SEAT TIME

 The projects I designed for students who participated on my various quilt cruises and tours always factored in techniques that provided for 'seat time'.  It encouraged them to take a breather from all the activities and to sit quietly to do some hand stitching.

I'm now at that stage of this current landscape project which has turned into a big undertaking.....which I LOVE.

To provide more depth to the scene.....I'm adding hand embroidered 'grasses' to the lower flower filled sections. Closer up, bolder thicker varied Perle cotton thread, transitioning to smaller scale stitching pairing various colors of DMC embroidery thread.

I started at the top of that section....which took me an entire day and moved to the lower section the following day.....still working on it and will finish up in the middle area.  I don't remember working on a piece this long except for commissions.....yet this is the perfect project for now.

ONWARD

You all must be tired of seeing this never ending project. My art quilts are one-of-a-kind....you'll never see a duplicate. Design comes from my imagination, fabric often created with white cloth - dyed, painted, gel printed....etc. Lot's of auditioning motifs, false starts, & sometimes ripping out what I thought would work. In the end, for me it's worth the effort....every minute, every hour.....it's my happy place.

And right now that means hours of machine appliqué after all the flower images have been created. They are raw edge fused motifs, but I'll admit to being a bit of a construction snob so I prefer to finish the edges...yes each and every one which can take hours of patience.

I'll be back again soon.......hope you will be too. 

WHAT'S COMING NEXT

 Usually I work a faster than this.....but life here has gotten complicated with 'the husband's' recent health drama so I'm working when I can. Here's what's coming next....

I'm now auditioning some of my gelli printed fabrics, cutting into flowers of varying styles and sizes. Obviously this is just the starting point.

It's still pretty chilly here, low 40's in the morning, highs mid 50's most of the time. Because my 'studio' is a spare bedroom, it's carpeted......requiring me to gelli print in the garage since my enthusiastic approach is messy! I'm hoping my inventory of printed fabric will be enough for this project.

A note about why I love working with gelli printed fabrics.....#1. I can print on demand if I need just small amounts #2. The textures that can be developed are so appealing for my style of art quilting.
#3. My motifs are often fused appliqué, so there's no concern about fraying edges, the painted surfaces are tamed when cut. I'm a neat freak and really dislike the look of frayed edges so it's a huge bonus for me.

The last photo is a detail of one of my framed gelli printed pieces which utilized gelli printed fabrics.....note how nice and clean the edges are.

Thanks for all your kind comments......it does a gal good to get encouragement! Come back soon.....

PROGRESS - NEW LANDSCAPE

 

As I mentioned, this piece has expanded not only in size but in design as well.  Tree branches have now been added and fused in place, followed by hand embroidering long needle pine bunches.  This photo doesn't quite provide the dilemma facing me.  The sky was actually a darker blue than what it appears in this photo and no matter what combo of green threads I used....they barely showed up. 

  

What to do???  After much thought I got out my Prisma Pencils and lightened the pieced sky area.  Yes, it was a chore but it worked.  Of course it would have been easier not working around all the branches which then required some touching up using a brown pencil!!

Here's what the piece now looks like after hours and hours of hand stitching.  And NO...it's not finished yet...stay tuned.

PIVOTING

 Yikes, the more I work on this, the more it's growing into a major piece.  Obviously I needed a project that I can sink my teeth into and I'm enjoying every minute (or should I say hours)!?!

IT'S GROWING

 My current landscape project is turning into quite a project because I decided to expand the size......   stay tuned...

THREAD PAINTING

A little thread painting is good for the soul......love how it adds texture and movement to the sunset area of my new landscape piece.

LANDSCAPE ART QUILT IN PROGRESS

This project has been on my design wall since before Thanksgiving....'the husband's' on going health drama has consumed my time lately, however happily I've been able to devote a bit of time in the last couple of days.

After not finding the right colors/fabric styles in my stash.......the ability to print textured fabrics using my gelli plate helped provide a few sections of the sunset. What joy!!!

BABY QUILT

 I'm a great aunt!!  And what does any quilter aunt dO....why, yes....make a baby quilt.

The parents favor mid-century modern decor....especially bright colors......this is what I came up with.

Fortunately I had started the top nearly as soon as I learned of the pregnancy.....which left only the addition of the details to be added, plus layering and quilting.  It's been a rough month around here with major complications from 'the husband's' heart procedure requiring more hospitalization and numerous ER visits.  The actual cause of the extreme health scare is still unknown but with more testing scheduled hopefully answers will be forthcoming.  It's now safe to take my eyes off him for short bouts of sewing which I'm grateful for.  New posts should be more frequent now....... 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 Goodness......'the husband's' up and down health issues have kept me out of the studio for several weeks now. I'm getting itchy!! These photos from a year ago just popped up on my Facebook timeline. It's a reminder that my sewing machine and never ending 'to-do' list of ideas will be waiting when the time comes again. Happy New Year to all..............may 2026 bring YOU the joy of quilting!!

January 3, 2025  

Shared with Public

Back in the studio after Christmas family time. It's not too soon to think about spring.....so here's a peek at what I'm working on