The Bubbles Finished and one more:

I should have taken this picture a little closer so you could see the machine quilting which completely covers the surface, but then you wouldn't have been able to see the button bubbles of which I need to add just a few more here and there. I've started working on the second horizontal section of 4 and pieced 3 more scenes. Sewed the frames on and realized I didn't piece in the little 1/4" bright color which I think looks like a mat within a mat. Ripped them out and vowed to pay closer attention.

This is Mbingo, on the southwest? side of Africa. Cameroon. The family that has commissioned this quilt spent 6 months working and living in the hospital and community. Mbingo is the name of the huge green mountain behind the very distinctive red roofed hospital, and for those faithful readers who may have caught the post on Churchill and his birthday cake, this is where he comes from. I'm finding that as I create these pieces I have GREAT ideas about where I'd like to do the quilting or add a little embroidery, but as I sit down to actually do it, my mind is faced with the proverbial BLANK SHEET OF WHITE PAPER and what if I do it wrong or worse yet, what if I start it and it looks terrible! This is where I take that leap of faith and know that anything can be creatively covered up if it's that bad.

Look like a basket on her head? Or badly placed hair.

Name this Photo

Any clever ideas? A beautiful inspiration....

Tikal- Guatemala

I've never been to any of these places, but it's nice to be able to travel this way! When I work on a square I find myself thinking about the timelessness of some of these ancient sites. It's a cheap way to travel. Not completely fulfilling, but cheap nonetheless. I also find myself solving all my personal problems, not that I have that many, but sometimes things, family things, come to my thoughts. Father remarrying. Yikes! Sometimes these conversations in my head are so intense, I can look at a quilt I did 10 years ago and remember what I was thinking when I made it. Weird. But I'm sure it happens to others as well. It's a contemplative craft, quilting, when you're not measuring. Maybe THAT'S my problem!! :)

Tikal National Park in Guatemala is still being excavated today, and excavation only started in 1956. Not that long ago. Of course my little square does not do justice to the grandeur of this structure, but that would be hard to do under any circumstances. For what it's worth :

And the overview of the last section, again, a little "patch" of some pipers on the cliffs in Iceland used as a filler.


They look a bit washed out now but hopefully jump out with some machine quilting added.

In the Groove

I'm there. Completely caught up in the development of this quilt. The one I wasn't excited about doing is now the thing I can't wait to get back to. Partly because it really is going together much more easily than I thought it would...must be because of all that 'special planning' I did. NOT. I'm definitely flying by the seat of my pants on this one. I told a new friend just yesterday one thing I'm having the hardest time with is the math part. Measuring. I would like to believe it's because I haven't had to really measure in years and not that this, too, is part of the aging process. Not only do I have to measure once, but two or three times because I forget...was that strip 1" or 1 1/2" and does that include the seam allowance? I have these idiotic conversations in my head constantly.

But Sunday was 11 hours straight, eating occasionally. I consider myself very fortunate to have long pieces of uninterrupted time. And because the first section has gone together so well, I now have a footprint for the remaining three. I now know the length, and width of each and I know I can layout the different 'postcards' and they'll fit. And will work together. That was one of my big concerns. All so different, will they work side by side? I think they do.

This is the center piece of the top section. Today I get to quilt it. This is the Bubbles at "Champagne" in Dominica...the bubbles will actually be shell white buttons of different sizes traveling up the quilt. Above this piece was an empty space that I filled in with three blue squares to look like continuation of the water. (Patchwork is so forgiving.) The bubbles will travel through these and out the top.





Even though the fabrics are different in each one, I've tried to keep at least one element common to all. They all have the same 1" frame surrounding htem and each has some brightly colored 1/4 " border inside the frame, a fabric which may occur in another square.

