEJQinceoPTd7vHdJ0/w640-h640/The+Old+Ninety+Sixer-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Old Ninety Sixer" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDkCwyi2GN4er7VSCQVh2GAVcntBdU6AvJ33lGv_OgZPXjA7F-6Hcp2K4uTjZ49MidKIxhrAoFh9R56OxRSZSQWMfeFXbi3N3LoPlU56jWPKcXnflfH-0_3Ty8MKepaT6zrifRg6ifsGx/s1080/Butterflies+in+My+Head-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDkCwyi2GN4er7VSCQVh2GAVcntBdU6AvJ33lGv_OgZPXjA7F-6Hcp2K4uTjZ49MidKIxhrAoFh9R56OxRSZSQWMfeFXbi3N3LoPlU56jWPKcXnflfH-0_3Ty8MKepaT6zrifRg6ifsGx/w640-h640/Butterflies+in+My+Head-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Butterflies in My Head" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"Butterflies in My Head"</div><div style="text-align: left;">15" x 15"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I stay home with the kids (4) now, but before the kids I was an elementary school teacher for 7 years. Every few years I have to take courses to keep my teaching license current. This summer I took three online classes. My favorite was "You Can Do WHAT With Google Slides?!" The poor instructor had no idea what he was in for with me. We had to create an artifact to demonstrate evidence of our learning, but at no point did he specify that the artifact have to be related to elementary school. I used this opportunity to start working on another slide show presentation about color.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I was making different slides about specific color harmonies, I realized that I didn't have many quilts with the double split complementary. This color harmony uses two pair of complementary colors making an X across the color wheel. If you were to make lines connecting all four colors, it would look like a rectangle. For this quilt I used blue-green, red-violet, yellow-green and red-orange. All the fabric came from my scrap bins.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">...and I have the receipts! 😄</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafAJw1i_WmP7ixwi388hXIHS5RIGO9Bu_TpANuRQ7XWnKxBUJmlR7pcsf_XxmvTYwi7OH0ud85X6b9GYTm70QOZ88o1RMrXhkiW4bBbzBClX8KyCw0tulIE1m8Rt9F3vlTC-wmHDO-P1R/s1080/Butterflies+in+My+Head2-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafAJw1i_WmP7ixwi388hXIHS5RIGO9Bu_TpANuRQ7XWnKxBUJmlR7pcsf_XxmvTYwi7OH0ud85X6b9GYTm70QOZ88o1RMrXhkiW4bBbzBClX8KyCw0tulIE1m8Rt9F3vlTC-wmHDO-P1R/w640-h640/Butterflies+in+My+Head2-w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb61ae8rGq5R_K4IXmh5GMCuCFuL4a-ufqhxq_CaqKI2wEWmq0Q1ONFb3CjlFgganhRDxttPfiS__kb7N9dXRb0sLs8nnN-khTXnQ7IshZij70Tlt7S-C-M3TdkEUeo8C186EXCp9cfne/s1350/Pointed+Star+of+the+East-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb61ae8rGq5R_K4IXmh5GMCuCFuL4a-ufqhxq_CaqKI2wEWmq0Q1ONFb3CjlFgganhRDxttPfiS__kb7N9dXRb0sLs8nnN-khTXnQ7IshZij70Tlt7S-C-M3TdkEUeo8C186EXCp9cfne/w512-h640/Pointed+Star+of+the+East-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Pointed Star of the East" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"Pointed Star of the East"</div><div style="text-align: left;">47" x 65"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the quilt that I made with the vintage star block I picked up at a local consignment store that had been languishing in my sewing room closet. This is the second, and final, quilt I've made from blocks that were donated by this maker (or the maker's family). All of the blocks came labelled with paper from a feed store in Wayland, Iowa. the previous quilt was foundation pieced on a bag from a store in Wayland. I think there's a strong case to be made for the original maker's location.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I added modern fabrics and sensibilities to this vintage block for a collaboration that I'm happy with. I did a little quilt surgery to help the block lie flat and then placed it in a context that matched a perfectly imperfect who-cares-if-it's-a-square square. All the fabric came from my stash and is an eclectic mix of scrap, modern text, solids and 30s and Civil War reproductions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I quilted this with the scallop stitch on my Janome, flipping the quilt 180 degrees every other row.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, for just a little inside baseball, this picture is taken in my sewing room where my design wall usually is. The design wall can be rolled up like a projection screen when I need it to. You can see the edge peeking out at the top.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOWzLsFbmIQ7MjBnYzyUEwF7UniTkX6e7_gnhb9TfpCxzA-ym-RPqDz-XtBjd18xPfs9CJRHBh72G9wC7Wier5t7HZBYoiY-LURYqx6VIk1MJEHkWr1JGN1SeRVswTEGWTDO-OKnZ7uQL/s1440/Top+nine+2020-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOWzLsFbmIQ7MjBnYzyUEwF7UniTkX6e7_gnhb9TfpCxzA-ym-RPqDz-XtBjd18xPfs9CJRHBh72G9wC7Wier5t7HZBYoiY-LURYqx6VIk1MJEHkWr1JGN1SeRVswTEGWTDO-OKnZ7uQL/w640-h640/Top+nine+2020-w.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Top Nine" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was happy to see 6 quilts from this post show up in my Top Nine for 2020!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also want to share a few things that are coming up for me. I've done a few live trunk shows locally in the past, but guilds have had to make many adjustments to their programs in response to local restrictions. I've created an online trunk show/lecture called "Unlocking the Joy in Scraps" that I give live via Zoom. I have two engagements coming up that allow visitors if you are interested.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday, December 19th at 1:00 EST, South Florida MQG <a href="https://southfloridamqg.com/events/december-jill-fisher-lecture">Link here.</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Monday, January 25th at 6:30 PT, East Bay Heritage Quilters (EBHQ) <a href="https://ebhq.org/event-4049072">Link here.</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've also been trying my hand at fabric dyeing. I cut extra Anna Maria Horner charm squares while I was helping my daughter with her quilt. I sold one of them to a friend on Instagram (I still have a set of 70 left, which is enough to make the Pixelated Heart pattern. Let me know if you're interested) and used the money to buy Ann Johnston's "Color By Accident" DVD. It was exceptionally done and I highly recommend it if you've ever had the notion that you'd like to try dyeing fabric. I have been busy procrastinating writing this blog post by making lots of quilts with my first batch of hand dyed fabrics. I'm excited to share them with you soon. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading. I hope you have a blessed holiday season!<br /></div></div>Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-9703201320863143672020-05-20T10:31:00.000-05:002020-05-20T10:31:07.715-05:00Prompts and ScrapsI know I've mentioned this story before, but when I was certifying as an elementary teacher, our class was mentored by Dr. D. He was a practicing teacher who had seen it all and a delightful change to the textbook theory. He told us how important choice was to student learning, but that our role as the educator was to provide boundaries to the choices for guidance. He famously said, "You can have anything in the world you want for breakfast! (Pause) Do you want Wheaties or Cheerios?" I love having unlimited creative impulses, but I also love narrowed choices. There's something about working with constraints (whether that be a prompt or a pile of scraps) that unleashes something in me.<br />
<br />
Hopefully you like prompts and scraps because that is what this post will be about today.<br />
<br />
I followed along with Season 11 of Project Quilting this year and made a quilt (or two) for every prompt. The point of Project Quilting is to start and finish a project based upon the announced theme in one week. I removed the time element for myself and only used the prompt as a starting point. You can visit <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/" target="_blank">KimLapacek.com</a> for more details. The prompts this year were:<br />
<br />
1. Notably Numeric<br />
2. Team Colors<br />
3. Put a Heart On It<br />
4. Birds in the Air<br />
5. Give it Away<br />
6. Vibrant and Vivacious<br />
<br />
Notably Numeric<br />
"This is 42," 40" x 46."<br />
<br />
Last year to celebrate my birthday, I made a quilt with 41 improv half square triangles in it. I felt like the quilt was a good representation of where I was and I thought it might be a good idea to revisit each year as my yearly quilty journal entry.<br />
<br />
The "Notably Numeric" prompt was too obvious to ignore.<br />
<br />
This quilt was made with 42 pieces of fabric from my scrap bin. I've made quilts with this checkerboard motif before, but had always used a ruler to straighten the edges of the units before joining them. I didn't this time. The pieces of black "mortar" fabric were necessary to smooth out some troublesome transitions. That decision felt pretty emblematic. At 42, there are definitely some parts of me that are held together with duct tape! I didn't want the black to take away from the design, so I embellished with plus signs in gold 8 wt. thread. That decision is also emblematic. Life is better with a happy outlook.<br />
<br />
I was thinking about this quilt when an arborist visited our house this week. Six years ago, my husband snuck out in the middle of the night and planted a weeping crab apple tree outside of my sewing room window as my Mother's Day present. I love that tree. Looking out at it every day (and the beautiful birds it attracts) gives me immense pleasure. I've been so sad this spring because a section in the front hasn't budded or bloomed. The arborist came yesterday to render an opinion. The verdict is that the tree is alive, well and disease-free, but will suffer from a misshapen appearance for years until branches can grow to fill in that space. She told us that if that bothered us, the tree could be removed. Um, no. No. I purchased a lovely, fluffy hanging flower basket to place in the hole that will remain when we prune back the affected part. This is not a disaster, just an opportunity to add a design element to our landscape. Improv to the rescue!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLjHfZ-WdcUly2WZtovqTyf0eOZrbJa-LXAq3FixdMBGf-4AfjR2TIGgFoLdbnA21Qzl5sjZmtTn_YP679_ydbYlGwthoL1bWm6hZcCOY1TO5K2rfcUKCIfNybgOVbdX4Pq-ykE69-ybe/s1600/IMG_20200421_171915102_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLjHfZ-WdcUly2WZtovqTyf0eOZrbJa-LXAq3FixdMBGf-4AfjR2TIGgFoLdbnA21Qzl5sjZmtTn_YP679_ydbYlGwthoL1bWm6hZcCOY1TO5K2rfcUKCIfNybgOVbdX4Pq-ykE69-ybe/s640/IMG_20200421_171915102_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 42" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkImel5nStsIUx2iXYAM9oRhgh4KGwwdTJV0AwkiowLwpfuaHPit9ZjoKz2lrskyYS1LY3W-VV98cWImcxe9SiccDbTeAAKRJpvSs6pnptihc_LJ6lLSjNzGk8UApDQsm3biKLOG1gH5Mn/s1600/IMG_20200421_172033191_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkImel5nStsIUx2iXYAM9oRhgh4KGwwdTJV0AwkiowLwpfuaHPit9ZjoKz2lrskyYS1LY3W-VV98cWImcxe9SiccDbTeAAKRJpvSs6pnptihc_LJ6lLSjNzGk8UApDQsm3biKLOG1gH5Mn/s640/IMG_20200421_172033191_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 42" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi339o5ZPPhHxJ3dvwCVjQL7obRXhLCwmwIA5r83fHbS2uFujGpfD0Wl3UhQ6gBR__gFRjruOg4oAXDGhTU4pVWrVnq8zXLtNw8PriqBK5H1zMAumvTKS5O_nYy-9vgCTFsrYCuJmPeMBjn/s1600/IMG_20200421_172117289_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi339o5ZPPhHxJ3dvwCVjQL7obRXhLCwmwIA5r83fHbS2uFujGpfD0Wl3UhQ6gBR__gFRjruOg4oAXDGhTU4pVWrVnq8zXLtNw8PriqBK5H1zMAumvTKS5O_nYy-9vgCTFsrYCuJmPeMBjn/s640/IMG_20200421_172117289_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 42" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIEApZRHZQma0Gp0C_zbujpGRzdsTze9jaVQWeRPr_-HfcOdFM7EaxSl2dJo8t7cmR_AbtHJqk_uHZTNtV1OBKwmpezDdbGKc6kABCVGt1C9IhLgddDMu9KSXcQzD4L6QuwTInxy0ylq_/s1600/IMG_20200421_172045237_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIEApZRHZQma0Gp0C_zbujpGRzdsTze9jaVQWeRPr_-HfcOdFM7EaxSl2dJo8t7cmR_AbtHJqk_uHZTNtV1OBKwmpezDdbGKc6kABCVGt1C9IhLgddDMu9KSXcQzD4L6QuwTInxy0ylq_/s640/IMG_20200421_172045237_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 42" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Team Colors<br />
"McKay," 39" x 39."<br />
<br />
I wrote about this quilt in my last blog post, but I wanted to include it again so all of the Project Quilting quilts could be together.<br />
<br />
My mother's maiden name is McKay. I was able to visit Scotland when I was in high school and I bought several items with our family's tartan. I thought immediately of those colors and pattern when the prompt was announced. Go team McKay! This quilt's color, fabric choices and geometric design are a nod to the plaid, but certainly not an exact replica.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP2NrUzFTjuhmGfm7y_SUGsk-Bd8KYTkN3D-GtEJcFRIULuuFaWcM7LOdE56lZYRoySQZQNv-WyME5XnTd0D-u0e0979rR6ZZ7kGsoHuBQNqOMTcm_ulkeru0tu0iWUgoQzbQPITRzJlb/s1600/IMG_20200129_144155_226-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP2NrUzFTjuhmGfm7y_SUGsk-Bd8KYTkN3D-GtEJcFRIULuuFaWcM7LOdE56lZYRoySQZQNv-WyME5XnTd0D-u0e0979rR6ZZ7kGsoHuBQNqOMTcm_ulkeru0tu0iWUgoQzbQPITRzJlb/s640/IMG_20200129_144155_226-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: McKay" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFfMV7N67LV-HR-uypUbJJjI6eIYaM3tCNTilAmis61aesPsAd-uXL3phldASUqrlunCKyseJxaI5v3bz41nGyDXE8S3y8EQaquNi2on_NiZc0t-41j1BrZz0yzwZkqLSDJtvLYjFHt92/s1600/IMG_20200129_144155_225-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFfMV7N67LV-HR-uypUbJJjI6eIYaM3tCNTilAmis61aesPsAd-uXL3phldASUqrlunCKyseJxaI5v3bz41nGyDXE8S3y8EQaquNi2on_NiZc0t-41j1BrZz0yzwZkqLSDJtvLYjFHt92/s640/IMG_20200129_144155_225-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: McKay" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Put a Heart On It<br />
"Shoofly Kisses," 41" x 47."<br />
<br />
For this prompt, you had to have a heart somewhere on the quilt. It could be pieced in or on the fabric. I didn't want to piece a heart and I didn't have any heart fabric, so I needed to get creative.<br />
<br />
I thought I'd experiment again with bleach dyeing. Previously I have used diluted bleach and different tying techniques to get some unique patterns. I had the thought this time that I could try drawing with the bleach. I considered how to thicken bleach for far too long before I remembered about bleach toilet cleaner. It is also a diluted bleach solution, but in a thicker gel that would be easier to control. I used a Q-tip and a small bowl of bleach toilet cleaner to make a bunch of hearts. I tried a couple of different reds to see what color I'd find underneath. I got shades of tan and coral. I went with the coral.<br />
<br />
I used the hearts in the quilt like they were little sparkles. Each section of small squares has one with a heart on it. I think of them as a sprinkling of sparkles. It reminded me of blowing kisses, so thus the name.<br />
<br />
At the time, my not-quite-two year old was absolutely enraptured with these hearts. She learned how to say the word "heart" and began insisting that every outfit she wore include them. It's been sweet to watch her develop her own personal style and preferences. I remember that it was around this age that her older sister got into unicorns. <br />
<br />
I had extra hearts left after I made the quilt, so I made a pillow. It is a 16" square.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApNMKlqViYYq_0GRfh90tlnYe15of0-_3fsbmpPLY3yW8lAo1X3xkPlm5iKrwwVVS35tsGW3ykfDdG3xln83RDE_Rha7hn048y3Gc2_OSFw2nBWjAD4x9kseKxfWJ9odF-p2XJ6wq_5l2/s1600/IMG_20200206_085553042_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApNMKlqViYYq_0GRfh90tlnYe15of0-_3fsbmpPLY3yW8lAo1X3xkPlm5iKrwwVVS35tsGW3ykfDdG3xln83RDE_Rha7hn048y3Gc2_OSFw2nBWjAD4x9kseKxfWJ9odF-p2XJ6wq_5l2/s640/IMG_20200206_085553042_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Shoofly Kisses" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6c6k7Wm4vRuPDO0iwIMl78nJ0eWSCMPmo0kPdEd55T6K6FWmA5fYJDtp1wm5LigMwTdv5Iv6UhQu6PfZ6ZaUp0OOi8lmotWR6Exb-RBDl7MyPtPGrNm5AD1do0nfkg12K02sKhACly5Q/s1600/IMG_20200215_161201257_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6c6k7Wm4vRuPDO0iwIMl78nJ0eWSCMPmo0kPdEd55T6K6FWmA5fYJDtp1wm5LigMwTdv5Iv6UhQu6PfZ6ZaUp0OOi8lmotWR6Exb-RBDl7MyPtPGrNm5AD1do0nfkg12K02sKhACly5Q/s640/IMG_20200215_161201257_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Shoofly Kisses" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tdQQv1zB8A7RgDaW2O8lm-CYtRikwESI4j3GS_uJz6lqO1LPr17fXgzJ3Q_7UwGQjjh08_14CF2GxQkJd1mBtiQc-MWFOvDyrhI9wA5yfOlW4eDvHIoGHuETTIwnl7vstyOZvcIyXYWx/s1600/IMG_20200215_161308810_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tdQQv1zB8A7RgDaW2O8lm-CYtRikwESI4j3GS_uJz6lqO1LPr17fXgzJ3Q_7UwGQjjh08_14CF2GxQkJd1mBtiQc-MWFOvDyrhI9wA5yfOlW4eDvHIoGHuETTIwnl7vstyOZvcIyXYWx/s640/IMG_20200215_161308810_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Shoofly Kisses" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmQv-nPL-2TAwuWgUvlL46OjRe3v8ajIcmjntUM_Vi06fQLenXpjfLF-3Sh7Kr3jWYTjIqvkab5_EW9U4Xjch6lIIzNSWGfDZsmhcCuUnzB_BOxTOvg-rTXe4PiVoe8cJRikuY_O3amtU/s1600/IMG_20200215_161331922_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmQv-nPL-2TAwuWgUvlL46OjRe3v8ajIcmjntUM_Vi06fQLenXpjfLF-3Sh7Kr3jWYTjIqvkab5_EW9U4Xjch6lIIzNSWGfDZsmhcCuUnzB_BOxTOvg-rTXe4PiVoe8cJRikuY_O3amtU/s640/IMG_20200215_161331922_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Shoofly Kisses" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpsLKxWlYn2JwQVfpKwVH0LVIWZyfFJ8npo09HVSPKjKMuzOreF8-d30SgGiZRmDFQUzeCCNPQJuCSzSR4KZTPayoZMqM0Br5pVET0rQ4JoGQhlROxq0c-wSAdAHXLIA7GYtD107ErjvF/s1600/IMG_20200215_161317575_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpsLKxWlYn2JwQVfpKwVH0LVIWZyfFJ8npo09HVSPKjKMuzOreF8-d30SgGiZRmDFQUzeCCNPQJuCSzSR4KZTPayoZMqM0Br5pVET0rQ4JoGQhlROxq0c-wSAdAHXLIA7GYtD107ErjvF/s640/IMG_20200215_161317575_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Shoofly Kisses" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyPBwrBNNoKq8woDlZ-DPddQAYoMlwexZ4EVJajh5ZoqTu6A6jz1AhHHosOyIx9Rf4cn72shw-6l7isFScIxj21URurG81v32WeI5-Ju9b4D8-bU-CKXwwzAgqQK0l2ZM4xFIUlTjHQUI/s1600/IMG_20200211_150809053_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyPBwrBNNoKq8woDlZ-DPddQAYoMlwexZ4EVJajh5ZoqTu6A6jz1AhHHosOyIx9Rf4cn72shw-6l7isFScIxj21URurG81v32WeI5-Ju9b4D8-bU-CKXwwzAgqQK0l2ZM4xFIUlTjHQUI/s640/IMG_20200211_150809053_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Shoofly Kisses Pillow" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Birds in the Air<br />
"Heading South," 40" x 40."<br />
<br />
Birds in the Air is the name of a classic quilt block. The block is traditionally a HST with one half being one fabric and the other half made of a bunch of smaller HST units. For the challenge you were free to reinterpret the block. That's what I chose to do.<br />
<br />
I went to the website for the International Quilt Museum (<a href="https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/collections/search" target="_blank">here's a link</a>) for ideas. You can search in their collections by region, time period and by block name. I was able to search the Birds in the Air section and see many examples of this particular block in action as well as many different interpretations. Quilters have been innovating from the very beginning and there were many stellar examples. One was even from the 1820s! If you spend a few minutes browsing this database, I guarantee you won't be sorry. It's a great resource.<br />
<br />
The half square triangles in this quilt are free pieced. I squared them down to a consistent size at the end. I love the interest imperfection gives. I also broke the consistency of the pattern to add the red triangles...except for once when I didn't. Surprise! I didn't have enough of any of the burgundy fabrics to do solid setting triangles, so I creatively pieced them. This was not a disaster, just an opportunity to add a design element. It might be my favorite part of the quilt!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuCxOJWIyv8IpRl0q234ROPrGuNWvYifNSuJ8kVYY5s_7LhCrKnF0OeGwIUnWmJE22I-jEClEqadvMiywwztMSzwi9jANzh-DXYXVtgA_bhKHkp7FNzEIslqTT6b_WJoM8xDQO-Z-o-mY/s1600/IMG_20200316_132437034_HDR-02-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuCxOJWIyv8IpRl0q234ROPrGuNWvYifNSuJ8kVYY5s_7LhCrKnF0OeGwIUnWmJE22I-jEClEqadvMiywwztMSzwi9jANzh-DXYXVtgA_bhKHkp7FNzEIslqTT6b_WJoM8xDQO-Z-o-mY/s640/IMG_20200316_132437034_HDR-02-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Heading South" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JwmY-3zmUWttrrM4o8ksMrkAeccqcBUafAqoX0_GmYe5p_W1gMvoUkk-VV2B0PwyfomcQfcX15K2-pNsqy8OkRUvD_G4G7cnl1GOELIT1sMbdzNMa1NzDs7GFmc2cJ7s2_A3oKGiFe3H/s1600/IMG_20200315_143933000_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JwmY-3zmUWttrrM4o8ksMrkAeccqcBUafAqoX0_GmYe5p_W1gMvoUkk-VV2B0PwyfomcQfcX15K2-pNsqy8OkRUvD_G4G7cnl1GOELIT1sMbdzNMa1NzDs7GFmc2cJ7s2_A3oKGiFe3H/s640/IMG_20200315_143933000_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Heading South" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS4j_RnF0mJ0UZJIZTXyY1CWOWR5B2paCZ84KTP4W0lSX_kPLhyphenhyphenvqx2zCNIUxbkcMRMNsuZtU7a8rN8qm1deCf08jRs-AcAowvTfhnwU8mHu1-wctw6oxnfWy4q6lxJEfcE5s1yBiQhMg/s1600/IMG_20200315_144116691_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS4j_RnF0mJ0UZJIZTXyY1CWOWR5B2paCZ84KTP4W0lSX_kPLhyphenhyphenvqx2zCNIUxbkcMRMNsuZtU7a8rN8qm1deCf08jRs-AcAowvTfhnwU8mHu1-wctw6oxnfWy4q6lxJEfcE5s1yBiQhMg/s640/IMG_20200315_144116691_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Heading South" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"Birds in the Air, 2." 22" x 22"<br />
<br />
I usually
like to clean up my space when I finish a quilt top. I completed the top
for the Project Quilting prompt of "Birds in the Air" and
had a pile of fabric scraps and extra liberated HST blocks left on the
cutting table. This is me "cleaning up." <br />
<br />
Those little
floating squares were made from a Loominous plaid scrap that I had and
just might be my favorite part of the quilt. At first glance they look
pieced. It's always my secret pleasure to think I might have encouraged
someone to look twice.<br />
<br />
After posting this on Instagram, I was encouraged to watch the Yo Gabba Gabba song/video, "There's a Party in My Tummy." (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Os-CACRwM8" target="_blank">here's a link</a>) I almost fell out of my chair from laughing so hard. My kids thought it was hilarious. I triple dog dare you to watch it and look at the quilt again. I guarantee you'll never look at it in the same way.<br />
<br />
It's hanging on the wall by our dining room table and it makes me smile every time I see it and think about the sad carrots in the video.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO7bEFAZ0MHON7NBNEEoRaKMtP6FT40qLJuGaUQIIIujHmJ16O4R7rMpj1uj6DNwPdoLbmSjILi2QT2_LbqKMpu1ViihAUbSDzm6z6CEnozjct6q4UerHTqtqyY-HUIoaZypLTKXSqvrw/s1600/IMG_20200229_073406464_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO7bEFAZ0MHON7NBNEEoRaKMtP6FT40qLJuGaUQIIIujHmJ16O4R7rMpj1uj6DNwPdoLbmSjILi2QT2_LbqKMpu1ViihAUbSDzm6z6CEnozjct6q4UerHTqtqyY-HUIoaZypLTKXSqvrw/s640/IMG_20200229_073406464_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Birds in the Air 2" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_R1YQMqaVcnTYo1hDXGiO10x4tyy0QnK-hYk3L4gzuoKu_CSPX6fmjs_O_rf4DjI5tCSrIZGNtNIsmDydHjImmLOKpKNP6HJ0-Z7luKjkbdCo0KN_wOTN_ntZr6fvskL3qjYqKLJSAE9/s1600/IMG_20200229_073418095_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_R1YQMqaVcnTYo1hDXGiO10x4tyy0QnK-hYk3L4gzuoKu_CSPX6fmjs_O_rf4DjI5tCSrIZGNtNIsmDydHjImmLOKpKNP6HJ0-Z7luKjkbdCo0KN_wOTN_ntZr6fvskL3qjYqKLJSAE9/s640/IMG_20200229_073418095_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Birds in the Air 2" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC7u4elk9dPWF2dX0rlCZNEPWN-55Jj8_KU9IuC1xEOgB9X7kVTl-sEkNx2IUrTji_BRa2Ob1M3ILLDZ1VeBwvI_KCquxFdzmggx2_2OCKEoiPSkFBytX1oU5jpXfGc-CreAQFHyXV2vd/s1600/IMG_20200229_073427675_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC7u4elk9dPWF2dX0rlCZNEPWN-55Jj8_KU9IuC1xEOgB9X7kVTl-sEkNx2IUrTji_BRa2Ob1M3ILLDZ1VeBwvI_KCquxFdzmggx2_2OCKEoiPSkFBytX1oU5jpXfGc-CreAQFHyXV2vd/s640/IMG_20200229_073427675_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Birds in the Air 2" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Give it Away<br />
"Sparkly," 41" x 41."<br />
<br />
The point of this prompt was to make something to give away. Just for fun I started with a dark green dress shirt (thanks, Goodwill) and some turquoise string scraps that I had been given. I tried making liberated stars because I thought it was the best use of the strings. When I got bored with a single background color, I added some similar shades from my stash. I kept making stars until I ran out of turquoise strings. I was already feeling a pang thinking that I had to give this away because I was really liking it.<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure how I wanted to set the stars, but I left them up on the design wall while I was thinking. During a trip to JoAnn to get some more spray baste, I saw that coral fabric with silver dots. I really, really liked it, so I bought a few yards to take home. I wasn't thinking about this quilt, only that I liked the fabric. My subconscious had different plans. These clearly belong together.<br />
<br />
I ran out of background fabric while I was piecing the crazy sawtooth border, so I added the dark green plaid. This also was a men's dress shirt (thanks, Goodwill). I wasn't thinking that the quilt needed an influx of a darker value, but it definitely did. That's why I never get sad when I run out of fabric. More often than not, running out is a blessing in disguise.<br />
<br />
My solution to the "give it away" problem was to make another smaller version (14" x 14"). I wanted it to go to someone who would appreciate it, so I used a random number generator to choose a comment from my Instagram post of Sparkly. This little mini now lives in Georgia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3aq-yRjHfXRWwlFMjN-_-R8Rq5YwnN6bf0lMp8xKW8xffb06I37xCPPOw8WCzTzHBidzhRnpbOH9s3qJ0FoBl2zJQcpYMmfnmF4QX_OR5I3lv8zLCo-Mnf_oOStb58QrvZf6sL0HW_hk/s1600/IMG_20200406_122624236_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3aq-yRjHfXRWwlFMjN-_-R8Rq5YwnN6bf0lMp8xKW8xffb06I37xCPPOw8WCzTzHBidzhRnpbOH9s3qJ0FoBl2zJQcpYMmfnmF4QX_OR5I3lv8zLCo-Mnf_oOStb58QrvZf6sL0HW_hk/s640/IMG_20200406_122624236_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sparkly" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4RIFnNDULoIWRpS2bD_6szUNoXmRpdJiW_P82oB-sK5U0SlJafxsicAfDiSPcdMK-l9Nltnp5Cy543DuwnYWUC1aN3aRVnwOrMIQm5_jy__eGZ4sfzFav3rdfZKI61WXX77foUvUQpd9/s1600/IMG_20200406_122425733_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4RIFnNDULoIWRpS2bD_6szUNoXmRpdJiW_P82oB-sK5U0SlJafxsicAfDiSPcdMK-l9Nltnp5Cy543DuwnYWUC1aN3aRVnwOrMIQm5_jy__eGZ4sfzFav3rdfZKI61WXX77foUvUQpd9/s640/IMG_20200406_122425733_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sparkly" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DBCFPhGj_y8jSgchsQa9ppeCZeKRZjHLUGoWWk_6vu4S3lNKJxBeuYttU9UaZR5mFq4FWR_53Qp6czlT36Z2Ukb9-EsU5WpVJ4sZrEAbacuXSNB5BlLLAFjqRlNnSQkmWhMv5Y-Nb-bF/s1600/IMG_20200406_122405210_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DBCFPhGj_y8jSgchsQa9ppeCZeKRZjHLUGoWWk_6vu4S3lNKJxBeuYttU9UaZR5mFq4FWR_53Qp6czlT36Z2Ukb9-EsU5WpVJ4sZrEAbacuXSNB5BlLLAFjqRlNnSQkmWhMv5Y-Nb-bF/s640/IMG_20200406_122405210_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sparkly" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3zVUFOLIqBxFsH8JjBBWqWmH3SShfccU7PIO4BBf-g-Qp3pcVaZ4k9lSYUJqyiQHB-yE5lv0oVu6ytCCzkj-qqdRhFxi8Z_gK4gHBLIhGne-hq8nRryhpxtVtF_mvqriW0SNzAdweR6r/s1600/IMG_20200406_122453257_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3zVUFOLIqBxFsH8JjBBWqWmH3SShfccU7PIO4BBf-g-Qp3pcVaZ4k9lSYUJqyiQHB-yE5lv0oVu6ytCCzkj-qqdRhFxi8Z_gK4gHBLIhGne-hq8nRryhpxtVtF_mvqriW0SNzAdweR6r/s640/IMG_20200406_122453257_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sparkly" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNqEpWlEYieyyEilLHhh9CID8JMhbk9yCbtHctSJ9IC-HvW5PBB8Fvsr1ilgsKDzuP_26Qt5ZPBmrqNjzsSfc98fnDq1pBTfDftDjPfU_ci87cXAl0_tDzTpXyq7XpuZ0B5BsqGX_qRoZ/s1600/IMG_20200407_145908339_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNqEpWlEYieyyEilLHhh9CID8JMhbk9yCbtHctSJ9IC-HvW5PBB8Fvsr1ilgsKDzuP_26Qt5ZPBmrqNjzsSfc98fnDq1pBTfDftDjPfU_ci87cXAl0_tDzTpXyq7XpuZ0B5BsqGX_qRoZ/s640/IMG_20200407_145908339_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sparkly Mini" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Vibrant and Vivacious<br />
"Bed Quilt for O," 66" x 86."<br />
<br />
In my mind, I have a whole collection of projects that I call the "Phyllis Quilts." Phyllis is a member of my guild that generously shares her scraps with me. I really appreciate it. The turquoise strings in the last quilt came from her. While I was digging through the bags to find the turquoise pieces, I kept pulling out other strings that I liked and began to build a palette of sweet colors.<br />
<br />
I began with a square from my own stash and added strings to two sides. When it felt about big enough, I added strips of super lightweight denim and squared it to 11 inches. Four of those made a great big block. I did have to add some of my own fabric to finish the quilt, but the bucket of gifted strings made a great start.<br />
<br />
This is a twin sized quilt for my youngest daughter when she transitions from the crib to her big girl bed. <br />
<br />
This quilt was quilted by Sarah Yoder Parker. She used a hugs and kisses motif. The hearts in the center move out towards the circles and into the Xs in the sashing. I really love that clever bit of symbolism. I included a picture of the quilt in full sun so the quilting really shows.<br />
<br />
I'm always amazed at how much the lighting affects color. That is the same quilt, with no editing of the photos, in shade and full sun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxmTl7r9JGaWvYG0yeiDOMcSvHJNa631mA-eoa8a-CkS-FcEz686lbkltgS4QyGwSyK7xG9ip-UPOm31JJV66JmxfbmDPVNjuC6eGviI1NQ9ubPzchJGTGeno5lzfm72d8FKjs9-t8DGA/s1600/IMG_20200502_081928402_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxmTl7r9JGaWvYG0yeiDOMcSvHJNa631mA-eoa8a-CkS-FcEz686lbkltgS4QyGwSyK7xG9ip-UPOm31JJV66JmxfbmDPVNjuC6eGviI1NQ9ubPzchJGTGeno5lzfm72d8FKjs9-t8DGA/s640/IMG_20200502_081928402_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: A Bed Quilt for O" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4cXn2_CiojmJh7dDv_PqN8CQZZ0nGf-hnYF03hedX3sTIxkdZoP0sCqyfStqujK4CWoHJi_2hZPohxGGT4kPjtIGUsELxqaXyQM9Ilwh0YSfNp2i13ssYrd9sQXkse5eqM0WJT4GlBK5/s1600/IMG_20200502_081951251_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4cXn2_CiojmJh7dDv_PqN8CQZZ0nGf-hnYF03hedX3sTIxkdZoP0sCqyfStqujK4CWoHJi_2hZPohxGGT4kPjtIGUsELxqaXyQM9Ilwh0YSfNp2i13ssYrd9sQXkse5eqM0WJT4GlBK5/s640/IMG_20200502_081951251_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: A Bed Quilt for O" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6Zlv04Mlf2rMH-0_D0tQ0kRc3SwiSMImoxyoSeNiILLs-Yt0Fgvq2AQKDnzrORziJU6AbozsjtOZB41W1dxNgnVuTT9GxOOPvbVQzHGpDNmivZyMhjbvg2Rgo7-DPC9SAkf0u9MxGNCV/s1600/IMG_20200502_082002468_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6Zlv04Mlf2rMH-0_D0tQ0kRc3SwiSMImoxyoSeNiILLs-Yt0Fgvq2AQKDnzrORziJU6AbozsjtOZB41W1dxNgnVuTT9GxOOPvbVQzHGpDNmivZyMhjbvg2Rgo7-DPC9SAkf0u9MxGNCV/s640/IMG_20200502_082002468_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: A Bed Quilt for O" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtkc7W1lBn7KD3feGwdlotTNoIb-sofJPWavYFS1XM04lsLSwD-GQZDRPWw2umvPteqOUzsewI896ZWuE8k_NqZ2Dtug_dDKNCNGDdbN5cRV8hyphenhyphenZhjZ2n2J1MeNZTzeFrTNI7qTLKMV-q/s1600/IMG_20200502_082245776_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtkc7W1lBn7KD3feGwdlotTNoIb-sofJPWavYFS1XM04lsLSwD-GQZDRPWw2umvPteqOUzsewI896ZWuE8k_NqZ2Dtug_dDKNCNGDdbN5cRV8hyphenhyphenZhjZ2n2J1MeNZTzeFrTNI7qTLKMV-q/s640/IMG_20200502_082245776_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: A Bed Quilt for O" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"Sharp," 35" x 35."<br />
<br />
My daughter's quilt left me with a pile of denim strips that I was loathe to waste, so I used them to make a scrap quilt. I added the putty color because it was on my cutting table from a project my son was working on. I added the orange because I'd purchased a fat quarter set of Alison Glass shot cottons that I hadn't put away yet. I think design can be well-considered without being overthought.<br />
<br />
Immediacy, thriftiness and "cleaning up" are such a big part of my process. Like I said, I really enjoy working with constraints.<br />
<br />
I added two other colors that were very close to the denim for
interest. I like the richness that comes from having lots of voices in
the choir, even if they are singing the same tune. I added the dark blue for value contrast. When I first started this quilt, I included bits of the coral metallic fabric from Sparkly, but I edited that out. I thought that the dots took away from the sharpness of the hard edges of the shapes. That's how it got its name.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D-Z0uCFdOTswCO-CkuQBzExFFKQtI91tPGhmIEfM6HF0CT6qWjeSm6-a4icXLV0AJ9CvUAhzjqIsebay7DDpFNejX_sJwUdmNgmFwNQaFCeD5RptQzviYj0gBH8HUtc-Ow91lZU0BbBT/s1600/IMG_20200511_073338406_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D-Z0uCFdOTswCO-CkuQBzExFFKQtI91tPGhmIEfM6HF0CT6qWjeSm6-a4icXLV0AJ9CvUAhzjqIsebay7DDpFNejX_sJwUdmNgmFwNQaFCeD5RptQzviYj0gBH8HUtc-Ow91lZU0BbBT/s640/IMG_20200511_073338406_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sharp" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmB7RfeugRAw-7lYZrF-JwopkT57QgNbRx2Mogr6UQcaSVwdWJQpdWEDd5ZpDECgCXqZNg7qqgnIWqv64vij6_e3SHaLixIwML459fsHQXorF2t2xPIV71v39K9eGGpj_97v389LK3Kjt/s1600/IMG_20200511_073447698_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmB7RfeugRAw-7lYZrF-JwopkT57QgNbRx2Mogr6UQcaSVwdWJQpdWEDd5ZpDECgCXqZNg7qqgnIWqv64vij6_e3SHaLixIwML459fsHQXorF2t2xPIV71v39K9eGGpj_97v389LK3Kjt/s640/IMG_20200511_073447698_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sharp" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseOJCq9T4ZPFTQRZJx4jTpWbQavad9howks1E0VZHyJQt1u-CVumRqwPRYmfzRuZUsBmgzaRgSRFO988Fv8VLzdwvaySh1R96dVpdUv77LUR_pqqSKhKA3NKwxRShTH7BCCA70H1dD1l6/s1600/IMG_20200511_073602243_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseOJCq9T4ZPFTQRZJx4jTpWbQavad9howks1E0VZHyJQt1u-CVumRqwPRYmfzRuZUsBmgzaRgSRFO988Fv8VLzdwvaySh1R96dVpdUv77LUR_pqqSKhKA3NKwxRShTH7BCCA70H1dD1l6/s640/IMG_20200511_073602243_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Sharp" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I did work on some other quilts that were not associated with Project Quilting.<br />
<br />
"Quarantine Quilt," 20" x 20."<br />
<br />
In the beginning of the quarantine, I chose to tidy up my sewing room each night while the kids were showering. I really appreciated the peace I found in those 10-15 minutes. Ordering my space helped me stay centered. While cleaning, I found this bag of thin strips that I'd gotten from Phyllis. There weren't many and they were skinny enough that I wondered if I should even keep them. I decided to sew some together in the morning and see what happened.<br />
<br />
And I made this. It feels like right now...kind of an embellished interruption. This was my way of making the space we're in a little better.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhp9AslqMhi9cn-pLCsJRyR-Klw0RH9ZGkjaZ8JeMkpByZ_-WQeJQdt-Bw-cPw_rJz9nJNGhVCdHeSHPBvATBrt3DCfR6LQRG09oWpqeY6XzNYZ-aGxX4wiOPnLc8qXnl2LfkzynAtGyU/s1600/IMG_20200410_150523271_HDR-02-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhp9AslqMhi9cn-pLCsJRyR-Klw0RH9ZGkjaZ8JeMkpByZ_-WQeJQdt-Bw-cPw_rJz9nJNGhVCdHeSHPBvATBrt3DCfR6LQRG09oWpqeY6XzNYZ-aGxX4wiOPnLc8qXnl2LfkzynAtGyU/s640/IMG_20200410_150523271_HDR-02-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Quarantine Quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9mhjiksKDsfS8d1Weoh7GtSuPVEriLGpQs1KR_cRXXxg67jaa8NsmKca3W6dP-4wcvJf6BW2pn0WD4XNLm9c_L8pP4SFl1ugcNq4qDGmUWEm4vGq40kP70egfBrvoPmSk0gIpOS-u7j0/s1600/IMG_20200410_150558924_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9mhjiksKDsfS8d1Weoh7GtSuPVEriLGpQs1KR_cRXXxg67jaa8NsmKca3W6dP-4wcvJf6BW2pn0WD4XNLm9c_L8pP4SFl1ugcNq4qDGmUWEm4vGq40kP70egfBrvoPmSk0gIpOS-u7j0/s640/IMG_20200410_150558924_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Quarantine Quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDODeDi6hJAa8vGsrudGGCZYK_M7sRhyphenhyphenNgpyc_CqEjz-m6Z3D8WfGdgEQoQ5ZF_onS4LSwB-wgehcUYXf_RhesSmmt0rTPfmWj5nMhQhO8wSREFUx_YUxDfQnionhqR2RYT-TVV6c3LqI/s1600/IMG_20200410_150636315_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDODeDi6hJAa8vGsrudGGCZYK_M7sRhyphenhyphenNgpyc_CqEjz-m6Z3D8WfGdgEQoQ5ZF_onS4LSwB-wgehcUYXf_RhesSmmt0rTPfmWj5nMhQhO8wSREFUx_YUxDfQnionhqR2RYT-TVV6c3LqI/s640/IMG_20200410_150636315_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Quarantine Quilt" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"N's Quarantine Quilt," 56" x 56."<br />
<br />
My 10 year old son has shown an interest in quilting and we always said that we should make a quilt together, so we did. Every day for his school schedule he does some reading and math, but also piano practice and quilt time with me. The arts are so important! He picked his own fabrics, pieced, sewed, pressed, quilted and stitched. We estimated that he's spent 15 hours making this quilt.<br />
<br />
Our hands were all over this quilt together, especially when we were quilting it. He asked for a minky backing (groan) and it took all four of our hands to wrangle that bulky, slippery sucker through the machine to quilt it. That's when I taught him about straight-ish line quilting. I held it together to teach him the "right way" with pins, nested seams and seam gauges all throughout the process. I drew the line at the STRAIGHT line (ha ha). I told him that we could add more lines of quilting at different intervals to distract from the odd wave. I also told him that anyone who got close enough to the quilt to notice and comment on a non-straight line was was also close enough to kick. How's that for a philosophy?!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTliEsg0-mTgDHgLymL33AnRv2cZ5pIceWf6KABtCERklTzrVaMYN3piTBSQiLoOAX0QnIJsEc9b7URPlrAnP8D208ayoqEr_VxmX0OdVcMH8wrAsxmnzWNp5k3_DsFNrVaW2D4OxKjRyw/s1600/IMG_20200514_122049181_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTliEsg0-mTgDHgLymL33AnRv2cZ5pIceWf6KABtCERklTzrVaMYN3piTBSQiLoOAX0QnIJsEc9b7URPlrAnP8D208ayoqEr_VxmX0OdVcMH8wrAsxmnzWNp5k3_DsFNrVaW2D4OxKjRyw/s640/IMG_20200514_122049181_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: N's Quarantine Quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHXa7r4RguNJCQ3e1faIjpyVXaj79fFChlfK5mxUh3AU7HGzKRAaEpu7Zrv0V-g7q0avWBiuXuPvbwHATEf7ZUthWPVfI26ufNQyPR6rIPMMdMQoG-Qr7ZFc4KlauqbMIG2-r-n8HGX-w/s1600/IMG_20200514_131352_099-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHXa7r4RguNJCQ3e1faIjpyVXaj79fFChlfK5mxUh3AU7HGzKRAaEpu7Zrv0V-g7q0avWBiuXuPvbwHATEf7ZUthWPVfI26ufNQyPR6rIPMMdMQoG-Qr7ZFc4KlauqbMIG2-r-n8HGX-w/s640/IMG_20200514_131352_099-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: N's Quarantine Quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"Poison," 14" x 14."<br />
<br />
Of course there were scraps left over from my son's quilt, and of course I had to make a mini out of them. My addition was to add the red fabric. Every poison needs an apple!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwfiLzWjKMXE5SZDXyg2mqswyD9tUbVSHKrD1U93V8h38WImrrlZzJKOabfz_vSvVrwPlAWEDCVK_LR8oBppSWcka8YPx9uJG6MrVP6ZxpdaqRswT2dv7xq6A8iZt_Mp_9T6cWtqAMFfO/s1600/IMG_20200516_081711_470-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwfiLzWjKMXE5SZDXyg2mqswyD9tUbVSHKrD1U93V8h38WImrrlZzJKOabfz_vSvVrwPlAWEDCVK_LR8oBppSWcka8YPx9uJG6MrVP6ZxpdaqRswT2dv7xq6A8iZt_Mp_9T6cWtqAMFfO/s640/IMG_20200516_081711_470-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Poison" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPk9eyKkLLTMh9oAjyo35YRnZIrjMwcICQLZbGtOglLsUFi-rIbDj-ERug_ze2iBC5G0xYKfpbcCJXiwKq_o_pkHg16MPRrmXZJuYXmv6kbgKdNwowDSl83GlsHH-pUhVDg5dAHEHxEfI/s1600/IMG_20200516_081711_473-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPk9eyKkLLTMh9oAjyo35YRnZIrjMwcICQLZbGtOglLsUFi-rIbDj-ERug_ze2iBC5G0xYKfpbcCJXiwKq_o_pkHg16MPRrmXZJuYXmv6kbgKdNwowDSl83GlsHH-pUhVDg5dAHEHxEfI/s640/IMG_20200516_081711_473-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Poison" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI1DnfCYpsy5CILD557DAX6riupzgbFJOwmzrnGJ_rDyltkEhgU2vjkGacGEGTXFKwunmJ-9jcyh6LHgNzSu3TwNAoEXMJu435z2x78QuVtp9nZouPg_09oSr9QHQxOWxY2qos85mwnSx/s1600/IMG_20200516_081711_471-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI1DnfCYpsy5CILD557DAX6riupzgbFJOwmzrnGJ_rDyltkEhgU2vjkGacGEGTXFKwunmJ-9jcyh6LHgNzSu3TwNAoEXMJu435z2x78QuVtp9nZouPg_09oSr9QHQxOWxY2qos85mwnSx/s640/IMG_20200516_081711_471-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Poison" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Okay, that's it for me! I hope everyone is finding a way to navigate these crazy times in a way that keeps you whole and healthy. For me it's been sewing, but that's typical.<br />
<br />
Have a great week!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-1059370534833957742020-01-31T12:41:00.003-06:002020-01-31T12:42:27.664-06:00Over the Slump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I had good intentions of posting more often, but here I am with another massive post.<br />
<br />
I'm also very relieved to have a massive post. Since the time of my last blog, I've been through a massive slump. It was hard enough just to look at the sewing room, let alone go in and get some work done. Coming out of it on the other side, I'm so proud of myself that I continued to work. Some of these quilts were agonizingly slow finishes that weren't made with my usual joie de vie, but they ARE finishes and I'm counting that as a win.<br />
<br />
You might be wondering how I broke out of the slump, so I'll share what worked for me.<br />
<br />
1. I forced myself to sew. No plans, just sewing bits together. Sometimes I went back to basics and just made improv half square triangles. Sometimes I sewed scraps together. Sometimes I would put one thread worth of hand quilting in. I would tell myself to sew for a certain amount of time and then reward myself with a show. I watched the whole series of Poldark this way! 🙂<br />
<br />
2. I took some pressure off myself. I entered an IQF quilt show this fall (after a several year quilt show break) and made myself an absolute nervous wreck. I obsessed over the $100 I spent in entry fees and shipping and started obsessively questioning if I should enter Quiltcon (also after a several year break). I said no and I'm okay with it. Entering quilt shows is a wildly expensive endeavor and I share my work in other ways. <br />
<br />
3. I took better care of myself. I have PCOS so my diet can dramatically influence my overall health and mental state. I made time for myself to do the extra cooking and prepping that was necessary for me to eat the way I need to. I said no sometimes to extra things I could do at church and my kids' school. I worked to get extra sleep.<br />
<br />
4. I put my phone down and unhooked from a lot of social media, including Instagram. I removed all of the push notifications. I found that the flashing IG camera would make me switch on my phone and I'd check my email and other social media accounts while I was at it. That loop sucked way too much time out of more important things. I think this habit started as a way to mentally check out and relieve stress. Once I stopped doing it, I realized how much stress it was actually causing me. <br />
<br />
5. I waited it out. Pretty soon I found myself back in the sewing room again without having to bargain/bribe myself there. Creative slumps don't last forever. There is definitely hope on the other side.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I hope this helps someone.<br />
<br />
************************************************<br />
<br />
I'm naming this one "Thirteen Bucks." It is 40" x 59" and was an absolute pleasure to piece.<br />
<br />
This summer I went to my mom's local quilt shop and raided the scrap bin that was for sale by the ounce. I was thinking only of supplementing my own stash and wasn't consciously picking a palette. I felt drawn towards fabric that had a texture. I picked out flannel, shot cotton, linen blends, chambray, slubs, metallics and fabrics that had an interesting visual pattern. I spent $13 on a pretty large sack and walked out happy.<br />
<br />
When I got home to Iowa and started sorting the scrap pack to put away, I realized that the fabrics looked very nice together. With only minimal additions from my stash, I was able to put a quilt together. <br />
<br />
I made this without a ruler and definitely without a plan. My favorite part was trying to meld the sections together without any obvious construction seams and riff on a classic 9-patch.<br />
<br />
At my guild presentation in September they asked how I decided when to do a
facing and when to bind. I scissor trimmed this edge and admired the
