More Crooked Fun

In this latest episode of "Improv R Us" I'll show you all of the progress made so far on the challenge quilt.  Can you tell I'm having fun?  This is where things stood when I went to bed last night:

Here's what I added this morning:

I've left a few open spaces for later embellishments.  Included in the bag of "goodies" I received were some sewn and stuffed circles, two colors of metallic cording, the felted flower, and a little bit of red lace.  You can see that I added the lace to two of the orange strips today.  Now I have to fold everything up and hide it because the art quilt group holding this challenge is meeting here tomorrow.


When I originally opened the bag of fabric odds and ends, one of the first things I saw was an old panel of fabric with JOANN's printed prominently on the selvage.  After I recovered from my initial hostility (HA), I decided to embrace it and gave it a place of honor!

On the reading list this week has been Frankenstein.  The other day I told my daughter that I had recently seen the classic movie "Son of Frankenstein" and discovered that it is the basis of the plot for the Mel Brooks film "Young Frankenstein" (which actually borrowed bits from all three original horror films).  She made the statement "You know, Mom, that the movies are nothing like the book".  So, I had to see for myself and she is RIGHT.  It's not a quick read, although not a very long book, because of the old fashioned, formal language but I am enjoying it.

My Kind of (Sewing) Day

Yesterday was a great day for getting things done.  In the morning, I finished the crocheted baby blanket.

In the afternoon, I decided to tackle my latest challenge.  This one involved participants exchanging 2 gallon Ziploc bags of supplies.  I can make any kind of "art" quilt that I want.  So far, I have done a lot more THINKING than sewing.  At first glance, I hated some of the things I was given to work with.  Then, I realized that because I felt that way, it would be a great challenge.  Trusting my first impression, I went with a recycling theme, because the things I have to work with certainly don't go together.  I finished the "recycle" letters and put them together (I did make a larger R).  Then I made two asterisks.  Then I went back to THINKING.  The felted lavender flower was among the supplies I was given.  

In the evening, I played with selvages.  Here are my blocks, eighteen so far, arranged on the floor this morning.  I saw a strippy quilt recently that was set together with a chevron pattern, so that's one option that I'm considering.

A Little Crochet

I have a good friend whose two daughters were married in the same year.  Now, here we are a couple of years later and wouldn't you know it - there are two babies due within a month of each other!  The grandma-to-be has made each of the expected babies (one girl and one boy) a special quilt, but she also has fond memories of little crocheted blankets the daughters once had.  I have known how to crochet forever.  It was one of the first needle crafts that I ever learned (right up there with loopy pot holders).  So, I volunteered to make two baby blankets.


The little boy blanket was finished and given to the grandma last week.  The little girl blanket was finished this morning.  I admit that I took the easy way out and made giant granny squares ( I do have a business to run, after all).  White yarn was alternated with the main color in the outer rows and the final border was a modified shell (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc in space) (ch 1, sc in next space, ch 1) repeat around.

So, that's what has been occupying a lot of my time in the past couple of weeks.  I'm glad to report that the cob web quilt has been basted and quilting in RED thread has begun.  Also, I'm beginning to work on another challenge.  Here is all I have so far:

I might have to make a bigger "R".


Baby was SACKED OUT on the rug right inside the door and I couldn't resist.  What a great guard cat.

Under Construction

I FINALLY had a chance to sit down and do some fun sewing.  My growing collection of selvages has been on my mind.  I have made lots and lots of little selvage projects from pot holders and snap bags to table topper and small lap quilt, but this time I think I'll go for it and make a bigger quilt (many thanks to Karen Griska, whose book Quilts From the Selvage Edge has been a big inspiration).


I cut 9" foundation blocks from some icky faded fabric that was on it's way to the garbage.  For something different, I decided to start each block with a strip of the same fabric and then piece selvages on each side of it, out to the corners.  Two reasons:  1) to add unifying element and 2) a little less bulk in the corner intersections.  Here's what I started with.

I tried to use mostly selvages with writing.  Here are three completely pieced blocks and one that is in progress.

 And here are the first four finished blocks after they were trimmed.

I'm using absolutely anything, as long as it is wide enough and long enough.  

Home Again, Home Again

Quilt shows are FUN, but unpacking afterwards isn't.  We finally got the store put back together today.  Re-hanging samples gave us the opportunity to move a few things around and freshen the store up.  In the first picture, you can see that the "Four-Patch Kaleidoscope" is finished.  Yay!

                                 

I've been itching to start something new and different.  Remember that ugly blue fabric from a couple of weeks ago?  It's been washed and cut up into squares, in preparation for a new strip pieced project.  Watch out!  It may involve selvages!!

Greenville Quilt show

Here is where I spent my day today ...

A lot of friends, old and new stopped by to visit me at the Greenville (NC) quilt show.  We will be open again tomorrow from 10 am until 4 pm.


Someone donated a Victorian crazy quilt to the quilt guild and it was on display.  Apparently, it existed as a top only for many, many years.  The border and backing are much more recent additions.  The embroidery was intense and fascinating.  Here are close-ups of several of the blocks.  Inspiring!

      

   

  It's dated 1892!

  

What a Surprise

Last week I was knitting a purse in preparation for felting.  Here is what it looked like when the knitting was finished and the handles sewn on:

The yarn I used was green.  I was aware of multiple colored fibers in the yarn, but I was not prepared for this:

Where did all of this pinky-red come from?!  Not what I had planned at all.


In other news, I have cut the ugly fabric into 9" foundation squares.  They will become part of a selvage quilt that I have planned for one of my next activities.  I haven't worked on it yet, because I'm in the final stages of quilting the four-patch kaleidoscope quilt.


Also, I'm packing to go to a quilt show ...

This is the tip of the iceberg, but you get the idea.  I have most of the items for sale packed, but have to round up the samples next.  Tomorrow I'll set up our booth at the Greater Greenville Quilt Festival.  Once the quilt show is past, watch out!  I've got multiple ideas brewing. 

Greater Greenville Quilt Festival

April 20 & 21, 2012

First Christian Church, 2810 E. 14th Street, Greenville, NC 27858

www.greenvillencquiltersguild.com