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Thursday, June 4, 2015

Finding Jade

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!


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 sorted quickly and tried not to think too much. I ended up with two piles. "Maybe" and "Put it Back in the Cupboard." I played with the "Maybes," eliminating rogue colors and colors that were too similar. I also experimented with tints. 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.


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."


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. 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. 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.


I am very happy with the piecing in this quilt. Even though it is a pineapple quilt, I made sure to put in each kind of log cabin block that Jacquie mentioned in her lecture. When it came time to quilt it, I knew that I wanted the piecing to take center stage. It had to be matchstick. It took forever and my triceps are still a little sore, but I know it was the right call. This quilt deserved a matchstick! I used four different colored Aurifil threads in the top and in the back in a combination of 40 wt. and 50 wt. Not that I was counting or anything, but this quilt took 25 bobbins. I *may* have kept a tally on that Post-it pad every time I put a fresh one in.


The quilt finished at 50" x 60."



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.

I know that if you go out looking for beauty, you'll find it. Keep looking! It's there.







Linking up to Finish it Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

61 comments:

  1. This is an incredibly beautiful quilt! And I love the story of how you obtained the fabric and how you started the quilt in Jacquie's class. I have only been quilting for a couple of years, but was drawn to it when I discovered Jacquie's blog and all-solid quilts. Ironically, I haven't really made an all solid quilt yet, because I tend to be drawn to combinations of patterns in fabric, rather solid colours. Anyway, I LOVE, LOVE LOVE this quilt, and you should definitely enter it in the Quiltcon show, which is calling for entries now (or very soon)!

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    1. Thank you! I added some more pictures this morning after I'd thought about things in the night. I used to buy prints primarily too, but I've been changing my buying habits in the last few months. I have enjoyed using solids, but I have to say that my most favorite is using shot cotton. One funny thing Jacquie said in her workshop was that sewing with shot cotton was like sewing with tissue paper. I had to laugh at that one because it is so spot on!

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  2. What a lovely quilt. I love the story behind it and the meaning that it gives to the quilt. It's a great finish.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. I had a good time thinking of those memories while I was making this quilt! It kinda made me want to start a rock collection again!

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  3. Wonderful post and I love the quilt.

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    1. I appreciate it, Frances. Thank you for your comment!

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  4. What a beautiful quilt! I still collect small rocks and pebbles and have quite the collection on my nightstand. A small item to remind me of somewhere special... The matchstick quilting is perfect, and I love the backing, too.

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    1. The rock thing must be contagious, Yvonne! My boys acted like they were compelled to toss plenty of them in the lake last night. I think I picked the same one out of my shoe a couple of times last night, too! :-)

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  5. Jill, you just knock my socks off! This is a quilt I wish I'd made—the colors, the composition, the quilting. A. Maze. Ing. (And the back is a knock-out, too.)

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    1. Thanks, Linzee. Some quilts feel like drudge work a little towards the end. I was excited to work on this one from start to finish (even during the 25 bobbins!!). I think the colors made me feel happy. I am happy it worked on you, too! :-)

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  6. I love the story that goes along with this very cool quilt! You have a wonderful eye for color and composition!

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    1. Thank you Kelly! I enjoy writing the blog post as much as I enjoy making the quilts! I hope my kids go back and read everything when they're older.

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  7. Beautiful quilt, great storytelling~I love reading your posts!

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    1. Thank you, Diana. And thank you for continuing to come back!

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  8. Those pops of purple are wonderful! I love the story behind the quilt, it makes it that much more special. Matchstick quilting is my favorite and it looks so good on your quilt!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! I have a hard time not putting purple in everything. It is definitely my favorite color. I love matchstick quilting, too. BUT, I can say with confidence that the next quilt I make won't have it. I need a break!

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  9. This is so lovely (those purples and greens together!!) and what an awesome blog post! Beautiful work. Also love the quilting and blue thread!

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    1. Thank you, Jessica. I think my favorite color thread was the light aloe green. It is especially clear on the dark backing fabric. The blue thread was the 40 wt. one. I am glad that you can spot it!

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  10. That is one beautiful quilt, will you do another? I enjoyed your story. I am wondering, with the matchstick quilting, which I love, is the quilt a bit stiff after washing? Or is it nice and soft and what batting did you use? Thank you.

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    1. A bit stiff? Ha! This quilt could stand up and walk away by itself! That's okay, though, since I just want to look at it and not snuggle under it. I use Quilter's Dream batting. The pineapples were fun to do, but I feel finished with them. I have no burning desire to make another one right away.

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    2. Thank you Jill, I would love looking at it too.lol

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  11. I fell in love when I saw your picture on Instagram! Wow - its so beautiful! The colors and the design play really well together.

    25 bobbins? Girl, you're crazy. Totally worth it though!

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    1. Thank you, Rachel! Yes, I am crazy! I would totally do it again, though.

