Decluttering My Brain

I might be making a mess in my sewing room with new projects started everywhere, but I think I'm decluttering my brain. Some of these ideas have been rattling around my head for months...it feels liberating to get them made into quilting swatches...for lack of a better name. The actual quilts will follow later...if the ideas are quilt worthy. Besides it's nice to have ideas, ready to go, during the times, my head is just plain empty...there are plenty of those days too.

QAYG Log Cabin 2011, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

I'm working on a QAYG Log Cabin type quilt.

QAYG Log Cabin 2011, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

I start with a center and just keep adding QAYG type borders.

QAYG Log Cabin 2011, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

Here I am, just trying out a few more, of those lucious shot cottons....I'm using them on the back as well, and hope the quilt doesn't end up being to light weight.

Arnoldi Inspired 2011

Arnoldi Inspired 2011, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

Here is a little better shot of my inspiration in the midst of my mess. I found an app to crop and fix photos on the ipad....all this playing around.....sooo addictive.

In the Midst of My Mess

2010-07-08-08-36-04_1000000269 Arnoldi Inspired, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

Lately I have been very good at creating mess and still more mess.

2010-07-08-08-36-58_1000000272 Arnoldi Inspired, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

But, in the midst of my mess, I did manage to find a little order.

2010-07-08-08-36-23_1000000270 Arnoldi Inspired, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

And, in the midst of my mess, there usually lurks a little inspiration.

2010-07-08-08-37-30_1000000273 Arnoldi Inspired, a photo by MariQuilts on Flickr.

Inspired by the work of Chuck Arnoldi....lets see where this takes me, if I can get out from underneath all my piles of fabric and multiple projects.

Hopefully the quality of these pictures aren't to bad...still working from the ipad. My computer is definitely fried and I haven't quite figured out how to edit and crop photos on here yet.

Fresh Sewing day

Another month has passed and it's Fresh Sewing Day at http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/

Just what have I been up to all month??? Lots of starts.....very few finishes...none actually.

My computer died yesterday so luckily I have my handy dandy ipad....who knows when the new computer will actually arrive. Posting is a little more tedious this way but here goes.
If it all comes across a little wonky...in my defense, I spent the day babysitting my sweet, little, 14 month-old granddaughter and her brand new puppy.

I could show you numerous works in progress because starting is what I do best, but I'll just show you one, because for me, putting together a mosaic on the ipad is not quite the same as my regular computer.....in other words I don't know how.

Broken Circles 2011, originally uploaded by MariQuilts.

I've been working on these large freehand type circles. I'm using mostly shot cottons and striped wovens by Kaffe Fassett.

Broken Circles 2011, originally uploaded by MariQuilts.

Broken Circles 2011, originally uploaded by MariQuilts.

I love working with these fabrics and they quilt like a dream. Maybe next month I'll have a few finishes to show you....well one can only hope...

Just a Little Test Run....for a Bigger idea

I've had this idea for a long time, I just haven't done to much about it. Now when I have many other things (I should be doing) and multiple projects on the go....I start to fool around with it. I just grabbed a few scraps and started playing.

I am liking the black thread...something I've not quilted very much with.

I used raw edge applique for the circles....something I won't be doing for the actual project. I think I will use inset seams instead....just a little more finished looking.

These test squares or almost mini quilts can be very valuable in making some of these decisions.

Joining Blocks for Lily's Quilts QAL

I thought I better try joining a few of my blocks for Lily's Quilts QAL.  I still have five blocks to quilt, but my curiosity always gets the best of me.


As you can see, I am using a wide joining strip

Here is the back of the three joined squares.

My Lazy Take on Ticker Tape

I watch in fascination, as all the Ticker Tape quilts emerge on Flickr.....beautiful as they are, gluing down and sewing around all those tiny pieces.....it's just not going to happen, I'm way to lazy. The what if factor has a way of kicking in at this point. First of all forget the glue thing and use bigger pieces. Then the biggest time saver of all, stitch the majority of  the pieces, in straight lines...continue stitching on the back ground fabric between the pieces, rather than stitching around each piece.

I found some larger squares left over from another project and decided to play around a little. I laid them on the yellow background fabric, which I spray basted to the batting first. I also spray basted the backing to the batting as well.

I drew a few lines to keep things a little straight. I am going to use a zig zag  stitch to sew the pieces down. A pin or two seems to be sufficient....as I will be using a walking foot

I am stitching through all the layers at same time. As you can see, I am stitching all the raw edges down with a zig zag stitch, but I am just crossing right over, to each piece, instead of going around each piece.

I then added some straight quilting lines.

Here is the back of the block...all quilted.

 

This is just a very simple example of what can be done.

 

 

I'll join the blocks with strips, after all the blocks are finished. So if you have been intimidated by sewing down all those little pieces, be like me and take the lazy way out. This is a great way to use up some scraps.