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.

Curves mini - Curated Quilts submission

12"x12" Eye of the Beholder -curves mini

I've been up to my eyeballs trying to finish the top from 2017 BeeSewcial (originally blogged here) hoping to check another 2018 FAL Q4 goal off the list.   Although I made progress with two new blocks sewn to add to the collection from my bee mates and a final (revised) layout committed to, it will definitely roll over to 2019.  So, I took a break and made an Eye Inspired entry for Curated Quilts curves mini quilt challenge.  

Color story and Theme Announced 

When I saw the call for entries, immediately I knew I wanted to participate.  Having missed out on making one for the Improv theme, I decided to slip in a little spill over and came up with a finish that I'm really proud of.  Even though the it isn't a requirement to include the entire palette, I wanted to capture the essence of the color story as much as possible. 

Quilting Thread auditioning 

Keeping with the Curve (and improv) spirit, I chose to quilt organically with contrasting thread which is always a bit terrifying especially when the clean slate stage of the top is flat and graphic.

The Top Finished and Trimmed

Changing colors and burying thread is not a favorite task.  I ended up using only two spools even though the others matched well it felt like that many changes would feel overworked and distracting.

Free-form Stitching

Staying true to the design-as-you-go approach, I let the lines evolve with some intentional repeated treatment.  It's not exactly uniform but again, the idea was to enhance and not detract from the piecing composition.   Linking up my finish with fingers crossed that it is picked for publication.

Striped Binding for the Win

Start to finish feels good.  To contrast the curves I found the most perfect striped fabric in my stash for the single fold binding and was super flattered when designer Jennifer Paganelli made this comment on Instagram "I just want to say this quilt is hugely inspirational and I love seeing my stripe!! ❤️❤️❤️" 

Adding the moment I woke up and read it to my fangirl archive with a big grin.

Here's to hoping the rest of the year treats you well.  Happy Stitching, Karen  

I'm Published - Curated Quilts Log Cabin edition

Improv Abstraction meets Log Cabin - Photo Credit Sue Quijano

I am so thrilled to be a small part of the latest quarterly publication of Curated Quilts.   It's real.  Holding the beautifully weighted pages in my own two hands - oh, the feeling.    The fact that I really love the mini,  the creative journey involved in making it and that I have the honor of being included alongside so many makers that I admire is a bit overwhelming.

Log Cabin Edition

Eye Candy Table of Contents

Definitely check it out if you haven't already on their website HERE.  Copies are shipping now and digital subscriptions available as well.   Signing up for the newsletter also makes it easy to find out about future themes.  Next issue will be filled with Minimal quilts, a new found favorite style of mine.

Fabric Auditioning 

Creating with a given palette in a specific theme is right in my wheelhouse.   I missed finishing the linear mini for the first publication (shared  HERE) and there wasn't any way that was going to happen again.

Playing with Parts

Working in a series and exploring the same shape seemed like a natural progression.  I had just finished teaching a "Improv Abstraction" workshop for the Bay Area Modern guild in September and was excited for the opportunity to explore how to translate it into a Log Cabin.

Improv Abstraction Workshop

Because of the a size restraint, I decided to make the curve more gently sloped and extend the straight tail as needed.  The contrast of pieced parts on one side and mostly single parts on the other was one way to distinguish them.  More obvious, is the high and low contrast of colors.

Rolling Seams open

Retaining a traditional, recognizable Log Cabin design was my goal.   Having a consistent width throughout and keeping the arch similar was key.  Trying to find the balance within the design layout while giving it a personal touch was challenging but ultimately rewarding.

Squaring Up as I go

Those who know me have heard me describe my style as "perfectly imperfect' .  Sewing specifally for an entry that I hoped would be chosen brought with it a little more precision and yet I made sure to stay true to my aesthetics.

Auditioning Thread

Quilting on my domestic was kind of nice to tell the truth.  I've gotten so spoiled using my friends longarm I was nervous and a bit insecure when I began but quickly warmed up and enjoyed myself.

Opting for Texture

In the end, I opted for texture rather than too many different thread colors to minimize the destruction from the design itself.    On the first side I went with somewhat random improv echo and the second side I kept intentionally minimal and controlled, stitching to outline the dark. 

Thank you Amy and Christine for the opportunity to show my work and to discover other makers in the process.  

Improv Abstraction 2018 - Log Cabin

As the year winds down and I begin to think about writing a 2018 recap, it's become quite apparent that much of the highlights have yet to be blogged about.   Most has been shared on Instagram  but to chronicle my quilty journey more permanently, I am going to try to blast through some posts here before the calendar flips even if they are after the fact and not necessarily in order!

72" x 72" Digital Mock Up of Student Blocks

Flashback to Summer: August's Improv Abstraction Log Cabin Workshop.  Playing around with traditional layout options with a scrappy combination of student blocks was entertaining.   Mixing a wide variety of colors and four repeated blocks feels doable considering most attendees finished two 18" blocks by days end.

King Size Digital Mock Up of Blocks

Of course i said yes when I was asked by our SBAMQG president to develop a new workshop based on the Improv Abstraction Log Cabin mini that was published in Curated Quilts gallery and teach it to our members.  

