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

Modern with a Twist "Lean In" Block Design

Discovering online resources for quilting is more important than ever these days and a great place to start is the quarterly e-zine publication Modern by the Yard .   The magazine from Benartex includes free projects and highlights newly released fabrics.  

In the current issue #14, the theme for my favorite section "Modern with a Twist" features the Pinwheel block and I was honored to be one of the three designers included.  Be sure to check out the magazine and keep reading to find out more about my block, "Lean In" .

"Lean In" Block Design

I've been exploring the gentle improv style curve for quite some time now and jumped at the chance to see how it could transform the traditional Pinwheel.  

Lean In - a Modern Pinwheel

Layering fabric before cutting and/or using a hand-drawn freezer paper template like in my Temperature Quilt and Log Cabin for a uniform shape is one way to go.  Because there are no points to match up, each segment could also be done individually using a rotary or scissors freeform with similar but more organic results.

Individual Organic Improv Curves

Mabon is the newest line from fabric designer Shelley Cavanna of Cora's Quilts  and it was hard to narrow down which of her beautiful prints to showcase.   The wide range of values and variety in scale are a joy to mix.  You will find the one at the beginning of this post in the magazine along with my little "blurb", but I just had to share a few others here.  

The richness of the deep Plum and Yellow really glow.  It's easy to imagine using it together in a quilt with the original block.  A classic combination with a modern flare.

Monochromatic

"Lean In" in Blue 

Monochromatic is really fun to explore and a great chance to play with transparency.   I've used five different fabrics in the block above and even more in the quilt design below and yet it reads cohesive, cool and calm.

Expanding the block beyond with pieced sashing as shown above makes for secondary patterns galore.  In this case, the mirrored orientation also add movement living up to the "leaning" part of the name.

More Layout Options 

The two designs below omit the sashed cornerstone portion of original "Lean In" block to create an attention getting center.   Isn't it entertaining to see what catches your eye based on which fabrics are used and where they are placed? 

Seen enough variations? Well to bad, here's a super scrappy one!  I don't know about you but my head is spinning like a Pinwheel with possibilities.  Remember to take a look at what the other designers came up with by visiting Modern by the Yard issue #14 - just hit the READ button or directly HERE, it's free!  You can also find more on social media with @benartex_fabrics @corasquilts #modernwithatwist #mabonfabrics  #modernbytheyard

One last thought about Mabon is that it coordinates well with Shelley's Gloaming fabric line and flashing back to when I designed this quilt for her Blog Hop, I see the influence of the center motif.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Keep in touch on Instagram where you'll find me more frequently.  Happy Stitching!

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.

BeeSewcial 2019 Blocks

2019 Blocks

I've compiled the entire year into one post this time.  Yes, every single one of the BeeSewcial blocks deserves to be featured (and some have) but it just feels like making this happen now - before more time goes by - is the best  and most realistic approach to documenting them.

Energy for Leanne

17”x21” “Energy “ for @shecanquilt Dark blue background with a palette that I’ve grown to identify with.  I was able to hand deliver the block to Leanne in person at QuiltCon last week.

Enthusiasm and excitement is infectious and when we surround ourselves with good vibes, great people and positive energy, it’s pretty awesome.  For me, Creative energy is also a balancing act that has an ebb and flow, requiring a recharge to avoid burnout. 

Style of Sonia Delaunay for Ken

For @thekingslacker.  It measures 13”x27” with three sides trimmed and one left for him to puzzle. Fantastic time expressing myself in the style of Sonia Delaunay, an artist who I was not familiar with but certainly can relate to and appreciate. The colors are so "me".   Like many of the bee blocks that i make and mail off, this is one that I would like to supersize and make into a larger quilt.  Not an exact replicate but in the spirit of. 

Inspired by Roberto Burle Max landscapes for Sylvia 

16”x23”  block inspired by the art and landscape architecture of Roberto Burle Marx for @astrangerview .  This one was interesting with a palette so different for me. Working with a 3D subject matter to translate to 2D was also facinating.   I really loved trying to capture shadow and am pleased with the graphic design that i ended up with.  There was quite a lot of cropping and decision making along the way. 

Maxi Scrappy Stripes for M-R

15”x27” August block for @quiltmatters Improv stripes prompt, varied widths, warm with extra orange and a 1/2” edge-to-edge light gray. The end result reminded me of a strip of juicy fruit gum.  There were comments from my local guild mates about how they were inspired by the block and thought " hey, I could do that" which I think is great.  It doesn't have to be complicated to be appealing. 

Modular for Debbie

Composing and constructing the Modular block for @aquilterstable BeeSewcial prompt was the biggest creative challenge in 2019.  I enjoyed the process and the results but haven’t struggled getting to the finish line that much in a while-looks innocent enough which I suppose is a good thing.  Trying to include subtle color variations and sew in the curved pairs tucked around one another just right with the negative spaces visually pleasing was a rough road.  A quilting journey with a happy ending though.  I'm please so report that Debbie has finished the quilt. 

Portraits for Felicity 

Introducing “Nat”, short for Natalie (or short for NATional Quilting Day when  she was born). She’s sporting a new hairdo with a streak of gray as a nod to transitioning to my natural color. #beesewcial March prompt Humanoid number 2.  I gotta say, she’s a sassy fun one and I had a blast creating her for you @felicityquilts 

Portraits for Felicity 

Meet Marley , 15”x17.5” humanoid number one for @felicityquilts He was created while on retreat and has a sort of cat like vibe.  The palette however brings to mind "Don't worry be happy" so that is how he got his name. 

