Art Collages on Wood Panels

When inspiration sets in to create with a different medium (besides fabrics) it can be very fun and can stretch your creativity. These art collages on wood panels did just that!

I had always wanted to explore using gel medium and mixed media. So I bought some 6" x 6" wood panels and gathered up bits of this and that. I discovered that the gel medium works perfect with the water soluble pencils. I drew little faces on watercolor paper and cut them out. Then I shaded with the pencils. I like the imperfect sort of rustic look. My only goal was to play and have fun. I figured if I didn't like how any of them turned out I could add different embellishments over the top.

I added ribbon around the edges and covered it with gel medium too.

They add a nice pop of color above the cabinets.

 Supplies:

• 6" x 6" wood panels
• Gel medium - semi gloss (I like this over mat as there is a slight sheen)
• Tissue paper, used color catcher sheets, water color paper, magazine pictures, etc.
• Ribbon
• Derwent Inktense water soluble pencils
• Ink stampers 
• Large stiff paint brush works best to apply the gel medium

 

 I need another play time like this again!

Happiness is...Spring is here with little bluebirds

On my last trip I pulled from the few fabrics I had on hand so I could do some hand work since I didn't have my sewing machine. Then I saw a picture of the little blue bird. I started playing with the bird shapes and decided they would be perfect for applique.  

I added a blanket stitch around the birds, then for the quilting part I used hash mark shapes that looked like chicken scratch, and couched a heavier weight embroidery thread, then added random seed stitches all over.
Sometimes it fun to do something really cute. 

• Techniques: Applique, hand embroidery, couching
• Size: 10" x 12"

Quilters Anonymous 2016 Quilt Show

It was another wonderful quilt show this year by the Quilters Anonymous guild members. So many amazing quilts that I was in awe when I turned ever corner. Here is mine that I had in the show this year with the modern quilting.

These are just a few of the quilts I snapped pictures of that are inspiring:

 

Here's to another year next March!

Esme Block

I got this pattern from the Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine which I love and pour through every issue. This is a paper pieced pattern that jumped out at me to do a challenge. I knew I wanted to make just one block because of the time involved. There are two pattern pieces to make up the centers and corner sections. 

 

Since there are 8 points that meet in the middle I fanned out the points before pressing to keep it flat. I love the way it turned out with the directional purple fabric and subtle background fabric.

Here is an example of a nice way to decorate a table top with a little quilt!

Bear Paw Leaves

I've always loved the Bear Paw block but for some reason it always looked intimidating. I decided I would make just 4 blocks and add a stem to look like leaves to give it a try. This is a wonderful way to sample a pattern without over committing to a huge quilt.

I picked my color scheme with 4 different colors and added several different fabrics in each color. I recently bought some newspaper print fabrics that offset the colors so well.

Here is a close up of the machine quilting with a meandering stitch. I matched the thread to the fabrics so that the quilting would be subtle.

I'm really hooked on this pattern still and plan to try some other variations with a modern flair!
Measures 18" x 18"

Chicken Mug Rug and Hot Pad

The chicken fabric was inspiration for this mug rug and hot pad. The fabric had been used on my niece's dress as a little girl. These are a great way to preserve a memory.

For both the mug rug and hot pad I used Insul-Bright insulated lining which has reflective metallized fabric and padding to withstand heat.

These were birthday gifts for my sister-in-law!

New Years Day - Organizing "Play Day"

In reflecting on the year, it’s been so much fun posting projects I have been making. It’s great having a community to share with. I love that followers are from all across the world!!!! Quilting is definitely an international love of all things fabric and quilted. I would love to hear comments of any kind and in any language (I know several folks that can interpret)!

What am I planning to do New Years Day? Well I like to treat it as an organizing play day. I recently organized my fabrics. Now tomorrow will be the perfect day to organize arts, crafts, and sewing supplies. 

Crank up some great music and relax. It is great to see your fabrics, ribbons, ephemera, etc.

Just have fun!

Once organized it will be that much easier to clean up after each project and/or at the end of each night. 

I try to always pick up as much as possible at the end of the day. Especially since I have numerous projects I work on at the same time.

Happy New Years!!!

Day of Play

Everybody needs a Day of Play! You don't have to make anything big. It can be an art quilt or even one block! I frequently get inspiration from seeing a color combination anywhere from a newspaper flyer, an image, an outfit someone was wearing, or colors in nature.

Hand dyed ribbon and lace, embroidery, silk ribbon

Then I start by looking for those colors in my fabric stash. Once you pull them out and set them together I like to grab other fabrics in the same color but a little different shade. Variety is the spice of life. And it is the spice in quilting. I would much rather look at 4 shades of green than just all of the same green fabric.

Then just try cutting out shapes from your fabrics and lay them next to each other. (If you have fabrics you don't want to cut into this is a great way to cut a little square or circle) You might as well use the fabrics you cherish! Tip: I noticed that once I cut into a fabric its easier to start using it in other projects - which is the goal after-all. 

Many different types of fabrics from my cupboard, vintage silk scary and vintage ribbon.

Fusibles are a great way to play. They allow you to cut out any shape without fraying.

Ideas to add or try:

• Stamping
• Fabric paint
• Paint splatters
• Beads
• Ribbon
• Lace
• Embroidery - running stitch, french knots, etc.
• Layers
• Machine quilting  

Hand dyed ribbon

It's all about your Day of Play! Enjoy! 

Mini Quilted Christmas Tree Decoration

This teeny tiny paper pieced block is 1.5" square in the center. The pattern was so tiny that I wanted to give it a try. It makes for a cute decoration or ornament.

It went together fairly easily and I love the perfect points on the tree. A tip I had read for paper piecing paid off by back stitching at the beginning and end of each stitch. That was especially important for something so tiny. I had a picture of the back with the paper pattern but now I can't find it. I added a traditional binding and some hand stitching.

This is another variation I did without paper piecing by making 2 flying geese and a 3 strips. It is tiny also. Nice for gifts and quilt guild exchanges!

Miniature Storm at Sea

Storm at Sea is one of my favorite quilt patterns. This is my miniature version with batik turquoises and teals and cream. Even though all of the piecing is straight seams, it gives a curved effect.

The cream fabric has a subtle text print that made me think of on old navigation map. I imagined making this while on a ship going across the ocean. So it called for hand quilting. This is 19" x 19".

Happiness is... an organized fabric stash

Yes indeed, happiness is... an organized fabric stash!

After I had organized my kitchen towels I realized it was time to organize my fabric stash a little better. I already had the general color groupings, but I went through and refolded everything and got rid of any fabrics that weren't zinging for me any longer. I took them to the Quilters Anonymous Guild meeting where there is a fabric donation table that all members bring in scraps of any kind and other members may find just what they were looking for. 

Once you can see everything at a glance its fun to see which colors you are drawn too and may need to fill in ;) I have my fabric strips organized in bins which makes it super easy to pull out for projects and the crazy quilts. 

 

 And of course there is the big basket for all the little scraps!

 Always treasures to pull out that are just right for making the scrappy zipper bags and little art quilts.