WIP Wednesday: Slow but steady progress

Where did this month go? Where did the last 8 months go for that matter? Time is just flying by for me. I have a short month and a half left of my pregnancy and I am starting to feel the pressure of getting things done. So many preparations still to accomplish!

Today I wanted to share some peeks into my current projects. I'm participating in a "52 week" project with the local Art Museum, designed to encourage the practice of creating daily. I decided that I'd like to build a better body of work, quilts to be specific, as well as develop my skill sets in quilting.

With some serious inspiration from  Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood, I've challenged myself to making (at least) one improvisational quilt top per week. Given that I'll be giving birth soon, I've decided that 2 weeks out of the 52 will be for relaxing, so basically in a year I'd like to have a collection of 50 quilts finished.
A big challenge indeed! I don't want to share too many of the finished quilts before the final revealing, but I am going to give frequent peeks into my process and progress! So with out any more babble, here's a look at the first two weeks. Enjoy!

Linking up at Freshly Pieced! What have you been working on?

WIP Wednesday: I like the "Old", but oh how good "New" feels!

A week and a half ago, a new sewing machine arrived for me! My guy bought me a simple (yet strong) machine to use while I get my other machine service (finally, soon!). He couldn't stand the idea of me not sewing properly for a couple of weeks. So sweet! We also ordered a free motion foot so I can get things finished! 

I jumped right in sewing up the pre-cut pieces for my sister gift, for three straight hours! The machine does an impressive 1,100 stitches a minute. It's speed actual took some getting used to! But wow, what a difference it makes sewing on a brand new, well oiled, work horse of a machine.

Then I realized I've never owned a new machine and actually, most of my sewing paraphernalia is second hand or passed down. Which I love, but oh how nice it is to work with a new fresh kind of precision! It's actually inspiring me to finish things!  It's like sewing butter! Not that those two things should ever meet!
In addition to that awesome present (which I've been sewing on daily!), I also purchased the most amazingly inspirational quilting book I've ever read!  The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood. She blogs here at DaintyTime.

I am so motivated and inspired by this book, (which I read in it's entirety the day it arrived) that I'm using it as a framework for my newest endeavor, a 52 week project hosted by the Riverside Art Museum. I'll talk more about that project and my process and this amazing book a bit later, but for now, go buy yourself a copy!

Linking up at

Freshly Pieced!

WIP Wednesday: A Mini Medallion and a Full Oven

Hello Wednesday!
Here's some current in progress shots of the work table! Cutting, cutting, cutting!

I'm making a pretty little wall hanging as a present for my dear sister who's graduating Yoga Teacher Training next month. The pattern is a free one over at SewMamaSew, you can check it out here.

And in other news, my oven is so very full! I'm almost done growing this little project!

We've got 10-12 weeks to go, let the count down begin.
I simply cannot wait to meet my greatest creation!

So I also have this baby blanket to finish up for my little man and my super stylish diaper bag! It's been ages since I've made myself a new bag and I'm really excited for this one! 

Linking up with more WIP-ers over at Freshly Pieced!

WIP Wednesday: Clutter Clearing

Moving into a smaller space.....too much fabric!

Also, I realized that I have a ton of red prints, a color I almost never use.

Must change that.

I also sorted through a lot of paper clutter, collage bags. 

Another art form I've neglected. 

And so tonight, before bed, I started working on another collage piece, using red.

Linking up to 

freshly pieced

WIP Wednesday: I used to be an Art Quilter

Way back in 2005, I began on a textile journey, following the tiny tidbits left for me by my late Grandmother.

Prior to that year, my artistic medium of choice had been a strong mixture of collage and creative writing sprinkled with a love of traditional black and white photography. 

When I picked up fabric, I immediately had the notion of treating it like paper, collage and raw cut edges held down with using a glue stick and quilted. I fell in love. I made many smaller pieces under 24 inches square and sold all of them. I ventured into larger pieces but then switched my interest into studying the traditional sense of quilts.

 And for many years I feel like I've been in a kind of limbo between the two as a textile artist. I've been mulling over this for a little while now, pondering some questions.

Which do I love more, art quilts or traditional patchwork? Do I gravitate toward what's easiest for me? Why do I feel like art quilts are kinda out of my comfort zone yet I still don't produce traditional patchwork beyond an intermediate dabbler? Where do I really want to go with fabric? What are those big scary artistic yearnings I have that currently remain dreams? How can I develope my textile likes into a style that is true to me?

Which led me into a nice direction of focus on the art quilting book idea I had begun exploring last year. 

And with an improv art quilt session in my original style, new ideas emerge. Here's a peak at what poured out.

I've been working on mind mapping the questions rolling around in my head. It's both inspiring and motivating me to keep at it. 

Linking up today with 

Freshly Pieced

WIP Wednesday Summer Vacation At Last

The end of the school year can easily make one crazy. My students dwindled and I am more than glad to have time to myself again. I have lots of plans I've been drafting, from quilt designs to book writing, I've been anxious to get to it all.
I tend to drive myself crazy by attempting huge projects in tiny moments. I need to relax, give myself room to breath, create. Take my time. I've been wanting to write more tutorials, perhaps even a QAL of my own. I've got lots of ideas, but I've been in fits and starts for months, forgetting one simple rule to starting something new: Keep It Simple. Amazing what a difference that makes!
Here's some of today's table.

Linking up with Lee @ FreshlyPieced

Happy Wednesday!!

-M