gentle curves so much that I decided to draw attention to them with a
binding in a darker value.<br />
<br />
I backed this quilt with shot cotton. I love that texture! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D4wQZj2G3SdkLWaVSpKxSoyuODJQ-Cnek2mZqmq5L0XoLjdiu76vKEjprY1RVA3_EFMMO8UsSK1KJMG-FRRa5hQLUZZWAKjaUXMIV11wjfqwFNMODDDapHSaAe9whOEJHD-nNLWXiwKL/s1600/IMG_20190924_094538_339-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D4wQZj2G3SdkLWaVSpKxSoyuODJQ-Cnek2mZqmq5L0XoLjdiu76vKEjprY1RVA3_EFMMO8UsSK1KJMG-FRRa5hQLUZZWAKjaUXMIV11wjfqwFNMODDDapHSaAe9whOEJHD-nNLWXiwKL/s640/IMG_20190924_094538_339-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Thirteen Bucks" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUPRIj51O2t7WPCxURSjYEJDhY9BdQqy3Ies-HyFxpPCPuhr-L6q3P16d2xqNpeRiokUcoyNkqmJTcObE0FppaIGbiJJ1FQpE01y1cgZHQM9O3wCu5K-O5jJQSaJRHWNPFPRVrSOQYs7d/s1600/IMG_20190924_094538_357-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUPRIj51O2t7WPCxURSjYEJDhY9BdQqy3Ies-HyFxpPCPuhr-L6q3P16d2xqNpeRiokUcoyNkqmJTcObE0FppaIGbiJJ1FQpE01y1cgZHQM9O3wCu5K-O5jJQSaJRHWNPFPRVrSOQYs7d/s640/IMG_20190924_094538_357-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Thirteen Bucks" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHostOZ-x6uUzOXqMVe-I7cSDChmi3xWT0U94R3p9NyaXcZsZjAVIyj6Jutku43Gy5eDoXMdSS5A2RR_J-ByY6fNZ73aS5nARtin5LcMtILMoPQYzxUoV0ZiTu7FJ7fqtaqR9qks6cQvAp/s1600/IMG_20190924_094538_338-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHostOZ-x6uUzOXqMVe-I7cSDChmi3xWT0U94R3p9NyaXcZsZjAVIyj6Jutku43Gy5eDoXMdSS5A2RR_J-ByY6fNZ73aS5nARtin5LcMtILMoPQYzxUoV0ZiTu7FJ7fqtaqR9qks6cQvAp/s640/IMG_20190924_094538_338-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Thirteen Bucks" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOH0HCPzZDTFXXZX_fuTK2DGSUGjRgZ5rN2L015iKzrcV6sYJ-nVPjjX_3Jya4kfT1lbS2rap0eZowl81nHARiuDEzcsIdRs89i7XjiHHKDNKYoml5PBEAgxby4BVhHLHXlHYsdLZM3BS/s1600/IMG_20190907_131713_616-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOH0HCPzZDTFXXZX_fuTK2DGSUGjRgZ5rN2L015iKzrcV6sYJ-nVPjjX_3Jya4kfT1lbS2rap0eZowl81nHARiuDEzcsIdRs89i7XjiHHKDNKYoml5PBEAgxby4BVhHLHXlHYsdLZM3BS/s640/IMG_20190907_131713_616-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Thirteen Bucks" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is "My Favorite Earrings" It is 62" x by 64." <br />
<br />
I started this quilt several years ago while I was visiting my mom's house. My mother was complaining that she was having a hard time shutting her red scrap drawer because it was so full. Simultaneously, Crazy Mom Quilts was hosting a QAL for her June quilt. Those two ideas collided in my brain and I volunteered to help my mother out with her problem! This isn't an exact June, I fudged the measurements of the inspiration quilt to work for the strip sets I'd pieced. <br />
<br />
I struggled for a while knowing what colors to put with my red pieced strips. Sometimes I like to use the color wheel for guidance in choosing schemes. I kept trying to strategize what to use with the red, but I wasn't really feeling anything. Finally, I decided to do something a little closer to home. I modeled the colors in this quilt after my favorite pair of earrings.<br />
<br />
I got these earrings for Christmas several years ago. My favorite catalog in the whole entire world is the Sundance catalog. I love pretty much all of the jewelry in it. Every year for Christmas, my husband buys me one thing. I usually let him pick, but I felt very strongly about this pair of earrings. I left him several hints. When Christmas time came, he handed me my present box and I have to admit, I felt a little sad inside. It was too big to be my earrings. I tried to put on a game face and open my present with a smile. It turns out that it was an empty pineapple box with the little tiny earring box nestled inside. When I opened my earrings, I burst into happy tears and scolded my husband at the same time for teasing me. I still love these earrings. And now I'm glad I have a quilt to go with them.<br />
<br />
Last night was my birthday and I got another pair of earrings. I opened the gift bag and pulled out the tiny Sundance box inside. My husband instantly started apologizing that he hadn't wrapped it "properly." I'm glad he was tired. It definitely cut down on the clean up!! 😜<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WwLjwvmruA_JOOMc3JUnmWkKIsXkxJTgjsqnbKoSXL2Y6v1tYVnnB_v_yO0bR6WtomAD2gJfgGsskQf5r5_UE7yrF4Z2Gs74pNHvSJHJjuKXJwzvQ0JhbGXkuXa4SjSMIOg4ls9AS4pp/s1600/IMG_20191004_160309_228-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WwLjwvmruA_JOOMc3JUnmWkKIsXkxJTgjsqnbKoSXL2Y6v1tYVnnB_v_yO0bR6WtomAD2gJfgGsskQf5r5_UE7yrF4Z2Gs74pNHvSJHJjuKXJwzvQ0JhbGXkuXa4SjSMIOg4ls9AS4pp/s640/IMG_20191004_160309_228-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: My Favorite Earrings" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIkvFKcGlmmXtHSZSrFROzSofR9Dmpx_miie08nWVnNMdWwl6Prsqr0q5Rn_3Fhsdn2IWwj8w7EJJNN_i3e74V5ZvcWe6CCS9ykV8w1QM_vomtBjwUkZilMwm5IWu9FUQ3ve0WQWbdwkG/s1600/IMG_20191004_160309_229-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIkvFKcGlmmXtHSZSrFROzSofR9Dmpx_miie08nWVnNMdWwl6Prsqr0q5Rn_3Fhsdn2IWwj8w7EJJNN_i3e74V5ZvcWe6CCS9ykV8w1QM_vomtBjwUkZilMwm5IWu9FUQ3ve0WQWbdwkG/s640/IMG_20191004_160309_229-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: My Favorite Earrings" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZVu8kSgCxxEX0D-ncP9Eiwa5t2UyLKRVeniwhH9vVwRLVMisNSOv5g8otrvps_I5GnNmrRQGTFm6ssVxxGPtcvObHbKvesmvHcFu0t0eYN_OWe-hVe6SEoWt7Oo78gxd-hi3TDNaYYeS/s1600/IMG_20191004_160309_239-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZVu8kSgCxxEX0D-ncP9Eiwa5t2UyLKRVeniwhH9vVwRLVMisNSOv5g8otrvps_I5GnNmrRQGTFm6ssVxxGPtcvObHbKvesmvHcFu0t0eYN_OWe-hVe6SEoWt7Oo78gxd-hi3TDNaYYeS/s640/IMG_20191004_160309_239-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: My Favorite Earrings" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXc7PVm9ByuucqOwGn1-FX9SeESyrtnExIncyGcqS30riRDq8YaQ4GYHLs_Ozin2DAKWJWcOaHYcZHtusghPP1LQGXIGyyfRESPBLznW_LL7mI_2kP1baKWpAFmT25GPLox4OiNBhKRXV/s1600/IMG_20191004_160309_235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="608" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXc7PVm9ByuucqOwGn1-FX9SeESyrtnExIncyGcqS30riRDq8YaQ4GYHLs_Ozin2DAKWJWcOaHYcZHtusghPP1LQGXIGyyfRESPBLznW_LL7mI_2kP1baKWpAFmT25GPLox4OiNBhKRXV/s640/IMG_20191004_160309_235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I am excited to show a much better photograph of my quilt, Rattlesnake, that I pieced in 2017. I hung it from tree in not great lighting and all I managed to do was give myself nightmares. <br />
<br />
This quilt appears in the new book by Thomas Knauer called "Why We Quilt." I was honored to be asked to write a brief essay about why I choose to quilt. This invitation came at the perfect time. I had just gotten Rattlesnake back from a quilt show and had received some feedback that stung. The criticism made me feel like I shouldn't be quilting anymore. Within days of that occurrence, I received a fortuitous email from Thomas Knauer asking me to write an essay about why I quilt. In addition, he also asked to include a picture of Rattlesnake in his book. I am so glad for the moment of clarity I had in writing that essay at that particular moment. <br />
<br />
It's important for all of us to contemplate the reasons why we quilt. Quilting can be wildly expensive and time-consuming. Thinking about the motivations alters the perception of the final product and helps prioritize goals. For instance, I know I quilt as a way to create personal meaning. I look at my quilts differently than I would if I didn't understand that I was trying to SAY something. I write about them. Transmitting a feeling is important to me. Knowing that changes how I choose what quilt I make next.<br />
<br />
If all of that seems like a whole lot to think about, it's because I've had a chance to look through this book since receiving my contributor copy. I found the book to be very thoughtful discourse. You'll have deep thoughts about why you quilt, too. I've loved reading different perspectives. I recommend it highly. It is currently available.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6mFj8ix9Y53o004PEUTsu0n1aCZNzyX5NDaNu9Wu81tol8SOq8Dz_kCKB_5sqNEK4JsJ6KnT21fPHVZ30eRBOsV73Dx8st5eLdoYV6BpUwy-WAkogue8uPopwAFEq7GLii3zRSxXrZKr/s1600/IMG_20191005_144152_127-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="627" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6mFj8ix9Y53o004PEUTsu0n1aCZNzyX5NDaNu9Wu81tol8SOq8Dz_kCKB_5sqNEK4JsJ6KnT21fPHVZ30eRBOsV73Dx8st5eLdoYV6BpUwy-WAkogue8uPopwAFEq7GLii3zRSxXrZKr/s640/IMG_20191005_144152_127-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rattlesnake" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm_jbKvibhAdjvMVGuNlopWp7DGccClBPjUxWcDFLuQmDyMYQUf8BsQZ1mza8gpiup9Q_IdU-hfYdiOOAL2i4JYUaCNoG8qj8EiFr7S0JSDW_7CtUlyteu8PdVvSNC4WipO9v9mEZyFxk/s1600/IMG_20191005_144152_126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="565" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm_jbKvibhAdjvMVGuNlopWp7DGccClBPjUxWcDFLuQmDyMYQUf8BsQZ1mza8gpiup9Q_IdU-hfYdiOOAL2i4JYUaCNoG8qj8EiFr7S0JSDW_7CtUlyteu8PdVvSNC4WipO9v9mEZyFxk/s640/IMG_20191005_144152_126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is "Bucket List." It is 35" x 35."<br />
<br />
My favorite compliment is that looking at my quilts makes people feel happy. I like that. Creating is a joyful act for me. I am happy when I create and happy that others feel it too. The challenge this year at my guild is to include words on a quilt. This is my word.<br />
<br />
I made these buckets improvisationally and hand sewed each handle down along with the H, P,P, Y. The stars are pieced. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgHqfEqBB47WSkuNjH3oiL3FAkS8X-8Xg6C5i5umRPgDgKPLWTmn_x7Jw_JknznQGCQU1DQyI6tl7Jglc7M0afXGI8uNKXejqyATj4aJLmYjFlh4ogBIIvglkQW8hrgFOjCawoZasL7mL/s1600/IMG_20191017_170009_808-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgHqfEqBB47WSkuNjH3oiL3FAkS8X-8Xg6C5i5umRPgDgKPLWTmn_x7Jw_JknznQGCQU1DQyI6tl7Jglc7M0afXGI8uNKXejqyATj4aJLmYjFlh4ogBIIvglkQW8hrgFOjCawoZasL7mL/s640/IMG_20191017_170009_808-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Bucket List" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP_-caXjfCc-JFkTJbVcEuikLqsg-3WvAOXrwDyr3FHeJxrn71TD9-7MYc7VzeNE7w8RpvhktL5hyphenhyphenMLL0rMEj-qYRX3GX8cWP9goOQMxq3bF3mA2SKIZSxN9PAt1vaWF8-Vj-vONAd7UO/s1600/IMG_20191017_170009_807-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1057" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP_-caXjfCc-JFkTJbVcEuikLqsg-3WvAOXrwDyr3FHeJxrn71TD9-7MYc7VzeNE7w8RpvhktL5hyphenhyphenMLL0rMEj-qYRX3GX8cWP9goOQMxq3bF3mA2SKIZSxN9PAt1vaWF8-Vj-vONAd7UO/s640/IMG_20191017_170009_807-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Bucket List" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu9zoxm4BuW9bmW7y_vFqJihmxIsqeyRkbggkEgzKrt4FcsNb9hAjqAVkqZD3PysiR8VZTDrQDFbNvmDu5F1TnqJ1ZFJKcYP15yu0vlVwqW_0ftvS-W9ZNQ3ffFem5D8lMOtM9KcxFKlQ/s1600/IMG_20191009_143109_406-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu9zoxm4BuW9bmW7y_vFqJihmxIsqeyRkbggkEgzKrt4FcsNb9hAjqAVkqZD3PysiR8VZTDrQDFbNvmDu5F1TnqJ1ZFJKcYP15yu0vlVwqW_0ftvS-W9ZNQ3ffFem5D8lMOtM9KcxFKlQ/s640/IMG_20191009_143109_406-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Bucket List" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
"Rising," 31" x 33"<br />
<br />
I went to a lecture by Weeks Ringle of Modern Quilt Studio last month. She included a picture of The Gates by Christopher and Jean-Claude in her presentation. Something about the vibrant orange next to the drab winter landscape in Central Park really spoke to me. The colors were enhanced by each other.<br />
<br />
I worked on my idea the next day at the workshop. I started with the orange part. My favorite part was to watch people walk by me and physically flinch. The purple somehow calms it down and makes it look purposeful all at the same time. Color is so cool!!<br />
<br />
It is improvisationally pieced, naturally shaped, freehand crosshatched in monofilament and finished with a faced edge.<br />
<br />
I didn't have the original picture I took of this quilt from the front lawn, so I got it out from the cupboard today and took a picture of it in our living room. I still love it! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gtFT7feAysvyuboJwZyQcOL2OOg1GTXWIMS9zuZkjKfXgWKOMoKiUitxwSgnr4H10zf-3Fy86oAzCCHg9fBvyVsJrm_kMI7ouw8WmkOXrOJLVXKoq9dN6_eu5TPIhN03JSI71cPzNj0f/s1600/IMG_20200131_091549458_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gtFT7feAysvyuboJwZyQcOL2OOg1GTXWIMS9zuZkjKfXgWKOMoKiUitxwSgnr4H10zf-3Fy86oAzCCHg9fBvyVsJrm_kMI7ouw8WmkOXrOJLVXKoq9dN6_eu5TPIhN03JSI71cPzNj0f/s640/IMG_20200131_091549458_HDR-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rising" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuvk-jjEcMhAO8-TjswTTtsQKt7WMC3t8vafCa1Kw869193wAt3PDDzYcgp2aFkovEGjRcg1vUAdA3fyer7Xc4pgpYLb7wmSHpst-3ucIt9xcMBrnzWBV8QUwXTJ8YTr0pYGVDrfLJv7B/s1600/IMG_20191116_111639_356-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuvk-jjEcMhAO8-TjswTTtsQKt7WMC3t8vafCa1Kw869193wAt3PDDzYcgp2aFkovEGjRcg1vUAdA3fyer7Xc4pgpYLb7wmSHpst-3ucIt9xcMBrnzWBV8QUwXTJ8YTr0pYGVDrfLJv7B/s640/IMG_20191116_111639_356-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have a soft spot in my heart for making baby quilts and a soft spot for a couple at church who deserve all the good things. I delivered this in person. It was totally a "This is why I quilt" moment.<br />
<br />
It is 40" x 40." I quilted it loosely (for the extra cuddly factor) with freehand ribbons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ktz_t-db1cpAmcw5kuCia6NaQkcF9jXVVCL7ipZj_aOnkr5G09nADBaWwKBvXtEpQWXBwz4iKL8_Sv8ytrOIOKJ1Xqn__ImrdxkNAJbiLXS5raUAC1oAbjgQAocvhubetNdWp9QM9oG_/s1600/Screenshot_2020-01-31-09-11-49-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="707" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ktz_t-db1cpAmcw5kuCia6NaQkcF9jXVVCL7ipZj_aOnkr5G09nADBaWwKBvXtEpQWXBwz4iKL8_Sv8ytrOIOKJ1Xqn__ImrdxkNAJbiLXS5raUAC1oAbjgQAocvhubetNdWp9QM9oG_/s640/Screenshot_2020-01-31-09-11-49-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBowMcEbkiASmoO6MWktsv_Ad8L1r9oy6K94dJCONiRrB0GuJ4ECx90yhAuDCwSzra4Luse6H90Czy5yslUr-kHVKDBijN-pQmEopqFiWy4hwWLU7S2XMSK3aA83EErzYrhvcOhklGCmmT/s1600/IMG_20191124_093326_917-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBowMcEbkiASmoO6MWktsv_Ad8L1r9oy6K94dJCONiRrB0GuJ4ECx90yhAuDCwSzra4Luse6H90Czy5yslUr-kHVKDBijN-pQmEopqFiWy4hwWLU7S2XMSK3aA83EErzYrhvcOhklGCmmT/s640/IMG_20191124_093326_917-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is "Phyllis," 20" x 30." I named this for the guild-mate that gave me a bag of oddly shaped scraps. While I was deep in the funk, sewing the weird shaped pieces together to make a sort of rectangle was the most I could handle. I repetitively sewed these shapes together for a couple days, then grouped them by size and repetitively sewed them together again. If you are in a creative slump, I highly recommend that activity. I've found that I have to keep touching fabric (even when I don't feel like it) to sew myself through these periodic lulls in creativity.<br />
<br />
I decided to matchstick quilt this in hot pink thread. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNn15J6BIIBYACiL-5MpuvKoLL1toaONp_b2c1bhQ_mt0l1WVBISSvjKigeohml3hVWQW_1nd3Jm0FX9n05Oa9p-LmTaJksxnaeBJN9FR32wGTxuUz3nqoeHycCU7AOpNJ94gbiMg0usx/s1600/IMG_20191110_093801_615-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNn15J6BIIBYACiL-5MpuvKoLL1toaONp_b2c1bhQ_mt0l1WVBISSvjKigeohml3hVWQW_1nd3Jm0FX9n05Oa9p-LmTaJksxnaeBJN9FR32wGTxuUz3nqoeHycCU7AOpNJ94gbiMg0usx/s640/IMG_20191110_093801_615-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Phyllis" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LzGitvn50tevZhmqSFwGZkp3wMYA-Y89g-yUXfLxzX3wLaPLu4dpOe0XfiazuY5LS1XsAWpAlhrMFFd3hyphenhyphenbh18rlOAnKz6UW7A06sQT7LQAKqM7Yx20Xhyf5FtyiEHCs3Rru3lnoJsvJ/s1600/IMG_20191110_093801_616-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LzGitvn50tevZhmqSFwGZkp3wMYA-Y89g-yUXfLxzX3wLaPLu4dpOe0XfiazuY5LS1XsAWpAlhrMFFd3hyphenhyphenbh18rlOAnKz6UW7A06sQT7LQAKqM7Yx20Xhyf5FtyiEHCs3Rru3lnoJsvJ/s640/IMG_20191110_093801_616-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Phyllis" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGqtJnC94fI09FkKcs3mbfHGTe8FHiNHFBSabp2CCJxvQHPyuJSyBR9DVLqF2EvyslMAG-FBvmM4YZgpzLJm537HRrGW2n3fvaVdHzzARvGGFU7MhyI-ONyQpPZDMDAdImCFHq7p1yOv2/s1600/IMG_20191110_093801_614-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGqtJnC94fI09FkKcs3mbfHGTe8FHiNHFBSabp2CCJxvQHPyuJSyBR9DVLqF2EvyslMAG-FBvmM4YZgpzLJm537HRrGW2n3fvaVdHzzARvGGFU7MhyI-ONyQpPZDMDAdImCFHq7p1yOv2/s640/IMG_20191110_093801_614-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Phyllis" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
"Not an Asterisk," ~36" x ~36."<br />
<br />
In 2016, Pantone surprised everyone by announcing a dual color of the year--Rose Quartz and Serentiy (blue). Not everyone was happy. I remember reading horrified comments like, "It looks like shades of an 80s bathroom!! That was the year with no Pantone Quilt Challenge. Given the reception? Totally understandable.<br />
<br />
It is, however, the asterisk in a long string of Pantone years and quilts that I needed to fix.<br />
<br />
I made this from three dress shirts I bought on final markdown clearance at Goodwill and a small bit of dark blue and light pink from my stash. If you look closely at the left, you'll see the Nautica logo I trimmed off a pocket from the chambray. I used a scrap of wool batting my mom gave me and backed it with a piece of gingham that came from the free table at guild. It is pieced and quilted with thread that I've won from other Pantone Quilt Challenges. I think that means that I spent about $5 for this quilt (and that includes an estimate of how much spray baste I used).<br />
<br />
I've been using recycled dress shirts quite often lately. The commercialism in the quilting world is starting to really bug me. I'm not much of a social media "influencer," but I'll say this...having a "make-do" spirit is good for me creatively.<br />
<br />
This quilt is improvisationlly pieced without a ruler and the edge is scissor trimmed. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP53rkT4RzC7wTFeN-xQi1CTUo55E3mpw0itz5LeqTEzXTNJNPlZKBYEOK-xI1LakG9PcZ0cB2O6bk02OYDzubv5ECR7c2Y40T2Bt8un_3FJEopZtpLSzt3mdnyl_gBTBbRRHncV9IWVX6/s1600/IMG_20191209_145825_356-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP53rkT4RzC7wTFeN-xQi1CTUo55E3mpw0itz5LeqTEzXTNJNPlZKBYEOK-xI1LakG9PcZ0cB2O6bk02OYDzubv5ECR7c2Y40T2Bt8un_3FJEopZtpLSzt3mdnyl_gBTBbRRHncV9IWVX6/s640/IMG_20191209_145825_356-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Not an Asterisk" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was just starting to mentally get over the slump with some hurried sewing (this was originally going to be for a wedding gift) when I got sick. I was just about finished and ready to send it for an on-time arrival when I got pneumonia. I didn't sew at all for more than two weeks. I'm pretty sure that's the longest I've gone without sewing since I first started quilting about 10 years ago!<br />
<br />
This was still on the design wall when I started to work again. I decided to name it "Crackle" for the icy shards of cool color and for the sound in my lungs that abruptly stopped it's making. It is 28" x 28."<br />
<br />
I quilted this with a combination of monofilament and metallic thread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4_iTWkefV3tYNjKs3ZWyKJLBo2uxdDfqvdq4y9izwfFM_mb_pyaJvt92WHJXWcp_qRU5w2h_2aTmnnEptusHLPSSvG6PCAd2Wmf2wxJxuw0idOlJRZrk_SHSN-razti_HBTLxRcVrh34/s1600/IMG_20200113_141024_029-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4_iTWkefV3tYNjKs3ZWyKJLBo2uxdDfqvdq4y9izwfFM_mb_pyaJvt92WHJXWcp_qRU5w2h_2aTmnnEptusHLPSSvG6PCAd2Wmf2wxJxuw0idOlJRZrk_SHSN-razti_HBTLxRcVrh34/s640/IMG_20200113_141024_029-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Crackle" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1vZHdrdAPGbgOoZ-nwTEUobCXGHYCxSAuDwB3ELYTWynb1xzM2rt2xHzvPMrZddzxYyU3069Fu5wNqDVEUidti6TLXUhsE6kCxUwYubacDI_Vuk91FUyCcJpzyG7EhfSRGeVpDudGaJy/s1600/IMG_20200113_141024_031-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1vZHdrdAPGbgOoZ-nwTEUobCXGHYCxSAuDwB3ELYTWynb1xzM2rt2xHzvPMrZddzxYyU3069Fu5wNqDVEUidti6TLXUhsE6kCxUwYubacDI_Vuk91FUyCcJpzyG7EhfSRGeVpDudGaJy/s640/IMG_20200113_141024_031-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Crackle" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJN-D5fzY4ToCZ5Rajs-4VQbOKd58AkKDKwxjqMtEyZEGfD7r5OPiAtP7Aaxg946I7sUCGOLICkWdEFousUpRKjC4-vOAqMLqiF90-vvMDpukab3nxCxKOoGAUcF9foL-Ve1i6L7lmXyXT/s1600/IMG_20200113_141024_030-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJN-D5fzY4ToCZ5Rajs-4VQbOKd58AkKDKwxjqMtEyZEGfD7r5OPiAtP7Aaxg946I7sUCGOLICkWdEFousUpRKjC4-vOAqMLqiF90-vvMDpukab3nxCxKOoGAUcF9foL-Ve1i6L7lmXyXT/s640/IMG_20200113_141024_030-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Crackle" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I ended up keeping "Crackle" and making another gift for the newly married couple (since it was already late).<br />
<br />
My mom was at the wedding and one of her favorite parts was when all the friends and family stood outside at the end of the evening and sent the bride and groom off in a shower of sparklers. I really liked that image and thought I'd make something to remind them of that.<br />
<br />
Ths pillow is 18" and is made in their wedding colors. The orchid color is from a Goodwill shirt (It's in Crackle, too). It's quilted with cotton and metallic threads. I was going for sparkler-esque. In truth, I'm just a sucker for sparkles.<br />
<br />
FYI, that's our new couch that was delivered over Christmas break. I have never been more excited to get rid of a piece of furniture than I was when we chucked the old couch in the back of the truck. I think I'm going to have the urge to make a lot more pillows! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUWl4HT-Z7mspY55gHttJ6J5gJCCLZTvY5rdx5MuAvqEwY4d_tkGYZrpt-YKh60CsxR6iPvJVjvfd9OkArWi9aN5u6CYPM5qJUQsqtvZbayIFzxYlVi1vi4ZzKGdjwV_aG0rdCDqjdHjn/s1600/IMG_20200110_151446_644-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUWl4HT-Z7mspY55gHttJ6J5gJCCLZTvY5rdx5MuAvqEwY4d_tkGYZrpt-YKh60CsxR6iPvJVjvfd9OkArWi9aN5u6CYPM5qJUQsqtvZbayIFzxYlVi1vi4ZzKGdjwV_aG0rdCDqjdHjn/s640/IMG_20200110_151446_644-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Last but not least is "McKay." It is 39" x 39."<br />
<br />
I made this quilt for the Project Quilting theme of "Team Colors." My mother's family is from Scotland so the design, the inclusion of Loominous plaids and color selection is inspired by the McKay tartan.<br />
<br />
The very last commitment I made in the quilt was to add the metallic orange from Loominous. I think split complementary color schemes make fun quilts, and honestly, I couldn't really resist that metallic check.<br />
<br />
I didn't get it done by the Sunday afternoon deadline. I almost made it, but my machine begged for mercy. I've had the suspicion that the bobbin case was wearing down for a few weeks now. About a quarter of the way through the quilting my suspicion turned into certainty. The stitch quality went down and the noise level went up! I made the decision to switch out machines and take the time to rip out most of what I had done. I liked the quilt too much to compromise for the sake of time. So, I finished late. After you've done the best you can, you just have to know when to be gentle with yourself and let things go.<br />
<br />
I quilted it with monofilament thread on my spare machine, which is my mom's old Pfaff.<br />
<br />
The last is a picture of the McKay tartan for reference.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP2NrUzFTjuhmGfm7y_SUGsk-Bd8KYTkN3D-GtEJcFRIULuuFaWcM7LOdE56lZYRoySQZQNv-WyME5XnTd0D-u0e0979rR6ZZ7kGsoHuBQNqOMTcm_ulkeru0tu0iWUgoQzbQPITRzJlb/s1600/IMG_20200129_144155_226-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP2NrUzFTjuhmGfm7y_SUGsk-Bd8KYTkN3D-GtEJcFRIULuuFaWcM7LOdE56lZYRoySQZQNv-WyME5XnTd0D-u0e0979rR6ZZ7kGsoHuBQNqOMTcm_ulkeru0tu0iWUgoQzbQPITRzJlb/s640/IMG_20200129_144155_226-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: McKay" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFfMV7N67LV-HR-uypUbJJjI6eIYaM3tCNTilAmis61aesPsAd-uXL3phldASUqrlunCKyseJxaI5v3bz41nGyDXE8S3y8EQaquNi2on_NiZc0t-41j1BrZz0yzwZkqLSDJtvLYjFHt92/s1600/IMG_20200129_144155_225-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFfMV7N67LV-HR-uypUbJJjI6eIYaM3tCNTilAmis61aesPsAd-uXL3phldASUqrlunCKyseJxaI5v3bz41nGyDXE8S3y8EQaquNi2on_NiZc0t-41j1BrZz0yzwZkqLSDJtvLYjFHt92/s640/IMG_20200129_144155_225-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Crackle" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgGWU5vRRHX6GSkGFeV0jBx6EWykqchyphenhyphenm9-PM5a65_hSRHzWS_JrBUyNuTUBHLaBa7XQcd5_hBGCgZHvqiBrGEb4oKrr7PL7I_4ksyYuea9VM9rIvTsxVFIfiAh2ptk_c3mOiBRx24H-3/s1600/Screenshot_2020-01-29-14-22-37-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgGWU5vRRHX6GSkGFeV0jBx6EWykqchyphenhyphenm9-PM5a65_hSRHzWS_JrBUyNuTUBHLaBa7XQcd5_hBGCgZHvqiBrGEb4oKrr7PL7I_4ksyYuea9VM9rIvTsxVFIfiAh2ptk_c3mOiBRx24H-3/s640/Screenshot_2020-01-29-14-22-37-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you all have a great day! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFfMV7N67LV-HR-uypUbJJjI6eIYaM3tCNTilAmis61aesPsAd-uXL3phldASUqrlunCKyseJxaI5v3bz41nGyDXE8S3y8EQaquNi2on_NiZc0t-41j1BrZz0yzwZkqLSDJtvLYjFHt92/s1600/IMG_20200129_144155_225-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-59088385549686408322019-09-05T14:05:00.000-05:002019-09-06T10:26:30.511-05:00A Clearinghouse of Quilts!!Well, first things first. I am going to be doing a trunk show on Monday, September 9th at 7:00 pm in Iowa City. My presentation is called "Every Quilt Has a Story" and will be held in the multi-purpose room (lower level) at the Our Redeemer Lutheran church on the corner of Court Street and First Avenue. It's free. If you are local, I'd love to see you. If you're not, don't worry. I'm about to catch up with all the quilts I haven't blogged about and will be hitting you with a virtual quilt show right now.<br />
<br />
I'm really behind on posting, so fair warning, there are a MASSIVE amount of quilts coming. <br />
<br />
First up is "Wise Eyes," which is 57" x 57." I am calling this one finished even though I plan on adding a little bit more hand quilting in the center of the "eyes" before Monday. Probably two more echoes will make me feel better about it.<br />
<br />
I wrote more about this quilt in my last post because it was on of my Pantone Living Coral quilts for the year. This quilt tied for Viewer's Choice in the "Just the Top" category. I really appreciate your votes! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICLpjYJrxRsCMLDxGWnpx6J3DhQ9cwGiYR-A6bWsSdoqiAGJOhesYllBeyKwDP42AM3VsF7h11hWdNNTrg6tGJYw7LkWQNDjIxS3hhyphenhyphenbsA0HGoSBdcHfaW4YEtQQnsWEhqbXq3e729aMO/s1600/IMG_20190726_154949592_HDR-02-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICLpjYJrxRsCMLDxGWnpx6J3DhQ9cwGiYR-A6bWsSdoqiAGJOhesYllBeyKwDP42AM3VsF7h11hWdNNTrg6tGJYw7LkWQNDjIxS3hhyphenhyphenbsA0HGoSBdcHfaW4YEtQQnsWEhqbXq3e729aMO/s640/IMG_20190726_154949592_HDR-02-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Wise Eyes" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCHqHYSFoTtchVsv8KBOSxPNiQyZjbAKDtBorKG1bjGaCuIfL4ia9L7Zn1NqbId7DSNAynjzPbnDSMmumsq-1AOZkNoUtDbWvTHI0Dn0oatzQfOuVyiuhyphenhyphenl8wptK4zAGQB7bB7tv5iR23/s1600/IMG_20190726_155357070_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCHqHYSFoTtchVsv8KBOSxPNiQyZjbAKDtBorKG1bjGaCuIfL4ia9L7Zn1NqbId7DSNAynjzPbnDSMmumsq-1AOZkNoUtDbWvTHI0Dn0oatzQfOuVyiuhyphenhyphenl8wptK4zAGQB7bB7tv5iR23/s640/IMG_20190726_155357070_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Wise Eyes" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have a powerful association with pickles. My dad's oldest sister became my de-facto grandmother through a complicated family dynamic. I treasure her memory. She was well-known for making the world's best homemade pickles in a million different forms. They were literally the bright spot on every dinner plate in our house in terms of flavor and color. My favorite was mustard pickles. That taste gives me an instant transport back to my childhood. My own kids tease me about the inordinate number of mustards in our fridge. I think they counted 9 different varieties? What can I say...I guess I love zing!!!!<br />
<br />
I got to explain the concept of "relish" to my oldest son recently when we had pork with red cabbage. He insisted that he didn't like the red cabbage and I told him he needed to stop thinking of it as a vegetable and start thinking of it as the sweet-sour condiment. As soon as I compared it to cranberry sauce on a Thanksgiving plate he understood and liked it a little better because he changed how he was eating it. Thinking about things in a new way opens up so many possibilities!<br />
<br />
I thought about my aunt a lot while I made this quilt. I wondered how she would approach the concept of a "pickle dish." Thinking about her helped me approach the quilt with humor and sass, traits she held in spades. I thought about her when I sat in a rocking chair that was similar to hers, persevered, and hand quilted this throughout July.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed the process of making this quilt so much. I didn't have a plan, just a square taped up on my design wall that I was trying to fill, one curve at a time. So many life parallels there and so many different meanings of the word 'relish.' Here's to slowing down and enjoying the journey, and here's to you Aunt Lora. Miss you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2mTzQmMUtDSTmrjkJu4adYJQFYb80yM4MEZJS1HmoDsXDQtBfROMrZIrXjVe2CeH1n51FrErCVv8KH_-Dz-lMaDTFnGSnLDxxkViclpZq2pW28Xgxy03NVitVdv_OR0TSkKYezII7SZD/s1600/IMG_20190718_093141176_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2mTzQmMUtDSTmrjkJu4adYJQFYb80yM4MEZJS1HmoDsXDQtBfROMrZIrXjVe2CeH1n51FrErCVv8KH_-Dz-lMaDTFnGSnLDxxkViclpZq2pW28Xgxy03NVitVdv_OR0TSkKYezII7SZD/s640/IMG_20190718_093141176_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Yes! Yes! (Yes!)" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWfMtiFpRm-V7GVJQ8bktPuaJf1-dxyTghXgO731IMHXh6XLXND8an5Yg3Qk12GZbx7geMM_A3jjNXTFve5u-XaSoOsPjE364saSw6Js9-vCMtLOPJr-LdxpDUU3-ha0gMcE67PG7JuKE/s1600/IMG_20190718_093229302_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWfMtiFpRm-V7GVJQ8bktPuaJf1-dxyTghXgO731IMHXh6XLXND8an5Yg3Qk12GZbx7geMM_A3jjNXTFve5u-XaSoOsPjE364saSw6Js9-vCMtLOPJr-LdxpDUU3-ha0gMcE67PG7JuKE/s640/IMG_20190718_093229302_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Yes! Yes! (Yes!)" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaAIDeUvPPeqQFtqxZC886s5_Yg7KZKgdS9S2eYu1KRfbu3Onbc29JZCdUhk-LiIIXMNWLQACwo5ezlp_yGb1FtUQt1clPTyCmVPMrY5Qw8ENlaKJcsxDLJpFTuUPc8rYOxRsFPHTbsMG/s1600/IMG_20190718_093401016_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaAIDeUvPPeqQFtqxZC886s5_Yg7KZKgdS9S2eYu1KRfbu3Onbc29JZCdUhk-LiIIXMNWLQACwo5ezlp_yGb1FtUQt1clPTyCmVPMrY5Qw8ENlaKJcsxDLJpFTuUPc8rYOxRsFPHTbsMG/s640/IMG_20190718_093401016_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Yes! Yes! (Yes!)" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2sw3oAE7kCScQc4V25tcPnnYgtipsiMSTjDl7gMTZs-RkJloYC3PfsFIYtnothYyAUO9kkVL1nZuwTlbkoSJeJvJJM0FU8WB_llLkyk_5xH5b81NH-T6UByeJmilbEIT2IDT4BS0DfL0/s1600/IMG_20190718_093345895_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2sw3oAE7kCScQc4V25tcPnnYgtipsiMSTjDl7gMTZs-RkJloYC3PfsFIYtnothYyAUO9kkVL1nZuwTlbkoSJeJvJJM0FU8WB_llLkyk_5xH5b81NH-T6UByeJmilbEIT2IDT4BS0DfL0/s640/IMG_20190718_093345895_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Yes! Yes! (Yes!)" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Next is "Yes! Yes! (Yes!)" It is 47" x 63."<br />
<br />
This was a flimsy that I finished this spring. I saved the hand quilting to do during all our time in the car during summer travel season.<br />
<br />
So, the name. While I was digging in my scrap bin to get strips for another ginormous block (this is 100% from my scrap bin, by the way) my then 5 year old art-obsessed daughter walked in. She looked at the pieces already on the design wall, gasped, and came out with this profundity. "Mama, I see what you're doing!! You're coloring with fabric!" That was such a succinct and perfect way of summing up what I do that I gave her an emphatic nod and a firm "Yes!" Then she said, "I want to do it, too. Will you help me make a quilt?" Another nod and an emphatic "Yes!"<br />
<br />
Since that moment, I've thought of this s the "Yes! Yes!" quilt. The last minute name addendum came while we were traveling. I was using all my time in the car to hand quilt this, so I had a sewing kit with me. While playing with a little girl down the street from her grandparents' house, disaster struck. My daughter tried to open her new friend's backpack by the pom pom decoration on the zipper. The gathering stitch snapped and she was left holding some fiberfill and a square of fuzzy purple fabric. She was horrified, ran to get me and asked if I could fix it. "Yes!" The new gathering stitch is black 12 wt. thread, but you know what? It will probably last longer that way! That kind of make-do spirit is what this quilt is all about and I figured it warranted a name change.<br />
<br />
Saying YES in the sewing room (and teaching yourself to have fun doing it) is an empowering, joyful act.<br />
<br />
Did I make a quilt with her after all that? Yes! I let her raid my stash and choose her own fabrics. I helped her with the sewing and even bought a really cool rainbow unicorn print for the back. I hand quilted this. It is 40" x 60" and happily lives on her bed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtinHFbrYYiw5tTfnciLLdOYaUystjhAKbdN54Ps5yeDKrs5d_NWnCoC5JGmOLCpBz6mv3zSnQXAJDAo3kQjBUeg6ldvNsyvxbrcPvZ8DC1Lql3klURzojRlU5D_LxCW_5U3JlAUhto-U5/s1600/IMG_20190419_152319262_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtinHFbrYYiw5tTfnciLLdOYaUystjhAKbdN54Ps5yeDKrs5d_NWnCoC5JGmOLCpBz6mv3zSnQXAJDAo3kQjBUeg6ldvNsyvxbrcPvZ8DC1Lql3klURzojRlU5D_LxCW_5U3JlAUhto-U5/s640/IMG_20190419_152319262_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Stripe" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5Io2JLE2w2rU12qPji0a-JASNiT3IuAvd5sOAmS74rTmZYG8oBncheVx1g_9wvWyChH8Yt-M7y_pxcMa5_b2Nsx_0raz0KHFjLhyphenhyphenss90A362XsaHBw9pCHmi9wtF96pDSAk8LUj_e_ue/s1600/IMG_20190419_153130411_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5Io2JLE2w2rU12qPji0a-JASNiT3IuAvd5sOAmS74rTmZYG8oBncheVx1g_9wvWyChH8Yt-M7y_pxcMa5_b2Nsx_0raz0KHFjLhyphenhyphenss90A362XsaHBw9pCHmi9wtF96pDSAk8LUj_e_ue/s640/IMG_20190419_153130411_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Stripe" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next is a mini I made for a Curated Quilts "Well Said" theme. It was selected and appears in the mini gallery. I called it "Me" and it finished at 15" x 15."<br />
<br />
Read between the lines of any quilt I've ever made and what do you see? ME!!<br />
<br />
Last summer I entered one of my log cabin quilts into a local show. I received a feedback form from the judge with the comment, "I am waiting for you to do something more with this design." Then she signed her name and listed her judging credentials. I felt a series of emotions, but after some thought I was able to place the experience in some context. She signed the sheet with her opinion and I signed the quilt with design, color and the form my personal expression seems to take. I consider the center of this mini to be a figurative version of my signature. Her signature was ignored and forgotten. My signature is proudly hanging in my sewing room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVk3x7c9R2NgCKvCE4kibVnuiUqpUsdr1VL8IJiNsmGT2NRstLpTIsS-s4DifOHIVA0WQ8XiRZcTiuzDORyJYJAiuCrihJR-fPA3f625L_j_pldRO5zK5tf4MPFmWilFppmc5bvNpK5we/s1600/IMG_20190318_083829775_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVk3x7c9R2NgCKvCE4kibVnuiUqpUsdr1VL8IJiNsmGT2NRstLpTIsS-s4DifOHIVA0WQ8XiRZcTiuzDORyJYJAiuCrihJR-fPA3f625L_j_pldRO5zK5tf4MPFmWilFppmc5bvNpK5we/s640/IMG_20190318_083829775_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Me" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This table runner was made from one of the Project Quilting prompts last year. The theme was "Chocolate," so I made this based on one of my favorite chocolate bars, the dark chili chocolate from Moser Roth (I get it at Aldi). I called it "Dark Chili Chocolate" and it finishes at 14" x 30."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlj6l8nOwPP9uvFhRVgJaoGFTgE7tpvt2iDhnYw4nPHIdVijiXG-Q9mC1w-Yr7GITimNP3UMrNLp9AZy1rAec9xtAhg3Y-5qQSBcu7A4YYAG9lvtyo8NBWbSOtjmu1GlrNa0XqNjyJFRY/s1600/IMG_20190324_111412898_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlj6l8nOwPP9uvFhRVgJaoGFTgE7tpvt2iDhnYw4nPHIdVijiXG-Q9mC1w-Yr7GITimNP3UMrNLp9AZy1rAec9xtAhg3Y-5qQSBcu7A4YYAG9lvtyo8NBWbSOtjmu1GlrNa0XqNjyJFRY/s640/IMG_20190324_111412898_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Dark Chili Chocolate" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next is "This is 41." It finishes at 34" x 36."<br />
<br />
Last year when I turned 40, I was in no mood to celebrate. I was 37 weeks pregnant and I'd heard one too many "old" jokes and comments to feel happy about my birthday. I decreed that we'd let it slide by with the barest of fusses, and we did.<br />
<br />
This year has been all about embracing being an experienced parent (NOT an "old" one). I don't get too worked up about the inconveniences. I've adapted to being perennially tired. There's a lot of "rolling with it" at our house. It's been so nice to simply enjoy a baby from the perspective of the other side of the hill.<br />
<br />
Since there was no celebrating at 40, I wanted to make a quilt that showed what 41 looks like. This is made from 2 dress shirts I bought on clearance at Goodwill. I made 41 free-pieced flying geese out of the shirts and combined them creatively to draw out some shapes in the center panel. To that I added some of the shot cotton that my mom sent and some Handcrafted that the baby emptied from my shelf. Instead of worrying about putting it back, I shrugged and added it to the quilt. It's beautiful serendipity. I made improv sawtooth borders and added one row upside down for some fun. Part way through the quilting I ran out of matching thread. I pulled out another spool in a contrasting color and kept going. I didn't use a ruler until I cut the binding.<br />
<br />
So what is 41? It's a whole lot of making it work and also a whole lot of fun. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2tzJvZq7AlZ63PyXJ5_yAQLyX2GvORFIOzCIEPjX7vfYEHAOkXUexB6ImX1x33jS5_dE2mWzZirbPINE-BpYSN6J8SQ4nODALJlvVJDTJ9p0tuOYiPnfwVEvz-Dld0i4S0kIdCc32AxZ/s1600/IMG_20190426_135852236_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2tzJvZq7AlZ63PyXJ5_yAQLyX2GvORFIOzCIEPjX7vfYEHAOkXUexB6ImX1x33jS5_dE2mWzZirbPINE-BpYSN6J8SQ4nODALJlvVJDTJ9p0tuOYiPnfwVEvz-Dld0i4S0kIdCc32AxZ/s640/IMG_20190426_135852236_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 41" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9I9Y6qtSK7fSKvlrbtWgKtwEDfHPVqS2KpNGsEaObDHaOqlDS8P1LK7y5ICDmKb5s6HXVaH-wd7enNmcDfKaTLdB7slQ8QeOPTssoTbsktzA9XrbS9xvYe8rPmtSmQ-KZxy5jOQ6pnUw/s1600/IMG_20190426_135923575_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9I9Y6qtSK7fSKvlrbtWgKtwEDfHPVqS2KpNGsEaObDHaOqlDS8P1LK7y5ICDmKb5s6HXVaH-wd7enNmcDfKaTLdB7slQ8QeOPTssoTbsktzA9XrbS9xvYe8rPmtSmQ-KZxy5jOQ6pnUw/s640/IMG_20190426_135923575_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 41" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMLDlF6bKKU151gPqOS9LgIBgePi8aQyUJk0oR_3TRwJq_UQHnMURktNPdh5VopYVD7zDcsB8r4rVpUKY7tZUj-IAzkVXRFEQTURyFd30eXLYaSfOUGA6h-VBMTkY3GUaw1O4Opi72PuQ/s1600/IMG_20190426_135914346_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMLDlF6bKKU151gPqOS9LgIBgePi8aQyUJk0oR_3TRwJq_UQHnMURktNPdh5VopYVD7zDcsB8r4rVpUKY7tZUj-IAzkVXRFEQTURyFd30eXLYaSfOUGA6h-VBMTkY3GUaw1O4Opi72PuQ/s640/IMG_20190426_135914346_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 41" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFemaWszRl-uz5n9I73MUzAWWlUttRKQTks9YQjpWwQi4PryPFGSCwvo5wWFQCbvxJ2kp9ozklVBBFwVhyphenhyphenlJYM7RDbaELQfGpMynA1domnrHg5plFCMFRdbIuVepL45sMnxG9H0fs-uXuY/s1600/IMG_20190426_135753844_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFemaWszRl-uz5n9I73MUzAWWlUttRKQTks9YQjpWwQi4PryPFGSCwvo5wWFQCbvxJ2kp9ozklVBBFwVhyphenhyphenlJYM7RDbaELQfGpMynA1domnrHg5plFCMFRdbIuVepL45sMnxG9H0fs-uXuY/s640/IMG_20190426_135753844_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: This is 41" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I had some more scraps left over from the shirts that I wanted to use. I combined that with some of my own scraps plus the scraps from someone else who was destashing on Instagram (Thank you, Karen). I thought it was a fun snapshot of where I am as a quilter right now, so I called it "Making Do." I constructed this without a ruler, too. It finished at 23" x 24." I got a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair for this quilt and was pleasantly surprised. I thought for sure that the first two quilts in this post would do well (they didn't) and I entered this one for fun. Lesson learned. You just never know.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2GjcD48Bn-Ky3nTx3qTT_FQ6-cC7sopfm4P684cmoNYb_vIMKP7IGPtByvUpaUfwbTBlvn62DmkVdFzWz2FYqwODCuKHC7ACAzgHifKw0AIqPQoniqZD8J1-TNTtSY0WsbfMG5467U9m/s1600/IMG_20190521_121029472_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2GjcD48Bn-Ky3nTx3qTT_FQ6-cC7sopfm4P684cmoNYb_vIMKP7IGPtByvUpaUfwbTBlvn62DmkVdFzWz2FYqwODCuKHC7ACAzgHifKw0AIqPQoniqZD8J1-TNTtSY0WsbfMG5467U9m/s640/IMG_20190521_121029472_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Making Do" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXGX83w_KAeuVT6ua8p9dUAu1yB0cSlCi-HX86e4FawTcW3MIQDtF-npL47eaNlUZAEWgWx-tqBPm_wOnAIfHf9hb0nLkcevSxYgTEmQhfgSl-pFm9xsUbuIlT4GnbgMlSB3zptLKE6GV/s1600/IMG_20190521_121122255_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXGX83w_KAeuVT6ua8p9dUAu1yB0cSlCi-HX86e4FawTcW3MIQDtF-npL47eaNlUZAEWgWx-tqBPm_wOnAIfHf9hb0nLkcevSxYgTEmQhfgSl-pFm9xsUbuIlT4GnbgMlSB3zptLKE6GV/s640/IMG_20190521_121122255_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Making Do" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tBRM9HQV1lMNzq2nt3kWV0VAP9kw6Q2jYbT2AxmRBHf-i_O0FFDYrhjdPChjKKTdrBVaMnAc3o8qIIdWwEJKOHNqi62Ei2ELdXFjQoQ9mjxvIKex74gFZ5C0Z5CR8tIN3J3PVRXyVlRm/s1600/IMG_20190521_121131077_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tBRM9HQV1lMNzq2nt3kWV0VAP9kw6Q2jYbT2AxmRBHf-i_O0FFDYrhjdPChjKKTdrBVaMnAc3o8qIIdWwEJKOHNqi62Ei2ELdXFjQoQ9mjxvIKex74gFZ5C0Z5CR8tIN3J3PVRXyVlRm/s640/IMG_20190521_121131077_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Making Do" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This pillow is the result of another Curated Quilts prompt, "Stars." Our summer travel plans caught up with me and I wasn't able to finish before we left and the deadline happened. That's okay, though. Missing the deadline gave me the opportunity to turn it into a cute pillow. It is a 14" square. The dotty fabric came from a $0.44 maternity shirt I bought from Goodwill and cut up. Be on the lookout for more shirt quilts, I really enjoy piecing a quilt with something that already has a history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ONGARf0alycv_1zB-OAhZlp1H5mhv4mD3m72Hco9kw70M5DulkBul_2ect0esujEcwRIGEtN2sUnrAnejwoiHu2QWhtnlWbvFURu6tsaUG6vrz8iq8-gkJyDCN_BOdUYwocLO3LrSlbW/s1600/IMG_20190620_074721281_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ONGARf0alycv_1zB-OAhZlp1H5mhv4mD3m72Hco9kw70M5DulkBul_2ect0esujEcwRIGEtN2sUnrAnejwoiHu2QWhtnlWbvFURu6tsaUG6vrz8iq8-gkJyDCN_BOdUYwocLO3LrSlbW/s640/IMG_20190620_074721281_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Star Pillow" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Speaking of history, I was able to buy nine pieced vintage diamonds from a Mennonite thrift store near me. I purchased the diamond blocks and one other block from the same maker for $4.50. It was a wonderful find.<br />
<br />
This is the quilt I made from those vintage diamond blocks. I named it "Log Cabin Star" because that's what the original maker called it. She'd pinned the blocks together and labelled the nine pieces with the name of the block and a sketch of the finished quilt. For my label, I traced her handwriting and sketch since this is her quilt, too! I made an educated guess for her city of residence because one of the paper foundations was made from a Shumaker's Grocery bag (Wayland) and the notepad she'd used to label the pieces was from a feed company in Wayland.<br />
<br />
It was such a fun experience to feel like I was collaborating with someone from the past and creating something that already had a history. I used modern methods, fabrics and sensibilities to finish a thought the original maker had started. Of course I had to make some modifications along the way. Some of the diamonds were frayed and needed extra fabric to fill the voids (that's the red). Also, I'm not quite sure of the math on a nine-pointed star, so I was kind of glad that one of the pieced diamonds was in pretty rough shape so I could default to the more doable eight-pointed star.<br />
<br />
