My latest project-

I’m in the process of quilting it--- using both “stitch-in-the-ditch, and free motion quilting.
I'll post more pictures after I finish the quilting and binding. It is the largest quilt I have made 70 X 90.

This was a very fun quilt to make.
I couldn’t believe how fast it went together. A friend inspired me to “just do it” after seeing her latest gorgeous quilt-----

I realized how much I over analyze the whole process. I worry about what fabric goes with what---what size to make--- art quilt or traditional quilt--- what pattern--- do I have enough fabric to make the pattern I chose--- and ---the big one---do I really want to use my favorite fabric now or should I save it, and will it turn out to be wonderful as my fabric and mental picture suggest?????

See what I mean about over analyzing.

This time was different. In one day I decided to “just do it” and take my fabric out of it’s special place in the cupboard. I quickly chose between two patterns and started cutting--- just like that.

I had the fabric all cut and the blocks I needed sewn together in a matter of hours--- I couldn’t believe it.

I then started putting the blocks put on the design wall, and the old doubts and fears started flooding my head once again. To loud—to crazy—to dark—in general--looks bizarre. So it stayed practically put together on the design for over a week.

Thankfully the “just do it” attitude returned—I remembered comments an on-line teacher had said---- It’s only fabric—think of the whole process as entertainment. What ever the fabric cost could be compared to – going to the movies, buying a book or two, A good dinner out, sabers tickets, etc--- you see where I’m going. If you are having a good time sewing, then don’t worry about all the “what if’s” It’s the entertainment- the satisfaction of doing it that you should enjoy--- As she always said—“a masterpieces is a bonus” .

Happy quilting, and let me know what you are working on!!!
Judy

I'm still here !!!

For those of you who have been checking into my Blog I do appreciate your visits, and I realize that you must be really--- really sick of seeing the same post up for –---well seems like forever!!!!!

I do apologize for this. I have been in a slump about my quilt group and the Blog. I was hoping to offer an enjoyable learning environment for “Exploring Textile Art”. For a variety of reasons our group was getting smaller and smaller and it wasn't going in the direction I had hoped for. So...................................................
I put the group on hold to reevaluate what direction we should take.

I truly appreciate those of you who have stuck with me and our quilt group. we will get back to our "Exploring", hopefully this fall.
That being said, there is no reason I cannot keep up with this Blog better and do our “Exploring” here!!! So that is what we shall do.

For today I will give you a web site to visit and I hope consider taking one of the workshops offered.
http://www.myrnagiesbrecht.com/
Myrna’s Blog- http://www.creativeconversation.blogspot.com/

I have taken many classes and workshops from Myrna Giesbrecht. She is such a kind, motivating, insightful, talented coach. Please take a minute and check out her web site and Blog. I highly recommend any of her Workshops.

Take care and again thanks for checking in---
Judy

Purse finished !!!!!

Hi Everyone,

Well my purse is finished.................................................

Sort of!!!!!!!!

I do have zipper problems. The pattern called for an 18" zipper. If your zipper was longer they gave you direction for shorting it to 18". To get the type and color zipper I wanted I had to buy a longer one and then followed their instructions. But now I have the ends that do not look very good. The one side I could live with, but the side I cut off is showing on the other end......................................

The pattern has you fold them to the outside and put decorative buttons over the ends. But I don't want to leave the cut end exposed, even though I sewed across the teeth to stop the zipper from coming off the end. I think I might just tack them to the inside. That's what I did in the first picture. I will ask the girls at our meeting tomorrow for their input. Maybe someone has an idea for me.

While trying to complete my purse yesterday I had a friend that wanted to help!!!!!!!...............................

This is Buddy---- short for Orange Buddy!

Have a great day everyone.

Back to quilting,

Take care,

Judy

Member's Work

Here are the members photos I promised you!!!

Bonnie's.........

Renee's...........................


When you come to the meetings be sure and bring some "show and tell" along , or photos, so we can showcase your work as well!!!!

Bonnie's............................


And another of Renee's.........................................

I've added a blog list to the left side- Check them out--- I think you will like them .

Take care everyone,

Judy

Something different

Hi Everyone,
Our last quilt group meeting was great fun--- Everyone attending had brought projects to work on, so we were all busy and enjoyed the time spent together.

I have been working on a few projects that are different for me. The first is a purse. I was inspired to give it a try after seeing the beautiful purses one of our members had made. Plus, the fact that the zipper broke in the purse I am using now spurred me on as well .

I wanted a “wild and crazy” purse for the summer, so I used a packet of fat quarters I had had for a long time and never knew what to do with them. The purse takes 7 fat quarters. I have the inside pieces done…………………………………………………… as well as the outside—The yellow will be the front- the blue is the back. This is just a cropped picture of the fabric once I had gotten it quilted-----
Here is where my problems started….Free motion quilting the outside pieces. I apparently was so tense and engrossed on getting my quilting right……………………………
That I did something to my shoulder and have had shoulder pain for over 2 weeks. Went to the doctors- on meds.-no sewing for a week (ecks!!!) and physical therapy--…..wow--- who would have known.

