Countdown to QuiltCon

QuiltConButtonSwap -one of two designs

I've been in a sewing and blogging drought all year - I know it's only January but it feels like a big deal.  QuiltCon is on the horizon and to be honest, instead of being excited I was stressing out.  All my big plans to make travel handmade and arrange meet ups have not materialized.  I haven't even printed my class supply list or thought about what to pack!

Yesterday I fine tuned my Super Volunteer hours, chatted with my sis about hanging out there and ordered some buttons/moo mini cards and the tide shifted - things are looking up.  

Add caption

Now I need to clear off the 4,000 photos from my phone so I can make space to download the app and really get in the loop!  If you'll be there PLEASE track me down!  I'm the worst with name/faces/places - but it turns out I'll have lots of free time and would love to chat, go to a lecture together or grab a coffee.

Tiny Bit of Sewing

Needle-turn appliqué  (mine is on the bottom)

A few weekends ago I took a really inspiring class from Tonye Belinda Phillips  and enjoyed the trunk show lecture that she gave the next night at our local guild.  Attending Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show has been on my bucket list and I hope to make it someday.  Her book recently re-released in paperback.  I like my friend Lori's block better (upper right) than mine but think they look awesome together!

QDAD (Quilt Design A Day)

QDAD 01.29.2015

One thing that I am thrilled about is getting to meet some of my fellow QDADers in person at QuiltCon.  Although there's been a major dry spell in actual quilting, I've kept up with my virtual creations pretty well.  This one was inspired by Rossie's quilt Emily's Nonsense  and my exploration of this block from a quilt my sister has that I took a photo of last Spring.

Antique Block

I'm also taking a workshop with Rossie and get to go all fan-girl - yeah!  BTW: If you recognize the block design would you let me know the name?

It's great to sneak in a second post for 2015 - Thanks for stopping by!  Karen

Unexpected Results

QDAD spark week resulted in (so far) several unexpected favorites.   I'm loving the designs created by members, that comes as no surprise. Mine however are  not as anticipated.  

I shared last post the inspiration photo that I took to kick off the week and the one I was most excited about.  Turns out that design is the one I like the least and maybe worth a revisit. 

When I chose images I deliberately sequenced them to vary the dominant elements and palette. I didn't want members to feel like they just did that color or shape the day before.

The buttons 1-5 are high on the QDAD to Reality list but I need to browse my folder and see if one tops it. 

Although I like Hanalei 1-6 since I already made one from a different vantage point for our MQG's first challenge 3 years ago, that idea doesn't feel very original or necessary. 

22x25 My first Mini and freeform quilting 

The buttons 1-5 are high on the QDAD to Reality list but I need to browse my folder and see if one tops it.  

Even though I tend to sew with vibrant sometimes over the top fabrics the more subtle combos appeal to me more so.  That was unexpected. 

SPARK week - Day One and a Sewing Weekend

QDAD 01.04.2015

A Glorious & Colorful First Weekend of The New Year

As I mentioned, this week kicks off my turn to upload the inspiration photos for the week for QDAD,  "Quilt Design A Day", a Facebook group that I belong to.  There were a few pictures and/or places that I had in my head to use in anticipation of this.   

The View from Mr. Toot's Coffeehouse, Capitola Village

I've been having fun for days obsessing (in a good way) over tweaking each image just so to generate the right colors using PlayCrafts Palette Builder.  The photo below is the one that I had in my folder to use for today, until this morning that is.

Original Spark Photos Chosen

Although I like this picture from a walk recently with baby grand girl and hubby, I really didn't want the design element of the seagull to be so dominant.  It would have been fine I'm sure.  But on my way home from the donut shop I detoured to the beach and took the shots at the top of this post.  

A Flash Back Palette 

Camping trip circa 1990

In the back of my mind I kept thinking the combination of colors reminded me of something from the past - then it dawned on me it was an O'Neill's ski jacket hubby had  (his wetsuit was similar too as I recall).  I dug through a box of photos and found this one to share for kicks.

Because members live all over the world and I'm on Pacific Time, I'm posting in the evening of the night before and then get to wake up and see what designed have been added to the folder for that day.  

Around The World Blog Hop Hops On

Remember when I tagged Debbie @ Shadows of The Blue Ridge ? Now it's time for her to post about herself and the quilting creations she's working on.  Be sure to hop on over and check it out.