Wherever she is, I hope she's happy with the finish and glad that I crossed off a UFO from her list.<br />
<br />
"Log Cabin Star" finishes at 36" x 36."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkbFMk3JEUDvjlgauUmAnbn9x0KmbcLebWFJwlgNKcZ3g5_IbQnyOVkQN2i-OSdCtt2k723Me85IUL80EV0kNVVRloobG7M6x_Cv6VGOgUwRA15q_0XZhAz93fsQzlZwjB49REuwYQhh0/s1600/IMG_20190708_194616383_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkbFMk3JEUDvjlgauUmAnbn9x0KmbcLebWFJwlgNKcZ3g5_IbQnyOVkQN2i-OSdCtt2k723Me85IUL80EV0kNVVRloobG7M6x_Cv6VGOgUwRA15q_0XZhAz93fsQzlZwjB49REuwYQhh0/s640/IMG_20190708_194616383_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Log Cabin Star" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD25tcpbBN3v5DCUAqjXUI8spxpWGxQueAS0osXb0h2cE0q8qnY3uoxwPNbw6Dqpngw0Ey492s0I3xcIkj0YtBxxBhpSYeA5Q-R_IwKsk0EG6Ng8rmDsDG8DmTq3N3jt8MjchsTngSib7/s1600/IMG_20190628_160747518_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD25tcpbBN3v5DCUAqjXUI8spxpWGxQueAS0osXb0h2cE0q8qnY3uoxwPNbw6Dqpngw0Ey492s0I3xcIkj0YtBxxBhpSYeA5Q-R_IwKsk0EG6Ng8rmDsDG8DmTq3N3jt8MjchsTngSib7/s640/IMG_20190628_160747518_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Log Cabin Star" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jO-kc9OaxIydmBacemj9N6uUHwzYZDjleynhpWf-2Tn3jo2KdQIAKW6PUqVMRr8g_QR-fmKrT1WvY_B7dk9Ne2I6IZGK1y3kf6CwcA9G2-aZaMH_P6_IXS4ffiKoyKviXxzN-ihHzjsz/s1600/IMG_20190628_160643989_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jO-kc9OaxIydmBacemj9N6uUHwzYZDjleynhpWf-2Tn3jo2KdQIAKW6PUqVMRr8g_QR-fmKrT1WvY_B7dk9Ne2I6IZGK1y3kf6CwcA9G2-aZaMH_P6_IXS4ffiKoyKviXxzN-ihHzjsz/s640/IMG_20190628_160643989_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Log Cabin Star" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcussGNMZiYCw8D1z8F3_1TJKZZm_DQSGCyvc1opvPPfDmnRsIrnK-lPUfh-L-VO42hIOx80c8Ut3n9v9V4ocg63KhKbYdnKa_8F7WK26OcV-qbuqTSsyCGL5KNXyXgqe8jD27n9abZppg/s1600/IMG_20190628_160807312_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcussGNMZiYCw8D1z8F3_1TJKZZm_DQSGCyvc1opvPPfDmnRsIrnK-lPUfh-L-VO42hIOx80c8Ut3n9v9V4ocg63KhKbYdnKa_8F7WK26OcV-qbuqTSsyCGL5KNXyXgqe8jD27n9abZppg/s640/IMG_20190628_160807312_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Log Cabin Star" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnlRiESUnvuWwzGMG8JJ2u_xZFAUOoSoqJ72oiIh_186rpb3AyA6tKLY1GeMlgmyJqoDY3PtFnow7K0W2ijK6TkxGEL4lWfzA0zhZZjqYgm59DArNmjxSFuB1nSskJTfPPTRNFpZo37XM/s1600/IMG_20190628_160832569_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnlRiESUnvuWwzGMG8JJ2u_xZFAUOoSoqJ72oiIh_186rpb3AyA6tKLY1GeMlgmyJqoDY3PtFnow7K0W2ijK6TkxGEL4lWfzA0zhZZjqYgm59DArNmjxSFuB1nSskJTfPPTRNFpZo37XM/s640/IMG_20190628_160832569_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Log Cabin Star" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4INoiYWOwPDhaDzxpu0D1gl6I3y-xuaBWapXqT1Eeaq_qZGxryWyg8tbwmA5CLhyd_kOO88qAiuISAnN0PqqzRNYcwdoKTorZPos7vKwqE6qtnc3mrM0FuuAfathSj66ZWQM2ziSy6oaK/s1600/IMG_20190628_160917793_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4INoiYWOwPDhaDzxpu0D1gl6I3y-xuaBWapXqT1Eeaq_qZGxryWyg8tbwmA5CLhyd_kOO88qAiuISAnN0PqqzRNYcwdoKTorZPos7vKwqE6qtnc3mrM0FuuAfathSj66ZWQM2ziSy6oaK/s640/IMG_20190628_160917793_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Log Cabin Star" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been on a cleaning tear this summer. I just conducted a ruthless tear through the fabric closet in my sewing room. Many things were purged and sent to a consignment store. Many things were also found. This pillow is based on an oil stick fabric stencil my mother had finished in a workshop several years ago and given to me. Originally, I had planned on placing the coneflower stencil drawing she'd made in the place where the rusty red square is. I decided at the last minute not to piece it in and add the monochromatic half square triangles instead. Ordering the disorder is one of my favorite things to do, and is definitely what is happening in this pillow. It is an 18" square.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEevL2vRIHlQVbARzUY6BmNT6hva78Im3-IcoQtlNNToq39clSGQNsMppwYJAqXtpxxQq_hzu8bn2vm4rTXbk2nIY5JCRflf7KoKIJ_QfOH65IZI9VyUz_RagEI1mrMIxhw1Zc4J93HMW/s1600/IMG_20190828_151220095_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEevL2vRIHlQVbARzUY6BmNT6hva78Im3-IcoQtlNNToq39clSGQNsMppwYJAqXtpxxQq_hzu8bn2vm4rTXbk2nIY5JCRflf7KoKIJ_QfOH65IZI9VyUz_RagEI1mrMIxhw1Zc4J93HMW/s640/IMG_20190828_151220095_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Coneflower pillow" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was very saddened to hear of the death of Gwen Marston this spring. I would not be the quilter I am today without her influence. Instead of moping and getting too maudlin, I decided to make a Gwen-esque quilt to honor her memory. "Remembering Gwen" is improvisationally pieced, completely liberated, made from scraps (including someone else's) and heavy on the red and purple. It finished at 20" x 20."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8riu7edIGowGu-f1wRIrWxCQKHHX7LvFRnV46cOpvvqOEZlCGNJslw8ZDdLr3lTsYPBZ9js94iZZkI6QBOOZsC4MO6wO3JwwDHHFSTW4ncZSDqeYJJOYP9i8kzz1GgKcso84kHK85dh2Q/s1600/IMG_20190422_144413518_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8riu7edIGowGu-f1wRIrWxCQKHHX7LvFRnV46cOpvvqOEZlCGNJslw8ZDdLr3lTsYPBZ9js94iZZkI6QBOOZsC4MO6wO3JwwDHHFSTW4ncZSDqeYJJOYP9i8kzz1GgKcso84kHK85dh2Q/s640/IMG_20190422_144413518_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Remembering Gwen" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
Last up is my most recent finish. If you are still reading this, THANK YOU! This post has been way too long and way too long in coming. I'm considering posting on Instagram and my blog simultaneously. I don't really know if there are people who follow both places or just one. A few months ago I started telling the stories on Instagram too. It seems silly to try to keep the two accounts separate or to try to use one platform to promote the other. I appreciate the friends that follow me on both accounts and I think it would be better to show my appreciation through more timely posts.<br />
<br />
This is "Lift." It is 39" x 53." I started this quilt back in 2017, and I took it off the design wall to work on the Pantone Greenery quilts. I found it in the fabric closet during my purge and I am thrilled to finish it!<br />
<br />
This quilt began out of thriftiness. I wanted to use up little triangle scraps from my Wanta Fanta bee blocks. I improvisationally pieced them together as quarter square triangles and it reminded me of a butterfly. This is the first one of many butterfly quilts that I've made. I'm pretty fond of that metaphor.<br />
<br />
In this quilt I am trying to create movement. I used every trick I know to make the eye lift upward. I changed the butterfly density. I added vertical strips of fabric that looked like effervescence. I used another fabric that looked like bubbles. I added a swoop of butterflies that flashed color. I also used a free hand waving quilting pattern that replicated a flight path. I pieced in lots of surprises. There are peeking animals, a continuation of the color in the binding and an interesting cropping of the word "molasses" in a texty print. I left it in. Sometimes whimsy can have a PG rating.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksA0TMfgXjg25QJeOQVgw8M-kwceHR1hZEDWAQcLst5Erp-bwJttxL4SFGIXAjLgm6oYMS5ViOT7vPjI8ssyY_0e2coLQei8Mxwid9wMUGbf6AN9Zf4XmR-O6POcffxEa4y5QtbNavnqH/s1600/IMG_20190829_165339844_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1169" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksA0TMfgXjg25QJeOQVgw8M-kwceHR1hZEDWAQcLst5Erp-bwJttxL4SFGIXAjLgm6oYMS5ViOT7vPjI8ssyY_0e2coLQei8Mxwid9wMUGbf6AN9Zf4XmR-O6POcffxEa4y5QtbNavnqH/s640/IMG_20190829_165339844_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Lift" width="466" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZBx-rNIODo8F4kkNeo2HcizkdwNcUeVY5eorOLQo0JWQyqREPP_NSWM6CMDrMEV5J9MXYPB4aET6d066-MOMvLWIPJfdC-PKKl0x5FZW0j-cAZll2hw4x07VvVKKJH41fJ3pCHAlVrtN/s1600/IMG_20190829_141808634_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZBx-rNIODo8F4kkNeo2HcizkdwNcUeVY5eorOLQo0JWQyqREPP_NSWM6CMDrMEV5J9MXYPB4aET6d066-MOMvLWIPJfdC-PKKl0x5FZW0j-cAZll2hw4x07VvVKKJH41fJ3pCHAlVrtN/s640/IMG_20190829_141808634_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Lift" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgFIZcLg3jr_ugVujvzdlHVKTus0c9JgONzni7ufBkBI2bjRKkLufNCvmJYmN3nLUR4klnFp1hLoLCwVpk7CGCj4m6Luqlyp6fNW7YCtxWOhJkJLSkizJKnoNHzFzrbCBaKgsVnPoVq6y/s1600/IMG_20190829_141721204_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgFIZcLg3jr_ugVujvzdlHVKTus0c9JgONzni7ufBkBI2bjRKkLufNCvmJYmN3nLUR4klnFp1hLoLCwVpk7CGCj4m6Luqlyp6fNW7YCtxWOhJkJLSkizJKnoNHzFzrbCBaKgsVnPoVq6y/s640/IMG_20190829_141721204_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Lift" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH9BEqWfBBjocAZ89fNqIjeCE6FBdgG21aro_VwqxLdoMI1WhasD_4TqUXjXpyO_SIp1lNPkhNawsH3sJVJyIbLQ5pNfJD0GxkrL5Yer1y-GXpvbU5RiT9cxlkb9t81Igd-otqRLOzYWe/s1600/IMG_20190829_141623249_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH9BEqWfBBjocAZ89fNqIjeCE6FBdgG21aro_VwqxLdoMI1WhasD_4TqUXjXpyO_SIp1lNPkhNawsH3sJVJyIbLQ5pNfJD0GxkrL5Yer1y-GXpvbU5RiT9cxlkb9t81Igd-otqRLOzYWe/s640/IMG_20190829_141623249_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Lift" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vbh9Zfvhm7mdbAwmbKT1Iz6ccIin24tJDFM5621vcSi4_8EPCX4Hqt5OQfjVT0kFrdIOKRnKxcUIjl3dmLpI52oibvZczosNpoGR8xxoBSM9piy21pIV8q_rmIhRTuitL9W1K8XdRMst/s1600/IMG_20190829_141600078_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vbh9Zfvhm7mdbAwmbKT1Iz6ccIin24tJDFM5621vcSi4_8EPCX4Hqt5OQfjVT0kFrdIOKRnKxcUIjl3dmLpI52oibvZczosNpoGR8xxoBSM9piy21pIV8q_rmIhRTuitL9W1K8XdRMst/s640/IMG_20190829_141600078_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Lift" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyS-G4HjglBzw6ateA84G0ryVoFfGhEkPHAOQM581zx3aPdva7b1b3yU-1FjvaOzLOWnHKu0Bi44oyv3u1T3IbDCC_3li4Za1HkCWwGggnIKpdw-rqhOz7fKa8fcfOtU0VBKQd4ckl206i/s1600/IMG_20190829_141735100_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyS-G4HjglBzw6ateA84G0ryVoFfGhEkPHAOQM581zx3aPdva7b1b3yU-1FjvaOzLOWnHKu0Bi44oyv3u1T3IbDCC_3li4Za1HkCWwGggnIKpdw-rqhOz7fKa8fcfOtU0VBKQd4ckl206i/s640/IMG_20190829_141735100_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Lift" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks again, everyone! Have a great day!<br />
<br />
JillJill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-51959315705088952702019-06-05T06:49:00.001-05:002019-06-05T06:49:52.089-05:00Living CoralI love blue and purple, and when left to my own devices, I make a lot of blue and purple quilts. Every year Pantone chooses a color of the year and every year I challenge myself to make quilts with it. I even did it the year that Pantone chose a dual color in shades of an 80s bathroom. 😏<br />
<br />
This year the color was Living Coral and I have thoroughly enjoyed a tropical vibe in the sewing room the past few months.<br />
<br />
When the color of the year was announced, I immediately thought of fruity drinks with umbrellas. This quilt was the result of sketching out my idea of what fruity drinks, warm sun, and ocean breezes would sound like. I chose colors that gave that same tropical vibe. I worked on this off and on during the winter, which was particularly cold and bleak here in Iowa, and I am quite sure of this quilt's restorative powers and thermal energy.<br />
<br />
Each of the squares and diamonds were free pieced and then set into ordered rows. I like that contradiction of ordered disorder. I also had a great time working with values. I included a black and white photo of this quilt just for fun. The two sections that look like solid rectangles of light gray are places where I used complementary colors of the same value. The movement in these places came from the vibrating effect instead of the value difference. I only did it twice because it was so intense!<br />
<br />
This quilt is quilted with monofilament thread and is finished with a faced edge. I named it "Rhythms." It is 40" x 60" and is my entry to the finished quilt category of the Pantone Quilt Challenge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR-_uMcfhf-p8nq0rACH2BFNsrVHSrGucY0I9MUjM87W_lAp7FAuD9p7K3ivRXufRHDnw4xOVBKwOZw7wB1LG2SOSWQTmtlWF6LFCZVUj0nuE3oUv6SWXHRp72SJkibA3yu5ilqWBXLTp/s1600/IMG_20190526_171600_727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR-_uMcfhf-p8nq0rACH2BFNsrVHSrGucY0I9MUjM87W_lAp7FAuD9p7K3ivRXufRHDnw4xOVBKwOZw7wB1LG2SOSWQTmtlWF6LFCZVUj0nuE3oUv6SWXHRp72SJkibA3yu5ilqWBXLTp/s640/IMG_20190526_171600_727.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rhythms" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFislukRBKEgkitMsiU_uLS6kt344YE0dfC6NUrfjGZiJ8UFEuxwKpDkoV-6E9L0o29fcRUjw5rNz2W-ZYYFXZLSE_eP55ZCDyl-dK2xQDxhLuNBJYVO7bjhS7nIOVI2BqWhSkXWGZAgh/s1600/IMG_20190526_171600_728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFislukRBKEgkitMsiU_uLS6kt344YE0dfC6NUrfjGZiJ8UFEuxwKpDkoV-6E9L0o29fcRUjw5rNz2W-ZYYFXZLSE_eP55ZCDyl-dK2xQDxhLuNBJYVO7bjhS7nIOVI2BqWhSkXWGZAgh/s640/IMG_20190526_171600_728.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rhythms" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2PrtACaHm931H2DIxushvXFN-v4An8HrYLzdoTqq4Woup4E8WabAQ_5g1G5XQHL7Wo9MbNqo21SNYqXaY86BAy4psvmahEucsFD5maQKui2PGZ6s0huUesOjyba6XOwq1VDuCBk8c4Su/s1600/IMG_20190526_171600_718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2PrtACaHm931H2DIxushvXFN-v4An8HrYLzdoTqq4Woup4E8WabAQ_5g1G5XQHL7Wo9MbNqo21SNYqXaY86BAy4psvmahEucsFD5maQKui2PGZ6s0huUesOjyba6XOwq1VDuCBk8c4Su/s640/IMG_20190526_171600_718.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rhythms" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0elCGT7AoQY3PrMUW326IpvGNhbl_qghjqc_6MsrFuX3qEzztLmpxafjRKxCFtZ3Pir4GPTtcx9vstGm3eN8o3AOblc0I2XtfIowKX2auGOtnry-JuxTIPtQF55foEFXgrxJs7ZFdq5Ap/s1600/IMG_20190526_171600_732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0elCGT7AoQY3PrMUW326IpvGNhbl_qghjqc_6MsrFuX3qEzztLmpxafjRKxCFtZ3Pir4GPTtcx9vstGm3eN8o3AOblc0I2XtfIowKX2auGOtnry-JuxTIPtQF55foEFXgrxJs7ZFdq5Ap/s640/IMG_20190526_171600_732.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rhythms" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KBB7npKPFG_wQfR7c3lgxTQlbDfWvnEOcSAQO9HdcMFcDJPpDOrcFs5fIVumkXOlUXgRtFUptFSWlJLduwQF2Qi9NuvksMg-0a62xCCEI7G-yKVmTie-WEsS8AJM7M4pooDHEKwds4d7/s1600/IMG_20190526_171601_030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KBB7npKPFG_wQfR7c3lgxTQlbDfWvnEOcSAQO9HdcMFcDJPpDOrcFs5fIVumkXOlUXgRtFUptFSWlJLduwQF2Qi9NuvksMg-0a62xCCEI7G-yKVmTie-WEsS8AJM7M4pooDHEKwds4d7/s640/IMG_20190526_171601_030.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rhythms" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcpYm_ds6jiI7fnL1E087zQy8gooZJqDk4tJ2XD31CpvRxzAV2xomQ6KOfGEdgiALoFojQybKQttBoOPXiBC-PlGoFBk5HdWKwnv-jebrHsAq-8JBTzTMEFB5kOqDJDKww0X58MOMBq7O/s1600/IMG_20190526_171600_725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcpYm_ds6jiI7fnL1E087zQy8gooZJqDk4tJ2XD31CpvRxzAV2xomQ6KOfGEdgiALoFojQybKQttBoOPXiBC-PlGoFBk5HdWKwnv-jebrHsAq-8JBTzTMEFB5kOqDJDKww0X58MOMBq7O/s640/IMG_20190526_171600_725.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rhythms" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I played with the color a lot in "Rhythms," and ultimately changed my mind a couple of times after I had already cut fabric. I had two stacks of half rectangle triangles on my cutting mat, and rather than start a whole new bin for storing triangle scraps, I decided to use them up. I cut out strips of the complementary color (turquoise) and started to piece the strips between the triangles. I had no ending in mind, I was just curious to see how it would look. I ended up with rough rectangles and then wondered if I could do partial seams with improv blocks. The answer is yes, but it's a little fiddly...especially when you haven't used a ruler and the edges of the pieces are wavy. I built the blocks around a golden square and kept piecing the blocks together until I ended up with a rough square shape. At that point, I got stuck. I finally decided to border the square with a turquoise square and didn't really like that either. While I was looking at the design wall and pondering my next step, I had the thought that I needed an out of the box solution. That thought was the solution! I happily pieced coral borders and mindfully added more gold squares in specific locations. I love diagonal settings and I thought the shower of gold related well to the turquoise diagonal lines.<br />
<br />
"Out of the Box," is my entry to the mini category in the Pantone Quilt Challenge. It is 30" x 29." I constructed it without a ruler. It is quilted with diagonal wavy lines in monofilament thread and is finished with a pieced binding.<br />
<br />
I have been thinking about the power creativity has on our lives and found this quote:<br />
<br />
"If you build a wall to separate people there will be those who find a way around the wall, or over it, or under it, or through it. We humans are not meant to be contained, and neither are our thoughts." Teresa R. Funke<br />
<br />
The moral of the story? Be one of the gold not-quite squares. 😁<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuphpr4VmlNirzu6OQ2BjvTcUF9AeKdE4Q9rRqAk-mXY0ltgXcBlnJ__8WcZ3EStk6oFfvsSEAjIciPJjgLMeOkFwKgtBost-azX_tOGfSZby5j5X4ObfvD3et8AA2mQPLJJhFfNdY6QWM/s1600/IMG_20190523_090833_752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuphpr4VmlNirzu6OQ2BjvTcUF9AeKdE4Q9rRqAk-mXY0ltgXcBlnJ__8WcZ3EStk6oFfvsSEAjIciPJjgLMeOkFwKgtBost-azX_tOGfSZby5j5X4ObfvD3et8AA2mQPLJJhFfNdY6QWM/s640/IMG_20190523_090833_752.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Out of the Box" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j8_qGNSRggm2Rn8wm_J4wZgYc3n2Xg7b-TKrcUfH__7HV0ZfQqMZy6-VLysJ6c7WEY3YioQWrFaUx4TIfIE3N5v2zhW_nidtev4El6FI0v0I-2uVX-yNIbEKMwAdfsMvS15HbYBB63Rt/s1600/IMG_20190515_124319_885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j8_qGNSRggm2Rn8wm_J4wZgYc3n2Xg7b-TKrcUfH__7HV0ZfQqMZy6-VLysJ6c7WEY3YioQWrFaUx4TIfIE3N5v2zhW_nidtev4El6FI0v0I-2uVX-yNIbEKMwAdfsMvS15HbYBB63Rt/s640/IMG_20190515_124319_885.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Out of the Box" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaOjHf7b_DEe9xAGbaQrHyKPpu0OAxYrGA-K9SfsF0-6LQbU2xqn1OtiCXS39wsrz-fR3js-B0iq7RlygbXGil3OX78sLCfq9YrSsGtezKDtfslGigqAuJFdzfk1UpynXtRE20uzYb-xr/s1600/IMG_20190523_090833_743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaOjHf7b_DEe9xAGbaQrHyKPpu0OAxYrGA-K9SfsF0-6LQbU2xqn1OtiCXS39wsrz-fR3js-B0iq7RlygbXGil3OX78sLCfq9YrSsGtezKDtfslGigqAuJFdzfk1UpynXtRE20uzYb-xr/s640/IMG_20190523_090833_743.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Out of the Box" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz751SRT36vbsYq23UP7KwhcgKDxU_z5Pk15kgKgO5dhLxTFtSixMcEw_BxdP6oECwsHTZ91Kp1yUiI6sMApgkXim89JAcBYKZ7Uo1ByTdAdMDZTDcf96gHHokrCh5VkwnVOc10T7mUTH/s1600/IMG_20190523_090833_741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz751SRT36vbsYq23UP7KwhcgKDxU_z5Pk15kgKgO5dhLxTFtSixMcEw_BxdP6oECwsHTZ91Kp1yUiI6sMApgkXim89JAcBYKZ7Uo1ByTdAdMDZTDcf96gHHokrCh5VkwnVOc10T7mUTH/s640/IMG_20190523_090833_741.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Out of the Box" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAt0DKoyemI_hj6pqSRR5NU8s2i26ju0dPZ27vhmVhUVONMGXp1qA7MlKcBI_sKLEH-TEXTYNABLZpPJuTBWwGGpxp84ENGIFxo_hJaeeCrdO8ZGx-kdP6MsX-fyrobRMnPDdOBUzQ0Zc/s1600/IMG_20190523_090833_722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAt0DKoyemI_hj6pqSRR5NU8s2i26ju0dPZ27vhmVhUVONMGXp1qA7MlKcBI_sKLEH-TEXTYNABLZpPJuTBWwGGpxp84ENGIFxo_hJaeeCrdO8ZGx-kdP6MsX-fyrobRMnPDdOBUzQ0Zc/s640/IMG_20190523_090833_722.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Out of the Box" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sometimes I work with a sketch, and sometimes I don't. This is a quilt that I roughly sketched out on a square sheet of paper. I've been curious about using bias strips for a long time, but I've never done it. I really wanted to try, but I also really didn't want to make a quilt that looked like someone else made it. I've had a pickle dish block on my mind for awhile and I thought it might be a good contender for an experiment.<br />
<br />
Remember when swaps were a big thing? Back in 2015 I decided to join my first swap and I wanted to do it right. I worked <u><b>hard</b></u> on a pickle dish mini and used up some of my favorite Tula Pink fabrics. I even did matchstick quilting! I definitely felt a major twinge of regret when I placed that mini in the envelope, but I sent it anyway. I wanted to make a friend and to give my partner some joy. I didn't get what I was looking for. 😐 If you're wildly curious to see the quilt, here's the link to the <a href="http://pieladyquilts.blogspot.com/2015/01/pickle-dish.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> I wrote about it way back when.<br />
<br />
I've waited four long years to give myself a pickle dish quilt, and this is it!<br />
<br />
I had a good laugh when I took "Out of the Box" down and immediately taped a 30" square on the design wall to help me build the pickle dish quilt. Oh, the irony. Construction began with a free cut petal shape. I used butcher paper to match the edge of the petal and roughly drew in the triangle spikes. I used improv paper piecing to make those sections. I alternated between bias strips and cutting the curves to match from yardage for the curving filler pieces. I don't know which method I like better. They both use up a ton of fabric and take some time. I think using the combination helped me make blocks that lie remarkably flat. I used a heck of a lot of pins and chalk and fabric. I have a lovely box of scraps from this quilt, so don't think this is the last you've seen of this colorway! I can't wait to dive in!<br />
<br />
This is my entry to the just the top category in the Pantone Quilt Challenge. It is 60" x 60." I haven't figured out a name for this yet, but there will be time because I'm pretty sure that I will need to hand quilt this. Just the thought of putting a feed dog anywhere near all those bias edges stresses me out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WUSJpn_FMCBES-3Saa3diGfsRCSDLyQ6XoHDE0XKOVS4k_lHJQIwMNayGbRx0SfshVYDBJJhrqED2rNmy_kkMK9Fk1T4s2cWdNFpMZTAEHjpW_qRl5cbcUnai3n7e4E-OPGxzY4GWG7E/s1600/IMG_20190604_111201843_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WUSJpn_FMCBES-3Saa3diGfsRCSDLyQ6XoHDE0XKOVS4k_lHJQIwMNayGbRx0SfshVYDBJJhrqED2rNmy_kkMK9Fk1T4s2cWdNFpMZTAEHjpW_qRl5cbcUnai3n7e4E-OPGxzY4GWG7E/s640/IMG_20190604_111201843_HDR-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Pickle Dish" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8a7urrf3qA_zDF8t9odkyma5QxQ0RoC52QCLD0tOakquM1TQ-74PX0DcXx3CLWXdWOiYWxoZzI4V_PbxMLlDRIDmMDWBZd973af5QkhqDzoosg4RLvtfKfXlxSdGscSMs0I_VG6L7pKy/s1600/IMG_20190527_073306_346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8a7urrf3qA_zDF8t9odkyma5QxQ0RoC52QCLD0tOakquM1TQ-74PX0DcXx3CLWXdWOiYWxoZzI4V_PbxMLlDRIDmMDWBZd973af5QkhqDzoosg4RLvtfKfXlxSdGscSMs0I_VG6L7pKy/s640/IMG_20190527_073306_346.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Pickle Dish" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSDL5189r0W6dD4JrHESaRKh9dO8ZtHqdpWVia-SM0D5ZCt4Otpc9NSVMeZ0XykD35BeyHWruMHwt3qphzdSnvXVgM_WgmHGPamC0HUD8xVq1cwjbiVvSOTq9bs0koj-arM6DPoarx4A4/s1600/IMG_20190524_141319_970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSDL5189r0W6dD4JrHESaRKh9dO8ZtHqdpWVia-SM0D5ZCt4Otpc9NSVMeZ0XykD35BeyHWruMHwt3qphzdSnvXVgM_WgmHGPamC0HUD8xVq1cwjbiVvSOTq9bs0koj-arM6DPoarx4A4/s640/IMG_20190524_141319_970.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Pickle Dish" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only used one of the bleach dyed fabrics on the left. The quilt definitely had enough going on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you can find a way to be creative today! Thanks for reading!Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-1572820106444470532019-02-28T15:52:00.000-06:002019-02-28T15:52:06.251-06:00Wheaties or CheeriosWhen I was training to be an elementary teacher, constructivism was the word of the day. Student choice was supposed to inform every learning decision. In theory, it sounded great. In practice? Let's just say that my fellow students and I were very puzzled about implementation and about how a classroom would look if 25 kids were all doing their own thing.<br />
<br />
I met Dr. D at an observation opportunity I had at the attached elementary school, and I asked him about it. He smiled knowingly and said, "You tell those kids that they can have anything in the world they want for breakfast.Then you ask them if they want Wheaties or Cheerios."<br />
<br />
Limits on expansive creativity can be a good thing.<br />
<br />
I'd like to share some quilts I've made recently with limits.<br />
<br />
The first quilt was made for the Project Quilting prompt of "Red, White and Blue." I have a mound of worn out jeans from my two boys that I have saved to make quilts with. I've never gotten to it because I've been worried about quilting over the thick seams. I had the thought recently that I should try a quilt-as-you-go method to simultaneously deal with quilting and bulk. I tried it with this quilt and it worked. The manufacturer directions for the batting I used specified that quilting could be up to 4" apart. I used hand quilting to add interest and secure any area that was getting close to that number. The fun part about using the quilt-as-you-go method was that there was no going back. Mentally, I had to accept every element I added as part of the quilt and use future decisions to validate previous decisions. <br />
<br />
I was thinking about how quickly "time flies" when I went through the bin of jeans that were way too small for my boys. I used that as a theme and found a way to include flying geese and an hourglass block. Before I began, I also tried to alter some of the jeans to add more variety to the quilt. I took some of the denim pieces up to my tub, laid over a gridded anti-slip rug liner, and sprayed them with diluted bleach. The effect is subtle, but I think gave the denim pieces a lovely texture. The two lighter pieces around the red in the center were treated in this way. I also added decorative mending in red. So many of the jeans in the pile had been previously mended and I thought it would be a fun memory. The red denim in this quilt came from my mother. I texted to ask her where she got it from and she told me that they used to be a pair of red pants that she LOVED from when she was teaching. Don't you love how it all comes full circle? The striped denim was a remnant that came in a scrap pack.<br />
<br />
"Time Flies," finished at 32" x 34."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygVNP6koAdLIKa0RiDraXA6tcETM4CkOvfGqlBeTBTJbGvvFKBw9w1T6yA2RlYkD7XM-YjVDYp6zdjTbqf7aawu0hZOOJQq9cJoZAcUaYr2hk_mS9sIBnXZ3m6lRVPVY3zsc7Sjes2RlP/s1600/IMG_20190126_154615_236-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygVNP6koAdLIKa0RiDraXA6tcETM4CkOvfGqlBeTBTJbGvvFKBw9w1T6yA2RlYkD7XM-YjVDYp6zdjTbqf7aawu0hZOOJQq9cJoZAcUaYr2hk_mS9sIBnXZ3m6lRVPVY3zsc7Sjes2RlP/s640/IMG_20190126_154615_236-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Time Flies" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiskKcaMGOThuNEy_C4IRfgffjdbTRG6l0IqxVZ2BsbYsZd5bFVkqp2xhF4mcp8e5z_12G-ZQn9q5aA4KhE_OC5Hpkhbu-LZbuABQK2LZkdKmMuqr_mvzTWQ4N8fm2almwbjcGRTvvJvb/s1600/IMG_20190126_154615_315-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiskKcaMGOThuNEy_C4IRfgffjdbTRG6l0IqxVZ2BsbYsZd5bFVkqp2xhF4mcp8e5z_12G-ZQn9q5aA4KhE_OC5Hpkhbu-LZbuABQK2LZkdKmMuqr_mvzTWQ4N8fm2almwbjcGRTvvJvb/s640/IMG_20190126_154615_315-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Time Flies" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCOKTAAOq7uNbGYK53uk7T-HNYQEglcScZD4dF6x-hyrTQhfw0Z-DXQjeWMtft8m5TerJo8ZJuDfE6nvcCn0rmL7dlWz9etyKEuYXnZ3oEfwmtp69IktUvSak6d9F8liX1iJKoAgVEODo/s1600/IMG_20190126_154615_235-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCOKTAAOq7uNbGYK53uk7T-HNYQEglcScZD4dF6x-hyrTQhfw0Z-DXQjeWMtft8m5TerJo8ZJuDfE6nvcCn0rmL7dlWz9etyKEuYXnZ3oEfwmtp69IktUvSak6d9F8liX1iJKoAgVEODo/s640/IMG_20190126_154615_235-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Time Flies" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7LstHvr_XdqbutNyF810uUU_AI_racejmhpDCGAIv_Rd1xaYNb_xvGjON2uFZ1bb49RxsrJcWA8zqUUz_9Nwz-L6nkSRSTazl7a63ahLVnLLVJhGI31Lkt6Bf8Y-iKJvHfNgJKAlJ8Pu/s1600/IMG_20190126_154615_234-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7LstHvr_XdqbutNyF810uUU_AI_racejmhpDCGAIv_Rd1xaYNb_xvGjON2uFZ1bb49RxsrJcWA8zqUUz_9Nwz-L6nkSRSTazl7a63ahLVnLLVJhGI31Lkt6Bf8Y-iKJvHfNgJKAlJ8Pu/s640/IMG_20190126_154615_234-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Time Flies" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The next challenge for Project Quilting was "bigger than a bread box." Really, this was just a size challenge. You could make anything, as long as it was larger than 8" x 16." I struggled to get anything started for this because that really wasn't much of a limit. I decided to narrow the challenge even more and make the theme be bread. I studied the Wonder Bread label and found inspiration in the colorway and with the circles. I thought of history and "the greatest thing since sliced bread" idea. I started making "sliced" log cabin blocks and using needle-turn applique to make tiny circles. When I got worried about the colorway being a little too literal to the packaging, I added the coral and green that I already had out on my cutting mat from a Pantone project I've been working on intermittently. As I started placing the blocks on the design wall, I tried to keep the proportions of a loaf of bread. Finally, my last bready inspiration was to construct this in a quilt-as-you-go method. Each of the blocks was 2.5" wide, so I pieced blocks into rows and then added them to the quilt that way. It really emphasizes the idea of a slice.<br />
<br />
"Wonder" finishes at 23" x 37."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQav4CoG2xlm_QeeBk5hYbXd82z3b225hxvyntM_lsCjaULRLEigqDMPH2Klg8hkpNCCQlFcivH7zsrDWnWfN7phT2hGWu36FvrLXeWMhS8h4M8Bho25TAQf1rrV0hXSivLKaqduzbE95/s1600/IMG_20190210_103832096_HDR-02-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQav4CoG2xlm_QeeBk5hYbXd82z3b225hxvyntM_lsCjaULRLEigqDMPH2Klg8hkpNCCQlFcivH7zsrDWnWfN7phT2hGWu36FvrLXeWMhS8h4M8Bho25TAQf1rrV0hXSivLKaqduzbE95/s640/IMG_20190210_103832096_HDR-02-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Wonder" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6b4jV4k10F6O8XXQSwhaSRr4OEP4eyh4HKhWih93GsNeG39HB_LUQn85RBVDZxNQg31KQM1Ck9Cluh-HcNn2aoN52jtthjivlLub6y66-HjWj0Mj81u_ZOcsymmTPzttiyp6ry7GoRLk/s1600/IMG_20190210_111651_870-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6b4jV4k10F6O8XXQSwhaSRr4OEP4eyh4HKhWih93GsNeG39HB_LUQn85RBVDZxNQg31KQM1Ck9Cluh-HcNn2aoN52jtthjivlLub6y66-HjWj0Mj81u_ZOcsymmTPzttiyp6ry7GoRLk/s640/IMG_20190210_111651_870-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Time Flies" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The most recent challenge on Project Quilting almost did me in. It definitely is a challenge to come up with a concept, stitch, quilt and bind in one week. I made it even harder for myself by going in a pretty challenging direction. The prompt was "pixel." I've done two pixel quilts before and just about enough time had elapsed to make me forget how hard they can be when precision cutting and piecing really aren't my thing. I had heard of a method that used interfacing that I wanted to try. I was able to find interfacing with a one-inch grid. It wasn't fusible, so for a brief moment I thought about using Heat n Bond (I bought some, too. More on that later!). After some thinking time, though, I decided not to because of bulk. Instead I used spray baste to attach my one inch pieces. I pinched the interfacing from the back directly on the marked line, sewed the seam, then snipped open the loop of interfacing. Since the rainbow I'd mapped out was 30" x 44," I did that about 70 times. Oy. I did my very best, but all my pixels are not a perfect 1/2" finished block. The rows are still not perfectly straight. What I guess I'm saying is that it isn't perfect. Not even close. I'm also saying that if you press your face close enough to the quilt to point out these imperfections, you're also close enough to kick. 😏<br />
<br />
The rainbow will be a gift for my daughter that is in kindergarten. I helped her with an art project a month ago for a contest sponsored by a local bank. Some of the prize winners have their work appear in a calendar and some have their art framed. She didn't win either of those prizes, but I made her a solemn promise that we'd frame her work no matter what happened. She made a rainbow. This is not a shocker because she colors rainbows on everything. No matter what she's studying at school--whales, printable books about snowmen, math papers--she turns it into rainbows. If there is an outline of any shape on a printed page, it is getting the rainbow treatment. For her project, I cut millions of tiny squares out of colored origami paper, and she glued them to her collage. At the end of her rainbow she wanted a cloud, so I found some white tissue paper with rainbow glitter in an old gift bag downstairs and she glued it in smushy swirls on the bottom. The whole project took forever. Afterwards, I pressed the cardstock we'd used between a huge stack of books, but there was so much glue that it will forever ripple. We're going to see her work in a show tomorrow and she's incredible excited.<br />
<br />
I'm sure you can see now why I made the rainbow and why I persevered when I was starting to hate every minute of it. Do you know the even crazier thing? I told my mom about the rainbow I'd made (with no backstory) and she offered to send me money to have it framed! Full circle again!<br />
<br />
"Rainbow Lunacy" is 14" x 22."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbh2mdFSe4QO5q72suc_nJlvTJMfyXWcc_4S87hSr54A20IVsdTHmsYR6nJK52yQYqZPMFq0ZZfzPDqKOF9YZMBwcOYkrrWQQ7Ez4TKBNd3XCdFM0MNtNZYEcRJTNk0cEp_C7Qn_R_Dfo/s1600/IMG_20190228_123657123_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbh2mdFSe4QO5q72suc_nJlvTJMfyXWcc_4S87hSr54A20IVsdTHmsYR6nJK52yQYqZPMFq0ZZfzPDqKOF9YZMBwcOYkrrWQQ7Ez4TKBNd3XCdFM0MNtNZYEcRJTNk0cEp_C7Qn_R_Dfo/s640/IMG_20190228_123657123_HDR-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Lunacy" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G_kT72cM9qVwi17VIiLMa-ETodMN2L3E5oXmcmTdWbHeX6SsEP6emtDMfv8AWYCN31expn64Se4rx9I6Z5QvPedN36ltHld1NyqCQWwdzNJ4At-VAbSg0QrQ1rpGYoF5qaggl1BhwPLB/s1600/IMG_20190223_141512_427-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G_kT72cM9qVwi17VIiLMa-ETodMN2L3E5oXmcmTdWbHeX6SsEP6emtDMfv8AWYCN31expn64Se4rx9I6Z5QvPedN36ltHld1NyqCQWwdzNJ4At-VAbSg0QrQ1rpGYoF5qaggl1BhwPLB/s640/IMG_20190223_141512_427-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Lunacy" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp1d3FcI4DDrcL9-yjBTPVazNUc2jYeU82yH6N8CnFFs_qeJHR71uE7XkvaTpkB_6eWcOwOGRHhyphenhyphenVMk70Ko1pkOkOFFmq2m84iNCAJiN2dDftMDBexoZPtoRoBFKJNscssKQmLItYcOVb/s1600/IMG_20190224_083841_384-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1076" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp1d3FcI4DDrcL9-yjBTPVazNUc2jYeU82yH6N8CnFFs_qeJHR71uE7XkvaTpkB_6eWcOwOGRHhyphenhyphenVMk70Ko1pkOkOFFmq2m84iNCAJiN2dDftMDBexoZPtoRoBFKJNscssKQmLItYcOVb/s640/IMG_20190224_083841_384-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Lunacy" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember that Heat n Bond that I bought? Yeah, I wanted to use that and I still had the idea of rainbows in my mind. I made four different sizes and shapes of rainbows and pieced them together to form a composition. Doing that art project with my daughter helped me remember how much I like collage. This was fun. I'd like to do it again.<br />
<br />
"Rainbow, 2," is 15" x 15." It is machine quilted and hand quilted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWpYUEhrGDK6FUfBeAHZMC02Ns0fG24latXNoN6-bDMY7VfiqXKi9wX0D7s6dK8USGyNJkGkcFBU4eMFpEIU4s5prSnZifyWmaNjOngLXM7_EzcVWQsPF6epqg4uISCELfPubn_j3VzcV/s1600/IMG_20190227_164945_825-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWpYUEhrGDK6FUfBeAHZMC02Ns0fG24latXNoN6-bDMY7VfiqXKi9wX0D7s6dK8USGyNJkGkcFBU4eMFpEIU4s5prSnZifyWmaNjOngLXM7_EzcVWQsPF6epqg4uISCELfPubn_j3VzcV/s640/IMG_20190227_164945_825-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow 2" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqitcryNPr-5uSnMBSPWR6thVX6EVqlozlxZWBK5yTDBQGxClnmJxnhlkfqwKK7n88MdQ5jLkV_IzdjyUzN6JSBo3TkWBnKHdFpmQhVP8i394fl9esFCpMm4q59D7COhaQNaH6JJOFlsG/s1600/IMG_20190227_164945_826-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqitcryNPr-5uSnMBSPWR6thVX6EVqlozlxZWBK5yTDBQGxClnmJxnhlkfqwKK7n88MdQ5jLkV_IzdjyUzN6JSBo3TkWBnKHdFpmQhVP8i394fl9esFCpMm4q59D7COhaQNaH6JJOFlsG/s640/IMG_20190227_164945_826-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow 2" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a quilt that I finished last summer, but it never really fit into a blog post until now. My little kindergarten daughter? She has a hard time sometimes because our two oldest boys are the best of friends and do everything together. It's helping now that Babyness is older and capable of more because the girls love to play together. This past summer there were times that she felt pretty left out. One Sunday afternoon, when she was really frustrated with her brothers, I brought up my bucket of snippets to do an activity with her. I keep a bucket on the shelf above my cutting table for snippets...pieces that are too big to just throw away, but too small to ever be found in the larger scrap bin. I asked my daughter to sort through them and pull out any pieces that felt like a warm color to her. She had a great time going through the whole bucket. The next morning I started piecing the little snippets she'd picked into improv log cabin blocks. I set them improvisationally and let the chocolate background ebb and flow through it.<br />
<br />
I called it "A Family Affair," and it is 30" x 30."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6Fdt_Y1oosK3LwN68Vu6GaMhZxN7uYVb2PyV6k1YimmLXo10mOrFsCz-_KmYTzeHNHCLt0shapS2xcqq4LXnVaXLSudTs2-jJnrdrPqMAvnTRjt68xNW33sGK4M0C80KX16w5T74EXrX/s1600/IMG_20180830_104748_051-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1057" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6Fdt_Y1oosK3LwN68Vu6GaMhZxN7uYVb2PyV6k1YimmLXo10mOrFsCz-_KmYTzeHNHCLt0shapS2xcqq4LXnVaXLSudTs2-jJnrdrPqMAvnTRjt68xNW33sGK4M0C80KX16w5T74EXrX/s640/IMG_20180830_104748_051-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: A Family Affair" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The last quilt I'd like to share is a trading game quilt. For those of you that don't know, I offer up items from my sewing room that I'm either not using or not interested in using any more to trade for scraps. I was looking for a mental break from the pressure of Project Quilting and picked up a bag of solid scraps I'd received from Julie this summer. The bag had lots of strips of blue, grey and purple solids of various shades and a remnant of a mauvey Kaffe Fassett print. I added strips of acid green, pink and one Amy Butler print. I had just taken the class from Sherri Lynn Wood on Creativebug and I was curious to try her ruler-free methods of strip piecing. I freehand cut things all the time, but there is always a point somewhere in the process where I square blocks or sections. I didn't this time. The orderly part of my brain wouldn't let me piece bubbles into the slabs, so every so often I would cut the next strip to match the natural curve happening. It helped ease in any fullness without using darts. I'm not a big fan of darts.<br />
<br />
At the end of the process, I had four large slabs of strips pieced and no game plan. I didn't have to look far for inspiration. This picture was taken from my sewing room during one of the many snowstorms this winter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7JiF2ZFLMXb7nG-rXNVv6DHohBGApR9dBWdQntKZXVbWCiXmOxbULGGEArGFO9iv5LM3mZk2Zwu99aPnA94u8k-TYG2IIPDV0im8UN7ImqA9iNFeqZ_bRDvEYHv9mDECzTxgj-mpZlAg/s1600/IMG_20190213_143002_186-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7JiF2ZFLMXb7nG-rXNVv6DHohBGApR9dBWdQntKZXVbWCiXmOxbULGGEArGFO9iv5LM3mZk2Zwu99aPnA94u8k-TYG2IIPDV0im8UN7ImqA9iNFeqZ_bRDvEYHv9mDECzTxgj-mpZlAg/s320/IMG_20190213_143002_186-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I used the bigger scraps from the bag to recreate icicles and make up a size differential I had.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93KDk_XemgJQeFbWf8a2q3KEggps2yfF-AQBulHQcc_L872Bw6i_yWORUSZjjM9upBL4qsSz1X8Z1MgPx-jhVge_CYG5i3AboQ9U25o1tF8AfmFkUHuByKMGF8tFrUcqhXXxK_4Te_Aic/s1600/IMG_20190228_143739946_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93KDk_XemgJQeFbWf8a2q3KEggps2yfF-AQBulHQcc_L872Bw6i_yWORUSZjjM9upBL4qsSz1X8Z1MgPx-jhVge_CYG5i3AboQ9U25o1tF8AfmFkUHuByKMGF8tFrUcqhXXxK_4Te_Aic/s320/IMG_20190228_143739946_HDR-01-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There was a place where a pink strip accidentally and EXACTLY matched one of the pink icicles. I hand quilted it in hot pink to draw the eye to that delightful bit of serendipity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifFVZelFZhu4uKufBLPSh1L__PsJqM-a-T19j6s63zglQ76BBvsR22g8mCWLsf3VtA3CeqBDcJQ_Q-E4Hj_xQ70IUX6bhc9kpZnqZ3j98uA_AzrCNvf_xKRXL4U9DlQ3YVOSHFoYivQ9B/s1600/IMG_20190228_143951767_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifFVZelFZhu4uKufBLPSh1L__PsJqM-a-T19j6s63zglQ76BBvsR22g8mCWLsf3VtA3CeqBDcJQ_Q-E4Hj_xQ70IUX6bhc9kpZnqZ3j98uA_AzrCNvf_xKRXL4U9DlQ3YVOSHFoYivQ9B/s320/IMG_20190228_143951767_HDR-01-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"Icicles" finished at 42" x 47." It is quilted with a mixture of hand and machine quilting.<br />
<br />
Just like the thought of managing 25 kids doing self-selected study all day was completely terrifying, engaging in complete unlimited creative freedom freezes me up. If it works like that for you, too, give setting limits a try. There are lots of ways to innovate Wheaties or Cheerios. 😉<br />
<br />
Have a great weekend!<br />
<br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-75226671810862622072019-01-20T15:13:00.000-06:002019-01-21T06:22:53.404-06:00JoyI was supposed to give a presentation and trunk show at the Iowa City quilt guild last Monday. It was called off that afternoon with the threat of freezing drizzle in the area, but not before I'd prepared a presentation and prepped most of the quilts I wanted to show. You can't help but be reflective when you spend a day looking at a few years worth of quilts and a lot longer than that thinking of what quilting means to you.<br />
<br />
So what does it mean?<br />
<br />
My bio on Instagram is "I make, and it makes me happy." That's pretty much it.<br />
<br />
There's more, though. Over the Christmas holidays I was asked to speak about joy in front of our church congregation for about 15 minutes. I learned so much from that experience. I found a hymn with the lyrics, "You can make the pathway bright, fill your soul with heaven's light, if there's sunshine in your heart." Not only is that a beautiful way to define joy, it also perfectly encapsulates what the creative process does for me. As I make, I feel. Those feelings are magnified, released and expressed with every seam I sew.<br />
<br />
Not every feeling is positive and uplifting. Learning how to master negative mental habits has brought me great joy and changed how I regard the world. There is a point in EVERY quilt I've ever made when the destructive self-talk begins. Usually it happens in the beginning when I have just a few blocks up on the design wall. "I hate it," the voice says. "It's terrible and so are you. All you've managed to do is waste your time and materials. They won't like it." I've learned that I don't have to acknowledge that voice. Do you know how your eyes eventually slip out of focus once you've stared at a spot long enough? The power of the negative voice will slip as you stare at the design wall and consciously look for the good. There is always something good. A color combination, a shape...an idea to try next. Finding the good is incredibly rewarding. Finding the good gives you the tools to finish what you've started. Trusting yourself to find the good makes you brave enough to try again.<br />
<br />
In this sense, looking for the good isn't just a quilting philosophy. It's a world view. Once you've trained your eyes to look for the good, you see it everywhere. I've found so much optimism and grace in my sewing space. I've found healing. I've found joy.<br />
<br />
"How do you find time to sew with 4 kids?" (I hear this all the time.) I just do. I have to. I'm a better mom and a better human when I do. I would rather sew than sleep. We eat a lot of crock pot dinners. What else is there to say?<br />
<br />