So this section combined with the previous post make up 2/3 of this top section. Tomorrow I'll post the last section, Tikal-Guatemala, which I'm happy with. I've also finished the quilting on the side piece, 20" by 90". Looks like this:

On the previous post I have a picture of the border strip with all kinds of funny trees here and there. I decided-(brainstorm)- to do the machine quilting before I added all those trees. This is a new concept for me, but probably not for all youn professionals out there. I always thought the whole top had to be completely together before you could begin to do the quilting. OF course, I also know there are really NO RULES. Doing it this way will save me so much aggravation in not having to work around so many things in my path. Plus, it has the added benefit of actually feeling like I'm accomplishing something BIG!

Tomorrow: the underwater bubbles at "Champagne" in Dominica. It's like going to all these places without leaving the comfort of home!

I've Forgotten all the Rules

I didn't think I'd ever forget sizes. And how to figure out fabric needs. Or more importantly, how to DRAFT a pattern. I've been stymied on how to start this quilt, procrastinating because I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me that I didn't just dig in and GO. And then I realized I didn't remember how to do a REAL BEDSIZE QUILT! Or a 'traditional' (as traditional as I can get) quilt. I've been working too long on free-flow ideas and construction, never sitting down and drawing something out before I begin. I just cut fabric and throw it on and if it doesn't look good I take it off and throw something else on. So I have an idea in my head and I'm going on a wing and an prayer and hope it all comes out in the wash....oh yeah, I've had to WASH all these fabrics first too. How long has it been since I've done THAT!

I have the first square pieced, along with the dark borders that will separate every different sized square. This one is about 12" by 18". You can see the photograph I went by in the upper left corner.

The lighting is bad, taken at the end of a very long day, but I think you can get the idea they're very steep mountains and an orange tent by a lake. The part that hangs down on the sides (I'm sure there's a technical name that eludes me) will be about 20"by90" and will look like this:

Just a row of wonky trees made from all the fabrics used in the quilt. We'll see.

Inspired

What have I been up to, you ask? Well, I've had a lot of things on my mind. A new commission from a friend and neighbor, for one. She wants a queen sized quilt for her husbands 50th birthday of scenes from all their adventures. Queen. I just didn't want to do it, but she REALLY WANTED ME TO. So with an attitude adjustment on my part and some creative thinking added in, I figured out a way to do it and also enjoy it. Attitude adjustment=it's really just 12 to 15 individual pieces of beautiful places and I can do them any way I want as long as they'll handle the wear and tear of a bed. Meaning I have to cut down on the doodahs. Creative thinking= I'm going to use that old fashioned 'quilt as you go' method so I'm not trying to do fancy machine stitching on a queen sized piece of quilt. Some people can do it, but it gives me the heebejeebees just thinking about it. So, I have the first square (rectangle) pieced and I quite like it. All the pieces will be different sizes and divided by dark pieced latticework. Challenging, and now a little exciting. As a matter of fact, I can't wait to get into my studio! Just what I needed. I'm sure I'll be needing help and advice now and then so please drop in often and offer advice freely! First pictures tomorrow, hopefully.

Little Flowers

I love to have special cards on hand for little notes and what not (is that a "Maineism?"). I spent one very delightful day making these.

Noonday Sun

Sitting outside eating my lunch, taking a break from my latest project (perhaps pics tomorrow) this was in my view...a tall ornamental grass my friend Kate gave me. The sun was brilliant on it and lit it up behind the stone wall. Beautiful rich fall sun.

Bountiful Fall

I try to walk every day. Sometimes I listen to books on tape and sometimes I just listen to the constant chatter going on in my own head. It's a great time to resolve problems I may be having with a design or figuring a way to use that certain fabric in a piece. I have several different walks but my favorite (for the view at the top and for the amount of exercise I get) is trekking up Moe's Mountain. It's 15 minutes straight up an old country back road before you get to the top. Along the road is an old stone wall that the birds have, over the decades, deposited their droppings and an abundance of old crookedy apple trees line the way. This is a bumper crop year for apples in Maine. I found at least 6 different varieties yesterday. I started out carrying three and then I just HAD to take my sweater off to hold all the rest. There are some surface blemishes, but for the most part they're BEAUTIFUL. And free for the taking.

