How Rude!!

Look what I found pinned to my design wall!!!! 

What could this possibly have to do with me???? Hmmm....

Speaking of things pinned to the design wall....Ripple Effect II has been accepted into the Modern Quilt Challenge!!! Yippee!!!!!!

Now, to make a hanging sleeve and ship it off.

 

Meanwhile, I'm still working on Autumn's Quilt.

Also, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to answer my questionnaire on quilting classes....you have no idea how helpful I'm finding this. I'm letting the info simmer and will be back with a follow up post in the near future.

Thanks again...you are the best!! 

Ripple Effect II / Bloggers Quilt Festival

My usual tendency is to work on multiple projects, but every now and again, I stick to a quilt from start to finish, unable to stop. Ripple Effect II is one of those quilts.

Ripple Effect II (50" x 68")

One Sunday afternoon, I went down to the studio feeling restless and to be honest in a bit of funk, with a lot on my mind. I started playing with some wonky, curved piecing.

The quilt seemed to make itself as I tapped into the melancholy side of my temperament. I was hooked!! A little over three weeks later the quilt was done.

I was surprised by the visual impact the over-sized blocks created.

Life is not always easy....relationships  are often complex. The ripple effect of our words and actions can work for us or against us. Negativity and criticism can spread like a cancer, taking on a life of their own but positive actions and words also have a ripple effect.

As I quilted the individual blocks with ripple like quilting I thought of the many positive actions by others that have effected my life....and how even a smile or kind word can have a huge effect on someone else.

This quilt is my personal reminder........I would much rather have positive effect in this world than a negative. In other words....I do need to bite my tongue now and again or should I say on a regular basis.

I'm submitting this quilt in this year's Blogger's quilt Festival over at Amy's Creative Side. Amy does a wonderful job of putting together this amazing quilt show....pop over and enjoy, you won't be disappointed. Thanks Amy, this is always such an amazing event.

Ripple Effect II ......Finished!!

I just couldn't resist a few quick shots before throwing Ripple Effect II, in the wash. I wanted to get it finished before heading off, to the West Coast. 

I'm hoping to write the tutorial next week.

Being the Contrary Girl that I am.....

 I'm Going with Borders. 

It's probably because most of you said not to.  No...not really. Something inside me just says go with the borders, pieced borders of course (you didn't think I would just use one colour, did you????).

 Do I have any idea or have a plan?? Of course not, I'll just worry about one side at a time....and then I'll figure out the binding. 

I like to be on the designing end of things right to the very end.

Underestimating the Visual Impact...

I rolled right out of bed
 and headed straight for the studio this morning. 

 Joining the last row of blocks.

There's no hurrying this part....slow and careful is really the only way to get excellent results. Here some joining tips. 

The back is always a bit of a surprise...don't want boredom setting in, right?? 

Tip: Use the edge of your presser foot as a guide and change your needle position if necessary when edge stitching down the joiners. 

I really did underestimate the visual impact of this quilt.... 

The large blocks are more forceful than I expected. I'm still undecided if it needs any borders or what to use for binding.

On the Home Stretch...

I'm on the home stretch with this one, with only one more row of blocks to join. 

We had record cold temperatures last night...a really good reason to stay home and maybe even finish it off tomorrow. 

My plan is to put together a tutorial, on making these wonky curved blocks...they are much easier than one might imagine. Soon I hope, since the office work I was procrastinating on is still waiting for me. 

 I have this crazy habit of carrying my unfinished quilts all over the house.....you know, to see how they look in different lighting etc.

 

Snow Day In April

 A snow day just means more time for quilting.

 I'm obsessed with these wonky circles

The Upside to Procrastination

There's an upside to procrastination??? You bet there is....

 I had put today aside, in order to work in my office....something I've been avoiding for quite sometime.  There are still several jobs lurking, from well before Christmas. So why not procrastinate a little longer???

 I went for a wild quilting ride instead.  You know the kind.....

 Fabric flying, no plan, no finishing a WIP......just pure, hair blowing in the wind, type quilting!!!! The fact that I was not doing what I should be doing, made it all the more delicious. 

  

 

Oh the joy....of working this way!!! 

Once I Start....Its Hard to Stop

 

Ripple Effect II

The combinations are endless as I slice and piece. 

The phrase  "Ripple Effect"
 just keeps running through my mind as I work.

 T