Transparency Quilt 1

I wish I could keep better records of my quilts, so I'm going to try and get some details down before I forget!  

Started: January 2016

Finished:  March 2016

Fabrics: Kona oyster (background), assorted solids from my stash, freespirit, Bella, modern solids from Alissa H. Carlton, moda crossweaves, cotton couture.  I don't discriminate. Wink wink.

Backing: Amy Butler, Meadow Bloom in Minty and Lizzy House Tonal Pearl Bracelet

Binding: Kona Oyster

Batting: Pellon natures touch, white, 100% cotton with scrim (my favorite, very low loft, love the drape)

Thread: Aurifil 50, 2000, light sand

Pieced and quilted by myself.

(Photo below by Alison McQuain Photography, quilt hanging in KMQG Show at Striped Light)

I made this quilt based on a design from my friend, Ashley Pace's Color Theory class.  She teaches classes at the University of Tennessee, College of Art and Design.  I love the designs that come from her classes.  She uses Color Aid papers to create color illusions.  (I hope to make more transparency quilts!-- but, I'm getting ahead of myself.)

I decided on four colors and used the shape from her class as my jump off point.

I also decided, I wanted it to be very organic and free, so I went ruler free for cutting.  This included trimming around the edge before binding.  For each color block, I started by drawing on paper the overlapping rectangles.  This helped me to visualize the end result.  After I made the four color blocks, I had thought I'd over lap those four again.  See below:

But I wasn't sold on it.  I struggled and just waited a bit.  During February, Season Evans, had a challenge with the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club.  She spoke about subtraction and minimalism.  I knew at that moment, the middle had to come out.  Stephanie Ruyle (spontaneousthreads) suggested I off center the colored blocks within the background, of course I listened!  So, I subtracted the middle and cut more Kona oyster and repieced the top.  I've never regretted it.

Then, it came down to the quilting...  I looked into other Josef Albers works (thanks Michelle Bolt!) to help with inspiration for the free motion quilting design.  I found several that led me to my final design:

I love this quilt.  I'm hoping to enter it in the 2017 QuiltCon show.  Fingers crossed.

Eli's January Quilt

I started this quilt early in 2015 using Liz Havartine's pattern for LAMQG block of the month, January.  I put in a lot of hours on this bad boy: starting with cutting the crazy templates to piecing LOTS of curves.  

I made 42 blocks and added a border to make sure it was a good FULL sized quilt to fit his bed.  I went with something super scrappy but with limited colors in orange, teal, lime, brown, black, navy.

I sent the quilt to Christina Lane, sometimescrafter for custom quilting.

It turned out so perfect!  It's bound and washed an was on his bed by the end of December. -- More of a Christmas present to myself than my 4 year old. 

2015 (Very Belated) Round Up

Towards the end of 2015, I wrapped up several projects and it felt great getting them finished and several gifted for Christmas.  

I made two Diamond Pane quilts using the pattern from the book, Vintage Quilt Revival.  One for my moms best friend and another commissioned by a friend from high school.  They turned out so great in Amy Butler fabrics. 

Then, I finished up a quilt made from receiving blankets for my friend Sara.  I added in one fun print to add some extra color.  I used receiving blankets on the back as well.  It turned out pretty heavy but extra soft.

This scrappy vortex (tutorial by crazymomquilts) was made up of all scraps, unfortunately, it barely made a dent.  It was posted on Instagram and my pottery teacher from many years ago snatched it up!  She plays 'I spy' with her grandchildren using it. 

Then, I finished two for Christmas gifts, one for my parents and one for Eli's big boy bed.  

My mom's was a long time WIP.  I used Anna Maria Horner's free Mother Goose pattern in Flea Market Fancy and Charley Harper fabrics.  I free motion quilted a sharp jagged meander this time and really like how it turned out.  Then, bound it in a cotton and steel crosshatch cut on the bias, it makes cool x's on the binding.

I'll post more on Eli's full January Quilt next!  

