Nosy Kitten and Glamp = 2 UFO finishes

I took my two latest finishes,  Nosy Kitten and Glamp on a beach photoshoot.  Both are oldies but goodies and had stalled at the flimsy stage and it’s so satisfying to have them completed.  I'm preparing for a trunk show and they will be the perfect addition. 

Nosy Kitten 43"x 50" finish 22 in 2022

Scrappy color grouping of drunkards path blocks set on point was my take on Jen Carlton Bailey’s Secondary Design workshop in Pasadena QuiltCon 2018.   Mixing prints with solids and prepping parts without the endgame in sight isn’t for the faint of heart. 

2018 QuiltCon Workshop Progress

I set myself parameters to bring out the best in the combination of blocks rather than creating them in reaction to what was on the design wall.  Usually I reserve a final few to fill in as necessary and wanted the extra challenge.

Light Lilac Aurifil 50wt 

Jen was so smart to have us bring the blocks already sewn since it was a design class and time was limited.  My vision came together  and I found a bold background at home in my stash.  Having a composition that isn’t exactly uniform but is suggestive enough to read as intentional and interesting was my goal.

Dropcloth Sampler Needle Book from Debbie

Check out the gorgeous needle book gifted from my friend and fellow BeeSewcial mate and Aurifilartisan Debbie Jeske, A Quilter's Table- she's the best and so is her newsletter The Scrap Basket with 116 issued and counting!   

Aurifil 40wt Dark Turquoise was used to handstitch the binding down and would have worked fabulously for quilting but with the negative space, I wanted a higher contrast. 

Amy Butler and Heather Bailey backing

Backing and binding choices can almost as satisfying as all of those decisions making the top come to life.   I posted in my Instagram story I called the quilt Kitty Smiles from memory and then found in my old blog post that it was actually Nosy Kitten.  

Meet Glamp from Glamp Stitchalot

Glamp 41"x56" finish 21 in 2022

My sister and I attended Glamp Stitchalot in November 2015 in Ann Arbor MI. It was the first of many Quilty adventures together and we met so many wonderful people (blogged about HERE)

Fabric Pull that I brought with me

Six rock star instructors Tula Pink, Alison Glass, Sarah Fielke, Violet Craft, Jeni Baker and Katy Jones each designed a block for the Mystery Medallion and we chose our fabrics and layout.  

Major FanGirling

As you may have noticed, I use striped binding a lot.  It's good to keep in mind the scale that will show once sewn onto the quilt.  Even though the colors were bold and not necessarily matching, the tiny sliver fools the eye.  I took this photo below as an illustration to compare with the beach photo above. 

Both are quilted with Light Lilac Aurifil 50 wt even though their palette is quite different.   Here are a few more outtakes from the photoshoot just for fun.  The sky was a beautiful blue and the beach a picturesque backdrop but my stand was no match for the ocean breeze.  Good thing sand and a spray of saltwater didn't hurt a thing.

Quilty Honors

I’ve been quilting more in 2021 so far than all of 2020 and hope to be blogging more frequently as well.

Today I want to share a few honors kicking off with joining the Aurifil Artisan Team  announced today on their Auribuzz website.  It's an amazing lineup of makers and is sure to be a Blast!  I'll be sharing my projects occasionally here on the blog, but regularly on Instagram, so follow me HERE. 

Aurifil Artisan 

Aurifil Artisan Team 2021

It's no secret that I am a big fan and have used Aurifil thread in much of my quilting and am excited to explore some of the other weights that I haven't tried.  

Visuals #4 National Quilt Competition 

Watching the Spring Quilt Festival Online awards on Wednesday live on my computer and hearing that it my quilt won Best Use of Modern Traditionalism in the Mid-Modern category was thrilling.  They are keeping the show open until the end of the month, so you can still check it out.

my Instagram post

In November, our local South Bay Area MQG held our 9th annual Fall Quilt Retreat but in a virtual format.  They did an amazing job with impressive attendance.  One of the activities was to create a Lone Round Robin quilt using specific prompts.  My quilt hung the others in a special exhibit - digitally that is. Pajaro Valley Quilt Association put together an online version of their show. 

Limbo 42"x62" 2020

I dove wholeheartedly into creating Limbo and it is the most "authentic" design in recent memory.   The maximalist in me loves scrappy and taking advantage of being at home with endless resources available was key to the organic development of the piece.  

The MQG Retrospective Exhibit 

“Bend, don’t Break “ was created for and originally exhibited in Nashville GA for the QDAD Quilt Design A Day challenge QuiltCon exhibit in 2017.  It is currently in Paducah KY, one of 35 quilts chosen to represent and making this an incredible honor. 

