Mark-Making Opportunities in the Works

Lots of creating going on -- though not a lot of quilt works happening.
This past summer I wanted to start playing with paper mache --
Building 3 dimensionally
Getting dirty
and basically having fun.

these 3D playthings have turned into a new place to try out some of my mark-making ideas. It all begins with balloons - newspaper - cardboard - masking tape - and homemade paper-mache glue....

 

 Then they can turn into things like these.

 

FUN... right?!?

Shhh...

My friend Marie wanted to try and make a quilt --
for a gift, but she has never even learned how to sew.

And, she wanted it to be an art quilt....
We can do this!

So, we have been taking some stolen bits of time and going step-by-step we're heading down the 'fabric road'. It started with a bit of pattern making- but once a theme was chosen the design emerged and then the pattern. (secret stuff at this point).

Next, I gave her a bit of a crash course on the sewing machine and of course stitching. This went really well after Marie's initial fears went away. Starting first with stitching straight lines...then straight stitching curves.

 

This went really well... so, Marie quickly moved on to appling her newly acquired straight stitching knowledge to Fast-Piece Applique some practice pattern pieces together -- then how to use those special Kai scissors to trim.

We were on a roll, so next we went fabric shopping for the background pieces needed for Marie's quilt. There is nothing like fabric in hand to speed thing along, and Marie quickly had the background completed.

Since the project really is hush, hush you'll just have to believe me when I tell you that Marie is doing GREAT!

During our last time together Marie pulled fabrics for the main characters of her quilt -- Stacks of reds and golds began to pile up.. with Ralphie's help.

I'll keep you posted--but I hope you join me in welcoming Marie to the fun of quilting. She is proof that you don't have to start with traditional... you can jump in anywhere. (she's already planning out her 2nd quilt!)

Pulling the Stuff Out of My Head

Hi All,
It has been a while since I last sat down and shared stuff with you, but I want you to know that it has not been for lack of stuff happening or lack of thinking about sharing. Time has just been flying by.

Today though, I am hoping to share something that may be of interest to some of you and useful...especially as we approach the holiday season.

For several years I have added a stretched and mounted quilt finishing method to the others I use. Once completed these pieces hang nicely on the wall as would any framed art item.

The quilting remains the same.... though if I know I am planning to mount a piece my backing fabric does not have to be anything fancy, for it will not be seen. Once the top is done, I create my quilt sandwich and quilt and embellish the piece. With the piece done the mounting process begins by first selecting the size pine wood you want for your frame (I use 1x2s-but note these are not really 1"x2"-more 3/4"x1 1/2") then:

1. Trim the quilt to the size desired.
2. Cut binding strips. (for the 1x2's I use 3" wide straight of grain binding strips)
3. Attach the binding as 4 separate strips. 1 to each edge of the quilt. Starting 1/4" from each edge. Leaving about an extra inch unstitched on each side.

4. With all the sides stitched into place I fold back each corner, right sides together, matching the binding edges. This creates a 45 degree angle on the quilt edge and lines the the binding up below. From that corner point of the quilt edge I drawn a line straight down to binding edge.

5. Once it is lined up, line drawn I stitch on the line, then trim it back to 1/4". Repeat on each corner, and turn the corners out to complete.

With the corners done, I move on to building the frame.

1. Measure the inside dimensions of the prepared quilt. Note the measurements of the width and length.
2. Cut width pieces of wood to the dimension noted.
3. Take 1 1/2" off the length dimension (for 1x2s), and cut length pieces to this size.
4. Line up frame pieces widths to the outside with lengths on the inside to create the corners. Use wood glue and nails to hold frame together.

For the mounting and stretching:
1. Cut batting approximately 3"s bigger than frame all around.
2. With batting on flat surface, place frame in middle and starting in the center of each side stretch batting around the frame, while either gluing or stapling in place.

3. Lastly, slip quilt over the batting covered side of frame, and again working from center of each side stretch the binding around frame and staple in place.

If desired, a backing can be made and glued in place over the back before adding hanging hardware as below.

Then they are ready to hang and enjoy!!!!

Summertime Reads In

Since the last time I posted I must confess to have filled an inordinate amount of time reading. Reading for the fun of it, and having a grand time. Oh, there have been days filled with building planters, others filled with stitching on several projects and of course with rains slipping by to the north of us or to the south there has been plenty of mornings of watering all the new plantings.

But, throughout it all I have enjoying a bunch of books.
In January a group of us here started a book club. We plan on a whole year of women authors -- with a couple of books with lots of recipes thrown in for our June and December meetings.

Our first cook-book meeting was at the end of June and boy did we eat well -- with plenty to share about the author, Ruth Reichl and her wonderful book My Kitchen Year. Then there was all the food!!!

 Kristen set an incredible table.

it all started with broccoli rabe bruschetta

then gazpacho

 Michael's grilled london broil with onions

 Jim Lahe's no-knead bread

 along with corn pudding filled the menu out

and finally two incredible desserts
The Cake that Cures Everything
apple crisp

This meeting set everything rolling for a reading summer - though there hasn't been anything quite as yummy (at least yet).

Here's my reading list for so far.... I'd love to hear about other books you have enjoyed, too!

Lab Girl
A Man Called Ove
First Frost
We are All Completely Beside Ourselves
Full Dark House - Book 1 of Bryant & May Peculiar Crimes Unit series
The Water Room - Book 2
Seventy-Seven Clocks - Book 3
The 10-Second Staircase - Book 4
and am now reading...
Hold StillThe White Corridor - Book 5

The studio is a mess with almost as many projects being worked on as there have been books read... more on those for another day.

Happily reading....
~Rose

Rag-Quilt Saga

Since sometime last year I have known that the extra colorful quilt I kept on my bed would have to be replaced. It had been way overly loved since it was made in 1998 and had gone beyond just showing wear to having holes. These holes were made even bigger by a certain kitten who will remain nameless.

I had tried time and again to think of a design that I wanted to use, but it wasn't until I got my birthday present from my friend Angelique that I KNEW what the bed was calling out for. Angelique knew that I wanted a lap quilt for the living room which had been redone and she sent me a wonderful rag-quilt!

When I saw that quilt, I knew Angelique had provided the perfect idea for the bed quilt redo. All the colorful fabrics in my stash could be used....
I was off!!

 

 So I pulled a ton of fabrics from my stash.

 And, even though Ralphie took over the piles I managed to get all the fabric cut.

 I could tell from the scraps that I was going to like it.

 Edgar....

 and Ralphie helped with the sewing....

 until the blocks were stacked high...

then the blocks were stitched and stitched.

Lastly, all was cut and washed to fluff.... leaving a very contented kitty.
He no longer has the holes to play with, but I don't think he misses them.

If you think you want to try one for yourself there are a ton of quilters who have given directions on how to.
Click here for one of those wonderful folks.

Happily covered in Kentucky,
~Rose

btw - that old quilt just might show up is some other transformation soon

Wanna Do List - Heron Pond

Here I continue to try and catch you up on some of the summertime fun things that I have on my 'wanna do' list.

With the everyday following up of this and that in the garden behind us, David and I have wanted to do a little venturing out. Since days here have either been hot, hot, hot (gotta watch those feels like numbers) and filled with rain clouds there have been some fun times. One of these was a trip over into IL to Heron Pond.

 Way off the main road -- turn right at the little church.

 A beautiful day, a nice walk through the woods, though it was surprisingly quiet. This area is smack dab in the middle between several wineries that we have now added to the 'wanna do' list.


Onward,
~Rose