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: 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: 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

Sunday Stash #6?

Ah hem. I did say I was coming back to this space, didn't I?
I have proper reasons for being absent, but at the moment, no excuses seem to be justified. I've been feeling scattered in my purpose, blind to my path, just kinda adrift with amazement and an overwhelming exhaustion like I've never experienced before (an explanation for that I'll save for a later date).

But as this year progresses at a more rapid clip than usual for me, I have been overcome with an intense need to finish all these untouched and abandoned ideas around my studio. Like the way a snake must rub against course objects to remove the final traces of a shed. So my progress is picking up, I'm pushing myself to get into the studio daily, to do something, anything.

Almost a month ago I dove into a quilt series that I'd let stew for a while.....like three years stew. I suddenly had the urge to finish the set of five pieces. I've had 1 quilt finished and 3 of the 4 remaining quilts drawn up full scale, it wasn't hard to just start.

So let me share some progress photos today instead of just fabric.

So this is the first finished quilt in the series and really the inspiration for the rest of the quilts because when I made this, I hadn't planned any of it. I randomly had the idea of quilting a gun outline. So I did. Then I thought of wrapping snakes through the guns, but upon searching for snake images for drawing reference, I was inspired by a Celtic art piece of three intertwined snakes.  This piece really progressed on its own.

I'll explain my process and each of the other pieces as a collection at a later time, for now I'd like to share progress photos of the next quilt I've almost finished in this series I tenitively named "Dangerous Things in Pastels"

I began during this months Art Walk, tracing out templates, of which, there were many!

I have a great pile of "snake" fabrics that I've been compiling. I usually keep all fabric possibilities in direct view while working on a piece, like a palette of paints.

Once I cut and lay out the pieces, I look at it for a while, days usually. In case I don't like a fabric I've used and to contemplate the next steps of stitching.

I also like making most of my art quilts raw edged. I also love doing needle turned appliqué, but usually the desire for quicker results gives way to raw edges. Perhaps some day I'll switch over completely.

Today I dove into the background details. 

The finish is near!

I'll share the finished piece later this week! Hope you've enjoyed this peek into my process from my "stash" of in progress projects!

...And now back to your regularly scheduled program.

I never intended to be absent from this space so long, but somehow I knew that'd happen.

Metal miniatures for my tiny family, birthday gift from my best friend.

If you do the same action expecting different results, you are stupid. I've been stupid for years now.
I imagine I've been addicted to the act of being lost, in the mental sense. I give my time away to others instead of spending it on my own goals.

The newest studio with new roof garden and rain.

I've just been wholly unfair to myself for forever.
This has been a large revelation and a most humbling feeling, I am solely responsible.
Ouch.

Improvisational patchwork for "Ode to Summer" quilt in progress.

And then a time when you can 'see' your life clearer. Or shit suddenly makes sense. Ego bruising. Getting older.

You start to pay more attention to the things that really matter.

Crystal Alligator (collage work in progress) 

Like being an artist.

"The way to get started is to Quit talking and Begin doing." - Walt Disney

Hand Stitching Time : WIP Wednesday

Screwy Update:
It can be extremely frustraiting when your go-to machine is sorta, outta sorts. Still, the screw will not tighten. Glues, wrappings, I am determined to find what works!
But in the mean time, I've re-attached the regular walking foot and am almost ready to sew everything that doesn't require any free-motion quilting (bummer). I say 'almost' because I've spent most of the last week sewing things by hand, just to change things up and try to calm my nerves about the FMQ foot.

I made some (very little) progress on the Flying Fish Mola, started the top layer stitching. This project is on my FAL 2014 Q1 list so I really need to spend more time working on it. It's going to be one of those time suckers as traditional appliques usually are.

Speaking of traditional applique, I've been seeing that it's gaining popularity amongst the online quilting world! Above are some of my favorite tools that I've inherited from my Grandmothers applique techniques. Straw needles are excellent in helping make tiny almost invisible stitches. I've been using needles out of that case of 16 for over 6 years now, they last along time. But a word of caution! They are sooooo tiny and thin, be very carful not to loose them or have a cat try and eat one (that's a story for another time!)
I also like to use that niffty little awl to turn under the edge as I go along. But you can use anything pointy like toothpicks or an ice pick or even a bookbinders awl. You get the point.
I'm working on an Introduction to Applique tutorial and possibly a class structured around the Mola style appliques I've been working on. Pretty excited about that!