Labor Day Weekend Happenings

This has been a perfect weekend weather wise. The nights have changed to cool :), as have the mornings:( but the days are sparklingly warm and sunny. Anyone who had planned outdoor activities has definitely lucked out this year.

Sarah and I spent Saturday afternoon taking in the Dianne Hire exhibit at Aarhus Gallery in Belfast. I can remember the complete excitement I felt several years ago when I first viewed some of her work at an exhibit she had done with her small art quilt group, The Renegades. It was very soon after this that Joan Acord sent word around that Maine should have a group of like minded souls start a guild of 'art quilters'. I can't remember how many years ago that was but life has never been the same since.

If any of you are faithful readers of Sarah's blog, you know what a challenging summer it's been for her, so to take an afternoon to play was just right. Dianne's pieces are small as you can see in relation to Sarah, but they are so full of fun things to look at. Her use of buttons on her pieces, which I've never really liked, is perfect. It may be the different sizes or colors or styles or all three together, but they are so cool.


We also stopped at a new (for me) quilt shop on Main St. Sarah Johnson Quilts.
She carries all the latest in designer fabrics. I was happy to walk in and see a nearly complete selection of the new Heather Bailey line.

We finished the afternoon with a picnic in the park, overlooking the comings and goings of the different sailboats in the harbor. No pictures since we were too busy eating and chatting. Such a nice day.

And one more picture. Another birthday bites the dust, but here's one happy little girl wrapped up in Neena's new fuzzy bathrobe:

I am surely blessed.

More Pamela Allen

At the workshop we did with Pamela Allen she handed out a small 'piece of art' printed on fabric to make into something. The directions were to continue the design....I was going to post this way back, but then I couldn't find my little girl design. I trashed the bags I brought with me, dumped out every scrap I brought home, even went through some bags I knew I hadn't brought but still couldn't find it. Then just the other day I'm sitting at my sewing table in one of those staring off into space moments and noticed her posted very neatly on my design wall. Scary, my mind these days.

So I decided to bring her out because as I was reading one of favorite blogs, I noticed Joanne, who also took the same workshop, has posted her interpretation. Make sure to check hers out too. Pamela said she uses 'blackout' fabric to print on, the stuff hotels use as lining in their drapes, so I'll be experimenting soon.

Postcard from Maine

Someday I'll do something with this, but for now I'll just enjoy the colors and textures.

Vacation Fish Painting

Sometimes you do projects with kids and it's a bust and sometimes it works like a charm...so well that the adults want to get in on the action too! Everyone was a little horrified with the fact that we'd use a real fish...purchased from a bait store freezer. I couldn't face catching a fish and just letting it gasp it's last breath on the dock at my feet, though I have no problem putting live lobsters in boiling water.
Anyone who works with kids and crafts knows the best things happen when everything is organized and ready to go so the kids just have to arrive and do their thing. And it never hurts to have a few tootsie rolls hanging around for fuel.


So here are Bridget and Keilly, (top) and Ella (bottom) carefully painting their fishies. There were plenty of adults hanging around to help with the 'transfer part", actually getting it onto their t-shirts. Of course we had to wait for the paint to dry and the kids scattered so I never got a group photo, but the results were pretty nice:

Omelettes for a crowd

We had a FABULOUS vacation with all our family. Well, 27 of us for this particular breakfast. One of the reasons it was so enjoyable was that we all took turns doing the meal planning and cooking. I have to admit I was surrounded by cookers that were better and LIKED it more than me so I only did one meal, but helped with others. The following pictures are from the breakfast Debbie, Heidi and Martha prepared. I think this technique has been around for awhile but it is brand new to me and SO CLEVER!!!

First you get all the fixin's ready for omelettes. Grated cheese, onions peppers, ham, sausage, bacon, whatever you like in your omelette. Lay them out on the table along with a zip lock bag with each persons name on the front. Scramble a dozen or so eggs and have a ladle handy.

