Abstract, Improvisation, Intent

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Our Guild has decided to participate in the QuiltCon Charity Challenge 2016. The theme is Improv with intent and it uses a limited color palette. I have been so inspired by #beesewcial (check out the hashtag on IG) that I was so excited about this challenge, even though the color palette is a little scary (1/2 the colors very bold, the other 1/2 very neutral).

Our guild did things a little different but playing in the rules:

  • Each person was allowed to pick fat eighths of any or all the colors that the MQG had selected.
  • We chose to stick with solids only.
  • Also, we added that the block must have a triangle in the design.
  • One block required by each person who collected F8’s.

I am so inspired right now with the abstract movement, I think that you will definitely see that in both my designs. My first design, I wanted to use the white, black and grey in stripes and just have pops of color. ImprovIntent_Design1

That turned into this…
ImprovIntent_Block1
I loved the whole process of using no rulers and just using my rotary cutter, ignoring 1/4 seam allowance as I pieced pieces together.  It made it seem so much quicker (maybe 30 minutes).  I had plenty of fabric left over.

That night, I was thinking about how the past week at work, deadlines and having family visiting had made me feel a little more stressed/pressured lately. I was trying to relax and the idea of a second block popped into my head, opposing triangles pushing down (or up) on a line. I literally jumped off the sofa and put the idea into this next improv block.
ImprovIntent_Block2

I have to say this is one of my favorite blocks ever. I really wish I was making the whole quilt :-)…maybe over Christmas break I can come back to playing/experimenting.

It is so fun seeing my guild’s and other guild’s blocks coming alive….check out #quiltconcharityquilt.

 

Carry All Pin Cushion

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Where has September gone!! I thought I will try to get a post done, finally. I am so busy at the moment and finding it hard to post.  It’s all good news, I have recently signed on for 4 projects and 2 blog-hops all due before the beginning of November. All are secret projects, with many of them not being released until next year. So if I am missing, please bear with me – I will post when I can.

Today, though, I am so excited to show you my first finishes from Anna Graham’s (aka Noodlehead) new book, Handmade Style. Can I say this is a fabulous book….LOVE IT!!

SwapPinCushionPleatedPocket

We had a “In your bag” swap, with our guild this past month. My secret partner said she would be happy with anything with color preferences of teal, navy and coral. I decided that the Carry All Pin Cushion would be the perfect project.

My Project Details

Timing: The pin cushion takes about 30 minutes to cut all the pieces and an hour to put together.

Instructions: Easy to Follow

Functionality: My favorite are all the pockets, two side pockets perfect for hexagons, bobbins, and smaller items, a slip pocket for a quick’n’pick or markers and lastly the large pleaded pocket.

Creativity: There is lots of opportunity to be creative and make the project unique for you.

SwapPinCushion

My partner (Valerie) loved it!! A great gift for a quilter or a sewer.

I loved the end result and the making process, that I had to make a second one for me. I really wanted a black and white pin cushion with splashes of citron. I had my neutral Umbrella Trimmings Packet, that I used for a patchwork top.  Don’t you just love that “YOU”.
B&WPinCushionPleatedPocket

Project Details

Fabrics: Umbrella Prints, Black Essex Dyed Linen, Alison Glass Handcrafted 2 print, Cotton and Steel, Carolyn Friedlander.

Dimensions: 8.5″ x 3.5″ x 3″

Other materials: Pellon F101, and Annie’s Soft and Stable

B&WPinCushion

Other than the umbrella prints patchwork top, I am loving the pops of the greens of Alison Glass Handcrafted print and the C+S print.B&WPinCushionBottom

I can highly recommend this project and book. I am hoping to make several of the projects over the next couple of months…Handmade Christmas gifts are on my list this year :-).

 

3 Year Anniversary – Giveaway!!

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Can you believe it, I have hit the 3 year mark with my blog and my quilting hobby. Surprisingly, it feels much longer than that. In a good way, of course.

This blog started out as more than just a quilting blog. It was a space in which I shared all my hobbies & interests. Slowly, quilting/designing has consumed my world, and I have moved some of the other content to my IG account (ml_wilkie), focusing here on all things quilting.

I was thinking about the best way to recap this past year. It has been a crazy productive year, especially considering that I only have the weekends to really concentrate on quilting. To share with you how crazy it’s been here is a mosaic of my main finishes (links to the projects can be found on my Project Finishes menu above).

mosaic3a216dc1feb2bf142d82e56f6c37edc7502f35f8

A lot of these projects, represent some big accomplishments this year, including:

  • A couple of great swaps, and participating in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts
  • Contributing 5-part tutorial series “Design to Reality” on Sew Mama Sew
  • Two quilt entries accepted to QuiltCon 2015 & just the fantastic experience attending QuiltCon.
  • Block of the Month (February) Cloud 9 Cirrus Solids
  • A quilt featured on the cover of Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine (Publication)
  • A second publication in Quilt Now Magazine (Publication)
  • A quilt featured in one of Art Gallery Fabric LookBook + pattern release.
  • Quilt of the Month pattern for the Modern Quilt Guild

It is starting to get hard now to choose a favorite. I expect more of the same for the next 12 months, maybe a little less chaotic.

Ok, so I have to say this……I would not be where I am today without my wonderful supportive husband (in both allowing me to work on my quilts in my limited free time and understanding my fabric addiction) and the support system you all have provided. Thank you so much, to those who follow me here on my blog and/or Instagram. Thank you, thank you!!

This giveaway is a small gesture in which I can give back to this fabulous community I find myself immersed in. I am giving away a $50 gift card to Hawthorne Threads.

So, how do you win this gift card?

  • Just leave a comment answering  “What quilting accomplishment do you hope to fulfill over the next 12 months”. It doesn’t have to be big – anything.
  • If you are a follower please leave a second comment, just letting me know you follow.
  • A giveaway winner will be chosen at random at 8pm next Monday 7th (Labor Day here in the US)
  • This post will be updated with the winner and the winner notified via email.

Note: I read every comment but due to the number of comments I may not reply to your comment.

You, also, have a second chance of winning a $50 gift card to Hawthorne Threads by visiting me on IG (Instagram ml_wilkie)…look for the give away post in the next 30 mins.

Again, thank you!! Good luck and I hope you all have a great week.

***********Winner*****************

The winner is Lynn over @Monkey Needle!! Lynn I will be sending you the gift card today!!