Wednesday, April 24, 2013

thoughts

I have been working on piecing the cross map/terrain/color blocked quilt... It is taking longer than most projects and seems to take more energy, but I love the final outcome so I am going to stick to it. I think once this project is over I will gravitate towards smaller projects again, or use paper piecing to make something. I do this to myself... work on a project with a thousand tiny pieces to create an intricate finished piece.... It is part of my process and part of my OCD, and sometimes it drives even me insane, but in the end it looks great, and that is what I have to keep telling myself. The obsessive, time consuming process, makes for an interesting finished piece.
So I decided I would make a little list of a few things that I am into at the moment, just a little off-the-top-of my head thinking, not in any order of importance;

Washi Tape. Tegan and Sara. Mumford and Sons. Of Monsters and Men. There is always a soundtrack in the back of my mind, this is the current one. Small felted objects, animals, things. Fabric. Patterns that have grey in them. Grey. Orange. Yellow. tiny bits of green. Thinking of all the places I have been lately. Inspired travels. Florence. Rome, Ruins. Portland. Olympia. Seattle, Pike Place/ Capital Hill. Chihuly. Arizona, the desert landscape. Seeing the ground from above. Thinking of the moments spent with S. in all the places we have gone together. Time. Gardens. Plants. Succulents. Ferns. Green things. Fruit and vegetables. Heirloom vegetables. Embroidery. Embroidery floss, lots of colors. Color. small bits of fabric. Japanese fabric. Organic cotton. Linen, cotton blends. Making.....

This list is small compared to the things that float around my brain. But these are the things that have been floating around lately. That inspire and drive me at the moment. Sometimes it is good to remember those things, to keep going and be thankful.

Monday, April 8, 2013

In the Desert



Chihuly in the Desert

I had never been to the Desert before, more specifically Phoenix, Arizona, and I must admit I did not expect it to be so breathtaking. I do not think that I could live there all the time, but it was a beautiful visit in the spring time. It was hot but dry and everything was in bloom. Rich pinks, magenta, teal, yellow and orange blooms everywhere. We spent an afternoon at the Botanical Garden, I highly recommend a visit there. From the entrance to the red rock mountains, breathtaking! There is a Chihuly sculpture in the entrance which just seemed perfect, everywhere I have gone in the past year has had one, which is a great welcome gift!




I did not get the name of this tree, but I did have a moment just staring at its beauty. From the brightness of those flowers to the dusting on the cacti, and floor underneath, just perfect. 


Love the star shapes that cacti make when they are cut back.




This crawly cactus was almost eerie like a snake crawling all over the tree... 


These murals were on the side of a restaurant in Phoenix called, Barrio cafe. A wonderful place to dine with really interesting artwork inside and out. I loved seeing the day of the dead memorabilia everywhere we went.




Of course I had to make a little visit to a quilt store while I was there... This one is called 3 Dudes Quilting, and it is owned by three men! Their selection was eclectic anything from civil war reproduction fabrics to modern prints. They had great samples lining the walls including this Amish Twist quilt. I fell in love with this beauty, if I lived there I would take the class on it. 


working away


This past month has been a whirl-wind, we went to Italy, then came back for a couple weeks and went away again to Arizona. A lot of traveling, which is always a nice adventure, but a little bit exhausting. While I was home, I had just enough time to catch my breath, and make a few little things to give as gifts. The long lasting winter and snow did help keep me in my studio, which I must admit is the ONLY nice thing about winter. 
I made these tea towels for my family for Easter, which were a quick fun project. I used some natural linen I had on hand and some Aneela Hooey fabric from her Posy collection. I love this sweet fabric and what better time than Easter to make some towels with bunnies and chicks on it. Not being very religious myself I enjoy the celebration of spring and new life that comes with Easter and this time of year. It is always very gratifying to make something in under two hours, instant gratification! 


I also made a quilt in the 3 weeks I was home, for a new baby that is to come. I wanted to deliver it in person in Arizona, so I was in a bit of a time crunch. I used the same pattern I used when I made my fall quilt, a simple block style. I hand quilted the whole piece which I knew would take some time, but I wanted to make it fun and interesting. So I used the lines in the fabric to make shapes and designs and bring out some of the patterns in the fabrics. (It is easier to see this in the bottom picture.) I also used different colors depending on the square I was quilting. It was fun using this orange, yellow color pallet, appropriate for a boy or girl and yet still looks appropriate for a child. 

the back
 
simple block style


As much as I love to travel, I must admit it is nice to come home. Especially filled with inspiration and new ideas to apply in the studio!