Also in the hand work category, I've been doing some embroidery at night. These two pieces are really random stitching. I was going to frame them by themselves, but having them on the design wall made me think about adding some patchwork boarders and making them the centers of mini quilts.

And the horse doll prototype is coming along. Next up are the legs and then the fabulos details like hair, eyes, tails and of course a costume! 

Back to work I go! Linking up with Lee @ Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesdays

Joining In & Keeping Busy, Sunday Stash #1

I wanted to share my list of things I'm going to "Participate" in.
Take a look, you may want to join in the fun too!
Shall we dive in?


Globetrotting designed & hosted by Pat Sloan
This one is very interesting with the videos from Pat and history highlights behind each block. I'm making the first block (center square) in this creamsicle/gray color pallet. Flickr group can be found here.

"Fiesta de la Flores"2014 applique BOM with
Reeze of Morning Glory Designs

I just discovered this woman and her incredible applique work! Amazing details! I'm really excited to participate in this BOM and do some relaxing handstitching. My grandmother loved to do applique as do I. Here's what I've pulled for the first block, using scraps of course! *A heads up, the patterns are only available for free during the current month. If you miss a block, she sells them for a very reasonable price.*

Aurifill Designer of the Month Challenge
Each month a different designer, block and chances to win!
I have yet to sew with any Aurifill, so I am really happy to follow along and have a chance to win some thread! Plus, each month is a designer feature with really indepth interviews. I love learning about other quilters! January's block features 'Spools' and a neat tablerunner project. Here's my color pallet for this one, again using up my scraps! Flickr group can be found here.

Pantone's Color of the Year Challenge

This year's color, Radiant Orchid. Which happens to be one of my favorite haircolors! There have been some fabulous posts by Pantone on pinterest. I just might be up for the challenge!

Classic Meets Modern with Erin at Sew at Home Mummy
A wonderful quilt along featuring a classic block each month and a challenge to participants to give it a "modern" twist. The results will be inspirational! I'm making the January block in a mulberry pallet (scraps!). Flickr group can be found here.

And of course, the Finish Along 2014 hosted by Katy of The Littlest Thistle. You can read my post about that here.

This is just a small list that I'm going to work hard at following along with. I know there are more, leave a link here if you've got BOM's or QAL's to share and I'll update!


I'm also sharing some sewing supplies/fabric purchases of this last week and linking up with another newly found linky party, Sunday Stash with Molli Sparkles! The bling is so much fun!

A trip to the Salvation Army and a 50% off coupon for the whole store from my mother, I scored! Found doll hair, a scrapbook album, some amazing vintage weaving books and yes, over 20 embroidery hoops, various sizes. Those were a steal....way less than a dollar a piece!

And my sewing bounty from a trip to Joann's. Fat quarters, muslin yardage (for new dolls!) and APQ magazine for the Tone-It-Down pattern. Not pictured (but purchased!) are the batting and stuffing which was all I really needed. You know how a trip to the fabric store goes.

Off to make some blocks!

Happy Stitching!

FAL 2014 Q1 List

In the spirit of participating, I'm joining in with the 2014 Finish Along, hosted this year by Katy of The Littlest Thistle. I've followed along with the previous FAL's and have been really inspired by the process, sharing and of course such amazing giveaways!
I have ambitiously made myself a list of 20 items from my most recent UFO bin for quarter 1. It's a nice variety  ranging from very close to very far from finished. As I took photos of each project, I realized how excited I am to finish up projects! Here we go!
1. "Made You Look" sign. This sign is for my table when I sell my zines and books (It's my slogan/book press name). It needs a bit more stitching for details, the binding & hanging sleeve, and a lable.  Approx. 20"x 25"

2. "Hands" Wallhanging. This was all improvationally hand cut (no pun intended) while I tabled at a local art festival two years ago (?). I started with handstitching a long while after it was pieced, but stopped because I didn't like the look. Then I began machine stitching, very slowly due to the tiny fingers. I need to finish this! Approx. 13" x 20"

3. 6 Screamin' Mimi Dolls. Sadly, these dolls have hung in several shows with adornments of found metal. But I never felt like they were finished. I hand painted the front fabrics and the faces are my own sketches. Anyhow, I need to rework the idea. So far I've thought of adding wings, large wings. They reming me of bugs for some reason. Approx. 13"-14" each.

