Project Joy Update

     Hope you enjoyed a few extra days off. I did manage to squeeze in a little sewing. I finished the binding on # 5 and loved the back of the quilt.

    

     Just like the clean lines and minimal fuss of the design.

    

     I did start working on another one with my class fabrics and am about 60% done with the quilting. A sneak peek for you....

     Now that I see it on the screen, it looks kind of Christmas like which was definitely not my intent. Better get going on my day. Happy sewing, my friends.

Sometimes you are never prepared

     The turkey was a little late but delicious. The rest of the food was wonderful and it was also wonderful to have different families from different sides come together and enjoy each others company. It was even nicer to be able to enjoy a fire and watch a movie after 21 people left. ( I even had time to baste a quilt in the afternoon.)So, all in all, a great holiday. But I hadn't taken one photo all day. I dismissed it last night as -"well you were the hostess. You didn't have time."

     But, a much less tired me this morning had to admit the truth. I didn't want to see --through the lens of a camera-- that for the first time in eighteen years-my girl wasn't with me for a holiday. My eighteen year old Erin had gone to South Carolina to be on vacation with her dear boyfriend and his family. I knew far in advance that it was going to happen. She loves the Carolinas and and I knew that she would go if asked.  I wasn't angry that she had gone. I wasn't worried about her safety as they are a great family to be with. I thought I was prepared. But I was just plain sad that she had grown up. That big gaping hole that was left was just sad. After all, wasn't it enough that I had been a big girl when she left for college? Wasn't it enough that I am brave and don't cry when she leaves to go back to college?

     Nope, I guess not. Motherhood just isn't for wimps, that's for sure. Sometimes you can never prepared for them to grow up.

     So what's a girl to do? Go shopping with the one who's still at home and enjoy every minute of fussy teenage girlhood that I have left. Please remind me of that soon! And give your little ones a hug before you go to bed. You are never prepared.

  Some oldies for you-my first improvisational quilts which hang proudly in my sewing studio. Hopefully next year I will be brave enough to take some pictures! Happy sewing my friends!
  

Life is Good

     I had fun this week volunteering at school and at the Operation Christmas Child warehouse. It renewed my sense of -if we all work together the world to make a difference,  life is easier and richer. I read a link on a blog last week about a community that came together to save a barn in Vermont and make it into an artist and community spot. I will send you to Martha Sacco's knitting website : www.greenmountainknittingbags.com. Go to last week's news and you will hear about the wonderful sense of community in Starksboro, VT. Martha has a once weekly sale of her beautiful bags for knitting. Yes, I am the proud owner of one.

     I have been a bit distracted this week. I did decide that I absolutely love Aurifil thread for piecing. If you put it in the bobbin, it lasts forever. It is smooth as butter on top! No lint, very fine and my new machine loves it as well. It is expensive but comes in a large quantity. When I looked for it last night, Mai-Britt Axelson is a sponsor. More eye candy for you-http://www.linen-and-silk.com.

  



     I know you are looking for completed UFOS. None yet although my back is pieced (on the left), thread purchased and now ready to go on this top(right) from my Carol Soderlund workshop. Distracted I was by finding bits and pieces of this UFO in my Christmas fabrics.

     I am grateful for all God has blessed us with this Thanksgiving. Life is indeed good. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy sewing, my friends. Put your feet up after turkey dinner is done and enjoy the links.

Photography Day: Meijer Gardens

 

     I have been saving my weekly photography "homework" for Sunday afternoons and usually drag some of the kids with me. But this week, with 60 degrees and sunny, no one wanted to come. They were too busy playing some kind of sport outside. So, I treated myself to a walk through a local botanical spot a few miles from my home, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Museum. It is filled with indoor and outdoor gardens and always some kind of art exhibit.

  

  I saw so many great lines and angles I just couldn't stop taking inspiration pictures.

  

     Just balanced by the weight and angle of stone and nothing else. All stone transported here from Europe.

      Great sculptures.

     These guys just surprised me.

And more lines for you.

    These are all unedited. The goal for the past few weeks was just to learn to shoot in manual mode-no editing. I never knew that you could make your pictures look so great with Photoshop.( Yup, there was much eye-rollling by the two teenagers when I made that comment to them. And the question by college girl-please tell me you aren't putting unedited photos anywhere Mom?)  I guess you just need to laugh at yourself when you have teen agers. As usual,  I have much to learn but am a willing victim! I can't wait to do more.

