Searching for Saffron

The theme for this challenge is the Orient Express. This train initially ran from Paris to Constantinople, now called Istanbul. Istanbul is known for it's spice markets. My quilt juxtaposes spice containers with the stepping stones to get to the markets.

I like to give myself a few side challenges when working on these quilts. For this, I wanted to continue a strong graphic look, a layered effect with see-through elements of surprise and hand stitching.

If you are interested in joining this group, let me know. The general size is A4 which is about 8.5 x 11. I have chosen to work at 11 x 14 size for my work. It just feels like more of a presence. These are a good place to experiment with ideas for larger works or new techniques. Think about it.

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The Aunty Quilt

I love making traditional quilts as much as I like to make fiber art. There are only so many quilts one needs so way back in the day, I started making quilts for some of the women in my life. Sister and Sisters-in law have been recipients. This one was gifted to my niece, Katie Jones. It is so named because this scrap quilt contains many of the fabrics used in quilts made for Katie's aunties.

Making a scrap quilt sounds like a simple project. It often requires more thought and planning than any other. For this quilt, I unified the blocks by making the outer most edge of each block a black print of the same strip width. I did not want any two adjacent blocks to have the same print or same scale print. So a plan was required for this.

All of the spaces in between are made of white and black prints of differing scales. Since these needed to be spread across the quilt, I laid all of these out in the beginning. From there, I made groupings of 5 prints that would work together. The very center of each block looked best if it was a print. As I moved across the quilt, I selected a color family that was not in the nearby blocks. I used a foundation and flip and stitch technique for making the quarter blocks.

I loved working on the quilt. All the colors make me happy. And, with a little planning at the beginning, the flow of work is much quicker with a pleasing end result.

Shout out your take on scrap quilt making or anything else that suits your fancy.

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Hello Yellow

When I lived in Missouri, my friends and I would regularly attend the Paducah Quilt show. The Moda vendor would hand out little packets of pure colored Moda marbles. After many years of gathering these little 4.5 inch square gems, it was launch time. 

I combined the marbles with other small printed fabric to make a pile of half square triangles. Placement was the really fun part. I started by making 9 patch groupings by color and then banded them with a small black and white print. From there I segued to this configuration by interrupting the single color nine patches with the black strips and occasionally I included a six patch. I often let an adjacent color play with a nine patch. It was a total joy to work with these colors. I think it's true of most quilts, that adding some layer of complexity causes the viewer to look a lot longer. that is a goal of mine in creating.

Shout out in the comments what you think.

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When the Fairies Sing

This is where I started, a quilt from a pattern. I would like to give the designer credit but I am down south at the moment and do not know her name. (If you do, add it in the comments and I will post it here.) Her design was compelling enough for me to give it a go but I thought the value treatments on the pattern cover were not strong enough to see the design. And, I was determined to shape this quilt using blue and orange, my favorite colors but ones I have not worked with for awhile.  I did not think the pattern design ended at the best spot either. This first image shows the pattern as designed.

I carried on, continuing the white portion of the design to the edges and the coral portion is now a half diamond. I think this makes the pieces look more complete. When I added the final rows around the periphery, I had run out of the medium blue fabric. I found a solid blue of the same value and it works just fine. In fact I think it probably adds a bit of interest to the quilt.

My good friend Janet Fogg quilted this for me. Her work is stunning and makes this quilt.

Are you wondering how I named this quilt? When I was a child one of my favorite songs was "White Coral Bells". We would sing it in music class in four part harmony. The last line is "that will only happen when the fairies sing". It still makes me smile.

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Shine On You Crazy Poppies

This quilt just makes me happy. It has a story but don't they all. It started as a challenge from friends. One chose the floral fabric we were all to use. I chose this bargello, of sorts, type of quilt and paired the floral fabric with green grass fabrics. I wanted to convey a sense of a field of flowers and grasses. The solid bars gave it some interest and some starts and stops. The original piece had an uneven lower edge but I never liked the shape of the finished quilt. It also never really felt finished to me. It lacked a focal point and was not compelling enough to make anyone stop and look for a bit.

I cut the bottom uneven-ness off a few years ago. Not sure where it was going, it sat for a bit. Last winter it hit me as I watched those crazy poppies shine on in my winter back yard. Once added, it has made all the difference. Everyone who sees this quilt says the same thing...it makes them happy too.
Enjoy!

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LimeLight

The theme for the A4 Challenge is Fine Line. I wanted my fine lines to be thread of various textures and colors. Originally I stitched a painted canvas with varying thread densities. Some were very close and others were farther away. My original intention was to put the most dense thread work in the center and then ease into the less dense work as I approached the edges. perhaps a fine idea but A4 is to small a space for this to be visually pleasing. This is my result. I really like the play of changing thread colors against the changing canvas colors. My experiment was quite fun.

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Oasis: North of South

 This piece was accepted into the Southern California and Nevada regional SAQA show. Each artist was invited to interpret the theme Oasis. in an 18 x 40" format.

I wrote: Along The Five, there is a place that always catches me by surprise. The highway, gradually rising, begins to reveal this hill and tree cluster. The change in terrain, reminds me that I am leaving behind the palms and ponds of my winter home for the hills and fir of my summer place. In either case, it's home, my oasis.

This is a close up of the pine forest beginnings.

Linking to Off the Wall Friday