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???

2019 FAL Q1 Goals

Stick around if you want to hear about what I've got on MY list - or head to the previous post HERE to link up your own GOALS. Remember that you only need to do it once on any of the hosts blogs and if you need a refresher or are new to the FAL, be sure to check out the information tab for 2019 Finish a Long.   

My 2019 FAL Q1 Goals

 1. Improv Abstraction Log Cabin   2. UFO Mini  3.  MQG Mini Swap  4.  QuiltCon Workshop   5. Improv Abstraction Large Multi-Color  6. Layer Cake friendly Experiment  7. Freddy Moran Workshop top One 8.  Wedges 9. MM challenge mini

 10. Improv Abstraction Log Cabin Mini  11. BOM mashup 12. Freddy Moran Workshop top TWO  13.  MQG QOM Merge top Red 14. BeeSewcial 2018 blocks Connections 15. MQG QOM Merge top Tan/blue 16. Nosey Kittens 17. BeeSewcial 2017 blocks Eyes 18. Maria Shell workshop top. 

19. Lastly, I'm including Composition in Color from Maria Shell's workshop from 2015.  The photo below was before the big stitch that I started in the workshop with Tara Faughnan's class.  Our guild introduced a Sit and Stitch social that I'm hoping to be able to attend and this will be the perfect portable project. 

So what do you think?  The list is double my usual and I'm the months ahead are super busy but I will be attending a retreat in March so I may just check some off.  

Rolling Over New Years Goals

I'm also going to take this reflective opportunity to post a rerun of my 2018 New Years goals as they all still apply to 2019. 

1. Organize:  My stash is in desperate need of attention.  After retreats and workshops the piles just collect and it's hard to tell what I have and where to find it.  

2019 Update:  Plans and progress has been made to move into a designated sewing room and out of the "temporarily" corner of the living room

2. Purge:  This one is tough for me but I know I'll feel better keeping the most likely to use stuff and finding a good home for the rest.  This is especially true for notions. 

2019 Update:  no big change in this plan. 

3.  Pause:  "Admire, Don't Acquire" is a phrase that I read somewhere (sorry I can't remember to give credit) No point in thinning my stash if I continue to collect more without restraint.  I'm not going on a full fledged fabric diet but I'd like to be less impulsive. 

2019 Update:  Sorting my stash helps with this because I find things that I've forgotten about.  Solid yardage on sale is my only justified purchases.

4.  Teach:  I had the opportunity in 2017 (and 2018)  to teach a workshop and loved the experience.  It was a lot of work to prepare for but a worthwhile process and very rewarding. 

2019 Update:  I've been invited to present a trunk show and talk about my quilting journey. 

5.  Pace:  I'd like to create without the extreme highs and lows.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy diving in and being so engrossed in a project that everything else disappears.  Maybe just fewer marathon sessions and last minute makes would be an improvement.  

2019 Update: Still working on this.

6. Blog Briefs:  The number of posts this last year is pretty thin and thankfully being a 2017 (and 2018)  Finish-A-Long host has kept me going.  I'm going to try to share on the blog more often even if the posts are brief. 

2019 Update: I think that as long as I do my best to not neglect the blog I'm not going to stress if they aren't regularly posted but more when I'm in the mood. 

7.  Blog Header: I'm emotionally attached to the header I've had for so long but it's getting outdated so I'd like to make a new one. 

2019 Update:  This shouldn't be so hard.  I've mocked up a few but nothing felt right.  I'll probably crowd source options to force myself into a change. 

Hope the New Year is off to a happy and healthy start. 

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.  

