First Museum Challenge

I am working on my first Vision Museum Challenge. The challenge was to create a 10" X 14" abstract piece. I wasn't a hundred percent sure what abstract was except it usually deals with shapes or something that represents something but doesn't look exactly like it. I know that abstract art is by definition "art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures." So with this definition in mind I collected several fat quarter pieces and a fat quarter is a piece of fabric that measures 18" X 22" and a half yard of fabric so about 18" X 42". I then laid my fabrics out one on top of the other and I took a photo of them.

From this photo I then edited the photo to a black and white photo. And by changing the photo to black and white I could see that I had a good range of dark, medium and light choices. So even though I had a large variety of colors the tones of the fabric  blended well together.

I then began to layout several different designs as to how I wanted to do my piece. I knew that I was going to do some hand appliqueing for this piece since it was such a small piece and applique is something I don't have a lot of experience with. 

 Once I had a general idea of what I wanted I then sewed the small squares together I cut squares out 1- 1/2" X 1-1/2" both in colored fabric and in black fabric. I then folded a 1/4"  under on all four sides and pressed the sides under and then sewed each colored square onto the black squares so just two sides of the black fabric showed.

I then sewed the strips onto the brown background fabric  and added the squares in where I wanted them. I used a blanket stitch to add the strips and squares to my background fabric.

I then quilted with a monofiliment thread. Will finish the sleeve, label and binding soon. And it will go on display at the Vision Museum in April.

Staying Busy

It always seems that the beginning of the year is a time for refocusing and evaluating goals. This year is no different. Between working on the budget, taking classes and taking more classes, we have begun to look at what we want to accomplish around the home front this year. We have made arrangements to finally put in our French door and replace the sliding glass door that is something we have wanted to do since we first started remodeling our home. Our last child will be moving next month which will open up a room for my sewing, so we went out and purchased a new desk for me and a new chair to place in the sewing room. We drew out the dimensions of the sewing room and also drew out the pieces I wish to put into the sewing room so we know things will fit. We have already painted the rooms and done the laminate flooring so I don't have to worry about doing that but I will need to do some massive cleaning and rearranging soon.

I have been taking two classes at the school Graphic Arts and Photoshop II those take some time but it is all good. And I have also been taking a once a month sewing class and have a two day free motion quilting class coming up the end of this month.

So what have I been doing sewing wise, I completed the January and February blocks for Pat Sloan's vacation time quilt along. The first block is January and the second is February. I am using black as my primary background fabric and batiks as the focal fabric. I actually had to buy the Eleanor Burns Flying Geese ruler in order to get my points to come out on my february block. In my January block if I don't redo it I will probably lose my points when I sew the sashing on but my february block came out pretty good.

 You can go here to join in with Pat Sloan's Mystery blocks
http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/2015-vacation-time-mystery-bom.html

Here is the link for the Eleanor Burns Flying Geese ruler that I used.
http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponline/rulers_display.asp?i=707

I bought my rulers at a nice little quilt shop here locally at the Crazy 9 Patch Quilt Shop the ladies there were so helpful and it is a nice clean well kept shop.  Here is a link to their website.
 http://www.crazy9patch.com/


And finally the wonderful quilt ruler storage center that my husband built for me. He is most definitely willing to make one for you as well. Feel free to contact me if you would like one of these as well.