So this is how it goes. Each person finds the bag with their name on it, goes around filling it with whatever they want, takes a ladle and a half of egg mix and dumps it in their bag. Zip it.

Pop it in a big pan of boiling water, being careful not to let the air out. They take about 10 to 15 minutes to cook and about half way through you should "stir them" by taking them out of the water and laying them on the counter and just sort of patting them with your hand (which has an oven mitt on because they're hot). You'll know when they're done. Not loose anymore.

We had homefries, english muffins, and bacon along with fresh hot coffee. Yummy! Try it sometime and let me know how it works.

Pamela Allen

What a thrill to be able to take a workshop with Pamela. My workshop was called "My Quilts, My Rules". My philosophy. Moving from the traditional quilter that I was to where I am now was not without major hurdles...LEAVING RAW EDGES??!! YEOW! NOT HAND QUILTED??! Mon Dieu! And now anything goes. Anything works. I worked on a piece I'm not ready to show yet...it needs to be developed just a little more before I put it out there. But soon.

We did a little "quiz" she called it, a small (4x6), fast work based on a fine art print she handed out to everyone. It was printed on blackout fabric, you know, the stuff that they line curtains with, and the instructions were to use this as the base and continue the design outward. Of course I have looked for my little piece and have no clue what I did with it, but I do have pictures of these sweet little birds, done by two different artists.

I'm sorry to say I don't know the names of the women who did these, but look how the subject was handled in each one. Put 24 people together and give them 6 different prints and see what happens. Pamela was very happy with the results. And what a great teacher she is. Despite the fact that our class was huge, she made every effort to be present to everyone and encouragement flowed. Joanne took the Friday and Sunday classes and has some interesting things to add if you want to check her out. It fits me to a 'T' to follow the words of Lucky Shie (Susan Shie), "You can do whatever you want as long as it doesn't fall apart!"

Dog Days

I've been away. It's summer, what can I say. These days are too short and when you try to get every last drop of goodness out of them some things slide. BUT!! I've got LOTS of great things to share including quilts, a fun project I did with kids (and grownups too), a tasty and novel idea for cooking omelets for a crowd, and my workshop with PAMELA ALLEN! As soon as I get my pictures in order (along with my thoughts) I promise something good for those 30+ readers my sitemeter tells me I have daily.

Super Sunday- Part Two

After the visit to the Gallery in Wiscasset we headed up the coast to find two new (2 years old) wineries in Union, Maine. TWO! This was all the signage for the first, Sweetgrass Winery. They produce fruit wines as well as gin and homemade vanilla. Wish I'd taken a picture of the beautiful copper still from Portugal. No tasting here because we were all tasted out from our first stop here:

Wine from hardy grapes. After tasting wine from 7 different bottles, I was SO HAPPY! It just sneaks up on you, those little tastes of wine. So the sun wasn't out, but it didn't even matter! And because I was so happy and maybe a LITTLE BIT less reserved, I did something I would never do under normal circumstances, but proved to be one of the biggest gifts of the day. We passed a beautiful old center chimney cape I've admired forever, and the shed door was open, (as if saying, please come in...) and in the center of the shed, visible from the road, was a dress form with a beautiful white dress on it. So, of course, I had to stop and intrude on this home. I just walked right up there and the man came out, who it turned out was the seashell artist from Maine, Brian White, and the dress was actually made of seashells. Sound ugly? Like something you might find in a tacky tourist trap? Not even close. No picture of the whole dress, but I did get this picture of one of his new works, a series of lobstermen...shirts.

Copper strips and cut shells, over a wire form. He uses found objects like shells to create ingenious pieces that are stunning in their complexity. Next time you're in Rockland Maine, the main entrance of the Farnsworth Museum has one of his incredible stylized dresses.

No full view, (too much sun), but this is the 'skirt' of the dress. Copper again, with shells. And a close-up.