My lucky seven 2018 Q3 FAL Goals

I'm going to go for a lucky 7 and link up on 7/11 for good measure.  How about you?
The 2018 FAL Q3 Link Up can be found HERE

My Lucky Seven

Mosaic Left:
1. Improv Abstraction Log Cabin/Royal & Peach:  Current status is two complete 18" blocks.  I'll be teaching a workshop for our guild in August and would like to have as many samples as possible for attendees to see.
2. Collage from Freddy Moran's workshop: technically this one is the second of it's kind (see goal 6). The design is complete and it needs quilted and bound.
3. Psychedelic from Katie Petersen's workshop:  Rolling over from last quarter, the additional fabric arrived and sat. I need to make more blocks, commit to the setting to finish the top, quilt and bind.
Mosaic Center:
4.  Bits Play from Maria Shells workshop: another roll over with the status unchanged including the fact that I'm absolutely in love with it so far.  It doesn't happen often but I'm kind of intimidated by the next phase because I've become attached to it at this stage.  If the narrow dimension wasn't so awkward I'd be be tempted to call the layout done.
Mosaic Right:
5. Nosey Kitten from Jen Carlton Bailey's workshop: another roll over with the status unchanged.  The only addition is the added incentive to complete it before I take the same class again from her when she visits our guild in January.
6. Collage from Prepping for Freddy Moran's workshop: Yes read that correctly.  I had been in a funk and when I started cutting out the parts to bring to class the week before I literally could not stop.  It was fun bringing a completed top with me and having a picture taken together.
7. Improv Abstraction Log Cabin/Blooming:  Along the lines of goal one is to illustrate the versatility of the basic block and opportunity to play with layout.  Set on point with elongated stems and maybe a bud or two is my vision.

Well there you have it.  Seven from or for workshops!  I've purposely not included my BeeSewcial quilts because finishing them goes without saying and I seem to get things done that aren't on my list so I'm trying a  little reverse psychology on myself.

After the shut out last quarter, 0/9 I'm honestly not having a pity  party.  It's fine. Stuff got done.
Hope to see your goals linked up before it closes!

My Top Ten Goals for 2018 FAL Q4

So many tops and nearly tops this quarter which is unusual for me.  My Top Ten:

1. Eyes:  These gorgeous BeeSewcial 2017 blocks have been staring at me begging to become the quilt they are meant to be.  The layout is set with a few adjustments and bridging needed. I really do love, love, love them.

2. LoneStar:  Hey,it's not a rollover!  Took a class at BackPorch and immediately continued on the minute that I got home (a good sign of a workshop) It is a top with plans for gifting.

3. Nosey Kitten from Jen Carlton Bailey's workshop: another roll over but there was progress from the parts and now they are a top.

4. BOM mashup:  Our guild chose the Echo block that I designed for MQG and I had to make some samples for show and tell.  Mixing them with left over quarter circles and setting on point with a tricky directional background seemed like a good idea at the time.  It's a top. 

5 & 6.  These are two secret sewing projects that will be revealed before Q4 ends so I'll update the description then.  It is Improv Abstraction based and in odd lovely fall colors. 

7.  BOM win.  It's been a top and needs quilted.  These are the blocks that I won in our lotto. 

8. Bits Play from Maria Shells workshop: another roll over with the status unchanged including the fact that I'm absolutely in love with it so far.  It doesn't happen often but I'm kind of intimidated by the next phase because I've become attached to it at this stage.  If the narrow dimension wasn't so awkward I'd be be tempted to call the layout done.

9. Stretch: Many of these BeeSewcial 2016 blocks were hand delivered to me in Pasadena at QuiltCon which clearly marks the passage of time.  With a cohesive limited palette I thought the prompt would be easier to compose into a quilt but have been quite puzzled by the puzzling when attempted many times so far. I'm really close and my sister has offered to do the quilting so there is hope for a finish.

10. Improv Abstraction Log Cabin. Currently at the Block stage.

Well there you have it, my top ten.  Here's wishing you luck with your goals.  Be sure to link up before the party ends HERE and give a cheer to all the participants!

Happy Stitching, Karen 

Quilty catch up and more

I can't remember the last time in recent years - if ever - that I've gone without sewing for more than a months stretch.  April to June is too big of a gap.  

The procedure for shoulder surgery went perfectly fine but the recovery has been a pretty bumpy road.  When friends ask how I'm doing I usually reply, "I've been better, I've been worse" because honestly there is so much to be thankful for and this kind of stuff is just life being life. 

Fortunately, as of last weekend, sewing and equally important my sewing mojo has returned with the completion of the tardy April #beesewcial "Rooted" bee blocks that I'll share separately because this post is about a few big deals that came and went without acknowledgment and I wanna fix that.