Addendum- I am not making a quilt out of the last fabrics I just showed you -those were my rejects or dye-overs. Those were pretty bad colors. I'll try not to scare you too badly next time.

      Be inspired by lines. Happy sewing my friends.

Fabric Dyeing

     Last February, our quilt guild had the the privilege of hosting Carol Soderlund. She presented a wonderful lecture and then stayed for two days of classes. I attended both days of classes with the first being her Pot-of Gold class. She taught us how to dye layers of cloth stacked three high in a plastic bag and upright container. She was previously a teacher and still had the gift of making everyone feel very comfortable with her. She is a teacher I would highly recommend taking a workshop from.

      In the quilt I am working on now, I showcased the fabrics we made. I  had made a prototype months ago and finally put it together as a stitch sampler in order to decide how to quilt it. It is one of my UFOS, too. The sampler fabrics are much lighter than the quilt I am working on now.

     These were the last layer in the "pot" so ended up the lightest. She uses Testfabrics 400 M. I fell in love with this fabric this summer and started ordering it in large quantities. The company is very easy to deal with and ships out quickly.

                                

                                                   Directions prototype-9x12

      I am going to choose the upper left for my quilting pattern for the next quilt. It is the most time-consuming    as you are always turning the quilt back and forth but that's what I like.  I am feeling like I might have time for two more quilts realistically before the holidays. Must go put the Thanksgiving grocery list together. Happy sewing, my friends.

    

Almost #4 and #5 for Project Joy

     I know, I know that almost doesn't count but this has been crazy week and I want to show you almost. This blogging thing is a bit crazy and I have to admit to you that I missed it this week when I couldn't keep up with it. I felt like I was letting you down. Or I wasn't pulling my end of the deal . What is really strange is that I am completing things, I am not sure I even like. Just to have something to show you. Which makes me feel a bit vulnerable and not necessarily proud of what I am producing. But what I am " getting out of " this whole thing is a great bit of humility, a great sense of respect for those who do this blogging thing well and much improved construction technique for sewing  just because I am sewing more.

     I have finished #4 except the binding so I know it doesn't count just yet. It looks like a spider web and I am happy to say Betsy -my new machine-did her part. After a software update and two new parts for a machine less than six months old,  she still needs to win me over though. I am skeptical.

  

  

      The binding will be done tonight while I watch tv with the kids. I did some random crazy quilting over a very chaotic quilting.

  # 5 I am not sure it is worth saving. It was in the middle of the whole sewing machine debacle and I am sick of wavy. So am in a quandry of whether or not to finish. I did spend 2 hours trying to pick out bad stitching. Yuck.

       My husband brought home thirty roses yesterday to celebrate our first date thirty years ago. What a nice and romantic guy I have.

     I am very grateful for him! Now, on to sewing. Happy sewing, my friends.

Project Joy #3: Perseverance

       I can't believe this one is done. I made it late last February just as a means of using up strip sets and playing around with another neutral color-the tans and khakis. The process of finishing it with all the machine issues just about made me give up on it. But I left in the areas of stitching that were less than average and a bit wavy. I had fought with it in areas that left it even more wavy when finished. Or it ended up that way because I densely quilted it ( six spools of thread later ) or strip sets just stretch. But it the end , it is done.

The Perseverance Connection

38x53

And done is all that matters today.

    Can you tell I'm excited?   Happy sewing, my friends!

Sweet Peas-UFO #2 Project Joy

     I did persevere this weekend and did what I could with my limp-along machine. I feel a bit of desperation sinking in as I did something I have never done before-I put half of a binding on an unfinished quilt. It's just a flat binding and that side of the quilt was done, so why not? I guess half of my quilting rules are just that. Silly rules. It felt good to move ahead even if it was just a weak attempt at ahead.

    Machine update: Clare will come home today. Betty will be taken back to the dealer and war negotiations undertaken. Not really mad , just sad and need to move on.

     I did finish this small work. I am in a fiber arts group and we have been working with different fun stuff-Shiva paintsticks, TAP paper, Lutrador, fabric paint, setacolors when we meet once a month. This little guy has some Shiva paintstick work on it as well as the base made of hand-dyed fabric. The thread is a really heavy silk which I have fallen in love with. It was relaxing to make the needle do what I wanted-in my hands instead of relying on a machine.