There are things that I've done recently to increase my joy. I took a few steps to prevent the damaging "they won't like it" from taking root in my creative process. For now, I've stopped entering quilt shows. It's been a two year sabbatical so far. Stuffing a gag in that particular voice has strengthened my own. I see my work becoming more distinctive as I trust my own voice more than I worry about pleasing the other one. You have no idea how liberating it is to make things without the stress of wondering if what you make is good enough or modern enough. Or maybe you do and I'm just learning what you've always known. The other thing I've done is to wrest control away from Instagram. I took a two week break from social media last year and the world didn't end. Coming back from the break, I changed the settings so I wouldn't receive any push notifications. That flashing camera had become more about validation than sharing in a community.<br />
<br />
Those steps have helped me strengthen my resolve to be the quilter I want to be and to make the quilts I want to make. Modern quilting is many things to me (I'm still contemplating a lot of points), but I know for sure that it is an expressive act and a tool I use to make sense of my world.<br />
<br />
My journals are made of fabric and ether.<br />
<br />
The first quilt I'd like to share is a trading game quilt. I called it "Solstice." It is made from large petal shaped scraps I received from trading away a layer cake. I picked out the seven cool colors (discarding that darkest warm green for another time) and added 3 solids from my own stash along with a stripe and a plaid. I cut squares out of the center of the petals and used them for an improvisational stack and whack. I used the triangle shapes left over from cutting the squares out of the petals to change the distribution of color in the blocks. I enjoyed using the royal blue and green colors in the center of the block, but disliked the way they looked when using them as the framing triangles. The something good I saw when I put the first batch up on the design wall was the twinkly effect the lime green center gave the block. I left in the few blocks that I'd made with different centers before I made that discovery. I think it makes the quilt interesting. It is finished with organic, wavy line quilting in monofilament and a faced edge. It is 52" x 52."<br />
<br />
While I was making this quilt, I was preparing my talk on joy. To help me organize my thoughts, I listened to a C.S. Lewis book called <u>Surprised by Joy</u>. In it he describes his favorite poem. The way he thought about that poem was exactly how I felt about this quilt:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So out of the whole poem arose and wrapped me 'round an exquisite, silvery coolness. A delightful quality of distance and calm.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRvt8CmobiQKaCFMn6IjAVvtEbyumyidn1QEK71M-0n-zP8iCa5DtFOTRdmwDKk8NTaWweHtF7smt-OpJDYRxyxJ1vlfJjzASDdUorfDNRDZE91d325tsWfW8b-0Xmz32YQb2mYeSWwyf/s1600/IMG_20190109_084623_074-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRvt8CmobiQKaCFMn6IjAVvtEbyumyidn1QEK71M-0n-zP8iCa5DtFOTRdmwDKk8NTaWweHtF7smt-OpJDYRxyxJ1vlfJjzASDdUorfDNRDZE91d325tsWfW8b-0Xmz32YQb2mYeSWwyf/s640/IMG_20190109_084623_074-01-01.jpeg" title="Solstice: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEWB-EqSPsMTWK4VFgMfbJkvk-riiqNkDBSPfy0EJclk7NVyIIsdi0BN_L4IuK9hWyDFs5rKXujWkRb1eCtFeW1adX7GeIJt69rWk2jmGAtXj91T7k2C2SLMkNnCikct5F43KLnE19-qn/s1600/IMG_20190109_084623_075-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEWB-EqSPsMTWK4VFgMfbJkvk-riiqNkDBSPfy0EJclk7NVyIIsdi0BN_L4IuK9hWyDFs5rKXujWkRb1eCtFeW1adX7GeIJt69rWk2jmGAtXj91T7k2C2SLMkNnCikct5F43KLnE19-qn/s640/IMG_20190109_084623_075-01.jpeg" title="Solstice: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlGpUIXpXIAw9EsQqNOc4oqgW46mZ18xAjZclRL6zBWkYgeLPpMHPL6-JTl2Wvs4WXHHG9PxhkCgzMCJEV_AauxtB0bAqvhDkAzhMAzvECisSDur5Q_NZMnxhREPpxsJzWZegNxqr2YXZ/s1600/IMG_20181214_112337_394-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlGpUIXpXIAw9EsQqNOc4oqgW46mZ18xAjZclRL6zBWkYgeLPpMHPL6-JTl2Wvs4WXHHG9PxhkCgzMCJEV_AauxtB0bAqvhDkAzhMAzvECisSDur5Q_NZMnxhREPpxsJzWZegNxqr2YXZ/s640/IMG_20181214_112337_394-01.jpeg" title="Solstice: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a bucket full of leftover strips and royal blue triangles when I finished piecing "Solstice." This pillow is what I came up with to utilize those. It is made from 20 improv string blocks (10 original and 10 mirror-image). It's hard to see because of the curve of the pillow, but all the royal blue triangles are the capstones to those rectangle string blocks. This pillow is 12" x 20."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5HjJs4d_Zd83V4WZI4OMhlnMNAYWUh5ZmNC0h9AVbGZyPS2GrLT_cQlsLHj-jWesIwZq2N5hOzmmqhqRaa5VV5j-cDYsze-xUkoKGvKb-OGX4ejxabXHPsc1e43bPfk9-UGwt0QizYdl/s1600/IMG_20190104_130732_943-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5HjJs4d_Zd83V4WZI4OMhlnMNAYWUh5ZmNC0h9AVbGZyPS2GrLT_cQlsLHj-jWesIwZq2N5hOzmmqhqRaa5VV5j-cDYsze-xUkoKGvKb-OGX4ejxabXHPsc1e43bPfk9-UGwt0QizYdl/s640/IMG_20190104_130732_943-01.jpeg" title="Solstice: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I like to participate in challenges to boost my creativity. This mini was made for season 10, challenge 1 of Project Quilting. The theme was "Hope Springs Eternal." I changed course mid-way through. Originally I envisioned the flying geese to radiate out as arms in a plus sign. My thinking was that faith and charity go along with hope and that both of those attributes compel you to look outward and upward. I liked the idea, but it wasn't translating well in fabric. I tried rearranging the arms to all vertical and found my answer. I really like the idea of candles. I think they can easily symbolize the ideas of faith, hope, charity and joy that I was originally contemplating. I love how my subconscious was figuring this out for me while I was working. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Heaven's Light" finishes at 28" x 23." It is made entirely from my scrap bin (except for the celery background).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you are interested in participating in Project Quilting, the next challenge was announced today. It is to make a quilt using only red, white and/or blue. It is due next Sunday. More details can be found <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2019/01/10-2-red-white-and-blue-challenge-2-of-project-quilting-season-10.html" target="_blank">at Kim Lapacek's blog, Persimon Dreams.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you'll think about giving it a try! There's nothing like some constraints and a short deadline to get your wheels turning! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h8VvM9hfA2Y2zxF_kqr4myaoirq7tkVGnjggZ6cMtvkEKBbzRWwWhHPiJYITtXq5fv2DMcoBGMinuEAgtbCwZxg6yXe0O_FeAfO5lnBVw8U0gIuhj9SVVgNcRG0P4r1UEbdFesiNoPjg/s1600/IMG_20190112_123650_809-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h8VvM9hfA2Y2zxF_kqr4myaoirq7tkVGnjggZ6cMtvkEKBbzRWwWhHPiJYITtXq5fv2DMcoBGMinuEAgtbCwZxg6yXe0O_FeAfO5lnBVw8U0gIuhj9SVVgNcRG0P4r1UEbdFesiNoPjg/s640/IMG_20190112_123650_809-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Heaven's Light" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This quilt is a remake. I had some purple and black improv strips languishing in my closet that I was finally ready to deal with. I had a version of a rail fence quilt in my last blog post and decided to give it another try. I made some poison green and black slabs to enliven what I had. I think complementary colors + black = a win every time. I like this. I like this a lot better than I liked some sad strips taking up space in my closet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Riffing on a Rail, II" is 42" x 42." It is quilted with monofilament and finished with a faced edge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHXxm0NDiD8DY-uUyzp4H6o5RBkMajVFwzQxtS17rjLewrhNsgPNwi_agIKmMPQ3RLS1KFwMlDN7gcreKn6pXexuPe8JjdCQipirXpdrcvkKHUZik36DPwOX1Am2EFqr7bmlBxaBMFzx9/s1600/IMG_20181108_123620_624-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHXxm0NDiD8DY-uUyzp4H6o5RBkMajVFwzQxtS17rjLewrhNsgPNwi_agIKmMPQ3RLS1KFwMlDN7gcreKn6pXexuPe8JjdCQipirXpdrcvkKHUZik36DPwOX1Am2EFqr7bmlBxaBMFzx9/s640/IMG_20181108_123620_624-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Riffing on a Rail II" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hlE4KecKZ9IeZ6s5RuwLJ6SNMRB2FqNDUD95bgzEpjjxEyWeU5wkcEQFqk-roT_jiuN5Fu_FP3olI1D_GJf6txfZm6Xjm2qlhp1JZ__XwU9RUIFnHlTqQUZn1_r38JM_HMKv304YkLhK/s1600/IMG_20181108_123620_625-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hlE4KecKZ9IeZ6s5RuwLJ6SNMRB2FqNDUD95bgzEpjjxEyWeU5wkcEQFqk-roT_jiuN5Fu_FP3olI1D_GJf6txfZm6Xjm2qlhp1JZ__XwU9RUIFnHlTqQUZn1_r38JM_HMKv304YkLhK/s640/IMG_20181108_123620_625-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Riffing on a Rail II" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If the last quilt is a remake, I guess this one would be a remake of a remake. I got a little excited making the poison green and black strips and made too many. I didn't want to waste them, so I drew out an idea for this quilt. Recently, I checked out a book from the kid's section of the library called <u>Paul Klee for Children</u> by Silke Vry. I learned a lot from studying Klee's paintings. I can definitely see his influence on this quilt. Instead of the symbols he frequently used, I enjoyed experimenting with the placement of black lines. Sometimes combining the lines made shapes, sometimes piecing them together extended the line into a previously pieced segment. I was 100% engaged while I made this because it was so fun to watch what happened.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The colors were inspired by an Elvis poster I saw once. The artist used a single blue curve to show the line of his iconic hair. I thought it would be fun to try in a quilt. That thin blue line is probably also the outer limit on my abilities in minimalism. 😏 There are three different greens and three different pinks in this quilt. The effect is subtle, but interesting. It was very hard to capture in a photograph, but one of the greens is metallic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Riffing on a Rail, III" is 25"x 24." It is quilted with monofilament and finished with a pieced binding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS17Tc6PVkXWTfSI1TmstnfL4JGtzRN22Z1YGQuOTOZcAI-R4bph-qcbWPwmNo9-GzHRcY-3UYqqP4VofKkJXiDSOyoJV6wiZyBUB5zD495G5j26qGnTKWML79g0KrysgDqUTmhaquLVJh/s1600/IMG_20190118_124941_778-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS17Tc6PVkXWTfSI1TmstnfL4JGtzRN22Z1YGQuOTOZcAI-R4bph-qcbWPwmNo9-GzHRcY-3UYqqP4VofKkJXiDSOyoJV6wiZyBUB5zD495G5j26qGnTKWML79g0KrysgDqUTmhaquLVJh/s640/IMG_20190118_124941_778-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Riffing on a Rail III" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCcSsUXrJJcvCMlSg40Cy44HGzugl9cbrOh99LuYVS-pwMJ4CsxZ3SqApOzwDPEV9bvRR87VWpFz_OnYIH-cKuW7QvtI3BHR7P44SNNvXVs7fhDXA6bqzpEBmOo-RjECZsPoNaBSn05MG/s1600/IMG_20190118_124941_763-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCcSsUXrJJcvCMlSg40Cy44HGzugl9cbrOh99LuYVS-pwMJ4CsxZ3SqApOzwDPEV9bvRR87VWpFz_OnYIH-cKuW7QvtI3BHR7P44SNNvXVs7fhDXA6bqzpEBmOo-RjECZsPoNaBSn05MG/s640/IMG_20190118_124941_763-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Riffing on a Rail III" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last quilt, "Happy Little Ovals," was made for a Curated Quilts challenge. I really mean it when I say that I enjoy working with constraints. I've had figuring out Dale Fleming's Six Minute Circle on my list for awhile now, but it was the challenge that gave me the impetus to finally try. I've done all of the Curated Quilts challenges except for one that was too close to my due date. I've never had one be accepted for publication....until now. I was surprised. I would have kept making them for the duration because I enjoy it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I named this to remind me of a fun story. I took a stroll down memory lane and watched an episode of Bob Ross on Netflix one day. My Kindergarten-aged daughter walked in. She was in love. She sat down in front of the TV and didn't move until he'd finished the painting. When it was over she begged, no, IMPLORED me to let her watch another one. She loves to draw. I'm excited to see what she'll do as her talents develop.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
12" x 12"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DwiANQY3KNMlTUDIxgXVcwsJeX08pv5vbclKAMEkVRjN-ZEJOSoTSnu2McjX7qCg3_jaHKHMvokQ9q67OYU8voeCQIYs2zE1N1bqdwXJWslC9676sBjpIulDVEIMoKuxabNLafZ2l4kv/s1600/IMG_20181213_131625_105-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DwiANQY3KNMlTUDIxgXVcwsJeX08pv5vbclKAMEkVRjN-ZEJOSoTSnu2McjX7qCg3_jaHKHMvokQ9q67OYU8voeCQIYs2zE1N1bqdwXJWslC9676sBjpIulDVEIMoKuxabNLafZ2l4kv/s640/IMG_20181213_131625_105-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Happy Little Ovals" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My presentation and trunk show have been rescheduled for September 9, 2019 at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City. The meeting is on the lower level of the building and begins at 7:00 pm. Admission is free and anyone is invited to attend.<br />
<br />
I hope you can find something that gives you joy today. Thanks for reading!Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-72667824394788502352018-10-26T08:41:00.004-05:002018-10-26T20:17:07.769-05:00A Family AffairI field a lot of curious comments from people about how I have time to make quilts when I have 4 children. Usually I say that I'm an early riser and then I can steer the conversation toward more interesting topics. This works almost all of the time. The one time it didn't, the woman sniffed, "Well. Your kids must watch A LOT of TV."<br />
<br />
You know the lip-lick-narrowed-eyes-slow-blink that happens when you're thinking of a lot of bad words? Yep, I did that and then replied. "They don't and I don't either. That frees up a lot of time."<br />
<br />
That used to be true. Now I have a baby girl that loves to be held. She doesn't waste time with the lip-lick-narrowed-eyes-slow-blink and proceeds directly to dramatic blotchy-face-bellow-weeping if I am too far away from her. So, I've adjusted. I do watch way more TV than I ever used to, and I sew with a baby sidekick.<br />
<br />
My sewing space also doubles as a guest bedroom and we have a full size bed in there. My kids love to come in and lounge while I am making things. We did a lot of that this summer. I really do get up early and work. If there are things I'm considering and experimenting with, those quiet minutes of alone time are when I do it. As soon as the kids wake up, I hear them running down the stairs straight to the sewing room. That's when I multi-task. I iron a pile of blocks and visit with them. I cut some more strips to replenish the piecing bucket and tell them a story. I move blocks around on the design wall (or have them do it) and listen to them tell me about the weird dream they had.<br />
<br />
...then they start fighting over who gets the pillows, the boys start wrestling and my little girl gets shrill because her brothers are ignoring her. That's when I shoo them upstairs for breakfast. It isn't all domestic tranquility.<br />
<br />
This summer I saw Julie Silber post a vintage quilt on her Instagram page. (If you don't follow her, please do, you'll gain an increased love and knowledge of the history of quilting...<a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliesilberquilts/" target="_blank">@juliesilberquilts</a>) After I studied the quilt, I decided to make a version for the bed in my sewing room. I was thinking of my children when I started pulling out scraps, so there are a lot of fun juvenile prints in the mix.<br />
<br />
I constructed the quilt using newspaper as the foundation. I used the 45 degree line on my 15" ruler to make triangle templates. I use newspaper foundations quite a bit, so I have a dedicated rotary cutter that's just for paper (I mark it with tape so I don't forget). It made gigantic triangles. The newspaper was *just* long enough. A finished block was 4 of those triangles sewn together. I had to square those down to 21" using the 45 degree lines on my cutting mat. They were massive!<br />
<br />
I finished the quilt with freehand crosshatch quilting. My prize for winning the viewer's choice in the Pantone Quilt Challenge was a cone of Aurifil thread. When I received it, I had to smile. Someone at Aurifil definitely has a sense of humor. Since the color of the year was purple, I was sent a cone of purple thread. Light Lilac to be exact. My streak of practicality is about a mile wide, so Light Lilac was the color inspiration for the quilts in this post. I pieced and quilted this with it.<br />
<br />
I brought all of my kids with me for the photography session at a local farm. #2 and #3 played with #4 in the shade while #1 helped me hang it on the barn. It was miserably hot that day, so we went home sweaty and tired. As a mark of profound appreciation for their help, I made them all banana splits and told them that they could name the quilt. #2 blurted out "Blue Lightning" and we all agreed.<br />
<br />
"Blue Lightning" finished at 82" x 82." It's on the bed in the sewing room where it has been quality tested by #1-4. They like it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNHxI2yfQ8vlSL5_aElJyrP5p3f_FEZ_Raz6Kq2WQka46uYknYSjic0oDHjRbw293J3ritV5TULpFh4m-LlULNzauhB4Ou3Aofck-sEKcIORErIRpzwguR3AM1IPHWVN01PgyQHFBYMAT/s1600/IMG_20180920_162402_954-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1039" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNHxI2yfQ8vlSL5_aElJyrP5p3f_FEZ_Raz6Kq2WQka46uYknYSjic0oDHjRbw293J3ritV5TULpFh4m-LlULNzauhB4Ou3Aofck-sEKcIORErIRpzwguR3AM1IPHWVN01PgyQHFBYMAT/s640/IMG_20180920_162402_954-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Blue Lightning" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgbCcsvcd9XLaBid04gPvpHkrveRKwys4afdVNblW_5k7ryBdtV3KoxAEjQdSY7HRmlF0eG2s_35tWd1RJSbtAzkC-owHiX7I9JjKJMuOiwQnemyo-gFYTG_BhibLCIp57zNgc3MLNtD8/s1600/IMG_20180920_162402_970-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgbCcsvcd9XLaBid04gPvpHkrveRKwys4afdVNblW_5k7ryBdtV3KoxAEjQdSY7HRmlF0eG2s_35tWd1RJSbtAzkC-owHiX7I9JjKJMuOiwQnemyo-gFYTG_BhibLCIp57zNgc3MLNtD8/s640/IMG_20180920_162402_970-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Blue Lightning" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08ZlcE3cUU4BYvpZLy5cfvPhCk5ZZnkfW3HLucKXq6beyDfF75MNZSpf25NvYGprqEewSJzhIuqVXCplDy42be8oijhv5cq_QXvGNUcz972nVYOxW6KHU9pD_o1qa9eijnNMGhI6vSlhM/s1600/IMG_20180920_162402_953-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08ZlcE3cUU4BYvpZLy5cfvPhCk5ZZnkfW3HLucKXq6beyDfF75MNZSpf25NvYGprqEewSJzhIuqVXCplDy42be8oijhv5cq_QXvGNUcz972nVYOxW6KHU9pD_o1qa9eijnNMGhI6vSlhM/s640/IMG_20180920_162402_953-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Blue Lightning" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My mother also is a quilter and has been known to shop for me. She was in a quilt store once and saw a bolt of Tula Pink fabric in the clearance section. She bought the bolt and sent it to me. As the years have passed, I've looked at that Parisville fabric and wondered what my game plan should be. Hoard? Sell? Use?<br />
<br />
I decided to use it. That is what fabric is for, right? It became the backing for "Blue Lightning" and also the spark for the next scrap quilt, "Riffing on a Rail." I was inspired by the leftover strips I trimmed off the backing and I thought using a rail fence motif would be an effective use of what I had left. I added dark blues, light blues, slate blues, lilacs, sage greens and dull reddish plums and kept making units. I calculated how much of the Parisville I would need for the backing and facing strips, then built the top out as far as I could take it with what I had left. I was able to get to 48" x 48."<br />
<br />
I pieced the whole thing with Light Lilac, but I did the quilting with monofilament so I wouldn't alter any of the color work. I quilted this in a very dense freehand crosshatch pattern. It is finished with a faced edge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50G_DKieQ61uNkb-s-zYiuXL51W8ciPi_-6t47shXSkWAYmJoePGDvdeoLTecd_2TQ0NX0m1zqqU7xzDM2NBgVgw8yZUPgFMUOseoGrJZpMrY7OMuopWwTc-2oDHf8HW6iCaGPdTwaNrR/s1600/IMG_20181025_142020433_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50G_DKieQ61uNkb-s-zYiuXL51W8ciPi_-6t47shXSkWAYmJoePGDvdeoLTecd_2TQ0NX0m1zqqU7xzDM2NBgVgw8yZUPgFMUOseoGrJZpMrY7OMuopWwTc-2oDHf8HW6iCaGPdTwaNrR/s640/IMG_20181025_142020433_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Riffing on a Rail: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK869TvkB9AY22_ancwbl7-ROHMZaaY2d2VRAEXdN730zzNcfq0Rm0kFWlrQYLgFAWbcalDwiIEDkopbHKCEd2bm0PzTd81q8q9Glim6Xs47XQBZIVMFb5S4Fv28QxL9fPWKQpYaJM6x7N/s1600/IMG_20181025_142151659_HDR-01-01-01-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK869TvkB9AY22_ancwbl7-ROHMZaaY2d2VRAEXdN730zzNcfq0Rm0kFWlrQYLgFAWbcalDwiIEDkopbHKCEd2bm0PzTd81q8q9Glim6Xs47XQBZIVMFb5S4Fv28QxL9fPWKQpYaJM6x7N/s640/IMG_20181025_142151659_HDR-01-01-01-02.jpeg" title="Riffing on a Rail: Pie Lady Quilts" width="638" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Of course I had scrap strips left over, so I started string piecing half square triangles with some of the lighter values. I made about 4 of them before I realized that I hated the colors and the vibe (hello, Easter). I still liked the idea so I tried again with darker values and felt much happier with the results.<br />
<br />
If you're wondering about construction, I used newspaper foundations again. I made them a little bigger than I needed them so I could just eyeball where that center seam would have to go. A little extra wiggle room made squaring them easy.<br />
<br />
Once I had the top done, I joked to my husband that now I needed to decide if I should make it into a mini that we didn't need or a pillow that we didn't need. While I was thinking about it, I pressed forward and started quilting it and I had a moment of profound connection. Remember how I said that I was watching way more TV than I ever used to? Well, I try to watch things that keep my brain from rotting away to mommy mush and found a show on Netflix called "Civilizations." It's a program, narrated by Liev Schreiber, that shows art from ancient cultures. In the first episode, cave art hands are discussed. Images of hands thousands of years old are preserved in caves all over the world. Ghostly silhouettes from across time send messages of connection and presence. The handprints, backed with red ochre, are breathtaking pieces of art because they are brimming with meaning. I absolutely loved seeing them.<br />
<br />
As I was quilting this pillow in an outward spiral, I had my hands all over it and they stood out just as starkly against the deep plums I used. I stopped thinking of it as another object that I didn't need and rather as an expressive message of self. I need to do a better job of explaining to my children why I choose to spend so much time in the process of making and that the value of the finish is so much more than another object of utility. Someday when I am gone, my quilts will not be. I hope that my family feels and sees my hands through the images/objects that I leave behind.<br />
<br />
This pillow is 20" x 20." <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l359i5TOhyphenhyphenDXPjKfRVloEUDFt2NXNcZf2bVzIitSY5G6WqSlRcN7eGbRoKwPjnks4310wSr0DDwhS4KBV9rspij6hIZeSdfseS1zk2PJiXxudQIxSxwOpk6xT5ZC22RYvy5VBsLqvVxx/s1600/IMG_20181020_132836005_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l359i5TOhyphenhyphenDXPjKfRVloEUDFt2NXNcZf2bVzIitSY5G6WqSlRcN7eGbRoKwPjnks4310wSr0DDwhS4KBV9rspij6hIZeSdfseS1zk2PJiXxudQIxSxwOpk6xT5ZC22RYvy5VBsLqvVxx/s640/IMG_20181020_132836005_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Moody Pillow: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I participate in the Curated Quilts mini challenge
every time I'm able. I enjoy trying new things in a small scale or
revisiting things I liked in a different format or color way. The last prompt was "house." I felt compelled
to make something that immediately came to my mind.<br />
<br />
As
many of you are aware, I live in Iowa. This summer a girl named Mollie
Tibbetts went for an evening run in a small town about 45 minutes
away from us. She never came back from that run. Her family and the community banded together and distributed thousands of missing person fliers. I saw her face at
the grocery store, the library, the gas station and at the state fair. Through the repeated exposure to her face, our connection to her grew. She felt like family. My children knew her name.<br />
<br />
We learned with great sadness that the massive hunt ended with the discovery of her body in a cornfield.<br />
<br />
In the mini, "For Mollie," I wanted to honor her and express the sense of loss I felt. I left the light on in every house and brought her back from that run in the only way I was able to.<br />
<br />
14" x 14."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVqeErMHGONvl2GX1pJAtvtCIK8H6faLc5eu0xk97FhE7uRYa2ceC45yvNA38UqI-UzfJPe7YqX5mCYbuJbxh2NGG6MXUhRWuEyWHzA0EgPYtnbEse6ngBTgorhbsQiAGtYmFlN8XuVyO/s1600/IMG_20180824_115405472_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVqeErMHGONvl2GX1pJAtvtCIK8H6faLc5eu0xk97FhE7uRYa2ceC45yvNA38UqI-UzfJPe7YqX5mCYbuJbxh2NGG6MXUhRWuEyWHzA0EgPYtnbEse6ngBTgorhbsQiAGtYmFlN8XuVyO/s640/IMG_20180824_115405472_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="For Mollie: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdho1la9RYcKkzI9cHqUFBUr8Y9upqGmTqSWyjF7ANY7B22gw4COp-dngtH2ONYfacMXO5ikp_zd145oE8YxsMT7zVNaKxVl8WAQSIZdvCXK8Y6rgxaL6fjd93csNznwWmGGmW7HTNnMaq/s1600/IMG_20180824_115413627_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdho1la9RYcKkzI9cHqUFBUr8Y9upqGmTqSWyjF7ANY7B22gw4COp-dngtH2ONYfacMXO5ikp_zd145oE8YxsMT7zVNaKxVl8WAQSIZdvCXK8Y6rgxaL6fjd93csNznwWmGGmW7HTNnMaq/s640/IMG_20180824_115413627_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="For Mollie: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26is9FJY93mtbEqLLiAbCaRumKG1jlwmtFhtqCh8q7650VwvODjDJtHw27-poOt2D24H0-5CzcPfdytG5S7loeIZKS4vIFn5xsYVRa1tCAZcOdIgQrZz_4sSpj2hl27sgfelNPATrEzAU/s1600/IMG_20180824_115405472_HDR-01-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26is9FJY93mtbEqLLiAbCaRumKG1jlwmtFhtqCh8q7650VwvODjDJtHw27-poOt2D24H0-5CzcPfdytG5S7loeIZKS4vIFn5xsYVRa1tCAZcOdIgQrZz_4sSpj2hl27sgfelNPATrEzAU/s640/IMG_20180824_115405472_HDR-01-01-01.jpeg" title="For Mollie: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Thank you so much for visiting the blog and reading this post. I appreciate the connection that the blogging medium gives us and for the mutual loves we share. Have a great day!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12255581/?claim=guj8n243v3n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-38837648620545184972018-09-17T13:28:00.000-05:002018-09-17T13:28:11.244-05:00More Than Blue and PurpleAccording to Psychology Today:<br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">"If blue is your favorite color you love harmony, are reliable, sensitive and always make an effort to think of others. You like to keep things clean and tidy and feel that stability is the most important aspect in life."</span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">Yep. Except for the tidy sewing room, but I'm working on it. </span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">"Purple.<strong> </strong>You are artistic and unique. You have a great respect for people but at times can be arrogant."</span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">Also, yes. I would say self-contained and highly reserved, but I'm sure it comes across as arrogance to some people. </span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">I bet it wouldn't surprise anyone to hear me say that my favorite colors to
work with are blue and purple. I feel those colors down to my bones and
enjoy the cool visual breeze they blow into my mind. Blue and purple are
the peace after a deep breath and I love breathing them in.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">I posted a picture of Babyness a month or so ago that perfectly captured one of her best features. In our family, we call them her little "elfy ears." At the very top, there is a whimsical flare out that is subtle and utterly charming. I tried to think of a way to caption this photo that would describe just how I felt about her. I finally settled on, "I love those little ears more than I love blue and purple."</span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd">Succinct, and so very, very true.</span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">The real mystery was how she came to have "elfy ears." I don't have them. My husband doesn't have them. We didn't know of anyone on either side of our family who had them. I was digging through our family history books this week looking for something completely unrelated when I solved the mystery. A picture stopped me in my tracks. Her Scottish great-great-great-grandfather has the exact same ears.</span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">After that, I <u><b>had</b></u> to read all about him. Isaac had an incredible work ethic and through the course of his life became a man of considerable means. He was able to easily afford to help buy Mary, his mother-in-law, a nice home where she was able to support herself with her sewing skills. In fact, she was a seamstress of some renown and the prominent people of her town exclusively came to her for clothing. Later in her life she chose to remarry. According to family lore, the marriage lasted only one day. The day after the wedding, the groom's son showed up at her doorstep and asked Mary to make a new suit and vest for him. She threw him out. Later in the afternoon, the groom's daughter showed up asking Mary to make a new dress and matching coat for her. She threw her out, too. After being met by his distraught children on the way home from work, Mary's new husband appeared at the door where they exchanged heated words. </span><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="ILfuVd">"I didn't marry you to be a free seamstress for your family, I married you to be a wife."</span> Having spoken her mind, she threw him out. He never came back and she didn't mind. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">I give her 10/10 for flair. I might try this strategy the next time I'm asked to make a T-shirt quilt or hem some pants. 😏</span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">I guess the point of that little side-trip down family history lane was that this quilt and my little girl's ears are now firmly linked in my mind! Also, I love them both.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">I started "Twilight Glitter Sparkles" (named by my other daughter) for the Pantone Quilt Challenge. At the time, it was entered in the Just the Top Category, where it won Viewer's Choice (yay!!). Over the summer it was quilted by my friend, Sarah Yoder Parker. I liked it well enough that I thought it could have it's own blog post. If you'd like to see the other Pantone quilts I made, the title of the post is <a href="https://pieladyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/05/treasures.html" target="_blank">Treasures.</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">I am a great admirer of Nancy Crow. I'm not at the point of my life where a trip out to her barn for personalized instruction can happen, but I try to fill in the gaps by voraciously reading the blog posts of people that have gone. Somewhere in the course of that reading, I found a quote attributed to Nancy Crow by Kathie Kerler. </span><br /><span class="ILfuVd"><br />“Pay attention to the importance of value,” Kathie Kerler says. “Don’t use all
medium values. I have taken several workshops with Nancy Crow who
advises students to use a seven-value range: very light, light,
medium-light, medium, medium-dark, dark, and very dark. Your work will
be much more exciting.”</span><br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">I've really taken that advice to heart and made getting the values right one of my main goals in color selection. I used to have to take pictures of fabric with my phone and turn them into black and white to see the values, but I don't have to do that much anymore. As with anything, you get better with practice. I find that squinting at the fabric and/or the design wall helps me see the values better. Hopefully I'll outgrow that particular crutch soon, too. Otherwise I'm going to need some suggestions for a great eye cream! </span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">I included a black and white picture to show why value is just as important as color. In the case of this quilt, it intensifies the movement that came from the piecing.</span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">"Twilight Glitter Sparkles" finishes at 48" x 69."</span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pQDzEr_t1q1RgRXf4tSSpAJt2ivEdIUr5eaFQGDphGA77SDjSE3fmNFVKdGhJdiSd4mRQBKl5136KdqVjhqkCBGyZ-kCMLQidrlRTz23OXsBujGNKr2PbKZUGHo6EvXapJYWmVvDInpu/s1600/IMG_20180723_141952837_HDR-01-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pQDzEr_t1q1RgRXf4tSSpAJt2ivEdIUr5eaFQGDphGA77SDjSE3fmNFVKdGhJdiSd4mRQBKl5136KdqVjhqkCBGyZ-kCMLQidrlRTz23OXsBujGNKr2PbKZUGHo6EvXapJYWmVvDInpu/s640/IMG_20180723_141952837_HDR-01-02.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Twilight Glitter Sparkles" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMRK2cSsMiHVCwZliXBvGmu0-2ZbEsT5hfqDB7gUaKmVkDoXWVbfEd03PtqSmLpWRU33JBebdwdE0upbZq2OcNq7rSQNhAB0d6qCEHC4rbUxP16bwWXQchtwCg6JNOugsJH68D6ALfoII/s1600/IMG_20180723_142438954_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMRK2cSsMiHVCwZliXBvGmu0-2ZbEsT5hfqDB7gUaKmVkDoXWVbfEd03PtqSmLpWRU33JBebdwdE0upbZq2OcNq7rSQNhAB0d6qCEHC4rbUxP16bwWXQchtwCg6JNOugsJH68D6ALfoII/s640/IMG_20180723_142438954_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Twilight Glitter Sparkles" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="ILfuVd"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplpCfikDmDv9SpI1_8nY2lGXye4T5Qo3Pi8Kxw3Q9H5RcgclG4tC4iPI2AUcxqX2Tb2SzS6G4aXVoX4V3ipXgAaZEs2cuBjIqfF0Ffx90gwH2u3gJ-S8SlTdzXor8E4afVLrCTXC1IYpL/s1600/IMG_20180723_141952837_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplpCfikDmDv9SpI1_8nY2lGXye4T5Qo3Pi8Kxw3Q9H5RcgclG4tC4iPI2AUcxqX2Tb2SzS6G4aXVoX4V3ipXgAaZEs2cuBjIqfF0Ffx90gwH2u3gJ-S8SlTdzXor8E4afVLrCTXC1IYpL/s640/IMG_20180723_141952837_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Twilight Glitter Sparkles" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="ILfuVd"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDKWMU6KB8cIJVPJMrupF02LSYowhjTBi2JNe2bhJ2rtWmH9BkmqR0nIGqbzMqa1pW9sZ6cOJhatY0C2eSSdD8oEn_TXt3xthaRVHAJW6DYDn7u44tIG3936yxcfkEc_8G6cCo1pBkC9f/s1600/isaacmckay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDKWMU6KB8cIJVPJMrupF02LSYowhjTBi2JNe2bhJ2rtWmH9BkmqR0nIGqbzMqa1pW9sZ6cOJhatY0C2eSSdD8oEn_TXt3xthaRVHAJW6DYDn7u44tIG3936yxcfkEc_8G6cCo1pBkC9f/s640/isaacmckay.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts" width="522" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac and Eleanor. Eleanor was Mary's daughter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="ILfuVd">If you are visiting from the Blogger's Quilt Festival, welcome. Thanks for stopping by.</span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">A special thank you to Aunt Margie for sharing the pictures and stories with the rest of the family. I am so happy for the chance to get to know Isaac and Mary a little better.</span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd">Linking up to the Blogger's Quilt Festival at <a href="https://www.amyscreativeside.com/2018/09/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2018-edition/" target="_blank">Amy's Creative Side.</a></span><br />
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>
<span class="ILfuVd"><br /></span>Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-3112117234109094792018-09-11T17:17:00.003-05:002018-09-11T17:17:50.697-05:00The Trading Game<br />
Apparently some people nest before the baby. I did it after the baby, and the object of my intense cleaning efforts was my sewing room. I purged. I sorted. I organized. I reorganized. I found.<br />
<br />
I found. So. Many. Things. I sold a lot of books, magazines and specialty rulers at a local consignment store. I made enough to buy myself a new cutting mat and a lamp for the sewing table. Those were the easy things, though. The hard part was deciding what to do with the print precuts I had moldering in the closet. My brain told me that they were valuable, fun and imminently usable. I just didn't want to. If anyone is wondering, that's a perfect recipe for guilt, and I felt it in spades.<br />
<br />
Selling them didn't seem right and using them felt even less so. In that moment, I channeled my inner "wheeler-dealer" gene.<br />
<br />
My dad was famous (infamous?) for this. He loved to make deals with people. One of the funniest schemes he cooked up was with our neighbor Lucky. They would each peruse the classified ads in the paper, find something they needed and work together to get it for the best possible price. My dad would tell Lucky (and vice versa) how much he was willing to pay for something he'd seen and coordinate the timing of the phone calls. Lucky would call the seller, ask about the item and then start wearing him down about the exorbitant price he was charging. He made a point of ending the phone call with the phrase, "Why I wouldn't pay more than {insert slightly lower price than Dad was offering here}for it! You have it priced way too high!" Dad would wait a few minutes after Lucky hung up and call the seller himself. With a smile in his voice, he almost always made the deal for the price he had in mind.<br />
<br />
I have this gene. My husband knows about it and will exploit it when he needs to. One of his favorite stories to tell is about the time I helped him trade a car. We were at the dealership doing the whole "let me talk to my manager" thing. At stake was $1,000. With utmost sincerity and wide-eyed innocence, I started going on and on about how much I had enjoyed the drive to Wisconsin (Gosh, isn't it SO pretty?), how much I loved the car we were trading (wistful sigh) and how hungry I was feeling (Can YOU recommend a good local restaurant?). I ended up grabbing my husband's hand and reassuringly telling him thank you for taking me on such a fun ADVENTURE and how I was secretly relieved not to have to trade my red car that was so PRETTY. He managed not to smile and walked out with me. The salesman chased after us in the parking lot and gave us the deal. Suckers.<br />
<br />
It was with this in mind that I came up with a solution for the precuts that were so hard for me to deal with. I would try trading them! I made an Instagram post and asked if anyone was willing to trade me for some of their scraps. I found two takers. One quilter from Tennessee sent me two bags of solid scraps and a quilter from Texas sent me 22 solid fat quarters. Wow!<br />
<br />
I really enjoy working with constraints, and I found the process of working with someone else's fabric fun and inspirational. The ideas came to me so quickly that one little project led right into the next. None of these quilts are very big so I felt even more free knowing that I wouldn't be committing huge amounts of time and fabric to complete them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskr9WUNQ86Yt5opQmKTm7ZGmkMUHTrpnA5bpGm7ZXugQbquxoMwnHiJVlCljxioICnqSs04-iIFCaGbIeMyo0zjZ02iUEX7gXTBl_HWqUz9ZHRUvve06SbL1XDtThnAmj2SX1xIoW1M7v/s1600/IMG_20180530_091227371_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskr9WUNQ86Yt5opQmKTm7ZGmkMUHTrpnA5bpGm7ZXugQbquxoMwnHiJVlCljxioICnqSs04-iIFCaGbIeMyo0zjZ02iUEX7gXTBl_HWqUz9ZHRUvve06SbL1XDtThnAmj2SX1xIoW1M7v/s640/IMG_20180530_091227371_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Trading Game, #1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFOmytPP9Qnjd81-BH5Cd0KQsQXKANg9TCEF14kmjeIW8e4dZmq4IK8EQ5w20pt6J1GN2RQmTPZ-ip31bUAj_0NYnhw3ubiaogr7CdDr1xbQhWNV-5V_nr1xQ3ff2PnGDVSGR46pLBAHk/s1600/IMG_20180527_070109249_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFOmytPP9Qnjd81-BH5Cd0KQsQXKANg9TCEF14kmjeIW8e4dZmq4IK8EQ5w20pt6J1GN2RQmTPZ-ip31bUAj_0NYnhw3ubiaogr7CdDr1xbQhWNV-5V_nr1xQ3ff2PnGDVSGR46pLBAHk/s640/IMG_20180527_070109249_HDR-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Trading Game, #1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This is the first grouping that I made using scraps from Tennessee and
my own stash. I didn't end up using the black in the first quilt (it was a little bit too much contrast), but I
left it out and used it later. This is "The Trading Game, #1." It
finishes at 24" x 24." I quilted it with freehand wavy lines in monofilament thread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGLGvkUdPXX3fioOvrQczx72fSEnP5rUpMIYvs2liuu1Uyp0AJOrG_NKikFhQ8bafa9GWOBVZcgYEqhq5M29b6c-NKeRVMOvD5G3PIgkXzFmq3QA-yjaw44PpYOfLwO7S0PFGmjXMHwXl/s1600/IMG_20180618_094428568_HDR-02-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGLGvkUdPXX3fioOvrQczx72fSEnP5rUpMIYvs2liuu1Uyp0AJOrG_NKikFhQ8bafa9GWOBVZcgYEqhq5M29b6c-NKeRVMOvD5G3PIgkXzFmq3QA-yjaw44PpYOfLwO7S0PFGmjXMHwXl/s640/IMG_20180618_094428568_HDR-02-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Trading Game, #2" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID7fGzbXWa1ytG7AymGk55SvZZqBts3PAK1yL1x94_4ZGia4gG56a0FNl8SPrvFDld5gPXtvIaWXo0GDcSGExKLWJso-iFHgbo48TUYmArkCP7xTqHXuEWF06p_jFVQEfctRS3R0RRRmL/s1600/IMG_20180614_200349194_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID7fGzbXWa1ytG7AymGk55SvZZqBts3PAK1yL1x94_4ZGia4gG56a0FNl8SPrvFDld5gPXtvIaWXo0GDcSGExKLWJso-iFHgbo48TUYmArkCP7xTqHXuEWF06p_jFVQEfctRS3R0RRRmL/s640/IMG_20180614_200349194_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Trading Game, #2" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The next grouping I made used some of the fat quarters from Texas along with the black strips I didn't use before and some red scraps from my stash. I was probably thinking about Texas since it ended up with kind of a southwestern vibe. I started making Herringbone blocks in the same width and cutting them up in different lengths. I played with the pieces and ended up drawing a picture with them on the design wall. My mom was here visiting while I was making this quilt and was very concerned that I had discarded blocks. She thought I might piece them into the backing of the quilt, but instead I made a pillow for her to take home as a souvenir. I think she liked that plan better. "The Trading Game, #2" finishes at 38" x 38." The pillow is 18." Both are quilted with monofilament thread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuD65Gw4rOtT8-FsOkd1ZztZv0yoPjeGqZvcYqXp5i72tQSkggYe-qe-GPGukSWFsnuTuFMstmPw3GUTU1a1jytbgJdi3-N1TX9mxQv3tCm7v9YgKzTAQJV5gGREt78supOEH7Lt1hPic/s1600/IMG_20180622_115442383_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuD65Gw4rOtT8-FsOkd1ZztZv0yoPjeGqZvcYqXp5i72tQSkggYe-qe-GPGukSWFsnuTuFMstmPw3GUTU1a1jytbgJdi3-N1TX9mxQv3tCm7v9YgKzTAQJV5gGREt78supOEH7Lt1hPic/s640/IMG_20180622_115442383_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Trading Game, #3" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
