Circling

Circling Hearts is the name for my newest little quilt.

 

It features half a dozen hearts circling one heart (all machine-appliqued) in the center of this patchwork background.

Is it a circle of loving support,
     or a circle of a loving family,
          or a funky dance between three pink and three blue hearts while being supervised by a staid, gold-highlighted center heart?

The imagination abounds.

Another question:  Is this little quilt (quiltlet?) the right size to be a 'mug rug' ?  It is 10" x 10".   This is the question I am pondering now ... what do you think?

A second Snow Day

We had the rare occurrence of a second Snow-Day this year.  Even the city government closed down offices (and libraries and more).  What would you do with a bonus day off from work, and a winter storm approaching ....?

Well, I'm a quilter, so I making these two little quilts!

All the hearts are machine applique'd onto the pieced backgrounds.  Free-motion quilting finishes the work.  I'm glad they're finished as the larger one is for ALQS, Another Little Quilt Swap #8, whose deadline is less than a week away.

Another Little Quilt Swap, ALQS, is one entertaining way to collect new quilts made by quilters located around the world.  I've swapped several times in this group lead by Kate North.   If you are interested in joining, all you need is a finished quilt within the size of 12"x12" or  20"x20".  Click here for more details and then send your digital images to Kate by the posted deadline!

PS  The previous ALQS rounds I traded in were ALQS4, ALQS6 and ALQS7 (where I traded two quilts).

Update:  I've joined a new group, the 2014 NewFO Challenge.  Barbara of Cat Patches is the brainchild and moderator.  She challenges participants to start a new project each month and share that project at the end of the month (there is even a giveaway!).  Click here to see January linky party (I'm #61).  Click here to learn more about this challenge. 

Join the fun!

Quilt Binding Express

I'm having fun trying out my newest quilty gadget - a Quilt Binding Express tool by June Tailor.

This new gadget aids in ironing the binding strips in half, lengthwise.  There are three different width slots (2", 2 1/4" and 2 1/2").  Fold the strip in half, feed it through it's matching slot (I'm using the 2 1/2" one) and press the fold with a hot iron.  Continue feeding the fabric through, pressing as you go, until the entire length has been ironed flat.  What I like best about this gizmo-gadget is that I do not have scorched fingers!

Note: another cool thing is the printed design along each slot helps you to line up the fabric and keep it folded in half.

Last tip:  I purchased mine at my local JoAnn Fabric and Craft store -- with a coupon!  Check your local quilt shop too, since it is one handy quilt-y gadget.

Snow Day!

Schools are closed today.  We are having a rare Snow Day in Houston -- this is the 'snow' I found in my back yard.  Here I am....in the snow?.....

Yes, the winter in Houston is mild, even during an extreme cold spell.  Note:  there are some ice crystals on the leaves (that are still falling - yes, in January!) and lovely new growth --weeds, grass, what-have-you. 

Enjoying the extra day off from school, staying toasty warm and hope all of you are too!

Aprons

It's chilly tonight in Houston and cold weather always makes me feel like cooking.  Of course if you're cooking in the kitchen, you must wear an apron.  Thinking of aprons reminded me of this lovely quilt by Eileen Daniels.

This quilt is titled Aprons are a Tradition in My Family and was on display in the "Festival Gallery of Quilt Art: Traditions" at the International Quilt Festival and Market in Houston this past fall.

Eileen, from Brodhead WI, stated that her design source was "her vintage apron, fabric and hankie collection from her ancestors".  She explained:  I have photos of my family wearing aprons going back to 1910 on the back of the quilt,  What a great tradition that we are continuing!  When she inherited the collection of aprons, hankies and fabrics, she just had to make this quilt which showcases 232 vintage fabrics and her love for the creativity of apron pockets!  She adds: Wearing  aprons with a hankie in the pocket is a tradition in my family and already my four-year-old granddaughter is carrying on the tradition!  She closes with "No apron was destroyed for this quilt!"

Techniques used include Machine applique and photo transfers.  I know you'll enjoy this detail view...

 Lovely quilt Eileen!

To learn more about Eileen and see more of her work, or contact her to speak to your guild or give a workshop or otherwise ... check out her website by clicking here.

You must check out her website both for more info on Eileen but also to see who she shares the site with ... Ross Daniels, a Master Wood Craftsman!  He has buttons, bowls, rolling pins and lovely ornaments on display and available for purchase!


The Daniels' website is http://danielsstudios.com/

Go Hawaiian

I've always wanted to do a large Hawaiian applique' quilt, so this year at the International Quilt Festival, I took a class from Kathy Kansier called "Meet Me in Hawaii" (isn't that a nice invitation?).  In three hours, students cut an original Hawaiian design and applique'd it onto a background fabric (via machine applique).  I've been busy making more blocks that will grow into quilts, rather than lingering in my w.i.p (works in progress) pile.  Click here for more about the class.

Here is a peek at one of my original designs which I am currently shadow quilting, much in the style of Hawaiian quilts.   My goal is to finish this for the ALQS8 swap that is fast approaching.  I am also pondering if I should teach this as a class/workshop at one of my local quilt shops, such as Quilt 'N Sew.

Click here to be inspired by more Hawaiian quilts (as found on Pinterest).  There are also many websites with Hawaiian quilts for sale (I will let you explore those on your own ....).

Meanwhile, maybe I will stitch a few more rows before calling it a day....

Venice

Daydreaming of favorite places I've been and would love to visit again .... and thought I would share a lovely quilt of one of these places - Venice, Italy!

 Venice Lagoon

by DAMSS (D. Arnoldi and M. Sarzi-Sartori)

of Milan, Italy

I snapped my photo of this lovely quilt when it was on display in the 2013 Tactile Architecture exhibit at the 2013 International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston, Texas.  It evokes memories of my visit to Venice when I was in college.  I too took photos of the picturesque canals during my visit.  I must find them and post one here .... soon (but not tonight).

The quilt artists used manipulated, pieced, embroidered and custom techniques.  Their inspiration is taken from one of their countless visits to the city of Venice.  They state: "Here we see landscaping and urban perspectives reflecting our respective engineering and architectural vocations.  This quilt is inspired by the Italian Lagoon of Venice."

I love this detail shot.  See the reflections in the canal?

But you must see more work by this amazing pair.  Click here to see several, including nice detail views.  DAMSS, Daniela Arnoldi and Marco Sarzi-Sartori, are featured as L'Artiste du Vendredi (French for the Artist of Friday) on the blog/website of L'Atelier D'Emma (the Workshop of Emma).  I may need to refresh my high school French so I can read more of these wonderful posts of Emma Coutancier!

In her own statement (which I had the talent of the internet translate for me), Emma says:  

I am a textile designer, a little slacker, always in a hurry and impatient, and I offer on this blog sewing projects, patchwork deco and the machine.   My motto: colors, speed and simplicity! Sign up for the newsletter to not miss my adventures and feel free to comment!

I have done exactly that!  If you are interested to sign up for her newsletter too, start by clicking here or http://www.atelierdemma.com/