SKYLINE

I tried another technique that is included in the description of what makes a quilt modern.  One of the characteristics can be Pixel or Pixelation.  Many times the squares used for this are extremely small and one must stand back several feet to see the image emerge.

I took the idea of working in a pixel style and enlarged the squares to finish at 2 inches.

Using a pic from some one's Pinterest page as my guide, I began putting my piece together.  This originally was published in "Inspiration for Precuts" and used 5 inch squares. 

I started by graphing what I wanted and used my colored pencils to do a little color selecting.

After I "built" each component, I used straight line quilting.

I also chose to do this Quilt As You Go method.  In these shots you can see the three layers are together and quilted.

I used another sketch to get a look at what I thought I would see when I used straight line quilting.  In the final rendition I opted to only quilt the background.


Lil Bit is seeing if it "measures up" to her standards!!

I think she approves!!

This piece measures 18.5" x 37".


                                          -sandi

 

PIN CUSHION

This is the absolutely cutest little pin cushion I have.  My friend, Sharon, made this for me as a birthday gift!  Thank you, Sharon!!

It is a frosted glass stem with some beautiful hand-dyed vintage lace around the rim.  She added embellishments on the bottom with flower petals and beads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cushion is made of silk and satin with beautiful Crazy Quilting hand stitching with decorative threads and decorative stitches.  She also added some charms and pearls and beads.

This is such a treasure!!   It has such a nostalgic feeling about it.  I will enjoy using it in my studio!

                                    -sandi

TAKING IT ON THE ROAD

I am headed down to visit a guild in North Georgia to do a program and trunk show for them.

The script is written. . .

The trunks are open . . .

And the quilts are sorted, labeled, and ready to pack . . .

About 25 quilts to show and use to discuss how to find a Modern quilt.  This should be a lot of fun.  Now I have to make them all fit into two suitcases!

I will be blogging more later about some of the individual quilts in this collection.  Some of them you have already seen, some are new additions.

Lil Bit wants to go with me.  She has on her glam collar.

                                          -sandi

FRIENDSHIP BLOCK EXCHANGE

This is an idea that a friend suggested to me when I took a group of ladies on a retreat earlier this year.  I wasn't able to implement the idea for the earlier group but another group of friends are going on a retreat together this fall.  I thought it would be fun to exchange some friendship blocks with each other and then make small quilted pieces to remember our retreat together.  

I decided to ask everyone to make enough blocks so each person would receive one block from every other person at the retreat.

I chose a simple pattern.  I think a Rail Fence block is very easy to do and easy to get accurate.

A suggestion is to choose two fall colors to go with an off white neutral fabric. 

The strips are to be cut at 2 1/2" wide.  You may use strips cut from yardage, fat quarters or from scraps.  The blocks will be 6 1/2" unfinished squares.  So, if you use scraps you must have at least     6 1/2" by 2 1/2" scrap in order to get the size you need for the
completed block.

 

I chose an orange, and an orange, green, gold print to go with my tone on tone off white.  I used yardage and cut my strips 2 1/2"

by width of fabric.

 

Next I sewed them together. . .

 

Now they are ready to be cut into squares.  The width of this 3 strip strata should be 6 1/2".  It is a good idea to check this now since you will be sharing these blocks and they need to fit nicely with all the other exchange blocks you will be receiving.

Using a 6 1/2" square up ruler is the easiest way to check the measurement of the width.  The middle strip should measure 2 inches and the two outer strips should now measure  2 1/4" each which will give you a perfect 6 1/2" square.  If your strata width varies from this measurement, now is the time to correct it.  Either make the seam allowance larger or reduce the seam allowance to get these measurements.

It is time to cut the strata into individual squares that measure
 6 1/2".  I use my 6 1/2" square up ruler for this.  Be careful as you go along the strata to continuously check that you are getting a perfect square on all sides.

 

Here is your 6 1/2" square.

 

 

If you are using yardage strips you will be able to get six squares from the strata strip.

Now that your blocks are completed, you simply autograph the center strip.  Remember!!!  LEAVE A HALF INCH MARGIN on each edge to allow for seam allowance and a little extra.

You may use whatever method you prefer for signing your blocks.  Pigma pens work well.  Be sure to heat set them after signing.
You may choose to hand embroider your name or you may use machine embroidery to do this.

My favorite pen to use for making labels and signing quilts is a Prismacolor pen.  They come in different sizes and you can usually find them in an art supply store.

 

I think it is wise to heat set the ink on these pens also.

Now you are ready to take your blocks to the retreat and exchange them with everyone else.  It will be fun to see how folks choose to set these together and quilt them. 



                                    -sandi

 

 

QUILT ARTIST

It was really fun to spend a couple hours at the newly opened SPOOL quilt shop.  Maddie Kertay is the owner and brains behind this up and coming new shop.  Her eye for details and her eclectic mix of fabrics, notions, and patterns makes this shop unique and interesting.

This afternoon she invited Rose Hughes, Fiber Artist and Quilt Designer, from Paducah, KY,  to share her new book and a trunk show.  (www.rosehughes.com)

A small group of customers gathered around the work table to hear what Rose had to say and to share her quilts.  We were able to touch them and examine her techniques as well as ask questions of the designer.

She showed several examples of the quilts that can be found in her books.

 

Books by Rose Hughes include: 
 DREAM landscapes
   Exploring embellishments
     Design, Create, and Quilt


These books and other patterns are available on Rose's website page at  www.rosehughes.com
You can also find a schedule of her classes and a link for her blog.
On September 21st, Rose will be teaching at Ephemera Paducah. 
https://ephemerapaducah.worldsecuresystems.com/

It was truly an inspirational afternoon at my local quilt shop!!

                                         -sandi
 

SEPTEMBER SEW DAY

My quilty buddies came over today and we had a wonderful sew day.  We have started a project from Julie Herman's book  Skip the Borders. 

I finished a few blocks and put them on the design wall to see what I think about it.

I believe I like it!

Doesn't look like much here, does it??

Well, I will keep you posted on my progress.


                                               -sandi
 

SELF PORTRAIT

 

 

 


These two photos show a piece
of art work done by my seventeen-year-old grandson.

This is a self-portrait done in a high school art class.

Works of art like this always fascinate me!

Preston is a senior this year at Hoover High School in Alabama and has plans to attend Auburn University next year with a goal of completing a degree to become a veterinarian.

He has enjoyed drawing and painting since he was a very small child.  I cannot encourage him enough to keep up his practice in the arts! 

                                   -sandi


 

AQS QUILT WEEK-CHALLENGE

 

These are a few of the quilts I saw at the AQS Show in Grand Rapids.

 

 The first ones are from the Ultimate Guild Challenge Division.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insomnia in the City

 

 

 

 

Hyatt Regency, Houston 2012

 

Under the Influence of

 

Bright Night at the Castle

 

Coke Plant Terrazzo

 
 

Fractured Skyline

Dawn

The Louvre

 

Insomnia in the City

Sushi III by Mary Kay Price

The category is Made by Machine.



This one is from Wall Quilts -- Machine Quilted

Escuchame by Beth Markel

 

 

From Wall-Quilts  --  Hand Quilted

Six Fifteen by Tina McCann

 

 

Bandelier National Monument by Ann Horton

 

 

These were a few of my favorites.  More to come later.


                                   -sandi