A Little Red in My Life...

Almost always when people get sight of my hand projects, they want to know who will receive it. Since so much work goes into them, my answer is some version of "I don't know" or "I can't give this away". This is true of  the quilt above, which I refer to as "the yellow quilt". This quilt was and is giving me trouble or should I say "lessons".

I've remade one block twice and still I couldn't get it right (notice the block way off to the left --Not only is it not quite in the picture, it has been booted out of the quilt).  I've also struggled with the  blocks lining up. The top row -- applique work -- measures fine. Three 12 inch finished blocks...perfect!. But the others range anywhere from 12 1/2 inches to 13 1/2 inches! Not so perfect!

I finally took out the Dutchman's Puzzle (first block, left, middle row) since it was the largest offender and have sworn to never, ever create another Sampler Quilt. So as you can see, there is a lot of work in creating a quilt! No wonder I often feel that I will keep them. (just in case you don't know, I hand piece and hand quilt. No brag, just want you to know... there is a LOT of WORK in creating a quilt!)   But I digress...I started by talking about not knowing who might receive the finished quilt.

Recently I was discussing with my BFF what colors she would like me to use in a quilt I'd make for her. As we were considering her color preferences (greens) she mused aloud, "maybe I should add a little red in my life". "I'm the red in your life!" I quipped. But when I returned home and began working on this, it became ever so clear to me that this was to be her quilt and that the quilt's name should be "A Little Red in My Life"!

BTW - shhhh...she doesn't know.

Wiser on Wednesday - Quilt Group

On Sundays I read the church's Order of Service and the bulletin insert with a fine tooth comb. This is a habit I've had for years--first at my home church of many years and a habit I continue, as I visit churches now. Both the Order of Service and the bulletin insert give a good basic idea of what a particular church community believes to be true and what they believe to be important, to not only know about, but to do...but I digress.

In the bulletin I read about a quilting group that was met on Wednesday mornings and decided I would go. So today I got up and prepared to attend ...packing something to work on, something to show and something to ask. My feet began to get a little heavy as the time to leave approached. I mean, it isn't so easy walking into any group of people period, but certainly not one that has been together and bonding for awhile. But I pushed myself and got there.

It was WONDERFUL!!

The two women present when I arrived were so excited that I came, that they began talking so fast and asking so many questions that I didn't know when to talk, answer or listen.  One woman said that in all the years they've been posting in the church's bulletin no one has ever come because of reading it! (they just use the space and most are not members of the church). They told me much about the group in very few minutes and spoke highly of the church. They are grateful that the church doesn't charge them to use the space and they make a donation to the church every year--at some event that I can't remember since they told me so much so fast.

I am wiser this Wednesday because I learned: that I didn't need to cut the quilt binding on the bias unless the quilt edge was curved; that I could repair my great aunt's quilt myself (and they were willing to show me how!); that I applique very well; that I make great points; that I have a good sense of color; that my friend in Florida is a "taskmaster," but is teaching me well. I learned more, but I don't want to bore you...just let you know how excited I am and give you a sense of how amazing the experience was!

I am so glad I went. I learned so much and was so encouraged and so welcomed. Out of all the things I've ever been glad I did, this ranks very high up there.

It's FINISHED!!!

Yes. well almost. I've finished ALL the quilting on Baby Girl's quilt! I'm soooo excited. Today... Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the quilting is COMPLETE!!! The only thing left to do is the label and the binding. Something called a "continuous binding" is supposed to be best. Something that my quilting friend--who lives several states away--can't tell me over the phone. But no worries! At least not today. Today...I am celebrating! Today... the quilting is complete! Today... I am that much closer with being "ta done" with this "to do"! Today... I am HAPPY!

I'd rather be quilting... and the concept of Value

You may remember my entry about quilting back in August 2009 http://aclearerday.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html

My friend and instructor thought out loud that journaling about this quilting journey and process might be fun and certainly funny a year from now. So hear goes:

As I've mentioned my friend has tried for over twenty years to get me to quilt. So last year I started and when she and the videos and the books started talking about color value and intensity and shading ...well let's just say my first quilt was black and white! (we'll go into how that wasn't the true escape I'd thought it'd be another day)

So I am starting another piecing project - that's when you design and trace and cut the small pieces that you sew together to make the top (what I use to call the "quilt" - see I'm learning) Actually I use to call "piecing" quilting, but quilting is the small intricate designs you sew onto the top - okay yes I digress.
Back to value - so this new project I am pushing myself toward color. I had some various greens and found a lovely gold fabric for the background and I thought I was set. But what do I learn? that although each fabric was different in color and size of print the Values were too similar - meaning they were all dark and in the same color category (I think that's what it means) . So yesterday my friend pushes me to go to the local quilt shop and talk with the women there.

Well! they were nice but the colors they selected were so different. I mean I know they are experts and they knew exactly what my friend was talking about... but seriously the colors they selected were so pale! They were mostly white backgrounds and believe you me I don't think they "go" at all!

I told my friend this morning and she's laughing at me probably even now. She says to include them and see what happens. okaaay. she says send her a picture of the fabrics so she can see. okaay. and even though I began to see what they each were talking about as they selected fabric and I selected fabric... I'm still contemplating making a name for myself as the black and white quilting queen.! :-/