                                                              Sweet Peas
                                                                    8x12



     I also started to piece a back for one of my UFOS. Yes, you say-who would have time for that when you have 6 more? Oh, just the patient one waiting for her machine to be fixed.

      

     The back is on top of my quilt top. Crazy yes I am. Or just spinning out of control....  Off to volunteer at Operation Christmas child. Hope you have your boxes packed. Happy Sewing, my friends.                                          

Looking back

    I need to give you a look back at an earlier work . This was made many years ago and now hangs in my sewing room. As I look at how nicely the hand quilting really gives the background texture, it is encouraging me with my machine quilting I am now working on. My two UFOs for the week might even be done ---by Sunday which I guess is within my weekly goal for Project Joy. It's a bit of a gamble to depend on much sewing time in the weekend. But they are both about 70% done!

It seems odd now to see a border on one of my quilts as I haven't been using them with all this abstract work. Must go -I am off to trace 27 kids feet for the jeans quilt I am soon to start. Have a good weekend. Happy sewing, my friends.

Did you ever buy something big...

      and not like it? I feel like I have given her a fair chance. I have written off many of her problems to my ineptness as a machine quilter. I have given her a name in order to bond with her.( Her name is Betsy. ) But Betsy and I just aren't making it together. I have spent many hours trying to bond with her. I have figured out her computer. Hint...Hint...she isn't  a person.

      But she has a problem I don't know I can't get over. She wobbles at the needle level. ( Yup, I have totally lost my mind this week. I am not whining, just stating fact.)  Yes, you guessed it, Betsy is a sewing machine. She wobbles, not from the machine jiggling on the table, but at the needle level.  I thought it was me but my local sewing buddy said she has had three traded in this month.  I have read about it on the internet.The dreaded needle wiggling.  But that doesn't solve my problem. So I am left with intermittent wobbly stitches. Maybe she needs to be traded in....( I won't tell you which brand it is as I don't want to get in to machine bashing. Sounds like a punishable crime. I will tell you I switched brands with this purchase. ) I have gotten out the older wiser machine(Clare) but the needle is banging on the hook so Clare is off to the shop. You know this whole UFO project is soon to be over for me unless Clare and Betty pitch in to do their fair share, don't you?
 
      Some positive news. I have taken the plunge and signed up for another class at the Barn this spring with Nancy Crow: Sets and Variables. I debated a long time about this. I am looking for my own style, so why take another class from her? Why not someone else? Because she makes me think the most and work harder than anyone else, so someday I can be myself.  And now I need to decide how much of my fabric I dyed this summer should be put away for it-all 220 yards?

 


     That seems like a huge number but when you see  it on the shelves, you realize how quickly you could burn through it sewing at the speed you need to there. My laundry room was moved upstairs which isn't conducive to dyeing in the winter ahead.  Do I save it for May?  Any suggestions?

     My commercials are dwindling. Although the drawers are full of fat quarters.

 

      


Ok so there are six drawers and a few more you haven't seen yet. Just the hand-dyed I'd like to save. Well, off to the sewing machine store to drop off Clare. Peaceful thoughts amidst a frustrating week with this sunset picture. Happy sewing , my friends.

Machine Quilting 101

  

     I  read last night that it takes about 500 hours to become proficient in machine quilting. Since I only have at the most 250 hours in , I guess I have no choice but to continue. I have decided today, I will minimize what I rip out and just keep going. None of these would be for a show and I need to kind of go with what the quilt is and that is improvisational. I also took one of their suggestions and tipped my machine back a bit by putting a small book under it. I think that helped to open up my line of vision. I picked this beautiful batik of Vermont wildflowers for the back. It was made for a shop hop so I don't  think you will find any left.

     I will not fight with the process today! I did finish another UFO. It was really fun. It has lots of fun stuff in it: recycled raw edge silk, hand-dyed silk ribbon, hand-dyed linen(the deep blue background), hand-dyed cottons,  metallic thread, and it's fused. I can't use it for a challenge because it is three inches too big on one side. Have to think of something else....

                                                                    Moving Up
                                                                       16x 22

     Fortunately, it's done. Unfortunately, I didn't count it on my personal list for Project Joy!  Happy sewing, my friends!

