Many Minis and a Milestone

As some of you may have noticed, I spend a lot more time on Instagram than here on Blogger these days.   When I realize that I've neglected to share what's been going on here on my blog in a timely manner I'm tempted to just let it pass because it feels like "old news".  But I've come to accept that tardy is better than absent and there is value in documenting even if it is stale dated or out of sequence - so here you go:

Mini Winner

3K follower winner mini (top)

I remember when the follower count on my IG first hit 1K - it totally blindsided me.  For my 2K followers mark, I did a shopping spree gift certificate.  This time I saw it coming and really thought about what I wanted to do to commemorate the next big digit.

Making a mini for the winner in their favorite palette sounded more personal and fun so that's what I asked for in the comments to enter.  I'm defiantly going to keep in mind the color combos mentioned for future ideas because there were some good ones.  In the end, the winner Jana said she'd prefer something in my own colors and style - reflecting the maker which is such a great idea.  I opted to go to my creative roots with scrappy maximalism with an improv twist. 

More Minis

Just For Fun Mini

Part of my focus lately has been on "playing with parts".  The mini shown above came about with the extra bits from making the one shown below.  Even though it was not at all on my list of things to do - I had a lot of fun and am so pleased with how it turned out. A pleasant interruption. 

For our MQG local chapter challenge this year we were given traditional blocks to choose from and make modern, with no palette restrictions (like previous years).  I picked the churn-dash and the use of very subtle color changes - there are two reds and the light blue/green read almost same.

Churn Dash made modern

While at retreat, I didn't have the exact color of eggplant for the setting triangles but you can see where I'm headed with this shot of it on the design wall in the photo above.

Curated Quilts Challenge Minis

Now for the mini back story.  There's a new publication called Curated Quilts.  Back in March, I had read about the call out for submissions but did not get my act together to finish this top I made for it.   

I almost missed again for the Log Cabin challenge but thanks to the encouragement on IG, I pushed through a marathon sewing session right down to the wire making not one but three.  My first attempt (above) to combine slight curves didn't read true enough for what I'd envisioned. 

Working from my stash I went back at it again but this time I was deliberately exploring the "Improv Abstraction" element as a mashup. 

Finished in time and face bound, I'm absolutely in love with the way it turned out - except for the quilting.  My go-to doodle that has been sort of a signature style just didn't work with the high contrast thread.   Here's some fun process shots:

 I found it distracting and although it's still a great mini IMO, with hours left before the deadline to enter I thought I'd try again.   Because of the improvisational nature I knew it wouldn't replicate exactly - and that was fine.  They are similar but unique and that's even better. I shared them all and my crazy story at guild.

The carefully chosen thread color was combined with the purposeful treatment of heavily quilted contrasting with lightly outlined to accentuate the two portions.  I also loosened the repeat regiment to make it feel more me.

The Linear mini that started this all has not been forgotten.  You can spot it on the right-hand center row of my Q4 FAL goal mosaic.   

So far the only thing done on the list is my BeeSewcial swap quilt (upper right corner). It hangs in my bedroom and is so worth the finish.