Hashtag x 3

#scrappylogcabinQAL #useitorlooseitstashchallenge #sewmystash2015

That's right, I'm not double dipping on IG, I'm triple dipping with this project and made some progress this weekend. linking up to Oh Scrap!

One Entire Block Done (snicker sarcastically) 

All centers framed in LV

The plan is to build them out to measure 16" with a 4x4 layout and making the blocks and sewing them into a TOP is my January ALYoF goal.  Linking up to WIPWednesday at Freshly Pieced. 

good times on IG

 I'm reminded of the "drop everything" and make a Scrappy Trip Along.  That one got finished and donated for an auction quilt which is way better than another UFO.  Hopefully this time around will be as successful and fun.

My sewing room was cold (a relative term these day) so I invaded the living room making these two pus happy.  Sending my friends in colder places rays of virtual sunshine and warm thoughts. 

Let's Assess the New Years Quilting Resolution List

Assessing the List

In the spirit of Good News, Bad News, I'll start the the YES category:

More improv:   Especially if you count UFO's from workshops! 

 from Jacuque Gering's Improv Workshop

from Claire Witherspoon's Scrap Strategies Workshop

Both of the Michael Miller quilts and Goats Askew I would consider improv - their design developed in a very organic way. 

The "second front" of these two were improv as well. 

Use of Solids:  Not necessarily exclusive use and less than many modern quilters, but for me it's a big bump.  The last one is a collaborative quilt that I helped with and did the FMQ on. 

My stash of solids grew if that counts! 

precious Oakshott,  solid-ish 

Garments:  a (super cute) Costume and modified onesie are all she wrote. 

Needlework:

one button, check. 

Fewer New UFO's: Although the post starts with confessions of new UFO's they are still accumulating at a rate lower than I've been keeping.

Real Photo Shoot: 
"A" for effort, I tried.    The wind, the tourists walking by, the size of the quilt vs the height of the holder... this goal is definitely a work in progress and one I hope to improve on.

2014 FAL Q4 GOAL complete (linking up)  

Three Tardy Birthday Quilts:  the first of three. 

Just this week I nailed down the design direction for one of the other Birthday quilts - some variation of delectable mountain - so that's progress.

Fabric Pull for next Belated Birthday Quilt

Two of Two Wedding Quilts:  THIS goal is HUGE!  Both were gifted and are loved. 

Social Media: 

After joining the IGmini Swap I changed my IG profile from private to public and my followers and following are almost the same number, even if they aren't the same people!  I'm calling 554 posts "active" and although it may be less regularly, I still blog and check in with flickr and thanks to QDAD, I'm on Facebook daily. 

Link Ups:   All things considered, I' patting myself on the back about Finish It Up Friday, WIP Wednesday, ALYOF and 2014 FAL.  Even though Q4 had seven items and I finished two (Redwood Grove and IGmini shown above), Q3 was three for three, Q2 was a bust and Q1 was one out of four,  I'm still calling it a win because there were no double digit goals set and stuff got done!  

That Leaves the Bad News. The NOPE, not even close category:

Hand quilting

Less iPhone game time 

Categorize/Organize  photos  

Ergonomic sewing (slightly improved in habit, but my sewing space is unchanged)

Here's What's Up for 2015

1. QDAD a Reality 
2. Continue Linky Parties (I repeat, because they're fun)
3. The remaining two Belated Birthday Quilts
4. One new Wedding Quilt
5. A London's Calling Quilt
6. #SewYourStash (including FQ bundles and Oakshott, yikes)
7. #UseItOrLooseItStashChallenge
8. #ScrappyLogCabinAlong
9. Crafts for Baby - whether it's clothes or a squishy, plenty projects have been pinned
10. Meet Up and get to know more Virtual friends in person
11. Photos Shooting Sessions that are actually successful 

I'd love to hear what you have in mind for the New Year, any rollovers? 

Holiday Cheer and Marsala

Merry Christmas - QDAD Cheer

12.24.2014 mid-century glass ornament 

12.06.2014 vintage elf/gnome hats

12.22.2014 Snowman Cupcakes

Lots of Holiday Cheer in the land of QDAD lately. My daily routine of designing in the morning over a cup of coffee before heading out to work was interrupted a couple of weeks ago and I've struggled to get back in the rhythm.

a sampling of recent designs

The member provided Sparker images were too great to skip so I played catch up. Seems like shades of Marsala are sneaking into the palette lately. My friend referred to the Pantone color of the year as "light raisin" which feels acurrate. 