Photo from the National Quilt Museum

You can see more photos on the museum's Facebook page. My quilt is in great company with Christine Perrigo's Northern Obsession,  Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill's Big Love and more.  

Bend, don't Break 62"x62" 2016

Happy Stitching!

Karen

Hotter than I thought- 2019 Temperature Quilt

I took this picture on New Years Eve.  A pretty gorgeous day for a classic photo shoot on the front porch and I happened to have available two grown ups with long arms to hold it.  The beast is 91"x98" and if you're wondering why I didn't have to wait until the January to call the top done - it's because the final block for 12/31 will be the label on the back. 

In April I shared HERE the status so far.  Little did I know that later in the year we'd have a record breaking heatwave.  Historical Average High of 77 turned out to be 103. Triple digits are unheard of and yet it happened and more than once. 

The project came with me to a Retreat in March and again in September.  You can see the "holes" where I worked ahead leaving the TBD gaps.  I worked in three sections (approx 4 month chunks) so that I wouldn't have to drag the entire top with me and hog the design wall. 

Lesson Learned 

If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen the progress step by step and may have read today's post in response to IGQuiltFest prompt: "Lesson Learned" 

"Best laid plans are subject to change- Embrace that as part of the journey. Make decisions along the way and keep going.  

When I embarked on the making of my #temperaturequilt2019 I determined the fabric color brackets with TBD above 81 degrees because we (typically) have mild weather. This way I could get going with months of progress before facing that hurdle.  I don’t regret the approach because all of the “what if“ and “should I“ scenarios were paralyzing my confidence to commit to a year long project and I could have otherwise stopped me in my tracks and done nothing. 

We can only forecast the future based on what we know and we should expect to wrong a good part of the time. That’s okay. 

How we choose to deal with it when our plans get derailed is also part of the experience.  Would I have made different brackets if I’d predicted the heatwave? Probably. Does it matter? Absolutely not. The quilt chronicles my creative choices along the way which hold a higher value than a statistically accurate representation. 

Memories of my 6 year old granddaughter reading the day’s temperature, writing the numbers, finding the corresponding color on the chart and selecting which two fabrics to sew - that’s what I’ll remember. Hopefully she will too.  The finished top is ready for quilting."

I think my hubby and pup are glad to have the project off the design wall in our living room.  It was a semi-perminant fixture all year long.  Unlike some makers, I didn't make a block a day but more often a week strip at a time.  There are a lot of parts left since I cut the rectangles ahead without calculating what I might need.  Considering that I missed the bracket mark by six - I'm pretty sure if I had attempted to guess how many of each color was needed I'd have as many parts as I do anyway.

Worth Repeating

Monthly Markers on IG include an image of something I've sewn the previous month.  My temperature quilt made an appearance twice - a little self-imposed rule bending. 

Did you see the recently announced Modern Quilt Guild plans for a 2022 QuiltCon Special Exhibit of Temperature Quilts made by their members?  Very exciting news.

Happy Stitching.

QuiltCon 2018 - Recap

Reflections at QuiltCon 2018

If I wait any longer to recover from QuiltCon before making a blog post or think that I need to wrap my head around the whirlwind experience before trying to put it into words, the recap simply won't happen.  Proof of that is the absence of a recap for QuiltConEast 2017 Savannah.  (I just may need to insert a belated post) 

Having "Reflections" displayed in such a beautiful venue alongside gorgeous works by makers that I admire including two fellow BeeSewcial quilts was such an honor.  Receiving a 2nd Place Ribbon at such a prestigious event was incredible.   Collaboration is dear to my creative heart so the category is especially meaningful.  All of our hand and hearts came together to make it happen. 

2nd Place Group or Bee Quilts

The label reads::

"Using a palette inspired by an '80's surf contest poster and the picturesque Venetians of Capitola Village, my BeeSewcial mates created improv blocks in solid that I puzzled together to make "Reflections". 

I asked them to focus on these elements: The relationship of colors and/or shapes within the block. A change of value or scale from top to bottom or side to side. An exaggeration or distortion that the word evokes. 

Although intimidated by the desire to preserve their individual beauty, I enjoyed the assembly process using the same design elements of the prompt to painstakingly determine a final composition."