While my mom was here visiting, we attended an art fair in downtown Iowa City. We walked by a craftsman selling stained glass and I got an instant idea. With this, I am back using scraps from Tennessee in combination with scraps from my own stash (some solid and some tonal) and Kona Espresso. Each of the colored pieces are tiny blocks hand cut with scissors that are bordered with an L shape of the dark brown. I squared down all of these blocks to a consistent size and sewed them together. The irregularity of the widths and lengths of the setting fabric is what gives this the jingly-jangly rhythm that I love so much. I used a matching brown thread to quilt through the setting fabric and left each of the colored "glass" rectangles alone to glow. "The Trading Game, #3" finishes at 20" x 20." It lives on one of the end tables in the living room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Z0ut9W36_eEgMgIW60N6hH81I9b73MQEUq6T6r44b0RR5d_xE8bKRC9t5SxdN_234Luz_V2R2rvCdEkMIOkLmq3ITFxSG_II8Hf0qEgkI4nWnHDBIAk4p4k6eNLJzPjVm3i3mkG02CU/s1600/IMG_20180718_162327457_HDR-02-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Z0ut9W36_eEgMgIW60N6hH81I9b73MQEUq6T6r44b0RR5d_xE8bKRC9t5SxdN_234Luz_V2R2rvCdEkMIOkLmq3ITFxSG_II8Hf0qEgkI4nWnHDBIAk4p4k6eNLJzPjVm3i3mkG02CU/s640/IMG_20180718_162327457_HDR-02-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Trading Game #4, Runner" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCd8Xnd97q8aMVx0nxJf4xDp4cdHWSFC1cWCnyxDgye2OVDCB_Nb7bDpwUCrp9I63qINpMe_jJUioBdCsck26S5oZ5drZLkSDrgC995xoPxo2nUgQDugjx9ERWMYIbx9tD_DJrTKpB47IZ/s1600/IMG_20180718_162349164_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCd8Xnd97q8aMVx0nxJf4xDp4cdHWSFC1cWCnyxDgye2OVDCB_Nb7bDpwUCrp9I63qINpMe_jJUioBdCsck26S5oZ5drZLkSDrgC995xoPxo2nUgQDugjx9ERWMYIbx9tD_DJrTKpB47IZ/s640/IMG_20180718_162349164_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Trading Game #4, Runner" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The inspiration for this runner was two-fold. First, I still had black scraps out on the cutting mat (and some from the next quilt down). Second, the Iowa State Fair added a table runner category this year that I wanted to enter. Sometimes that's all it takes. :-) "The Trading Game, #4" is 14" x 56." It is Tennessee + me and it didn't win a dang thing. I celebrated by hanging it on an awkward wall, also in our living room where I enjoy looking at it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Trading Game was a creative shot in the arm that only cost me shipping. It's fun to play with new things, but for many reasons, it's just not sustainable to keep buying and buying and buying. In fact, I think having mountains of stuff makes it even harder to ignite the creative spark. Honestly, the piles feel smothering. I guess that's a long way of saying that I'd like to do this again. Stay tuned on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pieladyquilts/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and I'll put up my next items for trade this week sometime. If your solid scraps/precuts are bothering you as much as my layer cakes were bothering me, perhaps we can make a trade!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What else have I been up to?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots! My quilt guild had a challenge this summer to make a medallion quilt. I had the crazy idea to try dyeing some fabric with bleach. (I guess technically it is discharging dye with bleach.) I researched it online and found an article from Threads magazine that helped me out with the details. (Here is a <a href="https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/10/28/dyeing-with-bleach" target="_blank">link</a> to the article if you're interested.) I just had to try doing it! I have tried dyeing fabric in the traditional way before, but I honestly never fell in love with the process. I think if I were disciplined enough to measure and keep notes, I would be happier and have more consistent results. My brain just doesn't work that way, though. The fun thing about bleach dyeing is that you know what the main color is going to be when you're done and you can watch the fabric process in your hands and know exactly what accent color you are developing. I like that so much. Revealing the color underneath is enough of a mystery for me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For this quilt, I started with Kona Black and tied it up with kitchen twine like it was a tie dye shirt. I dipped it in diluted bleach and let it sit for about 3-4 minutes before I rinsed it out. Afterwards I soaked it in the tub with some sodium thiosulfate (you can get that from a pool supply store) to stop the chlorine from burning a hole in the fabric. The result is almost a perfect match for the rusty construction dumpster shown in the picture of the finished quilt. Pretty cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I repeated the same process for the backing fabric and discharged a bunch more dye than I had the first time. I only let it sit in the diluted bleach for about a minute and that was enough! My glug of bleach (see the whole measuring problem I have?) was probably bigger than the last glug. :-) Anyway, it made some really interesting shapes all over and I just couldn't resist labeling one of them. What you see there is a really bad Matrix joke. The sunglasses made me do it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I named this quilt "Bare Bones," and it finishes at 54" x 54." I quilted it in a freehand crosshatch pattern with monofilament thread. It is my interpretation of a medallion quilt (which the organizers defined as a central motif, surrounded by at least three borders). This is not my usual quilt, but I had a great time making it in addition to learning a lot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was really glad for my newfound skills in bleach dyeing when I came home from my last hair appointment. Unfortunately, my hair AND my shirt got highlights. I was not too worried because I could see the color underneath the plum was a lovely hot pink. I bleach dyed it, too! Hello new favorite shirt!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74lAvaroRkunPMh3l3gVvVyl0hpMUmrdTpZl3knFPogveJiNqAw0O8fPn6L0W-7BMukBLL3JbyEB_ZL1ZS63VvbgyeEhMZKgFou4geZwLMFm9g-zp43w7Z8zXzxjr-huH4DxyYWzsfqBT/s1600/IMG_20180718_163829238_HDR-03-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74lAvaroRkunPMh3l3gVvVyl0hpMUmrdTpZl3knFPogveJiNqAw0O8fPn6L0W-7BMukBLL3JbyEB_ZL1ZS63VvbgyeEhMZKgFou4geZwLMFm9g-zp43w7Z8zXzxjr-huH4DxyYWzsfqBT/s640/IMG_20180718_163829238_HDR-03-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN7pezT6c98H7zFSjodGMeYAJ5MMb4pC5w0p6o0jGvqQ0DIl7uvDLItRMh6q89gq3DHZ8y9nkbUKNFUWsLNDSNtdqNtKsVsV8bylKMIRqxLqGRQwPRgBIaSfAuzQHangsuxLalzCCaIh3/s1600/IMG_20180704_150141840_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN7pezT6c98H7zFSjodGMeYAJ5MMb4pC5w0p6o0jGvqQ0DIl7uvDLItRMh6q89gq3DHZ8y9nkbUKNFUWsLNDSNtdqNtKsVsV8bylKMIRqxLqGRQwPRgBIaSfAuzQHangsuxLalzCCaIh3/s640/IMG_20180704_150141840_HDR-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufFjB1Zwjo3wWI305r3L2N90LjLN4FdkHZcTi_q9wFn6vSlq0YtH59XEdgnQbz3NNumPVaBXzGEkHrR1q0Cj03okn9mrCtAOvhjeLvil7PsC6tR5DvWj6yTWjaqJRmzCT9BqU4XhyphenhyphenJVBt/s1600/IMG_20180803_140635176_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufFjB1Zwjo3wWI305r3L2N90LjLN4FdkHZcTi_q9wFn6vSlq0YtH59XEdgnQbz3NNumPVaBXzGEkHrR1q0Cj03okn9mrCtAOvhjeLvil7PsC6tR5DvWj6yTWjaqJRmzCT9BqU4XhyphenhyphenJVBt/s640/IMG_20180803_140635176_HDR-01.jpeg" width="360" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lastly is a gift for a friend that illustrates the power of working with constraints. This friend is the one that volunteered to stay overnight at our house while I was in the hospital delivering Babyness. My husband was able to stay with me at night to help me recover after the c-section and have some sweet baby snuggles knowing that our older children were safe at home. That is 100% quilt worthy! Liz was also pregnant at the time. As her due date got closer, we asked her what colors she was choosing to decorate the nursery with. I had to suppress the groan when we heard back that it was navy and gray. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful colors....just not ones that sounded terribly inspiring at the time. I pulled together some fabrics and tried to include some aquas and ashy neutrals to soften it a little bit. I was actually so pleased with the results that I had to make a mini for myself with the scraps to help soften the blow of giving it away! And to think I groaned about those colors!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Liz's Quilt" is 40" x 50." It is quilted with creamy thread in a wavy freehand crosshatch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Liz's Scraps" is 18" x 18." It is quilted with monofilament thread and proudly hangs in my sewing room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWoVp2gr33BHkyPYgiVlTiphs9QInmkVyxGYZUw8Den9ECd0yEEHLMPIqiP__YR25L0tVtWEoAZfQXdgrW36Uqp2NgmuJrHB9NEjtjcPEhowkiYHqZ0lFkCpfuNqcXe21eMbkLuK2RJ-k/s1600/IMG_20180511_115427_877-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWoVp2gr33BHkyPYgiVlTiphs9QInmkVyxGYZUw8Den9ECd0yEEHLMPIqiP__YR25L0tVtWEoAZfQXdgrW36Uqp2NgmuJrHB9NEjtjcPEhowkiYHqZ0lFkCpfuNqcXe21eMbkLuK2RJ-k/s640/IMG_20180511_115427_877-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Liz's Quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlw9YEkvaXTdnlphO8yUBhg1vPl4aLxT2_GFp84OjkJDzCV3PBrGD9DXoJk6653zE7g6u0MMbLEmM7X8xL6J9q2Yk0bS1MlFU7K9Su7sHgWInkgYs2z75YKr6CNNBV1_bhucqIlJCMMyr/s1600/IMG_20180529_165534443_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1255" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlw9YEkvaXTdnlphO8yUBhg1vPl4aLxT2_GFp84OjkJDzCV3PBrGD9DXoJk6653zE7g6u0MMbLEmM7X8xL6J9q2Yk0bS1MlFU7K9Su7sHgWInkgYs2z75YKr6CNNBV1_bhucqIlJCMMyr/s640/IMG_20180529_165534443_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Liz's Quilt" width="502" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmijdLiRZkRuEdQCFV4GEEoL32GL6QDUmwW6FUHVlAgpxz_TVs167-ONj3agiS5szF4DwCUHspy4Dq_fKiWzqrp3anzi3gq41BMjosrfusaTEQIBqZoSGiGJB-ep4fFwXBRWCLKrKc7FD/s1600/IMG_20180524_064933775_HDR-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmijdLiRZkRuEdQCFV4GEEoL32GL6QDUmwW6FUHVlAgpxz_TVs167-ONj3agiS5szF4DwCUHspy4Dq_fKiWzqrp3anzi3gq41BMjosrfusaTEQIBqZoSGiGJB-ep4fFwXBRWCLKrKc7FD/s640/IMG_20180524_064933775_HDR-01-01.jpeg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Liz's Scraps" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you have enjoyed reading my novel of a blog post. This summer I've had a great desire to work and produce and not such a great desire to write about it. I'm pretty well caught up now and finishing up things for the next post, which will also be stuffed full of quilts (but hopefully published with a little more haste than this one).<br />
<br />
Thanks for stopping by!<br />
<br />
Linking up with Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-17139103471975772472018-05-09T12:47:00.003-05:002018-05-11T06:44:31.701-05:00Treasures"Iowa nice" is really a thing. If you'd like to meet friendly, polite and easygoing people, please come to our state.<br />
<br />
....just skip the parking lot at my children's elementary school.<br />
<br />
Car line is an adventure. One snowy morning, one of my Iowa nice boys snapped and shouted from the backseat at the long line of brake lights in front of us, "WHY ARE YOU DOUBLE PARKING?!? BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DROP YOUR PRECIOUS CHILD OFF AT THE FRONT DOOR WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE LATE!!!" Thankfully, there was plenty of time to unpack that statement and calm down a bit before we got to a safe unloading spot. After I assured the boys that I thought they were both precious *and* capable, they got their hug and started the trudge to class. That morning was the start of a new family joke. I am now rated on how closely I can get them to the front door. Some mornings they call themselves 'precious.' Other mornings they are 'semi-precious.' It's a funny way to start the day with a smile, but it works!<br />
<br />
Hearing 'semi-precious' most mornings was the spark for me to make a series of jewel inspired quilts. I always play along with the Pantone color of the year (ultraviolet), so I had the color inspiration to boot. It was a new way of thinking about creating quilts when my mind was completely focused on shape and color. I had so much fun exploring both of them.<br />
<br />
The first is "Trillion Cut." This is an 18" square pillow that I made with ultraviolet in an analogous color scheme. This is a miniaturized version of a quilt (Love at First Glow) that I made last year. I constructed it using improvisational piecing on top of paper triangle templates that I made. It is quilted with monofilament thread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieEMlel2c7AMeZGwNOWSdVccN6um9_pU-cJjSvul7byhXh5T2PAvoOB6iD1dwxBPqjiS8105nEh2pfI1F71XCqF-Y0EZuV6oVkAVCmfDoUpJ6CP4GEsWsze_gydWUGGVhwjY6SA7GjquE/s1600/Trillion+Cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieEMlel2c7AMeZGwNOWSdVccN6um9_pU-cJjSvul7byhXh5T2PAvoOB6iD1dwxBPqjiS8105nEh2pfI1F71XCqF-Y0EZuV6oVkAVCmfDoUpJ6CP4GEsWsze_gydWUGGVhwjY6SA7GjquE/s640/Trillion+Cut.jpg" title="Trillion Cut: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Next is "Twilight Glitter Sparkles." This was named by my preschooler daughter in a combo that I'm pretty sure is a mashup of My Little Pony and Trolls. It is 48" x 69." This is just a quilt top for now. My sewing machine is in the shop and I've been sewing on my mom's old Pfaff for the last couple of months. It's a great little machine, but it just doesn't have the harp space to do a pivoting design on a bigger quilt. I'm still debating about whether I'll quilt it when I have my machine back or pay someone with a long arm to do it. This quilt uses ultraviolet in an analogous color scheme as well. I free pieced the blocks in different sizes for variety.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL77ZegwMLnFlaUyah8nwWwqTWuOPSBG-ZJ6QfktPKrhxIeeGXSKY-O8lk7LQFibDC57IoiMkWLpbIDbdmlK_qHP4fLScSbWJe133x3kO4ixwdl_v2S5DWEZymkv090PfGMrvajmk06zom/s1600/Twilight+Glitter+Sparkles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="395" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL77ZegwMLnFlaUyah8nwWwqTWuOPSBG-ZJ6QfktPKrhxIeeGXSKY-O8lk7LQFibDC57IoiMkWLpbIDbdmlK_qHP4fLScSbWJe133x3kO4ixwdl_v2S5DWEZymkv090PfGMrvajmk06zom/s640/Twilight+Glitter+Sparkles.jpg" title="Twilight Glitter Sparkles: Pie Lady Quilts" width="438" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I challenged myself to come up with different friends for ultraviolet. I read about a square color scheme and decided to give it a try. I used my color wheel to choose 4 main colors evenly spaced around in a square shape. I spent a long time with the color selection, looking carefully in different lights at different times of the day. I am pleased with the result and that it still reads as a purple quilt. This is "Emerald Cut." It is 40" x 60" and is quilted with monofilament thread. The blocks are all free pieced, then squared down to a consistent size.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bUPpt1bXhZI9EuxrtDcnMlQ2TBrhuJlc-l8NTzFDXoYMZn61T64NsKvrnxZzEdU7vAtH-NDlVJEMZwU-1M9UXuhCnP1kQh85eRQxiClk2NiOCEhsJGBIWXm6RWxRYVoMtJeYuRsbIqGI/s1600/Emerald+Cut+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1186" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bUPpt1bXhZI9EuxrtDcnMlQ2TBrhuJlc-l8NTzFDXoYMZn61T64NsKvrnxZzEdU7vAtH-NDlVJEMZwU-1M9UXuhCnP1kQh85eRQxiClk2NiOCEhsJGBIWXm6RWxRYVoMtJeYuRsbIqGI/s640/Emerald+Cut+1.jpg" title="Emerald Cut: Pie Lady Quilts" width="474" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7-EwjGnXWMrk5Ohfp3VI8pa53fXzWwAQovZatoyZSZb3LU8akij-f67oehb9FkOV_3DoewAMWgsXfXHRCeN8CvZi14GVsbyHskuhUH3AhhgG2mMr7rohYDm4eoECZjQ6IIAseroaPa1O/s1600/Emerald+Cut+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7-EwjGnXWMrk5Ohfp3VI8pa53fXzWwAQovZatoyZSZb3LU8akij-f67oehb9FkOV_3DoewAMWgsXfXHRCeN8CvZi14GVsbyHskuhUH3AhhgG2mMr7rohYDm4eoECZjQ6IIAseroaPa1O/s640/Emerald+Cut+3.jpg" title="Emerald Cut: Pie Lady Quilts" width="532" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrTQXIqS26PV5PZSYth33LTDPx_BWrPewoCeEoGfKW2r9ZRBnGzb6N8pwMGo4vnGSvkI0xKGQ7c5vXwMml2DN6hre5iYkrkVq0RoGhxDRKnO5w36Wlx2zFqqMJ1btHXQKOzQrQgm9_Lmz/s1600/Emerald+Cut+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1230" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrTQXIqS26PV5PZSYth33LTDPx_BWrPewoCeEoGfKW2r9ZRBnGzb6N8pwMGo4vnGSvkI0xKGQ7c5vXwMml2DN6hre5iYkrkVq0RoGhxDRKnO5w36Wlx2zFqqMJ1btHXQKOzQrQgm9_Lmz/s640/Emerald+Cut+2.jpg" title="Emerald Cut: Pie Lady Quilts" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I had plenty of strips left over after piecing the last quilt. There's no time like the present to deal with coordinating scraps, so I sat down with the bucket and started sewing the strips together. This project used up most of the scraps I had generated in the last three quilts. This is "Pixelated Scraps" and it is 31" x 31." I quilted it in a crosshatch pattern with monofilament thread and finished it with a faced edge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2xHPbPzBB-MvGhagnSGPIZ93uai7VokRn-wXcTPZzOEp3hzKgD6jxF_G8GA3bAXOQtoaA58yERywtbdaZlWdEBw7mduk_aL6N9ymXZ0J1CB7esoU5FY2l6hKV1gb4paIfx5q2zv7KLbp/s1600/Pixelated+Scraps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1600" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2xHPbPzBB-MvGhagnSGPIZ93uai7VokRn-wXcTPZzOEp3hzKgD6jxF_G8GA3bAXOQtoaA58yERywtbdaZlWdEBw7mduk_aL6N9ymXZ0J1CB7esoU5FY2l6hKV1gb4paIfx5q2zv7KLbp/s640/Pixelated+Scraps.jpg" title="Pixelated Scraps: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuGV8rE18eG4Cka6TJ4QvF_p1Y3wXm63cB0xwV4ebDJMLB2z6HIgF0ZcNUbqoTvijNlMXYx48W_jcrPBXWKzxZuElAOhy3UbiYJpQIv8Ktg78vBsQgA7gLqdU1jwcqZnBS2ab0mMYbLE9/s1600/Pixelated+Scraps+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuGV8rE18eG4Cka6TJ4QvF_p1Y3wXm63cB0xwV4ebDJMLB2z6HIgF0ZcNUbqoTvijNlMXYx48W_jcrPBXWKzxZuElAOhy3UbiYJpQIv8Ktg78vBsQgA7gLqdU1jwcqZnBS2ab0mMYbLE9/s640/Pixelated+Scraps+3.jpg" title="Pixelated Scraps: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzPbNYAtY0ZQsOwZ9T-4nMqpzdsVCKEqJrl29nKGVpnzfflPu8Lx52LBTmAu4VJfaCNmqekt8YM51Z_U5IJXKPNw-iTtJ1NDKAvGgx-pZYFePNk0GUQ5HjsiWTyxqASNHB_3LzX7L8g0R/s1600/Pixelated+scraps+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzPbNYAtY0ZQsOwZ9T-4nMqpzdsVCKEqJrl29nKGVpnzfflPu8Lx52LBTmAu4VJfaCNmqekt8YM51Z_U5IJXKPNw-iTtJ1NDKAvGgx-pZYFePNk0GUQ5HjsiWTyxqASNHB_3LzX7L8g0R/s640/Pixelated+scraps+2.jpg" title="Pixelated Scraps: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Last is "Diamond Split." This is a small 24" x 24" quilt that I made with ultraviolet in a split complementary color scheme. The diamonds are improvisationally pieced. This used Kona bright periwinkle, cerise, wasabi and berry. It is also quilted with monofilament thread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMih4oMMNkUWVKHBSasIDielcnSVGVJnc0a1YJ_ZAS8pWvurNrs7bhtjQ7H1KPCExeRK490X4RL4uG89P1ZiOzQUbFDNqj-_K9T8-vkAwpGPzFf0Kxth0dpDrMPU7-5AYP3cGyqXzNWpd8/s1600/Diamond+Split+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="1600" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMih4oMMNkUWVKHBSasIDielcnSVGVJnc0a1YJ_ZAS8pWvurNrs7bhtjQ7H1KPCExeRK490X4RL4uG89P1ZiOzQUbFDNqj-_K9T8-vkAwpGPzFf0Kxth0dpDrMPU7-5AYP3cGyqXzNWpd8/s640/Diamond+Split+1.jpg" title="Diamond Split: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8yaXbg7TXSvEviZz-XQcPcd5wLf9QvaEp1KMx6-mUfCVhwoBfBGbTF65aTrLagdjGjQGW61my5QDvckVNFpIIzbogdC-hqdJg76DlqsT5tmybg24Q867jvRFNcq8hAIe-LrkPjCwvrdn/s1600/Diamond+Split+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8yaXbg7TXSvEviZz-XQcPcd5wLf9QvaEp1KMx6-mUfCVhwoBfBGbTF65aTrLagdjGjQGW61my5QDvckVNFpIIzbogdC-hqdJg76DlqsT5tmybg24Q867jvRFNcq8hAIe-LrkPjCwvrdn/s640/Diamond+Split+2.jpg" title="Diamond Split: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Since my last post, I have safely delivered a baby girl (the big kids call her "Babyness"). There were some bumps, but it all worked out in the end and we are both healthy and happy. She is the sweetest, most content little girl you could ever imagine and is greatly loved. Her favorite thing to do is play the smiling game. Whenever she initiates the game with her older siblings, they'll bellow "She's passing out smiles like candy!!" and everyone else will come running to smile and coo at her. It warmed my heart to see her start the smiling game with some other children in the pew ahead of us at church. I'm glad that everyone in her little world smiles back. That's exactly how it should be.<br />
<br />
These quilts were fun to make and a great creative outlet. But, make no mistake, these smiling kids are my greatest treasure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XsAFN63RGHxT5wGPVECVyoyhf4wKu3zx7ibhFjm4sa1PhUK58_a6T6jSF3KwziUJV9GSq3zbhcrQUPguAWm1NwEMQa8FD92rsRAG8o2yNcmMqV2HL1pXcpNdLOQmboGZNlnVnlc8g-Bw/s1600/180509085026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XsAFN63RGHxT5wGPVECVyoyhf4wKu3zx7ibhFjm4sa1PhUK58_a6T6jSF3KwziUJV9GSq3zbhcrQUPguAWm1NwEMQa8FD92rsRAG8o2yNcmMqV2HL1pXcpNdLOQmboGZNlnVnlc8g-Bw/s640/180509085026.jpg" title="Pantone Ultraviolet: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-BW8DrHc37fEQH8O5WnSMKwPW2S_o2FWwk3dkyw72ZXjuZnB3Lli8k8sQB8dr4PtwOXIB5VszCgkpZ7xcr9oKSsB0MzHonmH3SugTWeEtb81wNwIk8q7XxIDvdfy34A1piRH72XKMd0O/s1600/IMG_20180407_085738741_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-BW8DrHc37fEQH8O5WnSMKwPW2S_o2FWwk3dkyw72ZXjuZnB3Lli8k8sQB8dr4PtwOXIB5VszCgkpZ7xcr9oKSsB0MzHonmH3SugTWeEtb81wNwIk8q7XxIDvdfy34A1piRH72XKMd0O/s320/IMG_20180407_085738741_HDR-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you'd like to take a look at the collection of quilts created with Pantone Ultraviolet, you can find them at <a href="http://bryanhousequilts.com/2018/05/pantone-quilt-challenge-2018-linky-party.html" target="_blank">No Hats in the House</a> or <a href="http://bryanhousequilts.com/2018/05/pantone-quilt-challenge-2018-linky-party.html" target="_blank">Bryan House Quilts</a>.<br />
<br />
Linking up to Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.<br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-85401603369808755352018-01-18T15:47:00.001-06:002018-01-18T15:47:19.008-06:00The AnnouncementI know that this post has been a long time in coming. Part of me wants to apologize for that, but the other part of me won't with the hope you understand. Some stories are harder to tell than others.<br />
<br />
I've said before that I gravitate toward improvisational quilting because I love all the reacting and expressing that is part of the process. Often I end up with a piece that says so much more than I ever intended. Such is the case with this first quilt. I pulled out a whole bunch of red fabrics to play with this summer just because I noticed that I had two duplicate spools of red thread. I started piecing a few rows of improv triangles and had the thought that the quilt needed a little more sparkle. I brainstormed a few ideas on how to add an accent color, and finally decided on surrounding a tiny triangle of gold with more red and insetting them into the rows. I had to laugh because I was also simultaneously brainstorming a way to share the news with my friends and family that we were expecting again. I figured that the pregnant triangles I was piecing into the quilt were good enough for both jobs so I posted a picture of this quilt on social media as a way to share our news.<br />
<br />
"The Announcement" finishes at 38" x 56." (The pregnancy will "finish" somewhere in mid to late February.) I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and matchstick quilted it with Aurifil invisible thread so I wouldn't alter any of the color work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK4cateD5GcdXjOC8xVYyETV1rncYe6ifaeZ9W-W4nOm3Wbxh_w5dIk-3g0aucX0zB30LjQajSefgUUCZPn3leBBRYgd9E9VUT_X0yBUwZFYmRTZP9Vj-Oxl8HBDQvD9n6dl3xM-B-LKN/s1600/IMG_5576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK4cateD5GcdXjOC8xVYyETV1rncYe6ifaeZ9W-W4nOm3Wbxh_w5dIk-3g0aucX0zB30LjQajSefgUUCZPn3leBBRYgd9E9VUT_X0yBUwZFYmRTZP9Vj-Oxl8HBDQvD9n6dl3xM-B-LKN/s640/IMG_5576.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Announcement" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQuk89IY5MKRQpjzV6-cAAEjEmA69pkGVZrh_pTjy3EyVvbL_6tyGqqeTV6rowT9wkByPn56twZKieBFgKFCcT4GxW1vKs9A-FH7ZOJguVE03SLgOFo5GSj1IPVQEPvKl_f52xdbtz_JY/s1600/IMG_5581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1188" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQuk89IY5MKRQpjzV6-cAAEjEmA69pkGVZrh_pTjy3EyVvbL_6tyGqqeTV6rowT9wkByPn56twZKieBFgKFCcT4GxW1vKs9A-FH7ZOJguVE03SLgOFo5GSj1IPVQEPvKl_f52xdbtz_JY/s640/IMG_5581.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Announcement" width="474" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAxs1-Yzkg8I20NGhGQ0aTCKIVJy5fBUeHI6oAwP1ewxcoo9G5l2T2MQ97qEeR-HEOefieNqxP2SBHlAohN7yrJTOkUJhbFW61WIiV7rNcfyQOG-C92oY2YmOh2x8VZE6itZJTngoQLUb/s1600/IMG_5584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1379" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAxs1-Yzkg8I20NGhGQ0aTCKIVJy5fBUeHI6oAwP1ewxcoo9G5l2T2MQ97qEeR-HEOefieNqxP2SBHlAohN7yrJTOkUJhbFW61WIiV7rNcfyQOG-C92oY2YmOh2x8VZE6itZJTngoQLUb/s640/IMG_5584.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Announcement" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
This pregnancy was long awaited and very slow in coming.<br />
<br />
When I was a little girl, my siblings were teenagers. Sometimes my parents needed to have a talk that was necessary for older ears, but not so appropriate for mine. Whenever that happened, my mother would stand in front of the kitchen window, gasp in wonder and say, "Look, Jill! Your cat is chasing a butterfly!" I would excitedly run out the door in breathless anticipation to see such a sight and my mom and dad could have a private conversation with the bigger kids. <br />
<br />
I've recalled that experience often over the last couple of years and I've decided that there is no better metaphor for infertility than "chasing the butterfly." The process is often long, unpredictable and powered by mere glimpses of what could be. It also feels like an exercise in futility on a lot of days. It can be hard when something so beautiful is so elusive.<br />
<br />
I created two quilts exploring this theme. The first, "Chasing the Butterfly I," I made at my mom's house this summer. I used the idea of an Exquisite block from Gwen Marston's book <u>Liberated Quiltmaking II</u>. I blanked out some of the blocks and added an additional color to the scheme to create a lighted path to pull the eye through the quilt. I hand tied the quilt on the long drive home, using the polka dot backing as my marking structure and tying the knots from the back. I used a variegated Valdani thread, so there are tiny winks of color on the front of the quilt that I am especially happy with. The quilt finishes at 39" x 54."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJLe4IjtjFNWzi0xv6vwgATQitt8BtQeSqHORFoZGoTmc7Fus8zwr66ZSbdIpSWFBOkGIbI08NxMHZVkq55AC1kEYz1TZhnar9oV4t-AoB9h-A0uU2wLqxn87vAH29vKIjxfP7NmUe9Nx/s1600/IMG_5599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1185" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJLe4IjtjFNWzi0xv6vwgATQitt8BtQeSqHORFoZGoTmc7Fus8zwr66ZSbdIpSWFBOkGIbI08NxMHZVkq55AC1kEYz1TZhnar9oV4t-AoB9h-A0uU2wLqxn87vAH29vKIjxfP7NmUe9Nx/s640/IMG_5599.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Chasing the Butterfly I" width="472" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHV1OanOqSQcRPFK1ubkO4ttfew-8QJAdMauj0LJwWNVuOmV3ratK9jbrxtYwh2XYFjNp-k5vxqOpeHMTGyQBVK77WP1HrellQ1qBD9fB4B4MjiX8_F1uxZZ1yfjsHpnyPXcLv4JRR2hn/s1600/IMG_5602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHV1OanOqSQcRPFK1ubkO4ttfew-8QJAdMauj0LJwWNVuOmV3ratK9jbrxtYwh2XYFjNp-k5vxqOpeHMTGyQBVK77WP1HrellQ1qBD9fB4B4MjiX8_F1uxZZ1yfjsHpnyPXcLv4JRR2hn/s640/IMG_5602.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Chasing the Butterfly I" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I tried another approach for "Chasing the Butterfly II." I made a full scale drawing of the butterfly, then made myself templates to construct the chunks. I ended up using needle-turn applique to attach everything to a muslin foundation. If I had it to do over again, I would piece it. The curves were gentle enough that this would have been totally possible, and I could have avoided some of the shadowing that I got from the darker red fabrics peeking through the golds. Nonetheless, I still like it. The quilt finishes at 24" x 24." I used invisible thread to matchstick quilt this and it is finished with a faced edge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3BVjaDzIWaIwnuL-2xAhO9S4BluwzG6Qz4oVkVH-sCGFetH8BzkRxQEYbET94ry7u3N1nnLWLXURk60yrVi0rxyhG42ejr5tcIHmDh4Fhyphenhyphen2ZZR7wBcM4uqVI6RI9S1StfN7IZYGKjYQ_/s1600/23733791_128904734457085_3560730262948020224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3BVjaDzIWaIwnuL-2xAhO9S4BluwzG6Qz4oVkVH-sCGFetH8BzkRxQEYbET94ry7u3N1nnLWLXURk60yrVi0rxyhG42ejr5tcIHmDh4Fhyphenhyphen2ZZR7wBcM4uqVI6RI9S1StfN7IZYGKjYQ_/s640/23733791_128904734457085_3560730262948020224_n.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Chasing the Butterfly II" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I have been a patient at the fertility clinic in our local hospital for the past two years, and I am thankful for all the support and love that has been shown to me during my time there. We were initially very optimistic because after my first appointment, with all of the data gained from the tests and with the treatments prescribed, I was able to become pregnant very quickly.<br />
<br />
But then I wasn't. And I wasn't. And I wasn't again.<br />
<br />
I have failed at many things in my life, but one thing I have never failed at was getting back up again after a blow. I almost couldn't do it this time. Sitting in the doctor's office with a brand new diagnosis of recurrent miscarriage was one of the lowest points of my life. The last gasp of my faith after the third loss had been to pray for my doctor to know how to help us. At the end of our discussion with a list of expensive and invasive options for my husband and I to consider, I wondered if it would be possible. When the appointment was over, I waited for her to stand up. She didn't. She stared hard at the carpet. She checked my file on the computer and stared at the carpet some more. Finally she said, "I shouldn't need to check this again, but I feel like I need to. Can we add on one more test to your blood work today?" It was the easiest test suggested from my list of options so of course I agreed. Thankfully it revealed a problem, easily fixable with time and medication, and after 3 1/2 years of hoping and trying, we finally had a baby on the way.<br />
<br />
"Trying" is my quilt story of the journey through recurrent miscarriage to a miracle baby girl. I used the idea of a wide and narrow log cabin setting with pieced strips to make stylized, unfinished positives. I really love how the finished block resembles a flower. Looking at this quilt isn't a sad experience for me. In it I see that my faith has been tested, but in the end it flowered and made a safe place for my little butterfly to finally land. This quilt finishes at 48" x 48." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and did straight line quilting with Aurifil invisible thread. It is finished with a faced edge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtllvhP7HWV3yHEfDHWBrcxXGZ87mdoPrGlG2WUfpiH5rIHC2LrUrEc5ZDGaNarrH81AjF8uqY0vUFdobpjtWFrnuJYlqEJbOXPC3EKxCI2vLptQtcCCDJyk5KmL7bAtSvTtEAVTkqaYp/s1600/IMG_5736%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtllvhP7HWV3yHEfDHWBrcxXGZ87mdoPrGlG2WUfpiH5rIHC2LrUrEc5ZDGaNarrH81AjF8uqY0vUFdobpjtWFrnuJYlqEJbOXPC3EKxCI2vLptQtcCCDJyk5KmL7bAtSvTtEAVTkqaYp/s640/IMG_5736%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Trying" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM63SzrTttGSZpkMtUkS8XCGA4prOf79_8tvxkyqM3eStmRD8rhy8g5yN26akXz30QTDy1P41PqjKFjRcjL4u-h0XkxHlG49G-H5SxDyBPEROu25VIB0MZMPtHFhmM6fqCX14kOt9FxglV/s1600/IMG_5744%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM63SzrTttGSZpkMtUkS8XCGA4prOf79_8tvxkyqM3eStmRD8rhy8g5yN26akXz30QTDy1P41PqjKFjRcjL4u-h0XkxHlG49G-H5SxDyBPEROu25VIB0MZMPtHFhmM6fqCX14kOt9FxglV/s640/IMG_5744%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Trying" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXM4EDSYf2GXfo3LXqLelzVqIYScKisdKYj4nmBPmI_cRQb2tHfVW-_kUrTL_olEq0gBYfeaayL7qePyDFqFZWItIj6-20jwIiT3PVL6DxANzYRy3NaSyDS5_e6hTLuTyw8VWNLoCewjo/s1600/IMG_5762%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1600" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXM4EDSYf2GXfo3LXqLelzVqIYScKisdKYj4nmBPmI_cRQb2tHfVW-_kUrTL_olEq0gBYfeaayL7qePyDFqFZWItIj6-20jwIiT3PVL6DxANzYRy3NaSyDS5_e6hTLuTyw8VWNLoCewjo/s640/IMG_5762%255B1%255D.png" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Trying" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Just the other day, my older son rubbed my belly and told me that he just knew that this little baby would be special. "How do you know that?" I asked him. "Because we had to wait so long for her," he said. I'm so excited for her to be born."<br />
<br />
Me too.<br />
<br />
My next post will not be six months in coming, I promise. Right now I'm on baby watch and nesting with the Pantone Color of the Year. In the meantime, I'll share three minis I also completed in the last few months.<br />
<br />
"Curated Cabins," 16" x 16." This one was made for the log cabin prompt from Curated Quilts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_UBqW7rwfWayUferLAZlLhhm3-bGf4aN0BeJv6RCSIkt9NEZX2DGti0X9bMUM6myKu1Etp7pG9v0OUFXj5JC6lsQ_UrAAHwWxDH_pKMA4sVL69h-iwSMh0o_hLlH3pIY-u4qsm3eLnUC/s1600/21689880_863901610457873_1822944717839532032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_UBqW7rwfWayUferLAZlLhhm3-bGf4aN0BeJv6RCSIkt9NEZX2DGti0X9bMUM6myKu1Etp7pG9v0OUFXj5JC6lsQ_UrAAHwWxDH_pKMA4sVL69h-iwSMh0o_hLlH3pIY-u4qsm3eLnUC/s640/21689880_863901610457873_1822944717839532032_n.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Curated Cabins" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
"The Doctor Pepper Sunshiney Pineapple," 12" x 12." I made this one for inclusion in a group birthday gift for a friend. The brief was to include everything citrus. When I asked if a bottle of Dr. Pepper (her favorite) was going to be included, I was told we couldn't put it in because it didn't match the colors. That was a challenge I couldn't pass up. Mwah-ha-ha! Look what matches now!! My contribution to the gift was this mini and a bottle of Dr. Pepper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqPn_m43tU45I3wXszCdAgRIxc_2DLt1lZnaK7pvqlIYUR_6_T3XcZnBroBllZ1Cc0oADwqrsr1PeXOnSkUo9YM8aiAzENDSBIZ0q4Bj5NFwlPGDGP5iWJUKC8qlH6jtBnqKelphtcxV4/s1600/22071474_156976794890442_814140643281469440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqPn_m43tU45I3wXszCdAgRIxc_2DLt1lZnaK7pvqlIYUR_6_T3XcZnBroBllZ1Cc0oADwqrsr1PeXOnSkUo9YM8aiAzENDSBIZ0q4Bj5NFwlPGDGP5iWJUKC8qlH6jtBnqKelphtcxV4/s640/22071474_156976794890442_814140643281469440_n.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Dr. Pepper Sunshiney Pineapple" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Reining in My Exuberance," 15" x 15." This was a mini that I made for the minimalist prompt from Curated Quilts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKFTSBb_Mmao_YdRLVMSj6lx-97mqY3nX520MmV3u5r1crjl1s-B8k1UQNiPF9MzY9D6c7siF5OblUA0YQ9Pg5mGB_RcCdmg_8fxqtN3u6GhAQMwbzVzom-6MSeDV1-o8xC9LrWS9lj3W/s1600/26068833_369761576822923_8042484733168320512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKFTSBb_Mmao_YdRLVMSj6lx-97mqY3nX520MmV3u5r1crjl1s-B8k1UQNiPF9MzY9D6c7siF5OblUA0YQ9Pg5mGB_RcCdmg_8fxqtN3u6GhAQMwbzVzom-6MSeDV1-o8xC9LrWS9lj3W/s640/26068833_369761576822923_8042484733168320512_n.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Reining in My Exuberance" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Linking up to Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-68444549162530145542017-07-07T00:28:00.002-05:002017-07-07T10:51:03.447-05:00Magpie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes I feel like a magpie that carries sparkly things back to her nest to hoard. My sparkly things are stories. One of my favorite things to do is to get people talking about themselves so I can hear their stories. I love reading memoirs. I grew up listening to Paul Harvey and I am a faithful listener to Mike Rowe's podcast. I am also a family historian. I research not just for dates, but for the little nuggets of personality and personal history that are recorded, sometimes accidentally. One of my most exciting research discoveries was the day I figured out why my husband's fourth great-grandfather was referred to as "the horse thief" by the generations after. It wasn't what you would think, either. Who would want to be remembered as a punchline to a joke that time had forgotten? You better believe that I wrote that one down for the ages. I found great personal satisfaction in vindicating Peter Fisher and am secretly hoping for a high-five in heaven.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My dad's cousin Bob is also a family historian and in the last few months I have discovered pictures, stories and memories that he has shared. Things that, despite my magpie tendencies, I had never heard or seen before. Definitely treasures. The next three quilts are united not only in color, but also in thought and intent and are based on what I learned. I'll share some of the stories from my dad's family along the way, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The inspiration for this first quilt came while my husband and I were sitting in matching rocking chairs on a veranda gazing out at a verdant green forest. We were camping, so unfortunately we were only borrowing the view, the chairs and the veranda. If there is a rocking chair in my future, hopefully there's a pair of them parked outside on the porch somewhere with a great view of something beautifully green. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The chair thing was what made me start thinking about my grandparents. One of the things that I found in Bob's submissions was a poem that my grandma wrote after Grandpa's death ( I will share it later in the post). In it she describes how hard it was to see his empty chair. It's so easy to want more and more and more. On that quiet spring evening, I thought of them and how grateful I was that the chair next to me was filled with the right guy, and that we could enjoy the simple and free things of life together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I came home from that weekend and drew a full-scale model of "Love at First Glow" out on butcher paper, then paper-pieced in an improvisational way on top of my templates. I used an analogous color scheme and played with the values to make the triangle/pine tree shapes glow. I got better at it the more of them I made. I am not ashamed to admit that I finished piecing the quilt, thought "I can do better" and redid ten of the blocks. Even with my remaking, I finished just in time to enter the top into the Pantone Quilt Challenge where it won! Hurray! I got the email today, though, that it was not accepted to the Modern Quilt Guild showcase in Houston. Boo. In the end though, yay or nays aside, this quilt is a winner for me because it says exactly what I meant to say in the way I meant to say it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love at First Glow finished at 45" x 53." I used Aurifil invisible thread to do the matchstick quilting and the super thin batting from Quilter's Dream. It is finished with a faced edge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zF-HuEP52B7S_as-Ctc6BbbmCfEhjkLy7oYluqHyFkzFj2DJawzxEtB4ikQUJsmbsZphxcz-_PqPN0rQ0qUrxfNKV5j3nQkebd0oNcjMWUAhoOU6T_0RoXxoXtm8KZkCQDAhJJ3mk8aU/s1600/IMG_5439.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zF-HuEP52B7S_as-Ctc6BbbmCfEhjkLy7oYluqHyFkzFj2DJawzxEtB4ikQUJsmbsZphxcz-_PqPN0rQ0qUrxfNKV5j3nQkebd0oNcjMWUAhoOU6T_0RoXxoXtm8KZkCQDAhJJ3mk8aU/s640/IMG_5439.png" title="Love at First Glow: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F5qQluaiz1XsAMZNDcCFbL-8Zfa__lXg2I2Orz7PNCiBX8Tw1A28UY6Dlv-K5x2Qvzie5NoK7OSZpaVZ0yi5KdRgLXh-v-77ZfSq_yi9FMDGIg2av6RNed37lHIIqkEs5ThG5NXIiQlM/s1600/IMG_5448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F5qQluaiz1XsAMZNDcCFbL-8Zfa__lXg2I2Orz7PNCiBX8Tw1A28UY6Dlv-K5x2Qvzie5NoK7OSZpaVZ0yi5KdRgLXh-v-77ZfSq_yi9FMDGIg2av6RNed37lHIIqkEs5ThG5NXIiQlM/s640/IMG_5448.jpg" title="Love at First Glow: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gjetV5yKgfYYDEPuYK-RmXcQ0FXHwfhdWdLxMgHyn_vDtWAKQUD6Z8IHyWEtunApGLEUsgIUdtIAuJ4Cx7Xe88dOcMvpkKxcxnKBBETzODj8GEYN7Xaq6ZNjgNTEzKbqmCAPRPfcpD-a/s1600/IMG_5445watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gjetV5yKgfYYDEPuYK-RmXcQ0FXHwfhdWdLxMgHyn_vDtWAKQUD6Z8IHyWEtunApGLEUsgIUdtIAuJ4Cx7Xe88dOcMvpkKxcxnKBBETzODj8GEYN7Xaq6ZNjgNTEzKbqmCAPRPfcpD-a/s640/IMG_5445watermarked.jpg" title="Love at First Glow: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My grandparents were an unlikely combo. When they met, Grandma was already a teacher and accomplished musician. She was considering a scholarship that she had just received to study at the Julliard Conservatory of Music. Grandpa had just returned from World War I and wanted to be a farmer. After a blind date, she picked him. She taught school, elementary and English (my dad grew up having his grammar corrected daily and enjoyed passing on that bit of his mother to all of us), and taught music lessons in their small farming community. After their children were grown, Grandma decided to go back to school. She received her masters degree at age 61 and was working on her doctorate in folklore (she was in her 80s!) when my grandpa got sick. Grandma was one class away from graduating and had her dissertation completed. She picked him again. "At this point," she said, shrugging, "all they can do is put it on my headstone." Grandma's dissertation was published as a book entitled, <u>Wood Stoves and Woolen Stockings</u> when she was 90 years old. She never did get the doctorate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After Grandpa died, Grandma wrote this poem:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Waiting</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Life is so lonely without you</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I look at your empty chair</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I sorrow and wait for your coming</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To take me with you, over there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So call for me early at morning</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When no one would bid me to stay</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Come with your arms outstretched, dear</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And together we'll steal away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
--Ann Godfrey Hansen</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I tried to make a scrap quilt inspired by this poem in my last post. I couldn't make it say what I wanted it to so I stopped. I had to try again. "Over There" is what I came up with. I constructed it using strings left over from the piecing of the previous quilt. I did not use any foundations. Instead, I used Gwen Marston's method of cutting the desired block size out of paper and using that as a template to cut the strings to the appropriate lengths. There is not much waste and there is no paper to remove after. Win, win. This quilt finished at 24" x 24." I used green Aurifil thread to echo the strings in random patterns and left the text and orange parts unquilted. I am so glad that I had some of that text print in my stash!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfSGMTwIefpVkMKlqGwibg3wFPg15ofvh53tReoc515L_tYNZWb85TPiJovK4-tPVmtyUHciZ_9GGh_U5H6D93uo_VStL8P0LxdIvu0UfHR4yDkCzbWayfMQu1RcQOgzYaFB5Ren3_TAg/s1600/IMG_5475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1575" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfSGMTwIefpVkMKlqGwibg3wFPg15ofvh53tReoc515L_tYNZWb85TPiJovK4-tPVmtyUHciZ_9GGh_U5H6D93uo_VStL8P0LxdIvu0UfHR4yDkCzbWayfMQu1RcQOgzYaFB5Ren3_TAg/s640/IMG_5475.jpg" title="Over There: Pie Lady Quilts" width="630" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68uj1S1BS3zUTDKuGTLW_vOmiNY-Nb66jQwaI4Vj4ac7vGrodmFcZWMlVDLemP1aHO5O02vTuMqachS7z-q4ZBP1H1U2LRK1bhb9sareuVdAZa7nXxSXjgvOt18Sk3msS1T2vkJLIwKjp/s1600/IMG_5467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68uj1S1BS3zUTDKuGTLW_vOmiNY-Nb66jQwaI4Vj4ac7vGrodmFcZWMlVDLemP1aHO5O02vTuMqachS7z-q4ZBP1H1U2LRK1bhb9sareuVdAZa7nXxSXjgvOt18Sk3msS1T2vkJLIwKjp/s640/IMG_5467.jpg" title="Over There: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku1uXtw4pcaXBF68ffeaf-xaflsjG97oAr3vDzF8lMyaz5Bo9QRpaJMVrsgwnCop8dkAHGQ9JSAudOVKaWazca4wOsB0ea_cBvKtKkep586_9U373gRQ9lT078tYD5399JomYPOm57gqO/s1600/IMG_5474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku1uXtw4pcaXBF68ffeaf-xaflsjG97oAr3vDzF8lMyaz5Bo9QRpaJMVrsgwnCop8dkAHGQ9JSAudOVKaWazca4wOsB0ea_cBvKtKkep586_9U373gRQ9lT078tYD5399JomYPOm57gqO/s640/IMG_5474.jpg" title="Over There: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Grandpa was the yin to Grandma's yang. He was irrepressible, kind-hearted and open. He told just as many stories as she did, but his were funnier. When he was a young boy, his mother taught him to quilt just to see if he could sit down for a minute. He could do both, barely. How I wish I could have one of those blocks, if they even survived! Grandpa always had a brown flannel quilt on his lap with me on top. I remember him counting his fingers in Danish, pausing dramatically at the fingers with partial amputations from farming accidents to say the Danish word for "half" before continuing. A few years ago I talked to someone who spoke Danish and asked them to count to ten for me. The familiarity of it, even after all these years, brought me to tears. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I asked my mom how Grandpa died and from the way she described it, it sounded like cancer. She mentioned that near the end, the only thing that tasted good to him was 7Up and it sparked an immediate idea for me. He brought an incredible amount of joy to a little girl. I'm all grown up now and I hope I can give it back in the quilt version.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
