NOT BEST FRIENDS

I've always been on a first name basis with my sewing machine, but have never claimed to be best friends.  Oh...don't get me wrong....I love the beast.....however my skills need to improve in order to bond totally with it.

I find I can make bigger mistakes - faster - when stitching with the machine!  In part that's because sitting at the machine for hours is frankly, boring to me, plus due to numerous back surgeries it's just plain uncomfortable.  I believe that equation makes me rush the process and therefore generates mistakes.

To make viewing my blog, reader friendly, I've been saving lots of process photos of an ongoing project to share when it's completed.  Today, I'm jumping ahead to highlight my practice of 'test' stitching. Perhaps this simple procedure can save you time in the future as well. 

Here you see the mirror image of a motif that I'll be appliqueing onto my current project.

 When faced with a task that I haven't done recently, I always sew a sample before stitching on the actual quilt. Testing the set up of one's machine (thread, tension, needle size etc.) is a good habit to adapt.  Now is the time to make those adjustments, not after you've got a mess.

Once I confirmed the stitch length and width for the appliqueing....the stitching went rather quickly.  


This is a sneak preview of our 2012 PTA challenge.  The theme this year is postage stamps.  The center panel of my stamp (not seen here) is complete. All I need to do now is figure out a way to incorporate/inset it into this background.  I'm not looking forward to this challenge!

CREATING CACTUS

Work continues on my little hand-dyed felted wool piece......

 Machine stitching with rayon thread adds texture to the large cactus....

Hand embroidery is likewise helping to transform the smaller plants.....  Once these touches are completed, beadwork is sure to follow....

THEME

You all know by now about my long standing love affair with Holstein cows.....a favorite theme for my quilts.

So of course when I spotted this trophy I was both amused and a bit sad....but not uncomfortable enough to prevent my camera from snapping some pictures.

Almost from the moment I began making original quilts, I realized the importance of selecting a theme or subject as my starting point.  Over and over I hear worried comments from students that they could never create their own designs....they don't even know where to start.


This is my standard suggestion.....pick a theme or subject....then work from there. For instance if you chose a holiday theme....say Valentine's Day....I'll bet you are already familiar with some ready-made components to jump start the design process.  Color = reds/pinks  Shapes = hearts/arrows  Style = you decide - contemporary or traditional. If you prefer to piece then you'll be looking for a patchwork pattern, likewise, if you enjoy applique...then you can decide if you wish to do that task by hand or machine.  You see....it's just little decisions that build on each other.  


I rarely begin a project that grows from start to finish without any changes in my vision. However, I must admit my vision is generally quite fuzzy anyway!  So I allow the piece and of course my instincts to guide me.

Not all decisions have to be made right away.  Some will be obvious. If Holstein cows were my subject.....I'd probably be working with black and white for starters, then I'd begin to envision other motifs/shapes to fit into my 'story'.  Such as a horse shoe, cow boys etc.  Naturally, I'd also want to consider = will it be a bed quilt or wall hanging.  You get the idea.....

It's really all about looking around and getting inspired by one single thing.....which becomes YOUR theme.....decison #1 is made.  Then make decision # 2 and so on and so on.


In my case, I have WAY tooooo many ideas so selecting a theme or subject helps me focus and move forward.  Otherwise, I'd be weighing about 10 possibilities and never actually take scissors to fabric!


I always tell my students that there are no mistakes in quiltmaking......I think of them instead as 'design opportunities'....most often they take me where I wouldn't have gone with the piece and more often than not, the quilt is better because of it.

CACTUS

I'm keeping the design elements minimal because this piece is quite small.  A few humble smaller cactus shapes have been added and will be hand appliqued in position.  After that??......let's see what it tells me to do!

AZ INSPIRED

Okay......I know you all read this blog to see quilts.....right??  So...even though this piece is only in the beginning stages....I'm really so anxious to see how it will develop.

 My inspiration comes from the recent trip I took to Phoenix where I spent time with two buddies.....Nan and Gwen.  The sunsets were glorious.....just the right subject for this piece of hand dyed felted wool.

 Next, I dug into my greens.....every speck of green wool I have.  Unlike working with hand-dyed cottons, where it's fairly easy to find graduated color packs, that's not the case when using commericial wool.  

 You may have guessed the other subject of my piece....of course it's cactus....