2nd Place Award Group or Bee Quilt

Makers Left to Right: Hillary Goodwin, Me, Diane Stanley, Stephanie Ruyle, Debbie Jeske.  Not pictured: Leanne Chahley,  Felicity Ronaghan, Marci Debetaz, Kari Voitechovsky, Melissa Richie

QuiltCon Workshops

The first night, I had the most fabulous secondary design class with Jen Carlton-Bailley aka: bettycrockerass.  My sister and I took it together and although she and I may come from the same genes but we have very different creative preferences.  Sharing a design wall was a blast and while I stretched myself to make order and recognizable shapes out of scrappy chaos, she broadened her usual approach to take on a more improvisational spin.

We finished up on Sunday with full day workshops although not the same ones at the same time.  My sister had taken the Modern Improv Strip Piecing class earlier so I knew what to expect and got to see what she'd made in class.  Improv is my comfort zone so I wasn't sure how it would be.  I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed Katie Pedersen of Sew Katie Did.  She put everyone at ease and was incredibly encouraging.  Watching the wide range of blocks all from the same basic method was really fun.  I also got to sit next to and visit Marianne Haak of MariQuilts, The Quilting Edge which was great.

Pasadena Venue

Once again, we stayed at the Sheraton adjoining the conference center.  This time we had a birds eye view and could see the comings and goings of attendees.  It was "California cold" and I tried to bite my tongue since complaining to others who escaped below zero to come seemed kind of rude.  There was blue sky and it was pretty but I did resent having to wear a jacket at night.

Several of my "Transparent Connection" themed January BeeSewcial blocks given to me in person.  Check out the silly picture of Anne and I posing as she hands off the out of this world improv EPP.   I do love my beemates!

Felicity's "Winter" BeeSewcail Quilt

Stephanie's "2 Degrees Celsius"

Walking the show with local guild mates and especially visiting the Curated Quilts booth and seeing so many familiar names on the minis that were displayed (including Isabelle's).  I've had the pleasure of meeting Amy on several occasions so it was great to meet Christine Ricks as well. 

SBAMQG at QuiltCon

We had a wonderful showing of members and managed to round up about half for a group picture.  There were opportunities for selfies with new and old friends too. 

I received a beautiful improv mini and gifted the mini that I made to Alex who came all the way from Germany to attend. 

The Special Exhibit Tour was fabulous and a favorite as always. 

I snagged a pair of socks before they sold out - Aren't they great?  Anne's quilt on the left shows the design. Also incredibly proud of Julia and excited to find a bolt of her fabric during a little shop hop.  It feels like a lifetime ago that we all served on the board of our local MQG chapter. 

Last but not least, an unexpected score at Birch.  I love their organics and was happy to visit the shop in person for the first time but did not plan on walking out with a stack of knits for $5 a yard - how could I not?

The MQG has photos of all the winning quilts HERE.  I did take photos of quilts from the show but there seems to be quite a lot of very well written posts and the hashtag on IG to enjoy so I'll sign off for now!

MQG QCon Mini Swap - One Monthly Goal

Next Mini on Deck

QCon Mini Swap Sneak

I'm in the home stretch of the one for my MQG Swap partner.  Well, the top is pieced so that's a solid start.  She said she likes pink and had just participated in a Libs Elliott mini swap so I included those elements.  Mustard is of course my go to color.

Backing Chosen

Finding the perfect backing in my stash always brings a smile.  I'm going to bind it with the black bolts fabric.  No clue about the quilting design which is typical but it will probably focus on texture rather than contrasting thread.  My swap partner is coming all the way from Germany, how cool is that?  I'm excited about it being a direct swap since I've never done that before and know I'm going to love what she makes for me.

The palette feels familiar wouldn't you say?  A little bit like the mini from my last post I'd say.   I love how things spill out and overlap.  Creative connections are the best.

This one is on my FAL Q1 goal list and I'm kicking it up to top priority linking up with Elm Street Quilts for February "One Monthly Goal"  My OMG goal is to quilt, bind and label the mini.

Having the opportunity to meet and swap minis in person was a really fun part of participating last year.  Last year was the first time and now that the word is out, I'm wondering if more people are going to do it.  Here's a picture from MQG QuiltConEast 2017 in Savannah GA. 

MQG QConEast MiniSwap 2017

I blogged about making it in the POST but I don't think I shared the swapping smiles on the blog.

Three weeks from now I'll be in Pasadena at QuiltCon.   I've ordered a batch of buttons to hand out.  Not sure how much pin trading there will be but I decided that they are still fun to have just in case someone wants one or two!    

Although I'm excited and honored to have my Reflections quilt displayed in the Bee/Group category, it makes me a little nervous and insecure too.  It's amazing and I love it but there is still the element of being judged by viewers.  Not everything is for everybody and I get that.  Putting yourself out there is still worth the risk and I hope that I continue to feel that way.  PIQF and Road to California are shows that I haven't gathered enough courage to enter but plan to in 2018.