I can get back to sewing now, so I will SLOWLY start on the zipper and strap. I’ll keep you posted on its progress.

During our meeting last week I couldn’t use the machine so I decided to go with some hand sewing. I had recently bought this book, and here is the ball I made.

The book has many patterns of different shapes to make into a ball. It was fun but I must say I am not a big fan of hand sewing. Next time you’re here look through the book and give one of the patterns a try if you want!!!!

Well I have gone on and on about myself, so pictures of others work will be posted tomorrow. Be sure and check in often to see what our group is exploring!!!!

Back to quilting!! Take care all,
Judy

Jenny had asked about a close-up of the quilting on Bonnie’s quilt. Bonnie brought pictures to our meeting Tuesday and here they are……………………………….

Beautiful work isn’t it?

Here is crewel work done by Renee…………………………………


And Jan brought an assortment of quilt blocks her Grandma helped her make many-many years ago. She is trying different layout ideas to now make them into a quilt.

Here are pictures of Christmas Quilts I had been working on……………………………...

I had quite a few problems with them, but kept at it and like the way they turned out.

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather and finding time for quilting!!!!

Take care,

Judy

Meeting Tomorrow

Where does the time go—
Here we are again- ready for our Quilt Group tomorrow and I have not posted on our Blog as much as I had wanted.
I just finished up an online Design Workshop that took much of my time, so hopefully I can now devote more time to this.

Thank you Jenny and Jane for your comments!!!

We do have very talented women in our group. Everyone brings their own creative energy to our group and we all benefit from that.

Jenny I’m not sure if Bonnie has a close up or not. We will get back to you on that.
Jane, we can always put you on “web cam”!!! How good would that be???? But maybe a more do-able idea--- is me just getting my act together and posting regularly on here. I will add info, pictures and techniques of our various projects.

Here is a picture of the piece I made that inspired our project last meeting.............................

It’s called Grateful-
It a watercolor painting, then scanned on the printer, resized and printed out on treated fabric sheets. Then “sandwiched” and thread painted. I printed out another copy -- designed angel wings—cut them from the second copy- thread painted and aligned it on top with spacers of foam underneath to give a 3D look.

We don’t have a specific project to work on this week. Please bring any “work-in-progress” pieces, or if you want to try the watercolor pictures you can do that as well. If anyone has ideas, or wants to work on a specific technique please let us know—

Here is a Locker Hook Rug that Dawn made........................................................
Its made with strips of fabric. I think this would be a good project for us. She has made several.
Beautiful isn't it???

Please email or bring along pictures or projects and we can get them on the Blog for all to enjoy.

Here is a picture of a shell………………………….
Margaret found it in a magazine and brought it to our meeting. It’s up on our design wall waiting for the right inspired design to pop into our heads. Its wonderful isn’t it? Anyone that wants a copy let me know.

Hope you are enjoying our Blog--

Back to Quilting!! Take care all-
Judy

Well---Finally!!!!!!

I have been having quite a time with my free motion quilting. The thread keeps breaking. I spent our whole meeting Tuesday trying to find out what was wrong—Then I replaced a new needle with another new -same size -needle and that seemed to do the trick. It is now working beautifully

My flower garden is finished!!!.............................................



and I used some of our donated lace, which I painted green with our watercolor paint.

We had a lot of fun at the meeting. Bonnie and Renee were adventurous and tried the watercolor painting, to make their own fabric piece. Beautiful work—They each made several. They took them home to work on there and when they bring them back I will get pictures. Those not working on the watercolor pieces brought pieces they had started and were working on them

Everyone that came brought pieces to show and tell—I got lots of pictures and will post them a few at a time for us all to enjoy.

Bonnie's beautiful quilt at her quilting machine............................wow!!!..........................


Please post comments if you would like. I'm sure Bonnie would love to hear from you.

You have to sigh up for a goggle account to be able to post. It only involves an email address and password.

Perhaps you have a new technique or project you would like to share with us. Or is there something you want to learn? Maybe someone in our group could help.

Renee has a project for us --She want to show us how to emboss on velvet!!!

How beautiful is this pillow !!!!.......................................................

Lots going on here.
Please keep checking back for new posts and pictures.

Back to Quilting!!! Take care all,
Judy

Our Blog is up and running!!!

Hi Everyone,
Oh, I'm so excited!!! Not everything has been added yet, but you can at least view and post messages.

I'll start by showing you examples of the techniques I was telling you about in my email the other day.

Below are two watercolor paintings I did yesterday, then today I printed them out on fabric and started free motion quilting on the Flower and Sun piece.

As you can see, the paintings are nothing fancy---but the Flower and Sun piece is already starting to look better, with just a little stitching. I will keep working on these pieces this week-end and post my progress. So please keep checking back. Knowing you will be watching, will keep me working!!! How good is that?

I hope you will enjoy giving this a try. I have all the supplies ready for Tuesday.

If you have any thoughts, questions or just want to say HI, please add a post.

Be sure and bring your show and tell, and something else to work on if you want. If your interested in staying through the evening, please let me know. We have one member that went back to work and will only be able to make it in the evenings.

Back to quilting---Take care all,

Judy