The center of the flowers are small periwinkle shells cut in half. And that leaf is made of two different colored shells. Brian will be having an exhibit of his work at Ten High Street in Camden, Maine this September for the whole month if you happen to be around.

Super Sunday!

This rainy day has turned out to be one of the BEST days this summer. I had wanted to go to the James Patrick Gallery in Wiscassett to see an exhibit by Gayle Fraas/Duncan Slade:

WATERMARKS

an exhibit that did not disappoint. This is one of the 26 pieces, about 24"x24". Some were larger than this and all were done using the international signal flag alphabet as the "basis for exploration."

For instance, the quilt above is based on the S flag, and titled, 'Watermark-S-Sierra'. And this one, my favorite, is titled 'Watermark-M-Mike'.

As with any show, there were some stunning pieces and some that were just ho-hum, but I attribute that to personal taste, not design. Fraas and Slade are using using computer digital images in a lot of their work, though from the handout one is to believe they are images they've painted first. They say:

" the designs for several of the unframed quilts in this exhibit were assembled on a computer monitor from original drawings and paintings executed in our studio. Two commercial printers were used, both in North Carolina where the textile industry is both academically and physically active. Three different commercial quilters each with different skills and equipment were used to stitch quilts to our specifications, two from Maine and one from Indiana. In Indiana, we were able to produce the completely digital quilt, the sewing machine was computer controlled, doing exactly as we would. While it proves a point and has advanced our technical horizons- for us, computers and printers are just tools."

Huh??? Comments?

Handwork

Found this piece of fabric at the bottom of a pile of handpainted fabrics, done quite a while ago. I always thought I could do something with it. I also thought I could make it fit with the theme of HOME, our show which will be at the Camden Library in August. So the title is "Home To Spawn", commerating the yearly running of the Alewives as they make their way back to their beginning.

It's hand painted and hand stamped. The fish are a store bought stamp but the wavy lines of blue and greenish are thick cut foam stripes mounted on a piece of foamcore. The tops of the fish backs are machine quilted with metallic green thread and the underbellies are shiny with beads.

We're on vacation in beautiful PRince Edward Island and have another gorgeous weather day in which to play. Today we'll be doing some letterboxing AND geocaching. One of the letterboxes is at the only winery on the island, so I imagine a little blueberry wine will be tasted in the hunt. UMMMM!

Oh, Yeah

Random sighting at the ball game on Father's Day:

In case you can't make out what's in this wonderfully dedicated Dad's pockets, here's a close-up:
I think it's safe to say that's Barbie in the bridal gown and could that be Ken in bridesmaids blue?? Love it!!

What What??

Where have I been? For the first time since I started this blog, I haven't THOUGHT about a post, I haven't even REMEMBERED I had a blog to post to because I've been LIVING summer and LOVING it!!! Gardening, ocean, family. That's where my head and body are. But I'll try to focus once in a while this summer and show some works in progress and quilting content, because I have some of that too.

We've been playing with rocks,

and taking silly pictures.


and going to the Sea Dogs game on Father's Day.


Top bleacher in the hot sun. Lots of water and sunscreen.

and this is my Dad's idea of multitasking...watching the Sea Dogs and listening to the Red Sox.

Beach Bags

I've made a birthday gift for a friend. The pretty purple hat sticking out of the top of the bag was the inspiration for the colors, and since she now has a new beach hat, I thought a bag would be nice too. And I don't think a person can have enough bags, frankly.
I had a few little scraps feft over and some of these beautiful beads that Hannah shared with us so I made another little bag for Loel's little granddaughter who will undoubtedly help her open her gifts, so a surprise tucked under the big one. I used Sarah's easy method for sewing up the sides and having the lining material show.
And the button. Love it!

Shrinky-Dink??

Shrinky-dink!! Isn't that some craft substance from the 70's? And notice how Deborah coordinated the handmade pin heads with the ribbon. Nice touch! And a heartfelt thank you for this simple pleasure-giving gift!