"7UP" finished at 40" x 40." I constructed it with 3.5" blocks and 2" blocks, which tile together really well and make random arrangements easy to execute. To replicate bubbles, the centers are the same in every block and are the lightest value in the quilt, effectively creating a hole. I love the energy that emerged from the jumble. It makes me feel happy, which is what I was going for. I used matchstick quilting with invisible thread and finished the edges with a facing. I didn't want to put a hard edge around the quilt to contain all of my bubbles. If I ever get this one into a show and run into some difficulty with the name, I think I'll go for "Irrepressible." That one's for you, Grandpa.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42Wx_HMGywPg0GOUQXI-D4U9Qb9WZ7P_rC6z5mDwEaRYdq_xOELq1fOgwUcP-6UBipiBg0hemRhSGgXqTd-0MDQVKCoLlILTZeGDr5RCHjIGUZR3pREJrjQUQWX_0vZbm5gZtwaedDkUi/s1600/IMG_5499x2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42Wx_HMGywPg0GOUQXI-D4U9Qb9WZ7P_rC6z5mDwEaRYdq_xOELq1fOgwUcP-6UBipiBg0hemRhSGgXqTd-0MDQVKCoLlILTZeGDr5RCHjIGUZR3pREJrjQUQWX_0vZbm5gZtwaedDkUi/s640/IMG_5499x2.jpg" title="7Up: Pie Lady Quilts" width="520" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4atC4qUGt0z8ZlSa7mBoQD2KCvU_yf_XfRKIm1m-S9Rc0Mx9uHD2RcVUyvVl-ACxsyD8jfSauXZvX5C1lLGov7cpS3puvLozABkb5GoqkBn9qhZLtSjX5oGz1D0Ou2QSqgwDQQrrEMRR/s1600/IMG_5486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4atC4qUGt0z8ZlSa7mBoQD2KCvU_yf_XfRKIm1m-S9Rc0Mx9uHD2RcVUyvVl-ACxsyD8jfSauXZvX5C1lLGov7cpS3puvLozABkb5GoqkBn9qhZLtSjX5oGz1D0Ou2QSqgwDQQrrEMRR/s640/IMG_5486.jpg" title="7Up: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3soJOKOSO0Dr2lCLPwYHU9j-_DnREndTtYVzVC2jou-Owk2P4fXKhuPS0Yz34cU-5h2dCM-vCf-tZHDV4OIZAs1joJKTCJSw0uyx1iPKxvmuVZSf-jB6-5fpsvx4Czh1iJjzptHP41-Mz/s1600/IMG_5501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3soJOKOSO0Dr2lCLPwYHU9j-_DnREndTtYVzVC2jou-Owk2P4fXKhuPS0Yz34cU-5h2dCM-vCf-tZHDV4OIZAs1joJKTCJSw0uyx1iPKxvmuVZSf-jB6-5fpsvx4Czh1iJjzptHP41-Mz/s400/IMG_5501.jpg" title="7Up: Pie Lady Quilts" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xD0UAicHNfBetBjaoAiCZzGkaDo0iEl7zy3vnJH6P_giSLU9FQNDxCmEG_Lrq9SdjMloBCrpt3Cje_EAvhj8iMxkqfeWwDloZXzZ1lXRX7ZfYMI_OR3SZ0d-PqkZu4b2uZm6dN-BBE1w/s1600/grandparents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="800" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xD0UAicHNfBetBjaoAiCZzGkaDo0iEl7zy3vnJH6P_giSLU9FQNDxCmEG_Lrq9SdjMloBCrpt3Cje_EAvhj8iMxkqfeWwDloZXzZ1lXRX7ZfYMI_OR3SZ0d-PqkZu4b2uZm6dN-BBE1w/s640/grandparents.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks for reading along. I appreciate it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2017/07/more-pincushions.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts.</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-18672451668263955062017-04-20T20:22:00.001-05:002017-04-21T10:07:29.938-05:00SparkFor the last year, I've been looking at my disorganized bin of solid scraps (aka the stringy wad of shame) and trying to come up with an idea of what to do with them. I would look, consider, feel overwhelmed and guilty and then quickly come up with something else to piece to distract myself. No ideas were coming and I felt stuck. I really, really, REALLY hate stuck.<br />
<br />
The turning point for me was a desire to clean up. I knew I didn't have any ideas about what to do with the scraps, but I thought at the very least I could organize myself better. I spent two days at my ironing board, unwadding, trimming strings, pressing and neatly folding. I was genuinely surprised at how much I liked it. Somewhere in the middle of all that organizing, they stopped being guilt-inducing scraps and morphed straight into fabric. And, as we all know, fabric is fun.<br />
<br />
The first quilt that emerged from my cleanup was "Accentuate," and it was inspired by a childhood memory. As many of you know, I am from a small town in Idaho. In the summer before my fifth grade year, my mom took me to "town" to do some school shopping. I walked into the Fashion Center and saw a pair of fuschia purple overalls that stopped me in my tracks. Of course they fit, of course I had to have them and of course there was no shirt in the store that would work with them. A sweet clerk, overhearing my despair that nothing matched my beautiful overalls, quickly came to the rescue. "Sweetie," she said, "Stop thinking about matching. You need to accentuate!" She scanned the racks, pulled out a turquoise shirt and a teal belt and brought them over. I was in love. For the rest of the year, I carefully worked out my laundry schedule so I could wear the outfit every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those colors are just magic together and I found as I went through my scraps that I had many different variations of those shades. Apparently I still like them!<br />
<br />
All that nostalgia put me in a fun frame of mind, so I started piecing simple purple shapes (with belts!!) and setting them in the deep teal color. I made the decision to use all the teals, and just tried to have fun making new shapes in the background. I also used all the purples with the hope that it would look like I was aiming for depth instead of desperation. My three color quilt ended up using 10 different fabrics. "Accentuate" finishes at 37" x 37." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and Aurifil monofilament thread to do matchstick quilting.<br />
<br />
The best part is that I went shopping right after I finished this quilt. I found a sweater that I loved so much in the same radiant orchid shade I'd just been working with. I asked the clerk if the sweater came in any other colors, and she pulled out versions in teal and black. I thought it was rude to laugh the way I was in front of her, so I had to pull out my phone and show her a picture of the quilt. I feel so much better having these colors back in my closet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqafD9z24vHP-7SorSASCJMLcUmVQZhCzBw-oIKX7LRCk1swLPIIhL4VUwBjhT_Tp8NcJkrvmUBoGpNqhiZI6VryFys1zKDqGZmQ2mFZzhpjjWCH7YDVj27Z6fpNw1Zmh2yJbdznD0sXsi/s1600/2017-04-20+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqafD9z24vHP-7SorSASCJMLcUmVQZhCzBw-oIKX7LRCk1swLPIIhL4VUwBjhT_Tp8NcJkrvmUBoGpNqhiZI6VryFys1zKDqGZmQ2mFZzhpjjWCH7YDVj27Z6fpNw1Zmh2yJbdznD0sXsi/s640/2017-04-20+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Accentuate: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I went back to my scrap pile and found that I could still identify fabrics from specific quilts. I had a lot of scraps left over from "Heading West." I love that quilt, but I have a lingering dissatisfaction that I chose to do the matchstick quilting with a gold thread. The positive is that the thread gave the finish a soft glow, but the negative was that it dulled my color work. I decided to do a reprisal of "Heading West" and try quilting it with monofilament thread. I made an 18" square to turn into a pillow cover. I posted it during the Instagram Quilt Fest last month and got about triple the likes I've ever had on a photo. I think that means that the monofilament experiment was a success!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe6l3lSUAismSN8PjICZpM0APvruTsVx-7ar94Bpgq4qvS9w7Y0IjHFSFYnGNtuWvKYNochcj-SJ6mF1S5VENTYXjvdnz-mgeRwKWR45qUaZgVPumiL3-zJYSdRuQJJBjVkdFjtVmHWeY/s1600/2017-04-20+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe6l3lSUAismSN8PjICZpM0APvruTsVx-7ar94Bpgq4qvS9w7Y0IjHFSFYnGNtuWvKYNochcj-SJ6mF1S5VENTYXjvdnz-mgeRwKWR45qUaZgVPumiL3-zJYSdRuQJJBjVkdFjtVmHWeY/s640/2017-04-20+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Heading West Pillow: Pie Lady Quilts" width="630" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the prompts from the Instagram Quilt Fest last month was a "fast finish." I decided to play along and turn one of my nothings into a something. I made a block last year using Kona Highlight that I never did anything with, partly because I'd had a construction issue and ended up with a bubble in the middle. I pulled that block out of my parts department and tried to think about how I could fix it. In the end, slicing through the bubble was the only way to move forward. I made two improvisational cuts through the center of the block, flipped the inner pieces toward the outside and turned to my solids scraps for inspiration. I filled in the gaps of where I'd cut with some pieces of a garnet colored fabric that was left over from piecing "Accentuate" and sashed each piece with blue. I also decided to hand quilt. I used Aurifil 12 wt. for the quilting and some hand-dyed thread from Weeks Dye Works to do the seed stitching on the garnet fabric and on the purple squares. I knew that I was going to run out of the color I was using to do the seed stitches in the cross, so I tried to run out in a strategic place. I had to fill in the center of the cross with a slightly different shade, but I ended up loving the subtle glow it gives. This quilt finished at roughly a 20" square.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ftln5A2o2s-7meXKoOoOsnXr5G8s1V-gjy9ti_p8GvdFvB30v9OcgvKGerbz5A4Ff4mKmMlaT0clecgXnJFeAfkOvUUdz7NI7BtB1HrxIagfWhCBmv00rUaKCKoOQyS9sO_xLKdnhzkM/s1600/IMG_5260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ftln5A2o2s-7meXKoOoOsnXr5G8s1V-gjy9ti_p8GvdFvB30v9OcgvKGerbz5A4Ff4mKmMlaT0clecgXnJFeAfkOvUUdz7NI7BtB1HrxIagfWhCBmv00rUaKCKoOQyS9sO_xLKdnhzkM/s640/IMG_5260.jpg" title="Highlight: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O6JFcBM9xowsY27_1QVuIb8MLzCKUWBata-wI6fiYRgmzvFKQGiEejsjkrb8R-SYwyUnrQrqBleezFysJtjkwGN6r3E8WlA5HE1VWxMErnZ2zdP1FNM7WWSBgwc1c0FtdlWSmWnr7Rny/s1600/IMG_5269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O6JFcBM9xowsY27_1QVuIb8MLzCKUWBata-wI6fiYRgmzvFKQGiEejsjkrb8R-SYwyUnrQrqBleezFysJtjkwGN6r3E8WlA5HE1VWxMErnZ2zdP1FNM7WWSBgwc1c0FtdlWSmWnr7Rny/s640/IMG_5269.jpg" title="Highlight: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I created this next quilt from some Handcrafted prints and scraps from my solid bin for a challenge from <a href="http://www.curatedquilts.com/2017/03/mini-quilt-call-for-entries.html" target="_blank">Curated Quilts.</a> Participants are linked to a Pinterest board for color and design inspiration. I enjoy creating when I'm given parameters--in some ways it takes the pressure off. The inspiration board had a lot of architecture and lines, so I attempted a mosaic quilt with some fusible web and a pair of tweezers. This tiny quilt is only 11" square and was so fun to make. Basically you fuse your fabric down on a background piece of fabric (I used black) and purposely allow the background fabric to peek through like mortar would. I fused the fabric in place and stitched along either end of the fused fabrics with black thread. It was fun not to have to account for seam allowances when playing with the patterns in the fabric. I also discovered that this method works really well with batik fabrics because you don't get as much fraying. This challenge doesn't close until May 1, so there is still time to participate if you are interested. Follow the link above for more details.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg7sepo6bP9dnh1CyfsfjkI11NDKKJe0MoKbqJDpZta8_1wMlRpSnST_GpUUESGR6pMOuaoLdbzTOT_pYjWtC8D5-PYSZ-5GjzoEN7_OVGVJkj5-m2HM1sFL8KcheSke80XCI0Hlltk7Z/s1600/IMG_5222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg7sepo6bP9dnh1CyfsfjkI11NDKKJe0MoKbqJDpZta8_1wMlRpSnST_GpUUESGR6pMOuaoLdbzTOT_pYjWtC8D5-PYSZ-5GjzoEN7_OVGVJkj5-m2HM1sFL8KcheSke80XCI0Hlltk7Z/s640/IMG_5222.jpg" title="Carnelian Cabin: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love to listen to music when I sew, and I have a new favorite song. It's called "Me and You" by Sara Watkins and I may have listened to it on repeat for a few days. In the song, there is a stanza that captivated me:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Central Valley sunshine<br />
Run out of town<br />
Make your head all funny<br />
So you stick around<br />
Dusty roads<br />
Make dirty feet<br />
I remember you<br />
I remember me"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The line, "Central Valley Sunshine" stuck in my head on a looped track until I dug in the bin for fabrics that evoked what I imagined it to look like (I've never been to California). I used a combination of solids and nearly solid prints. Originally I was thinking that I would make striped units, and I did. I liked them, too. I was eyeing up the design wall and thinking that one of my striped sets looked a little clunky, so I tried slicing it down the center longwise, flipping one piece 180 degrees, and sewing it back together so it looked like a checkerboard. I may have liked the stripes, but I loved the checkerboard. Naturally I had to slice up all of the striped units and make checkerboards instead. Depending on the width of the strips, the shapes created when recombining varied dramatically. I had a great time experimenting with the widths and the shapes. I love how one simple method can lead to such a variety of effects.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Central Valley Sunshine" finishes at 42" x 42." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it simply in straight lines with silver Aurifil thread. I ended up using a piece of voile I had in my stash as the backing, since voile comes in wider widths than regular quilting cotton I was able to avoid a seam down the back. I also lucked out and had a piece with a linear motif, so I quilted it from the backing side and used the pattern as cheater lines. The part of my brain that embraces improvisational piecing is the same part that struggles making straight lines, so I take all the help I can get.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Would you like to hear the song for yourself? Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJY4asP8lT4" target="_blank">link.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoJEg7XEsK580Ga2ZoxJo5Vq1VR_NV7X7cs1o4jBN5BVoJwZhj226gTOZg86wtH7nHrmlaE_Sp73qNA6tMayKzFRDFSbt1NGhNGEtnfXiwT_GReWMBGDhZMkOXgU3c3dq8ARnzfKrv9G8/s1600/IMG_5295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoJEg7XEsK580Ga2ZoxJo5Vq1VR_NV7X7cs1o4jBN5BVoJwZhj226gTOZg86wtH7nHrmlaE_Sp73qNA6tMayKzFRDFSbt1NGhNGEtnfXiwT_GReWMBGDhZMkOXgU3c3dq8ARnzfKrv9G8/s640/IMG_5295.jpg" title="Central Valley Sunshine: Pie Lady Quilts" width="618" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkEoj9O4ZLusTuxoguHwyYy5O-zRIaitTMWw1JcoO7N84dbiKK4eBt7rIOZfeyfY_N4iCpKN0G6XHpoFw4-7j2ogtRmuB63Cee7z-tGlmeo5_K7XbT2Cgucwjz15QFwL-CQxvsZpCZ1rh/s1600/IMG_5290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkEoj9O4ZLusTuxoguHwyYy5O-zRIaitTMWw1JcoO7N84dbiKK4eBt7rIOZfeyfY_N4iCpKN0G6XHpoFw4-7j2ogtRmuB63Cee7z-tGlmeo5_K7XbT2Cgucwjz15QFwL-CQxvsZpCZ1rh/s640/IMG_5290.jpg" title="Central Valley Sunshine: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUHyCrHvG4LKsJG6gc7S0Rw1FdzKzEcxTDloCKOvjmX2VloDUzjMP6ddgVqzrHK54T5FdRDEL4apncEHkCLLSM_9dB3hMhKJr72x6GcxR-Gk39NB6JgLHKhY1Tbiy7yJNUFaxp7mRL9AH/s1600/IMG_5292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUHyCrHvG4LKsJG6gc7S0Rw1FdzKzEcxTDloCKOvjmX2VloDUzjMP6ddgVqzrHK54T5FdRDEL4apncEHkCLLSM_9dB3hMhKJr72x6GcxR-Gk39NB6JgLHKhY1Tbiy7yJNUFaxp7mRL9AH/s640/IMG_5292.jpg" title="Central Valley Sunshine: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Finally, I'd like to end with the quilt that was the namesake for this blog post. "Spark" started as a failure and an accident. I was playing around with another idea that I'd had and devoted an afternoon to piecing some shapes with my blue scraps. It was not a success. Normally I'm an optimist and am prone to reworking and reworking until I like something, but this experiment I was not feeling AT ALL. I put the blue pieces of fabric back in the scrap bin and pulled out a medallion quilt that I've been slowly working at for the last month or two. I added coral rows to the center and had to put it away again because a lovely accident had just happened. I tossed a strip of leftover coral fabric on top of those blue scraps and fireworks lit off in my head. The coral pieces just rocketed off those cool blues and I knew I had to make that quilt. I had many small scraps of blue, so necessity was the inspiration for the tiny squares. I built this quilt out like a medallion quilt and tried to judiciously add scraps of coral when I thought the quilt needed them. I also had a good time hiding subtle shapes in the blues. If you haven't taken the Gwen Marston classes from iquilt.com, I'd highly, highly recommend them. She made a comment in one of the classes (I don't remember which one), that if you have the opportunity to put blocks together in such a way that you create a new shape, that you should probably take it. Looking back at the last few quilts I've made, I can see myself trying to take that advice. It's definitely altered the way I think about "backgrounds."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
"Spark" finishes at 38" x 38." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it with Aurifil monofilament thread in a matchstick pattern. I know I do that a lot, but it is because I love texture and I love highlighting the piecing. I've found that the more quilting lines there are, the more visible the piecing is. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w196LEJgDiv_yOQlUGR1kUmtVWWUq5U2GUIMea1JSbaIU9IfyhNI0Yspe6nbEJx6KXEseMJ_2Y8eT9lRA6QjKQmzOlkFuVv4YpKcch5MKESl3QxD1rVB1R1Qdmm8sg00tGxXAguxrHGh/s1600/IMG_5357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w196LEJgDiv_yOQlUGR1kUmtVWWUq5U2GUIMea1JSbaIU9IfyhNI0Yspe6nbEJx6KXEseMJ_2Y8eT9lRA6QjKQmzOlkFuVv4YpKcch5MKESl3QxD1rVB1R1Qdmm8sg00tGxXAguxrHGh/s640/IMG_5357.jpg" title="Spark: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCveOBIzhSDLZJN4cftBYNW9EfFE_ebF1DNILLtfPtUBzfhA22gYKDhnnMfCjp_-qF6B5hNs9pk0eD0IRcoxoROshRDwHNSr6UiN0bF9_l7oPO-nwuXH3hl2VpyiwmFLqTQLkfNBl9wUqa/s1600/IMG_5366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCveOBIzhSDLZJN4cftBYNW9EfFE_ebF1DNILLtfPtUBzfhA22gYKDhnnMfCjp_-qF6B5hNs9pk0eD0IRcoxoROshRDwHNSr6UiN0bF9_l7oPO-nwuXH3hl2VpyiwmFLqTQLkfNBl9wUqa/s640/IMG_5366.jpg" title="Spark: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
To sum up, what is my advice for using your scraps? Don't be an obsessive idiot like I was and wait for inspiration to strike BEFORE you begin. Fate favors the prepared and inspiration flows more freely for me when I am working. Touching the fabric, sorting it, remembering what exactly you have all helps to release the creativity and can be the SPARK that gets the fire burning.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Thanks for reading!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Linking up to Finish it up Friday at <a href="https://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2017/04/noodlehead-pencil-pouch.html?showComment=1492787118423&m=1#c8476079811604078633" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts.</a>.</div>
<br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-54190999412208097602017-02-17T00:01:00.000-06:002017-02-18T13:54:12.659-06:00Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Is home a place or a feeling? Both, neither...I don't know. Maybe it's a memory so deep that it becomes an integral part of who you are and how you process the world. That's how it is for me, anyway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In December when Pantone announced that the color of the year for 2017 was Greenery, I wasn't thinking any deep thoughts. My only thought was that it might be fun to try a quilt in a limited palette, and that it might be even funner still to use the new green. I had a vague idea of doing a crib-sized quilt with different sized quarter log cabin blocks, so I sketched out a quick picture, pulled out three shot cottons in Blue Jean, Sprout and Ice and started piecing. (Actually, for the sake of complete honesty, I had the doors to my solids cupboard open, auditioning different combinations when yardage of Blue Jean fell out and landed on my feet. I decided not to argue with the universe and use it with two other shot cotton friends.) I had such a good time piecing that I finished all the blocks before I put them up on the design wall. That turned out to be a momentous decision because when I finally laid out the quilt I got to see the whole hot mess in its entirety. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
%&$#@!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Quilting has taught me a lot about myself. For one, that my instincts are far better than my plans and also that I am apparently incapable of walking away from a project that I've spent a lot of time/fabric on. I ended up with at least six 10.5" blocks in my first attempt, so I used those to start playing with different configurations on the design wall to try to "save" this quilt. When I placed them in alternating orientations, on point, all the tension eased. I knew why, too. I'd made the mountains of my home in Idaho.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOhIKSSEoO5I5II3GY3u4cqzSkr4B-yvvQ5EDKKIV6jGBP7Sg75sWZUtfwqj9XDyawRQxcz-F_oeCYwqVe7qAtk_zg9A_UrAOpc4wLOoHV2cNeOsuOd0AZ5y2z8Qr5HFSvrmtrFCmVY64/s1600/IMG_5122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOhIKSSEoO5I5II3GY3u4cqzSkr4B-yvvQ5EDKKIV6jGBP7Sg75sWZUtfwqj9XDyawRQxcz-F_oeCYwqVe7qAtk_zg9A_UrAOpc4wLOoHV2cNeOsuOd0AZ5y2z8Qr5HFSvrmtrFCmVY64/s640/IMG_5122.jpg" title="Home: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are no mountains in Iowa, so a harvested soybean field sufficed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the view from my mother's sewing room. I took this picture while I was doing some early morning quilting during our vacation two years ago. It's a little greener than usual because they'd had a wet spring. The similarities between the two pictures are really uncanny.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxSDxE46svf5ne_bK3JnTuICnVJMM3ZWDzx-RSg2UE_I8WvR4Uea_X86e3olMzjveK0GqAM7cxDAHH_KQY66OHl4INzOvlCrKelIv8lyn3je09Wbl7jOktm3pE29PLDZrkjzbp5iwvJ4g/s1600/Screenshot_2017-02-16-21-09-33-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxSDxE46svf5ne_bK3JnTuICnVJMM3ZWDzx-RSg2UE_I8WvR4Uea_X86e3olMzjveK0GqAM7cxDAHH_KQY66OHl4INzOvlCrKelIv8lyn3je09Wbl7jOktm3pE29PLDZrkjzbp5iwvJ4g/s640/Screenshot_2017-02-16-21-09-33-01.jpeg" title="Home: Pie Lady Quilts" width="436" /></a></div>
<br />
I ended up ripping out and expanding the blocks that were too small and cutting down the blocks that were too big (and naturally, I saved the pieces that I trimmed off...more on those later). I was able to reuse all of the original blocks and only needed to piece two more quarter log cabins to finish this quilt top.<br />
<br />
I chose to quilt this with simple horizontal lines. I felt quite a bit of angst about it, too, since I am the queen of straight-ish quilting. Last year I entered a quilt in the state fair and had feedback from a judge that my quilting lines really needed to be straight. I disagreed then and still do. I just don't get how military precision with perfectly straight quilting lines marries with a care-free, liberated, wonky, improvisational top. This quilt may have improvisational elements, but it definitely wasn't whimsical and straight-ish lines just weren't going to cut it. It was then that I discovered a large cut of striped fabric in my stash. I totally used the stripes as my backing and quilted the whole thing using my pre-marked cheater lines. I will be buying a large quantity of striped fabric in the near future because this. Worked. Out. Great.<br />
<br />
"Home" finished at 47" x 72." It was made using Quilter's Dream Request batting. I quilted it with Aurifil invisible thread (I even had that in the bobbin since I quilted it from the back) and some 50 wt. Aurifil thread that perfectly matched my striped backing fabric.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG4AjHIVfIk9ZGgR7mKjgtOESihOwo5Q6QYaM5Q28PZuQepTzfRYWRbcjbzyKw2XOsMB2YfeQt7oJu7rozxgqc4kQISlo1q5SDQbgozTB7PdOkxQVql5s7z-J2D47okJCUjZguoyOyu6A/s1600/IMG_5139.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG4AjHIVfIk9ZGgR7mKjgtOESihOwo5Q6QYaM5Q28PZuQepTzfRYWRbcjbzyKw2XOsMB2YfeQt7oJu7rozxgqc4kQISlo1q5SDQbgozTB7PdOkxQVql5s7z-J2D47okJCUjZguoyOyu6A/s640/IMG_5139.png" title="Home: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPf052VyDtKW1GmzJCgGqn_U7dN8Xka1AkXmINup8Q-F08RoI9dJzA7_JeABtBvkYJw0d9h57yESePjGJlDaH5WxwfEChEKXohgmZ3mD3QrxlkKL5dpmixhVc8oHmRBdt4d1o2vdjVAH/s1600/IMG_5144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPf052VyDtKW1GmzJCgGqn_U7dN8Xka1AkXmINup8Q-F08RoI9dJzA7_JeABtBvkYJw0d9h57yESePjGJlDaH5WxwfEChEKXohgmZ3mD3QrxlkKL5dpmixhVc8oHmRBdt4d1o2vdjVAH/s640/IMG_5144.jpg" title="Home: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Making "Home" was a nostalgic process for me and I felt like I wanted to keep going with the story. Holding the green fabric one day, the thought popped into my head that I should do a rattlesnake quilt. Rattlesnakes are not a joyful memory for me, but they are a powerful one. I sketched out several versions of the block until I found a design that replicated the diamond pattern of rattlesnake skin. I pieced the blocks improvisationally and then cut them down to the size I needed. I really like the look of natural variation. I emphasized the scales by using a dark blue thread with a lot of contrast. The pattern is not exact, the colors are not exact, but the FEELING of this quilt (especially once I'd quilted in the scale texture) was enough to give me full body shivers more than once.<br />
<br />
"Rattlesnake" finished at 39" x 45." It was made using Quilter's Dream Request batting. I used Aurifil thread and my new favorite trick of echo quilting my backing fabric. Can you believe I had a diamond patterned fabric in my stash? I finished this quilt with a facing. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJLLWBkqAuZGMVHvv4mPcDDp7kEaRs26nazayZctwqSva07UMkV9Eo3XieBsOcysSrP3aqyKvvqGApvzoE6AnHVZBjb9-8JYQJzCK600_TOqcB7mVR0-azAaG6LzYUOhfaKVpjK2louMY/s1600/IMG_5074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJLLWBkqAuZGMVHvv4mPcDDp7kEaRs26nazayZctwqSva07UMkV9Eo3XieBsOcysSrP3aqyKvvqGApvzoE6AnHVZBjb9-8JYQJzCK600_TOqcB7mVR0-azAaG6LzYUOhfaKVpjK2louMY/s640/IMG_5074.jpg" title="Rattlesnake: Pie Lady Quilts" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is the ONLY time I'd like to see a rattlesnake hanging from a tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-7TkvSTNXn3zA9-YC8lnRraPOyQQX3ueycK1-xw93Uf5h_qHlkcOI10RCdqwadcmhkNWnu2qfq-ql3I4UNtlVSlwRonMkCDTZrOh995I9wE5wkXzpEvexB2iKuPxhBpv_tAlKxq10nkY/s1600/IMG_5076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-7TkvSTNXn3zA9-YC8lnRraPOyQQX3ueycK1-xw93Uf5h_qHlkcOI10RCdqwadcmhkNWnu2qfq-ql3I4UNtlVSlwRonMkCDTZrOh995I9wE5wkXzpEvexB2iKuPxhBpv_tAlKxq10nkY/s640/IMG_5076.jpg" title="Rattlesnake: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGKIiPrxkheOb-9melTvWq3FoT1ob8xd0HKH9lS7olt8s5MTIQ5RHHt7Bw3ieOrlybjRoiKaXIteReeY0UWOUlcK2O5xUk95nNnQl9T1-JQ3wo8lYofg7RyxTOOKFBlBihKc1mGhmPEZ2/s1600/IMG_5090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGKIiPrxkheOb-9melTvWq3FoT1ob8xd0HKH9lS7olt8s5MTIQ5RHHt7Bw3ieOrlybjRoiKaXIteReeY0UWOUlcK2O5xUk95nNnQl9T1-JQ3wo8lYofg7RyxTOOKFBlBihKc1mGhmPEZ2/s640/IMG_5090.jpg" title="Rattlesnake: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpsOkeJAZvJhz_lvgR0oboJbUnocVh72oQBuMPPb30s0PEsJzmvedwa9u8aGBO4G8QnYIsySCvQXcwTGbatHcw1nBy3GVIm5q3vSwB17Hl4KPMB1Ewu_aWcrgLFSbrVHLw4MuRCPbt6J6/s1600/IMG_5085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpsOkeJAZvJhz_lvgR0oboJbUnocVh72oQBuMPPb30s0PEsJzmvedwa9u8aGBO4G8QnYIsySCvQXcwTGbatHcw1nBy3GVIm5q3vSwB17Hl4KPMB1Ewu_aWcrgLFSbrVHLw4MuRCPbt6J6/s640/IMG_5085.jpg" title="Rattlesnake: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My mother has intense feelings of fear about rattlesnakes, so I guess I come by it honestly. In the mountains it is easy to avoid them by making some noise and staying aware, but all bets are off when the snakes come down off the mountain into yards and neighborhoods. Our farm is largely protected from this because we are just below a natural barrier (there is a canal that separates us from the foothills). In all my life, I only remember two rattlesnakes on our property. My mom still worried about it, though. She worried enough that my dad promised her that if she was ever in a position that she had to take care of a rattlesnake by herself, that he would give her $100. I don't mean to offend anyone's sensibilities with this story, but to be clear, "take care of" is not a euphemism for rehoming.<br />
<br />
About 4 years after my father's passing, that day arrived. Mom was home by herself enjoying a new batch of Mama Kitty's babies on the porch when she spotted the rattlesnake in the grass. There was no one to call and some kittens to spare. Putting her personal feelings aside and almost choking on the fear and revulsion, she did what she needed to do. She was still nervy and shaking, trying to catch her breath in the easy chair inside, when the doorbell rang. Though no relation to us, there is a business in town that shares our name. As it turned out, my mother had just bought new windows from them and had inadvertently overpaid. The owner had decided to personally return her overpayment, and handed over a check for a little over one hundred dollars with an unknowing smile. He was invited in for a drink and the story and left shaking his head at his role in it. You gotta give my dad points for style.<br />
<br />
I just couldn't stop at "Rattlesnake." I had to tell the rest of it and make "Dispatched" as a companion piece. I used up all the bits and pieces I had produced in making the first two quilts, including the strips I cut off of the pieced blocks when I standardized their size. Piecing improvisationally, I tried to replicate the feeling of the event. I think I got a pretty accurate representation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDGNN5yFZBovowXSjfaO2VR8XspsPiusTHnJzm_o9VPL0wYfSXXwRc_bn_t7B4ZvX0W9QVSLWp5q_VMSu-AJEvmRfjr4mnK9PzBAJTW998VyewdPCeVOOsyqLsCjmQUew_ZDNAhxEQoTn/s1600/IMG_5156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDGNN5yFZBovowXSjfaO2VR8XspsPiusTHnJzm_o9VPL0wYfSXXwRc_bn_t7B4ZvX0W9QVSLWp5q_VMSu-AJEvmRfjr4mnK9PzBAJTW998VyewdPCeVOOsyqLsCjmQUew_ZDNAhxEQoTn/s640/IMG_5156.jpg" title="Dispatched: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKDEYDJUDi5EcONT1dhr4PcILbtHRAEitP3p0iE0k49uRVM2PuyfScnL-daEoAEJogMv4QZn0_rpaCG7xXDAJ0HstMy6pZoWx78Z1t1BF_6pvqbI_8BGRBTh3lb2Vuh4uXjiGvI1S4-v8/s1600/IMG_5151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKDEYDJUDi5EcONT1dhr4PcILbtHRAEitP3p0iE0k49uRVM2PuyfScnL-daEoAEJogMv4QZn0_rpaCG7xXDAJ0HstMy6pZoWx78Z1t1BF_6pvqbI_8BGRBTh3lb2Vuh4uXjiGvI1S4-v8/s640/IMG_5151.jpg" title="Dispatched: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsycWMbMAKHvNp4rWD7LzA4fghuYUw5tq8SUrAhfG7na60vqVwjrG4U93mE8I7JGV8f72OxFlQZ0NkdP6L3J752XimPA9DjE6VKP-XTnPHkrRDDa91HazKioTZQZH34kr5YJwm2UPrNB4Y/s1600/IMG_5176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsycWMbMAKHvNp4rWD7LzA4fghuYUw5tq8SUrAhfG7na60vqVwjrG4U93mE8I7JGV8f72OxFlQZ0NkdP6L3J752XimPA9DjE6VKP-XTnPHkrRDDa91HazKioTZQZH34kr5YJwm2UPrNB4Y/s640/IMG_5176.jpg" title="Dispatched: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This quilt with a sunset backdrop was a visual metaphor I just couldn't resist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Dispatched" finishes at 25"x 24." It was made using Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted with Aurifil invisible thread. To avoid even a whisper of a bobbin thread peeking out in the light blocks, I used it in the bobbin as well. I finished this quilt with a facing.<br />
<br />
I'm still thinking about what it takes to make a home. I do know that I never intended to sew the hills of my childhood home into a quilt, but when the fabric tumbled out at my feet, I took it, and then the quilts took me. I am surrounded by corn, by prairie, by my little family in Iowa--but my home will always be in the mountains.<br />
<br />
Thanks for sharing the trip with me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZLqU3whbb6mCKf5m4KeTxRZNQDNQeVz2fGKrwc6fdckmWvSfK32GYfuxiCO4qjw2LOrlg78LQbD0_qeusFgiScySR-0LkyWknwZT-4-zU7T-nWCOoiPjneaUiGjYPtP7pyx77goJgYXm/s1600/170216115119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZLqU3whbb6mCKf5m4KeTxRZNQDNQeVz2fGKrwc6fdckmWvSfK32GYfuxiCO4qjw2LOrlg78LQbD0_qeusFgiScySR-0LkyWknwZT-4-zU7T-nWCOoiPjneaUiGjYPtP7pyx77goJgYXm/s640/170216115119.jpg" title="Home Series: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Linking up with Finish it Up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2017/02/love-hoop-art-and-finished-scarf.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-90139974317706951172016-12-01T13:04:00.001-06:002016-12-02T09:59:44.324-06:00BridgesI am from Idaho and my husband is from Connecticut. We currently live in Iowa, which is pretty much smack-dab in the middle of them both. On the summers that we decide to travel to both places, we put a lot of miles on our van AND on our kids. It's always a fun adventure, though. My husband is perfectly content to drive all day and I am perfectly content to let him and look out the window. I saw so much this summer that inspired me.<br />
<br />
We went west first, and ended up in the Grand Teton National Forest on a late spring morning. I stood on the shore of Jenny Lake and watched the way the shadows of the mountains and the light from a weak sun rippled across the icy water. I stood there longer than I should have admiring the beauty and contemplating how to replicate that feeling of movement I got from the frigid water. When we got back to my mom's house I started piecing the center of the quilt. Now, feel free to laugh at me, but at the time I was thinking of trying my hand at a minimalist quilt. I sketched out a few ideas where I used only a few half square triangles.....which might be why I thought it would be a good idea to use 2" finished HST. Are you laughing yet? Once I placed the pieces on the design wall and realized how much I liked them all together, I threw the plans in the trash and kept building. The truth is, I like piecing. I also find it difficult to quell my exuberance once I start.<br />
<br />
When we drove east, I had a whole bunch of light HST units and not much of a plan. Then, I found myself on the shore of the Long Island Sound watching the way the light moved across the dark water, rolling towards me in gentle waves. This time we got into the water and I spent quite a bit of time swimming with my kids and picking off many varieties of seaweed. I thought of what I loved best from that memory: the expansive feeling of the ocean view, the colors and the fun we had playing in the water. I thought of it all the way home. Before we even unpacked, I found myself in my sewing room picking a new palette and making more half square triangles. I decided to add them in an asymmetrical border and flip the orientation of the quilt to mimic the long horizon from the ocean.<br />
<br />
I believe that when we let ourselves explore during our sewing time and make judgements in the moment, that really personal things emerge in our work. I can feel it when it happens to me and like what it does to my creations. I get the chance to share my feelings in fabric and also with words on my blog.<br />
<br />
Around the time I was choosing to add that ocean inspired border, my husband and I were asked to share the story of how we met/married with the youth in our church. I was blessed to have an amazing, miraculous, never-would-believe-it-if-it-happened-to-someone-else courtship. I met my husband on a penpal site on the internet before Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan tried it. We wrote long emails to each other multiple times a day for three months before we talked on the phone for the first time. We had strong feelings for each other and I felt safe enough to give him my address. He sent me a present that I still treasure to this day (and hangs proudly in our living room). I had shared with him in one of the emails that I loved impressionist art, so he went to a museum and bought me a print of a Monet bridge. He included a note that told me he felt this was a symbol of our success. Two different people with wildly different backgrounds, faiths and experiences coming together to make something beautiful.<br />
<br />
See what I mean? I was thinking and making and I made what I was thinking about. It's a quilt version of our bridge. Two different experiences with a common theme. He is who he is. I am who I am. We embrace our differences and our commonalities. We are better together.<br />
<br />
"Ripple" finished at 79" x 59." I made it using 51 (!) different fabrics over the course of 5 months. It is matchstick quilted with Aurifil invisible thread and metallic threads by Yenmet in pearlessence white and twilight silver blue. The batting is Quilter's Dream Request. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7vXz1b3qnJ_41oVEsgern3hDowTnTIkoJFimVXrWiimJR3Hvx1yUHbJAmmezyWLYx4r_tMwJOYfD62FddNCPBemNGkGwVJBcZAKh3xbeok8yq-6gJA58v8mW47lMgRO7qzvNZ65KK3mq/s1600/IMG_4936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7vXz1b3qnJ_41oVEsgern3hDowTnTIkoJFimVXrWiimJR3Hvx1yUHbJAmmezyWLYx4r_tMwJOYfD62FddNCPBemNGkGwVJBcZAKh3xbeok8yq-6gJA58v8mW47lMgRO7qzvNZ65KK3mq/s640/IMG_4936.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Ripple" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwc0RjicE8G8bBJ2fGMUPAZh1s1LcmIRCimuB-qmOUtLKj0rIxG9hSI9yIJgqVdXPVDAjpsL31bUftg9joRheDrlP9bWpmfbxbChLNieLlxh0SoA3awX5sgNWNOqJavz-4F0X_sdafqVu/s1600/IMG_4963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwc0RjicE8G8bBJ2fGMUPAZh1s1LcmIRCimuB-qmOUtLKj0rIxG9hSI9yIJgqVdXPVDAjpsL31bUftg9joRheDrlP9bWpmfbxbChLNieLlxh0SoA3awX5sgNWNOqJavz-4F0X_sdafqVu/s640/IMG_4963.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Ripple" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd-zb1NWFNym-tFTUnOeo9JXSXXFkA9j7p5ogaV6WeVKc_3z_lKBcNQRT-JAvyQl1RWPf0Tj8_AA7XtIQ48GXLITHrCoR2SI2qKTnjqRiCb5GSJDXJRgmydjc5gEsOtEajEa2JaDSCzT1/s1600/IMG_4946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd-zb1NWFNym-tFTUnOeo9JXSXXFkA9j7p5ogaV6WeVKc_3z_lKBcNQRT-JAvyQl1RWPf0Tj8_AA7XtIQ48GXLITHrCoR2SI2qKTnjqRiCb5GSJDXJRgmydjc5gEsOtEajEa2JaDSCzT1/s640/IMG_4946.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Ripple" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrAYLuEfP8_gLnLBJSEUEL2SS7UJk_8RIQukhaYYcz1xrFFtusWNB-dUEUa7IbgKT4FwvPVdFFiCB4C1WoABg1oY_pZColNRdoR4lM2yZThZazjGVCIvLkYkGo702meRcTdQkZ0VQHb_b/s1600/IMG_4935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrAYLuEfP8_gLnLBJSEUEL2SS7UJk_8RIQukhaYYcz1xrFFtusWNB-dUEUa7IbgKT4FwvPVdFFiCB4C1WoABg1oY_pZColNRdoR4lM2yZThZazjGVCIvLkYkGo702meRcTdQkZ0VQHb_b/s640/IMG_4935.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Ripple" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNg8A5fzdLg73ZCnTsxZE4V4y0VoKbzraGffaoBpxNo4N0N-4HrCIxLAQjyX68XprNBxRfS_xnovMjpH1vLurG4A8t9Ah7tN0cMcmPA-Je4HC_x9G_nwERyG6BJpqHGox1Bq4Uoh8wgVO7/s1600/IMG_4953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNg8A5fzdLg73ZCnTsxZE4V4y0VoKbzraGffaoBpxNo4N0N-4HrCIxLAQjyX68XprNBxRfS_xnovMjpH1vLurG4A8t9Ah7tN0cMcmPA-Je4HC_x9G_nwERyG6BJpqHGox1Bq4Uoh8wgVO7/s640/IMG_4953.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Ripple" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, I can't really leave the story there, right? I also couldn't ignore the piles of triangle scraps that I had left (after trying many different methods for making half square triangles, I discovered that my favorite was sewing two triangles together). I experimented with insetting pieced strips of lights into the darker triangles. Once I'd used up all of my leftover triangles, I tried stretching the diamond shape and cut rectangle shapes out of my dark scraps. All the while, I was listening to the song "Let's Get Married" by The Proclaimers, a Scottish band. That may or may not be the reason that some of the plaid from my Loominous stash got slipped in there. (ahem) There's nothing wrong with being literal, right?<br />
<br />
Want to hear the song? Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NDradkVAX8" target="_blank">link.</a> <br />
<br />
I have been married a long time, but I still remember that happy, euphoric feeling of the newly twitterpated. After writing emails back and forth (and eventually calling) for 5 months, Matt flew out from the East Coast to visit me for the first time. We had an awesome weekend for our first official date. While I was driving him back to the airport, I asked him about his plans and he PROPOSED. "I don't know about you," he said, "but I plan on spending the rest of my life with you." I almost drove off the road! Don't let all this improv fool you...in real life I am a careful and deliberate thinker, but at that moment I felt sure enough to immediately nod and say, "Okay. Let's get married." That song helped me focus in on and remember some pretty powerful memories. <br />
<br />
"Let's Get Married" finished at 40" x 40." It is matchstick quilted with Aurifil invisible thread. I used Quilter's Dream Request batting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIu44j0IdaGypG-PO02v9tPLKZhwGLJ0cPFZ_fomXO9Xeex3a4DHnIMh84HGf1MX7mqlNld1iSiMwA45Vah9SmZG_fDIyjaVLqx8lk3OZthGtHHEC3ivNyCoSfU0s1-vOPHNCe3l7hL9LC/s1600/IMG_4879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIu44j0IdaGypG-PO02v9tPLKZhwGLJ0cPFZ_fomXO9Xeex3a4DHnIMh84HGf1MX7mqlNld1iSiMwA45Vah9SmZG_fDIyjaVLqx8lk3OZthGtHHEC3ivNyCoSfU0s1-vOPHNCe3l7hL9LC/s640/IMG_4879.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Let's Get Married" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4fRH-x0p-SZVlhpEb-PjhgS5vpxalXJkFSjySivt6YNGPIBb1wugaCSR9NLwh0fBCWa4eXhlAfX4mH2DlOZaX3cSA6JZVrEaYpAPMY9L-tbQIP0w4Eej5BsmajH1dyb_SiUrZ12bUVMz/s1600/IMG_4903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4fRH-x0p-SZVlhpEb-PjhgS5vpxalXJkFSjySivt6YNGPIBb1wugaCSR9NLwh0fBCWa4eXhlAfX4mH2DlOZaX3cSA6JZVrEaYpAPMY9L-tbQIP0w4Eej5BsmajH1dyb_SiUrZ12bUVMz/s640/IMG_4903.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Let's Get Married" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOvnWGcBZpkqixbM6T7CM_Es7fLm1aF6XkDw106PvirRba7AM4_YgQ3mA7gofPO0CPeDFZZ2r4gGZFdnxkSIGjZRFiUKAP0y-sbeHzRKq4mkX0ZOdh5AyEMYrP2Oj27HM7DUTwd-oqqB3/s1600/IMG_4890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOvnWGcBZpkqixbM6T7CM_Es7fLm1aF6XkDw106PvirRba7AM4_YgQ3mA7gofPO0CPeDFZZ2r4gGZFdnxkSIGjZRFiUKAP0y-sbeHzRKq4mkX0ZOdh5AyEMYrP2Oj27HM7DUTwd-oqqB3/s640/IMG_4890.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Let's Get Married" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH-tJKBN_rp0pxZDW8FODW1NJzhPyLzPXEbHs5xAKVU-fl7lgHaEJ5nxtbwctCg2mASw8RWAi_1y9W44ZcXp9NiqKGuImolwCDuDXLFKnyG9RY8BrnboY5C8_Aom76O1Px2LL_AcrDhhK/s1600/IMG_4891.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH-tJKBN_rp0pxZDW8FODW1NJzhPyLzPXEbHs5xAKVU-fl7lgHaEJ5nxtbwctCg2mASw8RWAi_1y9W44ZcXp9NiqKGuImolwCDuDXLFKnyG9RY8BrnboY5C8_Aom76O1Px2LL_AcrDhhK/s640/IMG_4891.png" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Let's Get Married" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNI_5ggeWliglmIbR-4CetGAld9Ai3O1zcjrgKRmrXX4r47o0PhByJUHK3qqHmC-R2UbrORvd2jUnFjWZk-oZID1LQ8bIMM1wcwm9Yfa6ZCT2mMS8WnxlKvh1jO6kgS3rOnrZ_mri0LjY/s1600/IMG_4907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNI_5ggeWliglmIbR-4CetGAld9Ai3O1zcjrgKRmrXX4r47o0PhByJUHK3qqHmC-R2UbrORvd2jUnFjWZk-oZID1LQ8bIMM1wcwm9Yfa6ZCT2mMS8WnxlKvh1jO6kgS3rOnrZ_mri0LjY/s640/IMG_4907.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Let's Get Married" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to end with a funny story. I am finally ready to attach a quilt label to myself. The one I have chosen is <u>Dedicated Quilter</u>. I took the quilts to a park with a pond and river access to get my photography done. As we walked past the inclined boat launch, I had the thought that a picture with the Iowa River and foliage in the background would be a great idea for the big quilt. My kids were with me and I knew that my boys could hold the dowels I use to suspend the quilt over the water. I was a little concerned about the river slime that coated the launch, so I left the camera, the bag with supplies and my little girl at the top with the boys while I checked to see if it would be safe. I inched down the incline carefully. Just as the "Um....no" thought was forming I took another half step. That turned out to be a half step too many. I slipped in the muddy slime and started sliding down the incline to the very cold and very dirty Iowa River. Would this be a good time to mention that I was holding "Ripple?" Instead of catching myself with my hands, my first instinct was to lift the quilt over my head. The quilt and I rode down the boat launch and stopped just short of the river. I was covered in mud and my children were horrified, but I crab-walked (with one hand) myself back up the launch with a quilt on my head. I was scared to look at the quilt, but there were only 3 tiny flecks of mud that I was able to remove with some bottled water and gentle scrubbing with the sleeve of MY COAT. Priorities, priorities. All the photos were taken around the pond immediately following the *adventure* by me, The River Monster.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading. I hope you have a blessed holiday season.<br />
<br />
Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2016/12/straighforward-quilt-top.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-29499538152816188342016-07-15T09:26:00.000-05:002016-07-15T11:30:20.779-05:00ScraptasticAs part of my newly-resolved commitment to use what I have, I offer up this post on scraps. Below are my humble opinions, somewhat useful tips (I hope) and four finished quilts.<br />
<br />
I have always been a saver, but after Amanda Jean Nyberg (Crazy Mom
Quilts) came to our guild a few years ago, I became a better, smarter
saver. After all, there's no point in saving something if you can't find
it when you need it, right? Scrap storage had always been a problem for
me and I bounced between a few methods that never seemed quite right.
