Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

Re-engaging Mental Pathways {Quilt Design a Day}

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Even though, I have been administrating Quilt Design a Day, it has been a while where I have been practicing on a regular basis. It was time that changed, time to get my brain re-engaged.

Here are my recent quilt design a day designs. There ones I like and more I don’t like, but that’s what I like about the challenge.

Inspiration: Succulent Leaf


Source: Design Seeds https://www.design-seeds.com/in-nature/succulents/succulent-tones-4/

Design:

Inspiration: Easter Eggs


Source: Design Seeds https://www.design-seeds.com/edible-hues/sweet-tooth/color-pick/

Design:

Inspiration: Center of the flower


Source: Design Seeds https://www.design-seeds.com/seasons/spring/spring-hues-2/

Design:

This one had a few iterations before landing on this one:

Below are Iterations 1 & 2:

Inspiration: Seaside Pools


Source: Design Seeds https://www.design-seeds.com/wander/wanderlust/mental-vacation-9/

Design:

Inspiration: Group of Succulents


Source: Design Seeds https://www.design-seeds.com/in-nature/succulents/succulent-hues-23/

Design:

Inspiration: Paint Powder


Source: Design Seeds https://www.design-seeds.com/studio-hues/collage/color-create-6/

Design 1: Lines

Design 2: Lines & Curves

Inspiration: Doorway


Source: Design Seeds https://www.design-seeds.com/wander/wanderlust/a-door-tones-4/

Design: Final Design was rotated from the literal representation of the door way.

Original Orientation and design:

It’s been fun getting back into it and getting the mental pathways for designing working again. This week (starting tomorrow) is our Medallion Week Challenge, where folks build on their design each day until they have a Medallion quilt (center + 6 rows). The theme is going to be architecture.

Come by and take a look at what folks are coming up with. For more of my designs from QDAD check out my page.

Please Note: If you would like to make or use one of my designs, please email me (ml_wilkie(at)hotmail(dot)com) or leave a comment below. I am happy to talk with you on options and provide the relevant measurements etc. or have you test out a pattern. Also, if you use one of my designs, please use the following text to credit me the design: “Designed by Michelle Wilkie @ Factotum of Arts”.

 

Reigniting Creativity + Giveaway

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I am excited to see the progress in some of my projects at the moment. Things are finally moving forward. I am traveling a bit for work at the moment, which has led to a great opportunity to diversify my projects. I think it has reignited my creativity.

I took a great class with Season Evans on hand quilting small stitches at QuiltCon. Since taking that class I am now confident in tackling the hand quilting I want to add to Orange Creamsicle quilt top. Luckily, I have a trip scheduled next week, so with my 28wt Aurifil thread in hand, I can start adding some of those lines.

The other travel project at the moment, is an applique project for my book. The blocks have been a lot of fun and I have found them relaxing. I have really enjoyed playing with selections of fabrics from my Alison Glass stash.

The bottom right block is all basted and ready for stitching. I now have plenty of choice in thread colors with my new box set of 80 wt threads, that I picked up this week from the Fat Quarter Shop. It’s fantastic for applique, you hardly see the stitches.


(FYI…I am using #ideadesigncreatequilt if you want to check out progress of my book projects over the next year).

Giveaway

UPDATE: Giveaway closed, winners have been contacted (Emily + Wendy).

Since, I bought my new box of threads of 80wt Aurifil,  I have some duplicate spools from a previous purchase. I would love to share these with a couple of people who are interested in trying it out. I have two “collections” of 5 spools (one neutral, the other multi-colored). I will randomly choose 2 winner’s next Monday at 10pm EST.

To win one of these “collections”, leave a comment below letting me know your favorite applique tutorial and/or technique.

 

 

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March Madness {Hope not}

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March is usually a crazy time of year, in my world (and not due to basketball). I am hoping it is not the same this year. It’s been a month since I blogged last….wow where did time go. I have been super busy with various projects…

QuiltCon 2017

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1. Sunday Best; 2. Rails; 3. Negative Crosswalks

QuiltCon 2017 happened last week. Three of my quilts were accepted, which was so great to see in the show. Sunday Best (first quilt on the left) was also in the QuiltCon Magazine and was the feature quilt for the section introduction of “Quilts of the Show”. I was thrilled.

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I also organized a showcase for Quilt Design a Day that had some amazing quilts from amazing people.

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The whole weekend was so amazing, as I got to meet old friends and make new friends and got to try hand quilting for the first time. Overall, a fantastic and memorable weekend.

Other News..

I published my second article for the MQG  (you need to be a member to view the link) on Improvisation: Shapes and Lines.

Also, the other big news item, is….I am self-publishing my own book (with help from a great technical editor and graphic designer). The book will be on the process of Quilt Designing. I hope to have it for sale late Q1/ early Q2 2018. I am so excited and can’t wait to share more.

I hope to be blogging a little more this month (shouldn’t be hard to improve from 0 posts in February ;-)).

 

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