Happy Stitching,  Karen

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Bend, don't Break

For my second entry into the Fall 2017 edition of Blogger's Quilt Festival,  I present to you "Bend, don't Break".  See previous post for my first entry and links to past years at the bottom.  If you're looking to Link Up your 2017 Q3 Finishes, scroll to the post just before this one!

Bend, don't Break 62"62"

Bend, Don’t Break was inspired by the layering of building featured in the spark image and the visual depth they give to one another.   

For me, being flexible in design and construction is key and also a good reminder in life.  Rather than use a predetermined line on a ruler or specific degree for the angles,  I chose what felt right and simply built from there.

Quilting detail

I was incredibly honored to have my quilt juried into QuiltCon East and displayed as part of a Special Exhibit February 2017  in Savannah GA - look closely and you can see the picture taken by Michelle Wilke that the QDAD members used as inspiration.

QDAD@Qcon 2017 Special Exhibit

This quilt was a personal challenge because my go to in the past has been Scrappy Maximalist Improv and I rarely set out to create a literal interpretation of a design.   Not to label myself but I've broadened out to Graphic Minimalism.  In this case I really wanted to bring my #QDAD2Reality so that it was easily recognizable.

Digital mock up

I printed with the digital design I had created using Inkscape, (a free software program) and included the grid for reference.  My first shot at it was way too small a scale - clearing quilt math is not my forte.

Stash Pull

Proof of my scrappy tendency is the initial stash pull.  There was quite a lot of prospective fabrics in the challenge color palette.  I did end up with a few quick trips to my LQS Hart's taking advantage of their wall of solids when I ran short.

Design Wall progress

Auditioning what goes where as the quilt evolved was a fun part of the process.  The same exact fabric looked lighter or darker depending on what was next to it.  A trick of the eye made decisions even more fun.  

Precision Piecing 

Pinning the sheet of paper to the design wall for quick reference while I contemplated the task at hand was a great hint that I'd read about on IG and I hope I'll remember to do again.

The back of the quilt also made me happy to make. Here you can see it flipped and shown for scale next to my other entry,  the mini "Break".

Longarming It

This post would not be complete without a shout out to my generous quilty friend Pat who let me free motion quilt it on her long arm.  The FMQ pattern is an overall organic doodle that has sort of become signature style on just about everything since.  It wasn't really planned and just came out when I started stitching.

It was a little (a lot) intimidating but the spirit of encouragement and "going for it" that is at the core of the group.  Above you can see a mosaic that was posted on Instagram.  The lower left "Note to Self" was featured in the MQG Quilt of the Month exhibit.

I'm beaming with pride having three of my quilts in the show and having contributed blocks to two collaborative quilts made by my incredibly talented #beesewcial mates Hillary Goodwin entropyalwayswins The Story of Us and Stephanie Ruyle spontaniousthreads Direction Optional that took 1st place in the Group Bee category.  Don't you've the way I'm pointing to them Vanna White style?!

Encouraging Original Design

My local MQG proposed a design challenge for our guild members to create based on a photo spark, a similar idea to what the QDAD group does so I shared the process I had used along with several other designs that I had considered (and may someday still make).

Looking over the 2016 Finishes I really love the variety of what I've been making.  Bend, don't Break was definitely a stand out for my personal creative growth.  Seven were original designs, One a QAL with an original layout and the oldest WIP in the bunch a traditional pattern from a book (instert shocked face here)

Pin swapping was not nearly as active in Savannah like it had been in Austin and Pasadena the previous QuiltCons but I do like commemorating the event with a little token.  I made several to exchange and this was one.  

It was fantastic to meet in real life a few of the QDADers and love this group picture - you can see a peak of my quilt in the background on the right. Fun Stuff!

Some of the QDADers at QCon

My Previous Blogger's Quilt Festival Entries: 

Fall 2015

CastlesIn The Sand – Original Design

Perspective – Small Quilt

Spring 2015

Goats Askew - Original Design 

IG Mini - Mini 

Fall 2014

Capitola Crossing - Modern

Look Who's Walking - Small Quilt

Spring 2014

Giant X-Plus  - Scrappy

Rip Tide - ROYGBIV

Fall 2013

Tassels - Group/Bee

Ring Around the Briar Rosies - Baby Quilt

Fall 2012

Old Italian Block - Scrap/ROYGBIV/Bed

Spring 2012

Catalyst (aka Mod Mosaic) - my first time to participate 

A chance to share a special quilt and the story behind it is much appreciated, so that you Amy's Creative Side. You can see all the link ups HERE.