Unfortunately, when I was between methods, wadded up on the corner of
the cutting mat started happening more often. Scraps should never make
you angry, and yet, I was. The best solution for me was to deal with
scraps as I made them. I bought an inexpensive floating shelf from the
home improvement store and installed the shelf directly above my cutting
table. I also bought three bins from the dollar store to go on top of
the shelf. I labelled them "SNIPPETS," "STRINGS" and "TRIANGLES." Larger
scraps of fabric (like fat quarters that have been cut into) are sorted
by color in drawers underneath my cutting table. As I cut into fabric
and generate scraps, I can immediately put them in the right place for
later use.<br />
<br />
"Viva Mexico" began because my "SNIPPETS" bin was full. Originally inspired by the "Scrap Vortex" quilt by Amanda Jean Nyberg <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/scrap-vortex-qal-week-one.html" target="_blank">(here is a link to the tutorial)</a>, I added my own spin to her process just by virtue of the kind of scraps I had chosen to save. I used all of my buckets for this quilt. I sewed triangles together. I joined funky paper piecing scraps to each other. I laid little snippets on a long piece from my string bucket and snipped them apart into pairs at the end. Basically I just kept sewing bits together into pairs. Then, I'd iron. Pairs that matched along one of the sides were sewn together. If nothing fit well, I'd cut a piece off of a string and sew that on. The slabs of piecing grew as I kept sewing chunks together. To help me set the slabs together, I made a scaled piecing map on a piece of graph paper. Improvisational quilts can seem hard when you think you have to have everything figured out at once. That overwhelms me. For this quilt, I'd check out my notes on the graph paper and know that, for instance, I needed a 12.5" x 14.5" unit to finish a section. I'd find a slab that was close to that size (and add a little to it if I needed to), square it down and piece it in. The overwhelming becomes possible when you break it down into manageable bits.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdfTIIMlbTANVVQ1TOYIoHKOOWlPcCNgxnhIxldSllgXz_ODUEsvhLsbRrXVAI3yNObo5WPjzwmpa3v_m1HZhbugXksxC2TY1a0Q86aga8jFvA22e3mTkhg5HtaMXTDwm0IAvVSKR0DOV/s1600/IMG_4527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdfTIIMlbTANVVQ1TOYIoHKOOWlPcCNgxnhIxldSllgXz_ODUEsvhLsbRrXVAI3yNObo5WPjzwmpa3v_m1HZhbugXksxC2TY1a0Q86aga8jFvA22e3mTkhg5HtaMXTDwm0IAvVSKR0DOV/s640/IMG_4527.jpg" title="Viva Mexico: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this shot next door to my childhood candy store. I really appreciate all the people that humor me with my odd requests. Thanks Dixie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInDSIPbIgJspbTW1cUabxyWZl1m3clnIDL0XBxuiSCIQLwb1x1u2cZR_-Ewb4sTU50arx-KgX_iVaSSbGHtg18hZWgJOCh3kUOKcfV-n6_nqyW78E0YYH-espt6DzNlTfJKA5AVBd05Hr/s1600/IMG_4505+%2528fixed%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInDSIPbIgJspbTW1cUabxyWZl1m3clnIDL0XBxuiSCIQLwb1x1u2cZR_-Ewb4sTU50arx-KgX_iVaSSbGHtg18hZWgJOCh3kUOKcfV-n6_nqyW78E0YYH-espt6DzNlTfJKA5AVBd05Hr/s640/IMG_4505+%2528fixed%2529.jpg" title="Viva Mexico: Pie Lady Quilts" width="504" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BMTJC3HUIH_gpjUKPFyVoIivSRyMKZTJOVLWHHPnksA0FbrQ_LO6fapBTnNk4v_z9GfpOYSd8MjPHVK3qc9De765uH5xepUhodfEjYc13OhcdBduuKvqPriEcv6bgFd-aLJTtjILsM7H/s1600/IMG_4509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BMTJC3HUIH_gpjUKPFyVoIivSRyMKZTJOVLWHHPnksA0FbrQ_LO6fapBTnNk4v_z9GfpOYSd8MjPHVK3qc9De765uH5xepUhodfEjYc13OhcdBduuKvqPriEcv6bgFd-aLJTtjILsM7H/s640/IMG_4509.jpg" title="Viva Mexico: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now do you see the flag?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBoJL_mK5ce0ipZazfDeuPV9MYHxvCnB7_L32z9MD6wOGFFRSr5Sbq5IQ705hJ0LYXx4w1y-Zgq9TzvRf7gz9R1seuW-9P47p6SVjQHVzdzVA5pv8HKsrVhHqbBNBvp2Jrvgp0mqFx3It/s1600/IMG_4519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBoJL_mK5ce0ipZazfDeuPV9MYHxvCnB7_L32z9MD6wOGFFRSr5Sbq5IQ705hJ0LYXx4w1y-Zgq9TzvRf7gz9R1seuW-9P47p6SVjQHVzdzVA5pv8HKsrVhHqbBNBvp2Jrvgp0mqFx3It/s640/IMG_4519.jpg" title="Viva Mexico: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I loved piecing this quilt. The decisions were simple. Which two fabrics should I sew together? The machine hummed, the music played and I sewed until the bobbin ran out. It was incredibly restful. About the time I was piecing this quilt, our sweet cat Molly (aka St. Molly...it's a tough gig when your best friend is a three year old little girl) looked out the sliding door into the darkness and saw the face of another kitty from the outside. To say that it freaked her out would be a gross understatement. The scream that came from her mouth was somewhere between primal and human and made my hair stand up on end. She ran under the bed in my sewing room and quaked so hard that the bed skirt was waving. I tried to talk to her and was answered only by soft moans. Poor kitty! In the end, the only thing I could do for her was turn on the sewing machine and start piecing. She never did come back out that night, but the bed skirt eventually stilled and she quieted. If you need to contemplate/solve any world problems or calm down your sewing-buddy, I highly recommend this quilt.<br />
<br />
"Viva Mexico" finishes at 50" x 70." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it simply with straight lines in Aurifil Dove (2600). If you are wondering about the name, be sure to look hard in the lower center right and you *might* be able to see a flag. Once you see it, it's hard to unsee. I love the happy accidents that happen with improvisational piecing!<br />
<br />
The award for the funniest comment I have ever received definitely goes
to Jilly for her words about the Allsorts Pillow. "The rational part of
my brain knows it's fabric," she said, "I know it sounds a bit weird but
it really makes me want to lick it." !!!!!!! Jilly and her funny
comment were the inspiration for finishing this quilt. When I was
looking for a quilt backing, I found three 12.5" blocks that I had
started in Amanda Jean Nyberg's scrap workshop at my guild. All I had to do was
start to think, "These blocks look really sweet...." and BAM! Idea! My
fabric selection process was pretty easy, too. If I looked at a fabric
and thought it looked lickable, it ended up in the quilt.<br />
<br />
"Jawbreaker" was made (almost) entirely with my "STRINGS" bucket. I made improvisational quarter square log cabins and kept adding strips until I could square down the block with my 12.5" ruler. When joined together in groups of four, each block was a ginormous 24.5" chunk.Towards the end of the process I did break into the larger scrap bins to
cut strips because I needed additional darker values and a bit more
variety. The darker values were vital to highlight the piecing and add some movement, otherwise the quilt would have been adrift in a sea of mediums. I really enjoyed mixing various styles and genres of fabric together. Kaffe lives next to feedsack which flows into novelty and modern. It's all fun in the end! I felt a little bad making such a sweet quilt for our bed, so I pieced
in some funny quilter-themed Mad Libs on the back for my husband. If
he's man enough to sleep under pink, I am woman enough to make fun of
myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XWnfD1UwDzdSbWZf1EFMBdGqJoJIxgQAP22vpCVzU0-gquJW4ru0-kEFc4_hZSKgQ5ZpmY4NvyBNgkWJWT-r3Vyp_0qPAndd-JIYyldgp3owp6IglTeUg6zc2fRO2RQd4ZlSKM-R9p40/s1600/IMG_4699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XWnfD1UwDzdSbWZf1EFMBdGqJoJIxgQAP22vpCVzU0-gquJW4ru0-kEFc4_hZSKgQ5ZpmY4NvyBNgkWJWT-r3Vyp_0qPAndd-JIYyldgp3owp6IglTeUg6zc2fRO2RQd4ZlSKM-R9p40/s640/IMG_4699.jpg" title="Jawbreaker: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmtgiWbh8loHmhpS8UdRYTVR-YNzHfRh29qHNfBqhDFlUo2mX_P2RtK0sg2kl8aTpFphHqsgo3BQZvfJAKHkWHRNSkdc93PVVF0mLFwL9Gacv4V0wYj6RD8R74iiMSs8hQSJKVDwNtXPc/s1600/IMG_4650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmtgiWbh8loHmhpS8UdRYTVR-YNzHfRh29qHNfBqhDFlUo2mX_P2RtK0sg2kl8aTpFphHqsgo3BQZvfJAKHkWHRNSkdc93PVVF0mLFwL9Gacv4V0wYj6RD8R74iiMSs8hQSJKVDwNtXPc/s640/IMG_4650.jpg" title="Jawbreaker: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gyfW28ajfbNtQhyphenhyphenx0zg6PN_VOsVvCRU5Sejnf6SKTrtE1pZ-sBaT2aNbPJcTEkAgYeoDtgsP7zKUd0AVgQyNyMGRHaE0kBUV2LZ7IU9ZyFYvPL4H8a5kZRuyaJgoaj7G9kVE1LM24R02/s1600/IMG_4659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gyfW28ajfbNtQhyphenhyphenx0zg6PN_VOsVvCRU5Sejnf6SKTrtE1pZ-sBaT2aNbPJcTEkAgYeoDtgsP7zKUd0AVgQyNyMGRHaE0kBUV2LZ7IU9ZyFYvPL4H8a5kZRuyaJgoaj7G9kVE1LM24R02/s640/IMG_4659.jpg" title="Jawbreaker: Pie Lady Quilts" width="498" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjZSjigd-zLR4QQd6v0fbs3dhjwBKIDsqmB8No_oZg1ZMTo-tnoZkCxyKG6xd9QUtvZ_TF5lSigauK5y8FPm2XRjFcxYAdV1K_D0U_JWpDqxvbUrocrrs28J8TA8nOHOz6QfW2HLHhCwg/s1600/IMG_4753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjZSjigd-zLR4QQd6v0fbs3dhjwBKIDsqmB8No_oZg1ZMTo-tnoZkCxyKG6xd9QUtvZ_TF5lSigauK5y8FPm2XRjFcxYAdV1K_D0U_JWpDqxvbUrocrrs28J8TA8nOHOz6QfW2HLHhCwg/s640/IMG_4753.jpg" title="Jawbreaker: Pie Lady Quilts" width="406" /></a></div>
You might wonder where I got such a varied selection of fabric. My mom helps me stock up when the modern quilt shop near her marks their fat quarters down to $0.99. She also gives me a lot of the scraps she generates when she makes more modern quilts with her granddaughters. I've found that buying scrap packs from Hawthorne Threads is another great way to build up a scrappy stash. I really appreciated having that variety back when I was participating in monthly quilt bees. My scrappy, small cuts stash was perfect for making a quilt like this. If you don't have a lot of fabrics to work with in your stash, it might be fun to swap with your friends. A few years ago my guild did a strip exchange and I ended up with sacks full of strings. I have also found a few fabric swaps on Instagram that I loved. My favorite one got me 144 5" low volume squares and I use those All. The. Time. There are lots of creative ways to find what you need without spending a fortune.<br />
<br />
For the photo shoot, I went with my bestie from my teaching days to a barn of another family from my old school district. We didn't notice until the end that I had forgotten to take a snap a picture with my cell phone for Instagram and that I'd managed to hang it with my Lizzie House butterfly upside down. I'm going to blame that on the fun that we were having! You can't tell from the picture, but I had to move some mint plants and the sweet smell wafted in the breeze the entire time. While the wind blew, the corner of the quilt flipped over to show the backside. I mentioned that I'd like to get that shot and the wind promptly quit blowing. My friend offered to flip it over and run out of the shot, so I got the backside of them both. Perfect. I told her that my finger slipped on the shutter button, but in the end I got the shot that I really wanted to. I love quilts and stories and when they intersect it betters them both.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7arixNHOffZwWyfHaLQ0m76O19Tenk7rCWaraTm3xTyAwNQsafq6eVCHa1PYtGrLOvNoAFNeDhFU111b8qLxI8PnQo4hMXG9TGrQ5Uq_T9Cx8xGYJMmpj9gP_d43mER9rm9Gvv-6AyjR/s1600/IMG_4722%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7arixNHOffZwWyfHaLQ0m76O19Tenk7rCWaraTm3xTyAwNQsafq6eVCHa1PYtGrLOvNoAFNeDhFU111b8qLxI8PnQo4hMXG9TGrQ5Uq_T9Cx8xGYJMmpj9gP_d43mER9rm9Gvv-6AyjR/s640/IMG_4722%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Jawbreaker: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
"Jawbreaker" finishes at 96" x 96." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it in a crosshatch pattern with Aurifil thread in Dove.<br />
<br />
The inspiration for my liberated New York Beauty came in the mail in the form of a free box from Amanda at Stash Builder Box. I was worried a little when she sent me the message asking for my address because I am not one of those people that can come up with the perfectly composed still shot of sewing items and fabric on the cutting mat. I'm just a little past the angry, wadded up pile of lurking scraps stage so that is way beyond me! I replied politely that I mostly just make things and she replied politely that she was sending it anyway. It was fun to work with the six fat eighths that were in the box and even more fun to add more of my own fabric to the mix. If you'd like to see the fabrics that I started with, check out Amanda's blog at <a href="http://blog.stashbuilderbox.com/?_ga=1.127262084.821961449.1468532218" target="_blank">Stash Builder Box.</a> The fabrics I used were from the May subscription.<br />
<br />
I made this quilt using templates and free piecing. I started out with a sheet of freezer paper and used my 15" square ruler to cut out the block size. Using a pencil I sketched out a quarter circle and some inner rings, then cut them out. Sometimes I used the curve as a guide to see if my improvisational piecing was curving the way I needed it to. Sometimes I did improvisational piecing right on top of the paper. I didn't fuss with points or worry about matching the rings from block to block and I definitely didn't use a compass. I enjoyed the process immensely.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeo2Kq0vHIga5MliNeaqBj3ZgHnhBy-shYM9iBCzcFNK08bR-JM5KRmQxhf4bSCgLsHNhFGXYR45tduNDyyt6bVHxmz54LhoN6QUj1Vra6ii0LZvmWVPab2WhSrzceXuXtQXeO2blk67S/s1600/IMG_4734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeo2Kq0vHIga5MliNeaqBj3ZgHnhBy-shYM9iBCzcFNK08bR-JM5KRmQxhf4bSCgLsHNhFGXYR45tduNDyyt6bVHxmz54LhoN6QUj1Vra6ii0LZvmWVPab2WhSrzceXuXtQXeO2blk67S/s640/IMG_4734.jpg" title="Here Comes the Sun: Pie Lady Quilts" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My photo assistant/husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3L-Q7MHM2xt2wSdO13G7lpTV6WRk-gv-Hux-Lh9Dya-7hzYk1UMyFRE7cM6iooRK30b7gmExzf81GJlSdk5731JLnwervIb7r8YKVOsZy1NkiZ6S3VLUNqT9dzxpj0o93JThEFxQOovV/s1600/IMG_4731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3L-Q7MHM2xt2wSdO13G7lpTV6WRk-gv-Hux-Lh9Dya-7hzYk1UMyFRE7cM6iooRK30b7gmExzf81GJlSdk5731JLnwervIb7r8YKVOsZy1NkiZ6S3VLUNqT9dzxpj0o93JThEFxQOovV/s640/IMG_4731.jpg" title="Here Comes the Sun: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
"Here Comes the Sun" finishes at 40" x 40." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it in a crosshatch pattern with Aurifil thread in Dove (can you tell I recently bought a cone of it?).<br />
<br />
Finally, I will finish with "Redbud." I had to get my last blog post up on a schedule and did not have time to use up my scraps to make an additional project. After I published, I admit, I secretly wondered if anyone would notice the omission. I'm ashamed to say that I actually considered dumping the bucket full of bits into the solid scrap bin and/or the trash. It was a weak moment, and I AM sorry. Driving to the store one day, though, I passed my favorite part of a major street that we live near....an entire grove of redbud trees in bloom. That specific shade of purple really spoke to the part of my brain that was still thinking in deep reds and melons and I knew that I had found my scrap project. Naturally I had to cut into 7 more purples to get it done, but I used up my scrap bits so it still counts!! I am doubly glad that I made my own little grove because most of those trees were recently cut down to make room for new development. I'm glad I enjoyed them as much as I did for as long as I could and I am gladder still that my little grove is always in bloom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tD_kKLEqMhqKRVm_mEy2eF1_4nwtD_r2wBAHLLLwaNXL0OINHtHEhd4CtN69x-1Njv_wCh4a2QF5eE4Ui5MJFQwtJqmRnwMUX0lRx6UPfR2XPDm4DukgPds3E_UEhZrE-4gUv3au5BJl/s1600/IMG_4469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tD_kKLEqMhqKRVm_mEy2eF1_4nwtD_r2wBAHLLLwaNXL0OINHtHEhd4CtN69x-1Njv_wCh4a2QF5eE4Ui5MJFQwtJqmRnwMUX0lRx6UPfR2XPDm4DukgPds3E_UEhZrE-4gUv3au5BJl/s640/IMG_4469.jpg" title="Redbud:Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2QguT1cyAAC1ByLz9NvQulWUxnHiF5AQ5Kdrk7fFGSvncluxDELCHZDzyfEh4ijDRPLiO-EA1eTXx-92WUFSbBKbKGrdChJxbLX-o1RWhf78-kcU0oo7c_L9Lzcq2KHjwFhNHzPv4Bku/s1600/IMG_4477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2QguT1cyAAC1ByLz9NvQulWUxnHiF5AQ5Kdrk7fFGSvncluxDELCHZDzyfEh4ijDRPLiO-EA1eTXx-92WUFSbBKbKGrdChJxbLX-o1RWhf78-kcU0oo7c_L9Lzcq2KHjwFhNHzPv4Bku/s640/IMG_4477.jpg" title="Redbud:Pie Lady Quilts" width="522" /></a></div>
<br />
"Redbud" finishes at 24" x 24." I used quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it in a matchstick pattern with Aurifil monofilament thread.<br />
<br />
Thanks for sticking it out for a long, long (and long overdue) post. I hope you find/have a scrap management solution that works for you and inspires you to create. I had a fun, fulfilling and CHEAP few months as I took advantage of what I already have.<br />
<br />
Linking up to Finish it up Friday at <a href="https://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2016/07/marys-socks.html?showComment=1468599351451&m=1#c8784559594696820567" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-78658491553516486302016-04-21T21:57:00.000-05:002016-04-22T10:59:12.219-05:00What Shade Are You?I was honored to be asked to participate in a blog hop featuring Cotton Supreme Solids from RJR Fabrics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzhxncD6bpPVbUaQ3OuijtDbeUKkkykczC6QH1GYMC7UNv8cE-a7Yu0qhPmKcgaLJ9ruUQ_FwgVdqw9WP5YzvY57kqWPHiO0Bv2_coAL34TZaj5GufP3YntVBhgQ7SRp3shzAqIPBKtCD/s1600/What+Shade+Are+You+Logo+%2523A5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzhxncD6bpPVbUaQ3OuijtDbeUKkkykczC6QH1GYMC7UNv8cE-a7Yu0qhPmKcgaLJ9ruUQ_FwgVdqw9WP5YzvY57kqWPHiO0Bv2_coAL34TZaj5GufP3YntVBhgQ7SRp3shzAqIPBKtCD/s320/What+Shade+Are+You+Logo+%2523A5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I felt overwhelmed when I opened the envelope from RJR and looked at the color card I had been sent. There were so many beautiful colors that my brain seized up. I could pick any palette I wanted, but WHICH one? After I worried about it for a few minutes, I made a deal with myself that I would open up the color card again and instantly choose the one color that I liked the best for the beginning of the palette. So, I did.<br />
<br />
(drumroll please....)<br />
<br />
Syrah.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-VI4w26y3_D4WxPZCLsbowXAo1kyHmn62-i0PBFa6BwyGUkEo1c-o2hY-D3NdUozbM3nEBQVyNmoHGfDpQi3hwdVcRMfsBPulbN4NIzykUi9CJ8ghxIlAqnKUdAt-BomzaifsOCHsX6w/s1600/syrah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-VI4w26y3_D4WxPZCLsbowXAo1kyHmn62-i0PBFa6BwyGUkEo1c-o2hY-D3NdUozbM3nEBQVyNmoHGfDpQi3hwdVcRMfsBPulbN4NIzykUi9CJ8ghxIlAqnKUdAt-BomzaifsOCHsX6w/s1600/syrah.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was pondering what colors to add to Syrah when we visited the little town of West Liberty, Iowa one Saturday afternoon. We went to pick up items from some friends that were moving, then stopped at a fun panaderia for a treat. After picking out a variety of rolls, cookies and pastries (for $4.50!!!), we drove around looking for a place to eat. We found the beautifully restored Rock Island Depot and I started getting excited. Syrah was everywhere! The building was several tones of gold and was accented with a deep terracotta tiled roof and surrounded by burgundy paving bricks. There was a red caboose out front and an old green wagon parked near a door. While I looked around, my children eagerly tore into the rolls and were surprised to find one filled with a delicious orange sugar paste. They played on the playground and ran back between adventures to cram in another bite of something delicious. The sun was warm, the sky blue, and the day peaceful and pleasant.<br />
<br />
Here is a <a href="http://wlheritagefoundation.org/rock-island-depot-2/" target="_blank">link</a> to some pictures of the Depot if you'd like to take a virtual look around.<br />
<br />
I decided to memorialize that wonderful day into a quilt. I ended up choosing 20 colors from the color card (one was even called croissant, how perfect is that?) and piecing in thin strips of several brown shades. I cut each strip at roughly 3/4," so depending on my seam allowance each one of the lines is about 1/4." I'm not sure if the idea for using the brown lines came from thinking about railroad tracks, but I do know that I was looking for a way to help unify all the colors. I had the thought that all of the different color voices were singing the same song, so I named the quilt "Harmony."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATVa-eebRsQhv34DeclGtUwGBuRwgzruS4dH943ipcXV9UDSFj_wQeaHAq-f4VwiwOPHgX66lhTeU1VhIp_kqqOfjeYgp6x8GG-9RzeFR0I2yaVcPg4EjdlgaiiKFcQc6NQgVZFOFvQgV/s1600/IMG_4339-R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATVa-eebRsQhv34DeclGtUwGBuRwgzruS4dH943ipcXV9UDSFj_wQeaHAq-f4VwiwOPHgX66lhTeU1VhIp_kqqOfjeYgp6x8GG-9RzeFR0I2yaVcPg4EjdlgaiiKFcQc6NQgVZFOFvQgV/s640/IMG_4339-R.jpg" title="Harmony: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Originally, I had all of the blocks cut at 4 1/2" wide and set vertically. I liked it. I wondered if I could change it up a little bit and turn my like into love. I sliced into blocks I had already made and flipped them over to a horizontal set. That did the trick. I also tried graduating the width of the strips for a little more interest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55pWufoWhXMh3wlmV4_rugTVLDlJ2JKgJzREFt86CISHftraha3qlrrZhlOIGJ5CpJbXBkAuOgj8iVDa1WE0IJeOFKmyYmfzqxMAVV94h6utPCbihck71IvUVIScMcGKCLGX4zJOa3jL3/s1600/IMG_4349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55pWufoWhXMh3wlmV4_rugTVLDlJ2JKgJzREFt86CISHftraha3qlrrZhlOIGJ5CpJbXBkAuOgj8iVDa1WE0IJeOFKmyYmfzqxMAVV94h6utPCbihck71IvUVIScMcGKCLGX4zJOa3jL3/s640/IMG_4349.jpg" title="Harmony: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex_SIQvjVMt1Nc3VjGQUsIOffiU9z2abrDBAOAXY-bcvZi_Y6jaUL0QueWAZiAs8_n2VmslMNQq6sA-zok8EDcXWfM-maZMYHiK2n6W7WX6IWN9B1TCc5Kc3jNm3TyOL3hYDjxuHjSuug/s1600/IMG_4331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex_SIQvjVMt1Nc3VjGQUsIOffiU9z2abrDBAOAXY-bcvZi_Y6jaUL0QueWAZiAs8_n2VmslMNQq6sA-zok8EDcXWfM-maZMYHiK2n6W7WX6IWN9B1TCc5Kc3jNm3TyOL3hYDjxuHjSuug/s640/IMG_4331.jpg" title="Harmony: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwwrmDqFSfIb3f94J0UDIe_79PMCnqYTD4mawoNQHA2tO4JQv6bx6ZjAhRIqPWmopL7xUB28s9MO46Cg9FRSBS38aSE7S9wss2OPQBmcp9BZe4ScdMRkMRQ06qgib3xATQ5UrORQwGxUx/s1600/IMG_4333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwwrmDqFSfIb3f94J0UDIe_79PMCnqYTD4mawoNQHA2tO4JQv6bx6ZjAhRIqPWmopL7xUB28s9MO46Cg9FRSBS38aSE7S9wss2OPQBmcp9BZe4ScdMRkMRQ06qgib3xATQ5UrORQwGxUx/s640/IMG_4333.jpg" title="Harmony: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Slicing into the blocks wasn't the only surgery I performed, either. I basted this quilt very early in the morning while it was still dark outside. In my defense, I am normally a very careful baster because I adore flat quilts and generally use solids in my backings (where every pucker is completely visible). When I laid the flimsy on top of the batting, I must have been lining it up with a shadow instead of my tape because the quilt went on completely skewed. Of course I didn't notice this before I trimmed off some of the excess backing fabric. %$#@! At that point there was nothing I could do about it but start over, and that seemed pretty drastic. I started doing the straight line quilting and tried to hope for the best. I had quilted about half of the quilt and was growing more disappointed by the minute. Who wants to feel that way when you've spent so much time piecing the top? That's when I embraced a new quilting maxim.<br />
<br />
Once is a mistake. Twice is a design element.<br />
<br />
I created another strip of striped fabric and cut away some of the backing fabric in a diagonal that went the opposite way. I carefully attached my new fabric panel and then pressed the unquilted portions obsessively to make sure I preserved my flat finish. Voila! If anyone asks, I totally meant to do it. Just consider my backing to be social commentary on how we are "greater than" our mistakes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwe8_ja0gHBWoD6QccJBELZ-goVz14mm21M1SD0ugmIiL8A_k7rWqMVQVxLm5bOusilQL9bH4FpLv6OTwRbziT39MWeBGNiWV0JKJqPuGfuoU_Vw0_g63m11KCkCINsYKwacGFctyZoeN/s1600/IMG_4318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwe8_ja0gHBWoD6QccJBELZ-goVz14mm21M1SD0ugmIiL8A_k7rWqMVQVxLm5bOusilQL9bH4FpLv6OTwRbziT39MWeBGNiWV0JKJqPuGfuoU_Vw0_g63m11KCkCINsYKwacGFctyZoeN/s640/IMG_4318.jpg" title="Harmony: Pie Lady Quilts" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
"Harmony" finishes at 49" x 70." I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it simply with Aurifil thread in Brass, Copper Brown and Medium Peony.<br />
<br />
I knew there would be a giveaway with the fabrics I used in this challenge, and I could just hear the winner saying, "Gosh Jill, thanks SO much for ALL THE BROWN!!" With that in mind, I brought Syrah back out for another go.<br />
<br />
I love to listen to music while I sew, so I peruse Spotify a lot looking for great playlists. One day I found the perfect match. The album was called "Feel Good Folk Pop." I'm not a big one for assigning labels to who I am and what I make. I am a quilter. Period. But, I could totally see myself claiming the label of a "Feel Good Folk Pop Quilter." I listened to that album the entire time I worked with this quilt, starting with fabric selection and ending with the last few stitches of the hanging sleeve. The vibe is strong, so you can imagine my despair when I noticed a few days ago that Spotify had changed the name of the album to "Feelgood Acoustics." It just doesn't have the same ring. :-(<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5ot-EbOTmovVSAmxUVPrdiBXsc_AsRJXTJlblrod9UVRAOwYRkvPD0-DdPs0fQEX_MXG1jkDvctPARU2S3v3LfvOr9AUVc98djtQh9_ERZl8vyZhCIHa7iJ-i81yGy9jXjMkSFKAQlhj/s1600/IMG_4451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5ot-EbOTmovVSAmxUVPrdiBXsc_AsRJXTJlblrod9UVRAOwYRkvPD0-DdPs0fQEX_MXG1jkDvctPARU2S3v3LfvOr9AUVc98djtQh9_ERZl8vyZhCIHa7iJ-i81yGy9jXjMkSFKAQlhj/s640/IMG_4451.jpg" title="Feel Good Folk Pop: Pie Lady Quilts" width="628" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't have an overall vision for the quilt when I started, I just knew that I would do a log cabin variation. I used to add so much stress to my life trying to control the outcome of a quilt. Now I know that my strength lies more in responding to a start than in beginning with the ultimate design or a perfected concept. I like the challenge of looking at a pile of scraps from the construction of a block and using them to make the next block. The pineapples I made produced a lot of triangle scraps, so I used them to make flying geese and other triangle drawings. Inspiration sometimes comes in immediacy, too. I opened up my email and saw a message from AQS. In it, they had included a block for the AQS QuiltWeek Row Quilt called Paducah Row (here is a <a href="http://www.quiltviews.com/new-the-aqs-quiltweek-row-by-row-quilt" target="_blank">link)</a>. I thought it looked neat, so I altered the proportions and made the chubby crosses that are sprinkled across the quilt. Mostly I just sang along with my playlist and made blocks. If I really liked them, I made more variations. If I sort of liked them, I stopped there. I had so much fun experimenting with this quilt. I think you can probably tell that it was a happy experience for me.<br />
<br />
I made two important design decisions in this quilt. The first was choosing to quilt with invisible thread. I started considering how to handle the quilting after I saw the huge color contrast I had in the blocks. I auditioned lots of colors, including some exact matches, and was unhappy with all of them. In frustration, I called my friend Sarah who is a longarmer and former art teacher. She talked me through my options and taught me some basic color theory, the gist of which being that I had a quilt full of complementary colors and finding a thread color I could live with would be hard. I was nervous about using invisible thread, but my concerns were unfounded. I found a spool at my LQS (thanks, Cassie!) and bought a pack of tiny 65/9 needles. I didn't have any problems with melting, stretching or popping. Most importantly, though, the colors and piecing were allowed to shine. <br />
<br />
The last important decision was choosing to face the quilt rather than bind. I knew the quilt wasn't perfectly square (that's hard to do with a free-pieced quilt if you don't plan on doing some heavy trimming at the end) and I was really reluctant to add a solid line to a quilt top that didn't have any of them. I had never done a facing before, but it wasn't too difficult. I found a tutorial from Victoria Gertenbach that was impeccably done. If you'd like to try a quilt facing, I highly recommend her tutorial at <a href="http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/2012/09/tutorial-super-duper-easy-way-to-face.html" target="_blank">The Silly BooDilly</a>.<br />
<br />
"Feel Good Folk Pop" finishes at 49" x 49" (ish). I used Quilter's Dream Request batting and quilted it simply with a combination of Aurifil in Violet and Superior Threads MonoPoly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQTGNusvTei1HhXmunWiGqG0vSVX8spXTR4C886mFvR9u6jMg328p0NRaFee4uUBSzKrF2DEhLLRUAOaCjmq-eawgXXHJ7mz3raLp0rF_xkplYzLXEKt5zSluRhHJMFMYjProH-TZLh_t/s1600/IMG_4423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQTGNusvTei1HhXmunWiGqG0vSVX8spXTR4C886mFvR9u6jMg328p0NRaFee4uUBSzKrF2DEhLLRUAOaCjmq-eawgXXHJ7mz3raLp0rF_xkplYzLXEKt5zSluRhHJMFMYjProH-TZLh_t/s640/IMG_4423.jpg" title="Feel Good Folk Pop: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAx1F3eHhsUp4FjNMac8PfHMRUuDbenbM07WGqW6POwEV7p2u2YIgU_kzv-R2wnvXszTa1A57u9h-szW6yPUENgb6gPA5KeWFYjuifh0ykYbclkh6zSlOH1n6e9khOdM_mKa7Klv-ljDc/s1600/IMG_4432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAx1F3eHhsUp4FjNMac8PfHMRUuDbenbM07WGqW6POwEV7p2u2YIgU_kzv-R2wnvXszTa1A57u9h-szW6yPUENgb6gPA5KeWFYjuifh0ykYbclkh6zSlOH1n6e9khOdM_mKa7Klv-ljDc/s640/IMG_4432.jpg" title="Feel Good Folk Pop: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm1SZ9j1mBYDDCjFxvSZTr9rWOOBUAAjTWOb9d89NVNHcq5fadOAFQVGVuw-HGiHmeq7vLtVPKz4OWZXC5ElFpObexAj46X7Ft18PIojKaQGeRzsqxBsM5sWRJRyG1GyK6F999ZkGoyGE/s1600/IMG_4453%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm1SZ9j1mBYDDCjFxvSZTr9rWOOBUAAjTWOb9d89NVNHcq5fadOAFQVGVuw-HGiHmeq7vLtVPKz4OWZXC5ElFpObexAj46X7Ft18PIojKaQGeRzsqxBsM5sWRJRyG1GyK6F999ZkGoyGE/s640/IMG_4453%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Feel Good Folk Pop: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmDbu0CuOskQrvKG9AFHnfMbFLCm1l0Q61xcfXBCZEadsON0YuFew8ezbm27RwjVqsueOnMQxANDh1xaFaekvSZVVVHgagJHrm2IdFMBW4QVx7Qv2cr0Y7xaYkHbLOPXK3jLG4vcpiJV4/s1600/IMG_4434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmDbu0CuOskQrvKG9AFHnfMbFLCm1l0Q61xcfXBCZEadsON0YuFew8ezbm27RwjVqsueOnMQxANDh1xaFaekvSZVVVHgagJHrm2IdFMBW4QVx7Qv2cr0Y7xaYkHbLOPXK3jLG4vcpiJV4/s640/IMG_4434.jpg" title="Feel Good Folk Pop: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVONgURETTBeA4qdeiWRw7WSHmmt3lvk5F2_Wj8IN1clhtuyNlj2kzWWGJf2IQ_Vmv6CahXsujgkKrdbwJvNCfso3azTNkFHaKi-MXyD5PDOcpErBs1-gisj55gvk0FZjGCNGNUqSdOKMi/s1600/IMG_4436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVONgURETTBeA4qdeiWRw7WSHmmt3lvk5F2_Wj8IN1clhtuyNlj2kzWWGJf2IQ_Vmv6CahXsujgkKrdbwJvNCfso3azTNkFHaKi-MXyD5PDOcpErBs1-gisj55gvk0FZjGCNGNUqSdOKMi/s640/IMG_4436.jpg" title="Feel Good Folk Pop: Pie Lady Quilts" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseRre-oJ0l323za80BsZ-6Fj0AksKSQF-rU-oSHjt5-UpapKePRU4J7wsnXyLl20J5I4vN80ZsqpyPmQS3WSKTLwAw0YJCvrTpOWZAU_jhCgA1DtjzkTwEdPhyz6w8jttChyphenhyphenakHH00F7o/s1600/IMG_4441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseRre-oJ0l323za80BsZ-6Fj0AksKSQF-rU-oSHjt5-UpapKePRU4J7wsnXyLl20J5I4vN80ZsqpyPmQS3WSKTLwAw0YJCvrTpOWZAU_jhCgA1DtjzkTwEdPhyz6w8jttChyphenhyphenakHH00F7o/s640/IMG_4441.jpg" title="Feel Good Folk Pop: Pie Lady Quilts" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
Lastly, since this
is a blog post about solids, I wanted to say a few words about them. I
use solids because they are cheaper, they offer a higher contrast than
prints (subtlety really isn't my thing) and because I have a wider array
of colors available to me. I noticed in the last year or so that I have
been using mostly solids while the rest of my stash sits idle, so I
decided to do something about it. Last fall I started destashing some
valuable pieces. Between that and a
gift certificate I had, I was able to buy 117 half yard cuts of solid
fabric. Most of them were Cotton Supreme Solids from RJR. I like
building a palette from the fabric itself rather than a color card
(although those are nice when it comes time to reorder), and I wanted to
increase the amount of choices I had. With that many cuts, you know I
wasn't just picking out the colors that I liked or that appealed to me.
