Dig Deep - Luna Lounge

Dig Deep - Luna Lounge 

Dig Deep

As I mentioned in my previous post, I chose to use the soon to be released fabric line Luna Lounge in neutrals by Carol Van Zandt for my SBAMQG workshop with Pam Rocco a couple of weeks ago and arrived with the top sewn.  The pattern is Stacked Bricks, one of her Fibonacci series patterns for Quilter's Newsletter and free online.

Luna Lounge

Playing Nicely 

There was a wonderful trunk show and great advise - I treasure those bits of insight to design and quilting that Pam shared, including making a plan and deviating from it and to "get queasy".

Most of the time I focused on the backing and predominately used a FQ stack of Pop rox in the choco color way, an earlier fabric line of Carol's.   They played so well together and I especially love Gyros in black, so good!

The Backside

I tend towards bold, bright in your face kind of color but I really love the natural earthiness of this fabric.  The name "Dig Deep" came about because the quilt reminded me of the soft light sand on top and how it gets darker the lower you get.  As a kid building sandcastles it was so rewarding to hit water and see the almost black dense texture after scooping away the easy stuff.

The gradiant blue streaks running down the front are the same concept representing the color change of the ocean from waters edge to deep sea.

Stair step variation of the Classic Porch Shot 

The binding change up from Tapioca to Sandstone at the design break is subtle but effective and easier to see in this close up.  Not everyone enjoys the binding step but I do.  especially with Andover's Textured Solids because it hand-stitches like butter and is nice and soft for the edge.  Because the weave is looser than the other quilt cotton, I did use my pinking blade rotary when I cut my strips.  

Ta Da It's Done

Finished size: 40"x50"

Fabrics: Carol Van Zandt's Luna Lounge, Pop Rox, and Textured Solids by Andover

Winline bamboo batting, Aurifil 50 weight for piecing and quilting. 

Pattern: Pam Rocco's Stacked Bricks 

Started April 18th, completed May 1, 2015 

Marsala - Pantone Quilt Challenge

Today is the deadline for linking up your Marsala to the 2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge.

Marsala Quilt - Out of Line

Although I had every intention of participating, unless I start and finish by 11pm the only category I'll be posting to is the Non-Judged Entry for sharing things that were previously made or do not qualify for other reasons.

Browsing around old projects I came up with a few items that seem to be within the color palette Marsala and here they are:   

From my Palm Springs weekend with Heather Ross 

Marsala Hand-dyed 

Quilt for my niece - progress shot

Marsala parts

Flannel backing from stash that matched perfectly for this charity quilt

Marsala Backing

Needle turn appliqué pillow - a birthday gift

Marsala Center

Improv Workshop

Marsala WIP

QDAD (Quilt Design A Day) #240

Marsala Design

It's an odd color but apparently not one that I've avoided in the past - just in 2015 when it would've been nice to have use it, ha ha.  Be sure to check it out even if you haven't entered.  There are familiar faces and it'll be fun voting and seeing who wins the prizes.

ALYoF April and Origami pouches

Done - Complete - Finished 

Amy Loves Kisses, delivered

There's nothing like the feeling of a finish, on time and delivered. I took it back to my sister and she loved it.  Linking up to ALYoF April goal party with a reference back to my goal setting post here. 

Amy's Backside 

One less WIP for her and a finished goal for me. That's a win win.  This is also the first of four 2015 FAL Q2 projects and a happy Finish It Up Friday too.

Charity Pouches for Pooches 

Origami Pouch - pieced version 

Last week I got together with my small quilt group the Fabric Hounds.  In the past we've donated quilts for a local auction event.  This year instead of one big collaborative item, they decided to make up several smaller things.  I volunteered to make all of the coordinating pouches to go along with the animal shaped coin purses they are sewing.  Yes I'm making more things but it still feels like the long end of the stick because these are a breeze. 

Finished Sides

We picked out fabrics for me to take home but the pretty V and Co Simply Color scraps weren't big enough.  I pieced them into an 18" square, problem solved.  Stitching along the sides make the inside seams are a little bulky with the extra layers but it looks nicely finished.   It really is a clever way to avoid raw edges.

Puppy Pouch 

Because I left the pattern on the counter when I walked out the door I referred to the YouTube video by Debbie Shore. I've got a couple more "modification" ideas bouncing around to try out.

Me being Subtle and a WIP

For some people using odd, high contrasting color or mixing prints is outside their comfort zone but for me it's the opposite, that's what I tend towards.  Participating in QDAD has helped me reach beyond my initial reaction and I've made a personal goal recently to branch out try my hand at Subtle.

transparency block for Melissa 9.5x9.5

Melissa (weshallsew) requested transparency in cool blues and greens for her BeeSocial block giving me the perfect opportunity to practice.  The bee is also solids based which automatically helps me edit.