Making Lemonade

   I had a day of lemons yesterday -but the bright spot of my day was seeing a quilt my friend made. I was amazed at where she has come in the past few years and I am so happy for her. Take a look at her most recent work at gjbquilts.blogspot.com.  Gail sat next to me at a workshop a few years ago. I have enjoyed her friendship.

   I had my week all planned out. But yesterday was a day to do what I always tell the kids: when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. The desktop computer needed help and had to be taken to the computer store. My camera was giving me fits-it's the user, yes, I know, not the camera. Everything was way too dark despite my adjusting all controls on the camera. I had forgotten to wash the backing of my next project up for the day. No problem , move on to the next.

     So, I moved on to the next project and my machine started to throw up thread on the back of  my quilt. Yes, truly the user again. I adjusted tensions, tried a different machine,went out and  bought Bottom Line thread. I was trying to do wonky circles. Definitely the uptight user. So, after four hours, I took a break. Took a walk.

     Read the camera manual and book I purchased. My model camera has an inherent metering issue-need to wrap my head around that but it's not me. Kept adjusting and enjoyed the walk.

     Ater dinner, I picked out threads. I put the quilt aside until someone braver than me can help me with my skills and I basted another. But I was brave enough to try a picture in a dark room, and all is well. Now to learn how to crop.

Sometimes when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. On to the next quilt. Happy Sewing, my friends.

Project Joy: #1

  

      We had a great weekend and enjoyed time at my daughter's college. The weather was in the 60's and sunny which really hasn't happened much this fall. I had high hopes for many portrait pictures to show you but my family is not happy with the camera. That really surprised me. Or they just didn't have fun with me adjusting camera settings. Manual mode is very hard for me. Just can't seem to get the hang of it. Maybe not having fun is a mild phrase-they were getting annoyed . I moved on to the dogs and they started running away.  I need new subjects. But here's my crew. We will learn how to crop this weekend. Thank goodness.

     I did manage to finish this quilt over the weekend. I began quilting 20 years ago using reproduction fabrics and they fit well in all of our older homes. When I was sewing on it this weekend, I still loved the softness in my hand of the old indigoes. The Bowtie pattern is one of my favorites. I wonder if I could work with the pattern improvisationally. Guess it's an idea for a series next year.

                                                         Bowtie Beauty

                                                            40x56

     Ok seriously my pictures are way too dark. Must get back to the camera manual and sewing. Happy sewing,  my friends. 

Reality Check

 I have finished two quilts this week from beginning to end. Lots of fun but lots of time, as you well know! I have one more to bind to achieve my  week one goal. Well, I had a moment of panic when I realize that I had committed to 10 total by  the end of the year. Even if I doubled my time I spend on sewing per week, I am not sure I was realistic. This week I have spent 27 hours -on sewing-don't tell my family. Although they probably already know by the quality of meals this week. And then there is the photography class work...yikes. I had a moment of panic this am as I was thinking, was I realistic? So, the list. The dreaded list.

Project Joy in the New Year
Unfinished quilt tops

1. Bowtie-4 hours
2. Connections -Tan-25
3.Connections- Red and Black-10
4. Connections-Red and blue-20
5. Workshop-Autumn Mums-15
6. Directions 1- mini -3
7. Directions #3-30
8. Connections#7 -30

     I came up with 140 approx hours divided by 6 weeks( ok we have some major holidays and people will be sick) so 24 hours per week. Most art quilters spend more than that  plus work outside the home. Now that I have actually put a number to it it feels better. I think I can do this. The list is just a bit daunting. I really will try not to whine. Sorry to bore you with this but I am using this as a journal for my process.

     You come for quilts so here is my piece for the day. This was my very first quilt made at the Crow Barn which just changed the way I thought of making a quilt.

      I haven't used a pattern since. It needs a special name but for now for now is just Connections #1 -the piece that rocked my world and made me excited about the process. It's large at 51x69 and was quilted by a longarm machine friend.

     Have a good weekend . Happy Sewing, my friends!

Dick and Jane

    My favorite local quilt shop closed in Vermont this summer. It was called The Quilted Lilly and I always enjoyed going there whenever we were in town. I was truly sad as it was one of my favorite things to do when I visited.  She just couldn't make it in this tough economy and for that I am trying to support my local shop here in Grand Rapids. Vermont is am amazing place as far as support of anything locally made- vegetables, fruits, dairy and even textiles. I cherish the local farmer even more after spending lots of time there each summer. More about that later- but support your local producers.