First up - my quilt Bend, Don't Break was featured in the Gallery of Curated Quilts minimalistic issue.  Such an honor to share the pages with so many talented makers that I admire greatly.

While in Pasadena at QuiltCon Isabelle and I stopped by their booth to see her mini on display.   I really like this picture we took with Christine Ricks and not just because I'm wearing my handmade top.  My guild mates are probably getting tired of how much I go on about the publication but I'm so excited to see the community response to call outs.  Encouraging makers to explore and challenge themselves with each new theme - trying new things and redefining what you do resonates with me.

Isabelle, Christine and I 

You may recall from this post how excited I was to have my mini included in the Log Cabin issue so you can just imagine how thrilled and honored having a full page to myself.

Another big deal for me was to teach a Improv Abstraction workshop again.   I had the BEST time and the student work coming out of the class is fantastic.  Here's a mosaic I shared on Instagram of the group shot and my samples on display.  Everyone was supportive and enthusiastic.

Take a look at some of their makes - shared with permission : 

Lori's Show and Tell

Rochelle and sister Rhonda's collaboration

Liz's fantastic top

Lisbeth - so great

In August I'm scheduled teach again but this time for my own local chapter.  It'll be similar to Improv Abstraction but based on the Log Cabin mini. 

Anniversary and Graduation

It's a sad sign of the times when I don't even know if a mention of my Blog Anniversary made it here.      For the record, it was 6 years on March 16th. 

Quilty news aside, we celebrated our son's graduation from Fire Academy. So proud.  My mom and in-laws were able to attend.  

Hope all is well with you.  Happy Stitching.

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Multi-Color Improv Abstraction

Multi-Color Improv Abstraction

Slicing out a chunk of time to blog has become even more rare these days but Amy's Bloggers Quilt Festival is certainly worth it.  Visit her blog HERE to discover all about the 2017 Fall Edition.  Looking back at past entries gets me all sentimental and I love re-reading them like a time warp. I've included links to each one at the bottom of the page so you can do the same. 

Previous Festival Entries

I've been participating in Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival since Spring of 2012 and made this mosaic showcasing previous entries for a quick visual.  She has started mixed things up with a super fun Instagram version #IGQuiltFest and I've enjoyed posting those prompts as well.  Another change to the format is the simplification of categories on the link up.

Original Design

Choosing which project to write about is always tough.  I've chosen to share my Multi-Color ImprovAbstraction quilt because I love how different it is from the graphic Two-Color versions (above).   No surprise that my granddaughter influenced things - she often does.  

Art Gallery Pure Elements solids is so soft and yummy to work with.  Because you can literally "feel the difference"  I like to use it exclusively and not mix in other brands.

Art Gallery Pure Elements Solids

Here are a couple of the pulls that I considered. Obviously from the end result you can see I changed my choices along the way.   The one stand out color - dark royal blue - made for the focal point fabric.

Art Gallery Pure Elements Solids

"Playing with Parts" is a step in the process that not only I enjoy but was really entertaining to share with her too. She's got a good eye! 

My Little Helper

Endless possibilities, but limited amount of time is key for me.  Here's a glimpse of auditioning how the bridging bar joins these components - emphasizing the orange notch very boldly or the subtle option in yellow below. 

Auditioning Bridge Components 

Auditioning Bridge Components 

For the most part, I kept things simple for puzzling the layout with bars and notches in relatively uniform widths rather than introduce more curved shapes as seen in the Two-Color versions that came before. There is a lot going on with the scrappiness and I felt it would distract.

The Perfect Backing

Having the most perfect backing in my stash brings on a smile - can you relate?  For the binding I kept with solids and used two that were slightly off in color than those in the quilt.

One last favorite photo that I shared on IG.  It was taken pinned to the curtain giving a stained glass look to the flimsy.  It's especially interesting because it outlines the blending of the shapes and breaks down construction.

This quilt is on my 2017Q3 FAL goal list and is the second item done.  The linky party for that will open soon so be sure to check back.  To learn more about it and see the full schedule, check out the Finish-A-Long tab at the top of my blog.

And more pictures from her ballet recital - just because :)

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 

Thank you Amy for another great festival and opportunity to discover new bloggers and to all of the generous sponsors too!