Recent QDAD 

Although my morning QDADing over coffee hasn't returned to a routine I have managed to continue designing and commenting when I can.  My iPhone is so handy that I sit at my computer less when I'm at home which is where I create them - and my blog posts - so both have been sporadic. 

Finished Bee Social blocks for Di

The bee blocks for Di  , (random thoughts do or di), left me "creatively spent" (in a good way).  Sewing up a project that is quick and repetitive was just what I needed to regain balance. 

parts on the design wall

May I present my latest WIP, "Fibbing"  It is a result of the colliding of two worlds: my prepping for the Fibonacci workshop with Pam Rocco and my playing around with fabric from Carol Van Zandt's upcoming line Luna Lounge.

one way to go that I didn't 

At first I was ONLY going to cut my strips for class Saturday since I can't stay the whole time - and one thing led to another and you know, I just couldn't stop!  Deviating from a pattern doesn't always play out.  In the photo above you can see that I attempted to mix scale at the line.  The alignment isn't as bothersome when they are different (see first picture) but here it felt too awkward and I ditched the idea.

the underside 

Don't you love the underside of Luna Lounge too?  The open seams and the sliver peak of two fabrics, yum.  My other quilt in the gray color way is finished and named so stay tuned for that reveal.

my loot

Button, Button, who's got the button - ME.  Thanks to Marci on IG and the after-the-fact Quiltcon Pin Swap.  I've slowly but surely been trying to find everyone on IG.  If you're there and I'm not following you let me know what your IG name is, I'm capitolaquilter.

Next month is Marci's turn for Bee Sewcial and I can't wait to see what direction she'll be challenging us with!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced.  She's been at Sewtopia (jealous - and happy for her!)

FAL Q2 Goals and a Finish

Goal - Simply Four

Here are my four projects for the second quarter.  I could really use an encouraging boost. 

1. Glam clam - untouched since the top was sewn.  fabric purchased for the back.

2. Carol Van Zandt Luna Lounge - minimal quilting two echos on each side of the red so far, uncertain how much more I will do. 

3. E's 21st bday -  A handful of sample blocks made. An overabundance of dark fabric collected and another couple yards of light ordered.  

4. QDAD P is for pie - so much to do but at least the approach has been figured out, we think.  Scheduling a time to get together with my friend since it's a collaborative project is a bit challenging but something to look forward to. 

Amy Loves Kisses is done. The binding finished up before I got my list together with the help of my lap dog Dottie. Doesn't she know by now it freaks me out having a needle so close to her eye?

My binding Helper

Unofficial items that don't fit the linky party (because they are just at the concept stage or are a secret) that I'm hopeful to work on soon are:

1. Mug Rug for May SBAMQG swap

2. Secret blocks (3)

3. Secret gift

4. Another CVZ Luna Lounge project

5. Riley Blake Challenge

6. C&S Disappearing Hourglass

Linking up my goals for 2015 Finish-Along Q2 at On the Windy Side.  That's it for me, how about you?

BeeSewcial blocks

One block for Di is complete. Taking a concept to reality is incredibly satisfying when it happens. Pushing myself creatively and technically to this level is rare.  I'm grateful to be part of the BeeSewcial group. Works out well that my top two items on the New Years Resolution list was: improv and solids. 

BeeSewcial Block One

The inspiration image for the April bee block had a color palette that I gravitated to immediately.  The request for circle, oval curved shapes came very timely having just taken Rossie's pebble class at QuiltCon.   I sewed it on Sunday and couldn't resist adding in a yolk. 

Oversized parts

I knew right away the design element of a reflective nature would be my focus. I sew without pins, start with oversized parts and clean up the usable portion by trimming when I decide where it will live in the composition.  

My improv process takes a long time, makes a huge mess and generates left over parts that become the start of another block.   So much fun and satisfying!

Initial Solids Pull

I was asked on IG about "How I Do it" so here's a bit about the improv oval: I layer two solids right side up and cut then I shift one to see the target seem allowance overlap and adjust the curve on one.

Sometimes I use frixion registration marks as you would for garment sewing on the steep sections and of course basic trial and error. When the joints don't end up where I want them to,  creasing the target seem and restitching is done.

Block Two in process

Joining improv curves on a straightaway is so much easier than at a bend which I should've reminded myself before starting.   The parts for the second are a bit scrambled (Easter egg pun intended).  

Not all of this will make it in and because the juices were flowing with less direction than the first block I've done quite a bit second guessing and over thinking.   Linking up with Lee for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and Let's Bee Social. 

In case you were wondering about how the Easter basket (tote) from last post went over - check out her expression!