Easter and yes, Spring . .

This little 12" x 12" quilt I finished a while back. It was intended as an entry for a competition that I decided not to enter. At the time, the stipulation was a limit on the number of fabrics we could use. There are thirteen in my composition. (A baker's dozen) 

Although, that was back in December, I was clearly working on how to portray the emergence of Spring. 

A subject on most people's mind these days, given the long winter that we all have experienced. 

. . . I think that Spring has finally sprung!

Do enjoy your Easter Holiday!

'Signs of Spring'

Well, I finally finished! 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, this quilt turned out to be a challenge for me in many ways.

With each step, I was trying something new. 

And in turn, ended up stopping and restarting in a new direction many times. 

The construction process consisted of :

Ice dying an old bed sheet

re-purposing a costume print from the Goodwill store

use of commercial prints and batik dyed fabrics

rotary tool and scissor cutting

random/irregular piecing 

machine seaming

hand applique

hand printing the quilt surface using acrylic paints 

long arm and sewing machine quilting

multicolor pieced binding construction

new sleeve/hanging technique

Yes, I am aware that I broke all the rules with this one.
I'm waiting for the 'Quilt Police' to comment.

I have to admit, I really enjoyed it all. 

Making decisions as I went along, I learned so much. . . . I'm ready to start again.

Yuck!

Today is March 20 and my calendar is marked as the first day of Spring.

This is a quick photo taken midday, as the already overcast skies darkened, and the icy sleet came rushing down. Soon the garden was solid white.

You can see that the Skimmia are starting to release their first leaves.

I really shouldn't complain about our weather. 

By most standards, the rest of the country is dealing with alot more 'Yuck' than we have here.

I guess it's all relative.

and some more . . .

Yup, still trying . . . 

At this stage of the game, I had the idea that I could cut out templates from freezer paper and quilt around them. Therefore, accurately sizing the quilting in relation to the leaf shapes.

But, nope. I ended up stitching and then taking all of this stitching out too.

 

So, back to deciding just what it is I want to see in the quilting for this piece.

Is change always good?

There's been some stitching . . .

. . . and some un-stitching.

 

At every stage of this project, I have changed direction. 

I work in one area, step back to evaluate what is happening, and promptly decide that

I don't like the results I am getting.

I have spent alot of time on this one. Doing and un-doing. 

Hmmm? I'm wondering just what will become of all this?

Seasonal therapy

A little playtime can be very therapeutic.

Although I haven't posted much lately, I've still been working in the studio a little each day.

Experimenting . . .

My Valentine

Begin

 Go on your journey. 

Don't let others hold you back; don't hold them back. 

Don't judge their journey; and don't let them judge yours. . .

Start today to follow your heart.

Melody Beattie from her book 'Journey to the Heart'.

For the New Year . . .

December 20, 2012

One hundred twelve Peanut Blossoms!

These are my favorite cookies.

A perfect way to spend the day.

Yum!

Honoring the pause

This morning we received a light dusting of snow. 

Not too uncommon for the Portland area at this time of year.
I was so happy to see it! 

Yesterday, I had felt a little agitated throughout the day. I didn't sleep well the night before. My cat was restless too. 

Then this morning when I looked out, I saw that  the snow had started.

A feeling of peacefulness has returned.

I love the snow for the very reason that it causes us to give pause to our day, and forces us to rearrange our lists of priorities. I believe that everyone needs this from time to time.

Enjoy your day.

We need to treat each other better.

Because when we don't, 

it hurts.

That's all I'm going to say.

Another year passes

Last night my small quilt group of friends once again celebrated the season with a dinner and quilt reveal.

Dortha graciously hosted our Pot Luck dinner - something that I think she looks forward to every year.

This years' gift exchange was a quilt top for the person whose name we had drawn, 

traditionally pieced in two colors of their choice.

This red and white beauty is what Jeni made for me.

Isn't it wonderful? I just love the color red!

All of the quilts were equally impressive.

 We all had so much fun!

Thank you everyone -

and 

Happy Holidays!