Secret Garden Posy Patrol Quilt

Finished October 2015

I started this quilt at a workshop with the pattern writer, Dana Bolyard.  KMQG had her in to teach us more about curves.  I was pregnant with Cole and not planning on going to the workshop bc I had been so sick and tired.  But I'm so glad I jones in the fun.  Dana was a lot of fun and even brought home baked goods for us to snack on!  (Perfect for the pregnant lady!) 

I used lots of greens from my stash and then used lots of leftover greens for the backing.

I'm glad I was able to use up some pieces of extra I had... No need to purchase backing fabric for this one!  Yay!

I quilted with a FMQ swirl that turned out really nice.  I love the quilting on this one. I was making this to sell at an upcoming event at The Hive but I think I've decided to sell the Vertebrae quilt.  Always a difficult decision.  But I think this one fits into our home a little better!  And I love it.

I used pellon cotton batting and aurifil thread, and bound with some leftover raindrops and flowers from the lighter prints I used.

My Whimsical, Vertebrae Quilt

I love following Nancy Purvis, owensolivia's work on Instagram.  When she announced she wanted ppl to make projects from her book, I was really excited!  She asked me to make the Vertebrae quilt.  (I love her version!  She makes solids so exciting!)

I started with a fabric pull, and I'm really enjoying Lizzy House right now, so the choice was obvious.  

I also love adding in solids to help highlight the colors in the prints or to make a more distinct color palette.  PS these butterflies are so perfect... And I don't usually like butterflies. 

I wanted to make my version scrappy, with very few repeats.  I used up some of my favorite Lizzy House prints/scraps.  I had just enough of those favorites to make it happen.  I had to use the design wall to make the placement and piecing easier.  

Little by little it came together pretty quickly.  I loved putting the strips together --the colors just popped!  

The quilting, well, I tried to do two designs (I also used two color threads) and wish I would have just stuck with one quilting design and one color thread.  I'm definitely not comfortable mixing up FMQ designs, and the dark gray thread bugs me.  But every quilt I learn something.  So, I'll take this as a lesson, and remember for the next one.  Maybe another note for myself, SLOW DOWN!

I'll see if I can figure out how to get my final photos on here!  I went to my best friend's inlaws and took pictures in their gardens, with a camera, not my phone!  (their 'Southern Living' gardens)

Oh and see that scrappy binding!!?  Crazy heart eyes about the scrappy binding.  

I can't wait to get my hands on. Copy of the book, Quilting From Every Angle!  I have loved what I've seen so far.  Congrats and thanks, Nancy!

Sam's Classics Quilt

Started:  August 24, 2015

Completed:  August 31, 2015

I love making quilts for friends!  And every once and a while I get an order on etsy.  I've been hesitant to take on too much with Cole and Eli running around but several of these commissions came without a deadline.  It's exciting to know ppl are enjoying my crazy quilting obsession.  

Next up is a quilt for baby Sam.  I've just recently gotten the privilege to meet and enjoy the Eaton family.  They are very into DIY!  And Lesley makes amazing beautiful paper artwork.  (3 of which hang in Cole's room!).  This quilt is for her sister and she wanted something happy, and colorful.  I knew Lesley liked scrappy from previous convos and she'd probably be totally fine with some improv... Which makes me so excited these days!!  So I suggested a design like something I had seen in Quilt Now (mag) this month by Nick Ball.  And she went for it!  I'm so glad she did and I'm so excited to say, I've made this one completely from my stash, and even one step further, the front is made completely from scraps from my scrap bins.

Mint and Coral Triangles

My mom needed a baby quilt for her best friend's daughter, and asked for mint and coral.  She didn't really care about anything else but keep it simple, since Cole just arrived.  So, in my searching for small cuts of fabric, I found Lark Cottons.  And they cut FQs for a great price!  I settled on several prints from Hello Bear, Bonnie Christine, along with some other brighter and girly prints.

I love the combo of colors and fabrics.  I'd love to make a bigger one.  It's so pretty.  Backed with fabric from Hawthorne threads--not impressed-- but the dear are adorable, texture not so much.  Quilted with aurifil, pellon natures touch batting, started July 2015 and finished.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingjanes/20238470178/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingjanes/19803826864/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingjanes/20417829892/in/dateposted-public/

And I've already deleted all the photos from my phone...