Monday Musings - Day 7

Who knew I could blog seven days in a row and still get my work done? I sure didn't think it was possible. I like that my OCD about posting something each day this month has kept me motivated. (I can't leave any gaps or I will be mad at the world, well mostly just myself for not seeing consecutive numbers in the blog archive.)

So today, is Photo Mosiac day and I thought I would share a few of my favorite things. Lucky for you, I am not into video blogging or you would have to suffer though a horrible rendition of Julie Andrews's song about raindrops, kittens and woolen mittens.

I love a good rainbow! There are few things in life that can make me smile larger than when I see a perfect ROY G BIV waiting for me to admire or cut up.

Images from left to right, top to bottom:

I enjoy doodling with Sharpies. My Sharpie art usually has abstract shapes and lots of color. This image is a bit blurry here but the original was used to create one of my earliest art quilts many years ago. It's the image I use as my photo on G+, Flickr, and other "Sewn With Curves" image icons.

The rainbow rose was recently posted on my FB page by a "guildmate" who saw it and thought of me. I took the original image which actually describes how to make this rainbow rose by cutting the stem and placing it in various food colors to achieve a gorgeous look. I cropped the image and made it a bit more bold so I can design a new fabric piece soon.

The new Kona Solids jelly roll and charm pack has been staring at me for a few months now and I think I've finally come up with a pattern worthy of it's rainbow glory. (Now I just need to somehow add extra hours in the day so I can quilt more. I've tried sleeping less but nobody wants to be around me when I get too cranky.)

Coffee is all that I really need as a pick me up. I don't always have (or need) a biscotti at hand but a dark roast coffee is a must. My French press never goes a day without making magic happen in the kitchen. I've even made a rainbow cozy to keep my French press all snug and warm so it can do its thing while keeping my coffee hot until I'm ready for my next dose.

The "lady sewing" was also a FB post from another friend who is an amazing seamstress. (Her Halloween costumes are stunning!) She posted this over the weekend to describe how she was spending her Saturday. I saved it and am still searching for the original artist. She just found it by accident on Google a while back and can't find it again. I want to remake this woman on canvas with a more curves and an afro. If you know where this from, please let me know!

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These are just some of the images and fabrics that have sparked creativity. Making this collage was a lot of fun and I plan on cataloging all of my quilts and canvas art later this year. I look forward to sharing works in progress and completed art/quilts with you when I'm done.

Is it Fall yet?

Summer is the craziest time of year for me. My job keeps me pretty busy from April until September. So, of course, my blog gets put on the later pile of things to do.
I have made time to quilt and sew over the last few months even if I haven't stopped to share them with you. Some projects have kept me sane while I tackle the chaos that is my life once a year.

Picture Time!

Block of the Month (BOM)

Pippi Longstocking Block with an Afro.
I wanted my OMQG August BOM to look like me.

*Somehow I don't have a picture of my July BOM for the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild (OMQG) using the Snail Trail design. I guess in the excitement of choosing the BOM I forgot. It was made using red, black, gray and white colors. I'll be making more of those blocks so you'll see it again soon. (It's on the main website from the June monthly meeting in case you're curious.)

The Geo Swirl
Of course I made a rainbow swirl!

Chev N' Hex
Sewn by hand...never again I say!

Diamond Carat
Sewn by machine using clear thread...so much faster!

The Switz Block

Half way done with the Skillbuilder BOM

Half way done with the Skillbuilder BOM

I'm really in love with these rainbow BOM and can't wait to see how they will come together when they are done later this year. I enjoyed paper piecing more than I thought I would and will definitely take on more of those projects now.

In addition to my BOM for Skillbuilder and OMQG, I've also finished many projects for the annual Wayne County Fair. My "In-Laws" live in PA and each year I share my artwork in their local county fair. This started my passion in 2004 for creating unusual quilts, canvas work, and various household items to enter even if I don't win. I've made "modern" quilts before it was considered an actual art form in quilting and usually came in second or honorable mention next to traditional designs. I don't fault them for not getting my work. I think it was just too far out there for them to see what I wanted to present. If I knew there was going to be Modern quilt movement, I would have found "my people" years ago.

August Fair Items

Quilted Purse-Modified pattern from Modern Patchwork Magazine (2012). I added a strap and finished it with black borders. I also quilted the black and gray portion of the chevron for some texture. The straps can be tucked inside to make a fun clutch.

 

 

    

Baby Bunting-I created my own pattern with a huge poster board and used hexagons to create a fun little wrap for a little one. I sewed down one flap to keep the feet tucked inside and warm. At the suggestion of my sister-in-law, I didn't add any closure for the outside flap so there are no potential choking hazards or scratchy Velcro tabs. I didn't have actual baby or doll to try it out but it's soft and cozy to the touch.

Baby Blanket - Finished baby gingham stripped quilt. I used the left over squares to make a border and added a simple blue gingham backing fabric.

Christmas Gift Bag - Made a simple quilted bag with drawstrings for a holiday gift. I used a simple Santa fabric with green and red borders. (I didn't take any clear pictures of the front but I love the stripes on the back the most anyway. It makes me think of candy canes!)

Finished Home Items

Table Runner -Made from great Shoo Fly block Lotto win. Thanks to Michelle from OMQG I mastered the art of continuous binding and love the result.

French Press Cover- I used left over strips to make a fun rainbow cover for our beloved French Press. It's lined with Insul-bright to keep fantastic coffee warm. It's fastened with Velcro and (thanks to my girlfriend) found that it looks great in reverse too with the fun circle fabric I used as backing.

                                                     

Dog Blanket - My remaining dog blanket for the OMQG charity project. This was the last of my Michael Miller Noah's Ark scraps from my nephew's baby quilt. (He's now 5 and it was time to use them up!)

There is more to come later this month. I can't wait to share notes and photos from my class with Jacquie Gering!

Thanks for stopping by and reading all the way down to the end of this crazy-long post.