4. E.P.P. Stars: The black/red/white rose stars were my first go at English Paper piecing. I had thought of including them on a wall hanging (which is also on this list, see #13). Then I have the epp block I designed and made for the Travelin' Blog Hop a long while ago. Time to repurpose these into........?

5. "Tart" colored HST's. Need to finish piecing into top, add boarders, quilt & bind it up. Then list it on Etsy! Approx. to be baby sized quilt

6. Plaid Geese. Made these this last fall after my BFF of over 20 years came for a sewing weekend. Need to put the top together and quilt it up. Another for the Etsy shop!

7. 3 Blank Dolls. These need suffing and repurposing. No ideas on this one just yet.

8. Rainbow Threads wallhaing. This was a little stitching practice using some awesome rainbow thread my mother gifted me on a patchwork scrap. Needs binding/hanging sleeve and a lable. Another for the Etsy shop! Approx. 19" x 13"

9. Mammal Chupie studio sign. I made this for my first private studio! Need to add in some more detail stitching, binding/hanging sleeve and a lable. Then find a spot in the studio to hang it!

10. Blk/Red HST top. Another from my HST frenzy two summers ago. Needs boarders, quilting and listing on Etsy! Approx. baby sized quilt.

11. Desert Scene wallhanging. This small wallhanging I started with memories of family trips across the desert. Sadly it's sat in a partial quilted state for many many years. Time to finish! Needs more quilting/binding and hanging sleeve and a lable. Approx. 19" x 13"

12. March 2013 Community quilt top. The last quilt top I had the guests of Art Walk design for me. I finished piecing the top but then let it stew. Needs quilting/binding and a lable. Another for the Etsy shop! APprox. 34 1/2" sq.

13. Skeletal Angel Mola. I started this many times over. First it was just a skull. Then I wanted an angelic skull. Then I decided the backgound would be in the style of Mola's (reverse applique basically). I layered it and basted it. Then I made those epp stars (see above #4) and thought they'd look nice on either side of the angel. Well, now I'm not sure about any of it. Undecided at this moment. Approx. 9" x 28"

14. Night Garden wallhanging. This piece was started when I was in a bit of a rut creatively. I started it, spent one full evening cutting and pasting and then walked away. I came back to it and decided on some more imagery to include. Then it got packed up to move and I haven't touched it since. Need to finish and list on Etsy! Approx. 16" x 42"

15. Summer Sampler Series. I'm so close on this one, but I have had serious troubles deciding on a quilting pattern. Plus I need to add about 5in boarder to the backing piece to insure coverage. I thought about outline quilting in each block and then a nice loopy pattern in the sashing....still don't know. Needs quilting, binding and to be sold? Approx. 41" x 55"

16. Flying Fish Mola. This is going to be spectacular when I'm finished, I'm very excited. I designed this to be another example for a class on Mola style sewing. The white lines will be cut and appliqued to reveal colors below. To be done by hand, so it's a bit time intensive. Must start on it soon, a little bit frequently will get it done!

17. Sewing Machine cover. Sadly, I don't cover my machine like I should. I made this, but didn't take my time, nor did I finish it (there are pins still holding it together) so of course I don't like it and don't use it as I should.This one shall be repurposed and I will make a new one, quilted and fitted. I figure if I like it more, I'll use it more.

18. Plastic pouch. I experimented with lining a simple pouch with plastic to keep the contents fresher and/or hold damp items. I never finished due to the hole punching and hand sewing the sides require. Time to do it. To be gifted when finished.

19. Colorful bunting. I made this to decorate with and cheer up a room. Just needs the ribbon attached!

20. Mola Class sample. Another one, yes. This was intended to be a more managable project for the class. Also took photos for a tutorial. Needs background work. Almost there. Approx. 8" x 5"

Pheww. And there it is. The first quarter list I've made myself. I'm not intimidated! This can be done! And I'm linking up with WIP Wednesday! Cheers!