Improv Abstraction Log Cabin Mini

I had the best time and hopefully they did to.  The blocks created and their smiling faces in the "mandatory"(I've got a reputation to keep up) group picture suggest so.  Enlarging the scale and providing instructions that included more quilty math than my norm worked out just fine.  There were a few little things I'd do differently if I'm invited to teach it again, but check out the amazing work of students:

Maker: Marylene

I love the painterly quality that Marylene achieved and her black sliver setting strips add so much.

Maker: Beth

Beth created a wonderful balance grouping her blocks to make the secondary pattern and the neutral grey border enhances the brights with an illusion of floating.

Maker: Muriel

I knew I could count on Muriel to make something amazing again and in record time sharing this FINISHED quilt less than 2 weeks after class.  She attended my Improv Abstraction - Playing with Parts and Possibilities workshop last year and has the best attitude and color sense.

Workshop Samples on the Design Wall

I brought samples of 18" blocks as well as minis that were made with the Improv Abstraction shape and talked about my design process which I love to do.

The finished quilt that I shared was this - yet to be named one shown here. The Log Cabin may be less obvious but I wanted to illustrate the versatility of the gentle curve and classic assembly. 

Name Suggestions Please!

Our MQG chapter has once again been invited to have a small group exhibit in the local Quilt Show put on by Pajaro Valley Quilt Association PVQA which I am also a member of.  Rather than a specific theme or challenge we are able to choose any quilt that represents modern and our personal aesthetics, so I've picked this one. Detailed blog post HERE.

I hadn't realized until filling out the form however that it was not yet given a name.  Suggestion on Instagram crowd sourcing lean towards either a sea based Surf/Kayake/Canoe theme or more regal one referencing Castles and Coat of Arms.  To me it has a bit of an Art Nouveau or View from Above vibe. What do you think???

October and November BeeSewcial Blocks: Pooled and Doodle

Pooled Color 

Pooled Color for Kari 15"x25.5"

Posting two at a time seems  to be the norm so here are my latest BeeSewcial blocks, Pooled and Doodle".  First off, who among us did not not immediately picture a Poodle when reading that?!? Am I right?   You might also be wondering how we got to December already because i know that's what I'm thinking.

Finished and mailed on time (pause for a pat on the back) these wrap up 2018.  I'm excited to be heading into my SIXTH year with this amazingly talented group of makers and am committed to sewing up the quilts in the new year.  

Scissors vs Rotary

More often than not I've been choosing my Scissors over the Rotary while improv piecing.  Ruler free  (until cropping to size) has been the norm. 

Auditioning Parts

Kari provided a gorguous palette a bit off the trendy path (which I appreciated) and some great samples for inspiration of what "Pooled Color" meant to her on this Pinterest Board along with this explanation to guide us:  

"It's organic shapes that are irregular and contain all or almost all of a particular color in one area. The composition is formed from intersections of organically-shaped blocks of color. There is some fluidity to how they join, sometimes creeping into each other. "

My creative sidekick

Since I don't have a permanently installed design wall, the portable one I use on retreat has become a somewhat regular feature in our living room.  Above I am auditioning color choices and placement options.

The upside of having the wall up is that when my granddaughter is over we can share it.  She amazes me with the level of creativity and skill when it comes to scissors, fabric and storyboard making.  Aside from not wanting to take her treasures down, it's a win win.

Process shot

This style of make is right up my wheelhouse so I thought it would be a breeze.  Well that wasn't the case.  I really struggled to control the pool and got all caught up in my head for the most part.  It took forever to rework the composition until I was happy.  Bottom line is that I am happy and so is Kari and that's what matters.

Doodle (Framed)

Doodle 12.5"x 24.5"

Leanne asked us to doodle with fabric for her November prompt. The colors were to be happy and saturated with the "drawn line" distinguishable. Brilliantly, she also requested a frame and uniform size.  Mine turned out fairly minimalistic and with a bit of an areal map vibe.    

Puzzling was puzzling

I could have used all one color for the orange but wanted to add a bit of variety. The poor lighting makes these process shots look strange but you can see the true colors in the finished block.

Oversized and cropped

It has been a long time since I've had set parameters and found myself oversized for the target dimension.  Even though I knew in my head that I had to leave room for the frame, it still grew out of control.

My Birthday New Best Friend

My birthday was in November so I had a great excuse to splurge on a new pressing mat.  I had borrowed one from my table mate the month prior at our guild's retreat and was itching to get my own (pun intended, no I'm not allergic).

Close Up

#BeeSewcial Article 

If you haven't discovered the quarterly quilty publication "Curated Quilts", hop on over to their website HERE.  I've mentioned it on the blog many times and my local guild mates get an ear full just about every meeting!  The mini challenge gallery is a favorite but the article by Stephanie and Leanne in the Improv edition is going to be an all time highlight for me.  I'm thrilled to have "Reflections" included and the opportunity for so many makers to learn more about our bee.

Reflections

The two blocks that I contributed to Diane's quilt shown below are really special and sentimental because they are the earliest examples of how far outside my comfort zone I would go for these gals.

I can still feel the excitement I had while making the block and having it come together as if it had a life of its own.  One day I should make a full size version of my own to have as a reminder of that pivotal point in my journey.