I'm planning to do some machine stitching to add texture to the motifs....which I'm sure will be followed with some beading.  I'm keeping my camera handy so I can share what comes next with you.

MYSTIC MOUNTAINS

I'm struggling to find time to make advances on two current projects I'm working on so that I may share them with you.  I try to post photos/progress in order and also a timely fashion so you can see the conclusion without waiting for months and months.

Which is why so much non-quilting has been featured lately.....I'm stuck on both of my projects.....and the end is no where in sight.  I may have to post some teases of my struggles and remind you later when I finish the pieces in order to keep you all with me!

But, for now...here's a look from the porch of our mountain valley home on this very rainy Monday morning.  

Yes, it is beautiful here no matter what the weather....oops...except snow....I'm so over liking snow!

MARY'S WORKSHOPS

...Yesterday we were chatting about a mid-winter quilt show.....today, I'm turning my attention to the AQS  Show in Lancaster, PA - March 14-17, 2012.

I have the honor to be one of the judges for the show, plus I'll presenting 5 workshops, the All-Star Review, and they are offering an Evening With Mary Stori (oh my doesn't that sound high and mighty?....really....it's just a lecture!)

If any of you out there are planning to attend....please be sure to introduce yourself to me so I can thank you in person for hanging with me on this blog.

AND...if you have time.....I want to draw your attention to one of my workshops that still have lots of room.  It's the only full day class I'm offering.....so there will lots and lots of time to explore the project and even get a little off track by learning a lot more about some of the techniques I use when creating my felted wool wall hangings.

The workshop is "What Goes Around" (# 46101 on the AQS list) on Thurs. - March 15th.  A complete kit with everything you need to make this scissors sheath is provided.  The focus of the class is a few clever beading techniques that take time but are in fact easy once you learn the pattern.  I a flat, even count peyote stitch to attach cabochons or flat mirrors to my work.

For instance, here are small zippered bags I made as gifts, decorated with mirrors and other decorative beads.

Detail.... again...it looks hard, but once you learn the tricks....you too will be impressing your friends!

....Here's another example of how a few simple stitches can become the highlight of a quilt.

I'd love to have you in class.......FYI = the half day classes are nearly filled so if you are interested in any of my workshops, I suggest registering now.

"INSPIRED BY" EXHIBIT

January is flying by......and some of you may be looking ahead to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, Feb. 23-26, 2012, held at Hampton Roads (VA) Convention Center.

Our fiber group (PTA - The Professional Textile Artists will be exhibiting "Inspired By"....  Several of us from our group will be attending....and two, Linda Cantrell and Judy Simmons will be teaching.  Perhaps I'll run into you??

Our Asheville, NC area invitational fiber group was formed over a decade ago. In an effort to keep us motivated and our creativity growing, we issue an annual quilt challenge to our 14 members. For the 2011 Challenge each artist was to create a wall quilt inspired by a 2-dimensional, non-quilt artist. The finished piece could be hung in either a vertical or horizontal orientation and measure approximately 24” x 30”. The exhibit includes a photo of the work by the artist who inspired each quilt. Additionally, each member will have a second piece, hung next to their ‘artist’ piece which exemplifies their own personal style. 

 Linda Cantrell was inspired by the work of Picasso......as seen here......

.....and here is Linda's fabulous original design.

This challenge was a favorite of all of us.  My piece and its back story can be seen here and here.

CHOOSE YOUR EXCUSE

Writing a daily blog (or almost daily) has provided me the opportunity to really pay attention to daily routines....especially the small things that might be overlooked as (like many of you) I charge headlong through life.

It's a pleasure to share and yes, even think out loud as I create project after project.  Hopefully, my mis-steps and out and out mistakes will save you time as you tackle your creations.

Finding something to chat about day after day is rarely a problem....that's probably because I'm naturally so chatty.

 I have my pal Jackie from Colorado Springs to thank for today's post.  As you know, this blog doesn't include political or social comments....there's way too much of that going on everywhere already! 

This short flick is the closest thing you'll find to that sort of subject here.  Take a look.....maybe you'll find a description that is familiar to you....and perhaps will have a good laugh as well.

REALLY WEIRD

While we were at the quilt show, my friend found this weird, almost creepy item in a vendor's booth.

It's an apron of sorts

....it's satin with plastic baby dolls stitched on.....the larger ones have eyes that open and close.....  We didn't know what on earth to think about this.