Improv Play for Marci 

#BeeSewcial blocks for @marci_girl 2.5” 3.5” 4.5” Improv play . These were fun to make creating a bite here and there. As you can see I gravitate to a “bigger” canvas to compose on so there’s fewer tiny ones.  Making these "nibbles" was a nice change up from the large ones that are more commonly made. 

Bee Counted for Stephanie

2019 #beesewcial kicks off with a finished 13.5”x25” block for Stephanie @spontaneousthreads “Be (Bee)Counted” tally marks of our choice.  I love that our members are from all over.  It’s pretty much the only time I visit the post office to mail my blocks each month. Mine represent the five digit zip code for Capitola, using spacing for the zeros 95010 and the significance of the red diagonal dash on the five is in honor of our 5th year as a bee.  Freehand rotary and scissor cut for the sections with rulers used to true up. My poor penmanship extends itself to hashtags so they aren’t neat. Intentional irregularity was tricky but fun.

2019 Recap and My Best Of

It's that time of year again believe it or not.  Pulling together a recap is always a challenge in itself but I am glad to be participating in the BEST OF 2019 linky party with Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs.  

I'm choosing these Best Five for 2019  EYES, Portraits, Temperature Quilt, Capitola Coral  and Dedicated to Design    Here's my blog post from last years linky party  Top Five 2018 .

Finished quilts

With lightning speed another twelve months has flown by and since a new decade is upon us it feels even more notable.  The finished mosaic above features   1. QuiltCon Mini swap which I'm assuming was my first of the year made in January and swapped in Nashville in person 2. Surface Stripes, this one I love, love, love and will lead to more exploration for sure.  It is among the many wonderful quilts that are (affectionately) hash tagged #QuiltConRejects  3. "Abstract Whimsy" was beautifully quilted by my sister and unfortunately won't be showing at QuiltCon either.  4.  "Solo Choke" 20x20 challenge mini won a ribbon at local(ish) Artichoke Festival 5. "Eyes" BeeSewcial was juried into the QuiltCon Group/Bee category and will be seen in Austin in February 6. Wedding quilt, started in a workshop with Sujata Shaw and happily finished and gifted. 7. Baby quilt, started in a workshop with Kathy Doughty and happily finished and gifted 8. "Nat's cousin Mini" Curated Quilts applique portrait challenge will be published in their mini gallery - it is a nod to my bee block from earlier and my final finish of the year. 9. " Oppostripes" also juried in to QuiltCon, the challenge category - you guessed it - Stripes!

Finishes (other than quilts)

There was some sewing done that did not involve quilts as shown in the mosaic above.  The eight bags were made for our first ever BeeSewcial Retreat in June and it was fun to make the same thing but different for each person.  I also received a bunch of great handmade gifts.  The skirts were an impromptu make collaborated with my granddaughter who had a sleepover and wanted something new to wear.  She picked all of the fabrics and helped sew.  You can see her here with the pillow case she made for a friend's birthday party.  Lastly, the machine cover/sewing pad that I created for our guilds secret partner swap.

New and Progress made WIPS

Last year I had a ton of new WIPS and I'm happy to say that isn't the case for 2019.  1. The Temperature Quilt is obviously not done and shouldn't be because the year still has a few days left to go!  I am happy to say that I am totally caught up to date and have very high expectations to finish it in 2020.  2. "Pantone color of the year Living Coral" was entered into the Top Only category of the challenge.  It's a favorite make, both the process/experience and the end result.  3.  "Maximalist, BeeSewcial prompt 2018" this one was on my WIPS list from last year but I made enough progress puzzling it all - and leaving it in my sister's capable hands that I anticipate it becoming a 2020 finish.

2019 BeeSewcial Prompt "Triptych" 

As usual, much of what I create has to do with BeeSewcial and that's okay with me.  We are heading into our sixth year and I am still pushing myself creatively as well as technique.  My Triptych blocks are not quite together but the vision is close.

made by me Bee Blocks 2019 

With a little luck, I'll get to blogging about the blocks even if it's after the fact as they should get the attention (and explanation) they deserve.  I would also like to make a post about 2019 Highlights because there truly were many to share.


Check out the other bloggers at the linky party:

Wishing you all a Happy New Year,  Karen

2019 FAL Q4 Goals

Time is ticking and so thrilled to see so many people linking up to the 2019 FAL Q4 Goals party found HERE, or on any of the other hosts blogs.   Just like last quarter, I'm keeping it simple with just four projects.  Hopefully unlike last time I'll actually finish something!

1. Stripes Challenge Horizontal vs Vertical   : current state is parts and partially sewn with a tentative layout. The deadline for this (and the next) is November 30 if I am aiming to enter it to QuiltCon.
2. Stripes Challenge Games we Play:  hand stitching final parts and then quilt, bind, label and photograph.
3. Pantone challenge (rolling over) haven't named this one but absolutely love it.  The top has been done and it is just waiting on me to quilt and bind.
4. Improv Abstraction:  sneak peak, it's a top and I hope to have it done to enter into QuiltCon.

Well folks, that's it for me.  I'm sure things will come up and interrupt the FAL plans but that's okay too.  It's nice to have these four on my radar.
Happy Stitching, Karen