     Back to today. I finished my blue flannel for Project Hope. I then moved on to my next charity quilt was was super fun last night.  I purchased these Dick and Jane fabrics at The Quilted Lily during their closing sale. I  love Dick and Jane. Who doesn't?  I initially cut them in to six inch blocks. But too boring. So, of course added a strip set. And it felt much better. Even practiced my machine quilting with wavy lines.

     This little doll quilt is 20x32 made for the WMQG Santa Claus Girl drive. And I get to buy a doll to go with it. Last  year, I think we contributed over 400 quilts with dolls for West Michigan. And that is a good thing for our local kids. Do something for someone local today.  Happy sewing my friends.

Going to school again

    I was really excited to start my photography class last night. I think that I am a person who could just be a perpetual student. I felt more than a little old as I walked in with all the art students who were walking around with their portfolios. And then I felt even older as I was one of the only ones who didn't even know how to open the beautiful Macbook Pro sitting in front of me. But I got over myself quickly in order to keep up and asked for help! I learned so much in three hours about manual shooting and am looking forward to getting those 35-75 pictures for next week's class. And a little reading to catch up with the rest of them. Assignment is portrait  pictures so I will let you see some of them at the end of the week.
     Am working hard on my little quilt for Project Hope. I used some flannels from my stash and foolishly tried fusible batting. I have never used it on a a large project before and will never do that again on a  large piece. It was way too stiff with my little machine. So in an attempt to save time, it probably cost me an hour to start over with the batting. Looks like it will be nice and warm. It turned out to be 45 x 65.
     Oh well-on to binding.

  


     At least now I know that I should have cleaned out some of my background distraction before I showed you this picture-I'll progress I guess. Happy sewing my friends.

Always looking for a challenge

     I always get distracted when I visit blogs. There is so much fun information out there and sometimes it's just hard to choose -whether to read or work. But I have found that I enjoying reading at night when my eyes are too tired to sew and my chores are done. Then I don't feel guilty and can enjoy the information and just catch up-just be inspired.

     I have felt guilty sewing lately. I love serving with my hands but haven't truly helped -sure regular mom things at school and at home-but not the kind of volunteering where you know something is absolutely needed-not just wanted. Ok I am rambling but I think you know what I mean. So...since it is the month to be grateful , I decided I would jump in to two donations. One I read about last night and since it directly benefits homeless kids in my city, I can't say no. I read about it on a blog called http:/artsycraftybabe.typepad.com. They will refer you to Project Hope. (I wish I could have made sock monkey). I am going to do a very basic quilt for a little boy. At the same time I will whip up a doll quilt for our WMQG 's annual Christmas event-provide a doll and blanket for a needy child. I just feel the need to help someone else! Join in with me if you want. You can do it. 

     I also joined in on the following: finishing my UFOs. I have eight unfinished quilt tops. I said it to you and will keep you posted on my progress. But I neglected to add these two donations so technically ten. Another link for you to join in with me if you'd like:Tallgrass Prairie Studio: Joy In The New Year. I have committed to finishing them in hopes of starting out the year fresh and uncluttered with tops. Again, join in if you like and let me know too. I'll check up on you.

   Ok, I have finished a wee little thing- 5x9.  I love the hand-dyed butter yellow. It has traveled in my purse and was worked on during my waiting times. I like the edge-it added lots of texture to this little piece.  Happy Sewing my friends.

Erin's Quilt

     I made a quilt for my daughter this spring in celebration of her high school graduation. She picked out the fabrics and I made the quilt. The fabrics tended to give me a headache after awhile as it was very busy. But now that I see it on her bed at college, it is absolutely her and she loves to snuggle with it when she studies. So that's all that counts when you give a quilt as a gift: that it is used and appreciated. I do miss her but know she is enjoying the college life. Except for the work. Isn't that why they are there?

     I have finished one piece this weekend and am working on another for you tomorrow. I have questions about showing you a piece I may submit to a quilt show so must reconcile that before I post. I am just figuring out what is appropriate to post and not. If anyone has any good references for that , let me know. Also, my class starts tomorrow night for photography. We will have a final project due so am really excited.

Knowing I have an audience is really motivating me to complete my work. Thanks for stopping in. Happy sewing my friends.