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  12. I fell in love when I saw your picture on Instagram! Wow - its so beautiful! The colors and the design play really well together.

    25 bobbins? Girl, you're crazy. Totally worth it though!

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  13. To be honest I don't know much- well, anything really, about quilting. I do know, that you do beautiful work. I love reading your posts and seeing all the beautiful quilts you do. We must be related somehow since our favorite color is purple 😜😉😃

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    1. Thanks, Shauna! I LOVE purple! We have purple landscaping, purple towels, purple toes and even a purple La-Z-Boy!

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  14. Oh, Jill!! You have such a way with words. and with fabric!
    (25 bobbins?! ouch)
    Have a lovely weekend ~ Tracy

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    1. Thanks Tracy! I am on my way to an Amish quilt museum, so my weekend is definitely looking promising. I might even eat a kolache. Life doesn't get much better than that.

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  15. This is just so insanely awesome! Love, love, love!!! Also, I love that you call those greens Kryptonite. Makes my inner nerd heart sing. :D

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    1. Sarah, I think our inner nerd hearts must be besties. Thank you!

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  16. Beautiful quilt!! Pineapple blocks never crossed my mind when I first glanced at it, I love that it isn't what it seems at first. :) Those colors are gorgeous also. And while I'm gushing about everything, let me add that the quilting suits it perfectly as well. Lol. :)

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    1. Gush away! :-) I'm just glad the quilt got a second look. Thank you!

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  17. This is so beautiful, Jill! I love how you incorporated the different log cabin blocks, they came together so well! I also love the pops of bright green and purple, they make the "oceany" colors stand out more. 25 bobbins?! Wow! Looks fantastic, I love matchstick quilting, but I'm not sure I have the patience to do it on anything bigger than a mini quilt. Well done!

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    1. Thanks, Kate. I consider your opinion on oceany to carry much more weight than mine. I think you have me beat by at least 1,100 miles.

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  18. What a beautiful quilt! Just lovely!

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    1. Thank you, Gretchen. I appreciate it! I enjoyed working on this quilt so much.

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  19. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!

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    1. I am glad you think so, Lois. Thank you for your comment.

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  20. Your quilt is stunning! I love it all but what struck me as especially awesome (aside from the colors) is the fun and interesting piecing you did between the irregular blocks. Amazing and inspiring work! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Molly! I love doing piecing like that. I am definitely not a minimalist and I like fun, happy quilts!

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  21. Beautiful quilt - I'm in awe of you matchsticking something this big!

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    1. Thanks, Ruth. I found a great album that I really liked on Spotify (You+Me by rose ave.) that really helped the time go by.

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  22. Oh man, this is gorgeous. I am really drawn to the fact that the blocks all have a personality of their own, but you've managed to work them together into a cohesive quilt. Just like your other work, there's so much to see there and I don't think I'd ever get tired of looking. :) I love the story about the jade as well. What a sweet memory and sentiment to go with an equally lovely quilt. :D

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    1. Thank you, Anne for your lovely comment AND for knowing how this quilt fits in with what I have done before. Reading about "my other work" made me feel seriously legit. :-)

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    1. Thank you Debbie! I appreciate the comment and the link! It's always such a nice surprise to see something of yours pop up in all the distracted scrolling.

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  24. Gorgeous! Love your story as well. There IS beauty to be found everywhere!

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    1. Thank you! I hope there is some beauty in your life today. :-)

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  25. You had me at "jade elephant" - such a stunning quilt and I love the story behind it!

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    1. Thanks, Kirsten! I've had jade on my mind for a few weeks now, too. If I end up with a pair of jade earrings, I am totally blaming this quilt.

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  26. Anne above said it so well. What a gorgeous gorgeous quilt and a nice story (although I don't think looking for the jade in the driveway would have taught me optimism, much the opposite!!). Good for you for shepherding that optimism and letting it flourish in tandem with your creativity.

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    1. Thank you, Kim! One of my favorite quotes is: "Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye, a smile on your face, but with great purpose of heart." I think that's what I mean when I say optimist.

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  27. I just found your blog! What a great assortment of quilts you have made. From an old quilter to a new quilter, keep it up. You are very talented.

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  28. I just found your blog! What a great assortment of quilts you have made. From an old quilter to a new quilter, keep it up. You are very talented.

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    1. Thank you, Deborah! What a nice thing to say!! I will quilt for the rest of my life. It is something that I truly enjoy.

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  29. wonderful quilt !! great beauty shots of it.

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    1. Thank you, Barb! This one was pretty difficult to take pictures of. I think it was all that quilting!

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  30. Love this one--the colors are some of my favorites and yet I don't use them much in quilts. I'm also fascinated with how you built the top. It's much more free form than I have gotten to yet and think it is beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Angela! I am entering this one in the Bloggers Quilt Festival, too! I am glad you like it!

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