So many times it is the color that you didn't necessarily want that you
end up desperately needing. Those are the colors that are the perfect
conversationalists...they talk to all of the fabrics and draw them into
the group. In the last series of quilts that I did, that color was On
The Rocks. If you look at that grouping, it is the very lightest gray
that you see that has the slightest of a cool green tint. It was the
perfect "glue" fabric. In "Harmony," the color that lifts that whole
quilt (in my opinion) is Gingko, the best green-yellow I have in my
stash. Finally, in Feel Good Folk Pop, the color is Denim.This color is a great background player that maintains a presence while making the other colors look good. I'll definitely be reordering yardage of that one.<br />
<br />
Thanks again to RJR Fabrics for asking me to be a part of this series. I enjoyed it immensely. <br />
<br />
<u>Colors used in "Harmony:</u>"
Syrah, Bowood, Bowood Red, Cocoa, Espresso, Noel Red, Bordeaux, Brick
Red, Morocco, Yum Yum Yam, Butternut, Saffron, Gingko, Hedge,
Goldilocks, Slate, Denim, Gale Force, Mermaid, Kona Cofe, Croissant<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Colors used in "Feel Good Folk Pop:</u>"
Syrah, Brick Road, Arabian Nights, Tropicana, Cantaloupe, Marvelous,
Aubergine, Amethyst, Feeling Blue, Blue Bayou, Mermaid, Denim and Dottie
in Gelato from Cotton + Steel<br />
<br />
Linking up to Finish it up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-26492415964063697532016-02-25T18:24:00.000-06:002016-02-26T10:14:09.424-06:00Raw Materials<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Right
after I finished "Diamond Sky," I started perusing the
internet for different quilt shows to enter or challenges to join. I
saw that International Quilt Festival in Chicago was coming up and
that there was a special challenge to make a quilt that showcased the
classic drunkards path block. I decided to play along!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
My
husband and I took our children to the local Catholic church for a
sing-a-long on Christmas Eve and a light went off in my head. There
were drunkards path motifs everywhere and so beautifully done! The
colors of the paintings and stained glass were sublime. We came back
for Christmas Mass and I sat in the pew and drank in the
architecture, design, and color work. I went home incredibly inspired
and immediately went to my sketchbook to rough out my ideas and to
make notes about the colors. I figured that when you are inspired in
a church (of all places!!!) that the design has a divine stamp of
approval and is destined to work out.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
I
was wrong.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
After
I chose a range of colors that reflected the cool tranquility and
majesty of the church, I started making improvisationally pieced
drunkards path blocks. After I'd made about 100 of them in various
sizes, I went on to the sunburst part of my idea and it all went
TERRIBLY WRONG. Instead of achieving the perfectly imperfect look
that I love so much, I ended up with some really bad looking circles.
@#$%&#@!!! Normally I would have kept working on it until I could
make a success of the design, but seeing those circles brought up a
deeply repressed memory. I put a quilt into the state fair last year
that had some free-cut shapes as flower centers. It didn't win any
ribbons and when I got the judging form back I could see why. My
handwork element had been graded as "poor." I had that
quilt spread out on the hood of my car as soon as I got back to the
parking lot looking for the flaw in my work. I finally figured out
that to the judge's perception, those free-cut flower centers looked
like poorly executed circles. Now, beyond needing to enter an
applique piece in the state fair this year to defend my honor, I knew
I could not make another "I Wasn't Trying to Make a Circle!"
quilt. So, I walked away from my original idea and tried to make
lemonade with 100 drunkards path blocks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
My
dad was a farmer and a maker. To help fuel his creativity and supply
our farm with necessary implements, he kept a pile of metal junk
behind our shop, though he never called it that. He referred to his
collection as “raw materials.” One afternoon I was texting with
my brothers and we started reminiscing about dad's scrap heap. That
conversation was a key turning point in the evolution of this quilt.
I stopped thinking of the units as blocks and instead imagined them
as raw materials to draw with. I built improvisational pictures
entirely out of drunkards path units. I saw that the quilt needed the
addition of darker values and the pictures needed space to breathe,
so I added the filmstrip sashing. The little twinkles of gold in the
sashing and binding are a homage to the church and the intent of the
original quilt design.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
The
quilt finishes at 50" x 54." I used Warm and Natural
batting and Aurifil thread in #1246 (Grey), which is my new favorite
color since it reads as more like slate than grey. I quilted a gentle
curving line to mimic the curve of the blocks and then echoed that
line over the rest of the quilt.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJsyidQFWPDvBspTYuZ3yu-xTIPbzzviWEJgxEgqs3F2JiB4pUPL5VAIlaDHTlwts1YJ9qPt3KAEuXqV7ijsJJq8lwXwtamRroI5Tn0KdhOy8yiFRY5sO6sYduMtaunIs-GtvH25h0Vuc/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJsyidQFWPDvBspTYuZ3yu-xTIPbzzviWEJgxEgqs3F2JiB4pUPL5VAIlaDHTlwts1YJ9qPt3KAEuXqV7ijsJJq8lwXwtamRroI5Tn0KdhOy8yiFRY5sO6sYduMtaunIs-GtvH25h0Vuc/s640/blog.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Raw Materials" width="602" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc60phyphenhyphen4Ai33sgVGHYu0YSj-wGMVWK1xIoqtdR99hI4M-PCznWVLwfdpLu3bjsrUYI7uVBovq9fQxFdhFTx3CizC0p7EAvA2-6k1K6wyO193oos_YW8ZurKAJYG288GOAxXNxPLDnFEAi/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc60phyphenhyphen4Ai33sgVGHYu0YSj-wGMVWK1xIoqtdR99hI4M-PCznWVLwfdpLu3bjsrUYI7uVBovq9fQxFdhFTx3CizC0p7EAvA2-6k1K6wyO193oos_YW8ZurKAJYG288GOAxXNxPLDnFEAi/s640/blog2.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Raw Materials" width="480" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The heart is my favorite!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOzKEXPal3IVzW7durEl8kIl0wJazSb0x8kO23Hov1zdekNKW7u0HiIChh9-ERWLjGNtFpLJ0uOHFmE1oZe4tg0CB6u0EkvsqoPi4eiWH4DZ1suTEzclptdOWHG-6qHDOP4tVxglmvvFy/s1600/IMG_4141%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOzKEXPal3IVzW7durEl8kIl0wJazSb0x8kO23Hov1zdekNKW7u0HiIChh9-ERWLjGNtFpLJ0uOHFmE1oZe4tg0CB6u0EkvsqoPi4eiWH4DZ1suTEzclptdOWHG-6qHDOP4tVxglmvvFy/s640/IMG_4141%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Raw Materials" width="478" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had plenty of strips and fabric leftovers from the piecing of "Raw
Materials," so in keeping with my new commitment to active and
immediate scrap management, I began another quilt.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently
I entered a major quilt show and all of my entries were rejected. I
was feeling a little sorry for myself one morning in the sewing room
and staring at a bucket of mostly blue scraps. As luck would have it,
the next song that popped up on my playlist was by Johnny Cash. He
sang:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
"Hey,
get rhythm when you get the blues</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">C'mon
get rhythm, when you get the blues</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It'll
shake all the troubles from your worried mind,</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Get
rhythm, when you get the blues."</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
I
chose the simple shape of the upward arrow as a reminder of the power
of a positive mind and repeated it over and over in black (another
nod to Mr. Cash) to create the "jumpy rhythm" he describes.
I had intended to scale it in a mini size, but once I had those first
pieced strips up on the design wall, I knew that I'd be going bigger.
I ended up cutting (lots) more fabric. There went my scrap management
plan!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Since
these strips were improvisationally pieced and quite long at about
60," I had to employ every strategy I knew to keep this quilt
from ruffling. I used up a whole bottle of starch, lots of steam and
the cutting techniques I've learned to piece in gentle curves. My
cutting table is only a yard long, so I used chalk to mark out the
curve that I needed to cut to match each strip. I had my pencil cups
holding down the strips to keep them from shifting and used lots of
marks to keep everything lined up. It was a challenge. Despite
surprising my children by showing up at school to pick them up with a
piece of chalk behind my ear and my hair and cheek liberally adorned
with white dust, the fact that the quilt is suspended and hanging
flat and straight of its own volition is a major victory for me.
Hopefully, my kids will forget (or forgive....eventually) the chalk
incident.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
The
quilt finishes at 38" x 58." I used Warm and Natural
batting again with the 50 wt. Aurifil in Grey. It is quilted simply
with vertical lines.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraVFmsGYxIPMiKQq3wlhR2jgaGqP8JlG8P-285flI781WfyiDkGWDM66L231mlX_PLeoUOIJD7KjFhQRdBdhku-BM8q3-lIDAiSkwQotaQWKGkTnSfZ2h-4On75RIIRaO4kXV8zdJcQZs/s1600/IMG_4207%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraVFmsGYxIPMiKQq3wlhR2jgaGqP8JlG8P-285flI781WfyiDkGWDM66L231mlX_PLeoUOIJD7KjFhQRdBdhku-BM8q3-lIDAiSkwQotaQWKGkTnSfZ2h-4On75RIIRaO4kXV8zdJcQZs/s640/IMG_4207%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Get Rhythm (When You Get the Blues)" width="588" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqgZiS_cio9WVWlzL76gySopXs-CO79NJDHevMPU3iFqLRKJ3Oa-pWNGxN8HbZq7Ss91RHB3jjhmRmmWTirmhFdMGqG7nikryvuLSFBVABW0z1o9LhM3WbehgyzM4uBonTtncfT1f-09y/s1600/IMG_4196%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqgZiS_cio9WVWlzL76gySopXs-CO79NJDHevMPU3iFqLRKJ3Oa-pWNGxN8HbZq7Ss91RHB3jjhmRmmWTirmhFdMGqG7nikryvuLSFBVABW0z1o9LhM3WbehgyzM4uBonTtncfT1f-09y/s640/IMG_4196%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Get Rhythm (When You Get the Blues)" width="480" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjjur-DFE8KRcffgFsVrK0_LyqdLdFJHjZHseHqP4K54TbslSKqTFABvaI8jF7fPzHbxdoH_SDi_mSwRIulcJGUltcEbnvE5_5e0dG8iIdWSiFpF58hhcNZpX1ol532ibeoavLUXeovu3/s1600/IMG_4190%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjjur-DFE8KRcffgFsVrK0_LyqdLdFJHjZHseHqP4K54TbslSKqTFABvaI8jF7fPzHbxdoH_SDi_mSwRIulcJGUltcEbnvE5_5e0dG8iIdWSiFpF58hhcNZpX1ol532ibeoavLUXeovu3/s640/IMG_4190%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Get Rhythm (When You Get the Blues)" width="446" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I've said before, I enjoy a challenge and I join in on swaps for the
chance to make something that I wouldn't normally make. I currently
am involved in a pillow swap that was organized
by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/littleislandquilting/">@littleislandquilting</a>
and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/imasavonasac/">@imasavonasac</a>.
This has been a great swap so far because Alison and Sami took so
much time determining the perfect partnerships. As a result, my
partner and I already followed each other on Instagram. During the
making of the previous two quilts, she actively participated and
commented on the progress shots so I knew she approved of the
palette. I sandwiched a thin strip of black between scrap
strips, then squared the block down to 2.5." Once it was all
pieced together, a sweet friend on IG mentioned that the blocks
looked like Allsorts (a black licorice candy). That wasn't my plan,
but I am now pretending that it was. Thus, the name..."The
Allsorts Pillow." Once again, this is quilted with straight
lines in Grey Aurifil and has my first hidden zipper! It finishes at
a 20" square. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNfMhv7D1nI1z_xnPiZI6IZQYyfQUnLGcpoWUcgZ5jyNKe02y5xo2aK11RF_iqATfyAneAA09CompzJa_08R9KAHCzDAM368PY32FVxkBfoztaOg0LbbWFOaNU8sm9XcnvAoUL1iZwb-R/s1600/IMG_4230%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNfMhv7D1nI1z_xnPiZI6IZQYyfQUnLGcpoWUcgZ5jyNKe02y5xo2aK11RF_iqATfyAneAA09CompzJa_08R9KAHCzDAM368PY32FVxkBfoztaOg0LbbWFOaNU8sm9XcnvAoUL1iZwb-R/s640/IMG_4230%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: The Allsorts Pillow" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
the pillow, I was down to a container filled with random strips,
smallish squares and triangle clippings from "Get Rhythm."
At this time, our little family also had a loss. As with the previous
times, I've retreated into myself and my sewing room for some
therapy. I took great solace in stitching those little bits of
nothing into something and pulling myself together again
simultaneously. This quilt represents the process of all those
things. I called it "Windows" because the making of it
helped me look up and out again to what I hope will be a bright,
beautiful day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
"Windows"
finishes at 38" x 44." It used Quilter's Dream Puff batting
and a 40 wt. Aurifil thread in Champagne (pale yellow). It is quilted
simply with vertical lines.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkVdUMIY66grfvtmZ4NS3Ctr1W2za-OrNz8nAcsuaYeIR1GLWDnMd_hYAMf7AZQZsBPZtJu0VYCXe5glMq7pGZaqhKpZo0YStWdf0nbywVKytTdbEzD2D1xUi3UY8meNNuhFEBVGIt44k/s1600/IMG_4214%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkVdUMIY66grfvtmZ4NS3Ctr1W2za-OrNz8nAcsuaYeIR1GLWDnMd_hYAMf7AZQZsBPZtJu0VYCXe5glMq7pGZaqhKpZo0YStWdf0nbywVKytTdbEzD2D1xUi3UY8meNNuhFEBVGIt44k/s640/IMG_4214%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Windows" width="544" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLqyYLIEEUmI_CKQCdhOYYVcG6jjwUt6vHnixLm92nqyqhV-3DqhtcEU-NeSnRV3PAjDvcZNiLnQXUXCUeGGfuAMeXuPFkr8uswlBzr25NklhuvSQUK72PB55jUjqD75qOR4WqH-fQe0C/s1600/IMG_4219%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLqyYLIEEUmI_CKQCdhOYYVcG6jjwUt6vHnixLm92nqyqhV-3DqhtcEU-NeSnRV3PAjDvcZNiLnQXUXCUeGGfuAMeXuPFkr8uswlBzr25NklhuvSQUK72PB55jUjqD75qOR4WqH-fQe0C/s640/IMG_4219%255B1%255D.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Windows" width="480" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyvFU_Ruy6wzIUEUXGc4uV6Rr3_5d5ZnatDbAqp90ZpvULboPQ8aWXxtsJz-2WUiKJFmPB8uhfhwcnQyKWAQPQFbiT0imEEnSjkD4JQfxA4ZvQOxEGLgJ47PfL6ZyDBN4f9I-5P905Zf7/s1600/darkened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyvFU_Ruy6wzIUEUXGc4uV6Rr3_5d5ZnatDbAqp90ZpvULboPQ8aWXxtsJz-2WUiKJFmPB8uhfhwcnQyKWAQPQFbiT0imEEnSjkD4JQfxA4ZvQOxEGLgJ47PfL6ZyDBN4f9I-5P905Zf7/s640/darkened.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Windows" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's
a little behind the scene shot that I couldn't resist adding. Sons #1
and #2 are great sports.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
many times in the making of these quilts (and in my life), I had to
step back from my preconceptions and do my best to accept and reshape
the reality into something I could live with. There is meaning,
beauty and blessings to be found in the struggle, even when we pray
that the struggle can pass us by. I am thankful for my daily habit of
sewing and creating. Slowly it has changed my mindset so I am always
looking for the possibilities with optimism and a growing faith in my
capabilities. We *can* do hard things.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
This
week I received some fantastic news. The International Quilt Festival
in Chicago accepted all three of my entries for their show. "Raw
Materials," "Get Rhythm (When You Get the Blues)," and
"Heading West" will all be hanging there April 7-9. Chicago
is not that far from our home in Iowa, so we're planning a road trip.
It's a relief to not only end February, but to end February on a
make. I hope I can see some of you there.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Linking
up to Finish it Up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-big-week.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts</a>.</span></span></div>
Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-40613232993380524232016-01-08T10:33:00.000-06:002016-01-08T10:33:34.811-06:00Diamond Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXR9PGydwhrsih9-DO-Ve3eobj_dPCKvzXau6Sw5ysmWO9GgLma3fNgcEm_amIpIskoCP2vGGSw9YurSP2fO7rcjlmMdt6QK6HZjN4Kbj2bGpJZwgcqwtOZ-pAwoGPqslnZkQUcoNiSdO/s1600/IMG_4076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXR9PGydwhrsih9-DO-Ve3eobj_dPCKvzXau6Sw5ysmWO9GgLma3fNgcEm_amIpIskoCP2vGGSw9YurSP2fO7rcjlmMdt6QK6HZjN4Kbj2bGpJZwgcqwtOZ-pAwoGPqslnZkQUcoNiSdO/s640/IMG_4076.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Diamond Sky" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
My two year old daughter has many pastimes, but one of her favorites is to sit on my lap and watch the music clips from Aladdin on YouTube. She watches all of the songs intently, but completely zeroes in on "A Whole New World." Her eyes sparkle, she smiles and she even tries to sing along. There is something about flying, exploring and SEEING on that magic carpet that really captures her attention.<br />
<br />
(Princess Jasmine:)<br />
Unbelievable sights<br />
Indescribable feelings<br />
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling<br />
Through an endless diamond sky<span class="js-sd-disc-count sd-disc-count"><span></span></span><br />
<div class="verse">
A whole new world!</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I've listened to that song a million times, but I never sang along with as much fervor as I did the day after I had a checkup at the doctor's office last month. During the course of a routine set of labs, it was discovered that my thyroid wasn't performing very well. My doctor prescribed me a teeny dosage of thyroid medication and KA-CHOW!!! A whole new world, indeed! Let's just say these quilts look exactly how I feel right now. </div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I originally chose this color run of 18 fabrics to fulfill the requirements for the Rainbow Mini Swap. I'm not so in love with swaps in general, but I love the challenge of doing something that I wouldn't normally do. This is my first rainbow quilt and I am sorry that it took me so long! Working with these colors was the perfect antidote to winter blahs. This quilt finishes at 12" x 24." I quilted it in a matchstick design with grey Aurifil thread and used a scrap of Quilter's Dream Request for the batting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTisZrdADOXc_ozQrObW1arXG6ZAqcfoc42yOtVLaDrT882DO_b9omAIAMI2wHBeXfA5PLFg-bDscP4nQNeIqm7FsrwZwt3k99UCdgs3wnFvCQXrBNizyityhBMMTzM9dKGyqiGdHPsv4f/s1600/IMG_4067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTisZrdADOXc_ozQrObW1arXG6ZAqcfoc42yOtVLaDrT882DO_b9omAIAMI2wHBeXfA5PLFg-bDscP4nQNeIqm7FsrwZwt3k99UCdgs3wnFvCQXrBNizyityhBMMTzM9dKGyqiGdHPsv4f/s640/IMG_4067.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Mini Swap" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I had been considering a different log cabin variation and thought that a
making a mini would be a pretty painless way to test it out. I constructed this quilt using a method that I keep coming back to. I made myself a scaled piecing map that I slipped slabs of improvisational piecing into. I've done this in The Lovely Woods, Red Letter Day, Heading West and Tumble. As I've gone along with this process two things have happened--I've gotten a whole lot better about estimating size and my scaled models have gotten smaller. For these quilts, I used blocks of four different sizes: 2.5" squares, 3.5" squares, 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles and 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles. I drew out the whole quilt, colored in my fabric choices, free cut all of my fabric into strips and started building from left to right. After piecing the first small chunk of reds, I discovered that I didn't need to fully complete the last round of background fabrics for every block. I started peeking around at my design wall every time to determine which sides of the rainbow log cabin needed a gray spacer. Not only did this cut down the number of seams on a piece that already had a million of them, it also added to the "soaring, tumbling, freewheeling" effect and disguised the mechanics of my construction seams. You may have to look hard, but there are definitely lots of long straight seams in these quilts!</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I was very happy with how the mini worked out, so I expanded my plan to finish one at 18" x 36" to keep. In the smaller version, I had used two different shades of heathered gray for the background. The two-tone effect was very subtle, but still noticeable. I wondered if the difference in the fabrics could be amplified if I concentrated the lighter tone of gray with the lighter log cabin blocks. I think it created a luminescent, shimmery glow in the center, but I'll leave it to you to decide if it was worth the extra bother. I quilted this mini in a straight line design with grey thread and a scrap of Warm and Natural batting. </div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YwMaVU77xPzhCv4S5c-RULvZdmg5W6QDC1dTsc83BmZKkR5XNZfivCpo0xQbFYTH4ezt1lYOqpNlO5PF1Q1ZjvoB-KEDJGhWsfpwPPgPZ1e85PbQjmq9YRf5-ifbFe39nFRMLUxB0UQR/s1600/IMG_4088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YwMaVU77xPzhCv4S5c-RULvZdmg5W6QDC1dTsc83BmZKkR5XNZfivCpo0xQbFYTH4ezt1lYOqpNlO5PF1Q1ZjvoB-KEDJGhWsfpwPPgPZ1e85PbQjmq9YRf5-ifbFe39nFRMLUxB0UQR/s640/IMG_4088.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Diamond Sky" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I've been struggling with my feelings about my scraps recently. I am careful to save, categorize and store and have been feeling burdened by all of the boxes of fabric scrap stuff that fill up my sewing space. I attempted to actually use my carefully curated collection a couple of different times over Christmas break with uninspiring results. The part of the quilting process that I derive the most pleasure from is the interaction of color. To say that it just didn't do anything for me to start combining random solids together is putting it mildly. So, I challenged myself to use my project scraps to make something/clean up and keep Mt. Saint Scrapmore manageable. I used up every last free cut strip from my basket except for about an 8" strip of the lightest pink. I can live with that. This mini was completely inspired by Nancy Crow. If you also have a lot of strings in your scrap basket and don't feel inspired to use them, I highly recommend her book called <u>Nancy Crow</u>. It isn't an instruction book, just an archive of her quilts. I pretty much have it on permanent check out from my guild's library collection, but I've also seen it in my public library. Look and see if you can find it somewhere as it's definitely worth checking out. This mini finishes at 17" x 17." I quilted it in the ditch with Aurifil thread in dove and used a scrap of Quilter's Dream Wool for the batting.</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GLic6EvvxpzsenWeM-557_GkaG9nIdckRzeEQe4BMLBPZYbOmAT7mxKbcEaosZoH7-jXWVwbayoaOcgJY93GElyspDLDx_g6gAn9XWe66OQluFMFS-R-3Sq4VRLpXAjgQUu38asMu7lv/s1600/IMG_4060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GLic6EvvxpzsenWeM-557_GkaG9nIdckRzeEQe4BMLBPZYbOmAT7mxKbcEaosZoH7-jXWVwbayoaOcgJY93GElyspDLDx_g6gAn9XWe66OQluFMFS-R-3Sq4VRLpXAjgQUu38asMu7lv/s640/IMG_4060.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Scraps" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
The weather totally didn't cooperate for my plans on the photo shoot and I was bummed. My neighbors have the most beautifully patterned concrete on their front stoop and I thought it would be a great backdrop for all those rainbow colors to really shine. By the time I got over there, though, a warm snap had started the snow melting, gotten that lovely concrete all wet and completely obscured the pattern. I thought about it all night and was so excited to wake up to a foggy morning and a new idea. I dropped my boys off at school and took my daughter out to the same place where I shot The Lovely Woods. I was able to find a few cooperating branches and used a combination of clothes pins and safety pins to get the shots I needed very quickly. Since coming home I've changed my socks, shoes, pants and shared a cup of hot chocolate with my intrepid assistant. Totally worth it. </div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
This whole process has been a great reminder to look for the rainbows, the opportunities AND the silver linings. Happy new year!</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXR9PGydwhrsih9-DO-Ve3eobj_dPCKvzXau6Sw5ysmWO9GgLma3fNgcEm_amIpIskoCP2vGGSw9YurSP2fO7rcjlmMdt6QK6HZjN4Kbj2bGpJZwgcqwtOZ-pAwoGPqslnZkQUcoNiSdO/s1600/IMG_4076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXR9PGydwhrsih9-DO-Ve3eobj_dPCKvzXau6Sw5ysmWO9GgLma3fNgcEm_amIpIskoCP2vGGSw9YurSP2fO7rcjlmMdt6QK6HZjN4Kbj2bGpJZwgcqwtOZ-pAwoGPqslnZkQUcoNiSdO/s640/IMG_4076.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Diamond Sky" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YwMaVU77xPzhCv4S5c-RULvZdmg5W6QDC1dTsc83BmZKkR5XNZfivCpo0xQbFYTH4ezt1lYOqpNlO5PF1Q1ZjvoB-KEDJGhWsfpwPPgPZ1e85PbQjmq9YRf5-ifbFe39nFRMLUxB0UQR/s1600/IMG_4088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YwMaVU77xPzhCv4S5c-RULvZdmg5W6QDC1dTsc83BmZKkR5XNZfivCpo0xQbFYTH4ezt1lYOqpNlO5PF1Q1ZjvoB-KEDJGhWsfpwPPgPZ1e85PbQjmq9YRf5-ifbFe39nFRMLUxB0UQR/s640/IMG_4088.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Diamond Sky" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjlBI8JPBSjQPbEm23H30uR5pRzWRfuuuzQIrthBRNbM_FqjTi0mo1xeyFI7qwZSugFt98b1uA7NDCwTzBlbTINNOwLXYrpYucRgiljkvlgSlI8ab2EfJmNgt2dM0PxX7DA-OaJqf2L2K/s1600/IMG_4083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjlBI8JPBSjQPbEm23H30uR5pRzWRfuuuzQIrthBRNbM_FqjTi0mo1xeyFI7qwZSugFt98b1uA7NDCwTzBlbTINNOwLXYrpYucRgiljkvlgSlI8ab2EfJmNgt2dM0PxX7DA-OaJqf2L2K/s640/IMG_4083.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Diamond Sky" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKIW4k2PDbVhKrxUYQzHxNGmpxqaX_U8PtsY5euVTku4pSQjQ0R2e8oHY3V-eDz4ek94KegG1FtHuE4y2JZmnAtWd2k5MXn154QO5y0sLQ8yVV3XRIUtGMa2xrxIwIZqhy9bGpEP6NpfG/s1600/IMG_4061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKIW4k2PDbVhKrxUYQzHxNGmpxqaX_U8PtsY5euVTku4pSQjQ0R2e8oHY3V-eDz4ek94KegG1FtHuE4y2JZmnAtWd2k5MXn154QO5y0sLQ8yVV3XRIUtGMa2xrxIwIZqhy9bGpEP6NpfG/s640/IMG_4061.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Rainbow Scraps" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
Linking up to Finish It Up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2016/01/hourglass-pillow.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts.</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /> </div>
Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-77803726940841897882015-12-01T21:49:00.000-06:002015-12-04T10:26:18.794-06:00Tumble<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpH-s8KNbizsGlTVAXX-GQNj4xcfe-7bG_3_70rUZORk8P99jc0OW9KY7SqE5-c8yddnnbRjqMAHNpyz3PTJgRs_q4xolJOiWELmgCMsprZjFR3GPB9VzaGeMuoIAffwRTtHVAJQS7rcg/s1600/better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpH-s8KNbizsGlTVAXX-GQNj4xcfe-7bG_3_70rUZORk8P99jc0OW9KY7SqE5-c8yddnnbRjqMAHNpyz3PTJgRs_q4xolJOiWELmgCMsprZjFR3GPB9VzaGeMuoIAffwRTtHVAJQS7rcg/s640/better.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Tumble" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Some quilts are just meant to be.<br />
<br />
I picked out the fabrics I used in this quilt with the intention of making a pillow for the Pillow Talk Swap on Instagram. One sunny Saturday afternoon I took the stack of fabric near a bright window to snap a picture with my phone. My husband always makes fun of the people who include their toes and/or shoes in pictures, so noticing that the shoes I was wearing actually matched the fabric, I smirked and included them in the shot just for him.<br />
<br />
It was fate.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxEddf1t6boTuNk29Txd66BGRMrcCaisXM2ZXMrSCFb_FnWEZkh0DlOKgiq4rBftYb9qLUFCSl1JqPUiaNMp8wcmMAKxDB-B0wh-o-7iXRzYOyVQqWVplOpqPC5eB4N6IDi8mPrbTkZ0Z/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxEddf1t6boTuNk29Txd66BGRMrcCaisXM2ZXMrSCFb_FnWEZkh0DlOKgiq4rBftYb9qLUFCSl1JqPUiaNMp8wcmMAKxDB-B0wh-o-7iXRzYOyVQqWVplOpqPC5eB4N6IDi8mPrbTkZ0Z/s640/shoes.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
I really love these shoes, but, truthfully, they are a little big on me. The next day we went for a Sunday walk and in the midst of a lovely visit on a perfect fall day, my right foot stepped off the sidewalk and onto the grass. It was the smallest of missteps and disaster didn't strike until I tried to regain my balance with the bulk of my weight on the opposite foot. That's when my foot slid around in my too-big shoes, was sprained pretty badly, and I ended up as a heap on the sidewalk.<br />
<br />
Ouch.<br />
<br />
In less than a second, I was surrounded by my husband and children. They were so concerned! My bleeding hands were examined. My back was patted. My pants were brushed off. Tears were shed on my behalf. The boys took turns walking their scooters next to me as I limped home. My daughter heard me tell my husband that my hands were on fire and kept pressing her cool fingers against my scratched palms to make sure I was okay. Once we got home, Daddy was carefully supervised while he helped me lay down on the couch with my foot propped up. My boys brought over the glass of water that I swallowed the Tylenol with. I closed my eyes and tried to rest.<br />
<br />
That SO wasn't happening. I didn't have my eyes closed for 30 seconds before the first child sidled up to me and asked, "So what's for dinner?" Within the space of 5 minutes, all three of them had found a time to individually approach the couch to wonder about my dinner plans. The questioning may have been a little jarring and a bit inappropriate at that particular time, but I do get a kick out of my three little foodies. I love making bread and recently have discovered Peter Reinhart's <u>Artisan Breads Every Day</u>. We've been systematically working our way through his recipes and the kids have been loving every minute of it. My seven year old was surprised when no one at his lunch table was as excited as he was that I'd packed a Nutella sandwich on brioche for his lunch. Just yesterday I was reading a book with some Spanish vocabulary in it to my little girl. I asked her if she remembered what the Spanish word for 'hi' was and she emphatically answered, "CHALLAH!" I didn't correct her. I think pie is pretty universal for hospitality and challah definitely counts as hello....at least in my world.<br />
<br />
So, with this experience fresh in my mind, I went back to the fabrics I had originally chosen and started thinking. What I finally decided on was that my fabric choices were very gentle and soothing. I thought it would be fun to add two more colors to work as the jarring, insistent question in that sea of quiet solicitation. I chose the hot pink and turquoise because I knew that they would vibrate next to each other. I used this combination as the center of every log cabin block that I constructed. I love how all the differently shaped centers help to create movement and make the name "Tumble" work for more reasons than just my embarrassing fall.<br />
<br />
I made log cabin units in sizes that would be easy to tile together. The smallest blocks are 2.5" x 2.5," and the largest are 6.5" x 8.5." <br />
<br />
Somewhere in the middle of piecing the 20" square I decided that my Pillow Talk partner wouldn't be receiving this as a pillow. I also decided to enlarge it to the 35" x 35" it is right now. I matchstick quilted this with Aurifil #1246 (grey). I also used the super-thin Quilter's Dream Request batting.<br />
<br />
I took the quilt to the local recycling center with the awesome concrete walls (and convenient protruding bolts) for the pictures. I thought it seemed fitting for the quilt that became something different twice in its life. I also took a picture of it with the shoes that I love/hate because they seem to be cosmically linked. The coordinating socks were a happy accident.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B10F1dSxecCQQY7_tENGV-KU8xtzPcyWBWpvRVkTnxXxVamqWYLq2PXUE8AH6kdt7cDqqui1PfGY1-iNMKEXRm6TW2w1f4OlXnaBP6BRIdEm3a4n0gEt2p1yD2cGG0pw3ZNGwE-j5GCG/s1600/IMG_3964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B10F1dSxecCQQY7_tENGV-KU8xtzPcyWBWpvRVkTnxXxVamqWYLq2PXUE8AH6kdt7cDqqui1PfGY1-iNMKEXRm6TW2w1f4OlXnaBP6BRIdEm3a4n0gEt2p1yD2cGG0pw3ZNGwE-j5GCG/s640/IMG_3964.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Tumble" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53-wvisFU1CMvlXDwWZ3IPCOtc8m9Q9otXGjmU-a4uVnLcUPELpM33AVnuRTzC4pnCab4-cOvT6RBjCD5jKmeWachWML7Rr-dTDev0QqWIUFdkJEksejh__-Qko4Mqiz3ARob7HL0SXWd/s1600/IMG_3988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53-wvisFU1CMvlXDwWZ3IPCOtc8m9Q9otXGjmU-a4uVnLcUPELpM33AVnuRTzC4pnCab4-cOvT6RBjCD5jKmeWachWML7Rr-dTDev0QqWIUFdkJEksejh__-Qko4Mqiz3ARob7HL0SXWd/s640/IMG_3988.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Tumble" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQmlxkARgIAtfRUfxbFfHjRGYwawSGr4-hbIJlSgg723ZPL62MgR0EhaDExVSZbB9DVC7uDuRgqavgSNU1CCOvbZ8BBcytsbQEn-a6mXfqLh59mWfOyC0uq_dHIqf0evBfYpYMlKWY4uK/s1600/IMG_3991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQmlxkARgIAtfRUfxbFfHjRGYwawSGr4-hbIJlSgg723ZPL62MgR0EhaDExVSZbB9DVC7uDuRgqavgSNU1CCOvbZ8BBcytsbQEn-a6mXfqLh59mWfOyC0uq_dHIqf0evBfYpYMlKWY4uK/s640/IMG_3991.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Tumble" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoIo7vLVHdqNKIWua6raM_kQ2mvqQeK6nzZQ7I3XSFS2MWga132-HnFbGdOUvO37n31T7bkzbZ_s6GNYEFJzUpH236Cl8GebHzKr1QjpfBkOxySKOq4syXV8maidRw5VZkFxOvkCPMNoT/s1600/IMG_3995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoIo7vLVHdqNKIWua6raM_kQ2mvqQeK6nzZQ7I3XSFS2MWga132-HnFbGdOUvO37n31T7bkzbZ_s6GNYEFJzUpH236Cl8GebHzKr1QjpfBkOxySKOq4syXV8maidRw5VZkFxOvkCPMNoT/s640/IMG_3995.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Tumble" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpH-s8KNbizsGlTVAXX-GQNj4xcfe-7bG_3_70rUZORk8P99jc0OW9KY7SqE5-c8yddnnbRjqMAHNpyz3PTJgRs_q4xolJOiWELmgCMsprZjFR3GPB9VzaGeMuoIAffwRTtHVAJQS7rcg/s1600/better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpH-s8KNbizsGlTVAXX-GQNj4xcfe-7bG_3_70rUZORk8P99jc0OW9KY7SqE5-c8yddnnbRjqMAHNpyz3PTJgRs_q4xolJOiWELmgCMsprZjFR3GPB9VzaGeMuoIAffwRTtHVAJQS7rcg/s640/better.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Tumble" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Don't worry about my swap partner, either! I went back to her IG wall and found a picture of a cashmere scarf that she loved. Fully intending to purchase it, but waiting for it to drop lower in price, she ended up missing out. This pillow was inspired by the scarf she loved and does not own.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrMd5IR_1vWRCouV4qNkK5IGsqusvy8eLPfcmBoO8lnk9osF5nwXpZPQryJd815qvCuTEOR7BnnpYqb8x7tdESTEqPCRVdepQYCVugdn8Ma_fMiop79Bcz-N0Kezwrr5QyCfitq5yD83X/s1600/2015-11-20+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrMd5IR_1vWRCouV4qNkK5IGsqusvy8eLPfcmBoO8lnk9osF5nwXpZPQryJd815qvCuTEOR7BnnpYqb8x7tdESTEqPCRVdepQYCVugdn8Ma_fMiop79Bcz-N0Kezwrr5QyCfitq5yD83X/s640/2015-11-20+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Pillow Talk Swap" width="584" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd like to end by sharing that my "Heading West" quilt won the Original Design category in the Blogger's Quilt Festival a few weeks ago and that "Finding Jade" was nominated for a Viewer's Choice award. For those of you that took the time to nominate/vote for these quilts, you have my heartfelt thanks. It truly means a lot.<br />
<br />
Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/12/tiny-things-are-my-favorite.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts.</a> <br />
<br />Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117874423611375090.post-69253900837952612632015-10-23T21:55:00.000-05:002015-10-23T21:55:06.996-05:00Finding Jade: The Blogger's Quilt Festival Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9jgDwLV79DvZqvfWsFCkfBRgsxwu8FIG6D-VSvHwObp03sPykRIEBEI30k7xjqkl96DT0WLv_3oFnbHk7mZFT4HQyf4OaUVWJr46JKLaBwrws4JijbmlR2QY45fzVk64T8t7xDkTuVrB/s1600/the+better+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9jgDwLV79DvZqvfWsFCkfBRgsxwu8FIG6D-VSvHwObp03sPykRIEBEI30k7xjqkl96DT0WLv_3oFnbHk7mZFT4HQyf4OaUVWJr46JKLaBwrws4JijbmlR2QY45fzVk64T8t7xDkTuVrB/s640/the+better+one.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Finding Jade" width="548" /></a></div>
<br />
When I was a little girl, I loved to play in my mother's jewelry box. My
favorite piece was a small jade pendant that had been hand carved into
the shape of an elephant. I had no special affinity for elephants then
(or now), I just knew that the color was perfect and that I liked
running my fingers over the smooth, cool stone. I asked my mom once if
I'd ever be able to find a piece of jade that I could keep. She assured
me that I could and in those hot summers when we lived in a tiny travel
trailer on our farm, she would send me out into the gravel driveway to
look for some. I must have picked up every green rock in a hundred yard
radius. Twice. I would carry in handfuls for my mom to look at while she
was making supper "No," she'd say. "Not quite. Try something
lighter/darker." I wonder how many suppers she cooked with me out in the
driveway scanning for the perfect shade of green. Maybe that's when I
fell in love with color. I know for sure that's where I became an
optimist!<br />
<br />
That memory popped right into my head when I was gifted a bag of narrow
scraps from a Kona Cotton Grecian Waters collection. I haven't spent a
lot of time out on the water, but I have spent plenty of time with a
small jade pendant in my hand, so that's immediately where my mind went.
I pulled out every solid and shot cotton I had and held up each piece
next to the scraps. I researched the different colors jade could be, and that's how that lilac shade ended up in the quilt. I enjoy buying solids on
sale and will purchase a half yard of pretty much any color I can get my
hands on. That strategy paid off with this quilt since I ended up
having the kryptonite greens and lavenders in my stash. Neither of those
colors are ones that I would be excited to purchase in a store off the
bolt, but they are the colors that make this quilt sing.<br />
<br />
My birthday present each year is a day away. My husband takes one of his
personal days at work so he can watch our children and I can go to a
workshop. My guild does a great job getting amazing instructors. In the
last three years I have been to classes taught by Amanda Jean Nyberg
(Crazy Mom Quilts), Bill Kerr (Modern Quilt Studio) and Jacquie Gering
(Tallgrass Prairie Studios). This year it was Jacquie Gering. She came
to teach a class on improvisational log cabins. I didn't go into the
experience with any great master plan, I just figured that I would
listen to what she had to say with an open mind and be inspired. As soon
as she mentioned that pineapple blocks were part of the log cabin
family, I got excited and wanted to get to work as fast as I could. I
loved the radiating arrows in the pineapple block, and somehow those
arrows felt right at home with the concept of "Finding Jade." As a little bit of fun, I did make sure to include a block that used each of the log cabin variations that Jacquie mentioned. <br />
<br />
I don't have any magic strategy tips for how I set the quilt. I made
sixteen blocks of different sizes before I joined any together. Of those
sixteen blocks, I put four of them aside (one ended up on the back of
the quilt). The four rejects weren't ugly blocks, they just didn't fit
with the direction the other twelve were going in. Later I ended up making my mom a set of oven mitts for her birthday from one of the leftover blocks. If you'd like to see them, you can check out my <a href="https://instagram.com/pieladyquilts/" target="_blank">Instagram feed.</a> Making a bunch of
blocks in the beginning was a freeing experience. I tried to do
something a little different each time I made a block, and it took me in
some interesting directions. I would stop and look at the design wall
after I finished each one, and I could see where I needed to go next. I
keep a Post-it pad near my sewing machine and I would make notes to
myself so I would remember what my impressions were if there was a break
in my concentration (like needing to feed my kids breakfast and get
them out the door for school on time!). Those notes helped me make work
more efficiently because I didn't have to waste time reorienting myself
the next time I had some time to sew.<br />
<br />
When it came time to start joining
blocks, I squared the pieces down and made a note of the size. I kept
track of the sizes as I built. Once I built my first unit, I knew its
measurements and could build other units in appropriate sizes. The key word there is appropriate. The sections got massive and the measurements got more approximate. In the end, I decided that I would rather have a square-ish quilt and preserve the piecing rather than start hacking away at it with a rotary cutter and ruler. Since I've made this quilt I have experimented with different ways to make improv fit in the spaces I want it to fit in. I've gotten more proficient at piecing to a certain scale and my eyeballing has gotten more accurate. My best tip is to use starch and to press the blocks very well as you go. I love using shot cotton, but that fabric can get so billowy when doing improv. The starching and ironing seem to keep it under control. The other thing I've learned to do is to embrace the irregular. Recently, I made an entire quilt without using a ruler (except for the binding). It was a very freeing experience, plus, I learned that I really love the look of the gentle curve you can achieve when you lose the ruler. Sometimes improv can go square and sometimes it can't. I'm still exploring that difference.<br />
<br />
This quilt finished at 50" x 60" (ish). <br />
<br />
The thought I wanted to leave you with is this. I never found jade in
that driveway. I did find a lot of great green rocks. I discovered that
if I ran them under the hose, that the color changed and patterns would
emerge. Somewhere along the way I figured out that I could carefully
paint them with clear nail polish so that they'd stay beautiful even
when the water dried. By the time I was done picking out all of the
green rocks in the driveway, I had quite a collection of beautiful
stones.<br />
<br />
I know that if you go out looking for beauty, you'll find it. Keep looking! It's there.<br />
<br />
I have entered this into the Modern category of the Blogger's Quilt Festival at <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2015/10/23/bqf-modern-quilts-category/" target="_blank">Amy's Creative Side.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaesA7WVDqZVwe3eZe3T8h-vNE7t-bBMnTBCX1EPYBItIesL9uHeN0mgtirDGfwND-4wjIGSASJv0psBQM6Sw0uTfLE5ghlx9caO5QMKn8u_EgZQFdaeaIvrxRc57og0DHqLPH7tVQYAZ1/s1600/IMG_3292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaesA7WVDqZVwe3eZe3T8h-vNE7t-bBMnTBCX1EPYBItIesL9uHeN0mgtirDGfwND-4wjIGSASJv0psBQM6Sw0uTfLE5ghlx9caO5QMKn8u_EgZQFdaeaIvrxRc57og0DHqLPH7tVQYAZ1/s640/IMG_3292.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Finding Jade" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEwUYar-HbvUoTyaAVXs6VPWi8y2CP0mFE_5hR8fiTQphRfzGhze2-Kpr2Plait4_eA505kwtrgC1h4pRG9gdRbvSE9Qkshnj0U3ZjWLrNpkrSwkqqaBN075_WVooaGcr81AVZAIRKNfO/s1600/IMG_3314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEwUYar-HbvUoTyaAVXs6VPWi8y2CP0mFE_5hR8fiTQphRfzGhze2-Kpr2Plait4_eA505kwtrgC1h4pRG9gdRbvSE9Qkshnj0U3ZjWLrNpkrSwkqqaBN075_WVooaGcr81AVZAIRKNfO/s640/IMG_3314.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Finding Jade" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4LWROG7ouSXz0BP7eNWjficGNXwjbP9vza3jQpYqxs3MQKijwQIE61XsNQABO-xbnAmRP0ixwUxSkdx7WKDGwX-QraR4BiR55nhrRtdI6l0npJZhX8mEGSPqC3WLb15jxsTUaFSh2ZmK/s1600/IMG_3350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4LWROG7ouSXz0BP7eNWjficGNXwjbP9vza3jQpYqxs3MQKijwQIE61XsNQABO-xbnAmRP0ixwUxSkdx7WKDGwX-QraR4BiR55nhrRtdI6l0npJZhX8mEGSPqC3WLb15jxsTUaFSh2ZmK/s640/IMG_3350.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Finding Jade" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL0CpT5P7KYSNlPACKYhJvvVhTqK2vrFKYZDy8qaO9g5OgfD_jdw_jHsOXg6ktAADfLHLqpx2G-E28nAXBT0kvMfQ-DXf8P8B55AbbSGxUw8F2-mT4gtptFLew-eIlsplWMA0RpQs4Vqc/s1600/IMG_3355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL0CpT5P7KYSNlPACKYhJvvVhTqK2vrFKYZDy8qaO9g5OgfD_jdw_jHsOXg6ktAADfLHLqpx2G-E28nAXBT0kvMfQ-DXf8P8B55AbbSGxUw8F2-mT4gtptFLew-eIlsplWMA0RpQs4Vqc/s640/IMG_3355.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Finding Jade" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2RLNNRYivO-qML1hInSQscSLHoY5I_5y0bdb-XwjrqfLCU9-DVsjP1VHiqcuODFdnjENZFesZscseRbCGta9XFd_raL5nkUoI2uvcdTi7MWIpAQf087W2T9cBveJRCh9r4RPN4Sl8V0p/s1600/IMG_3357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2RLNNRYivO-qML1hInSQscSLHoY5I_5y0bdb-XwjrqfLCU9-DVsjP1VHiqcuODFdnjENZFesZscseRbCGta9XFd_raL5nkUoI2uvcdTi7MWIpAQf087W2T9cBveJRCh9r4RPN4Sl8V0p/s640/IMG_3357.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Finding Jade" width="616" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctaaICiuejIcpCy72Y4iPYInmWT_WHohbR7j9e6XRfVKTG2fJRxzRBx6gEzl-qGrgu7Am1FFvUEU-F0nzh0UP0Cz5xgBu_ONAAsUm2M6YGahAsPJOG03QJdWML72qDgYY5DMeSTvyApbn/s1600/IMG_3325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctaaICiuejIcpCy72Y4iPYInmWT_WHohbR7j9e6XRfVKTG2fJRxzRBx6gEzl-qGrgu7Am1FFvUEU-F0nzh0UP0Cz5xgBu_ONAAsUm2M6YGahAsPJOG03QJdWML72qDgYY5DMeSTvyApbn/s640/IMG_3325.jpg" title="Pie Lady Quilts: Finding Jade" width="468" /></a></div>
<br />
Jill Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17777324112388122299noreply@blogger.com39