Marsala Head to Toe 

Taking a selfie that includes your shoes is kinda nuts but they are Marsala and match!

It isn't often that I wear heels or a dress but my inlaws were in town and took us to Cafe Sparrow for a delicious dinner for hubbies birthday.  Housed the heart of Aptos Village in the town's original grocery store/post office.  They celebrated 25 years in business this year which is tough to do for small restaurants and is great to see.

Merry Christmas

We are spreading out our Christmas celebration beyond today and started a little early with Mateya opening her Hanna Andersson long johns.  The graphics are yoda in a Santa hat and Darth Vadar with antlers adorned with candy cane light sabers.  

She insisted on dressing herself and let me straighten up.  I'm not usually a trademark kind of gal but these were too fabulous to resist and the organic cotton so soft.   Plus, now she matched the ornament collection on the tree! 

Goats Askew and You Know Who

Goats Askew

At first I titled this original design Askew and then I just had to add "Goats", can you see why? I fell in love with the vintage fabric and used stash to feature it. The scale is hard to capture in the same way Capitola Crossing appeared larger than it was, this seems like it photographs smaller.  Finished size is 72"x86"

It's a bit hard to tell but there are several different LV prints used to give a little scrappiness rather than the initial pull of just two shown above. The palette is much more controlled than my typical kitchen sink approach and that was an intentional goal I set out for myself. 

The technique is an improvisational project score from the newly releasing book (pre-orders for March 2015) titled The Improv Handbook For Modern Quiters by Sherri Lynn Wood aka: Daintytime.  She put a call out for testers that I was happy to be part of.  Although it won't be included in the book,  it was fun to give input.   

For the backing sleeve I matched the fabric since it was going to be permanent.  I'll share it at our local guild's show next February since it wasn't accepted at QuiltCon.  My skill set improved much more rapidly than I'd expected.  All the more reason to try new things, right?

The FMQ was a free form inspired by the shapes of the petals as well as the square in a square graphic in the feature fabric.   Although I didn't just finish, I couldn't share it before because it was a secret so I'll link up to Finish It Up at Crazy Mom Quilts and Let's Be Social now that I can. 

Behind the Scenes

First off, using scissors felt so foreign. I found that placing the ruler under gave me better control when cutting the strips.  My experience making bias tape was practically non existent before this and by the end, I felt pretty confident.

The frixion pen for the light fabric and chalk for the light were invaluable for tracing cut lines and registration marks.  

I challenged myself to exclusively machine piece rather than appliqué the quilt despite the need to join many (MANY) odd shaped areas.  This is lovingly referred to as my X-Y-Z seams. 

When the large chunks of progress became too cumbersome for the design wall, I migrated to the living room floor.  I used painters tape to square off the target size on the carpet and build out the background where I was shy and trimmed the excess where the petal hung over. 

I brought it with me to our SBAMQG Retreat last month to cozy up our cabin.   Goats Askew was a tad oversized for the twin.   My friend Renee and I celebrated our birthdays that weekend. 

Renee and I, the Birthday Girls

Funny enough, there's a photo of us at the Get Your Curve On workshop with Sherri Lynn Wood in this magazine.  It's the side of my head but that counts - and I'm especially proud of my excellent posture!  We had no idea until Renee was thumbing through "The Story of Modern Quilting" - so cool.   

One of my News Years Resolutions should be to finish up that UFO from the workshop - it's on my 2014 Q4 FAL goal that's not been met.

S'mores fire pit and our Workroom in the Redwoods

Since I may never get around to a proper post devoted to the 3rd annual retreat, here are some pics.  Anne is in charge of setting up the group shot each year and they are my favorites (past two are here and here)

SBAMQG Fall Retreat - Look what we did

Great Swag Bags

Wonderful Sponsors

One thing that I plan to be working on in 2015 is the Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt Along with Ginny at Fishcreek Studio.   Check it out - and read all about her on the Around the World Bog Hop post.  She tagged me so be sure to visit back and see who I tag next.